[Farming + business + having a child + happy ending]
[ Tall, powerful, protective, cocky top & shy, fallen young master bottom ]
Original blurb:
Zhuang Huai, second son of the Zhuang family, was bold enough to curse at a butcher when he was ten and strong enough to uproot a tree when he was fourteen. Everyone considered him a genuine wastrel, notorious for his arrogance and spoiled ways for miles around. Even when he reached marrying age, not a single matchmaker dared take on the case of the Second Young Master Zhuang.
Zhuang Huai didn't care. "Life is good, life is good. Life alone is good."
*
One noon, Zhuang Huai was feeding the fish in his family's pond when a commotion outside caught his attention. He put down the fish food and went to take a look.
A wedding procession had come down the street. After asking around, he learned that they were on their way back.
"The wedding's been called off halfway there? This bride is just too..."
Before he could finish, a pale, slender hand suddenly reached out from inside. It was a beautiful hand, but clearly a man's.
Zhuang Huai's interest was piqued, and then he found himself looking straight at the man inside.
Lin Jing's fingertips trembled as he slowly lifted his veil. His movements still carried the refined grace of the young master he'd once been, but his expression was full of sorrow.
In an instant, warm sunlight poured in and enveloped him. He was a handsome young man with rosy lips and pearly white teeth.
"Wait, someone that handsome got rejected?"
Where's justice? Where's the law?!
It seemed the man was looking at him, too, so Zhuang Huai slipped through the crowd to talk to him.
"You..."
Zhuang Huai clasped his hands. "I'm Zhuang Huai of the Zhuang family of Pingyang. I'd like to make your acquaintance."
"Lin Jing, from Chuzhou."
*
The two became friends after meeting a few times. One day, they met in a pavilion for a long talk, and Zhuang Huai asked the question he'd been wanting to ask for a long time.
"Why was your marriage called off the day we first met?"
"Our families had arranged the match for business reasons. We had no feelings for each other. Just before the wedding, my family suffered a sudden misfortune and lost its wealth and influence. They had reservations, so the marriage was called off."
"That's infuriating!" Zhuang Huai slapped the table in anger. "Marriage should be between two people who love each other. When there's a bond between you, you can't just abandon the other person so easily."
After saying that, Zhuang Huai suddenly moved closer. A faint, dark fragrance drifted through the air.
"I liked you from the moment we met. Do you like me even a little?"
"Don't mind my bad reputation around here. I promise I'll take good care of my wife... Could you give me a chance this time?"
Lin Jing froze. Then, after making up his mind, he closed his eyes and pressed his lips briefly against Zhuang Huai's.
"What a coincidence. I liked you at first sight, too."
Blurb saved on 2025.3.23
Theme: Make a living through your own efforts and have enough to eat and wear
