The Twenty-Ninth Book by Chaoqi Pengbo

[Sweet, gentle girl from a poor family x powerful, aloof leader]

[An 18-year age gap | Utter devotion | The powerful one bows his head]

Lin Xi had just left the hospital, clutching the payment receipt. Before she could even catch her breath, she saw Zhou Mingyu holding hands with another woman, their fingers intertwined as they chatted softly. That smile had once been the light she relied on most.

Through her tears, she said, “You promised you’d get through this with me.”

But the next second, Zhou Mingyu looked at her with disgust. “Lin Xi, your whole family is a bottomless pit. I don’t want to be dragged down with you.”

Then he drew the woman in his arms even closer. “Don’t come after me again.”

Just as she was falling into despair, a black government car pulled up in front of her.

The man had a formidable presence, yet in that moment he bent down and drew her into his arms. “Get in. Come with me.”

She asked, “Sir, do we know each other?”

He replied, “No, but I know you need someone to get you out of there.”

She thought it was nothing more than a stranger’s momentary kindness.

She never imagined that getting into his car would make her the little princess at the center of his heart.

To everyone else, he was a stern leader.

But with her, he gave her all his patience and affection, sheltering her beneath his wings and fearing she might suffer even the slightest grievance. He only wanted her to laugh without a care, make a fuss whenever she pleased, and be the little girl he cherished to the very core, safe in the gentle haven he had built for her.

Their first meeting

She said, “Director Gu, hello. My name is Lin Xi.”

When they met again

He said, “Come to me if you need anything.”

She said, “Director Gu, I can manage on my own.”

Only later did she learn that

he had gone to the hospital on business that day, but the moment he saw her red-rimmed eyes, he felt the urge to cherish her for the rest of his life, and quietly helped her grow.