[A seemingly flirtatious rich heir who is actually a lovesick ghost x a stunningly strong college girl who unwittingly reels people in, an aloof beauty]
[A fake playboy who turns over a new leaf x a true aloof beauty who descends to the mortal world]
[Male lead's unrequited love / Reuniting after a long separation / The white-moonlight trope]
01.
In her nineteenth year living at a temple, Shi Xiangyi believes she has seen through worldly attachments and devotes herself to Buddha.
One day, Shen Youjin walks toward her through the drizzling rain, holding a phone to his ear.
"You're so young. You'll meet lots of important people in the future." His expression is indifferent, but his voice is gentle. "...Me? I'm not one of them."
After a long silence, he chuckles softly to the person on the other end of the line. "Little girl, you don't need to cry over me."
He soon hangs up.
Not long afterward, Shi Xiangyi decides to start dating.
To ensure a good dating experience and an easy breakup, she picks Shen Youjin as her boyfriend.
He gets to try something new, and she gets to have a taste. Everyone's happy, and no one expects it to last forever.
Shi Xiangyi relaxes. Then let's indulge ourselves for one summer.
02.
After summer passes, Shi Xiangyi realizes things aren't that simple.
Shen Youjin discovers her painting and uses it as evidence to accuse her of being
saying one thing and meaning another, playing with his feelings, and dumping him after seducing him.
"So this is how you see through worldly attachments?"
He glances at the painting of himself with an amused look. Ink lines sketch his elegant profile and broad shoulders, with tiny beads of water clinging to his bare back muscles.
"When did you sneak a look at me?"
"You even remember this tiny scar on my lower back?"
"Why did you frame the painting? Do you hang it by your bed so you can admire it every day?"
"You dare show this kind of thing to other people?"
Shi Xiangyi stands still, silent, her face covered in a blush.
Shen Youjin pokes her cheek. "Little liar, and you said you didn't miss me?"
03.
For a long time, Shi Xiangyi thinks Shen Youjin is frivolous and uninhibited, and that she's just a passing fancy to him.
Later, she learns that Shen Youjin has loved her for years. Ever since before she even knew him.
Shen Youjin hasn't thought that far ahead. His only wish is to stay by Shi Xiangyi's side forever and ever.
Whether he gets to be her boyfriend or her dog doesn't seem to matter much.
Reader's notes:
- Both leads are each other's first and only love, emotionally and physically.
- The male lead is eight years older.
- For more detailed content notes, see the author's note in Chapter One ➡️
Theme: Live life with determination
