Firefly in Hibernation

Tang Lianyi's life was full of hardship and adversity. He lost his father at four and temporarily became mute, unable to speak. Then he lost his mother, and the road ahead grew even more difficult, choked with thorns.

Again and again, he straightened his back in the mud, gritted his teeth, and weathered wind and frost. Carrying snow and cold across his whole body, he made his way forward one step at a time, becoming the peerlessly gifted, jade-faced gentleman of Shengjing.

Later, he took off his white robes, gave up all his honors and favor, and turned resolutely around despite the shocked pleas of everyone around him. He retraced the road he had come by, all for the clusters of fireflies in the damp darkness.

Those faint clusters of fireflies lit up his muddy, damp, and sorrowful life.

Later still, Lianyi bowed his head and bent his back, casting aside his proud, unyielding spirit. In the midst of heavy snowfall, he took one step and knelt, then another. He pressed his forehead to the ground as the snow covered his face. "My wife Bao'er is frail with illness, her life nearly fading away. I beg the Divine Physician to come out of seclusion."

1. The story opens with the male and female leads as children.

2. Romantic and intimate scenes begin after they turn sixteen.

3. The leads grow over time. Both are sexually inexperienced and faithful to each other, with a happy ending.

4. The setting is fictional, so please don't nitpick the history.

This novel is an entry in the "Growth and Comeback" competition. Reason for entering: The leads face unexpected upheavals and find themselves in desperate circumstances. They are tempered by hardship after hardship, overcome obstacle after obstacle, and ultimately achieve their goals, realize their personal worth, and grow.

----Blurb for an upcoming novel----

"Partridge Sky"

From childhood sweethearts to young husband and wife, then to emperor and empress, Bian Chiying and Yan Duan support each other and remain devoted.

As the founding empress, Bian Chiying assists in governing the court and shares the imperial throne with the emperor. Her talent for governing earns her the praise of both officials and subjects.

The emperor and empress share a deep love, living in perfect harmony and treating each other with tender respect. Everyone can see it.

On the third day of the twelfth month in the fourth year of Chang'an, Yan Duan sends Bian Chiying to her death with a cup of poisoned wine.

After her death, her soul floats above and sees Yan Duan acting like a madman, screaming at her corpse: "I'm the emperor! What are you supposed to be?"

In the third year of Chang'an, Bian Chiying opens her eyes to Yan Duan's hypocritical, nauseating face, feigning deep affection while feeling none.

On the third day of the twelfth month in the fourth year of Chang'an, Bian Chiying takes up her sword and corners Yan Duan.

Yan Duan cowers in the corner, pale-faced and blustering. "How dare you! I'm the emperor! The master pointed to the dragon throne and said I had the bearing of an emperor! This is... this is high treason!"

Bian Chiying gives a cold laugh. Her wrist turns, and she cuts off one of Yan Duan's hands.

Hearing his anguished screams, Bian Chiying feels nothing but satisfaction. She holds the sword and lifts Yan Duan's chin with its tip, smiling brightly. "You and I share this throne. I'm the one with the bearing of an emperor."

As she speaks, she raises and lowers her sword, personally executing Yan Duan in the Golden Hall.

Theme: Stay true to your original aspirations and press on through hardship.