After Being Reborn, I Insist on Cuddling My Husband

In his previous life, Jiang Huaijin was a spoiled, unruly rich kid whom everyone hated.

Orphaned young and left without proper discipline, he was also so highborn that no one dared cross him. By the time his uncle, the emperor, who spent most of his time in the palace, realized the boy had gone astray and tried to set him right, it was already too late. So he simply arranged Jiang Huaijin’s marriage to Gu Zhan, a famed cavalry general who had just returned victorious from battle. It was both a reward for the general’s victory and an attempt to have this noble, upright man help rein in the boy.

Jiang Huaijin assumed neither of them had wanted the marriage. The general had returned victorious from war, and instead of a promotion or a reward of silver, he’d been saddled with a man for a wife. Who would be happy about that? No wonder Gu Zhan was so strict with him. He made him study and practice his calligraphy, forbade him from racing horses in the streets, shut down his opera troupe, punished him for playing cuju or getting into fights, and beat him for playing dice. The rules were thick enough to fill three feet of paper. Even drinking a little wine from the ice cellar earned him a punishment standing by the wall. Every night, Jiang Huaijin was so furious he picked a fight with Gu Zhan, biting his neck and scratching his back. Once, in the heat of the moment, he even raked bloody lines across Gu Zhan’s face. Plenty of people were waiting to see the two of them make fools of themselves.

But after thunder rumbled through a rainy night, Gu Zhan held Jiang Huaijin close and soothed him. “There, don’t be afraid. Your husband is right here. I said I wouldn’t take concubines, and I won’t. I only want you.”

Jiang Huaijin’s voice was muffled. “But I’m no good. I don’t deserve you.”

Gu Zhan pulled him closer, heart aching. “Who says that? My Huaijin is the best. It was hard growing up all alone, sweetheart. You just like to play around a bit. It’s nothing.”

Gu Zhan patiently accepted his terrible behavior and taught Jiang Huaijin how to be an adult again. But just when Jiang Huaijin loved him most, Gu Zhan died in battle. On the day his coffin returned to the capital, Jiang Huaijin spat blood onto it and died of heartbreak.

When he opened his eyes again, he had returned to his youth. He wasn’t even very practiced at being a spoiled brat yet, and Gu Zhan... Gu Zhan was the one who needed looking after!

Jiang Huaijin thought that once he found Gu Zhan, his life would be all right. Gu Zhan would surely discipline him, care for him, cherish him, teach him poetry and principles, and help him grow up, just as he had in his previous life. But who could have guessed that the Gu Zhan of this time was a complete hooligan, with none of that noble, upright bearing?

The first time Jiang Huaijin saw Gu Zhan at the academy, Gu Zhan kicked a classmate flying, then got mobbed by the others. Jiang Huaijin got punched in the face in the crossfire.

The second time, Jiang Huaijin followed Gu Zhan to a shady martial arts school. Gu Zhan was taking under-the-table jobs there, collecting debts and demanding protection money from the shops along the street.

The third time, Gu Zhan was cockfighting; the fourth, he was drinking at a brothel...

Jiang Huaijin finally lost patience and brought a group of people to block Gu Zhan’s way. His little face was full of accusation. “Why are you going to a brothel? Did you call for a girl?”

“Whether I did or not is none of your damn business!” Gu Zhan snapped, furious and embarrassed. “What the hell do you want?”

“Don’t use foul language!” Jiang Huaijin, who had been given rules to follow every day in his previous life, was even angrier. His eyes turned red, and tears spilled down his cheeks. How could Gu Zhan bully him like this? Gu Zhan swore himself, so why had he scolded Jiang Huaijin for swearing in their previous life? He was so young and already going to brothels. Who knew how many women he’d had in his previous life? No wonder he knew every trick in the book. The more Jiang Huaijin thought about it, the more wronged he felt, and the harder he cried. Gu Zhan was left at a loss. “Stop crying. I... I didn’t call for a girl. I swear! I was there to collect money. You can check for yourself if you don’t believe me.”

Only then did Jiang Huaijin realize how hard Gu Zhan’s life was. The foster mother who had raised him was seriously ill. The cost of seeking doctors and medicine had drained the family’s savings and left them deeply in debt. He had to support his own household and look after his brothers, who were even worse off. He paid off their debts and raised his little sister, barely scraping by. His husband had been out fending for himself since he was little, enduring contempt, hardship, and beatings just to make a living.

In his previous life, Jiang Huaijin had only known the noble, upright general. Starting over in this life, he had returned to the most wretched days of Gu Zhan’s childhood.

Back at Gu Zhan’s side, Jiang Huaijin sniffled as he laid down the law. “From now on, you’re under my care. No brothels, no swearing, you have to come first in your exams, and no fighting!”

A little bonus scene:

The young marquis whined:

“Husband, when are we finally getting married?”

“Husband, can I sleep in your room tonight?”

“Husband, I can’t sleep if I’m not next to you.”

Gu Zhan: ...Little tyrant, could you put your leg down first? :)

Content warning: 1. This is a fictional setting. Some historical details may be mixed together, so readers who care about historical accuracy may want to steer clear!

------------Please add my new novel to your reading list: The Unspoken Things Between Me and the Deposed Crown Prince------------------

Bai Yanchuan snatched a beauty and took him up the mountain. The beauty was pure, aloof, elegant, and stunningly handsome, and Bai Yanchuan was instantly smitten. Acting on impulse, the tipsy Bai Yanchuan insisted on exchanging wedding vows with the beauty. He was so overcome with passion that he barely heard the beauty whisper in his ear, “Husband, would you be willing to share life and death with me?”

Bai Yanchuan was caught up in the moment, kissing the beauty and agreeing to everything. “Forget sharing life and death. I’d give you my life!”

The beauty smiled and bit a mark into his shoulder. “Then it’s settled!”

Their newlywed days were blissful. His wife was not only beautiful, but also obedient to his every wish. Just as Bai Yanchuan was so besotted he’d forgotten which way was up, his wife suddenly disappeared.

Bai Yanchuan was frantic, but there was worse news: the deposed crown prince, Liang Chengmin, had raised an army in rebellion and captured three cities. Now he wanted to negotiate with them!

The moment the envoy took off his hood, Bai Yanchuan finally understood what his wife had meant by sharing life and death on their wedding night.

Liang Chengmin smiled. “Husband, bring your hundred thousand elite troops and share life and death with me.”

Bai Yanchuan: “You’ve been plotting against me!”

Liang Chengmin looked ready to cry. “Can you bear to watch people bully my father and me?”

Bai Yanchuan: ...I knew he’d come to take my life!

The old emperor was incompetent, and the realm was in decline. Crown Prince Liang Chengmin was virtuous, principled, willing to accept counsel, and devoted to his people. He had the court’s approval and the people’s support, yet the emperor believed slanderous rumors, deposed him, and sentenced him to death. Liang Chengmin then raised an army in the name of saving the emperor.

The army heard that their commander had recruited the remnant White Tiger Army without spending a single soldier, gaining a hundred thousand elite troops and bringing the formidable White Tiger to heel. If the commander told him to go east, he would never dare go west; if told to chase a dog, he wouldn’t dare chase a chicken. The generals clapped and cheered, though some couldn’t help feeling jealous.

They were all fighting to save the emperor and hoping to earn credit for helping the new ruler take the throne. Why was this man the one who stood out?

When the commander wanted to attack a city, he volunteered to lead the vanguard. When the commander went out, he held the reins. When the commander wanted sour plums, he was up before dawn to pick the freshest ones. He had absolutely no shame!

Bai Yanchuan: How is that the same? You’re fighting for credit helping the new ruler take the throne. I’m looking after my wife and child!

A friend’s novel to add to your reading list: I Heard I Was Devoted

I Heard I Was Devoted by Zhi Ya

Wen Tingyu loved Bai Sicheng for nine years. He never missed a day sending a caring text. He worried that Bai Sicheng might be cold, then worried he might be hot. He missed him before he even had time to miss him, and worried about him before he even had time to worry. Everyone said he loved Bai Sicheng so desperately that he’d thrown away his self-respect.

Bai Sicheng smugly told his good-for-nothing friends, “Even the right to love me is something I granted him!”

To stay by Bai Sicheng’s side, Wen Tingyu was willing to be his stand-in, even if that was all he could be.

For nine years, Bai Sicheng treated Wen Tingyu as a disposable substitute, calling him over whenever he wanted and sending him away just as easily. Arrogant and self-assured, he believed Wen Tingyu wouldn’t survive even a day without him.

*

Wen Tingyu opened How Not to Lose to a Robot Vacuum in Emotional Intelligence, copied the ninety-ninth entry, and sent it to him.

[ Sicheng, it’s going to rain soon. Remember to bring an umbrella. It’s cold, so drink some hot water and get plenty of rest. ]

Max-Level Lover Daily Tasks (10/10)

Then Bai Sicheng’s first love returned, and Wen Tingyu’s good life, earning a million a month just by pressing Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V every day, came to an end.

Wen Tingyu put on a sorrowful expression and asked Bai Sicheng to break up.

Bai Sicheng casually lit a cigarette, assuming he was playing hard to get. His eyes held the coldest scorn. “The fact that you’ve stayed by my side for nine years shows you know your place. That’s what I like about you.”

Wen Tingyu packed his things and left. Bai Sicheng thought he was just playing hard to get and would soon come back crying and begging to get back together.

A month passed, and Wen Tingyu started going on blind dates. Bai Sicheng thought he was taking a step back to get closer!

Two months passed, and Wen Tingyu started dating. Bai Sicheng thought he’d soon give up on the act!

Three months passed, and Bai Sicheng drank himself into a stomach hemorrhage. As he was wheeled into the emergency room, barely conscious, he called Wen Tingyu. “We don’t have to break up, okay?”

Bai Sicheng gave up smoking, drinking, and everything else Wen Tingyu disliked, only to discover, miserably, that even Wen Tingyu’s dog ranked higher than he did!

At first, Bai Sicheng thought Wen Tingyu loved him so much he never got angry.

Later, Bai Sicheng realized Wen Tingyu simply never got angry, and it had nothing to do with loving him.

Wen Tingyu’s favorability toward everyone is a steady 59. He trusts people too easily and is always being cheated until he’s broke. At a bad friend’s suggestion, he pretends to be a hopeless romantic, hoping to fight fire with fire. In the ninth year of his relationship with Bai Sicheng, Wen Tingyu had a hundred million more in his bank account, but his condition hadn’t improved at all!

Theme: Growing together through warmth and love, caring for one another, and discovering the true meaning of life together