It took Song San just three quarters of an hour to become Song Junshan.
Bai Yanlin, the young master of the Bai residence in Songhu, kept him by his side.
Song Junshan was Bai Yanlin's bodyguard,
and the one who attended to him at night.
It was an open secret in Songhu's business world.
Bai Yanlin returned from studying abroad at twenty-one and took over the family business.
From putting the household in order and crushing the competition to establishing himself,
it took him only three years to become the top man in Songhu's textile industry.
His ruthlessness made the business community tremble in fear.
He rarely appeared in public, leaving almost all the social duties to Song Junshan.
Negotiating business deals and attending banquets,
even signing contracts and giving statements to the press,
were all Song Junshan's jobs.
As time went on, people began to speculate:
Had someone taken the young master of the Bai residence's place?
The rumor only died down after a man who had carelessly voiced the thought while drunk was found dead in the rain.
No one knew
that Song Junshan knelt before Bai Yanlin every night,
pressing his face against Bai Yanlin's instep with utmost devotion and rapture,
waiting for him to say, "That's enough."
On Bai Yanlin's desk sat a framed photo.
The man in it looked seven-tenths like Song Junshan,
with more refinement and elegance, and less of his fierce, ruthless air.
More than once, Song Junshan heard Bai Yanlin murmur to the photo,
"What else is there? I've learned everything you taught me."
[Bonus scene]
After they made love, Bai Yanlin always wanted a cigarette.
Song Junshan would get out of bed to light it, take the first drag,
then pass it to Bai Yanlin between two fingers.
Later, Bai Yanlin lay in Song Junshan's arms,
smiling as he asked why Song Junshan always did that.
Song Junshan kissed his forehead,
then brushed the sweat-damp hair from his temple.
"Because... back then, I could trick you into giving me a kiss."
[Reading guide]
1. Humble, devoted, testosterone-fueled top x obsessive, aloof, queenly bottom
2. Republican-era setting. Both leads are pure in body and mind. One-on-one happy ending.
3. Fake replacement, stubborn characters, angsty writing. A mix of sweet and heartbreaking moments.
4. Insecurity is a man's best dowry.
5. No historical accuracy or real-life research. This is an alternate setting, so please don't overthink it.
Blurb captured on February 28, 2025.
Theme: Love means being there day after day, and being within reach.
