(The title is too tacky, but I'm terrible at naming things. I'll change it if I think of something better.)
Su Mianqing was born on a garbage planet, where he was known throughout the district as a stunning beauty. That was how he caught the eye of a pirate chief who came to the bar to make a deal. The man abducted him and forced him to become his lover.
The scoundrel tried every trick in the book, threatening and bribing him by turns.
Su Mianqing had long since stopped wanting to live. But he figured it was a pretty good deal to trade his body for resources for the Exile Zone before he died. So he might as well live a few more days, until the man got tired of him. To his surprise, the scoundrel treated him quite well. He had no one else by his side, spent money on him like water, and paid attention to everything from food and clothes to housing and transport. He even used the best medical equipment to keep him alive for another dozen years or so. Later, he sent him to the Capital Star to continue his studies, saying nonsense like, "When we're out in public, I'm your big brother."
The only thing Su Mianqing couldn't handle was what happened in bed. After he fell ill once, they cut back to once a week.
In the end, the scoundrel died in front of him during a rebellion, protecting him. He told Su Mianqing that he had gotten what he deserved, and that this ending was no surprise.
"Qingqing, I've never been in love in my life. All I knew was that if I wanted something, I had to take it. The first time I saw you, I wanted to sleep with you. Only later did I realize... I wanted you to be my wife. I've regretted how badly I started things every single day since. But by then it was too late. I couldn't let go, and I couldn't risk losing you."
"At least I never managed to force you into marrying me. Being a widow doesn't sound good, and I don't want to hold you back any longer. After I die, you have to find someone and have a normal relationship. Live a good life."
The scoundrel spoke so magnanimously, but tears welled in his eyes. His bloodshot gaze fixed on Su Mianqing as he said, "Hate me a little longer. Don't forget me right away."
Su Mianqing thought it was strange that the scoundrel had died before him.
Then he thought: But I've never hated you.
*
After being reborn, Su Mianqing found himself back in that cramped bar. The scoundrel had brought his men to this cheap bar on the garbage planet to make a deal, and the first time he saw Su Mianqing, his eyes lit up just as before. He pulled out a wad of cash, tossed it onto the table in front of him, and told him to be his lover.
Su Mianqing promptly splashed his drink in the scoundrel's face.
The room fell silent. The underlings waited nervously for their boss to fly into a rage, while Su Mianqing stared at him and said, "Say that again."
"Do you want me to be your lover, or do you want to date me?"
A powerful, uneducated top who can fight and work hard, turns over a new leaf for his wife X a cultured, clever, aloof beauty who starts from scratch and learns how to tame her husband
Content warnings and directions: Tacky romance, all sorts of devious dating antics. I haven't figured out what else to add yet. (Note from 2024.12.19)
Theme: Be honest and sincere, understand one another, and build a harmonious, happy life together.
