Scheming, sinister Crown Prince top x refined merchant bottom; younger man/older man; short story; complete; BE ending
Lin Qinghuai wanted very little: to protect his family business and watch his daughter grow up healthy, happy, and carefree. He never imagined that at his age someone would fall for him, let alone a handsome man.
From meeting to falling for this man seemed to happen in the blink of an eye, yet he never expected that from beginning to end, it had all been a carefully crafted lie.
Content warnings: Neither the top nor the bottom is sexually inexperienced; scum top, masochistic bottom; the bottom has a daughter and was once married; no groveling redemption arc. Readers who mind these points, please do not read.
Theme: Learn to judge people carefully.
