#chan xiu

[askdeeds]

"I'll admit it. It was my fault. Sie misread the acronym and when sie did I uh." Chan Xiu rubs her neck. "I went along with it, bad pronunciation and all, because it's better than 'back home' or 'Earth'. Anyway yeah I'm Chan Xiu I'm from out of town and I'm probably going to have to apologize for that one for ages."

"I'm sure she'll accept the apology - we all do what we have to survive here."

[moa-sting]

tfw one of my characters is meant to be very attractive but given that they are inhabiting the body of another character who I feel bad sexualizing it’s this weird push/pull. Granted that’s kind of the point/part of his character development of “Ok at what point is this body I’m commandeering for a while and parted with the previous owner on relatively good terms can be considered Mine rather than His?”

...and then having his romantic relationship be kind of weird bc Wu Wei met the body as a child but Xiu Chan inhabiting the body as an adult.

[legendaryl0stpieces]

tag drop for xiu chan

[incorrect-web-novels]

Webnovel Carrd Links [Part 1]

I usually use Novel Updates, but Carrds are great to support the author, find translations not on NU, find Content Warnings, and learn more about the story / other adaptations. If there's a novel not here, it can be helpful to search the name of the novel + "carrd" or "novel updates"

Library Carrds / Carrds with Multiple Novels

Completed Baihe Carrd (click the sunglasses)

Baihe Novels Carrd 

Baihe Support 

Novel Carrd Library (Danmei & Baihe)

Aelia’s Library (Modern & Historical Danmei)

Unlimited Flow Danmei Carrd 

Danmei Recommendations List

Underrated Danmei 

Modern Danmei 

Twitter Thread with Danmei Carrds 

Author Carrds

(These authors have more works - I just listed the most popular ones/the ones I knew)

Cang Wu Bin Bai - author of Golden Stage and Fight the Landlord, Fall in Love

Cyan Wings - author of Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know, High Energy QR Code, They All Say I’ve Met a Ghost, etc.

Feitian Yexiang - author of Dinghai Fusheng Records & To Rule in a Turbulent World

Huai Shang - author of the Sword Named No Way Out

Jiang Zi Bei - author of PUBG: Online Romance of the Century, I Can Do It, and I’ve Liked Your Boyfriend for a Long Time

Liu Bing Jie - author of The Wife is First, Peach, and The White Cat’s Divine Scratching Post

Man Man He Qi Duo - author of Those Years In Quest of Honour Mine 

Meatbun Doesn’t Eat Meat - author of The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Meng Xi Shi - author of Estranged, Peerless, Thousand Autumns, The Fourteenth Year of Chenghua, etc.

Mo Chen Huan - author of The Earth is Online and the Villain Has Something to Say

Mu Su Li - author of Panguan and Copper Coins

MXTX / Mo Xiang Tong Xiu - author of MDZS, TGCF, and SVSSS

Please Don’t Laugh novels - author of FGEP, Ruzhui, and JQWS

Priest - author of Guardian, LHJC, Can Ci Pin, Mo Du, Gumen, Liu Yao, etc.

Shui Qian Cheng - author of Wu Chang Jie 

Tang Jiuqing / t97 - author of Qiang Jin Jiu & Nan Chan

Wu Zhe - author of Unbridled, Sa Ye, Antidote, etc. 

Zhichu - author of Fanservice Paradox

Danmei / BL

2ha / the Husky and His White Cat Shizun (1, 2)

Bat / Bianfu 

Can Ci Pin

Carven Jade / Zhuo Yu 

Cold Sands

Copper Coins 

Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know

Dinghai Fusheng Records

Di Wang Gong Lue / The Emperor’s Strategy 

Don’t You Like Me? 

Encountering a Snake 

Everyone Thinks That I Like Him

Fake Slackers

Fanservice Paradox 

Fight the Landlord, Fall in Love

Fox Demon Cultivation Manual / FDCM 

Global University Entrance Examination / QQGK / Global Examination 

Golden Stage 

Green Plum Island 

Guardian 

Guomen 

How to Survive as a Villain 

Jun You Ji Fou / How is the Gentleman Feeling? 

Lie Huo Jiao Chou / LHJC 

Little Mushroom 

Liu Yao (press the 3 circles) 

MDZS / the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (1, 2, 3)

Mist (CW: glitch effect, flashing lights)

Mistakenly Saving the Villain / MISVIL

Mo Du / Silent Reading 

My Junior Still Hasn’t Killed Me

Nan Chan 

[Part 2]

[queer-book-character-tournament]

Quality Control Time

okay everyone: realistically despite having read some since last tournament I can't have read all of these books as I am one person running a blog for funnies

so I'm posting a list after I've gone through the submissions and I'm counting on you guys to tell me if any of these submissions don't count (or if someone typoed something in the submission I didn't catch)

that said here are your (tentative) competitors:

Rune Saint-John- The Tarot Sequence by KD Edwards

Quinn Saint Nicholas- The Tarot Sequence by KD Edwards

Layne Dawncreek- The Hourglass Throne by KD Edwards

Silas Bell- The Spirit Bares it's Teeth by Andrew Joseph White 

Daphne Luckenbill- The Spirit Bares it's Teeth  by Andrew Joseph White 

Benjamin/Benji Woodside- Hell Followed with us by Andrew Joseph White 

Sideways Pike- The Spacegracers by HA Clarke

Tayend of Tremmelin- Magician’s Guild series (The Novice, The High Lord) by Trudi Canavan

Gideon Nav- The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir

Ianthe Tridenarius, Ianthe the First- The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir

Harrowhark Nonagesimus- The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir

Dekka- Gone series by Michael Grant

Therem Harth rem ir Estraven- The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Seregil í Korit Solun Meringil Bôkthersa- Luck in the shadows/the nightrunner series by Lynn Fleweling

Victor Vale- Vicious by VE Schwab

Alucard Emery- Shades of Magic series by VE Schwab

Rhy Maresh- Shades of Magic series by VE Schwab

Elliot Schafer- In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Sebastian Black- The Sacred Sins of Father Black by St John Starling

Father Victor Ardelian- What Manner of Man by St John Starling

Wenren È- Devil Venerable Also Wants To Know by Cyan Wings

Zhu Chongba- She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Ouyang- She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Giovanni- Giovanni's room by James Baldwin

David- Giovanni's room by James Baldwin

Danny Tozer- Dreadnought by April Daniels

Magnus Bane- The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Alec Lightwood- The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Thomas Lightwood- The Last Hours by Cassandra Clare

Alastair Carstairs- The Last Hours by Cassandra Clare

Alex Fierro-Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series by Rick Riordan

Magnus Chase- Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series by Rick Riordan

Nico di Angelo- The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan

Frances Janvier- Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Nick Nelson- Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Charlie Spring- Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Tori Spring- Solitaire by Alice Oseman

Gwen (Princess Gwendoline)- Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

Jack Alston/Lord Hawthorn- The Last Binding Trilogy by Freya Marske

Maud Blyth- The Last Binding Trilogy by Freya Marske

Robin Blyth- A Marvelous Light by Freya Marske

Silariathas “Silas”- Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Nathaniel Thorn- Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Ballister Blackheart- Nimona by N.D. Stevenson

Ambrosius Goldenloin- Nimona by N.D. Stevenson 

Neil Josten- All for the game by Nora Sakavic

Andrew Minyard- All for the game by Nora Sakavic

Nicky Hemick- All for the game by Nora Sakavic

Xie Lian- Heaven Official's Blessing / Tian Guan Ci Fu by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu / mxtx 

San Lang/ Hua Cheng- Heaven Official's Blessing / Tian Guan Ci Fu by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu / mxtx 

Luo Binghe- The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu / mxtx

Shen Qingqiu- The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu / mxtx

Lan Wangji/ Lan Zhan/ Han Guang Jun- Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu / mxtx

Wei WuXian/ Wei Ying/ Yiling Patriarch- Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu / mxtx

Kelly Bennett- Heartsong by TJ Klune

Linus Baker- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Arthur Parnassus- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Laurent- Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat

Damianos (Damen)- Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat

Will Kempen- Dark Rise Series by C.S. Pacat

Sarcean- Dark Rise Series by C.S. Pacat

James St. Clair- Dark Rise Series by C.S. Pacat

Ronan Lynch- The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Adam Parrish- The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Loki- Loki- Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

Theo Bell- Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

Daniela- We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Carmen- We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Seonid Traighan Sedai- Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan

Siuan Sanche Sedai- Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan

Shallan Davar- The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson

Jasnah Kholin- The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson 

Jesper Fahey- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Wylan van Eck- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Nina Zenik- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Evelyn Hugo- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Moiraine Damodred Sedai- The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan 

Yan Wushi- 千秋 /Thousand Autumns/Qian Qu by Meng Xi Shi

Shen Qiao- 千秋/Qian Qiu/Thousand Autumn by Meng Xi Shi

Alex Claremont-Diaz- Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor- Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Biyu "Jane" Su- One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

August Landry- One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Jolene Whitaker- Stars Still Fall by Jules Kelley

Jude St. Francis- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Francis Abernathy- The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Ishita Dey- Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

Carmilla Karnstein- Carmilla by J Sheridan le Fanu

Murderbot- The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

Shuos Jedao- Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee

Achilles- Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 

Patroclus- Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 

Yin Hanjiang- Devil Venerable Also Wants To Know by Cyan Wings

Daja Kisubo- The Circle of Magic series, The Circle Opens series, The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce

Simon Torquill- October Daye Series by Seanan McGuire

Kade Bronson- Wayward Children Series by Seanan McGuire

Jack Wolcott- Wayward Children Series by Seanan McGuire

Sundew- Wings of Fire by Tui T Sutherland

Zanja Na'Tarwein- The Elemental Logic Series by Laurie J. Marks

Karis G'deon- The Elemental Logic series by Laurie J. Marks

Thaniel Steepleton- The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, The Lost Future of Pepperharrow by Natasha Pulley

Raff Barden- One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny

Penn de Foucart- One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny

Alec Campion- Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

Richard St Vier- Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

Nico Ferrer De Varona- The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

Parisa Kamali- The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

Sam Black Crow- American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Salim- American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Hunter- Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Islington- Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Tsukiko- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Zachary Ezra Rawlins- The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Dorian- The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Katrina- The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Katherine- The Privilege of the Sword by Ellen Kushner

Geraldine- Christabel by Samuel Coleridge 

Priya- The Jasmine Throne/The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

Malini- The Jasmine Throne/The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

Henry Gaunt- In Memoriam by Alice Winn

Sidney Ellwood - In Memoriam by Alice Winn

Benji Ovich- Beartown by Frederik Backman

Renly Baratheon- A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF) by George R.R. Martin

Loras Tyrell- A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF) by George R.R. Martin

Oberyn Martell- A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF) by George R.R. Martin

Ellaria Sand- A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF) by George R.R. Martin

Ead Duryan- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Thara Celehar- The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison

Iäna Pel-Thenhior- The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison

Vanyel Ashkevron- The Last Herald-Mage Series (Magic's Pawn, Magic's Price, Magic's Promise) by Mercedes Lackey

Galen- Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher 

Doctor Piper- Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher 

Eliot Waugh- The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Simon Spier- Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Bram Greenfield- Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Leah Burke- Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Abby Suso- Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Jay Gatsby- Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie Mclemore

Harold Hutchins- Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Eric "Bitty" Bittle- Check, Please! By Ngozi Ukazu 

Jack Zimmermann- Check, Please! By Ngozi Ukazu 

Ollie O'Meara- Check, Please! By Ngozi Ukazu

Pacer Wicks- Check, Please! By Ngozi Ukazu

Maurice Hall- Maurice by E.M. Forster 

Alec Scudder- Maurice by E.M. Forster 

Clive Durham- Maurice by E.M. Forster 

Cal Stephanides- Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Therese Belivet- Carol or The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith 

Carol Aird- Carol or The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith 

Baz Pitch- Carry On Series by Rainbow Rowell

Tennalhin (Tennal) Halkana- Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell

Evander (Andy) Mills- Lavendar House by Lev Ac Rosen

Kaiiestron (Kai) l, Prince of the Fourth House of the Underearth- Witch King by Martha Wells

Max Owen- Magical Boy by The Kao

Remy Pendergast- Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco

Ben De Backer- I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver

Nathan Allan- I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver

Genevieve Lefoux- The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger

Maddie Morrow- Havenfall by Sara Holland

Catherine St. Day- The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

Lucy Muchelney- The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

Fetter- The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera

Leonie Jackman- Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

Red- This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone 

Blue- This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone 

Rose- Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Li Shimin- Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Cliopher Mdang- The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard

Lily Hu- Last Night At The Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Patrick O’Hara- The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Ambrose Cusk- The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

Kodiak Celius- The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

[duckprintspress]

Celebrate International Non-Binary People’s Day with 20 Great Reads with NB Characters!

Happy International Non-Binary People’s Day! Join Duck Prints Press in celebrating with a pile of books featuring non-binary characters! In some of these stories, the representation is explicit; in others, it’s implied, or open to interpretation, and, well – we’ve obviously made our interpretation, and that interpretation is us shouting NON-BINARY RIGHTS from the rafters. Books on this list were suggested by Adrian Harley (@adrianharley), Alec Marsh (@alecjmarsh), Dei Walker (@dei2dei), Nina Waters (@unforth), @shadaras, Tris Lawrence (@tryslora), and a few anonymous contributors.

In no particular order, here are twenty books for your enjoyment!

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Gamechanger by L. X. Beckett

Translation State by Ann Leckie

Soulstar by C. L. Polk

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

Heaven Official’s Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Victories Greater than Death by Charlie Jane Anders

Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed

Little Mushroom by Yi Shi Si Zhou

Provenance by Ann Leckie

In the Watchful City by S. Qiouyi Li

The Last Sun by K. D. Edwards

You can learn more about these books and read their synopses by visiting our full blog post on Wordpress!

What are YOUR favorite books with non-binary characters? Share them with us, and let’s hear it for non-binary rep in fiction!

[i-sveikata]

hey, just curious if you could rec any particular authors you love read or rec any books to read? I tend to only read fanfic and when I try to read anything out there...ugh just the storyline is predictable and the dialogue is cringe. I trust your judgment, so anything you recommend?!

appreciate you love, hope you're doing well and take care of your health 💟💟

hello anon! i mostly read fantasy/queer novels so i can defs rec some of my favourites but if you have any triggers or things you don't like to read etc id recommend a bit of research on them here for triggers or here for goodreads synopsis. But here you go in no particular order:

-iron widow series/ Xiran jay zhao (1st book out 2nd coming out this year) -the radiant emperor series/ Shelley Parker Chan -the queens thief series/ Megan Whalen turner -the graceling realm series/ Kristin cashore -mo dao zu shi series (grandmaster of demonic cultivation)- Mo xiang ton xiu -all for the game series/ Nora sakavic -the cruel prince series/ Holly black -the celestial kingdom series/ Sue lynn tan -six of crows series/ Leigh bardugo -dark rise series/ CS pacat -villains series/ VE Schwab -leviathan series/ Scott westerfeld -a great and terrible beauty series/ Libba bray -legend series/ Marie lu -anne of green gables series/ lucy maud montogomery

heres some i've read when i was younger that are a bit more y/a but still slap and i still reread them every now and again

-the lightning thief series/ rick riordan -deltora quest/ emily rodda -the missing series/1800 where are you series/ meg cabot -the mediator series/ meg cabot -a series of unfortunate events/ lemony snicket

Also just some stand alone books I’ve read and really enjoyed: -the binding/ Bridget Collins -where the crawdad sings/ Delia owens -the martian/ Andy weir -life of pi/ Yann martel -green lights/ Matthew McConaughey -song of Achilles/ Madeline miller -howls moving castle/ Diana Wynne Jones -holes/ Louis sachar -the invisible life of addie larue/ Ve Schwab -the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo/ Taylor Jenkins Reid -the island of sea women/ Lisa see -aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe / Benjamin alire saenz -all our shimmering skies/ Trent dalton -red, white & royal blue/ Casey mcquiston -ella minnow pea/ Mark dunn

you'll probably find a few of these titles familiar already but a lot of these are favs of mine or are just really damn well executed stories. happy reading!

[lgbtqmanga]

New Releases Feb. 6, 2024

Asumi-chan is Interested in Lesbian Brothels! vol. 4 by Kuro Itsuki

On the hunt for long-lost love, Asumi has devoted her time to visiting brothel after brothel. She has no idea that her antics are making Nanao more suspicious of her by the minute. Nanao, determined to find out if Asumi is a lesbian call girl herself, makes a booking with a girl to find out the truth. Instead, she opens a door to further misunderstandings. Exactly where is their relationship headed?

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (manhua) vol. 5 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu and Luo Di Cheng Qiu

Seeking the truth behind Xiao Xingchen’s death, Wei Wuxian uses the dangerous power of “Empathy” to gaze into the past. He discovers that years ago, the newly blinded Xiao Xingchen journeyed to the remote countryside, where he and a girl named A-Qing became inseparable. Unfortunately, the peace they found together did not last—everything changed after they saved a mortally wounded man. That man was Xue Yang, a villain who used charm to hide his bitterly cold heart. Weaving a web of lies and deceit, Xue Yang joined their quiet life while secretly scheming for a bloody encounter between old friends and foes!

Magic Knight Rayearth vol. 2 by CLAMP

Three girls who couldn't be more different meet on a school trip to Tokyo Tower--and find themselves beamed into a parallel world called Cefiro, where the mysterious Pillar has recruited them to avert a calamity! With the help of a motley troop of rogues and wizards, they will unlock the power of three transforming giant dragons known as Rune Gods and rush to the Pillar's aid...but there's more going on at the heart of Cefiro than they know!

The Moon on a Rainy Night vol. 3 by Kuzushiro

Saki and Kanon are walking around town when a sudden gust blows some flyers for a hair salon toward them. The two girls gather them up and return them to the owner, a salon apprentice, who unexpectedly asks Saki if she would come to the salon to sit for a test cut. Saki agrees, and when she visits the salon later that week, the young stylist recounts a story about a “friend” who fell in love with one of her female classmates during their school days. Could she be trying to tell Saki something...?

Saki’s confusion about her feelings for Kanon only deepens when Kanon ends up spending the night due to a situation at home. As the two girls are lying in bed facing each other, Kanon tells Saki about her conflicting dreams for the future: she wants to live on her own someday, but she also wants someone around whom she can count on...someone like Saki. Kanon drifts off to sleep, but Saki remains awake long into the night, wrestling with the turmoil within her. All she knows is that she can’t go on like this much longer...

Pulse vol. 6 by Ratana Satis

Lynn’s surgery has begun, and Mel is right by her side, assisting with the operation. Things are going smoothly—until the director hears that Mel has postponed her surgeries so she can operate on her girlfriend. The tension sky rockets in an already tense situation as Sue bursts in on the operation and orders Mel to leave the room immediately. With Lynn’s heart literally on the line, Mel is forced to choose between giving in to her ex’s orders and seeing her girlfriend’s surgery through to the end.

There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless… vol. 4 by Teren Mikami and Musshu

Still fake-dating Satsuki, Renako finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle between herself and the two starlets of Ashigaya High. As their conflict reaches its peak, and Satsuki’s true feelings towards Mai begin to emerge, Renako suggests a three-way battle to save her clique, her peaceful high-school life, and above all, her friends’ relationship!

[adversitybloomed]

NAME: Hua Mulan | 花木蘭 TITLES: general hua | heroine hua | heroine hua mulan aliases: hua jun ( male disguise ) | feng lian ( feng means ‘maple, phoenix’ & lian means, lotus, female disguise ) NICKNAMES: MuMu and La-Chan (by close friends) BIRTHDATE: April 26th SPECIES: human | phoenix NATIONALITY: Chinese. GENDER: cis female PREFERRED PRONOUNS: she | her | hers.

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: demisexual SEXUAL ORIENTATION: panromantic

FAMILY: see here. PARENTS: Hua Zhao ( Father ), Hua Hsien, ( Birth Mother, Deceased ), Hua Li ( Step-Mother, Estranged )

SIBLINGS: Hua Daiyu ( elder sister, enemies ), Hua Xiu ( younger half-sister, close ) SIGNIFICANT OTHERS: canon wise none, but please take note my exlusive ships on this blog for her SO are @battleguqin ( Default ship ) + @caracarnn ( Default ship ), my main ships are also with @orangeshinigami + @thuganomxcs + @abyssrisen CHILDREN: canon wise, none. but Mulan & Sizhui ( @battleguqin ) have eight children, 7 sons & a daughter biologically, but they also have adapted more & have a lot of fur babies.

EYE COLOR(S) : dark brown, almost black. HAIR COLOR(S): onyx ( dark black ) HEIGHT: 5'1" ( 154.94cm ). WEIGHT: 106 lb ( lean muscles ), this weight is only when she is eating healthy, she has a hard time gaining weight to this point. FACE CLAIM: Zhao Lusi BODY BUILD: endomorph, mulan is lean & petite in nature, but more on the thin side. she has a small curvy figure to her. there is zero fat on her, however as she has more muscle mass because of her strict training routine.

Potential Fatal Flaw: pride & stubborness.

Tagged by @caracarnn ( ty ! ) tagging: @battleguqin + @orangeshinigami + @auburniivenus + @peculiarbeauty + @cuckoo-among-beasts + @incissam + @ka-go-me + or steal & tag me !

[shookethdev]

a o e i i er ai ei ao ou an en ang eng ong i ia iao ie iu ian in iang ing iong u ua uo uai ui uan un uang ueng ü üe üan ün a o e er ai ao ou an en ang eng yi ya yao ye you yan yin yang ying yong wu wa wo wai wei wan wen wang weng yu yue yuan yun b ba bo bai bei bao ban ben bang beng bi biao bie bian bin bing bu p pa po pai pei pao pou pan pen pang peng pi piao pie pian pin ping pu m ma mo me mai mei mao mou man men mang meng mi miao mie miu mian min ming mu f fa fo fei fou fan fen fang feng fu d da de dai dei dao dou dan den dang deng dong di diao die diu dian ding du duo dui duan dun t ta te tai tei tao tou tan tang teng tong ti tiao tie tian ting tu tuo tui tuan tun n na ne nai nei nao nou nan nen nang neng nong ni niao nie niu nian nin niang ning nu nuo nuan nü nüe l la le lai lei lao lou lan lang leng long li lia liao lie liu lian lin liang ling lu luo luan lun lü lüe g ga ge gai gei gao gou gan gen gang geng gong gu gua guo guai gui guan gun guang k ka ke kai kei kao kou kan ken kang keng kong ku kua kuo kuai kui kuan kun kuang h ha he hai hei hao hou han hen hang heng hong hu hua huo huai hui huan hun huang z za ze zi zai zei zao zou zan zen zang zeng zong zu zuo zui zuan zun c ca ce ci cai cao cou can cen cang ceng cong cu cuo cui cuan cun s sa se si sai sao sou san sen sang seng song su suo sui suan sun zh zha zhe zhi zhai zhei zhao zhou zhan zhen zhang zheng zhong zhu zhua zhuo zhuai zhui zhuan zhun zhuang ch cha che chi chai chao chou chan chen chang cheng chong chu chua chuo chuai chui chuan chun chuang sh sha she shi shai shei shao shou shan shen shang sheng shu shua shuo shuai shui shuan shun shuang r re ri rao rou ran ren rang reng rong ru rua ruo rui ruan run j ji jia jiao jie jiu jian jin jiang jing jiong ju jue juan jun q qi qia qiao qie qiu qian qin qiang qing qiong qu que quan qun x xi xia xiao xie xiu xian xin xiang xing xiong xu xue xuan xun

NAKU 🫵

[xthelastknownsurvivorx]

9 Books

Thanks for the tags @cricketnationrise @14carrotghoul and @historicallysam! Here are nine of my favorite books/series, in no particular order:

Noteworthy — Riley Redgate

Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint (online serialized light novel) — Sing 'n Song

Winter's Orbit — Everina Maxwell

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel — Alexander Chee

Orange (manga series) — Ichigo Takano

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo — Taylor Jenkins Reid

She Who Became the Sun — Shelly Parker Chan

Heaven Official's Blessing (aka TGCF, online serialized light novel) — Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (MXTX)

Cemetery Boys — Aiden Thomas

I didn't include RWRB since it's my main fandom and this tag game is making the rounds among my RWRB moots/oomfs but it definitely belongs on the list normally

Tagging @inexplicablymine @affectionatelyrs and @celeritas2997 if y'all haven't done this already, plus open tag as always

[bookofjin]

Early life of Gaozu of Liang

With the short biography of his mother, Zhang Shangrou. (From LS01 and LS07)

[LS01]

The Exalted Founder [gaozu], the Martial [wu] August Emperor, taboo Yan, courtesy name Shudai, child name Lian'er, was a native of Zhongdu Village in Nanlanling. He was a descendant of Han's Chancellor of State, He. He begat Marquis Ding of Zan, Yan. Yan begat the Attendant-at-Centre Biao. Biao begat Excellency office staff member Zhang. Zhang begat Hui. Hui begat Yang. Yang begat the Grand Tutor to the Heir-Apparent, Wangzhi. Wangzhi begate the Brilliantly Blessed Grandee Yu. Yu begat the Central Assistant to the Steering Clerk, Shao, Shao begat the Superintendent of the Brilliantly Blessed, Hong. Hong begat the Grand Warden of Jiyin, Chan. Chan begat the Grand Warden of Wu commandery, Bing. Bing begat the Chancellor of Zhongshan, Bao. Bao begat the Broad Scholar Zhou. Zhou begat the Chief of Sheqiu, Jiao. Jiao begat the provincial Assistant Officer, Kui. Kui begot Filial and Upright, Xiu. Xiu begat the Assistant of Guangling Commandery, Bao. Bao begat the Grand Centre Grandee Yi. Yi begat the Prefect of Huaiyin, Zheng. Zheng bgeat the Grand Warden of Jiyin, Xia. Xia begat the provincial Arranger-at-Centre Fuzi. Fuzi begat the Arranger of Documents for the Southern Tower, Daoci. Daoci begat the August Father, taboo Shunzhi, he was Emperor Gao of Qi's younger clansman. He took part in preparations and aiding the mandate, and was ennobled Marquis of Linxiang County. He held successive office as Attendant-at-Centre, Commandant of Guards, Intendant of Affairs to the Heir-Apparent, General who Leads the Army, and Governor of Danyang. He was posthumously conferred General who Quells the North.

Gaozu in Xiaowu of Song's 8th Year of Daming [464 AD], a jiachen year, was born at the Sanqiao Residence, Tongxia Village, Moling County. At birth he was yet remarkable and unusual. His two hips had paired bones, the top of his head was high and raised, and there was a pattern in his right hand which said “martial” [武]. When the Emperor reached adulthood, he studied broadly and very thoroughly, was fond of devising strategies, and had talent and capacity for civil and martial matters. At the time those of flowing fame all pushed him forward and acknowledged him. At the houses where he resided, often if there was a cloud or vapour, for those people who sometimes passed by, their bodies immediately paid their respects.

He started his career as the Acting Army Advisor on the Board of Law of the Central Gentlemen of the South to the King of Baling. He moved to Libationer of the Eastern Pavilion to the General of Guards, Wang Jian [NQS23]. Jian once saw him, and deeply assessed and appreciated his unusualness. He spoke to He Xian of Lujiang, saying:

This Gentleman Xiao within thirty [year] will make Attendant-at-Centre, and if he sets out from here, his worth will be impossible to describe.

When the King of Jingling, Ziliang, opened his Western Mansion and summoned the students of literature, Gaozu together with Shen Yue [LS13], Xie Tiao [NQS47], Wang Rong, Xiao Chen [LS26], Fan Yun [LS13], Ren Fang [LS14], Lu Chui [LS27] and others all roamed with him, they were referred to as the Eight Friends. Rong was exceptional and vivacious, his understanding and perceptiveness exceeded other people. He particularly respected and found unusual Gaozu. Always when speaking of him to his friends, he said:

The steward who will order Under Heaven is surely this person.

He amassed to move to Consultant Army Advisor for Quelling the West to the King of Sui. Soon after he left his post due to the August Father's hardship.

[LS07]

The Changes says:

There was heaven and earth, afterwards there were the ten thousand things. There were the ten thousand things, afterwards there was man and woman. There were man and woman, afterwards there was husband and wife.

The propriety of husband and wife is the highest!

In the Rites of Zhou the King established the Queen's Six Palaces, with three Ladies, nine Concubines, twenty-seven Wives, and eighty-one Spouses, so as to heed Under Heaven's interior arrangements. For that reason the Marriage Propriety states:

The Son of Heaven and the Empress are like the sun and the moon, yin and yang, they are necessary to each other and complete.

Han in the beginning followed Qin's designations and titles. The Emperor's mother was called the August Empress-Dowager, the empress was called the August Empress, and they added to them the categories of Beautiful Lady, Good Lady, Eight Sons, and Seven Sons. Reaching Xiaowu, he regulated the favoured beauties and the likes in altogether fourteen grades. Coming down to Wei and Jin, for the titles of mothers and empresses both followed the Han rules. From Lady and downwards, [each] generations added and subtracted from them.

Gaozu swept away chaos and turned back to correctness. He deeply perceived extravagant and uninhibited, had bad clothes and meagre food, and applied himself to the previous modest frugality. His virtuous pairing ended early, Prolonger of Autumn was an empty position, and to the numbers of concubines and ladies nothing was changed or created. Taizong and Shizu set out from being the heirs-presumptive, yet the Consorts in both cases had passed previously, and they also did not establish pepper quarters. The present compilation only speaks of a provided for vacancy.

The Grand Founder's [taizu] Dedicated [xian] August Empress, Ms. Zhang, taboo Shangrou, was a native of Fangcheng in Fanyang. Her grandfather Cihui was Song's Grand Warden of Puyang. The Empress' mother, Ms. Xiao, was Emperor Wen's paternal aunt. [Emperor Wen is Emperor Wu's father, Xiao Shunzhi, posthumously elevated to emperor]

The Empress in the middle of Song's Yuanjia era [424 – 453] was given in marriage to Emperor Wen. She gave birth to King Xuanwu of Changsha, Yi and King Zhao of Yongyang, and next gave birth to Gaozu.

Earlier, the Empress was once within her room when she suddenly saw sweet-flag grass blooming in front of the courtyard with a brilliant hue shining bright like nothing out of the world. The Empress was startled at the sight, and spoke to her attendant, saying:

Do you see it, or not?

[The attendant] replied, saying:

Do not see it.

The Empress said:

[I] once heard those who see will be rich and honoured.

Following that she quickly took and swallowed it. That month she give birth to Gaozu. At the night she was about to give birth, the Empress saw inside the courtyard as if there were clothes and caps piled up and laid out therein.

She next gave birth to King Xuan of Hengyang, Chang, and Princess Zhao of Yixing, Ling. Song's 7th Year of Taishi [471 AD], she passed at a house in Tongxia Village in Moling County. She was buried at a mountain in Dongcheng Village in Wujin County. 1st Year of Tianjian, 5th Month, jiachen [6 August 502], she was retroactively elevated to the venerated title as August Empress. Her posthumous title was Dedicated [xian].

[eyenaku]

Ji ji fu ji ji

a o e i i er ai ei ao ou an en ang eng ong i ia iao ie iu ian in iang ing iong u ua uo uai ui uan un uang ueng ü üe üan ün a o e er ai ao ou an en ang eng yi ya yao ye you yan yin yang ying yong wu wa wo wai wei wan wen wang weng yu yue yuan yun b ba bo bai bei bao ban ben bang beng bi biao bie bian bin bing bu p pa po pai pei pao pou pan pen pang peng pi piao pie pian pin ping pu m ma mo me mai mei mao mou man men mang meng mi miao mie miu mian min ming mu f fa fo fei fou fan fen fang feng fu d da de dai dei dao dou dan den dang deng dong di diao die diu dian ding du duo dui duan dun t ta te tai tei tao tou tan tang teng tong ti tiao tie tian ting tu tuo tui tuan tun n na ne nai nei nao nou nan nen nang neng nong ni niao nie niu nian nin niang ning nu nuo nuan nü nüe l la le lai lei lao lou lan lang leng long li lia liao lie liu lian lin liang ling lu luo luan lun lü lüe g ga ge gai gei gao gou gan gen gang geng gong gu gua guo guai gui guan gun guang k ka ke kai kei kao kou kan ken kang keng kong ku kua kuo kuai kui kuan kun kuang h ha he hai hei hao hou han hen hang heng hong hu hua huo huai hui huan hun huang z za ze zi zai zei zao zou zan zen zang zeng zong zu zuo zui zuan zun c ca ce ci cai cao cou can cen cang ceng cong cu cuo cui cuan cun s sa se si sai sao sou san sen sang seng song su suo sui suan sun zh zha zhe zhi zhai zhei zhao zhou zhan zhen zhang zheng zhong zhu zhua zhuo zhuai zhui zhuan zhun zhuang ch cha che chi chai chao chou chan chen chang cheng chong chu chua chuo chuai chui chuan chun chuang sh sha she shi shai shei shao shou shan shen shang sheng shu shua shuo shuai shui shuan shun shuang r re ri rao rou ran ren rang reng rong ru rua ruo rui ruan run j ji jia jiao jie jiu jian jin jiang jing jiong ju jue juan jun q qi qia qiao qie qiu qian qin qiang qing qiong qu que quan qun x xi xia xiao xie xiu xian xin xiang xing xiong xu xue xuan xun

[hanmi-xo]

CHAPTER 17: "Darkest of Nights"

| My Happiness | Chapter List |

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"That bèndàn is so annoying."

Minghao watched as Minyook continued to fake a smile towards our guests. Minyook has been more cranky than usual during this shift, and it might be because of my absence these few days. I was told he had to do more work on my behalf and he was losing his mind.

Usually if one of us is sick or on vacation, we usually can handle the restaurant, but because of recent popularity, Minyook was apparently struggling. And he made sure he made it known.

We only had almost an hour left before closing and Minghao was on his tea break and wanted to ask about my well being. I then brought up the topic of work and in return he spoke about Minyook's behavior.

"We should fire him and just let your siblings work here," he spat while he drank his herbal tea. "I had to run back and forth between the kitchen and here all because he refuses to remember what's in the menu!"

Minghao is usually more calm when he has his tea break, but seeing him more annoyed than usually was certainly something. Minghao always had something to say, but I don't ever get tired of him. After all, I am one of the first people he met when he moved here in South Korea. His Korean wasn't the best, but he always did try, and I respected him for that. In return, I would pick up some of his Mandarin phrases.

I smiled at my Chinese coworker who seemed on edge than usual. It's always fun hearing him ramble. I sighed on his behalf.

"Minyook will always be Minyook. Only God knows what Mister Choi would do with him." I watched as Minyook faked another smile to a guest asking for a napkin.

In the corner of my eye, I can see Minghao cringe before looking back at me. He was clearly tired of seeing him.

"My brother plans on getting his work permit this weekend," I tell him. "My sister is ready whenever Mister Choi wants her to start."

Minghao nodded his head with closed eyes. He looked like a proud uncle.

"Good. Then we can get rid of Minyook and make this place happy. Stupid bèndàn can't even tell the difference between a xiu mai and baozi. It's not that hard! They don't even look the same!" Minghao's Chinese accent was coming out the more he spoke.

I giggled from his outbursts. I know I should feel bad for him, but I couldn't help but find this whole thing humorous. Minghao sighed before looking at me. He seemed tired of the joy I was gaining from his complaints.

"Keep smiling! If you were me you'd be tired too!" he groaned. "Enough about that fool before I get a headache!"

He scrunched his face as he thought of another topic to talk about. His expression quickly changed as though he had gained an idea.

"So...that guy from earlier," he starts.

I felt myself get nervous.

Minghao smirked with mischief. "Was he your boyfriend?"

My cheeks burned from his embarrassing question. I avoided his eyes and watched our guests enjoy their food.

"Well... I don't know if I can call him that..." I mutter.

Boyfriend seemed like a strong word, but I don't dislike it...

The memory of his bright grin and the way he held me earlier ran through my mind. I wanted to cover my face and hide.

Boyfriend...

"Ah, so you're in the talking stage?" He laid his chin on his hand over the table.

His eyes were filled with interest and mischief. I knew where he was going with this, and I didn't even want him to start.

"Is he the jealous type?" He suddenly says. "Because I can make him stop being a coward. All I have to do is-"

I raised my hand in front of him and motioned him to stop talking.

"Minghao, no!" I quickly say. "Just let things be."

I don't need him messing with Chan. Him and I are okay right now, and I still have to talk to Wonwoo later about my parents. I don't need Minghao's antics. I still have things to deal with later that I'm not sure I'm ready for.

He frowned at me with narrow brows before rolling his eyes.

"Alright," he grumbles. "Atleast it isn't that one guy that tried kicking me out your house! That bèndàn- TCH."

My brows narrowed from his words. Was he talking about Hansol?

The memory of yesterday came to mind.

Hansol.

I wander if Hansol is okay? Chan and him seemed to have a problem the last time I saw him. I wonder if they made up?

"Hey Subin."

Minyook called out me with an annoyed face. He walked over to us with his thumb pointing behind him.

His face was filled with judgement and disapproval as though seeing me gave him an ick. "There's some guests that insist on talking to you."

My eyes followed where his thumb pointed and there stood two people that I didn't think would appear so soon. If anything, they're the last people I want to see. Their backs were against us and I wanted to hide.

I felt fear take over me. It was like a spider had crawled across my entire body and I wanted to shake it off, but it remained on me. My heart raced and I felt myself shake.

Minghao gawked his head at me with confusion before standing up from his seat. His eyes went to the two people that seem to be growing impatient.

"Subin?" He says with concern.

The two people turned around as they spoke with one another and I immediately hid behind Minghao.

He seemed startled from my actions.

"Don't tell them I'm here," I quickly say.

His eyes grew wide and I ran to the kitchen in fear of being seen. I can hear Minyook's voice get annoyed, but Minghao's voice countered him.

I couldn't hear what they were saying once the kitchen door shut and I met eyes with Junhui who seemed surprised from my appearance.

"Subin? Are you okay?" He says with worry.

I felt myself shake from his kind words, and as much as I wanted to speak. I couldn't. All I could do was shake my head in hopes he would let me hide.

Junhui didn't say anything, but his expression told it all. His eyes shot up with adrenaline and motioned me to leave through the back.

I looked at him with shock. Was he serious?

"Go," he whispered. "Whatever happens, I'll take the blame."

Junhui was always a good shift lead, but now, he seemed to be more like a friend.

"Go," he tells me again.

This time I moved. I made my way to the back exit and he nodded his head as a go signal.

I tightened my fist to gain some courage.

"Thank you," I tell him before leaving.

My eyes met his for a second and he nudged his head towards me to hurry and leave.

I shut the door behind me and made a run for it.

~

Each step I took felt like I would step on a trip wire. I kept looking back in hopes nobody was following me. The sky was dark with clouds scattered all around.

It felt darker than any day I had before.

Those people. Those two adults. Why did they come to the restaurant? Why did they come to find me? Why do they continue to cause problems? Haven't they done enough!?

I felt my phone ring.

I took it out of my apron pocket and looked at the caller.

I felt a chill run down my back. I refused to answer it. I quickly hid in an alley in hopes nobody would see me. I tried to catch my breath while I hid behind a trash can.

Miss Kim: Come out. Don't make this harder than it has to be.

Miss Kim: You should have told those fools you didn't know us. You had one job.

My heart raced as I trembled. My legs felt weak and my hands wouldn't stop shaking.

I had to contact my siblings to make sure they're okay. I tried my best to steady my hands as I tried to call them. Their phone continued to ring but nobody picked up.

I felt myself grow more anxious as I felt the need to cry.

"Please. Please! PLEASE!" I continued to say as I tried to call each of them.

After a few moments, Sujun picked up. I felt a sense of relief hit me for a second, but then I heard their voice.

"Yah, Subin."

Her voice was raspy. The cigarette's scratched her once clear tone, and now it sounds like nails on a chalkboard. I shook as I heard her speak.

"Your siblings are as useless as you," she says.

I can hear their voices faintly in the background. I felt an adrenaline rush. I had to know what was going on and why she was with them.

"Where are you!? Where's my siblings!? What did you do!?" My voice came out shaky, but much louder than expected.

I never felt so scared my entire life until now. My siblings- they have to be okay.

She laughed. I can hear Mister Kim next to her, but I couldn't understand what he was saying. Rather, it was like he wasn't talk to her but to someone else. I heard noises down the alley and I quickly stood up.

A dark figure came from the corner with a bat and I knew who he was. Kwang, my parents loyal henchman. He was deaf in one ear and was tatted all over his face.

I tightened my grip on my phone and heard Miss Kim speak.

"Yah, Subin," she calls for me.

I slowly brought the phone back up to my ear.

Her voice had malice. "Kwang has been eager to do work. It's been awhile since I had him collect someone."

I felt like vomiting. There's too much happening for me to process and I felt too tired to run. My adrenaline kicked in, but as soon as I tried to sprint, my legs felt like jelly.

I felt something hit me, and I fell.

Everything went dark.

~

I can hear my siblings call out to me. They sounded muffled. What was going on?

I opened my eyes with a sharp pain piercing my head. I tried to move, but I couldn't. I felt restrained. I stared at the rope that held me down. I can hear Suyeong's muffled screams and I looked up.

Everything felt like a blur. There she was with Sujun. They sat next to me on the floor. They were tied up with tape on their mouth.

I tried to speak, but I couldn't. I too was taped down. I tried to get my senses back together. My head hurt.

Suyeong had blood on her clothes. She had a bruise on her face. Did they hit her...?

I wanted to help them. I wanted to get up, but I couldn't feel my legs. My eyes went to our brother who seemed to be asleep. He had blood on him, but he didn't seem injured.

I felt frustrated. This all happened and I couldn't even protect them. I knew our parents were crazy, but I didn't think they would be this insane. My siblings shouldn't be here. They should be safe at Chan's home.

I tried to look around to see where we were at. Maybe there was a way out. The room looked like a basement. The way everything was placed... was this our old house? The home on Chan's street? That means-

Chan.

I had to call him!

I tried to feel my phone in my pocket, but it was gone. The one source of communication- gone.

I began to panic.

Suyeong stared at me with tearful eyes while her messy hair covered parts of her face. She looked terrified but also worried. It was hard to see her like this. I wanted to apologize for not protecting them from our parents.

I wanted to tell her to take Sujun and make a run for it while I try to reason with them. I wanted them to be safe. I wanted them to be okay.

Kids like them shouldn't experience this. This wasn't supposed to happen. I tried to fight back my tears. If I cried in front of Suyeong then it'll only make things worst.

She's already not in a good state. I can't make her feel anymore hopeless. How could I protect her? How could I protect Sujun?

What kind of sister was I to allow this to happen?

Everything hurt. I couldn't think straight. All I wanted was them to get as far away from here as possible.

I heard voices coming towards us. Their voices grew loud and the sound of a door creaked with ominous. I motion my sister with the blinking of my eyes to pretend to be asleep.

We can't let them know we're awake. She looked at me confused before I closed my eyes and pretended to be unconscious. I was silently praying she understood what I was saying.

"They're fucking asleep."

I heard Mister Kim say as his steps drew closer. His voice was deep and rough. The smell of cigarette filled the air. He must be smoking. I can hear a pattern of more feet behind him. It sounded like there was two people that were followed him.

"Kwang did hit Subin pretty hard." Miss Kim's voice was distinct. It was more raspy in person than on phone. "Right Kwang?"

He was silent as usual. I never heard him spoke before, and I never really understood why. Was he mute or something?

I heard their footsteps come closer.

"Dumb bitch had to bite me." I can hear Miss Kim. She sounded close to Suyeong.

I tried to remain calm. I let my eyes remain closed. If they knew I was awake, who knows what would happen. I hoped Suyeong wouldn't react by her. There's nothing we can do tied up like this.

I heard Miss Kim scoff. "She says she doesn't know where the luggage is. She says she doesn't know anything." Her voice grew more annoyed as she spoke.

I heard a slap. I tightened my fist. I wanted to get up and defend Suyeong.

"Dumb brat. You're only smart when you have to be huh!?" She barked. "I should have left you on the streets with that brother of yours!"

I heard another slap.

I held back my tears of frustration. I wanted to hit her. I wanted to hit her so bad. She laid her hands on my sister as if it was nothing.

I hated it. I hated her. I hated all of them for doing this to us.

I heard footsteps come towards me. I felt fingers touch my face as they moved strands of hair like they were getting a good look at me.

"How much for the girl?" I heard a masculine voice say.

There's another person? But who would be with them?

His voice was deep and unrecognizable. He sounded a bit muffled. Was he wearing a mask? Why did he sound unreal?

He began to caress my face as if I was some sort of object. I wanted him to stop.

"Get us the drugs and she'll be added to your pay," Miss Kim said. She scoffed once more. "To think someone like you would think she's pretty."

Her voice was harsh with judgement.

"Her poor parents didn't even want her, much less her siblings. They were happy to give us them for their freedom. They say having kids make us fit in the neighborhood more." The scent of cigarettes grew stronger.

I remember them telling me about my real parents. They said they gave us to them to pay their debt, but what they tell everyone else is that they died in an accident as their "best friends" they were willing to take us in. They wanted to seem like kind people but they were really wolves in sheep's clothing.

I always knew the truth. So did my siblings. Mister and Miss Kim never had filter around us. They always spoke without warning of what they'll say.

At first it hurt, but now, I've grown numb to their words.

It's their hits that still sting.

"I bet she knows who took the luggage." I heard Mister Kim say.

I remained quiet while the mysterious man continued to fondle my face. I wanted to vomit. Mister and Miss Kim didn't stop him while they spoke.

"God, I can't imagine what you'll be like in bed," his voice was dangerously close to my face. He reeked of alcohol.

I couldn't imagine being with this guy. He made me feel uncomfortable and terrified for my well-being. He was disturbing in more ways than one and I wanted to get as far as I can.

I don't want to think about him taking me. I don't want to think about the things he would do to me.

I felt so powerless and I hated it.

I needed someone to find us.

I needed help.

Chan.

I pray that you find me.

• • •

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[baked-hylian]

Thanks for tagging me @hirazuki!

Rules: List ten books that have stayed with you in some way, don’t take but a few minutes, and don’t think too hard - they don’t have to be the “right” or “great” works, just the ones that have touched you.

1. The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir, specifically Nona the Ninth.

2. Tian Guan Ci Fu aka Heaven Official's Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.

3. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

4. The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini

5. A Series of Unfortunate Events by pen name Lemony Snicket

6. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

7. Before We Were Trans by Kit Hayam

8. Mo Dao Zu Shi aka the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xang Tong Xiu

9. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

10. The Mist by Stephen King

Tagging anyone interested in trying this out!

[i-sveikata]

Oh my gosh I loved Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat!! I'm so excited you like it too. If you have any other recs besides that one, please share! Also can't wait for the next chapter too!

yeah omg i LOVED it was so well done and im so keen for the next one. oh sure here's a list of some of my absolute favourite books in no particular order:

all for the game series- nora sakovic

the graceling series- by kristin cashore

mo dao zu shi- by mo xiang tong xiu

the binding- by bridget collins

iron widow- by xiran jay zhao

the folk of the air series- by holly black

the queen's thief series- by megan whalen turner

she who became the sun- by shelley parker chan

six of crows series- by leigh bardugo

red white & royal blue- casey mcquiston

a great and terrible beauty series- by libba bray

warm bodies- by isaac marion

the mediator series & 1800 where are you series- by meg cabot

the song of achilles- by madeline miller

captive prince trilogy- by cs pacat

life of pi- by yann martel

howls moving castle- by diana wynne jones

deltora quest series- by emily rodda

aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the hidden universe- by benjamin alire saenz

educated by tara westover

all our shimmering skies- by trent dalton

the priory of the orange tree- samantha shannon

red queen series- by victoria aveyard

release- by patrick ness

dark places- by gillian flynn

the invisible life of addie la rue- by ve schwab

leviathan series- by scott westerfeld

im sure there's plenty here you already know but some of these i've come back to reread time and time again and others ive only just read and loved. lol but most of these are currently sitting in my bookshelf