A Prank [Winning Her Back]

Wen Ran has a crush on a shining star, a son of heaven admired by everyone.

As his childhood friend, Wen Ran has delivered love letters and gifts to him on behalf of other girls.

One day, he sees through her secret crush, but she doesn't become his girlfriend.

Later, she suddenly decides she's lost interest in him and calls an end to their relationship, unknown to anyone else.

*

Ji Zhi has a quiet young girl for a neighbor.

She never makes a fuss. She's sweet and well-behaved, and likes to hide far away and secretly watch him. He finds it amusing and occasionally teases her.

When he learns that she likes him, he pretends not to hear, though he can't help feeling secretly pleased.

One day, on a whim, he exposes her secret crush.

He thinks she will like him forever, never imagining that one day she will say:

"I quite like him. I want to see if we could work out."

Heavy snow falls onto his shoulders, bending him beneath its weight. His eyes red, he watches her finish speaking, then turn and run toward the person behind her.

The wind and snow cut like blades through flesh and bone, carrying with them the arrows he himself had loosed as a boy. Only when he falls to his knees does he realize that beneath the vast white sky lies a prank from more than twenty years ago.

It turns out there was nothing there from the very beginning. Fate had simply been kind enough to him.

But even fate's favor can't make up for the way he squandered it.

Excerpt:

Over the New Year holiday, a few childhood friends from the residential compound get together for a meal. Somehow, they start talking about Wen Ran's recent breakup with her boyfriend, and everyone says what a shame it is.

Ji Zhi sits on the sofa inside, his expression growing darker as he listens.

"What's there to feel bad about? He hasn't even grown all his hair yet. He looks like he still needs his mother's milk."

Yang Le laughs at his words and retorts, "Then which young master does our Second Young Master Ji think is suitable?"

Ji Zhi wants to say himself, but decides there's no need to make a joke of himself in front of them, so he turns away.

But Yang Le refuses to let it go and continues, "Putting everything else aside, his job is a good match. He's a researcher, just like Wen Ran. When work is over, they can hold hands and go home together."

"And that's why they broke up. Office romances never last," Ji Zhi says viciously.

Yang Le gets fed up with Ji Zhi constantly taking jabs at him. "At least his job is better than yours."

Ji Zhi bristles and puffs out his chest, his face turning red. "What's wrong with being a painter?"

"Have you ever read The Moon and Sixpence? Being a painter is a career that makes you a terrible marriage prospect, you illiterate fool!"

Warm, resilient, laid-back heroine (slightly adored by everyone) vs. A conceited hero who treats her badly at first and can only act like a dog later

The hero has no prior sexual experience!!

Theme: Cherish the times when fate smiles upon you