Words Fail Me: Sister, Be Gentle

[Older woman/younger man romance + age gap + strong female lead + sweet romance + discipline]

Sixteen-year-old Xu Yan stares down at his toes, his hands clutching the hem of his clothes, his face bright red as he murmurs, "Sis, do we have to do this?"

At the desk, Li Qingyi sits cross-legged and taps the corner of the desk with the ruler in her hand. "Don't even think about it! Get down and stay put!"

The desk lamp casts a warm yellow glow over the whole room. Li Qingyi presses her lips together, trying to look stern, but there's a hint of amusement in her eyes...

"Xiao Yan, happy twenty-second birthday!"

Li Qingyi smiles as she raises her glass.

Xu Yan looks at Li Qingyi, smiling across the table, and his eyes turn red.

The restaurant's lights suddenly shine on Xu Yan.

"Qingyi... will you marry me?"

Xu Yan takes a diamond ring from his pocket and drops to one knee.

Li Qingyi covers her mouth in surprise, then says to Xu Yan in a trembling voice:

"I will."

Xu Yan stands beneath the restaurant's spotlight, surrounded by white light.

That light illuminates Xu Yan's entire life.