Searching for the Flowering Season

- A self-sacrificing worrier who can't sleep unless she's helping x a whimsical, theatrical little drama queen

- Gentle, fatherly man x sunny, sweet girl striving to become a confident, sophisticated woman

- Strangers-to-lovers arranged marriage / love grows over time / age gap

01.

During the grueling second year of her master's program, Shi Nike was utterly exhausted. One night, she bought a transoceanic ticket and flew to the far end of the mainland, to the side of her husband in name only.

That day was only the third time she had met Yang Xingdu.

She had no money, her makeup was ruined, her shoes were gone, and tears streamed down her face. She was a complete mess.

Perhaps because she looked so pitiful, Yang Xingdu crouched in front of her and gently examined her injuries.

Shi Nike suddenly burst into tears. "Honey, I thought you didn't want me anymore."

02.

A year into their marriage, Yang Xingdu discovered that his wife was still using another man's credit card and driving her ex-boyfriend's sports car.

He thought that as the older one, he shouldn't hold it against his young wife.

Shi Nike did whatever she pleased, always keeping a clear distance between them. She embarrassed him in front of others, without the slightest regard for his feelings.

Yang Xingdu thought he must be insane to seek her out again and humble himself after she'd publicly humiliated him.

He asked in a meek voice, "Could you show me some affection too?"

03.

There were too many ways Shi Nike and Yang Xingdu seemed mismatched by conventional standards.

Only later did Yang Xingdu learn how stubbornly and clumsily she had worked to stand by his side with confidence.

Just as he had once done for her.

[Not-So-Serious Bonus Scene]

Yang Xingdu said as if it were nothing, "When you didn't reply to my message last time, I thought you'd found someone new."

Shi Nike didn't care. "Didn't I reply two weeks later? You're so hard to please, gege!"

Yang Xingdu: Is two weeks really that short? ( ﾟOﾟ)

Shi Nike: What am I supposed to do when men love me too much?

Reading Notes:

Male lead is ten years older.

The first half takes place abroad, the second half in China.

The female lead's ex is a misunderstanding; the bonus scene will be worked into the main story.

Both leads are each other's first love; both are virgins; happy ending.

Next novel: No Allergies in Love, please add it to your collection~

[Seemingly flippant rich heir who's secretly a lovesick ghost x high-and-mighty powerhouse who seduces without realizing it]

[Fake playboy reforms x true ice queen comes down to earth]

[Male unrequited love / reunion after a long separation / one true love]

01.

In her nineteenth year living at a temple, Shi Xiangyi believed she had seen through the world and devoted herself to Buddha.

That day, Shen Youjin walked through the drizzle, holding a phone to his ear.

"You're still so young. You'll meet plenty of important people in your life." His expression was indifferent, but his voice was gentle. "...Me? I'm not one of them."

After a long silence, he chuckled softly to the person on the other end of the call. "Little girl, you don't need to cry for me."

He soon ended the call.

Not long afterward, Shi Xiangyi decided to start dating.

To ensure she had a good dating experience and an easy breakup, she chose Shen Youjin as her boyfriend.

He'd get a change of pace, and she'd get to try something new. Everyone would be happy, and no one would expect it to last forever.

Shi Xiangyi relaxed. Then she would indulge herself for one summer.

02.

After summer passed, Shi Xiangyi realized things weren't that simple.

Shen Youjin found her painting and used it as proof, claiming that she was

saying one thing and meaning another, playing with his feelings, and abandoning him after seducing him.

"So this is how you see through the world?"

He gave the painting of himself an amused glance. Ink lines outlined his elegant profile and broad shoulders and back, with fine beads of water clinging to his bare back muscles.

"When did you sneak a look at me?"

"You even remembered this tiny scar on my lower back?"

"Why did you frame this? So you can admire it by your bed every day?"

"You dare show something this revealing to other people?"

Shi Xiangyi stood frozen, saying nothing, her face flushed red.

Shen Youjin poked her cheek. "Little liar. You said you didn't miss me."

03.

For a long time, Shi Xiangyi thought Shen Youjin was frivolous and indulgent, and that he was only interested in her on a whim.

Only later did she learn that Shen Youjin had loved her for years, ever since before she knew he existed.

Shen Youjin didn't think that far ahead. His only wish was to stay by Shi Xiangyi's side forever and ever.

Whether he was her boyfriend or her dog didn't really matter, did it?

Reading Notes:

- Both leads are virgins and each other's first love; they remain faithful to each other in body and heart.

- Male lead is eight years older.

- For more detailed content warnings, see the author's note in Chapter One.