Chapter 100
1) Du Yuling × Zhou Chengwang
Zhou Chengwang and Du Yuling grew up together, genuine childhood sweethearts, closer than even their own siblings.
Later, Jiang Lin joined them, forming a notorious trio of troublemakers in the capital. Though their friendship cooled for a time after Jiang Lin’s misguided attempt to seduce them, he reformed after marriage and reconciled with them, restoring their bond.
However, married life changed Jiang Lin. With a new home and responsibilities, he no longer spent every day with them, leaving Zhou Chengwang mostly with Du Yuling.
Zhou Chengwang never imagined he’d fall for a man. Though he envied Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao’s love, the idea seemed too unconventional.
Yet he remained unmarried while his peers started families, showing no interest in women, not even a bedwarming maid.
At first, this didn’t strike him as odd, because Du Yuling was the same. But when Du Yuling’s family arranged a match for him, Zhou Chengwang realized his discomfort. He couldn’t bear the thought of Du Yuling marrying someone else.
The resentment festered like a growing lump.
Yet Du Yiling acted first, rejecting the match and confessing his feelings.
Overjoyed, Zhou Chengwang’s only other thought was: He’d lost again, Du Yuling had beaten him to it!
But mutual affection prevailed, and they began a secret romance.
Aside from fearing their families’ wrath, all was well.
Eager to share the news with Jiang Lin, Zhou Chengwang was preempted - Jiang Lin had already guessed.
Another loss: Jiang Lin had noticed before he’d even spoken!
Yet this brought clarity. Zhou Chengwang realized his family had never pressed him to marry, perhaps they’d long suspected his bond with Du Yuling wasn’t platonic.
He and Du Yuling agonized over how to confess, knowing the likely outcomes: a beating (best case), broken legs, or death (worst).
Resigned, they decided to gamble on honesty, after one last indulgence.
Rummaging through fire-avoidance illustrations, they fumbled their first attempt, nearly failing before settling who’d top via a size contest.
Undressing, Zhou Chengwang recalled childhood comparisons. “We’ve been shameless since we were kids,” he laughed.
“Fate destined us,” Du Yiling declared, pushing him down.
The fallout was chaotic. Zhou Chengwang fell ill, only recovering just in time to face their families, who made them wear bundles of kindling on their backs as a humiliating form of punishment.
“I suffered for you,” Zhou Chengwang said. “If you ever betray me, Jiang Lin will castrate you.”
Jiang Lin: “???” (He doubted heaven relayed random oaths.)
Braced for the worst, they entered Zhou Chengwang’s father’s study.
The patriarch wielded a monk’s staff - thick, long, and brutal. Zhou Chengwang’s backside covered in welts.
His mother calmly explained, “This beating is your dowry. Remember, you chose this path. If you regret it later, you’ll get another round.”
Tearfully, Zhou Chengwang vowed eternal devotion, he was afraid that another beating would kill him.
Satisfied, the family sent Du Yuling home for his own thrashing.
The Du family showed no mercy. Du Yuling’s injuries were worse, leaving the lovebirds bedridden for a month.
Reunited, they wept and swore never to part - who’d willingly endure that pain twice?
(2) Wei Yunzhao × Jiang Lin (Ancient)
Dayue's borders were in turmoil. Wars broke out following the new Emperor's ascension, led by Jin Wang, Yue Ge, and the reinstated General Wei Yunzhao.
Victories revived Wei Yunzhao’s fame, with rumors calling the Wei family the kingdom’s “pillar of peace.”
With the Emperor's trust, Wei Yunzhao commanded the capital defenses and imperial guard - positions that gave him the power to potentially overthrow the throne if he chose to.
Courtiers whispered of treason, but the Emperor dismissed them: “If he wanted the throne, he'd have taken it by now. I’ll not kill loyal men for baseless rumors.”
Later, it emerged that the Emperor’s trust stemmed from Wei Yunzhao’s tether, his love for Jiang Lin ensured he’d never covet power.
When a southern general retired, Jin Wang took his place. Wei Yunzhao then requested command of the northern forces, bringing with him Jiang Lin, his own brother Wei Yunqi, and Jiang Lin's half-brother Jiang Xuan.
The Emperor agreed, leaving only Wei Yunzhao’s female relatives in the capital, a breach of tradition where families were kept as hostages.
Before heading north, they visited Jiangnan’s Yun family, now imperial merchants due to Jiang Lin’s earlier assistance.
The north’s rugged beauty grasslands, deserts, snow-capped peaks stunned them. Riding across the wilderness, Wei Yunzhao asked, “Do you like it here?”
Jiang Lin gazed at the horizon. “It’s where you belong. I love you, and thus this land you protect.”
Wei Yunzhao’s eyes darkened. “Such words tempt me.”
“To what?”
“To make love under the sky,” he whispered.
Jiang Lin scoffed. “Too wild. What if wolves eat us?”
They compromised with kisses, returning to the city where Jiang Lin transformed the barren north into prosperity.
Years later, they traveled the land together, witnessing the Emperor's reforms firsthand: new crops flourishing, towns thriving, and progress unfolding everywhere.
(3) Wei Yunzhao × Jiang Lin (Modern)
Unfamiliar white ceiling.
Jiang Lin blinked. Decades in the apocalypse and ancient times had erased memories of this home.
The phone and computer both displayed 2021 - pre-apocalypse.
No trace of Wei Yunzhao online. Sighing, he resigned to work until a wheelchair blocked his office entrance.
Its occupant turned, revealing a familiar face.
“Crippled again?” Jiang Lin quipped. “What’s your deal with wheelchairs?”
The man smiled. “Linlin.”
Fate, absurd as ever.
Pushing the chair, Jiang Lin grumbled, “Two lifetimes of this.”
In the CEO’s office (yes, Wei Yunzhao was now his boss), they reunited.
“Still Wei Yunzhao,” the man said.
That sufficed.
“Stand, I want a hug.”
But Wei Yunzhao couldn’t, there was another tragic backstory, this time corporate sabotage.
“So I need you,” he said.
“Why not call me ‘wife’?” Jiang Lin teased.
“Wife.”
“Husband.”
Then, smirking, Wei Yunzhao whispered, “I’ve learned a new term: office play.”
Jiang Lin kicked his chair. “Dream on.”
-End-
