May Your Illness Let You Sleep Forever

[Short story, complete]

Sickly man x miser

|Marriage first, love later; a proper coffin match|

Lin Wuyang, the eldest son of the Lin family in the north of the city, had a handsome face and a refined, gentle manner.

Unfortunately, he was sickly.

Tang Yan, the young master of the Tang family in the south of the city, was handsome and full of youthful spirit.

Unfortunately, he loved money more than life itself.

Fearing their son would have no one by his side, the Lin couple offered half the family fortune as a dowry to find someone willing to marry into their family.

Tang Yan came running as soon as he smelled money.

After they married, Tang Yan spent every day hoping Lin Wuyang would die so he could inherit half the Lin family's fortune and travel around, living a carefree life.

Lin Wuyang took him to a restaurant for a feast and asked, "How does it taste?"

Tang Yan said, "Delicious, though I think your funeral feast would taste even better."

Lin Wuyang gave him a birthday present and asked, "Do you like it?"

Tang Yan said, "I do, though I like the coffins at the Li family's shop even more."

Lin Wuyang confessed his feelings. "A Yan, I think I've fallen for you."

Tang Yan was so moved that he burst into tears. He solemnly took Lin Wuyang's hand. "Wonderful! I've finally lived to see this day."

Afterward, everyone in the Lin household heard that their eldest young master was gravely ill, out of his mind, babbling, and not long for this world.

The news came from the young master's bedmate, so no one doubted it.

And yet, even after the Lin residence had hung white mourning banners for several days, not a single coffin was carried out.

Tang Yan finally couldn't sit still any longer. He rushed into Lin Wuyang's room and grabbed him by the collar without a word.

"Lin Wuyang, are you messing with me? Are you going to die or not?"

"..."

He was just moved, that's all.

◆ Lin is the top, Tang is the bottom; happy ending, short story

Theme: We only get one life, so we should live it well