Brothers

Yuzao, the adopted daughter of the General's household.

She was brought into the residence by her second brother on a snowy night.

Afraid of freezing to death in the streets, she had spent years treading carefully.

Grateful for the General's family's kindness, she thought she would wait a few years before looking for a husband.

But her second brother threw the portraits of the eligible young men into the brazier.

Her eldest brother was also furious, saying she was still too young to marry.

At first, Yuzao couldn't understand why, until she discovered their secret.

She was afraid. She ran away.

When one escape failed, she waited for another chance.

At last, amid towering flames, she faked her death and disappeared.

Months later, dressed in her wedding gown, she waited for her groom in her room.

Her veil remained unlifted. The sounds of an argument and a fight came from outside.

"Suishui, how long have you even known him? Don't you trust your brother?"

"I was the one who saved you. Why are you running away?"

"You agreed to this marriage, so you're my wife!"

What Yuzao saw was all three brothers in a chaotic tangle.

*

Wen Zhaopu knew he was despicable.

He covered the walls of a secret room with portraits of one person, spending his days longing for her while looking at them.

Even though he could see her every day,

he still didn't dare reveal how he felt.

Though they weren't related by blood, in the end, he still had to call her "little sister."

Wen Zhaopu thought that there was no need to rush. She would understand in time.

But she wanted to run away.

When he caught up with her at the city gate, Wen Zhaopu saw her huddled in fear, begging him to let her go.

He said nothing, taking out the silver anklet he had prepared long ago.

Once she's chained, she'll behave.

*

Wen Zhongxiao was a hypocrite.

He valued propriety but didn't want Yuzao to call him "big brother."

He treated affection lightly but hoped Yuzao would have him in her heart.

He said one thing and meant another, denying his feelings.

Then the flames before his eyes faded, leaving only ashes and a disfigured corpse.

He searched frantically for Yuzao.

At last, he found where she lived in a small town.

Inside, she was sewing her wedding dress.

If she had to marry, why couldn't she marry him?

He wasn't dead yet.

*

During the Shangsi Festival, Meng Yu's peony fell beside a young woman.

Meng Yu recognized her. Technically, she was his cousin.

His cousin came up and called to him. He answered.

She asked him to take her out of the city. He agreed.

Even when she asked him to enter into a sham marriage, he agreed.

Meng Yu put on his wedding clothes and thought:

Once they were married, he wouldn't let her go.

*

1. No blood relation.

2. All male leads are virgins; 1v3.

3. Written to suit the author's tastes: fragile heroine and obsessive male leads.

Theme: Together for the long haul