[Five-year age gap + the male lead falls fast + happy ending]
-A warm, refined older man with a sharp edge + a sweet, resilient, well-behaved young woman-
In her fifth year as the Xu family’s adopted daughter, Xu Jingran has always been obedient, sensible, and well-mannered. The only time she ever went against the rules was when she agreed to marry Shen Cong, a rising star in Pingcheng who was soon to return from abroad.
The Shen family of Pingcheng is immensely powerful. Its current head, Shen Cong, is warm and composed with others, but the pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his face conceals the cold indifference in his eyes.
When he first sees Xu Jingran, she is wearing a fresh, elegant, pale blue qipao and standing by a pond, watching the fish. She looks like a painting of a beautiful woman.
For no particular reason, he finds himself curious about her. But that is all it is: curiosity.
A striking crystal chandelier hangs overhead, its light and shadows falling across Xu Jingran’s face.
Shen Cong walks over to the leather sofa and sits down, pointing to the seat opposite. “Have a seat, Miss Xu. We need to talk.”
He deliberately emphasizes the words “Miss Xu,” as if reminding them both of the clear line between them.
Xu Jingran sits as asked, placing both hands neatly on her knees. Her posture is proper, like a student about to sit an interview.
“Before we officially start living together, we need to establish some rules.”
Shen Cong gets straight to the point, without any unnecessary small talk. “The nature of our marriage is a business arrangement. I’m sure you understand that.”
Xu Jingran nods. “I understand, Mr. Shen.”
But later, their marriage contract binds their hearts together. Neither expects that, as the days and nights go by, she will also take up residence in his eyes.
