Older Brother

[As a brother, a teacher, an elder; as family, a friend, a husband] Cui Yan had been disciplined and proper from childhood. He always conducted himself with decorum, never spoke while eating or in bed, and had never done anything improper. Though aloof and cold-tempered, he was exceptionally handsome, quick-witted, and studious. Everyone in the capital praised him as a true gentleman, an untouchable flower on a high peak. But no one knew that he often dreamed of his rebellious, unruly younger sister, Cui Zhao. The scenes in his dreams were unlike anything he'd ever seen, absurd and bizarre, yet utterly real. In the dream, she was already married, locked in the ancestral shrine by her mother-in-law. Cold water was poured over her head, and a handprint stood out clearly on her face. “Cui Zhao, will you admit defeat?!” “Pah!” A resounding slap jolted Cui Yan awake. He rose in the middle of the night and could not fall asleep again. * Cui Zhao was stubborn enough to give anyone a headache, and she had a weakness for getting involved with cads. Whenever he saw her spending time with one, he dreamed that night of the hardships awaiting her. Then one day, at a banquet, he came face-to-face with the mother-in-law who had appeared only in his dreams. Only then did he realize they were prophetic dreams. With no other choice, he finally intervened and personally selected a future husband for her. That day, they parted on bad terms. He thought Cui Zhao had never liked him much. They'd only been close when they were little, and she had some inexplicable longing for him in his role as her “older brother.” But their parents were dead, and as her only remaining family, how could he abandon her? Cui Zhao... Cui Zhao... That troublesome name kept turning over and over in his mind at night. Later, on an ordinary summer night, he dreamed of her again. But this time, his dream held none of those exasperating men or troublesome situations. In the dream, a warm bed draped in lotus-patterned curtains, desire in the air. He was kneeling on the bed, his long hair loose, a jade lotus held between his lips as he leaned forward with shameless abandon The wind swept the curtain aside, revealing Cui Zhao's face. He heard his own voice, cloying and slow, like a monster savoring its prey as it devoured it bit by bit. He said, “Cui Zhao, don't speak while eating or in bed...” After waking that night, Cui Yan sat alone beneath the gallery and listened to the rain all night. Reader's Guide 1. The male lead is actually a twisted, dark, controlling person who is very good at scheming. Please be cautious if that's not your thing, friends. 2. He has ulterior motives for choosing a husband for the heroine. The heroine has not transmigrated. 3. Other male characters will appear, and they will have unrequited feelings for the heroine. 4. The leads get together only after confirming they are not related by blood. A pseudo-incest story. They are not related by blood. Please don't let the moderators block it!! Blurb updated on 2024.9.11 Theme: Love and staying by each other's side can overcome every hardship