Goldfish in the Mire

(Signed for simplified Chinese publication; see Weibo @-Guiwuli for updates) [Quirky, sunny girl × gloomy, manipulative, wolf-in-sheep's-clothing] [Coming soon: Achulaga, a second-chance romance.] Goldfish in the Marsh: Every now and then, Jiang Zhiyin would hear her friends say, “Have you noticed? Your boyfriend's eyes look like a snake's. He seems like he's full of schemes, but the moment you look at him, he turns so obedient. It's weird.” Later, Jiang Zhiyin paid closer attention, but it was something else that struck her as strange. For instance, Wen Qi always chose the moment she was busiest to lean against the headboard in loose clothes, his black hair still damp. He toyed with the hearing aid he'd taken out between his slender, pale fingers, his voice indistinct and slightly hoarse. “Instead of doing that, why don't we...” His lips formed the word, growing smaller and smaller, like a sigh. Jiang Zhiyin's typing fingers paused. Guessing the word he'd started to say but hadn't finished, she stopped him in time. “Not now.” “Oh.” He played dumb and smiled. “I can't hear you. Come over here and tell me.” “...” When they were both sweaty, she deliberately stared into Wen Qi's eyes, but he covered hers with his hand and teasingly told her not to read too much into it. Only later did Jiang Zhiyin realize her friends had been right. This man's heart was pitch-black to the core. Turns out he'd been plotting to make her his from the very first time he saw her at the orphanage. Jiang Zhiyin: Guys, does anyone get it? This coy little green tea tricked me out of my body and my heart! Wen Qi: ? Who was the one acting all coy last night, then getting up first thing in the morning, dusting herself off, and asking to break up? Used me and then tossed me aside? But he still loves you. #From now on, whenever it rains, I won't think of my inflamed ear piercing or the damp smell of rain. I'll only think of you, and of how we filled a shattered glass jar with love until it spilled over, holding nothing back.# (Inspiration noted on January 27, 2023) * The male lead is devious, playing dumb to catch his prey: a cold, charming fake white lotus. There will be plenty of risqué elements. If you tend to judge fiction by real-life standards, please proceed with caution! Everyone has their own taste; if this isn't yours, feel free to drop it and cut your losses. Thank you! * The male lead is two years older than the female lead. * The first ten chapters take place in high school; the main setting is urban. * One-on-one, both sexually inexperienced, first love and healing, happy ending. * Achulaga Avoidant, slow-to-warm woman × Tibetan wolf in sheep's clothing, beautiful young man -1- Li Tang quit her job and went to Tibet to unwind. Snowy mountains and rivers lined the way, with grasslands stretching endlessly into the distance. Sitting with her head bowed in a little shop, she breathed oxygen to ease her altitude sickness. The kind people around her asked if she needed any help. Li Tang waved them off. When she looked up, someone was pushing open the door, walking in with unhurried, measured steps. A string of dzi beads at his neck swayed gently with his movements. He wore a loose Tibetan robe with blue and yellow panels, cinched tightly at the waist. A turquoise earring hung from his left ear, and he carried a black demon-mask with fangs, as if he'd just finished performing. People around them called him “Jiacuo.” Li Tang remembered that she used to call him “Jiangchu.” Back then, they were in bed, their clothes in disarray. His slightly long black hair fell across the tip of his nose, his lips were moist, and a pair of beautiful dark brown eyes showed through the strands. His pupils were unfocused, though, and when his lashes fluttered, they glistened with moisture. “Isn't there a celibacy... precept?” He whispered softly, “I checked. It's allowed.” -2- [February 22, 2022. Snow] I asked Jiangchu to break up with me, and immediately regretted the decision. Because it was snowing heavily that day. He lifted my legs and pinned me against the cold glass of the floor-to-ceiling window. The snow completely covered the night view of Kunming behind us. I was shivering from the cold, and he used up a whole box in front of me. Of course, half of them were because his eyes were red with anger and his hands were shaking, so he didn't put them on. But I still regretted bringing up the breakup that day... Sigh, I should've picked a warmer day for one last wild night. From I Don't Even Know What I'm Writing, by Li Tang -3- Sometimes, when Li Tang was in his mouth, she would lose her name. On very rare occasions, he called her “cham mo.” Whore. (Blurb written February 24, 2025; revised March 24, 2025; screenshot saved) Theme: Be strong and love yourself!!