"A gentleman keeps the law in mind; a petty man keeps benefits in mind."
When Shen Yinch first heard this saying, he agreed with it wholeheartedly. He considered himself a petty man, and since he had received that person's "kindness," he would protect him at all costs, even if the whole world despised him for it.
It sounded like an impossible boast, but he really did it.
Unfortunately, that person was Shang Buxun, a true gentleman praised by everyone in his time.
He never spoke of love. Not ever.
At last, Shen Yinch lived to see that day.
To see Shang Buxun say the words "I love you" with red-rimmed eyes, after all these years, was a bargain beyond compare.
Shen Yinch followed him back to Jingzhu Residence, practically beside himself with excitement. He fussed over him every day, bringing him tea and asking after his health. As if! A melted iceberg was meant to be enjoyed by him alone.
But what if someone else was the one who had shown him kindness? What was Shen Yinch supposed to do then?
When he accidentally stumbled upon this secret, he was torn and didn't know what to do.
Shang Buxun was actually a pretty decent person. But without that debt of gratitude between them, why would he have put on this farce for the entire cultivation world to watch?
Then the gentle, upright person who had truly saved him came to Jingzhu Residence, and coldly asked, "Shang Buxun, you knew all along, didn't you? Turns out even a saint of such noble character can have such a shameful, selfish motive."
One-on-one, happy ending
Shen Yinch x Shang Buxun
Chaotic-good bottom x aloof, untouchable top
Theme: Repay kindness with gratitude.
