I've Always Had a Secret Crush on My Childhood Friend's Uncle

[Updated daily. I'll take a day off if something comes up.]

Eleven-year age gap; no blood relation between them

1.

Lin An's parents died when he was young. He was passed around from one relative's home to another like a ball, bullied and despised by kids his own age.

They called him a dirty child nobody wanted.

Then, when he was ten,

Lin An gave directions to a tall man he couldn't tell was an uncle or an older brother, and his life changed from then on.

The next day, he was taken to a small courtyard.

The man's warm palm pressed against his back, nudging him toward a boy about his own height.

"Xiao Yan, this is your little brother from now on."

From then on, Sheng Yan had a little brother. Before long, the two became childhood friends whose relationship seemed ambiguous to everyone around them.

2.

Sheng Yan pursued Lin An.

He did so in such a grand, unmistakable way that all their relatives and friends knew.

Lin An had never imagined being with Sheng Yan.

The night Sheng Yan confessed, Lin An told him exactly how he felt.

Sheng Yan flew into a rage, smashed up the courtyard by the entrance, pointed at Lin An, and told him to get out of their home.

After that, there was no place for him in their already small home.

Lin An packed his things, ready to leave.

But on the day he was supposed to go, a man in a black coat appeared in the main seat of the living room.

It was Sheng Zechuan, who had rarely shown his face over the years.

Lin An watched him from a distance, his heart stirring.

He was just about to leave through the back door when Sheng Zechuan stopped him.

Lin An had always had complicated feelings about this man. He also knew that no matter how many lifetimes he lived, he could never repay the kindness of being adopted by him.

He lowered his eyes, not daring to look at the man's face.

After a long pause, he said:

"I'm leaving, Uncle Sheng."

"Thank you for taking me in back then."

He thought the man would immediately send him away after hearing that.

But Sheng Zechuan did not do as he expected.

He only looked down at him, with three parts coolness and seven parts inscrutability in his eyes.

"Since you know I was the one who brought you home,"

"why didn't you tell me when someone bullied you?"

-

Steadfast, mature beyond his years, beautiful college guy x inscrutable, cunning, reserved, gentle older man

Reading guide:

1. One-on-one romance, happy ending, both are virgins and exclusive to each other. Eleven-year age gap.

2. They save each other. Height difference.

3. On the surface, the college guy has a crush on the older man. In reality, the older man has always spoiled and protected him.

Theme: Love means courage and perseverance