Those Years I Was a Favored Consort

[A sunny, cheerful guy who thinks he's sworn off love x A cool, ruthless, beautiful and tragic emperor who quietly watches you perform]

Wen Xi had always had a smooth reign as emperor, with a war-god uncle, a genius father, an iron-willed mother, and him, their only child.

The person he fell in love with at first sight, the one he adored above all others, was his male consort. His childhood friend was the divine general who protected the nation.

It wasn't until he saw the person he loved entangled with his childhood friend that he understood why the one he'd given his whole heart to had always treated him with cold indifference and disdain.

Those two staged a rebellion together, and he became the emperor of a fallen kingdom.

He escaped death by the skin of his teeth, disguised himself, and faked his death. Before he could even catch his breath, he was dragged back to the palace and became one of the former love's male favorites.

With their positions reversed, some things suddenly became clear, while others left him in a bewildering maze, impossible to understand.

He thought Lin Heyi had always been cold and distant toward him, and must hate him to the core. But why did every male favorite in the palace look a little like him?

He thought Lin Heyi had gotten his revenge and ascended the throne, and should be enjoying a life of triumph. But why could he still hear a cry of utter despair from outside the sleeping chamber?

Wen Xi couldn't figure it out, so he decided not to bother. In any case, his past with Lin Heyi was over. They were even in love and hate.

Vulgar, crude, uneducated, jealous and petty: these were the things Lin Heyi hated most.

But could someone explain why he was now the most favored one?

Even the person who had once been the proudest and most aloof could take his hand and say tenderly, "Just stay by my side."

And when he saw General Qi, the childhood friend he'd always treated like a brother, kissing his portrait with deep longing, he couldn't take it anymore.

These two lunatics are cheating on me. I have to escape.

A delicate golden chain wound several times around his hands, chiming softly as a pale, slender hand drew it taut.

Lin Heyi brushed back his hair, hooked the other end of the chain, and drew it behind his own neck. Under Wen Xi's shocked gaze, he fastened the clasp. Tiny rubies and gold links intertwined and glimmered against his pale, gaunt skin.

"Go on, struggle. Run away." Lin Heyi braced a hand on his shoulder, his eyes brewing a thick red haze of madness.

Wen Xi stopped struggling and silently turned away, using his bound hands to cover his nose, which was about to bleed.

[Reader's guide]

◎ One-on-one

◎ Both are chaste. Nothing happened between the bottom and his childhood friend, the general.

◎ The bottom is beautiful and badass. The top is a devoted admirer, a master of the situation, a Dior-loving genius, and a hopeless romantic. At first, he's a pure-love warrior; later, he's a pure-love warrior putting on an act. His mouth is the second-stubbornest part of him. The top spoils the bottom.

◎ There's a reason the top acts like a lazy fish even after being usurped early in the story. There's a similar reason he doesn't hate the bottom all that much. The truth will be revealed later.

Here's a new story I'm looking to publish. Please show it some love (bows)

After His Childhood Sweetheart Fiancé Broke Off Their Engagement

In City B, news of a famous business owner's embezzlement and unpaid wages continued to spread, along with the scandal that his son had bullied classmates. The news caused an uproar, and the Ran family's mother and son became the targets of public outrage.

Ran Shuyang's world changed in an instant. He cooperated with the investigation and set the record straight, comforted his mother as she neared a breakdown, tried to get along with the illegitimate son who had been brought back into the family, faced classmates and friends whose attitudes had changed, and... dealt with his childhood sweetheart and fiancé, Tong Jiacheng.

[Jiacheng, I'm downstairs.]

[No need, just take care of your own business. I'm almost there.]

After that day, they never went to school together again.

On social media, Tong Jiacheng deleted all their photos together. Someone commented, "Isn't this Young Master Ran's fiancé?"

His newly arrived younger brother immediately replied, "Jiacheng is a victim too. He's already cut ties with Ran Shuyang."

The comment was never deleted. A few days later, Ran Yichao's comment showed that the blogger had liked it.

A movie about fighting bullying, where the newcomer beats out the childhood sweetheart, came out. Ran Yichao posted a screenful of pointed remarks on his social media, with a corner of Tong Jiacheng's clothes clearly visible in the photo.

Tong Jiacheng's name stood out among the long list of likes.

After their engagement was canceled, Ran Shuyang ran into Tong Jiacheng and his friends at a restaurant. He heard the people in the private room loudly celebrating Jiacheng's escape from a criminal and his fresh start.

As he stood there in a daze, he saw Tong Jiacheng through the crack in the door, raising his glass and smiling with relief.

The night before leaving City B, Ran Shuyang still opened their chat and sent: [Want to go to the library together on Saturday?]

Only after a long time did the other side reply: [I have plans this weekend, so I won't go.]

Ran Shuyang replied immediately: [Okay.]

That was the last word he ever sent in their chat.

Two years later, officials in City B were arrested, and the truth came to light: all the previous accusations against the Ran family and his mother had been fabrications.

Tong Jiacheng stared at the chat window, which seemed destined to remain unanswered, and slowly fell into despair.

On a street in City H, where they met again, he saw the person beside Ran Shuyang and nearly fell apart.

"Actually, every 'I'm sorry' I've ever said to you was a lie. They all meant 'I love you.'"

2024.12

Theme: When you find yourself in darkness, never give up. Hope will become a light.