Essay
The Library Where Books Aged Readers
Each book added years to the reader’s eyes—not physically, but perceptually. Wisdom arrived heavier than expected. Those who read too fast felt burdened. Those who read slowly gained steadiness. Knowledge, the library taught, must be carried responsibly.
By GoldenSpeech2 months ago in Chapters
A Whisper Through the Wood
Roots and Branches were a pair of star-crossed lovers. Roots andBranches's marriage was a typical arranged marriage. Before marriage, Roots was a well-known carpenter in the surrounding area. He was skilled and handsome, but he had one major flaw: he was stubborn and had a bad temper. When doing carpentry work, if anyone provoked his stubbornness, no matter how much you pleaded, he would simply walk away. Those who knew him would describe him as a "stubborn mule." Because of his stubbornness, he was already in his late twenties and still hadn't found a wife. His parents were anxious and inquired everywhere, looking for matchmakers. At that time,Branches was a famous beauty in the surrounding villages, but she had a fiery temper, like a cannon blazing, easily angered, and not only verbally abusive but also capable of physical violence. Seeing her peers getting married and having children one after another, but no matchmaker came toBranches's family, who would want to marry this notorious femme fatale? One of Roots's distant aunts happened to beBranches's aunt. Seeing the two families' anxiety about their children's marriages, an idea popped into her head: why not bring these two together? She couldn't help but applaud herself.Branches's parents were naturally delighted. Roots was tall and strong, handsome and capable, and possessed a skill; marrying him would surely bring them a good life. However, Roots's mother disagreed, dislikingBranches's fiery temper, believing her son couldn't handle her and would suffer. After much persuasion fromBranches's aunt, Roots's mother finally agreed. Roots's father chimed in, "Fiery temper? That depends on who she's with. Our Roots may be a quiet, stubborn mule, but he's got a way with a woman." "Let's see what you can do. What will you do when Roots can't handle her?" Roots's mother retorted. Roots's father glared at her, and she immediately fell silent. And so the matter was settled. On the eighth day of the tenth lunar month that year, Roots marriedBranches. On the day of the wedding, it snowed heavily. "A wicked girl's marriage is either a bad omen or a snowstorm. Be careful, you might marry a fierce wife and be forever haunted!" many people joked with Roots, using the local saying. Roots chuckled but didn't reply. Roots's father, displeased, glared and said, "Fierce? She's only been beaten lightly! Roots, use the handle of your work axe, three blows and she'll be fine! Your mother was a feisty woman back then, but I beat her into submission. Now, if I tell her to go east, she won't dare go west!" Roots's mother glared at the old man from the side. Roots, who had never seriously listened to his father before, listened this time and gaveBranches a good beating on the wedding night. That day, after entertaining the guests and seeing off the bride's family, a group of young people from the village went to make a ruckus in the bridal chamber. At first,Branches was shy and let the young men tease her. Later, for some reason,Branches got angry, slapped a young man twice, and went straight to her aunt's house in the same village. She refused to go back that evening, and no one could persuade her otherwise.
By water king2 months ago in Chapters
The Stranger Who Waited in the Rain
The Stranger Who Waited in the Rain Rain hammered the streets like a thousand tiny drums. People rushed into shops and under roofs, trying to escape the sudden storm. But amid the chaos stood a girl named Hiba, drenched from head to toe, clutching a broken umbrella.
By Wings of Time 2 months ago in Chapters
The Boy Who Returned What Was Never His
The Boy Who Returned What Was Never His In a small, dusty town where everyone knew everyone else’s secrets, lived a 17-year-old boy named Rafiq. Life had never been gentle to him. His father died early, his mother worked in houses, and Rafiq often wandered the streets searching for odd jobs to earn a few coins.
By Wings of Time 2 months ago in Chapters
The Thief and the Prince – Chapter 3: Peacock
Peacock Morning light broke gently across the forest as Kael and Arin followed a narrow path woven between towering ancient trees. Dew sparkled on the leaves like tiny crystals, and the air was cool enough to sting their lungs. It was the first time since their escape that Kael felt the world breathing again.
By Wings of Time 2 months ago in Chapters
