[Gentle, honest cousin x Cold, scheming older cousin]
[Forced courtship / Pseudo-siblings / The untouchable beauty goes mad for love / Age gap of eight years]
Five years ago, a devastating drought left the Jiang family dead of starvation. The only survivor, the orphan Jiang Tao, was sent to the Shi residence.
The kindhearted Old Madam adopted her, but as she was advanced in years, the true head of the household was her eldest grandson, Shi Yuheng.
He was aloof and refined, never showing his feelings.
From the day Jiang Tao entered the residence, she followed this older cousin around.
She served him tea, poured water, mended his clothes, and ground his ink. But no matter how meekly she behaved, she could not make him so much as glance her way.
So what?
All she wanted was a safe place in this vast household.
Until one night after her coming-of-age ceremony, when Jiang Tao brought soup to his bedchamber as usual. In the intoxicating incense that filled the room, someone grabbed her wrist, and the bowl shattered on the floor.
A clap of thunder rang out!
She shuddered and cried, "Brother!"
The candlelight was dim, but she saw the normally aloof man's eyes darken as he furrowed his brow. "Since you've gone to so much trouble to please me, little sister, why not try another way?"
Before she could escape, he pinned her beside the bed. His icy fingertips slid along her waist and undid her nightclothes...
After that, she could no longer face this older cousin. She was mortified, and even more afraid that anyone would learn what had happened that night.
Jiang Tao tried to avoid him at every turn, but somehow, whenever she turned around, she would meet those deep-set eyes.
Just then, while burning incense outside the city, she met the Chen family's second son. They were instantly drawn to each other and felt as if they had known each other forever.
She thought this was the match meant for her.
And the only chance she had to escape that man.
*
The year Shi Yuheng came of age, Old Madam brought home a cousin who was painfully thin.
But this cousin was anything but well-behaved.
Even at such a young age, she had learned every foxlike trick in the book. She clung to him every day, bringing him soup and handing him handkerchiefs, always flattering him.
He disliked her and could not be bothered to indulge her. He kept her in the household as her older cousin, giving her food and a room, while keeping his distance otherwise.
Until that reckless night.
He thought she had drugged him to win his favor, a shameless and despicable act, yet he could not help paying more attention to her.
But then she suddenly grew cold, and another man appeared by her side.
Trying to climb the social ladder? Shi Yuheng lifted his teacup, his eyes lowered to the tea leaves drifting in the water. So his branch wasn't good enough for her, and she'd found herself another one.
An elder cousin was as good as a father.
Such improper behavior called for a firm hand.
*
The Chen family had already sent a matchmaker. If her older cousin gave his approval, the marriage would be settled. Full of joy, Jiang Tao went to find him.
Shi Yuheng set the letter on the table and slowly pressed a long finger against it.
"You want to get married?" He leaned toward her, meeting her frightened gaze, then suddenly smiled. "As long as I refuse..."
"What family could you possibly marry into, little sister?"
Reading Guide:
1. Former title: Trapped Dreams in the Old Courtyard. Gentle, honest cousin x cold, scheming older cousin.
2. Happy ending, devoted couple. They are not true siblings; the leads are distant cousins.
Theme: Stand on your own two feet and see the world clearly.
