The Frail CEO Is Coughing Up Blood Again

A scheming, quiet top who doesn't realize he's in love × a seemingly cold bottom with a soft heart and self-destructive tendencies

The underground auction house blazed with light, the scent of money and desire almost tangible in the air. Zhou Ci paid one million to buy the beautiful, battered “collectible” in the glass cage.

At first, it was simply possession born of being captivated by beauty. But as the days went by, something changed. Zhou Ci realized he was starting to care about Gu Yan's feelings. His pale complexion made him fret, but he hid this uncertainty behind an even colder demeanor. He told himself this was nothing more than the normal concern one had for a possession.

Only after losing him did he finally realize he had fallen in love. There was no taking it back.

Gu Yan left decisively, taking with him everything he had learned from Zhou Ci. His sole goal was to destroy Zhou Ci, and he spent three years honing himself into the sharpest blade.

He learned too well. When the chance to bring Zhou Ci down for good finally came, he discovered he couldn't go through with it.

At a smoky cocktail party, Gu Yan met Zhou Ci's gaze across the crowd, his eyes cold as ice. For three years, hatred for Zhou Ci had been the only thing keeping his thoroughly broken life from collapsing completely.

That hatred was a thorn sunk deep into his bones. It grew back night after painful night, becoming his only reason to keep going.

Was it hatred? It had to be. What else could it be?

Hatred was a longer-lasting chain than love. It bound Gu Yan, and at last shook Zhou Ci awake.

(The bottom has poor health and a mental illness. Readers who don't like that, please proceed with caution.)