A Sweet Republican-Era Romance About a Husband Who Dotes on His Wife

[Dear readers, it goes VIP on Friday the 23rd! Please add it to your favorites! Love you!]

A down-and-out playboy from the Republic of China era and his irritable, fiercely possessive, powerful, straight childhood friend.

1. Xia Zhi likes eating fruit jelly at night. The rare treat is only available at a French restaurant on the outskirts of town. He finds going out too much trouble, and money has been tight lately. His opera troupe at the pear garden is almost ready to leave, so out of habit he calls Lu Kaijiang, who's attending a meeting in Tianjin.

Mr. Lu is in the middle of tearing into his adjutant. He answers the phone in a foul mood and says coldly, “Speak.”

Xia Zhi is lounging on a Soviet-made wool sofa, his body so relaxed he seems to have no bones. He pays no heed to his friend's dark mood and drawls, “Second Lu, call the French restaurant and have them send some fruit jelly to the Xia residence.”

“...” Lu Kaijiang, far away in Tianjin, falls silent for a moment. His tone softens a little. “Call them yourself and put it on my tab.”

“I want you to call.” Xia Zhi sounds coy.

Lu Kaijiang chuckles, then asks, “How many portions?”

Xia Zhi smiles. “Two. My friend, the famous opera singer, is here too. You know, the best Huangmei Opera performer, Yingguan. He's incredibly handsome without his makeup, too. We've been getting along well lately.”

“Do you remember what I told you before, Xia San?” Lu Kaijiang's voice suddenly turns grave over the phone, more imposing and terrifying than even Xia Zhi's late father, the general who died in battle.

Xia Zhi's heart skips, but trusting that he knows his friend's temper, he answers in a conciliatory voice, “I know, I know. I make friends with them properly. It's not as dirty as you think. And you know me, I'm still taking my medicine.”

Xia Zhi was born impotent. He has been taking medicine for years without much improvement. Even if he wanted to sleep around, he couldn't.

Hearing this, Lu Kaijiang's fingers, which had been tapping restlessly on the huanghuali desk, slowly come to a stop. Still, he warns Xia Zhi in a furious voice, “Xia San, your father is gone. He told me himself to keep an eye on you. I don't care who you make friends with, but if I find out one of them has gotten into something they shouldn't, I won't come after you. I'll shoot him dead myself!”

Xia Zhi obediently nods.

2. One day, Xia Zhi and Lu Kaijiang are bathing together in a private residence when Xia Zhi suddenly grabs Lu Kaijiang's sturdy forearm and exclaims in delight, “Kaijiang! I think... I think I'm working again! Look!”

Before Lu Kaijiang can say a word, Xia San, whose skin is as pale and smooth as soft jade, is about to jump out of the bath.

Lu Kaijiang asks, “Where are you going?”

In a hurry, Xia Zhi blushes, his beautiful eyes full of affection. “I've been getting along well with the young master from the newspaper lately. He found me a doctor, so I... I should show him I'm better, right?”

“Get back here.” Lu Kaijiang's voice is cold enough to kill. “If you dare fool around with a man, I'll break your legs.”

3. Later, Xia Zhi lies in bed and asks his Lu-ge, “Why didn't you break my legs when I got together with you?”

Lu Kaijiang holds Xia Zhi's slender, delicate leg, kisses it, and smiles without answering.

[Reader's Guide]

1. The bottom is just naturally a bit of a flirt. He only dates one person at a time. He's not a bad person. He's had many boyfriends, but things never went beyond a certain point, and he's always been a gentleman.

2. An incredibly sweet, everyday romance full of pampering.

3. Please add it to your favorites!

Here's Jiji's upcoming story: "Mr. Lin, You Can't Escape"

Eight years ago, Lawyer Lin was accepted into the country's top university to study law. After graduating, he stayed in Beijing, joined one of the nation's top ten elite law firms, and took a part-time job lecturing on law at a university. He's the pride of his family and his entire village.

Like all the men from the countryside who make it big in the city, he longs to put down roots in Beijing, change his fate, marry a rich, beautiful woman, and rise to the top. But... he absolutely does not want to get involved with a rich young master!

But for eight whole years, Ji Qianxing, the rich young master who shared his dorm room since university, has followed him everywhere. Wherever Lin goes, Ji Qianxing goes. Whatever Lin does, Ji Qianxing does too. Under the pretense of being classmates, Ji Qianxing has even lived with him for eight years. Last week, the two of them somehow ended up kissing!

This is too dangerous, really too dangerous. Lawyer Lin applies for an out-of-town business trip in the middle of the night, deciding to hide for a year or two. After all, he really can't afford to offend a Beijing big shot. Ji Qianxing has never outright said he's pursuing him. He just uses their status as classmates and colleagues as an excuse to take care of him and treat him well. But if this goes on, Lin is afraid he really won't be able to hold out.

Lawyer Lin is still shaken as he sits on the plane, constantly checking his phone, afraid Ji Qianxing will message him to ask why he went on a business trip without telling him.

Just then, a familiar voice sounds in his ear. “Lin Shuai, what a coincidence. Are you traveling for work too? I just got word that I have to go on a business trip. Looks like we can travel together again, buddy.”

Lin Shuai jerks his head up and sees the charming young master Ji smiling at him, his captivating eyes crinkled as he looks down at him.

His expensive, perfectly tailored suit outlines his tall, broad frame. He's got an exceptional bearing, and anyone would take him for a wealthy young man with impeccable manners.

But Lin Shuai can tell that Ji Qianxing is pressing his advantage. His smiling eyes seem to say, “Baby, you can't escape.”

Little Lawyer Lin: Help, h-help!

A naive, timid, straight country boy x a devoted, wealthy heartthrob with terrifying patience

1. Pure sweetness, both are virgins. Please add it to your favorites~

2. Also known as "After Eight Years of Pursuit, I'm Finally About to Win!"

Theme: Always stay hopeful about life.