Raised by an Ancient Rough Man into a Delicate Darling

Age gap | Size difference | Nurturing

[Rugged, responsible older man vs. pretty, pampered sweetheart]

What do you do when you transmigrate to ancient times and become an undocumented person?

Pei Xia: Thanks for asking. I'm barely alive.

After physically transmigrating to a small mountain village in ancient times, Pei Xia suddenly turned back into a six-year-old. To avoid being seized and forced into servitude, he found someone to make promises to.

Pei Xia: I eat very little and work a lot. I'll make sure you feel appreciated.

Pei Xia: Big brother, please raise me!

Yu Yunian, who had no idea what "making someone feel appreciated" meant: ...Huh?

He could raise pigs, but he didn't know how to raise a child.

*

Yu Yunian's father had been a famous chef for miles around, but both his parents died young, and his skills were lost to others. Apart from some knife skills, Yu Yunian hadn't learned a thing about cooking.

He lived in two mud-brick rooms and owned a few acres of poor farmland. Life was simple and dull.

Until a strange child arrived in the village.

The child wore strange clothes and looked spoiled, yet for some reason he latched onto Yu Yunian and spoke to him softly all day long.

"A child in the house is a treasure. Big brother, raising me is a great deal!"

"You'll regret not listening to a child. Big brother, you should listen to me, get it?"

Yu Yunian: What is all that gibberish...

So cute. Guess I'll keep him.

*

The village elders grew suspicious of Pei Xia's identity. To avoid taking responsibility, they wanted to send him to town to serve as a rich merchant's son's page.

Yu Yunian refused.

The young man was slender, but his back was straight. He shielded the child, who clutched his clothes, and spoke with resolute conviction.

"I found him. I'll raise him."

The days passed quietly. The newly planted pomegranate tree in front of the house filled with fruit, and Xiao Jiao Village gained a traveling chef named Yu.

Come rain, wind, snow, or sunshine, a handsome young man was always by his side.

Two men could build a good life together too: planting in spring, harvesting in autumn, brewing wine in summer, and savoring it in winter. The seasons changed, but the person at his side and the love in his heart never did.

Little Scene 1

Yu Yunian was cold and quiet, the type to keep his head down and work hard.

Pei Xia clutched the blanket, eyes red as he sniffled. "Yu Yunian, you've taken all of me, body and soul. You have to take responsibility for me from now on."

"Don't talk nonsense." A faint blush rose over the man's stern face. His rough hand patted Pei Xia's waist twice.

"Open up. I'll put some medicine on you."

Little Scene 2

Yu Yunian was strict with Pei Xia in public, but in private he granted almost every request, except in bed.

Rain pattered outside, while sobs continued inside the bedroom.

Pei Xia bit down on the edge of his undershirt, soft pleas for mercy spilling from his throat.

Yu Yunian, who usually gave Pei Xia whatever he asked for, ignored the person beneath him when he begged to be held.

The man pressed his lips together, sweat running down his forehead. He patted Pei Xia and held his slender waist as he changed positions.

"Be good."

P.S. There is an eight-year age gap. They fall in love when Pei Xia is grown. An older-man nurturing romance, daily life, and a slow burn. In this setting, same-sex marriage is not legal, and there are no male pregnancy elements. Many original worldbuilding details, so please don't overanalyze them.

Theme: Companionship is the longest-lasting confession of love.