And Then I Saw the Lovely Little Fish

[Marriage first, love later | Sweet girl x ruthless general | Sweetness conquers steel | Size difference | Age gap]

Chu Meiyu came from a modest family, but fortunately her ancestors had all been upright scholars, so the family never lacked for a living. She was beautiful, but not very bright, and was famous in the Chu family as a beautiful airhead.

Her family worried constantly. They weren't hoping she would marry into a powerful family and bring them benefits; they just wanted her to marry a good man, live safely and peacefully, and spend her whole life in happiness.

When she reached the age for marriage negotiations, her eldest brother laid a stack of portraits in front of her.

"The second young master of the Wang family is handsome, and I've heard he's refined. The third son of the Liu family is rich enough to let you eat and drink well for life. The eldest son of the Zhao family is talented in both letters and arms... Wait, who put General Wei's portrait in here?"

Chu Meiyu glanced at it and nearly fainted from fright.

The portrait looked more vicious than a door god. She waved her hands again and again. "Th-this one is out of the question. He doesn't look like a good person."

General Wei was known as the Lord of the Underworld. He held absolute power at court and was terrifying enough to stop children from crying at night.

Her brother looked at his little sister's petite frame and nodded solemnly.

"Don't provoke him," he warned her. "I hear he can cut down three people with one sword."

Chu Meiyu felt a chill at her neck and obediently nodded, covering it with her hand.

*

A few months later, General Wei himself crossed paths with Chu Meiyu.

The man was tall and burly, clad in crimson armor and carrying a long sword. Blood of unknown origin stained his sharp cheek, making him look like a god of death straight from hell.

He blocked her way and said with a stern face, "The second son of the Wang family frequents brothels and has countless concubines."

"The Liu family's third son is deeply in debt. He's all show and no substance."

Chu Meiyu trembled all over, afraid he might turn that sword on her. She answered in a shaky voice, "Th-then there's still one more, at least."

"The eldest son of the Zhao family likes men. He's not right for you."

"So..."

Chu Meiyu repeated, "So...?"

"Marry me."

For the first time in his life, the always-serious General Wei managed a smile.

Chu Meiyu: ...He's even scarier when he smiles. QAQ

*

Chu Meiyu thought that since General Wei had gone to such lengths for her, he couldn't possibly be as terrifying as her brother had said.

Their life after marriage was sweet and peaceful, so good it felt like a dream, except she couldn't get any rest when it was actually time to sleep.

Until one day, she saw with her own eyes the husband who had held her close and whispered to her just the night before, wiping the blood from his hand and kicking aside the head he had just cut off.

The man looked up at her, his gaze impossible to read.

Chu Meiyu recoiled in alarm, but he pulled her into his arms and murmured as softly as a whisper.

"Scared?"

"Too late to be scared now."

|He saw this world as impure, but saw how lovely his little fish was.|

Theme: Sweet girls can save the world!