[The story is complete, including the prequel and extras. The setting can be found at the end of the story. It contains some spoilers, so read it at your own discretion. Revision notes and reading tips are further down. Please scroll to read. Everyone who clicked in is an angel, so please follow me!]
Everything in the world follows cause and effect.
Just as the Liu Xubai of this world was destined to meet and save the young Shen Lin on that snowy night.
Liu Xubai only wanted to live a peaceful life, but old sins came knocking after Shen Lin became his disciple.
He watched his once-beloved disciple go mad and turn evil, tormenting him in every way and pushing him step by step toward despair.
"Have you paid off the debts of your past sins?"
"Do you think changing your name and identity will make it all go away?"
The tenderness once in Shen Lin's eyes was gone, replaced by a ruthless determination to kill him.
The person who had once promised to stay by his side and save him now stood against him.
Faced with Shen Lin's accusations, Liu Xubai had no words to defend himself. All he could give him now was his life.
"I wronged you. Today, I'll repay you in full."
The karmic punishment for his sins, destined to bring him to ruin for all eternity, had finally arrived.
Liu Xubai smiled. This was all he could repay in this lifetime.
Only after Liu Xubai's death did the clues to the truth gradually surface.
It had all been merely the opening chapter of a conspiracy.
The Buddha said, "In one flower, a world; in one leaf, enlightenment."
Overcome with remorse, Shen Lin threw himself into the Thousand-Leaf Worlds as the Supreme God, hoping to undo the tragedy.
He repeatedly returned to the past and retraced everything that had happened.
As he searched for the truth, he gathered the fragments of Liu Xubai that had scattered away,
trying to defy fate and break the curse.
Across parallel worlds, Shen Lin met Liu Xubai countless times.
Through all the twists and turns, Shen Lin knew for certain that no matter when or where,
he would recognize Liu Xubai at first sight in any crowd.
When he returned to the present and reunited with Liu Xubai, it was the season of the first snowfall once more.
Liu Xubai wore white, looking like an immortal banished from heaven, leaning against the railing on Qinggui Peak as he listened to the snow fall.
At last, Shen Lin smiled again, a smile he had not worn in ages.
"Are you calling me, sir? I am Liu Xubai. My courtesy name is Langhuan."
"My name is Shen Lin, Shen Hanzhuo."
"Hanzhuo. What a lovely name."
The scene was just like the night they first met in the snow. Shen Lin couldn't help but tear up.
This time, he would never leave him alone again.
This time, he would share Liu Xubai's sins from their past life.
No matter how long it took, he would make their reunion in this life end perfectly.
Even if Liu Xubai could no longer remember anything from the past,
even if they had to start all over again,
Shen Lin would stay by his side and never leave.
When the glamour faded and every trace of adornment had burned away,
they would hold hands and brave the frost and snow together.
[This story has many foreshadowed clues, and I've done my best to resolve them. Some will be revealed in other books in the series. The first five volumes have a lot of angst, and three readers have already fled. The sweet parts come in the later volumes.]
[The pairing is set in stone. They're each other's first love. The angst-to-sweetness ratio is fifty-fifty, and the ending is happy, so read without worry.]
[I have a day job and write for love, and I prefer long stories.]
[Reading guide: The first chapter explains the background. If you don't feel like reading it, you can skip to Chapter 2 without affecting the rest of the story.]
[Style: A slow, steady pace, with a higher word count. I don't pad the story, but I let the plot set the pace. I'm still learning to cut back when I describe too much.]
[Pacing: Moderate. The protagonists have room to grow, so if you prefer fast-paced stories, please take note.]
[Setting: Entanglements between past and present lives, with multiple reversals in the characters' personalities. The world is entirely fictional. I'll add a worldbuilding chart after the story is complete.]
[Tropes: A groveling pursuit after a breakup, everyone dotes on the protagonist, younger top, master and disciple, and the bottom is subjected to non-consensual loss of chastity later on.]
PS: I'm doing a major revision now that the story is complete, and repeatedly fixing plot holes!!!!!!!!!!!! Please give me some time to polish it!!!
[The author's ramblings] Please leave a bookmark or a comment, QAQ. Writing is hard, and my dear readers who keep following the story are what motivate me!!! Come chat with me! Don't make me get on my knees and beg you!!
[The author's mindset] This is my first story, and I'm still practicing, so please go easy on me. I'm not very familiar with writing conventions yet and am still learning how to revise. Thank you to everyone who's been following and commenting. I've read all your comments very carefully. I haven't revised some of the earlier chapters yet, but I've made many changes based on your feedback. Thank you for your support and supervision, my dears!!
[Upcoming story in the same world]
A Journey to Spring Mountain: A sickly, scheming adoptive-father bottom x a mad, spoiled adoptive-son top
"I choose you."
Gu Feishuang pointed at Xue Qianchen, who sat in the high seat.
He never imagined that this theatrical choice would entangle their fates from that moment on.
When they first met, the brief warmth of their fingertips made Gu Feishuang think that fate was finally returning everything it had taken from him.
"Feishuang, perhaps one day you'll realize that choosing me wasn't a good choice."
"I'm the one who's truly dangerous."
After enduring schemes and betrayal, Gu Feishuang, covered in wounds, finally understood what those words meant.
He couldn't see the black-and-white world of the strong devouring the weak in Xue Qianchen's eyes, nor could he tell where Xue Qianchen's heart had gone.
All he knew was that the immaculate white he loved was being swallowed bit by bit by the pitch-black night.
Gu Feishuang's careful schemes gradually turned into uncontrollable feelings. The emotions he had kept suppressed in his heart finally overflowed, like a flood that could no longer be stopped.
"Adoptive Father, lift your head and look at me properly."
"Do I look like my father?"
If they couldn't be honest with each other, then they would have to meet as equals.
Gu Feishuang pinched Xue Qianchen's chin and asked softly.
At the instant a gust of wind blew out the candle, Xue Qianchen turned his head with a helpless sigh.
"Gu Feishuang, if you're going to act shamelessly, at least pick the right time and place."
"I'm your adoptive father, not a courtesan in a brothel for you to have fun with."
Xue Qianchen scolded him, but Gu Feishuang only laughed. He pulled Xue Qianchen into his arms and said with a chuckle:
"Tsk, Adoptive Father, when you're this unromantic, you make me want to go mad."
Xue Qianchen was about to argue back, but Gu Feishuang pressed a finger to his lips, gesturing for him to be quiet.
"Shh, it's late. Time for bed."
"You wretched son."
After a mild curse, the long night stretched on. The curtains fell, and warm fragrance lingered.
PS: I'm working on the draft. Regular updates will start after the New Year. Shen and Liu will make guest appearances, and characters from Wind and Moon's Resignation will show up from time to time. The story focuses on political intrigue and an ensemble cast, and is set in Xiliang.
Theme: Even when faced with a dead end, I have a hundred ways to turn things around.
My ambitions are huge. With such a huge world view, I have become a long-time fan now that I have become a shareholder [Gotou]
This is my first time reviewing a book in real time. I don't like to leave comments at first. I just posted them casually at the beginning. I didn't expect that the teacher would reply. I was very happy and excited after seeing each message being answered properly. In a flash of inspiration, a lot of jokes came out of small theaters and chats with teachers. Looking back, I feel very emotional. So I waited for a reply every day, racking my brains to think of some nonsense. I watched the story unfold its background framework little by little, and the characters inside gradually came to life. The most important thing is that the young couple went from the initial distrust and immaturity to the consummation step by step. It is really not easy. This observer is also sweating for them. When I read the three words in the main text, I was not sad because I knew that this did not mean separation, but the beginning of a new life. The young couple was going to travel around the world! I wish them a happy honeymoon~ We will meet again, and I look forward to seeing the young couple next door 🤩
I'm dirty, am I worthy of seeing this? Hahaha…
During the process of carrying something to say, I found that there was already one, but I still couldn't help but show you the bad microphone again, wow, how cute~ 🤗 Ah Si: Ahem, cough, cough, actually I dug a hole here, and I haven't explained it in this book, I have to read the next one, okay, I did it on purpose. Me:??? Push the cup of water. Gif. Show the way to the next door "Going to Spring Mountain", also known as "I picked up a wolf cub and asked for help on how to raise it." I made it up 🐶
This is the disadvantage of only saving the author's reply. What on earth did I say back then... I scratch my head thinking about it. Ah Si: Yes, where are the three levels~ Don't worry. As my own mother, I choose to stand in the middle and watch the fun with Sister Ye. I am a born fun-loving person, so watching the fun is not a big deal~
To A Si, you should also be able to feel that until now I have completed the closed loop of the entire book. The dream of finally being able to confess begins here. To convey what the writer wants to say, Ah Si said: When I wrote this article, I didn't know how many observers would actually observe the world. Every silent watch is a blessing for them living on the other side of the dimension. It gives the author confidence and strength at the necessary moment, and guides the direction for every lost person. As you wish, all living beings will have a happy ending.
Just because you're used to it doesn't mean it won't hurt. Just circle it and stick it. In fact, sometimes for the sake of plot coherence, some details are omitted, such as the scattered golden light mixed in the mist, and the entanglement and tearing of black shadows along the long river of time. No matter how many times it is extinguished, it will always condense, small but endless. Yes, it's kind thoughts.
Well, I have a bold idea, 'She can't have direct conversations with people in this world, so dreaming is the only way. ' From this idea, the plan of Zhitu Ship was derived to build a platform that can communicate with the characters in the novel. 'But after Liu Xubai recovered the divine bones, their connection with Mengjian became closer, so they met for the second time. Regarding Liu Xubai's troubles, Ah Si couldn't help but gave some hints. ' I feel sorry for my son. The more I look at it, the more I feel like the prototype of the unknown guest next door. Did you dig the right Easter egg?
There are bad words about tragedy and the sense of growth, the growth of suffering, the fall of gods, and the ups and downs of all living beings. Theoretically, this is true. Lang Huan is right. The life and death of the supporting characters are not worth mentioning in the eyes of the editor, but... The starring role is the shadow cast by the author. Liuli chose the same path as him. I don't know when she started to leave the warm and condescending glass house and sink herself into it. As a result, the complexity and struggle in the work are no longer illusory, carrying the wind and snow across time and space, falling on the author, and examining the soul. This is another lie to the child. I was fortunate enough to have a conversation with the author about this section, about the end of our dimension, and about the original intention of the creation. Ah Si said on Chongming Island that stories that are not recognized and paid attention to will be given an end, and the direction will be written to cater to observers, so that the world can maintain normal operations. I nodded in agreement, but then I heard the light turn on to the sky, and someone wrote a speech: The Zhitu Ship will never stop sailing, and everyone will board here to go to the future. As long as I don't disappear, it will not end. If life finally leaves on a certain day, the ship will be thrown into the invisible future. The next thing is that they will sail away on their own and meet again in the next life. I want to write an article that may not necessarily be popular, but I will definitely love it. I don't want to shape the world view for any benefit. I want to use my own way. I don't want to rush the hot spots or rush the pace. I just want to try to tell a story. This is the original intention.
At this time, Shen Liu was still calling Miss Asi obediently, hahahaha. Thinking of the after-sales service next door, he felt disgusted every day, "She didn't give you a gift!" How did this mom do it? 'Help, it's so funny. A Si can read their thoughts. For A Si, Shen Liu is also the comfort in life. Occasionally, he casts his gaze here in longing, and the screen is full of fancy complaints~ A Si is silent, A Si closes the web page, A Si turns to feed the cat, A Si feels that the way he opened it just now must be wrong, and he has to start over again hahahahaha.