The Mountain Pass Is Hard to Cross

[The physical edition is now available at major retailers and platforms @ Rusi Lin]

“Only after meeting Xu Sheng did I understand how hard it is to cross mountains and passes.”

Blurb:

1. The first time Song Zhuyu met Xu Sheng,

was in a remote southern town during the endless plum rains.

Rain splashed everywhere from the gray tiles of an old house. Holding an umbrella, Song Zhuyu walked up to the door of a hardware store and knocked on its dust-covered door.

“Hello, I’m looking for Xu Songsong’s parent.”

A long while passed.

The person inside pulled open the battered rolling shutter, revealing a sour face with an indifferent gaze.

The teenager had neat short hair, sharp eyes and brows, and his chin was tilted slightly upward. His tone was extremely impatient. “What is it?”

“I’m looking for Xu Songsong’s parent,” Song Zhuyu repeated.

The boy’s gaze settled on her. He was insolent and cocky. “I’m his old man. Spit it out.”

2. Song Zhuyu would never forget

that night when the sky was strewn with stars.

The boy cornered her beside an old wooden door. The aged, metallic scent mixed with the crisp smell of mint on him and swept over her.

“Big Sis, can you please stay?” His eyes seemed a little dim.

Song Zhuyu looked up at him, vaguely remembering the harsh words he had thrown at her before.

He had said, “If you want to leave, then leave. I won’t stop you.”

Before she could react, the boy’s impatient, feverish kiss came down on her,

driving the breath from her lungs.

“I won’t allow it.” He was furious.

*

1. Blurb written on: 2023.2.11

2. Small-town story / younger man / wild-dog little brother / sweet romance / height difference

3. The title comes from Preface to Prince Teng’s Pavilion

4. Both leads are adults when they appear. The male lead is a student’s older brother, so this is not a teacher-student romance.

5. The male lead calls the female lead “Big Sis” as a term of endearment between lovers. They are not related by blood.

Theme: Braving every obstacle