Toward Ruan

[One chance encounter sets off a game of relentless pursuit and resistance.]

[Two wealthy families | Intense push and pull | Both leads are sexually inexperienced]

[Cool on the surface, actually gentle and sly young heir x dazzling jewelry designer]

1)

Xu Zhuo, the third young master of Ancheng's Xuri Group. The leading company in Ancheng's business world, Xuri Group has three brothers: the eldest is devoted to academia, the second is a ruthless man in power, and the third is the only one who lives freely and indulges in the pleasures of the world.

Countless women went to great lengths to get into his bed, hoping to use him to climb the ladder of the Xuri Group. But Xu Zhuo always treated them with indifference. His friends often teased him, asking which of the countless women around him he could possibly like.

His answer was always, "Anyone will do," until the day his feelings finally took shape.

Looking at the thorny rose, he said, "I like a woman with a little fire in her."

2)

Ruan Ying, the eldest daughter of the Ruan Group, was a born favorite who had always lived freely.

She went overseas to study jewelry design at university. After returning home, she started a successful studio with her senior schoolmate.

Her brother was overprotective, and Ruan Ying always wanted to break free of his restraints. So one day, she went to the bar her brother frequented.

That was also the first time she met Xu Zhuo, the famous third young master of Ancheng.

When they first met, he said, "Want to come over for a drink?"

Ruan Ying smiled and accepted the drink he offered. "Thank you."

Ruan Ying entered Xu Zhuo's world like a rose suddenly in full bloom.

He could see the rebelliousness within her and read the disguise in her eyes.

As they tested and resisted each other again and again, Ruan Ying gradually found herself thinking that being with Xu Zhuo might be rather fun.

3)

After getting together with Ruan Ying, Xu Zhuo turned into a clingy little puppy, with eyes and heart filled only with her.

Just then, Ruan Ying received an invitation to study abroad. Everyone around her heard the news, except Xu Zhuo.

When the truth came out, all their love turned in an instant into endless arguments.

Xu Zhuo's anger was full of hurt he couldn't hide. Like a child who had been let down, he screamed that she was his everything. He blamed her for treating a relationship he had thrown himself into wholeheartedly like a game she could quit whenever she wanted. He blamed himself for pursuing her sincerely for a year, only to get the reply, "There's no need to do this for me."

In the end, he used all his strength to say, "So this is what you meant when you said we weren't right for each other."

"Ruan Ying, even if it were a dog following you for a year, you'd tell it before you left, wouldn't you?"

4)

When they met again three years later, Xu Zhuo was no longer the carefree third young master who had lived for pleasure. He was now President Xu, with real power in the group. He acted as if Ruan Ying didn't exist, showing not a trace of his old feelings.

Ruan Ying understood. He must have moved on. After all, they had gone their separate ways long ago, with nothing left between them.

Then, one night when he was drunk, Xu Zhuo held her tightly in his arms, his voice trembling. "Ruan Ying, don't go."

"You can't quit a game halfway through."

"And I fell in love with you at first sight."

(Bonus scene)

Xu Zhuo was injured in an accident, and Ruan Ying visited whenever she had time.

Xu Zhuo stared at the bowl of porridge in front of him. "Did you make this?"

Ruan Ying looked proud. "Of course."

A month later, Xu Zhuo looked at the familiar, painful bowl of millet porridge and ventured, "Could we have something else tomorrow?"

"The doctor said you need to eat light."

"Which doctor?"

"Why do you ask so many questions?"

Xu Zhuo: "..."

This is a divider

Blurb for All Is Well, Always

[Powerful CEO x elite lawyer]

[Young love, a painful parting, reunion after a long separation]

[Rekindled romance | Childhood sweethearts | Growing together | Both leads are sexually inexperienced]

1)

Ruan Shi'an, eldest son of Ancheng's Ruan Group, had been raised from childhood to become its heir. His life followed the established plan for taking over the group to the letter.

One midsummer, he confessed the feelings he had kept hidden for ten years to Lin Hao, telling her, "In the future I've planned, there's a place for only you."

2)

Lin Hao, second daughter of the Lin Group, grew up alongside Ruan Shi'an. Everyone in their circle considered them a perfect match.

She was bright and clear-minded, unwilling to rely on anyone else's influence. She was determined to make a name for herself in the legal field.

On the day she graduated from high school, she accepted Ruan Shi'an's confession, which had spanned their entire youth. Throughout their four years at university, they were the perfect couple in everyone's eyes. But she never wanted to stand behind Ruan Shi'an and become the envied Mrs. Ruan. She wanted the confidence to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

When she received an offer from a top law school overseas, while Ruan Shi'an had already finalized all his plans for after graduation, she realized for the first time that although their lives seemed to fit together perfectly, their steps were out of sync.

3)

By graduation, Ruan Shi'an had smoothly entered the group's inner circle, and their engagement banquet was already being planned. But instead of hearing Lin Hao accept his proposal, he learned that she had completed all the paperwork and left to study overseas.

Their argument erupted. Ruan Shi'an couldn't understand why she insisted on leaving when he could give her everything she wanted.

But Lin Hao only looked at him with red-rimmed eyes and calmly said, "Ruan Shi'an, I don't want to live forever in your shadow. I want to be Lawyer Lin, standing shoulder to shoulder with you, not just your girlfriend."

He gripped the ring box in his hand, his voice trembling so badly he could barely speak. "So in your eyes, what we had for more than ten years is worth less than an uncertain future?"

"Lin Hao, you can leave if you want, but did you ever ask whether I was willing to let you go?"

In the end, watching her walk away, he forced out the cruel words with all his strength. "If you walk out that door today, we're over."

4)

They met again five years later at her matchmaking banquet.

He trapped her in a corner, his voice trembling with hurt. "Lin Hao, you can't choose anyone but me."

"I didn't stop you from taking the path you wanted back then. Now that you've reached the end, it's time to come back to me."

Bonus scene:

Ruan Shi'an worked through meeting after meeting without a break, and by the time his fever reached 39 degrees, he had to be carried to the hospital. Lin Hao arrived with a thermos after finishing three days of court hearings.

Looking at the vegetable and lean meat porridge inside, Ruan Shi'an sighed. "Lawyer Lin, I have a fever. I'm not in prison."

Lin Hao handed him a spoon with a perfectly serious expression. "According to Article One of the Health Management Agreement for President Ruan's Hospital Stay, the patient must strictly follow the doctor's orders and eat light meals. Otherwise, our side reserves the right to terminate the nursing service unilaterally."

Ruan Shi'an immediately gave in. "I'll drink it. I'll drink it right now."

Theme: Treasure the present.