My Next-Door Neighbor Is My Ex

Composed, restrained surgeon × rebellious, spoiled advertising model

Not-quite-siblings, rekindled romance

[Blurb]

Her young boyfriend was far too passionate. The moment Xia Tong got home from work, he pinned her against the wall and kissed her before she could even open the door.

His hot breath brushed her cheek. Suddenly, a sound came from next door. Xia Tong's eyes flew open. At the end of the hallway, their newly moved-in neighbor stood with his hand on the door, silently and calmly watching her.

Their eyes met. Xia Tong froze.

Shen Zhanming, her childhood friend and big brother, and also her ex.

They had known each other for sixteen years and dated for six. After countless arguments, Xia Tong had grown tired of their relationship.

She hated his restraint and aloofness, his lack of romance, and how he was always so calm and rational. Last year, she had abruptly broken up with him, and they had not been in touch since.

Now Xia Tong was certain that with Shen Zhanming's exceptional eyesight, he had clearly seen her lipstick-smeared lips and the sheen in her eyes.

But Shen Zhanming quickly looked away, his gaze landing on the border collie. Only then did Xia Tong notice the dog leash in his hand. It was eight in the evening, so he must have been taking the dog out.

Her young boyfriend smiled and greeted him.

Shen Zhanming nodded in acknowledgment. His gaze passed over Xia Tong's face before he turned to wait for the elevator.

It seemed he had no intention of bringing up their past. Xia Tong breathed a sigh of relief. Her young boyfriend was clingy and hard to placate, and she didn't want her previous relationship causing trouble.

But just then, the border collie recognized her and began barking excitedly.

Xia Tong: "..."

Shen Zhanming gave her a knowing smile. "Looks like it likes you a lot."

Xia Tong had always been quick-witted and relentless in an argument, and when she fought with Shen Zhanming, she was as fierce as a little lion. But now, meeting his eyes, she couldn't say a word.

She remembered the summer she was eighteen.

In the stuffy, dim old room, Shen Zhanming had looked at her just like this. All his usual restraint and coolness had vanished. His eyes were dark and deep, and his suppressed yet burning desire showed as he kissed her.

She could tell that Shen Zhanming wanted to do something to her right now.

He was just holding back.

Next book: Glass Snow. Older man, not-quite-siblings | old flames rekindled | aloof beauty falls from her pedestal. Please add it to your collection!

[Blurb]

On his way back to his villa halfway up the mountain, Yu Tingli saw a little girl secretly crying in the garden.

The girl wore a pale green dress and stood amid a sea of irises, hazy as clouds and mist. Her delicate fingers were damp with tears, and she looked so fragile she might break.

His mother sighed softly. "The family just had a baby boy, so they don't want their second daughter anymore. She's only fifteen, hasn't even finished high school, and her father and stepmother threw her out. Poor thing."

Yu Tingli lowered his eyes and looked into the eyes of the girl abandoned by her family, facing the light.

A victim of oppressive structures and rotten beliefs. She was so small and thin that even the setting sun seemed to pity her, its light softly brushing her frail shoulders.

Yu Tingli asked coolly, "And?"

His mother sighed. "It wouldn't cost much to raise a child. Besides, her mother and I used to be very close."

She meant to take the girl in.

Yu Tingli turned away coldly. "Do whatever you want. Just keep her out of my way."

He hated tears more than anything.

-

Later, when Xu Yingtong went to university, there was no shortage of boys trying to win her over.

To keep his little sister safe, Yu Tingli had people keep tabs on her. But the names of the boys in their reports were never the same, and it gave him a headache.

Gentle advice and stern scoldings were equally useless.

After countless clashes, Xu Yingtong finally blew up. "I'm free to date whoever I want. Why do you keep stopping me from going out with my male classmates?"

Yu Tingli stared at her. "You can't even remember the name of the boy who brought you home last night, Xu Yingtong. You call that a date?"

Xu Yingtong lifted her chin. "At least he dares to say he likes me. Unlike you, you coward!"

Yu Tingli fell silent. His heart beat unevenly in his chest.

He remembered a stormy night, the dim back seat of a car, and the girl sitting on his lap. As she bit his lips and tongue until they bled, she had said the same thing:

Your eyes and body say you love me, but right now you don't even dare to kiss me.

-

When they met again, she had become a promising young director, standing at an awards ceremony with a trophy in her hands, confident and radiant.

Yet that very night, he cornered her in the steamy bathroom. Her gaze was defiant. "Yu Tingli, I hate you!"

"All right." The man moved closer inch by inch, fierce emotions surging in his eyes. "Why don't you call me big brother anymore?"

★★

Falling in love with her was like watching a house consumed by flames.

He was trapped in it, powerless to fight back, yet a secret, twisted urge to destroy welled up inside him.

Theme: Love is patient forever