Could You Be a Little Gentler?

Xu Zhitu is a young actress trained in classical dance, with a supple waist, a delicate frame, and a sweet, fresh-faced beauty. She has looks and talent fit for an immortal, but she still isn't famous.

Her wealthy best friend can't stand to see it, so she introduces her to her older brother, a big shot.

The man is Xie Lanyun, the eldest young master of the top-tier Xie family in the capital, future head of the family, and owner of billions in assets.

In the dim light, the deep-eyed man sat ramrod straight in an armchair. His fingers were flawless and slender, and his air was cool, refined, and distinguished.

He offered her a partnership: a marriage contract.

"As compensation, you can ask for anything."

Xu Zhitu signed the contract, then went straight to the production team she'd always wanted to join after they registered their marriage.

One wanted to deal with the older generation, the other wanted to advance her career. Both were satisfied.

But weren't they supposed to be married in name only?

*

To play along with Xie Lanyun, Xu Zhitu went with him to dinner at the old family home. When her best friend Xie Ling saw her, she almost fell down the stairs.

After learning the truth, Xie Ling angrily called her brother shameless.

As his sister, she knew better than anyone. She'd only asked him to get Xu Zhitu a few acting roles. Who knew he'd trick her into coming home with him? This had been a scheme all along!

"He's a total germophobe, and he's not interested in sex. Aren't you going to be left celibate?"

The more Xie Ling thought about it, the guiltier she felt. She poured money into Xu Zhitu's endorsement deals, promoted her to the whole Xie family, organized group trips to cheer her on in person, got the company's employees to watch Xu Zhitu's new movies, and kept introducing doctors to Xie Lanyun.

At last, Xie Lanyun couldn't take it anymore. In front of everyone, he took off his gold-rimmed glasses and lowered his head to kiss Xu Zhitu.

"Don't listen to them. Your husband is perfectly healthy, body and mind."

Xu Zhitu: "...I know."

*

To outsiders, Xie Lanyun was born cold-blooded and decisive, devoid of human feeling, a money-making machine who looked down on everyone from his lofty perch.

Only Xu Zhitu had seen him in the heat of passion, gripping her by the neck and forcing her to turn back for a kiss.

He wasn't uninterested in sex at all. He was just intensely possessive.

Every time, she had to pretend to cry and beg, "Could you be a little gentler?"

All she got in return was something even rougher (marital role-play).

[Bonus Scene]

During the awkward early days of their marriage, Xu Zhitu rose to become a popular young actress, and rumors about her and a famous singer were flying everywhere. Her husband, who'd been ignoring her, suddenly showed up.

Xie Lanyun had been caught in the rain. He was soaked through, with water stains mottling his suit. When she tried to leave, he simply hoisted her over one shoulder.

"Tell that bastard to get lost and stay lost."

◇ A pure, innocent-looking sweetheart with a mischievous streak X a sly, cold-hearted black lotus who pretends to be proper

◇ Marriage first, love later; three-year age gap

◇ Husband and best friend dote on her

◇ A fluffy, brainless Mary Sue romance, 2023.3.12

Theme: Work hard for your career. Don't let love make you lose your head.