Drenched in Sunset

Ji Ran first met Zhou Jin one summer evening during the school holidays.

The young man stood with his back to the setting sun, his hair tinged with golden light. He was so beautiful and refined that he seemed to have stepped out of a comic.

It all made Ji Ran's heart flutter.

But the next moment, she heard him say, "Stay away from me."

After that, Ji Ran made a habit of keeping her distance from Zhou Jin.

Until the summer holidays ended and Zhou Jin returned to the capital.

As she saw him off at the station, Ji Ran thought that at last, she wouldn't have to see Zhou Jin again.

Nor would she have to make a point of avoiding him.

-

The next time Ji Ran heard about Zhou Jin was when her parents told her that her grandfather and his old colleague had arranged a childhood betrothal for her.

The boy was Zhou Jin.

Ji Ran thought the whole thing was rather funny and asked rationally, "Does Zhou Jin agree?"

Zhou Jin certainly didn't.

What era was this, that people were still arranging childhood betrothals?

But when his grandfather said the girl's name, he froze, then, keeping his face stiff, tossed out, "I'll think about it."

-

News of Zhou Jin's marriage soon spread through their circle.

His childhood friends, who had grown up with him in the compound, pressed him to tell them who he was marrying and why he was being so mysterious.

Leaning back on a leather sofa, Zhou Jin lifted his eyes slightly. His tone was casual, but tinged with pride. "Of course it's a secret. My wife is a biologist."

His friends thought that was a very strange thing to say and didn't believe him. They jeered, "Then bring your sister-in-law out for us to see!"

Zhou Jin fell silent, his expression darkening.

No one knew he hadn't seen Ji Ran for months.

-

A few days later, Ji Ran returned from a business trip.

As soon as she opened the front door, someone forcefully pinned her against it.

Zhou Jin gripped her waist with one hand and lightly bit the tip of her ear as he demanded, "Are you avoiding me again?"

"No." Ji Ran's whole body tingled. The man's handsome face was reflected in her bright, dark eyes, and she denied it out of habit. "...I've just been busy with work."

"That's all you ever say." Unhappy with her answer, Zhou Jin gave a cold laugh. "Have you forgotten you have a husband?"

Ji Ran felt he would get angry no matter what she said, so she simply stayed silent.

Furious, Zhou Jin fixed his gaze on her lips. He wanted to bite her to death, but couldn't bear to.

He lowered his head and kissed her gently, murmuring against her lips, "Ji Ran, shouldn't you take advantage of me while I'm young, beautiful, and full of energy?"

Ji Ran: "..."

* A cool, rational biologist x an obsessive, willful young master from the capital

* Marriage first, love later; more of the story takes place after they marry. The male lead is a bit of a rascal, but he's actually very devoted and loves the female lead deeply. What he says in the blurb is based on a misunderstanding.

Theme: Love makes life beautiful