At Last, the Dark River Flows Into the Sea

[Complete] [Secret Crush · Forced Love · Reunion After Years Apart · No Morals · Mostly Everyday Life] Xia Nian’s youth was defined by a grand, silent secret crush on her dazzling senior, Xie Chixu. Fate played a cruel trick on her, and she ended up living in his home as his stepsister. What awaited her was his undisguised irritation and coldness. She hid all her feelings and tried to make herself invisible, but he gradually backed her into a trap of ambiguity. “Dressing so sweetly, who are you trying to impress?” His fingertips brushed over her skirt, his tone teasing. “You’re supposed to close your eyes when you kiss. Let me teach you.” He leaned down in the dim light, their breaths entwining. She knew it was like drinking poison to quench her thirst, yet she craved every bit of warmth he gave her, even when it came and went and she couldn’t tell if it was real. . Xie Chixu had always thought Xia Nian was just a pawn he could use to get back at his father and relieve his boredom: obedient, compliant, and easy to discard whenever he pleased. He enjoyed her dependence, her shyness, and the way she looked up to him with all her heart, yet begrudged her even the smallest shred of genuine affection. But then she really did turn around and leave, disappearing without a trace. Xie Chixu watched the calm he prided himself on crumble, bit by bit. Later, the once-arrogant Young Master Xie learned to lower his head. He clumsily cooked the sweet porridge she liked, sent away every woman who tried to get close to him, and held her at night with his face buried in the crook of her neck, murmuring, “Don’t leave me.” Theme: Finding equal love in a twisted relationship, and breaking free from prejudice and constraints to spread your wings. (Both leads are chaste! The male lead only pretends to be a playboy! The heroine appears sweet and gentle but is stubborn inside. She starts out timid and secretly in love, then becomes clear-headed and fights back. She grows throughout the story.)