A Lifetime of Love

When they first met, one was tall and one short. One wore a white robe and was cool and aloof; the other was filthy from head to toe and occasionally sniffled. When a pair of proud, icy eyes met a pair that held a hint of stubbornness and childlike innocence, the latter didn't seem so annoying after all. In fact, they were a little cute. From then on, young master Cheng Ruixuan had a little follower by his side. Rather than teaching the four-year-old Zhou Qingzhi how to serve her young master, it would be more accurate to say that the young master was getting free practice taking care of a child. To protect his image, Cheng Ruixuan pretended to be aloof and said, “If you want to follow me, you have to do as I say. Can you do that?” Zhou Qingzhi's big eyes seemed to grow timid at his icy words. She nodded as obediently as she could, though her slightly pouting lips betrayed some reluctance and hurt.

Zhou Qingzhi could only comfort herself: She had been sold to this family, and she was still so young. All she could do was try to be a good, obedient child and shelter beneath this big tree. But someone this cold was going to take some handling. Otherwise, she might freeze to death or be stifled by misery. It would be such a shame if someone so handsome died young.

Their story began with that first meeting. The girl was clever and a little willful, while the young man was cold on the outside but warm underneath. Their daily back-and-forth left the whole family worrying themselves sick. As they grew up, the young master's aloof persona crumbled, while the girl grew prettier and her cleverness helped her thrive. Their relationship became the family's biggest concern. But their road to happiness was anything but smooth. Amid all the push and pull and mutual torment, their romance had a sweetness all its own...