The Life of a Live-in Son-in-Law in Ancient Times

Who in the modern world hasn't fantasized about transmigrating? Back when transmigration dramas were all the rage, Lin Yan was an awkward, rebellious teenager. After devouring all kinds of transmigration novels, he longed to transmigrate more than anything...

He thought that once he transmigrated, he could easily make modern things like glass and gunpowder, become an imperial adviser, or pass the highest-level civil service exam. That would all be a piece of cake, right?

But when Lin Yan really did transmigrate...

*

He discovered that life after transmigration wasn't at all like he imagined. With no household registration, he could barely get by. His attempts at making snacks failed! Making glass failed! Gunpowder was out of the question! He wanted to follow in the footsteps of those who had come before him and recite classic works from memory, becoming a great writer, but what was the first line of Dream of the Red Chamber? He'd forgotten it completely.

With his soft skin, weak shoulders and arms, and poor health that left him winded after a short run, Lin Yan, a modern homebody, was utterly useless. Even keeping himself fed and clothed was a struggle.

Fortunately, he was lucky enough to meet a quiet, kind-hearted local man who took him in.

Oh, wait, apparently he wasn't a man. What was it they called them? A ge'er? Lin Yan didn't really understand any of that. Anyway, the man treated him well, so he just thought of him as a good buddy.

His good buddy was incredibly protective of him. He not only helped Lin Yan sort out his household registration, but whenever people misunderstood Lin Yan's behavior and called him crazy or said there was something wrong with his head, the man would chase them all over the street with a butcher's knife for talking behind Lin Yan's back...

Lin Yan: This guy's a keeper!

*

From the shou's perspective

It's common knowledge that ge'er were rejected when they first appeared and were once considered ill omens. Even many years later, the prejudice hadn't disappeared, and their status remained low.

There are very few ge'er like He Jiang who work in public as butchers. He's fierce by nature, and the constant smell of blood from slaughtering pigs keeps most people at a distance. Even though his family is fairly well-off locally, no one dares marry him.

Until... he brings a pretty-boy home from the mountains.

*

The pretty-boy is incredibly handsome, fair and clean, with the faintest dimples when he smiles and a lovely voice. Though he sometimes says strange things, He Jiang falls for him at first sight. He thinks the heavens have given him a gift...

The only problem is, how can he tell his little husband: I don't think of you as a brother. You're the husband I brought home to live with me?

*

At first, Lin Yan walks into the bath completely unbothered when he sees He Jiang washing.

Lin Yan: Buddy, you've got great muscles! Can I feel them? (He says it with completely innocent admiration, flirting without realizing it.)

Later.

Lin Yan: What did you say? You're pregnant? (Turns to stone.)

*

Before transmigrating, the gong was just an ordinary university student. He was lazy and clueless about farming, and had no golden finger. At first, after transmigrating, he was all over the place, a little slow on the uptake and a bit of a fool. Only later did he slowly accept reality and start a small business with the shou... (He's not going to pass the imperial exams, so don't even think about it.)

Theme: Cherish the present.