Rousing the Drowsy Hour

Mutual pining | Office romance | Older man | Love triangle

Sunny, self-assured, and adored by all x A restrained male boss who knows how to guide

1v1, happy ending

--

Some people even lie in their diaries, so no matter who asked, Yin Yihuan only dared to admit to herself that during her time studying in London, she had been in love with Chen Qiyan.

She carefully weighed every line in those brief emails. Beneath the cold characters lay a love she could barely contain.

At twenty-five, Yin Yihuan never imagined that before her unrequited love could go anywhere, she'd end up on a dating show for the sake of her career.

The show was meant to showcase the guests' appeal at work, but it led Yin Yihuan to notice a few signs of something more.

The nineteen-year-old drummer she'd met on the show gazed at her with shining eyes and invited her to the seaside.

Her childhood friend, who'd spent years playfully bickering with her, suddenly asked awkwardly why she'd joined a dating show.

But what shocked her most of all was this:

After filming wrapped, she stepped out of the building, exhausted, and saw Chen Qiyan walking toward her with a bouquet of flowers.

Much, much later, on a sunny afternoon, Yin Yihuan looked at Chen Qiyan sitting beside her and typing, then suddenly said:

"Chen Qiyan, did you know I've liked you for a long time?"

"What a shame. We were both once such lost, timid fools."

--

Yin Yihuan once thought she'd never have anything to do with love. Who could have guessed that a workplace reality show billed as a dating program would bring her an overwhelming stroke of romantic luck?

[Love Passed Us By]

The childhood friend who'd never missed a moment of her youth looked at her with vulnerability and helplessness after she fell in love.

"I belong to you, forever and completely."

[If I Were Eighteen]

Her younger, wolfish co-star on the show grabbed her hand, his eyes red from crying.

"Aren't I the very embodiment of everything you like? Why can't you like me, just a little?"

[Kiss Me Already]

After returning from studying abroad, the senior who'd helped her immensely became her boss.

"I hope you like me, not because you pity me."

--

The title is inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's poem: "One day your incredibly sweet smile slipped through the cracks in our conversation and roused my slumbering youth."

*Content warnings:

1. The female lead will become part of a hugely popular ship with the third male lead on the show.

2. The show features all sexual orientations, so there will be scenes of same-sex couples going on dates.

3. The female lead joins the show to promote her work, and the third male lead doesn't mind.

4. The female lead develops, or has developed, feelings for both the second and third male leads.

Theme: Don't be a coward when it comes to love.