A Sweetheart for You

What’s it like to be doted on by your aloof childhood friend? Thanks for asking. It’s so sweet it ought to be against the rules. When Lin Zhitang was six, a cold, handsome older boy moved in next door. At first sight, Lu Chenyi decided that this sweet-as-sugar girl belonged to him. From then on, the cool, top-student genius with an IQ of 200 devoted all his smarts to keeping his little childhood sweetheart close. When they were young: When she cried, he awkwardly offered her a strawberry candy. When someone picked on her, he silently stood in front of her. She would act coy and say, “Brother Chenyi is the best!” His ears would turn red, and fireworks would go off in his heart. As they grew up: She became the sweet, brilliant student everyone at school admired, with suitors lined up from the classroom to the school gates. He became an aloof, distinguished legend on campus, but in front of her alone, he transformed into a jealous king. Today he warns the basketball team captain; tomorrow he crushes a musical prodigy. Every love letter and gift “accidentally” disappears before she can see it. Then, at the graduation dance, the lights went out across the hall. A spotlight came on. Beneath a starry array of drones, Lu Chenyi held a microphone, his voice ringing through the venue: “Lin Zhitang, I’ve been pretending for twelve years. I don’t want to be your big brother anymore.” “Come here. Let me be your boyfriend.” #Wasn’t he supposed to be the aloof childhood friend?# #So he’s been scheming to win me over since we were kids!# Reader’s guide: Sweetness from beginning to end, no angst. An icy childhood friend turns into a loyal puppy, from school uniforms to wedding gowns. Enjoy without worry.