If you enjoy gender-bender stories with strong character development and yuri themes, TS Lily Archive is worth your time. It’s a focused library built for readers who want story first, without distractions.
Preview the site below, or open it in a new tab for the full reading experience.
During peak season, especially around the Lunar New Year, roads were typically packed as families bustled through streets and alleys, visiting relatives.
Bai Sha’s family had set out early that morning.
While traffic still flowed steadily, at least they wouldn’t encounter any major jams.
Had they traveled earlier in the year, particularly on the highways, progress would have been agonizingly slow.
The little one, nestled in an embrace, stifled a yawn.
“Do you want to take a nap? It’ll still be a while before we reach Grandpa’s house.”
Bai Sha gently asked the little one.
“Baby won’t sleep,” the little one declared.
“I won’t sleep anymore.”
Bai Sha felt a pang of sympathy, knowing that if the child fell asleep in the car and woke to find her parents gone, it would undoubtedly leave a lingering shadow in their heart.
“How much longer until we arrive?” Bai Sha inquired of Zhou Haochen, who was driving.
“Almost there, about half an hour.”
“Do your aunt and uncle celebrate the New Year in the countryside every year?”
Bai Sha asked curiously, noting that her own uncle rarely returned to the countryside after buying a house in the city.
“Yes, they do. I’ve told them they could celebrate in the city, but they refuse. Every time the old house sits empty for so long, they still spend an entire day cleaning it when they go back.”
It was typical for older generations, especially those who grew up in the countryside.
While they could live in the city, during New Year and other festivals, they invariably returned to their rural roots.
Perhaps their roots were deeply embedded there, a sentiment modern people like Bai Sha found hard to fully comprehend.
“Is there anyone else living in the house?”
“No, not really. My grandparents passed away early due to poor health. It’s just that the village is lively, you know?”
Compared to cities, the countryside, a society woven from emotional and geographical ties, indeed fostered stronger bonds once one became integrated.
****
Meanwhile, Madam Qin, having learned from her son that Bai Sha hailed from Jiangxi Province and enjoyed spicy food—something her own family rarely ate—made a special trip to the market to purchase a wide variety of chili peppers.
Zhou Senior, equally enthusiastic, dashed to the lake, intending to catch a large fish for his future daughter-in-law, only to end up buying one from the market instead.
By noon, the rumble of a car engine echoed from the front of the house.
Zhou Haochen led the way, carrying bags in one hand and holding the little one’s hand in the other, while Bai Sha followed behind, a nervous tremor in her steps.
As they drew closer to the main gate, her heart pounded.
“You two, wait for me!”
Zhou Haochen patted the little one’s back, encouraging her to go in first, then deliberately slowed his pace to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Bai Sha.
“Now, that’s my line,” Zhou Haochen murmured, squeezing Bai Sha’s hand.
“Don’t be so nervous.”
Bai Sha took a deep breath.
“It’s fine, I’m not nervous at all.”
Inside, Madam Qin and Zhou Senior, hearing the commotion, emerged to greet them.
Fortunately, their house had a paved area in front for parking; otherwise, they would have had to park at the village entrance, which would have been quite inconvenient.
“Oh, my little darling, did you miss Grandma?”
“Yes!” the little one chirped sweetly, a single word capable of delighting everyone in the household (except Bai Sha).
Zhou Senior, meanwhile, walked towards the two adults trailing behind.
“We’ve been waiting for you day and night, and finally, you’re here!”
Bai Sha quickly greeted him.
“Happy New Year, Uncle!”
Zhou Senior, holding a red envelope, offered it to Bai Sha, responding with a smile.
“Happy New Year! Happy New Year! This is a welcome gift from Uncle; please take it.”
Bai Sha, without pretense, accepted it with both hands.
“Thank you, Uncle. These are some clothes Zhou Haochen and I bought, one for you and one for Auntie. There are also a few bottles of wine in the car that we’ll bring in later.”
“Now that you’re here, we’re family, so don’t be so polite! Come on, come on! It’s cold outside, let’s go inside and chat!”
Zhou Senior then led Bai Sha away, while Madam Qin took Zhou Yuying by the hand.
Zhou Haochen was left standing there, laden with their belongings.
‘[So?]’
Fortunately, Bai Sha still loved him; having just stepped inside, she noticed his absence and came back out.
“Why are you still outside? Come in quickly!”
Once everyone was seated at the dining table, Madam Qin began chatting with Bai Sha.
“Happy New Year, Auntie. You can just call me Xiao Bai.”
“Xiao Bai, you’re so beautiful and so wealthy—truly accomplished at such a young age! How did you ever fall for this boy?”
Zhou Haochen: ‘?’
‘A few years ago, when you were at banquets bragging about me to others, you weren’t like this, were you?’
It could only be said that the older generation were people of decorum, masters of mutual praise.
“He’s a good person, worthy of affection.”
As for why she liked Zhou Haochen, Bai Sha couldn’t articulate it in his presence.
Yet, matters of the heart were always inexplicable; anything that could be easily expressed was often superficial.
“Come, come, have a drumstick.”
“Xiao Bai, this fish is excellent, eat more.”
“Don’t be shy, these potatoes are delicious too.”
Bai Sha held her bowl, the shallow layer of rice almost entirely covered by the generous servings of food she had been given.
“That’s enough, truly! Uncle, Auntie, I can’t eat all this.”
Where she came from, hosts typically offered food verbally; Bai Sha had never seen such direct placement into one’s bowl.
She quickly shot Zhou Haochen a desperate look, signaling for help.
Zhou Haochen interrupted his parents.
“We’re planning to arrange a meeting between both sets of parents.”
Madam Qin paused, surprised.
“You’re already planning to get engaged!?”
Zhou Haochen rubbed his head.
“It might be a bit early, but our situation is rather unique, so perhaps we should set a date first?”
Zhou Senior, turning to Bai Sha, said, “This boy is young and sometimes lacks discretion, but he’s genuinely a good person. If he ever acts up or causes trouble in the future, just tell me, and I’ll set him straight.”
Bai Sha quickly shook her head.
“He wouldn’t, he’s really good to me, truly.”
“With this little girl around, a young lady is bound to suffer some grievances. I can’t say much more, but please take this card.”
Seeing Zhou Senior hand her a bank card, Bai Sha quickly refused.
“Uncle! I really can’t accept this!”
“I know you’re not short on money, and there isn’t much in here. Consider it a small token of my regard. With the child registered under your household, your reputation might be somewhat affected, so think of this as Uncle’s compensation.”
Having no other option, Bai Sha accepted it for now, intending to give it back to Zhou Haochen later so he could find an opportunity to return it.
As for reputation, those in the e-sports circle generally didn’t care much about it.
What the elders considered a grave matter might, for Bai Sha, truly be a minor concern.
After the meal, Zhou Haochen discussed and finalized a time with his parents.
****
The family of three settled down on the second floor.
Zhou Haochen’s parents resided on the first floor, while the second floor mainly comprised Zhou Haochen’s childhood room and a guest room.
Upon entering, Bai Sha immediately spotted a Zhou Dong (TL Note: ‘Zhōu Dǒng’ is a popular nickname for Taiwanese singer-songwriter Jay Chou) poster plastered on the wall.
The mottled plaster was somewhat crumbling, the old stickers had yellowed, and a stack of aged textbooks sat upon the small desk.
“You still like Zhou Dong?”
“We’re only three years apart, not thirteen. Don’t make it sound like we’re from different eras.”
“Jay… Who is Jay Chou?” the little one asked, looking at the poster with confusion.
“He’s a very great singer!”
The room had long since been cleaned by Madam Qin.
Zhou Haochen flopped onto the bed, lamenting, “It’s truly exasperating how people compare; it seems my mom really likes you.”
Bai Sha sat on the edge of the bed.
“That’s because of you. Whether Uncle and Auntie like me or Xiao Yu, it’s all because they love you.”
Zhou Haochen pulled Bai Sha onto the bed.
“Well said, you deserve a reward!”
He gave Bai Sha a peck on her cheek.
The little one also scrambled onto the bed.
“Me too, me too!”