#bei tang tang

[unforth]

New Danmei Publisher: Hai Tang Books

HEYO HAPPY SATURDAY THERE'S A NEW DANMEI PUBLISHER!

Hai Tang Books, a division of Hong Kong business Cherry-apple Cultural and Creative Limited, has formed in Flushing, NY, and announced multiple danmei licenses. Books will be in print and e-book as far as I can tell (EDITED: NO, it's looking like print-books only probably), and are licensed for distribution in the United States and Canada only.

Their website, Hai Tang Books, currently has a "down for maintenance" notice, but it was up earlier and multiple screen caps and such reflect the list of announced licenses (such as here on reddit and this post on bluesky.) There's also a list on Novel Updates.

Licensed Titles Are:

A Certain Someone (Moumou) by Mu Su Li

Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know (Mozun Ye Xiang Zhidao) by Cyan Wings

Guide on How to Fail at Online Dating (Wanglian Fanche Zhinan) by Jiang Zi Bei

I Can Do It (Wo Xing Rang Wo Lai) by Jiang Zi Bei

Mist (Bowu) by Wei Feng Ji Xu

Don't Pick Up Boyfriends From the Trash Bin (Buyao Zai Lajitongli Jian Nanpengyou) by Qi Jing Nan Qu

Marrying a Demon (Jia Mo) by Yang Su

The Approach/Descent From an Altitude of 10,000 Meters (Cong Wanmi Gaokong Jianglin) by La Rive Gauche

The Blue Dust Trilogy (Qianlan Huoxing) by Chu Tu

They've even shared some art:

I Can Do It:

Guide on How to Fail at Online Dating:

DVAWTK:

LOOK AT LITTLE YIN HANJIANG. LOOK AT HIIIIM *sob*

(Image source: https://bsky.app/profile/skyarise.bsky.social/post/3ldafjvvc2k2w)

Anyway. Very exciting morning in the danmei world!!!

[paganimagevault]

Tomb of An Bei 589 CE. Sogdian tomb.

I couldn't find the translation for the epitaph for this one.

"Differently from the other tombs quoted in this paper, Anbei’s tomb was not excavated by archaeologists, but found and looted by the robbers, therefore the archaeological context of this tomb, even the date of this accidental finding are lost. Until now, all we know is that this tomb robbery happened someday between 2006 and 2007. Several stone figurines, a funerary couch and Anbei’s epitaph stone were found in the tomb. Two stone figurines, parts of the base of the couch and the epitaph are now exhibited in the Tang West Market Museum in Xi’an (Fig.20), four panels belonging to the private owners, including two processing and two banqueting scenes, were published, too (Fig.21).

Although owning the typical Sogdian name An, which means his ancestors migrated into China from Bukhara, his homeland was described in a completely different name, the state of Anjuyeni, which was never recorded by any source before. An’s family moved to China during the Northern Wei dynasty, some of his family members once served in the Bureau of Tributaries. For the court, it’s also an usual way to adopt expatriate immigrants to work in the diplomatic system. Anbei’s father, An Zhishi, served as a middle-rank commanding officer among the honour guards of the court.

As a, likely, third generation immigrant, Anbei’s life depicted in the epitaph was very brief, too. Except for the usual eulogies commonly written in every epitaph, two main parts of his experience were emphasized: his mercantile ability and simple bureaucratic career. The one who wrote the text made a metaphor, assimilating Anbei with two famous ancient Chinese merchants, Baigui and Xiangao during the Eastern Zhou Period (approximately between 8th c. - 3rd c. BC); After that, Anbei’s only short official career as a very lower status clerk of the military headquarters of vassal leader Xuchang was recorded, probably happened in 575 AD when he was 20 years old. Soonafter the Northern Qi was replaced by Northern Zhou dynasty in 577 AD, Anbei returned home in Luoyang, the place where he died and was buried in 589 AD at the age of 34.

The motivation for me to list this robbed tomb here, together with the other tombs which have detailed background obtained through scientific archaeological excavation is, however, mainly not for its elaborate funerary couch, but because of his distinctive identity depicted in the epitaph. Prior to the discovery of Anbei’s tomb, the deceased of all five tombs which constituted the most important foundation of the studies of the foreign immigrants in early medieval China, namely the tombs of Lidan, Kangye, Anjia, Shijun and Yuhong, owned high-ranked official positions such as head of a prefecture or Sabao, which may result in a misconception that only aristocrats of the foreign immigrants could be buried with such elaborate funerary furniture. However, Anbei’s tomb provided an additional possibility about the status of the tomb occupant who used the stone funerary furniture. What is expressly shown in the epitaph, during his 34-year-long life, Anbei was just a very ordinary person, without any notable ancestry from homeland, neither held any high-ranked post, nor received anyone as a posthumous reward.

Except for the basic information above, there is also a remarkable narration during the introduction in the beginning of Anbei’s epitaph, which may reflect the collective mindset among most of the foreign immigrants in China and their efforts in social integration, ‘Although he is a foreigner, after a long life in China, there is no difference between him and the Chinese’.

-Yusheng Li, Study of tombs of Hu people in late 6th century northern China

[janetbrown711]

Songbirds in the City Air (i'm not gonna make it)

Prologue

Zhu Li Na was forced into servitude for her cruel step-mother and step-sisters since she was nine years old, and she craves nothing more than a night away from all of them. When an invite from the royal palace comes saying all eligible women are invited to the palace's New Years ball to meet the Princess Xiuying, she can't help but think that maybe this could be her moment.

AKA the cinderella au for my freenoodles fankid, Li Na, that literally nobody asked for

Prologue Chapter 1

Ao3 Link

Li Na laid resting with her head on her older brother’s lap, the latter combing his fingers through her hair and the former messing with the fabric of his robe. It was a quiet day on their farm, everyone moving around with hushed voices and next to silent footsteps so as not to disturb the little family of four, soon to be three– though of course Li Na didn’t like thinking about that. Frankly, no one did, but as the days passed and Pigsy only got worse and worse, everyone knew it was only a matter of time.

It almost made Li Na furious. The doctor had lied and the medicine water hadn’t worked and now her dad was– it wasn’t right! However, the flame of her anger turned into waves of sorrow and she kept her head low on her brother’s lap. She prayed this could be over like a bad dream and she could wake up with her dad just as happy as he was three weeks before.

MK used to promise her their dad would get better, but now he’s silent. He still rubbed her ears and stroked her hair, but the silence almost made her burst out into sobs. It was never this quiet around home. She was right, this was all backward, it wasn’t fair– but it was going to happen anyways. Now, the entire farm held its breath and waited.

“Li Na..?”

The girl sat up and looked at her baba standing by the hallway. His smile was so soft, but tired, and his eyes were puffy and red. He held out his hand for her, but Li Na almost wanted to keep laying here, thinking if she stayed away, this moment would never end and her dad would keep living.

MK rubbed her back encouragingly. His eyes were red and puffy too. He still didn't talk, but she could practically hear him telling her to breathe and that it'll all be okay. She hardly believed him, but got off the bench anyway, taking her baba's hand as he led her back into their bedroom, stroking her hand with his thumb the entire way there.

They stopped right before opening the door. When Li Na looked up at Tang, he looked like he was going to cry again, but instead forced a smile.

“I'll be waiting right here, okay? All you have to do is say the word and I'll be right there,” he squeezed her hand.

Li Na nodded.

“Alright. He's ready for you,” Tang kissed her head and opened the door for her, and so the eight-year-old slowly crept in.

Immediately, the girl noticed the heavy aura of the room. It was absolutely spotless for once, which Li Na was smart enough to know it hadn't been in quite some time. In fact, the only remaining signs of struggle and disease were a bowl with a rag soaking to help cool her dad– her dad.

He was laying in the middle of the bed, numerous pillows from all over the house propping him upright. He was pale– too pale– and had lost a lot of weight, his eyes looking sunken with dark circles. However, when he glanced at her, they lit up, and he smiled.

“Hey there, bao bei,” he croaked, and Li Na instantly ran and jumped up on the bed, giving him the tightest hug she could manage, already crying.

Pigsy wrapped his arms around her as best he could and kissed her head. “I've missed you.”

“Please don't go, dadsy– I don't want you to go,” Li Na pleaded, nuzzling her face in his chest.

“Oh, kiddo… you're so brave and strong…”

“I don't wanna be brave and strong, I-I want you,” Li Na cried.

Pigsy smiled sadly. “My little bao bei, I’ll always be with you.”

“S’not the same, I-I-I've missed you so much, Dadsy– please don't go,” she begged with all her might.

“Li Na, I know it’s hard… but you’ll be okay. Your baba and MK will take care of you,” Pigsy urged, stroking her hair lightly.

“I don’t care! I want you,” Li Na shook her head furiously. “I hate this! W-why didn’t the medicine work? It’s not fair, dadsy, it’s not fair.”

Pigsy sighed weakly. “I know, bao bei, it’s not. I’m sorry… I wish it was, I swear I do…”

Li Na hugged her dad tighter. “It’s too quiet without you and baba laughing all the time. I hate it here.”

“I know… but I promise you your baba’s laugh will come back one day… and you and MK will be able to laugh with ‘im too, just like old times,” Pigsy chuckled, but Li Na shook her head again.

“No, I won’t– I’ll never laugh again if you leave us, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t.”

“You will, Li Na. I know you will. You’ll find happiness after I’m gone, I promise,” Pigsy placed a weak hand on her cheek.

Li Na pressed her dad’s hand closer. “I don’ wanna be happy when you’re gone.”

Her dad chuckled again. “‘Fraid you don’t get a choice, kiddo. Good things will happen whether you want ‘em or not.”

Li Na looked away from her dad, quickly readjusting herself so her dad’s arm was wrapped around her and she was snuggled next to his chest. “How–... how do you know that?”

Pigsy kissed the top of her head once more. “I know that because… despite everything… you’ll still be the same sweet and kind girl you are now.”

“What if I’d rather be mean and bitter?” Li Na asked, bring his arm tighter around her.

“You won’t, you’re too good– like your baba and brother,” Pigsy stroked her arm with his thumb.

Li Na went quiet, tears still streaming, but completely out of words. Despite everything, it was good to snuggle with her dad one more time, so instead of talking she worked to memorize the feeling as best she could. She memorized how warm his skin was against hers, how soft his cotton robe was, how it felt for him to breathe normally, how his thumb stroked her hands, how she could feel him relax when her tears lessened, and how he shook with the effort to express his love. She embraced it all, pressing it deep in her mind so that she’d never, ever lose this feeling.

Her dad was quiet too, except for the occasional harsh breath and weak cough. It scared Li Na every time, but she would just hold her dad’s hand with both of hers and squeeze tight, and when the coughing fit was done, he’d squeeze right back. It made her cry harder, thinking about all the pain he was in and then how he wouldn’t be in pain soon but only because he’d be gone, and then–

“It’s just… it's not fair,” Li Na croaked.

“I know, kiddo… I’m so sorry,” Pigsy apologized and Li Na leapt up to hug him again.

“I-I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, bao bei.”

“...You promise not to go to the spirit realm too soon..?”

“I'll always be with you, kiddo. I promise.”

Li Na slowly nodded, sitting upright and wiping her face with her sleeve. Her dad instantly tried moving his arm up to her cheek, which Li Na helped him with.

“I love you, Li Na.” Her dad smiled, tears of his own streaking down.

“I love you too, dadsy.” Li Na tried her best not to break again, though she certainly leaned into his touch as best she could, trying to memorize this feeling too.

It was quiet again for a minute, before her father slowly croaked, “C-could you get… your baba and MK for me, sweetie?”

Li Na nodded and hopped off the bed, opening the door for Tang. He didn't hesitate to burst in, meanwhile the girl lingered at the door.

“Honey? What is it? How are you feeling?” Tang rushed to his husband’s bedside and grabbed his hand, kissing it twice and stroking his forehead.

“Get MK, please?” The demon asked.

“Of course. I'll be right back,” Tang bent to kiss his husband's head before running and calling for MK.

While he did, Li Na slowly made her way back onto the bed to hold her dad’s hand again, which made him smile ever so slightly.

“So sweet… so kind, my Li Na…” he whispered.

Li Na kept her eyes low. “Thank you, dadsy… I-... I won't change that, I promise.”

“That's my girl.” His smile grew when MK and Tang returned.

“Dad, You– you said you needed me?” MK asked, hand going to the demon’s shoulder.

Pigsy’s eyes could barely stay open at this point, but he looked at MK with quiet relief. “Son… I’m so proud of you…”

MK stepped closer. “I-I know, dad, you told me earlier–”

“I love you, son.”

“I love you too, dad,” MK assured, squeezing Pigsy’s shoulder tight.

Pigsy’s eyes wandered to his left, where Tang was now standing. “Tang…”

“I’m right here, Pigsy, I’m right here,” Tang held onto Pigsy’s other hand.

“I love you too, Tangy,” the demon said.

“I-I love you too, Pigsy.” Tang sniffled before kissing his forehead, allowing Pigsy to finally close his eyes.

“I’m lucky… I love you all… m’so lucky…” His voice grew even quieter.

“W-we’re lucky to have you, Pigsy,” Tang insisted, laughing and crying harder.

“M’lucky… love you…”

Tang didn’t say anything back this time, just kissing his cheek long and soft, while time slowly but surely came to a stop.

The first thing Li Na noticed was her father letting go of her hand. The second was how his shoulders sagged, his head rolling back ever-so-slightly. The third was when Tang pulled away, her dad’s smile didn’t grow like it always did, his face completely still. The fourth was that his chest exhaled and stayed, and stayed, and stayed. The fifth was that his chest never rose back.

“No… no– dad– dad wait– stop! No– please– I’m not ready– Dadsy please!” Li Na begged, going to shake her dad’s shoulders, before she felt a pair of arms wrap around her midsection and pull her away.

“Let me go! Let me go! Dadsy!” Li Na shrieked, kicking and flailing but never once looking away from Pigsy, whom her baba was now draped against and sobbing on. Whoever was holding her had a strong grip though, as even with her clawing and scratching and shrieking and kicking, they managed to hold strong and drag her into the hallway. She protested even stronger out there, shrieking and shrieking and kicking and wailing and hitting the arms holding her back until the futility of it crashed over her and she broke down.

The person holding her sank to their knees instantly, quickly wrapping her in a hug, and– MK– MK hugged her tight before letting out a loud sob of his own. Li Na collapsed in his arms, trying to hug him but every inch of her body ached and burned with emptiness. Thankfully her brother was stronger than her, hugging and holding her close and tight, like he was afraid to let go.

Li Na hoped he never did.

Li Na’s whole body shook and shuddered until she suddenly felt another pair of arms wrap around her and MK– Baba…

“I-It’ll be okay, you two… one day, it’ll be okay, I promise,” he croaked, kissing both MK and Li Na’s heads before he squeezed them tighter.

Li Na couldn’t disagree more. She had so many things she still wanted to do and say to him, but now she can’t and it just– it hurt, it hurt so bad, and—

Pigsy was dead, and nothing was going to change that.

.o0o.

Her dad ended up being right, Li Na didn't like being mean. It wasn't like she didn't try, she wanted to hate all the doctors and medical scholars that stopped by the farm or she saw in the village, but she just couldn't do it. She knew they tried their best, but it just wasn't good enough. After all, she could've done and said more, but she wasn't enough either, so…

Tang made sure the funeral was held on the most auspicious day possible, and found the best monks and scholars for the procession and rituals. Li Na clung to his side whenever she could, but when he was busy, she was immediately glued to MK. The funeral was beautiful with white everywhere, and with beautiful music. It was quiet, like it had been before, but now it seemed like even heaven and earth were mourning, as even the plants and animals hung their heads low in respect. It was too dreary for spring, but her baba said it wouldn’t last forever.

He was right too, in a way. It took weeks, but eventually the flowers started blooming and the chickens started clucking, and the ducks started quacking. But… still. It was more muted than before, like it was covered in mist and haze.

It didn’t help that with her dad gone, Tang had to run the place, and while he certainly tried his best, Pigsy had always been more suited for managing it all– especially the rougher seasons. While her baba never said anything, Li Na knew money was tight, evident by the shrinking meals and struggling staff and the chicken coop never getting repaired.

She couldn’t cling to her baba as much during those days, but MK wasn’t much better. There was something weird with him– this kind of energy he couldn’t seem to shake. He was on high alert at all times, constantly observing the area around him and going out back to practice with his old wooden sword from ages ago. Sometimes Li Na would watch as he slashed and hacked away at the target, but other times it was just too much and she’d rather find her baba.

She hated being alone. If her baba or MK weren’t in her line of sight, an uneasy feeling would start consuming her until she’d suddenly burst into unstoppable tears that none of the staff could fix. She could only be soothed by MK or Tang picking her up and hugging her tight, and she’d fall asleep in their arms.

She dreamt of her dad often, almost every night. She could hear his gruff voice, feel his gentle touch, and would be consumed by his warm hugs that disappeared into nothingness when she woke. At first it made her weep, but now it was more of a weight in her chest that she had to carry as she moved on. It was hard to keep up her chores like this, but after a few months she managed to press on.

However, one winter morning, everything came crashing down.

“MK… Li Na… I–... I've been thinking,” Tang spoke up around the dinner table.

MK furrowed his brows but said nothing.

“...The harvest was obviously less than ideal this year, a-and well– you both know I wasn't raised in this kind of environment and without–... without him here, I just… I don't think I can manage this place on my own,” he confessed, and Li Na saw MK's posture stiffen.

“So what're you suggesting?” He asked sharply.

Tang looked towards the fireplace. “I… I can't bear the thought of selling this place. It’s been in your father's family for generations, it should be yours one day… but I am not the person who should be running this place in his absence.”

MK's shoulders relaxed. “Okay… then what? You're gonna hire more help? Where are we going to get the money?”

Tang clenched his eyes shut tight.

“I… I was thinking I should remarry.”

Li Na's eyes widened. “Wh-what?! What about–”

“The matchmaker informed me of a widow with two daughters who lives nearby, says she needs a husband to help support her family and she has ties to the schools in Chang'an. If I can get hired to teach there, it would give us enough money to keep the farm and hire all the help in the world,” Tang explained with a tone of desperation.

“B-but what about Dadsy? I-It hasn't even been a year, a-and– You said you loved him a-and that you'd never love anyone else, you promised,” Li Na started to sob so MK dragged her into a hug.

“I know, Li Na, but trust me when I say this is strictly a marriage of convenience and the only way I can think to help preserve his memory.” Tang reached forward across the low table, but Li Na stayed curled to MK. “I loved and still love your father with all I am, bao bao… but for your sake and for MK's and this farm, I have to.”

Li Na wanted to refuse, of course, but one look at her baba showed her just how heartbroken and desperate he was, so she glanced up at MK before making her decision.

“I… I think you should do it,” MK said. “It'll be good for you two to have someone else to help you take care of things,” he looked up at Tang, who looked like a boulder was lifted off his back.

“Yes, of course. Did I mention she has two daughters? They're just a bit older than you, Li Na, and I've heard tons about how polite and sweet they are. I'm sure they'll be great friends for you,” Tang rambled.

Li Na got a little closer to MK. “I don't need friends, I have you two…”

MK sighed and stroked her hair. “Everyone needs friends, Li-Li. Plus, one day soon I'm gonna be out on my own, ‘making it as a man’ as they say. What will you do then?”

Li Na stiffened. “You– you wanna leave..?”

MK winced. “Not too soon! Like– not this year, but… but maybe after baba's married again and you're all settled into your new life, you know?”

“What?! That's not fair!” Li Na protested.

“Li Na, I'm sorry but– but I have to do this. I need to find a way to make it on my own, but I promise you I'll write every week– every day if I can, alright? You aren't going to lose me too, I swear.” He hugged her closer.

“No! I don't want you to go! It's not safe out there!” The girl shook her head feverishly.

“Li Na, it's okay, I'll be safe, I just–... I gotta do this.” MK glanced at their baba, who was obviously shocked by the revelation too.

“MK, I… I don't know what to say…” Tang sank down slightly. “Goodness, you really are eighteen, aren't you?”

“Tell him he can't go, baba! Please,” Li Na begged.

Tang and MK looked at each other in a way that made Li Na feel worse.

“Li Na, I won't go until you're good and ready, okay?” MK held her head in his hands and made her look at him. “Until then, I'm not going anywhere.”

“But… why?” Li Na sniffled.

MK sighed. “I can't explain it… it's like… destiny is calling me and I've been itching to answer.”

“You’ll get to experience that one day for yourself, bao bao,” Tang added, finally going to her other side to join the hug.

“Besides, you’ll have two new sisters to get to know and bond with. Plus, I’ll be writing letters to you whenever I can to keep in touch.” MK smiled softly.

“What if my step-sisters hate me?” Li Na asked, picking at her nails.

MK laughed. “They won’t, don’t worry. You’re too nice to hate.”

Li Na snorted a little, before her eyes fell low. “What if I’m never ready for you to go..? Would you stay?”

MK rested his head on top of his sister’s. “I’ll stay as long as you need, Li Na.”

Li Na let out a long sigh, because despite that being what she wanted to hear, it certainly didn’t make her feel any better.

“Li Na, I know this is a lot of change, but you aren’t alone,” Tang spoke up, tucking a strand of her hair back before cupping her cheek. “I’ll be adjusting to this new life right there with you, okay? I’ll always be here for you.”

Immediately, Li Na winced, a dark thought crawling into her mind.

“But… what if you get sick..?” She looked at both of them.

MK and Tang both froze a moment, eyes wide and jaws agape before they suddenly snapped out of it to embrace Li Na tightly.

“We’ll take it one day at a time, Li Na,” Tang whispered. “One day at a time.”

Li Na melted into the embrace of her family, her mind full of uncertainty but her heart wanting desperately to believe them. As much as it felt like everything sucked, she wanted to believe it could get better. If MK and Tang were telling her it was possible, she’d do her best to believe them.

“Okay, baba.” She nodded, glancing at MK. “I’m sorry for yelling, I didn’t mean to–”

“It’s okay, Li-Li, it’s okay,” MK insisted, hugging her tighter. “I didn’t mean to drop it on you right now. I’m not going anywhere for a long, long time.”

“Good.”

.o0o.

The wedding was set for the second week in spring, with them only meeting up in person one day before the ceremony for paperwork. Tang admitted the arrangement was less than ideal, but Lady Zhang Jenai, as they came to know her, was a very busy woman. It meant they got to spend the anniversary of their father’s passing alone as a family though, which was something Li Na was very grateful for. However, shortly after that, most of their things were packed to be moved to Lady Jenai’s large estate in the city, meaning she had to say goodbye to the only home she’d ever known.

Tang constantly assured her Lady Jenai’s place was better, that it was bigger and there were many children she could meet and mingle with out there, but she strongly disagreed. She had only ever gone into the city once with her baba, and she hated all the noise and shouting. The farm was quiet and peaceful, with rivers and ponds in abundance for her to relax and play in after all her chores were done. Tang said Lady Jenai had a duck pond in her courtyard, but Li Na doubted it would feel the same.

In better news, Li Na had stopped crying whenever MK or Tang were gone, though the loneliness and anxiety she felt still lingered. She managed to cope with housework and picking up where staff and servants dropped off. Granted, being nine-years-old meant she was hardly skilled, but it was worth it if it helped her get over her separation anxiety.

Of course, she wasn't perfect, as the closer it got, the more nervous she got about meeting her future step-family. Nobody really knew anything about them other than they were around her age and very proper, which made her wonder if her own etiquette skills would be lacking compared to theirs. She wondered if they'd look down on her for being from the country instead of the city. She sometimes even worried they'd dislike her for being a demon (although technically she was only half, but she didn't look like it). MK told her not to worry, that she’d win them over eventually, and before she knew it the day had arrived.

Li Na did her best not to, but ultimately she cried once the carriage was pulled away from the farm, which got her a side hug from Tang.

“It’ll be okay, bao bao, we’ll be back someday soon,” he assured, rubbing her arm up and down.

Li Na slowly nodded. “Yeah… you’re right, baba. We’ll be back.”

Her baba seemed satisfied at that, and so Li Na curled up to his side and let him stroke her hair until she fell asleep, wiped out from all the packing and with quite a few hours ahead of them.

It was a quiet journey, up until they reached the city, where the hustle and bustle of guards and markets and horses and shouting disrupted Li Na’s little nap, and she grumbled back to life. It still took some time to reach Lady Jenai’s home, having to pass through several grand city walls before they arrived.

The moment the carriage stopped, servants dressed in red immediately approached and offered a hand to help the three of them down, before more people in red came and took their trunks of goods into the truly formidable home.

It was taller than any she was used to seeing, not to mention stretching wide with beautiful trees and landscaping to boot. It made Li Na’s eyes sparkle as she noticed the birds and other wildlife, before her baba suddenly spoke.

“Lady Jenai, thank you for allowing us into your home.” Tang quickly bowed, MK and Li Na short to follow.

The lady in question was standing right by the grand door, her face covered by a fan. The woman was tall and grand in her stature, her face was as pale as porcelain and hair as black as the night. In her hair was a bright gold qixiong ruqun that sparkled like the sun, so elegant Li Na briefly wondered if her baba got engaged to a princess and forgot to tell them. Jenai also wore bright red paste on her lips, rouge on her cheekbones, and a red plum blossom on her forehead, giving a soft and heavenly look to her face– if it weren’t for her eyes, which were dark and sharp as they looked towards her baba.

“The honor is mine, Lord Tang.” She bowed, her long silky gown flowing with pure elegance as she did. “Come. Let me introduce you to my daughters.”

“Of course.” Tang nodded, and Li Na quickly grabbed his hand before they headed in.

Immediately, the girl was struck by the opulence of her new home, jade and gold decorating every wall and pillar. There was all sorts of artwork everywhere, whether it be expensive looking vases or paintings of nature or of Lady Jenai’s family. She couldn’t wait to get an official tour, as they were moving way too fast toward the courtyard for her liking. Then again, she was going to live here, so she’ll have all the time in the world to get to know the place. She could tell it made her baba excited too.

The courtyard was stunning. It was everything Tang had described and more– a pond with little ducks swimming, a gorgeous, large peach tree ripe for the taking, stone paths to hop along, a small stream to meditate by, and a bench to sit and enjoy the breeze. Li Na was so lost in the lavishness, she practically forgot about her step family until Tang squeezed her hand and her eyes landed on the two girls in front of her.

The first was taller than her, and thin as paper. She wore the same makeup as her mother and sister, though had a flame instead of a flower marked on her forehead. Her dark raven hair was twisted into four buns, two on each side of her face, and were decorated with golden flowers. She wore a dark blue hanfu with red accents and scarves, likely to match the red in her makeup. If Li Na had to guess, she would figure this sister was three or four years older than her since, while she looked more mature, she clearly hadn’t had her coming of age ceremony yet.

The other sister was roughly the same height as Li Na, and while her face wasn’t white, she still had a little red lotus on her forehead. Her hair was split into three sections and twisted into buns that resembled chain loops that were remarkably well kept. She wore a hanfu similar to her sister, except green with red accents instead. If Li Na had to guess, she was a year and a half older.

“These are my daughters: Sujia and Peili,” Lady Jenai announced, the girls bowing when their name was spoken.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you girls.” Tang and company bowed. “These are my children, Xiaotian and Li Na.” He gestured.

When Li Na finished bowing, she immediately noticed both sisters were staring at her with wide eyes, the younger with a raised eyebrow that made her face turn dark red until their mother spoke up.

“It’s a pleasure to have you join our family,” Jenai looked at MK and Tang. “Come now, we have a lot to discuss for the ceremony tomorrow, and there’s tea waiting in the library,” she told Tang. When they started to go, Li Na naturally followed, until the woman suddenly stopped in her tracks and looked at her.

“This is an adult matter. The children should stay in the courtyard,” She spoke to Tang, not even so much as glancing at Li Na.

Tang and MK looked down at her with pitiful smiles that told her all she needed to know, and she let go of her baba’s hand.

“Thank you, bao bao. We’ll find you as soon as we’re finished,” he vowed, and before she knew it, he and MK were both gone.

It was okay, though. She was okay if they were gone. She was okay. She was just going to go relax by the pond and–

“Wow, your skin really is pink, huh?” A voice from behind made her jump.

“I– uh– yeah!” Li Na laughed nervously and turned around, finding Sujia and Peili staring at her. “It's what you get being half a pig demon.”

Sujia laughed. “That is what you get. You like mud too?”

Li Na laughed too, though her stomach was kinda tight. “No, no mud for me, just water.”

“That must be the human half,” Peili added with a giggle.

“What else do you do, little piggy?” Sujia asked, circling her.

“Oh, well, I mostly help baba around the farm–”

“Farm? Isn’t that confusing?” Peili interrupted.

“Well, they would have experience raising pigs, it makes sense,” Sujia snickered, while Li Na shifted awkwardly.

“We don’t have pigs on the farm, just cows and birds and stuff,” Li Na spoke up.

“Good, then there’s no mix ups,” Sujia patted her shoulder. “What else?”

“W-well, I help pick apples, when they’re in season. I also do a lot of sweeping and cleaning where our workers can’t since I got ‘young joints’ and all,” she explained further.

“Ever been to the city's Lunar New Year festival?” Peili questioned next.

“Oh– uh, no. Baba and I don’t really like the noise,” Li Na admitted.

Sujia snickered. “Really? That’s too bad. The celebration is just about to die for. But then again, I can see how it can be too much for simple people like you.”

“Yeah, I– I guess so,” Li Na half agreed, confused by her tone.

“So have you ever done anything cool or fun?” Peili cut in again.

“Oh, well MK and I play a lot games together and practice sword and staff fighting sometimes–”

“Really? Isn’t that kinda boyish?” Peili raised an eyebrow.

“Not for her, dummy.” Sujia elbowed Peili with a snicker.

“Right! Yeah, I like sword fighting, I think it's cool.” Li Na smiled and both girls laughed.

“You're really cute, aren't you?” Sujia tilted her head in a way that made Li Na blush.

“I… I've been told.” She looked at the ground.

“You are cute! You look like a fat little piglet,” Peili snickered, getting her another elbow from her older sister.

“She is a piglet, Peili.” Sujia rolled her eyes, before suddenly snapping her fingers. “You should let me give you a makeover some time, I can make you totally beautiful.”

Li Na took a step back. “Oh, I don't know–”

“Oh c'mon! It would be so fun,” Peili insisted.

“It would be so cute to see you walk around like that,” Sujia added. “I bet Mama would even let you go with us to New Years.”

“I don't know, Baba says I shouldn't worry about makeup til I'm 15.” Li Na scratched her arm.

Sujia rolled her eyes. “What would he know about makeup and fashion and society?”

Li Na looked back at the ground.

“I think you should think about it since it would be totally fun.” Peili shared a look with Sujia. “And it would be a good way for us sisters to bond.”

Li Na lit up. “R-really? You want that?”

Sujia smiled sweetly. “Of course we do. We're going to be family tomorrow, after all, so the least we can do is teach you how to be pretty.”

“Besides, you really can't go out in public like that,” Peili added.

“Right, yeah.” Li Na blushed again.

“You should dance for us some time, it would be fun,” Peili suddenly suggested.

“Oh– I don't really know how to, though.” Li Na shook her head.

“That's half the fun.” Sujia smiled with her arms crossed. “I can get all of the girls from the area and we can all watch you dance for us.”

“Wait– Just me?” Li Na blinked. “That's kinda… weird, isn't it?”

Sujia and Peili laughed.

Li Na would've asked more, but right the door opened and MK returned.

“Li Na, did you know Jenai's husband w– oh, hello you two,” MK realized his sister wasn't alone and bowed.

“MK,” Li Na smiled and hugged him tight. “Why're you back so soon?”

“It was all just boring financial talk, don't worry, Li-Li.” MK waved off.

“MK… Didn't Lord Tang say your name was Xiaotian?” Peili asked, head tilted.

“Oh, yeah, but I prefer to be called MK,” he explained with a grin.

“I see,” Sujia nodded. “Well, welcome to the family, MK. Care for a tour of our home?”

“Oh-! Sure, that sounds fun, right?” MK looked to Li Na, who nodded (getting a grimace from Peili).

“Let’s go then.” Sujia turned on her heels, and the tour began.

The rest of the day went off without a hitch, Li Na feeling much braver and safer with MK by her side. They reunited with Tang at dinner, and things were finally starting to feel good by nighttime.

Li Na was unfortunately not part of the wedding procession, since she wasn't allowed to be with the men and wasn't considered family to the bride, which was fair. Besides, MK told her she’d just get bored at all the rituals and that she could be with them at the dinner. She did catch a glance at her baba briefly as he went across a hall, and gave a small wave he returned before he disappeared once again.

Thankfully, MK was right and she joined the family at dinner, which was truly magnificent. Granted, the noodles were nothing compared to how her dad used to make them, but the rest was delicious. There was shark fin and fish roe soup, roasted duck, crab, sea cucumber and abalone, and sweet buns– she felt like a princess having it all laid out in front of her. It was great to sit and talk to her brother and Baba again too, and while it made her wish she could have seen the ceremony, she was perfectly happy to be at the dinner.

And so the day ended, and the Zhang and Zhu families were now one.

…And one month later, MK had packed his bags and was ready to venture out on his own.

“Alright, the boat’s here, I guess we know what that means,” Tang laughed nervously as MK picked up his bags.

“I'll be okay, Baba, I promise.” MK smiled softly. “And you will be too, with your job and your books and your studies.”

Tang's eyes filled with tears. “I know, MK, I know… just make sure to write, okay?” he wiped his face.

“Of course,” MK gave his baba a quick hug before turning to Li Na, who immediately hugged him.

“Do you really have to go?” she whispered.

“I know, I know, I'm sorry but I do.” MK stroked her head.

“Just checking,” she sighed.

“Hey, you've been doing okay with Sujia and Peili, right? You'll be just fine,” MK assured softly.

“Still.” Li Na sniffled. “It won't be the same.”

MK knelt down. “Well then, it's a good thing I got you something then, hm?”

Li Na perked up, making MK laugh as he turned around. He teased her for a moment, hemming and hawing and searching through his bags before he suddenly turned around with a tiny blue kitten in his hands.

“What?! Where did you get that?” Li Na jumped and immediately started flapping her hands in joy.

“Found him at the back end of a street yesterday, and I think he'll be the perfect pet to keep you company while I'm gone,” MK grinned, handing the kitten over.

“Oh he's so cute, MK!” Li Na fawned. “B-but–”

“I know he's no me, but I hope you two can be friends.” MK's smile went sad.

“Thank you, MK, I– I'll take good care of him,” Li Na promised, and the kitten in her hands meowed.

“Cute little guy, isn't he?” Tang chimed in, giving the kitchen a scratch under the chin.

“He needs a name though,” MK pointed out. “Li Na?”

Li Na thought about it long and hard, studying the little thing up and down, taking in its orange stripes and white spots with much thought.

“What about… Mo?” She proposed.

“I love it! It's perfect for him,” MK ruffled her hair, and she giggled.

“Sir? Are you getting on?” asked the captain.

“Right, yes! Be right there!” MK swore, but right before he was going to pick up his bags, he gave Tang and Li Na another hug.

“I'll write at least every month, I promise,” he whispered.

“I love you,” Tang and Li Na whispered back.

“Love you guys too,” MK sniffled. “Take care.”

“You too,” Tang laughed sadly.

MK squeezed them tighter before he grabbed his bags and ran onto the boat.

As Li Na watched, Tang placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it tight.

“He'll be alright… he's a smart boy, he'll be fine,” he said, his eyes distant.

“Yeah, MK'll be okay,” Li Na agreed, and Mo once again meowed, taking her attention away from the boat. “Hey, little guy. Let's get you nice and cozy before we go home, hm?” She brought him closer to her chest.

“Yes, yes, let's go home.” Tang seemed to snap out of his trance, gently guiding Li Na away from the dock and back to the carriage.

However, just as she was about to obey, a voice shouted from the boat. The pair spun around to find MK waving as big as he could while the boat sailed away. Li Na and Tang immediately waved back, and continued to do so until MK was a blip on the horizon and they had no choice but to go home.

.o0o.

Life without MK was as lonely as Li Na had expected, though Mo was a nice distraction. He was a fierce little guy, constantly pouncing on any suspicious shadows or bugs or mice– though he was too little to win his fights with the latter. He was also very loyal, preferring to stick by her side whenever possible, or else he'd just stand at the door and cry until she came back.

Lady Jenai didn't like Mo very much, though. She agreed to keep him because he'd one day be able to hunt mice and rats, but in the meantime she asked for “it” to be out of her sight.

Sujia and Peili were similar, though a bit mean about it. They called Mo names and made jokes about throwing him out. One time Peili even tried to pick him up, but stopped when he hissed. Li Na tried to not let it bother her, since maybe they were just jealous that MK got her a cat and didn't give them anything.

It was… hard, though. She felt like she barely saw her baba anymore except at dinner due to him working all the time in the city. It left her with very little to do except practice her embroidery and writing.

The best days were when MK's letters arrived. She treasured each of them dearly and kept them in a box under her bed. When one would arrive, she'd read all about his adventures over and over again until she found the time (and paper) to write. She’d then write about all the little things Mo had done recently, about how the summer heat was starting to get to her, how she thought of him every time she ate a peach, and how she'd look forward to his next letter. Then it was off to the postman, and she'd return back to her day-to-day routine.

It wasn't all bad though. Sometimes Sujia and Peili actually wanted to hang out with her and it would be fun. She didn't quite get them or their jokes yet, but she liked them and wanted to know them better, since they were now sisters and all. Granted, it was a little weird they were always asking her to clean up whatever mess they'd all make, but she was happy to help. Plus, it was worth it when one day the girls said they were thinking of actually taking her out to the city.

“Sit still, we need a lot of this stuff to make you pretty,” Sujia warned, putting on more white rice powder all over Li Na's face.

“Sorry.” Li Na blushed and closed her eyes again.

“Wow, you really are using a lot of mama's makeup,” Peili commented.

“That's the plan,” Sujia replied, dabbing on more.

“Oh– I don’t want to use all of your mama’s stuff–”

“It’ll be fine, you’ll see,” Peili interrupted, rummaging through the drawers for more makeup.

“O-okay, if you’re sure,” Li Na gave a weak smile.

“Close your eyes, I need to get the eyelids,” Sujia snipped, and she obeyed.

“Found it!” Peili then announced, slamming a drawer shut.

“Just set it on the counter,” Sujia huffed, applying the makeup a tad more aggressively, hurting Li Na’s eyes. She kept quiet though, not wanting to make it worse.

“Oo! Can I do her lips? I got a plan to make em really–”

“No. We're sticking to how I planned it,” Sujia immediately shut down, practically hitting Li Na with the bristles full force.

“Ow,” Li Na let slip.

“Oh shut up already!’ Sujia snapped, setting down the rice powder and switching to the rouge, startling Li Na.

“Peili stop, you're upsetting her,” Peili whined.

“It's fine, calm down.” Sujia rolled her eyes and started applying the red makeup to her cheeks and nose. It stung, but Li Na endured, since “pretty hurt” or something like that.

“Ugh, fine. But if she cries, that's your fault,” Peili huffed and slumped on a chair.

Sujia huffed, but managed to apply the rest of Li Na's makeup with ease, stepping back with a grin.

“You look… special, real special,” Sujia said, dusting her hands off.

Li Na couldn't help but smile. “You really think?”

“Oh yeah,” Peili giggled. “Like a real–”

“Wait here, okay? We'll be back after we get mother to agree,” Sujia interrupted.

“Oh! Okay,” Li Na agreed, sitting up properly.

“We'll be right back,” Peili grinned too as Sujia took her arm and they quickly left the room.

A wave of anxiety washed over Li Na as she sat there, and she immediately started fidgeting with her sleeves. She knew she wasn't really supposed to go in Lady Jenai's room, especially alone, but she was invited here! So it was okay!

Besides, when she looked into Lady Jenai's big polished mirror, Li Na thought she looked beautiful– like a fairy or a princess. Her baba would be so proud to see her all dolled up and ready to go shopping in the city. The only thing she was missing was a fancy hair comb, and her hair to be all done up.

With a smile, Li Na took her dark brown hair out their simple buns and ran a brush through them, giggling at the fancy feeling of the much nicer brush. She brushed her hair until it was all nice and neat before she attempted to do her hair like Sujia– or even Lady Jenai. She really wanted to impress her, and prove she could be high society like her too. Maybe if she proved herself worthy, Lady Jenai could mentor her in manners and such– and maybe she could even be like a mother to her, like MK said she could be.

Li Na's never had a mom– at least, not in the traditional sense. Tang was certainly more feminine than Pigsy, but he wasn't exactly an expert in etiquette and fashion and makeup. Li Na knew he came from a fancy background like Lady Jenai, but he always said he was “too shy” for big social events, and “too awkward” for etiquette. As for Pigsy..? He may have been born a girl, but he was a farm boy through and through, always joking about how lost he would've been at formal events. He taught her things like how to recognize a good radish, how to successfully collect chicken eggs without getting pecked, and how to catch crickets with her bare hands– which, while very cool, weren't exactly helpful in high society.

Lady Jenai could teach her how to adapt in this new life– how to be pretty like her step-sisters and maybe even be someone worth admiring. She could adapt to this new life with her help! She could make MK and her dadsy proud! She could almost see it now, her in a silk robe and fan attending court at the palace–

A loud gasp sent Li Na scrambling up, and she was startled to see her stepmother's face so repulsed.

“You,” she seethed. “What on earth do you think you're doing here?”

Li Na looked around, confused. “I-I– Sujia a-and Peili– they said–”

“See, mother?” Sujia interrupted. “I told you she was a little thief.”

“I should have known,” Lady Jenai sighed. “Now I have to get the room inspected for ticks and lice and any other parasites your kind carries around.”

Li Na stepped back, heart pounding in her chest. “M-my kind?”

Sujia laughed. “Wow, you really are stupid, aren't you?”

“You're a halfling, chun zhu,” Peili snickered. “You're not like us.”

“Wh-what? No! I– Lady Jenai, they said– I'm still a person!” Li Na shouted.

“Please,” Lady Jenai rolled her eyes and slowly walked towards her. “You may wear clothes and tie your hair up however you like, but you will always be nothing more than a farm pig.”

“A chun zhu!” Peili cackled. “That can be her new name– Chun Zhu the fat, dumb pig girl.”

“Chun Zhu– why didn’t I think of that?” Sujia laughed right along.

Li Na shook her head and stepped back against the wall, tears threatening to spill. “N-no! Sujia– she said– I-I can be pretty! I-I just– I need some help learning, I promise.”

Lady Jenai raised an eyebrow. “And what on earth makes you think I'd want to waste my time on something like that? Especially to a bratty little thief such as yourself,” she snatched the comb from Li Na's hair.

“I-I didn't steal anything! Sujia put it all on! She said it was okay! I swear– I-I would never–”

Lady Jenai slapped Li Na across the face. “You really are a pest, you know that? And a foolish one too, expecting me to believe you over my own daughters.”

Li Na froze with shock. She desperately tried to scramble words to defend herself– to make her stepmother see reason and explain her innocence, but the stinging in her cheek broke something in her.

“Quiet now?” Lady Jenai huffed. “Good. First order of business is to take that whorish makeup off. Then you will go to your room, where your bedding will be stripped and your personal possessions– every toy, every book, every ink pot– will be taken away.”

Li Na's eyes widened. “W-wait–”

“From there–” Lady Jenai shot an icy look– “you will be given servants' clothes and you will work in this house as a servant for a month as a punishment for your lies and thievery, is that understood?”

Li Na couldn't believe what she was hearing– this couldn't be real, right? This– this was just a nightmare– one she would wake up from any moment now.

“I said, ‘is that understood’?” Lady Jenai yanked Li Na's ear, making her cry out.

“M-my baba won't stand for this,” she protested with what little courage she had left.

Lady Jenai just laughed though, the sound making ice run through Li Na's veins.

“You really think that yutao of a man is in charge here?” She pulled on Li Na's ear harder. “He will be thanking me to no longer have such a hideous creature every day.”

“No!” Li Na cried. “M-my– baba–”

Her stepmother twisted her ear so hard she yelped, before dragging her out and down several hallways before she was thrown into a dark, damp stone room with bits of straw strung about, somewhere nearby the servant’s quarters.

“You will be locked in here for the remainder of the day. Keep up your attitude if you wish to make your stay longer,” she seethed.

Again, Li Na's mind scrambled for a defense– any defense, but the way the woman she had wanted so desperately to approve of her glared down like she was a filthy animal. It made her want to break down and apologize so things could go back to the way they were.

Instead, she curled up and held her sides, choking out a weak, “B-baba–”

“Your father cares nothing for you,” Lady Jenai snapped. “He will be delighted to find you rotting away in here, as will I and every other person who has had the misfortune of looking upon your face.”

Before the girl could even think to speak up, the door slammed shut, the lock turned, and Li Na was left alone in the dark.

Immediately, Li Na let out a loud sob, begging for someone to let her out and that she promised to never bother any of them ever again. She went on like that for hours, and hours, and hours, but either nobody heard or nobody cared (Li Na wasn’t sure which one was worse). Eventually she was too overcome with weakness to continue crying, her stomach tight with hunger. However, even then nobody came.

She tried speaking up whenever she thought she heard steps, but nothing ever came of it (other than the lonely feeling crawling up her throat). Li Na was alone now, just like Lady Jenai promised. Her baba– wherever he was– wasn’t coming for her. Her brother was gone. Her dadsy was dead.

She was alone.

[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]

[baiwu-jinji]

Thank you for taking the time to share meta and interesting things with English speaking audiences about Chinese works along with other insights!

If I may ask do you have any suggestions for authors of poetry that you enjoy reading? (whether contemporary or older, even if they are not translated that is fine.) I have mostly read from the most famous authors like Li Bai, Du Fu, and Wang Wei but wish to find further reading material, as I study more Chinese if you have any authors you recommend. :)

Hi! :) I have to confess that I read way more English poetry than Chinese ones, but when I was in high school a favourite poet of mine is Du Mu 杜牧. The phrases often used to describe his poetry are 清丽 or 明丽. To me his poems are like a fresh rain, there's a lightness to them even when he's writing about heavy subjects, as many of his poems lament the decline and corruption of the great Tang empire.

I also recommend Bei Dao 北岛, a must-read among contemporary Chinese poets. His family was persecuted during the Cultural Revolution and he spent decades overseas in exile, which I think is where the anger, solitude, and pain of his poetry stem from. I posted his most famous poem here.

A friend of mine recently recommended another contemporary poet called Chen Nianxi 陈年喜, whom I'm not familair with, but just from reading a couple of his poems I could see the talent and heart in them. Here's my translation of an excerpt from one of his poems: "The snow that falls in a person's body / is never seen by another body / one year in the depth of Qin Moutains / a great snow fell from the moutain top / and covered my bones / that hasn't melted ever since." Chen worked as a miner and I think a lot of his poetry depicts that experience.

[dtriad]

《早安！三国打工人》 Good Morning! Workers of the Three Kingdoms, written by 蒿里茫茫

here to shout into the void with a cnovel rec!

The world is boiling, the people are suffering. In truth, Lu Xuanyu didn't quite understand the meaning of those eight words. Ever since she had landed face down in the dirt of the sixth year of the Zhongping era, the fleeting dream she'd once held had scattered like ashes and vanished into thin air. She had a plain face, low EQ, no family background, and a baffling debuff that made everyone mislike her—but it didn't matter that she wasn't treated as the white moonlight of whatever duke or prince. She could work hand and foot, balance the books, butcher hogs, and even had a sword that was enough for her to walk alone in a chaotic world. Her goal was also very simple: a small house, some close friends and neighbors, a room full of food, and a courtyard where she could enjoy the cool breeze at night. So—in the end, just what had gone so wrong for her path to turn entirely in another direction? "I am ready to die here." She held the Black Blade, fully focused as she stood amid the flames, and looked arrogantly at the tide of Danyang soldiers pouring in. "If you want to seize Xuzhou, be ready to do the same."

I have a weakness for the sub-genre of cnovels that's about the main character transmigrating into a historical setting, preferably stories set in an actual historical dynasty (tagged 古色古香) instead of an invented historical setup (tagged 架空历史) or in-universe fictional storyline. And even more specifically, the kind that deals in infrastructure building or military conflict. Conveniently, JJWXC has tags for specific periods, e.g. Qin, Han, Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties—and of course the Three Kingdoms period, which is how I came across 早安！三国打工人 aka Good Morning! Workers of the Three Kingdoms while on a historical transmigration reading spree, and consequently fell down a very, very, very deep hole orz

Among the stories that I’ve read in this sub-genre, 3K Workers really stands out to me as one of the best (imo!). The MC Lu Xuanyu doesn’t transmigrate into someone native to the Three Kingdoms period, but as her own DnD character with high combat and terribly low charm per the debuff from the summary. 😂 There is no System, only her sentient sword—the Black Blade—that may be as much of a hidden existential poison to her as it is her one “friend” in the beginning. Slowly, she makes an ordinary life for herself in the capital city of Luoyang, with sufficient food and necessities, a decent-paying job, friendly and nosy neighbors, a small home of her own… But none of it can last, because these are the deathbed years of the Eastern Han dynasty according to history—and the people are suffering.

Over the course of more than a decade, from a lone hunter to a butcher, from a handyman to a refugee, from a night watchman to a general—who’s responsible for the lives of many thousands, both soldiers and civilians (the line blurring as ever between them)—Lu Xuanyu never forgets why she decided to step up and fight: to save people. And her struggles in the attempt, both internal and external, comprise the propelling force of the story, as we can see from the author's notes in which they say up front that Lu Xuanyu will join Liu Bei’s team, and then add:

The heroine is an idealist unto death; don’t think about using reality to change her.

(no way!!!! I love her as she is.)

Some things I really like in 3K Workers:

Lu Xuanyu starts out as a true no-name, rather than someone with an established and/or influential family background (b/c lbr that is quite common for this sub-genre). When she appears through an outsider's POV in Ch. 1, she’s been living alone in the wilderness for several months and is a little desperate for some kind of positive human interaction (the low charm debuff does her no favors, which makes the instances people overcome it more notable—it either says something about the impact her behavior has on them, or their ability to disregard inexplicable annoyance). She doesn’t have power or influence to leverage; she doesn’t have the ambition to do something great or world-changing. She simply wants to live a normal life. It’s just unfortunate that “normal” in the 3K period easily leads to death. Her abilities make her abnormal—she is, quite literally, something like an android according to Word of God, a superhuman who’s a wrinkle in the fabric of this timeline’s reality—but she feels and thinks as a 21st century human, with the assumption of a common humanity that makes her a fish out of water.

There's a strong focus on the consequences of war for the common people, and the PTSD that is a simple fact of existence for those exposed to the conflicts; it consistently turns its lens back to look at the farmers, the soldiers, the people who are treated like trampled grass, and shares their perspectives as well. I recall seeing this done in a few other novels, but iirc the framing in those cases was set up more as a way to show people reacting to the changes wrought by the MC, whereas here the framing allows the MC to better understand the attitudes & status quo of the period.

A lot of stories in the sub-genre have the MCs quickly adjusting to the past on the outside and leveraging the power of their position (again, typically based on preexisting family clout) to proactively push for changes, whether it’s to protect themselves or drive swift societal/technological change. In contrast, Lu Xuanyu doesn’t ever truly adapt to the values of the past, is clearly an oddball to others in her behavior and actions, and has enough on her hands with battles without any time or attention to initiate some golden-finger-boosted upheaval of norms. But the ripple effect of her existence is such that other characters, native to the period, are the ones who see clearly what changes they can make and want to make, and pursue those goals of their own accord: reducing the power of the gentry, sharing knowledge more widely, establishing a strong foundation to support better opportunities for women… They come self-motivated to their own enlightenment, which I feel really enriches the story—Lu Xuanyu is the match that lit the fire, but they keep the fire burning. A special shout-out to Lu Bai, who proposes and leads the women-only Jianfu Battalion; her character has some fantastic development throughout the book ♥

I consider this novel very anti-war in attitude—even though we want Lu Xuanyu to win her battles, by the end there’s only bitter weariness rather than delight in victory.

It’s the Three Kingdoms period, so if you like loyalty kink then this naturally caters 300% to that!!!

Ft. great content about battle strategy, tactics, and logistics that makes my inner history geek super happy, and it's combined very effectively with character portrayal and development shown via battle; outside of battle, it gives attention to rebuilding during the rare periods of temporary peace in a historically grounded way.

Plus the tension in the (im)balance of power—there’s the imperial court, the various warlords, appointed officials, aristocratic families—and how the norms of society slowly, slowly start to change...

Despite the subject matter, it is also incredibly funny 😆 Lu Xuanyu's 21st-century-shaped outlook does not jive with period attitudes, and the resulting disconnects in communication are hilarious if you enjoy dry humor; the low EQ squad, ft. founding members Lu Xuanyu and Lü Bu lololol, are an absolute riot, whether they’re interacting with each other or anyone else, and outside their low EQ sphere of immediate influence the story doesn’t shortchange readers on everyday absurdities either, whether it’s the internal squabbling within Yuan Shao’s harem of strategists/advisors or the 3K period take on “lying flat” among certain scholars (paging Zhuge Liang’s uncle…)

The events and historical characters are based on actual historical records rather than fictionalized Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but you don’t have to be knowledgeable about 3K history at all! Lu Xuanyu certainly isn’t! (And if you are, you’ll enjoy all the references to 3K memes & whatnot… actual lol at the “burning of the thatched cottage” in 3K Workers @ 2010 Three Kingdoms drama do you see that!!! do you see what proper plot logic is!!!)

Technically it falls under JJWXC’s m/f category, but I consider this story essentially gen with background UST at most. Lu Xuanyu is very shippable, in the sense that she has lots of interesting relationships with characters in roles ranging from loyal subordinates to tsundere colleagues to ideologically opposed enemies. (And I was pretty satisfied with the endgame ship, though it really isn’t the focus at all during the main story.) She passes as a man for the first ~20% of the cnovel before revealing she’s a woman, and while the f/f potential is limited (alas!), I do love the supporting female characters.

The bad news: … it’s long… and untranslated�� /cries/ I want to translate some excerpts as I reread it, but I gotta be realistic—despite my love for this cnovel I just can’t sign myself up rn to translate 2.7 million Chinese characters over 700+ chapters. If you can read Chinese or if you’re ok with reading via mtl, then you can find it at:

JJWXC [how-to guide]

OR here, Ch. 1-601 (Parts 1-5) and Ch. 602-757 (Part 6+extras)

OR you can message me for a formatted ereader-friendly file >_>

Additional links (potential spoilers)—

Reviews on Weibo & Lofter (one) (two) (three)

Review - Peking University Online Literature 2022-23 Biennial List

Interview with the author 蒿里茫茫

Meta re: Lü Bu

Maps of Luoyang; army movements in the years 193, 195, & 199 CE (+zoom in on Puyang); Emperor Xian's journey 195-199 CE

Translated excerpts—

Ch. 13: LXY defending the neighborhood

Ch. 23: Mei-niang invites LXY over

Ch. 66/73: "you cannot retreat, you cannot lose, and you cannot die!"

Ch. 99: funerals for the dead

Ch. 210: Lü Bu's innate taunt skill

Ch. 679/687: the two sides of Sima Yi

Audiobook adaption (in progress)—

Ximalaya homepage

Bilibili playlist (eps 1-1000+, updating)

Youtube playlist (ep. 1-550)

[last updated 1/5/2025]

[quitealotofsodapop]

Ok but Wukong claims MK as Yubei's honorary/sworn older brother. Macaque who was in the room suddenly feels a cold swear as he Realized Wukong Sees MK As His Kid. His Clcub, who Macaque had chased fown and hunted like an animal in an effort to keep LBD's attention off of Wukong himself.

Macaque has that revelation loooong before Yuebei is born.

You see...

When Macaque was still processing that Wukong (his former mate) had been pregnant with the Egg for many many years - he had a brief brain-fart during "Shadow Play" and at during his panic he asks;

Macaque: "Is it my kid!? Wait..." *glares at MK really hard* "Are you my kid???" MK: "Wut." Macaque: "No, no, wait, thats dumb, it's the same baby now as back then. Sorry bud, but I am totally freaking out right now." MK: "Because you spent the last couple hundred years being a deadbeat dad?" Macaque, grabs MK by the shoulders: "YES!!"

The rest of the MKrew escape the Shadow Lantern simply because Mac was panicking so hard he dropped it. Even being super mad at him, they stay until he stops hyperventillating. In Mac's defense, he's not sure how long normal Stone Monkey pregnancies should be.

Even once the realisation kicks in that the "Egg" is a Stone Egg formed from Wukong being encased in the mountain without resources - Macaque has a second "crap Im dad" realisation when he realises that him abandoning/cutting-off Wukong back then is what triggered the process. He still wants to take responsibility for the Egg as it's indirect creator.

And ofc during S3, Macaque notices how protective/paternal Wukong is with MK and starts to realise;

MK might not be Macaque's kid, but Wukong certainly considers MK to be *his* kid.

Macaque has tricked, fought, and psychologically tormented said kid in his goal to either hurt Wukong or extract information.

Macaque is now being forced to capture said kid and/or Wukong for LBD less he suffers a fate worse than death. And while Macaque would hate to do either, he can't stand the thought of handing Wukong over. So MK is his primary target throughout S3, even if Mac tries his best to "soften the blow" if it were when he tries capturing him.

MK is super excited to meet the Egg when it's finally born, and is acting in a manner typical of an older monkey cub wanting to care for their younger sibling. It's too fricking cute and-

Well crap, now Mac doesn't want to turn the kid over. Mostly cus doing so will def hurt Wukong and make his King somehow hate Mac even more than he does now.

Maybe if they do get the Samadhi Fire, him and Wukong might- Macaque, begings violently batting away his talkative shadow clones: "NOPE! Get the heck out of here with that!! I'm just getting the Fire to be free of LBD's influence!"

And once Yuebei is finally born...

Wukong, talking to the baby: "Bao bei [treasure], this is your big brother, MK. Well, honorary big brother, but you get what I mean." MK, holding Yuebei: *is so happy he can't form words + is happy-crying* Macaque: *trying his best not to ask MK "hey, wanna be our son?", cus Mk has his adoptive dads + Mac thinks the kid hates him anyway* "Hah. Crybaby." MK, still crying: "Shut up. You cried when you saw her for the first time." Macaque, trying his best not happy-cry again: "She looks like me! Of course I'd cry - such a curse to place upon a innocent soul!" Wukong: *sighs fondly at the back-and-forth*

Mac's gut reaction is to insult others/himself when he feels emotionally vulnerable, and MK knows how to flip it around.

It very much becomes a "Dad treating his eldest son vs younger daughter" situation, especially if Bai He is thrown into the mix. Mac will 100% spoil his little princesses, but MK...

MK can handle it. He's Wukong's heir. He's ok with Mac only really being soft on him when no one else is around. Secretly Mac's kinda jealous of the dad-attention Pigsy, Wukong, and even Tang get from the kidm even though in his heart he knows it's unlikely MK will ever see Mac as a father figure.

[grand-theft-carbohydrates]

which dynasty would you choose to be involved in the foundation of? for clarity you would be making contributions on the side of the new dynasty, no watching from the sidelines or joining a rump state, and also little one-off dynasties like xin, shun, and wu zhou are absolutely fair game

tang all the way baybe! it's got everything you could possibly ask for: second official golden age of china founded through a bloody rebellion with plenty of succession drama where one son had to preemptively assassinate his brothers under murky circumstances. princess pingyang raising an army to help her dad win a war and becoming china's first female general (buried with full military honors). you got the economic golden age. the artistic golden age. the social golden age. grape wine from europe. people decided it was neat to sit in chairs and finally, finally, finally stopped fucking eating elemental mercury. women had an unprecedented (sadly never to be repeated) amount of equality and freedom, they could go outside, ride horses, cross dress, ride horses outside while crossdressing. fat was in fashion. tricolour contrapposto drip ceramics. xuanzhang snuck off to india to pick up his buddhist library books and someone wrote a popular furry fanfic about it. 2/2 GOATS of Chinese Poetry li bai and du fu were failing their imperial exams hand in extremely drunken hand. we had womens rights. womens wrongs. the girlbosses yang guifei, an lushan and shi siming. it was the best of times. the worst of times. a time of wisdom and everlasting sorrow.

so hell yeah i want a part in building all this! catch me in the annals of history bankrupting my family to the 3rd degree to give all my worldly possessions to princess pingyang. if i keep myself healthy i'd be able to live long enough to be personally lingchi'd by wu zetian *heart eyes emoji.*

second choice is to go back to the three kingdom period and join team Wu as a government official and work in the agriculture department. yeah you read that correctly, idgaf if Dong Wu is the forgotten middle child of the san guo era. maybe i don't want everlasting glory and the chance to drop dead at age 50 from a stress-related stroke. maybe it's enough to get steady job, consistent pay, reasonable hours, and a chance to be in the peanut gallery while Liu Bei and Cao Cao bite each other's dicks off.

[a-sea-with-no-shores]

Good news from @yuletidetreasure everybody!

The tagset is up and includes

莲花楼 | Mysterious Lotus Casebook (TV) (15)

Yun Biqiu (Mysterious Lotus Casebook)

Di Feisheng

Fang Duobing

He Xiaofeng

He Xiaohui

Huli Jing (Mysterious Lotus Casebook)

Jiao Liqiao

Li Lianhua | Li Xiangyi

Liangyi Xianzi

Princess Zhaoling (Mysterious Lotus Casebook)

Qiao Wanmian

Shan Gudao

Shi Shui (Mysterious Lotus Casebook)

Wuyan (Mysterious Lotus Casebook)

Zhan Yunfei

少年歌行 | The Blood of Youth (Live Action TV) (14)

Baili Dongjun (The Blood of Youth)

Jin Xian (The Blood of Youth)

Lei Wujie (The Blood of Youth)

Sikong Changfeng (The Blood of Youth)

Sikong Qianluo (The Blood of Youth)

Xiao Lingchen (The Blood of Youth)

Ye Ruoyi (The Blood of Youth)

Yin Luoxia (The Blood of Youth)

Ji Xue (The Blood of Youth)

Luo Mingxuan (The Blood of Youth)

Tang Lian (The Blood of Youth)

Xiao Chong | Prince Bai

Xiao Se | Xiao Chuhe

Zang Ming (The Blood of Youth)

成化十四年 | The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty (TV) (8)

Ding Rong

Dong'er (The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty)

Duo Erla

Jia Kui (The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty)

Sui Zhou

Tang Fan

Wang Zhi (The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty)

Wu Yun Bolage

与凤行 | The Legend of Shen Li (TV) (8)

Jin Niangzi (The Legend of Shen Li)

Shang Bei (The Legend of Shen Li)

Shen Li (The Legend of Shen Li)

Shen Muyue (The Legend of Shen Li)

Xing Yun | Xing Zhi (The Legend of Shen Li)

You Lan (The Legend of Shen Li)

Fu Rong (The Legend of Shen Li)

Mo Fang (The Legend of Shen Li)

[you-will-never-find-me-anymore]

Bei Tang from manhua That Star 此星

[lttawnymadison]

Danmei most highly rated/loved

This list is based on my poll of people's favorite danmei novels. They're also the ones I've heard about multiple times. Many are licensed for English, and more are being licensed all the time!

MXTX – Heaven Official's Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu) 

MXTX – The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Mo Dao Zu Shi)  

MXTX – The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System (Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong) 

Meatbun – The Husky and His White Cat Shizun (Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun)

Meatbun - Remnants of Filth (Yu Wu)

Meatbun - Case File Compendium (Bing an Ben)

Meng Xishi - Thousand Autumns (Qian Qiu) 

Meng Xishi – Peerless (Wu Shuang) 

Priest - Stars of Chaos (Sha Po Lang)  

Priest – Lord Seventh (Qi Ye)

Priest - Faraway Wanderers (Tian Ya Ke), sequel to Lord Seventh

Priest – Drowning Sorrows in Raging Fire 

Priest - Guardian (Zhen Hun) 

Shisi - Little Mushroom (Xiao Mogu) 

Feng Yu Nie - Mistakenly Saving the Villain 

FTYX - Dinghai Fusheng Records

FTYX - Legend of Exorcism (Tianbao Fuyao Lu) (loose sequel to DFR)

FTYX - To Rule in a Turbulent World (Luan Shi Wei Wang)  

Tang Jiu Qing - Qiang Jin Jiu 

Tang Jiu Qing - Nan Chan 

Cang Wu Bin Bai - Golden Terrace (Cang Wu Bin Bai) 

Cang Wu Bin Bai - Chun Feng Du Jian 

Qing Se Yu Yi - Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know  

Man Man He Qi Duo - Those Years In Quest Of Honour Mine 

Lu Ye Qian He - The Wife is First (Qi Wei Shang) 

Yi Yi Yi Yi - How to Survive As a Villain (Chuanyue Cheng Fanpai Yao Ruhe Huoming)  

Zhìchǔ - Fan Service Paradox (Ying Ye Bei Lun)  

Mu Su Li - Global Examination (Quanqiu Gaokao)  

Wei Feng Ji Xu - Mist (Bowu) 

Xue Shan Fei Hu - The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish 

Wu Zhe - Run Wild (Sa Ye) 

bafflinghaze - Dao Of The Salted Fish (Salted Fish Cultivator) 

Lin Qian - The Fallen Merman 

Feng Liu Shu Dai - Quickly wear the face of the devil 

Yin Ya - The Legendary Master’s Wife  

Wú Yì - The Killer of Killers (Sha Qing) 

Bing Kuai’er/ICE (冰块儿) - After Dawn/Dawning 黎明之后 

Jiang Weiji - How to Feed an Abyss! 

Lei Xu - The Grave Robbers' Chronicles

[the-monkey-ruler]

Sun Wukong vs. Red Boy (2021) 孙悟空大战红孩儿

Director: Qian Yong Screenwriter: Qi Ling Tong / Six Ling Tong Starring: Eleven Lingtong / Yao Baiqing / Ying Linfeng Genre: Opera Country/Region of Production: Mainland China Language: Mandarin Chinese Date: 2021 (Mainland China) Duration: 86 minutes (Mainland China) Type: Retelling

Summary:

Shaoju "Sun Wukong vs. Red Boy" is adapted from the story of the classic novel "Journey to the West". It was originally a play in the full version of Shaoju "Journey to the West". It was previously edited and performed by Qilingtong and Liulingtong. In 1979, famous Zhejiang playwrights Gu Xidong, Shuang Ge, Bei Geng and others adapted the old version and put it on stage again by the Zhejiang Shaoju Troupe. It has been performed more than a thousand times and has won praise from the audience and drama colleagues.

Plot summary: Tang Monk and his disciples went west to obtain Buddhist scriptures and were blocked by the 800-mile Flame Mountain. Red Boy, the owner of the "Fire Cloud Cave", intercepted Tang Monk and his disciples with his trick of spitting out "Samadhi Divine Fire". Sun Wukong, who was sworn brothers with Red Boy's father, Bull Demon King, could not bear to hurt his life, so he used a clever trick to subdue Red Boy to the side of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Source: https://movie.douban.com/subject/36714293/

Link Trailor: https://tv.cctv.com/2021/09/21/VIDET6hF1M9CVm8AajIjgWxv210921.shtml

[tactidoll]

Dollypop, got any rap recs?

so ive been planning on doing a series of playlists as a kinda introduction to rap, especially so after the dot vs drake beef has put rap back in the spotlight and made more people than ever actually aware of the lyrical content of these songs, its mostly been an issue of executive function beating my ass 5 ways to sunday lately, but suffice to say rap recommendations has been on my mind a lot lately

i could probably go on for a few hrs about hip hop and its place as the culmination of all music prior, but rap is a genre that more so than others rewards album listening so i will more often than not recommend albums over singles/tracks but ill try my best to isolate what i consider to be a well rounded list (no links cus i dont use spotify lmao)

theres a lotta ways to split up rap and hip hop as a whole into a thousand micro genres, especially when you take regions into consideration but i think im gonna go with just 15 tracks that cover as many bases as i can and give a little explanation for each track starting with

NY State of Mind - Nas: ny state of mind is THE classic in my books, dj premier provides the perfect boom bap beat for nas to make the final push to usher in a new generation of rap, literally sampling eric b and rakim in the chorus, the previous pair to bring the genre from the 80’s into the 90’s, furthering that push with more complex rhyme schemes and blending the street/gangsta rap of nwa and wu-tang with the jazzy introspection and philosophy of de la and tribe, a perfect set piece for the album of a desperate kid rapping and telling his stories like its his last day on earth because it just might be

Doomsday – MF DOOM: the manifesto of a super villain, a rulebook on rap, a re-emergence of a forgotten rapper, after the death of his brother and issues with the record label dropping KMD Zev Love X disappeared in ‘94 and then in ‘99 MF DOOM dropped operation: doomsday, the dizzying rhyme schemes and word play, the casual humor and pop culture and sampling referencing lends to a true statement of a song, that DOOM was here and was gonna change the world

4th Chamber – GZA: a dozen wu-tang tracks could’ve appeared on this list and all would be justified but 4th chamber is my favourite by far, starting with the now iconic samurai or kung fu film sample and then kicking into a crazy intro beat that calms slightly in time for ghostface killah to come in and pick it right back up with the first verse of this slick posse cut

Mathematics – Mos Def: Yasiin Bey Is a genius plain and simple, another track produced by preemo another masterpiece of a beat, Bey raps about the sociological statistics that work to keep the black population down in this mathematically driven guide through the politics of the late 90’s

You Got Me – The Roots: this track really shows just how good live instrumentation can be, black thought is one of the greatest of all time, simple as frankly I don’t have too much more to say its just a brilliant song

Wesley’s Theory – Kendrick Lamar: the opening to the greatest album of all time, opening with the mission statement of the album, the sample at the start before the james brown esque hit me pulls the tone back down to earth, part one of the track being a young kdots reactions to the money hes been looking for and part two kendrick plays the role of uncle sam the mascot of white supremacy looking to exploit over eager black artists and talents and lump them with a bill and lock them up when they cant pay it, the deep seeped politics, the groove of thundercat and george clinton of the parliments and funkadelic collectives and the dr dre break really helps sets the tone of the album

Jazz (We’ve Got) – A Tribe called Quest: the perfect jazz rap song, the beat was original made by pete rock before being remade by q-tip, a quintessential classic of the genre simple as

Shook Ones pt 2 – Mobb Deep: the greatest gangsta rap song of all time and frankly its not close its something spectacular, the hardest two 19 year olds ever sounded, over a dark almost evil beat produced by havoc this track is an absolute landmark for not just queensbridge but the entirety of the east coast

Introvert – Little Simz: this track is nothing short of spectacular, a powerful, cinematic, orchestral masterpiece, deep diving into her inner turmoil and her roots, the corruption of the british government, this song shook me to my core when I first listened to simbi, a rallying cry that calls for a war against the oppressing forces further tightening the chains if we ever are to be freed from the oppression

Don’t Cry – J Dilla: this song is gorgeous, chopping up I cant stand (to see you cry) by the escorts into a wonderful beat, made by jay dee in the final throws of his life, half worked on while hospital bound, frequent collaborator and fellow soulquarian questlove stated that this was a message to his mother as J dilla knew the end was near

Nuthin’ But A G Thang – Dr Dre ft Snoop Dogg: the quintessential G-funk banger the genre doesn’t get better than this

SORRY NOT SORRY – Tyler, The Creator: a weird choice for this list, I wasnt sure if I wanted to include it because its so tied to tylers discography but its honestly one of the best rap songs ever when you have the context, especially when you take into account the music video where tyler and all the various versions of himself stand before an audience of ex’s and other notable judgemental presences in his life, as he kills almost every version of himself barring the ‘ugliest’ sides of himself in igor and goblin era tyler potentially insinuating those parts of him still reside inside him

I Used to Love H.E.R – Common: this song is so very important, maybe the best use of metaphor in the whole genre, a fallen out of love story for that very same genre, fantastic storytelling and a great beat by no I.D. one of the most important producers and figures in hip hop out of chicago

Aquemini – Outkast: the title track from one the duos third album and really the record that put the dirty south on the radar on a nationwide level, a sign of their decision to stick together for as long as possible, andres verses really shows hes one of the all time greats and that big boi is not far behind at all

Hazard Duty Pay – JPEGMAFIA: this song was all I listened to for a few weeks after it release, an aggressive single verse track over a soulful beat what more could you want

[mademoiselle-red]

Hi, do you read danmei? Favourites?

Hi! I’ve read quite a bit of danmei over the years and my absolute faves are two pretty 古早 (1990s/2000s era) novellas:

北京故事 Beijing Story（read it in Chinese here）— It was adapted into an explicitly queer movie called 蓝于 Lan Yu in 2001. It’s a poignant and tragic story about a decades-long relationship between a young entrepreneur and a college student set against the backdrop of the Tiananmen Square massacre and the economic miracle of the 1980s and 90s. (Yes, you read that right. And yes, it got made into a movie, with minimal censorship. The early 2000s were fun times in China.)

十年 Ten Years (read it in Chinese here) — It’s about a complicated and bittersweet decade-long relationship between two men who befriend each other in high school and come of age in early 2000s China (the early 2000s vibes are so on point in this novel ❤️). They end up together. But I’m not sure I’d call it a happy ending.

Nowadays my Chinese fandom reading consists of fic for fandom pairings like

瓶邪 pingxie ( Zhang Qiling x Wu Xie from 盗墓笔记 The Grave Robbers’ Chronicles) — the Chinese multi-chapter longfics in this fandom are breathtakingly good. If you can read Chinese, I can recommend a few.

玄亮 xuanliang (Liu Bei x Zhu Geliang historical RPF set in the three kingdoms era)

元白 yuanbai (Yuan Zhen x Bai Juyi historical RPF set in the late Tang dynasty)

And of course 笛花 dihua fic from 莲花楼 Mysterious Lotus Casebook. The novel is actually mainstream wuxia and not danmei.

I’ve read or tried to read most of the popular danmei novels on 晋江 Jinjiang in the mid and late 2010s, and here are a few I’d recommend (that don’t already have officially released tv dramas)

二哈和他的白猫师尊 Erha and his white cat shizun

将进酒 Jiang Jing Jiu

杀破狼 Sha Po Lang: If you can read Chinese, you should definitely check out this author (Priest). She really knows her way around a sentence and has a solid grasp of literary Chinese

(二哈 Erha and 杀破狼 Sha Po Lang were adapted to TV and then cancelled)

And here is one that has a TV drama adaptation but the book is still worth checking out if you can read Chinese:

鬓边不是海棠红 Winter Begonia: the atmosphere of the novel is very different from the tv drama (which I also adore). It’s a lot more 妖娆妩媚 coy and seductive. It’s really good.

[choujinx]

SHEN WEI GUICHU UP DE WO BEI YINGDI KANSHANG LE (2021) by bing tang hu lu, wdnmd & ah yu

[doodledoesthing3]

SUPER COOL SNEAK PEAKS OF THE CROSSOVER CHAPTER FOR MY FIC! This scene takes place in @monkiebois ‘s Tangled Star au!

Here we go!

1. “Hey there! Have you seen a black monkey? He’s this tall, clearly emo but we haven’t had the talk yet. His name is Macaque and also known as Liu’er Mihou for some odd reason.” Bei Da asked as the baby monkey stared at her in confusion.

The brown monkey began hissing at her, so in response the black haired girl hissed back. They were hissing at each other for a solid five minutes before a familiar voice was heard.

2. “How did you get in Ghonzhu’s garden?” He asked as he picked up Xiaohua.

“How did I get in who’s garden?” She asked back, not knowing who this ‘Ghonzhu’ was.

“Ghonzhu! Tieshan Ghonzhu? Are those ringing any bells for you?” The lotus prince questioned with an annoyed expression.

“Nope!” The child replied.

“Ugh… Princess Iron Fan?”

“PRINCESS IRON FAN?! THIS GARDEN BELONGS TO RED BITCH’S MOM?!” Bei Da loudly exclaimed in shock.

3. “You’re not Macaque. Where’s the real Macaque? Where’s my Macaque?” Bei Da asked as she glared at the monkey.

“Wha…I am Macaque! Who else is Macaque?!” The other version of Macaque exclaimed.

“ME, BITCH!”

Here’s a bonus sneak peak! Since my AU uses songs like there’s no tomorrow, here’s a parody of FNAF The Musical Night 4!

Macaque: Is it true? Are they here? Am I going mad?

TS! Macaque: One mistake's all it takes, and this may go bad!

Macaque: No one's there!

TS! Macaque: No one's there!

Macaque: No one's-

Nezha: Is somebody there?

TS! Macaque: Few more hours left for me to stall!

Bei Da: Why's that nerd sneaking down the hall?

TS! Macaque: No one's there!

Macaque: Someone's there!

TS! Macaque, Bei Da, & Macaque: Wish I could say, no one's/Someone's there!

Tang: Hey there!

Macaque & Bei Da: *scream*

Tang: Ok, good talk…

TS! Macaque: I'll fill the void with noise...just focus on me!

Macaque: Something's breathing out beyond the door!

Ghonzhu: Hey it's me, I swear we've met before!

Macaque: I don't care!

TS! Macaque: No one's there!

Nezha: Where'd Xiaohua go?

Tang: She’s in there!

TS! Macaque: Hurry guys, I think I'm losing ground!

Bei Da: Why's that closet making monkey sounds?!

Xiaohua jumps out of the closet as Macaque and Bei Da scream.

Ghonzhu: Please come help us!

Tang: Hat Kid has gone insane!

Xiaohua: *unintelligible baby monkey sounds*

Nezha: Does this help explain?

That’s all the sneak peaks I have for now! Kay byeeee!