The Distant Cousin

(A gentle male lead and a clever, mischievous female lead. Wanwan isn't particularly gentle, and the writing has a slice-of-life feel.)

When Song Jinshu was fifteen, a distant cousin came to live with his family. She looked about twelve or thirteen, had rather dark skin, and her bright, lively eyes seemed curious about everything. When their eyes met, she smiled at him, her gaze seeming to hold a sky full of stars.

His mother said the cousin was just as gentle as her name suggested, and at first Song Jinshu thought so too.

That was until he saw her climbing trees to pick fruit, taking off her shoes and socks to fish in the river, and casually tossing a filthy handkerchief onto his tea table. He couldn't hold back any longer and roared, "Ye Wan!"

"Cousin, I... I didn't mean to."

Seeing her usually mild-mannered cousin lose his temper, Ye Wan suddenly realized what she'd done. Looking sheepish, she immediately backed down and decided to "turn over a new leaf" from then on.

As the years passed, his cousin grew more and more beautiful, and acted ever more gentle and refined in public. Matchmakers gradually began calling on the family to make inquiries. When Song Jinshu found out, his usually warm expression darkened beyond his control.

Forget it. After all, years of living with this little girl had cured him of his cleanliness obsession. She was one thing on the outside and another within. If she married into another family, she might get bullied. Better to keep her at home.

(Blurb posted on October 7, 2022.)

Preorder: The Marquis Is Acting Very Strange

(Young Marquis and the girl next door, with an older female lead.)

In the eighteenth year of the Jin'an era, Duke of Qi Ren Qin was appointed imperial commissioner and sent south to fight the floods. Sadly, he was killed by rocks tumbling down a collapsing mountainside, dying in the line of duty and leaving his wife and two children to deal with the mess in the capital.

The Duchess of Qi was a frail beauty. Giving birth to her younger son had damaged her health, and she had been sickly for years. After her husband's death, she was so heartbroken that she became bedridden, leaving siblings Meng Yujin and her younger brother to struggle to protect the family's vast estate.

Her younger brother was too young to be of any help, and her mother was bedridden with a long illness. As the Duke's eldest legitimate daughter, Meng Yujin had no choice but to step forward and do her best to support the household.

Her uncles coveted the family estate, while outsiders tested the waters. Meng Yujin had to be cautious at every turn as she dealt with them, while also taking care of her mother and raising her younger brother.

After three full years, she finally secured control of the household. In the process, she had put off her own marriage and become an "old maid" in the eyes of others. Malicious rumors about her came one after another.

The young marquis from the neighboring household, who often helped her and her brother, suddenly suggested they pretend to marry to silence the gossip.

"My only elder relative at home is my uncle. You should know what he's like. He's in no rush for me to have an heir, and our families live so close that you can come back to look after things whenever you like. I've helped you so much already. What's one more favor?"

Meng Yujin felt there was something off about it, so no matter how much the young marquis went on, she wouldn't agree. It wasn't until Lord Zhou from next door personally came to offer his support that she reluctantly accepted.

But every part of the wedding was carried out to the letter, and the young marquis's gaze grew stranger by the day. What was going on?

Bonus Scene:

Zhou Heng: "Sister Meng, let me help you."

Yujin: "All right. Thank you, Marquis."

Zhou Heng: "Sister Yujin, come to me if you need help."

Yujin: "Well... all right!"

Zhou Heng: "Yujin, how about becoming a real married couple?"

Yujin: "???!!!"

Notes:

1. The male lead is younger. The female lead is two years older.

2. The male lead seems like a playboy, but he's got eight hundred schemes up his sleeve.

(Blurb posted on March 5, 2023.)

Theme: Cherish the person by your side.