Inciting the Mountain Lord

1. Qinghe came from a poor family and willingly became a lowly opera singer. After performing in the county for a few years, she even earned the nickname "Little Guanyin."

But Qinghe knew that Little Guanyin was just an empty compliment. In private, people said it was a waste for someone with such stunning looks to be born a man.

Qinghe couldn't help but laugh bitterly. If she were a woman, the ways of the world would have devoured her until not even her bones remained.

She had no choice if she wanted to survive.

2. Recently, a "Tiger Tyrant" had become notorious in the county. They said he was overbearing and lawless, with a fearsome face that could stop a child from crying.

Qinghe knew how to read the room. Hearing such a "fearsome reputation," she could only follow the crowd. If everyone else avoided him, she should keep her distance too.

She thought, she was only a lowly opera singer scraping by on her voice. How could she possibly cross someone like that?

But life was unpredictable, and Qinghe never imagined that just as she was about to be mauled by a vicious wolf, she would run into the Tiger Tyrant.

The terrifying part was that she landed right in his arms.

The good news was that he saved her.

As she trembled, she heard a lazy, roguish voice say, "Little Guanyin, I'm taking you with me."

3. Qinghe thought the Tiger Tyrant had saved her as a rare act of kindness. She was wrong. He couldn't change his nature and demanded repayment for saving her, insisting she stay at his residence and sing for him.

At first, Qinghe put up with it. After all, he had saved her life. If he wanted to listen, she'd sing.

But when he inexplicably began playing with her hand, Qinghe realized something was wrong. He, he, he... he liked men!

But she was a woman!

4. Afraid her disguise as a man dressed as a woman would be exposed, Qinghe tried to reason with him, hoping to steer him back onto the right path. "I... I'm a man, and you're a man too. This isn't right..."

After a brief silence, the man said without a care, "I've already fallen for your tricks. Isn't it a little late to say that now?"

Qinghe didn't think it was too late at all.

She was about to shake her head when she saw the excitement in his eyes and watched him slowly lean toward her. "Darling, let me kiss you."

Theme: Life endures forever.