When the Typhoon Returns to the Mirror

[First love for both | Reunited after a breakup | The groveling ex wins her back]

Li Shuang still remembers the typhoon night ten years ago.

At the time, she had nowhere to go. Soaked through, she crouched by the roadside like a hedgehog and gave Cheng Li, who happened to pass by, the middle finger, snarling:

"What are you looking at? Keep staring and I'll gouge your eyes out!"

Cheng Li didn't leave. He gave her a bag of bread, and later helped her settle in, both with money and effort.

As they spent more time together, the two became friends.

Cheng Li was a little odd, but handsome, gentle, and funny. Before she knew it, Li Shuang had fallen for him. As it turned out, he liked her too. Following her heart, Li Shuang happily began dating him, and they spent six wonderful years together.

Six years, sixteen years, sixty years...

Li Shuang truly believed they would stay together forever.

Then... then he dumped her out of nowhere.

At the airport, he told her he didn't love her anymore.

Li Shuang was a proud person. The only time she ever lowered her head was after Cheng Li broke up with her. She didn't accept it right away, but begged him to reconsider, even changing her flight to the following day.

She spent the night in a hotel near the airport. Cheng Li never came around, and all she got was a transfer of 2,191.08 yuan.

Li Shuang had no idea what he meant by it.

But she knew it was over.

Heartbroken, Li Shuang blocked Cheng Li on every platform and went to Los Angeles in tears. She regretted ever falling in love with him and swore she never wanted to see him again.

Then... then she ran into him on the streets of Los Angeles.

Li Shuang was disheveled, rummaging through the trash. Cheng Li was dressed in a suit, the Rolex on his wrist gleaming.

Before Li Shuang could start cursing him out, he said with reddened eyes:

"Xiao Shuang, I've been unable to reach you for four years since we broke up. Have you really been living like this all along?"

Li Shuang realized he must have mistaken her for a beggar.

"Come live with me. I'll take care of you," Cheng Li said.

His desire to get back together was obvious. Hating him for breaking her heart, Li Shuang decided to play along and move into his home. She'd swindle him, then break his heart. She wouldn't rest until she'd destroyed everything he had!

Then... then Cheng Li pinned her against the bedroom wall.

His smile was as gentle as it had been ten years ago. "I paid off your one-million-yuan debt. What's my reward?"

Li Shuang sneered. "You want to get back together? Dream on."

Cheng Li blinked, his gaze shifting from Li Shuang's eyes to her lips.

"Then how about one kiss in exchange for a million yuan?"

[Little Scene - Ten Years Ago]

Li Shuang: Going to class? Kiss me before you go.

Cheng Li: Kisses aren't something you should take all at once. We need to make them sustainable.

Li Shuang: You'll regret this.

[Little Scene - Ten Years Later]

Cheng Li: The weather's lovely today. By the way, can I have a kiss?

Li Shuang: Kisses aren't something you should take all at once. We need to make them sustainable.

Cheng Li: ...

Cheng Li: I was wrong.

#Scheming and plotting every which way, all I want is for you to look back at me once more

#What should I do when my first love from years ago suddenly shows up and begs for us to get back together? Urgent, waiting for an answer!

[Sharp-tongued, tsundere, and patient heroine x sweet on the outside, insecure on the inside, puppy-like hero]

[School romance in the first half, cross-country pursuit in the second]

Reader's guide:

[Important] The heroine has not gone bankrupt! No further spoilers.

1. The story follows a timeline starting ten years ago, and it's really fun!!! Please trust me.

2. Updates at 6 p.m. If there's no update by 6, there won't be one that day. Daily updates are guaranteed after it becomes a paid serial.

3. This is a parallel-universe story to Playing House at the End of Life. There may occasionally be references to the previous story, but the plot is entirely new, and you can enjoy this one without having read the other :-D

4. Pure romance, one-on-one, slow burn. At heart, it's a funny, sweet romance. The career storyline is a small part of it, but it's not nonexistent.

5. A few potentially anxiety-inducing moments. There will be no children. If you can't handle that, please don't force yourself to read it.

6. Neither lead is perfect; they each have strengths and flaws. They won't stay poor forever.

7. The male lead loves only the female lead from beginning to end. They will never be separated!!! Never!!!

Theme: Love is thinking of you and feeling my strength return.