[Lin An & Lu Zheng]
[A little sweet slice-of-life about a couple who marry first and fall in love later: you hunt, I cook, and the two of you are all cuddly and affectionate]
[Synopsis]
Lin An was sold to the Lu family for two taels of silver.
The Lu family had two sons. After the elder married, he split off from the family. The younger son moved back to the old family home with his father and a mountain of debt.
The younger son was a hunter. He spent his time either up in the mountains or traveling with merchant caravans. At twenty, he still wasn't married, and it looked as if he might end up an old bachelor. While he was away, Father Lu brought Lin An home.
A month after the wedding, Lin An still hadn't met her husband. The old house was drafty, but at least there was enough to eat and warm clothes to wear. So, to avoid being thrown out, Lin An quietly got on with the chores.
He cooked for the family, fed the pigs, washed the clothes...
As long as he had a home and wasn't sent away, that was enough.
-
Lu Zheng returned from a trading trip to find a little husband in his house.
He looked small and thin, yet he could carry a full basket of pigweed on his back without complaint.
He pecked at his food like a little chick, yet could carry a whole bucket of pig slop.
He spoke softly and never picked a fight, but Lu Zheng had never seen him smile. At night, he would secretly cry under the covers.
Lu Zheng's heart ached for him.
He gave him all the meat, let him spend all the money, and wanted to bring the very best things to him.
At last, he saw Lin An smile. Lu Zheng was so pleased that he worked even harder.
He saved money, built a new house, and, as spring turned to autumn and year followed year, the couple's life kept getting better. More and more smiles appeared on Lin An's face.
He had never imagined life could be sweeter than honey.
Note:
[Historical fantasy, with many original setting details]
[Slow-paced, everyday-life story]
[Pregnancy and childbirth later on]
Theme: The simple, peaceful life is the truest kind.
