A Young Man on the Garden Wall

Blurb:

When the young lady next door moved in, Lu Linya was in a sorry state.

Seeing his bruised and swollen face, the young lady immediately called him an ugly freak. Then she turned around and got into a fight for his sake, accidentally knocking out one of her baby teeth. In the days that followed, she took him climbing trees, chasing fireflies, and running after geese. No matter what mischief they got up to, he indulged and spoiled her, then took all the blame himself.

After years apart, they meet again. The lively, spirited young lady of the past has grown up. She's poised and proper, gentle and agreeable to everyone, but toward him, she's distant and aloof.

And when the princess takes an interest in him, she seeks him out and says with determination, "Lu Linya, I'll marry you. Uncle and Father have already agreed. We'll tell everyone we were betrothed as children. I won't let them force you to marry the princess."

Lu Linya isn't being forced, and he has never wanted to marry a princess.

Facing her, he opens and closes his mouth, but in the end, all he can say is, "All right."

Reading guide:

1. A young general who seems cold but dotes on his wife, paired with a young lady who loves herself and knows how to love others.

2. Childhood sweethearts; the story begins when they are children.

Theme: Growing up.