This story: 【Elegant, reserved, cunning gentleman × Thin-skinned but mischievous overachieving beauty】... more>>

“Life’s ultimate overachiever” Qiu Huanian transmigrates into an ancient era as a ger—unloved by his father and stepmother, traded for two buckets of sorghum to the Du family in the next village as a child bride during a famine.

When he wakes, the family has only three straw huts, two hens, and the Du siblings, thin as twigs. The village gossips claim his unseen husband, the eldest Du son, has ruined his future and will return home to mooch off others. Everyone awaits the joke.

Qiu Huanian’s heart races as he gazes at Du Yunse’s ethereal, scholarly face. Rolling up his sleeves, he declares lightly, “No matter. I’ll support him.”

*

Du Yunse, hailed as a prodigy since ten, studied under a great scholar for years. Caught in court turmoil after his mentor’s imprisonment, he returns home, dreading the sight of his orphaned siblings and the stranger he’s bound to.

Yet upon arrival, he finds a tidy yard, lively siblings, and a stunning, praised little husband. The husband smiles warmly, urging him:

“Don’t skimp on paper for writing. Light the lamp when reading. Eat meat daily.”

“I’m investing in you. Once you top the exams, repay me well.”

Du Yunse’s heart melts. He clasps the delicate hand. “I’ll win you a top scholar title.”

*

Making sorghum candies, fermenting tofu, growing cotton, buying mules… The Dus thrive, envied by all. When officials arrive with exam news, Du Yunse is drying Qiu Huanian’s hair.

To whispers that Qiu’s heart isn’t fully his, the noble scholar smiles.

“A jewel chooses its owner. I’ll prove I’m his destined one.” <<less

"The King of the Living Area" Qiu Huanian transmigrated to become a little ge in ancient time, who was not loved by his father and stepmother. During the famine, he was sold for two buckets of sorghum to the Du family in the neighboring village as a child bridegroom.... more>>

When he woke up, the family only had three thatched huts, two hens, and Du family's younger siblings who were as thin as sticks.

It is rumored in the village that his cheap husband, Du family’s eldest son, whom he had never met, had his promising future ruined and was about to return to the village to eat soft rice(1). Many people were waiting to see the joke.

But when Qiu Huanian saw the handsome and noble face of Du family's eldest son, his heart skipped a beat.

He rolled up his sleeves and said lightly, "It's alright. I'll support him."

*

Du Yunse gained a reputation as a child prodigy at the age of ten and was taken as a disciple by a contemporary great scholar, traveling and studying for many years.

The imperial court was turbulent and unpredictable. One day, his respected teacher was imprisoned, and he had no choice but to return to his village to seek shelter.

Thinking of his deceased parents and the young siblings and the child bridegroom he had never met at home, Du Yunse was filled with worry.

But when he returned to the village, he saw a neat courtyard, lively and healthy siblings, and a beautiful little husband that everyone praised.

The little husband smiled with bright eyes and earnestly told him:

"Don't try to save paper when writing, light an oil lamp when reading, and our family will eat meat every day."

"I am investing in you. When you pass the imperial examination in the future, you must treat me well."

Du Yunse was so soft-hearted that he took the husband's slender and beautiful hand and said, "Alright, I promised Hua Ge'er that I will become the top scorer in the imperial examination."

1. 吃软饭" is a Chinese slang term that refers to men rely on women for financial support or living resources. <<less