From Today On, You Have to Love Me

[Pingtan Performer and Intangible Cultural Heritage Heir X Scion of a Powerful Family]

The first time Zhu Wenyuan saw him, he was eating crab roe soup dumplings while wearing sunglasses. Soup splattered all over him, and she couldn't help laughing. He caught her at it, too.

She thought it was just an insignificant encounter on the streets. Little did she know that they would meet again at the final round of auditions for an intangible cultural heritage recording.

The man had changed into gold-rimmed glasses. With his refined features and formal suit, he looked every inch a man of distinction. Everyone around him respectfully addressed him as Director Zhao.

Remembering what had happened at the dumpling shop, Zhu Wenyuan was mortified. Without waiting for the judges' decision, she packed up her pipa and slipped away.

Just as she reached the door, she heard his voice behind her. "Don't remember me? How about adding me on WeChat?"

And so the entanglement began.

His words always seemed to mean more than they said:

"Is your boyfriend really that clueless?"

"How come I don't have a girlfriend like you?"

Afraid she'd misunderstood him, Zhu Wenyuan tactfully made it clear that she had always been faithful.

At that, Zhao Chongyu stopped hiding his intentions and used his power to pressure her.

"A Yuan, I'll be waiting for you here in the garden. When you come back, you should know how to ask for a favor."

Zhao Chongyu spoke nonchalantly, his deep eyes watching her through his gold-rimmed glasses.

Zhu Wenyuan trembled all over, unable to get her words out properly, and finally fled in a panic.

But fate had other plans, and she ended up coming to him for help after all.

Zhao Chongyu reached out and wiped away her tears, his voice so gentle it sounded false:

"A Yuan, from today on, you have to love me."

"I'm here. What are you crying for?"

Zhu Wenyuan couldn't stop crying.

How could she not cry? Her heart ached so fiercely it felt as if the world were turning upside down.

Heartache is reason enough to cry.