The Landlord's Indentured Young Husband

During a year of drought, to help Little Liu survive, his father and dad wept as they kowtowed to the landlord, begging them to take Little Liu in as a servant. All he needed was enough to eat to stay alive.

The landlady was kindhearted and agreed. And so nine-year-old Little Liu was brought to the landlord's home to work as a servant.

He was quick at everything: tending the stove, sweeping the courtyard, washing clothes. Grateful to the landlady, he wanted only to do his work well and repay her kindness for letting him go home a few times a year to reunite with his father, dad, and brothers.

There was just one thing: the chubby young master in the courtyard, three years younger than him, was far too bossy and rambunctious. Looking after him was more tiring than looking after seventeen or eighteen younger brothers!

As the only young master of the He family, He Xiao could do whatever he wanted and have whatever he wanted. His parents doted on him, and the servants catered to him. He had never had to put up with anything.

Hmph! He Xiao held a little wooden sword. His chubby, fair face turned away as his big eyes shot a sidelong look at that annoying ger beside him!

Just because this ger had saved him from a water vat not long after arriving, his parents made him stay by He Xiao's side. He was always being dragged back, lifted down, or grabbed by the collar, and he really, really didn't like him. He often shouted at the top of his lungs, "Dad! Mom! I don't want Little Liu waiting on me. Make him wait on you instead. I don't want him!"

Before long, He Xiao turned sixteen. The chubby boy had grown tall and long-legged, with broad shoulders. Wearing a robe made by Little Liu, who had served him for eleven years, he dismounted and entered the courtyard. Before he could say a word, his mother smiled and said, "Perfect timing, you're back. There's something I need to tell you."

"Starting tomorrow, Little Liu will serve me instead. Didn't you keep insisting as a child that you didn't want him waiting on you? Now you're getting your wish."

He Xiao's hand tightened around the sheepskin riding crop. "Why? He's been doing just fine by my side. Why does he have to go serve you?"

"Little Liu is twenty now. It's time for him to find a husband. He said his father and dad took him to meet a promising young man, and if all goes well, they can make it official by the end of this year. He can't keep serving you, and you two have always been at odds. Don't go messing up a major event in his life."

He Xiao shot to his feet, his handsome face darkening. "He's my husband! Why would he look for a husband?"

Theme: Good things are coming