Thoughtful Ran

Next up: The twin brothers' war story, A Husband for Two. Please add it to your collection; the blurb is at the very bottom. The full story is complete, my dears, so please add it to your collection~

[Martial arts-obsessed little ray of sunshine grows up * aloof beauty brought down from his pedestal]

1.

The current martial arts alliance leader has only one daughter. Cherished by everyone and the center of attention, she was named Ran, meaning to rise and flourish.

Chu Ran loved martial arts from a young age and had exceptional talent. Rumor had it she was a strong contender to become the next alliance leader.

When she was fifteen, the martial arts tournament held once every five years was convened to select five newcomers for a training expedition.

Chu Ran was brimming with excitement. This time, she was determined to win first place.

Then one day, a young man in blue, holding a sword adorned with a jade pendant, leaped onto the stage. His face was as handsome as jade, and his voice was cool as a spring: "I concede!"

His name was Yin Siqing, of the Yin family, the foremost of the four great clans.

Chu Ran arched an eyebrow and blinked her starry eyes at him. "You're handsome, and your martial arts are impressive too. I suppose I'll admit you're a little better than me for now. So... want to come be my junior apprentice?"

2.

Yin Siqing was strict with himself and scrupulously observed his family's rules. He was one of the finest among the younger generation of martial artists.

From childhood, he had been emotionally distant, deliberately keeping others at arm's length and rarely speaking.

At first, he only meant to fulfill his father's instructions and win the tournament. He never expected that a smiling little girl would set her sights on him after one match.

She was always clinging to his side, never mind that she had barged into his life without permission.

"You're so good at martial arts. Are you sure you don't want to come back to the Chu family with me?"

He knew he was done for. He'd lost his heart and his soul.

3.

He had no idea that after they parted, he would search for her for five years without success, missing her day and night until the longing cut deep.

At the next tournament, when they met again, Chu Ran no longer had a smile on her face. She was just like he used to be.

"This time, I'm the one who wins," she said coolly.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, he pulled her into his arms. Ignoring everyone below the stage, he buried his face in her shoulder and said hoarsely, "Then this time... it's your turn to come home with me."

Ran also means the steady passage of time.

Five years was far too long to wait. From now on, he would never let her go again.

[Reading Guide]

1. Both leads are virgins; 1v1; no misunderstandings between them; the male lead is devoted and gentle.

2. The heroine grows throughout the story. There is angst along the way, but things turn around in the end, with a happy ending.

3. The story contains many liberties taken with the setting. Don't overthink them.

------Coming Soon------

*

Qiao Yuanhua, the legitimate daughter of the Chancellor, and the Seventh Prince, Ye Nanxing, knew each other as children and fell in love. The Emperor personally arranged their marriage. They were a match made in heaven.

A grand wedding procession stretched for miles, and the whole city celebrated.

When the bridal veil was lifted, Yuanhua gazed at the man she hadn't seen in years. He had strong brows, bright eyes, and an extraordinary bearing.

In the flickering candlelight, her cheeks flushed. She couldn't help softly calling out, "Brother Nan."

She didn't know that upon hearing those words, the man's cold, proud eyes turned bloodshot. Filled with loathing, he violently pinned her beneath him and tormented her again and again, as if taking revenge.

That night, the wedding night Yuanhua had looked forward to with all her heart, became a nightmare she could never bear to remember.

As the days went by, people spoke merrily of this match made in heaven.

Yuanhua, meanwhile, was trapped deep within the prince's household, her love slowly draining away in the endless darkness. "Brother Nan, have you... forgotten me?"

Ye Nanxing gazed down at the woman in his arms with tender affection in his eyes. Suddenly, his expression turned sinister. He lifted her chin slightly and whispered like a specter, "Yuanyuan, how many times have I told you? What should you call me...?"

"Mo... Mo-lang."

"Good girl."

He smiled, at last having his wish. But Yuanhua wept, choosing to give everything up.

*

During the two years Yuanhua was gone, Ye Nanxing went completely mad.

Political upheaval rocked the court, and everyone lived in fear, all terrified of this devil from hell.

The day he found Yuanhua, she was holding a baby in her arms, with someone else by her side...

A happy family of three.

He clenched his fist, a strange smile curving his lips. "Brother, now that you're well, do you want to take everything back again?"

Both of them froze.

Ye Nanxing reached out and pulled Yuanhua tightly into his arms, his voice hoarse. "Yuanyuan, you're the only one I don't want to give up to him... even if you mistake me for him..."

Core theme: I laugh as I raise my blade to the sky; whether I stay or go, my courage and loyalty will endure