[Powerful CEO x elite lawyer]
[Young love, separation and regret, reunion after years apart]
[Second chance romance / childhood sweethearts / mutual growth / both virgins]
1)
Ruan Shi'an, eldest son of Ancheng's Ruan Group, had been groomed to take over from a young age. His life followed the predetermined path to becoming head of the company.
One summer, he confessed the feelings he'd kept hidden for ten years to Lin Hao, telling her, "In the future I've planned, there's only one place, and I've saved it for you."
2)
Lin Hao, second daughter of the Lin Group, grew up alongside Ruan Shi'an. Everyone in their circle agreed they were a perfect match.
Radiant and clear-minded, she refused to live in anyone else's shadow and was determined to make her own mark in the legal world.
On the day they graduated from high school, she accepted Ruan Shi'an's confession, which had been years in the making. For the four years they spent at university, they were the perfect couple in everyone's eyes. But she'd never wanted to stand behind Ruan Shi'an and be 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 settled every detail of his plans after graduation, she realized for the first time that their lives, though seemingly compatible, were moving at different paces.
3)
By graduation, Ruan Shi'an had smoothly joined the company's inner circle, and their engagement party was already being planned. But instead of Lin Hao accepting his proposal, he received news that she had completed the arrangements and was leaving the country to further her studies.
An argument broke out. Ruan Shi'an couldn't understand why she insisted on leaving when he could give her everything she wanted.
With red-rimmed eyes, Lin Hao calmly told him, "Ruan Shi'an, I don't want to live forever in your shadow. I want to be Lawyer Lin, someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you, not just Ruan Shi'an's girlfriend."
He clenched the ring box in his hand, his voice shaking so badly he could barely speak. "So in your eyes, the relationship we've built over more than ten years means less than an uncertain future?"
"Lin Hao, you can leave if you want, but did you ever ask me if I was willing to let you go?"
In the end, as he watched her insist on walking away, he summoned all his strength to utter those cruel words: "If you walk out that door today, we're over."
4)
They met again five years later, at a blind date banquet.
He cornered her against a wall, 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 you've reached the end of it. It's time to come back to me."
Bonus scene:
Ruan Shi'an worked through meeting after meeting until his fever hit 39 degrees and he had to be carried to the hospital. Lin Hao came over with a thermos after finishing three days of court hearings.
Looking at the vegetable and lean-meat congee inside, Ruan Shi'an said helplessly, "Lawyer Lin, I have a fever. I'm not in prison."
Lin Hao handed him a spoon, her expression perfectly serious. "According to Article One of the Health Management Agreement for President Ruan During His Hospital Stay, the patient must follow the doctor's orders and eat a light diet. Otherwise, my client reserves the right to unilaterally terminate their caregiving services."
Ruan Shi'an immediately backed down. "I'll drink it. I'll drink it right now."
Theme: Those who love each other will meet again in the end.
