A Physical Surrender: The Powerful Minister’s Darling

[Age gap] [fatherly male lead] [instinctive attraction] [intangible cultural heritage] [takes down the scumbag] [mutual first love, sweet romance] [long-planned pursuit] [Marriage Before Love]

At twenty-three, Shen Weilan falls into hell. Her boyfriend of three years, Gu Zici, makes a grand public spectacle of marrying a wealthy heiress, while her exploitative parents put a price on her and drug her before sending her aboard a luxury yacht bound for international waters, where she is about to become a plaything. At the end of her rope, she uses her mastery of a nearly lost ancient kesi silk-weaving technique to restore a damaged Qing dynasty imperial dragon robe. The feat unexpectedly draws the attention of the true power behind the yacht: Huo Jingchuan, the most enigmatic and ruthless ruler of Beijing's elite circles. Thirty-five-year-old Huo Jingchuan holds the lifeline of an empire in his hands. Decisive and ascetic, he is so indifferent to desire that the outside world whispers he is impotent. Yet when a delicate beauty in a qipao, eyes reddened, falls into his arms, his body, still as dead water for thirty-five years, cries out with its most primal madness. “Mr. Huo, please save me,” she begs, trembling as she clutches the hem of his suit. He rubs the back of her pale neck with a calloused thumb, his voice low and dangerous. “Miss Shen, my protection will cost you a lifetime.” From then on, her regretful ex begs her to take him back, but can only watch in despair as his untouchable younger uncle treats Shen Weilan like a goddess, holding her in the palm of his hand. The living hellion, brutal and merciless to the world, is a supremely tender, fatherly older man behind closed doors. He carefully lays his plans, step by step, all to lure his girl into his heart.