Spring in the Crane's Canopy

My next novel, Mu Yun, starts on May 9. Marriage first, love later. Blurb below.

--- Blurb ---

To escape the marriage her family arranged for her, Mu Qianli swears she will never go through with it and runs away.

But her family continues searching everywhere for her.

Hiding from them is no long-term solution.

The surest way to put an end to it is to have a child, then keep the child and leave the father behind.

Even if her family catches her again, the marriage will surely be called off, and she won't have to marry anyone.

Mu Qianli rents a house in a remote town.

Her young neighbor is named Rong Che.

Rong Che is exceptionally handsome, but frail and sickly. He probably doesn't have long to live.

His family is poor, and despite being ill for a year, not one family member has come to look after him.

He is the perfect choice.

Mu Qianli sets her sights on her sickly neighbor.

By day, she is warm and attentive, always asking after his health.

Seeing how destitute he is, she supports and provides for him, helps him get stronger, and feeds and cares for him in every way.

At night, she lights sleep-inducing incense, climbs through Rong Che's window, and slips into his room, leaving quietly at dawn.

Until one day.

Mu Qianli carelessly forgets to clean up the incense burned the night before, so she has to hurry into the neighboring house to dispose of the evidence.

Before she even enters the room, she hears Rong Che's only attendant squatting in the corner, muttering in confusion:

“Isn't this the fake stuff that old con artist in the east of town sells? No wonder my master has been getting weaker lately. How could anyone sleep well with this burning?”

That night, Mu Qianli curls up in her room, fretting.

Has Rong Che been asleep all this time, or has he been awake?

Just then, Rong Che climbs into her room wearing nothing but a light robe. He gazes at her with burning eyes. “What's wrong tonight? The incense has all burned out. Why haven't you come over yet?”

Reading guide:

1. The heroine is bold and spirited, with maxed-out fighting skills and a simple, blunt way of thinking. The hero pretends to be sickly but is actually devious, with maxed-out cunning. He has been plotting for a long time, playing the pig to eat the tiger.

2. A lighthearted, sweet romance.

3. One-on-one romance, both leads have no prior sexual experience. Plenty of sweetness.

--- Upcoming Novel ---

Mu Yun

The beloved daughter of the Jiang family is as beautiful as a flower, with a gentle and docile nature.

Anyone who sees her can't help but soften, and everyone speaks to her in a tender voice.

Except Shen Du.

Shen Du makes no effort to hide his dislike of Jiang Yunshu.

He treats her coldly, almost cruelly, and often bullies her until she's close to tears.

Who could have guessed that the two of them would eventually marry?

Everyone assumes Jiang Yunshu will have a hard life after marrying into the Shen family and will be bullied even more.

But after their marriage, Jiang Yunshu only grows more radiant and vibrant. She shows no sign of being bullied.

Instead, Shen Du becomes moody and unpredictable.

Someone says that one time, they went to Shen Du's study with a colleague to discuss business.

They had barely exchanged a few words when they angered him.

Shen Du scowls and snaps hoarsely, “All of you, get out!”

Everyone flees in a panic, completely baffled as to why Shen Du suddenly flew into a rage, his ears red.

No one knows that after the crowd has left, Shen Du roughly lifts the pretty face hidden beneath the desk.

His rough fingertips show no mercy as they knead her moist, red lips.

Shen Du's breathing is uneven as he grits his teeth. “Jiang Yunshu, are you done playing?”

*

In his smooth-sailing life, Shen Du has never met a woman as outrageous as Jiang Yunshu.

He can do nothing about her.

He can't stop himself from gradually falling into her tender embrace.

Until one morning.

They are wrapped in each other's arms, enjoying the peaceful stillness after their passion.

Jiang Yunshu's soft fingertips brush over an old scar on his back as she murmurs, “I'm so glad you rescued me in that dark alley back then. It must have hurt so much.”

Shen Du's back stiffens. Facing away from her, his pupils tremble.

He knows full well that he never rescued anyone in a dark alley.

And he got that scar on the battlefield, the year he went to war with the army.

Theme: Treat others sincerely and love with all your heart