A Spring Branch Beckons

Fang Zhi was born to a farming family, but she was exceptionally pretty and the object of every young man's affection for miles around. Yet she had eyes only for the fiancé she'd been promised to as a child.

Her fiancé was handsome, elegant, and extraordinary. Fang Zhi fell for him at first sight and was determined to marry no one else.

Unfortunately, her fiancé was a scholar and seemed to look down on someone as uncouth as her. After they married, he kept his distance as though he wanted nothing to do with her. He wouldn't let her kiss his lips, and he wouldn't even let her touch his hand.

Fang Zhi couldn't understand it. They were husband and wife now, so shouldn't they be affectionate?

Don't all men want a wife, a baby, and a warm bed? My husband really is one of a kind!

Fang Zhi: Scholars are so reserved.

The trouble was, Fang Zhi had never studied, and she wasn't reserved in the slightest.

If her husband kept his distance, she'd just move closer and cling to him for all she was worth!

-

Shao Mingting had lived for over twenty years before he first heard that he had a childhood betrothal arranged long ago.

Though he was deeply unwilling, he agreed to fulfill his father's wish. After the wedding, he planned to treat his new bride with mutual respect, or, more accurately, to keep out of each other's way and leave each other alone.

But things didn't go as planned. The moment his bride stepped through the door, Shao Mingting wanted to call off the marriage.

He said as much, only to be turned down.

Once the young lady stayed, Shao Mingting thought of her as nothing more than a little sister. He never expected his "little sister" to have all sorts of mischievous plans, like kissing his lips, touching his hands, and looking at his body!

One day, the young lady suddenly brought him a piece of rough paper, sat demurely beside him, and asked him to teach her to read.

Shao Mingting was somewhat relieved to see her change of heart. Not noticing the crooked characters, he began the lesson: "It's good to learn a few more characters. These ones say..."

"I. Love. You."

He heard a soft voice. When he turned around, a pair of lips soft as sticky rice cake met his. The young lady's eyes sparkled, and she wagged her little tail like she'd gotten her way.

"Husband, I love you too!"

[Reading Guide]

1. The historical setting is fictional.

2. Both are pure, one-on-one romance, a sweet story of falling in love after marriage.

Theme: Women are strong by nature, and love makes them stronger.