No Ice, 70% Sugar

[Full manuscript complete, 460,000 characters]

After starting work, Song Zhilan hears about her long-estranged ex from other people.

They'd once been madly in love. He'd pursued her from high school through college and refused to break up with her, no matter what. The next time she hears news of him, he's been happily in love with a new girlfriend for years, showing off his engagement ring every day as if afraid anyone might think he was single.

Shen Di also learns about Song Zhilan's life: a self-reliant single mother...

He waits outside a kindergarten to corner his ex-girlfriend, wanting to find out how she could have ended up living such a miserable life.

Song Zhilan: Only she knows how happy it makes her to get off work on time every day and pick up her niece.

Besides, the so-called engagement ring on Shen Di's hand looks a little familiar to her.

It's clearly the matching ring they had custom-made when they were dating in their sophomore year of college.

Oh dear, it seems the young master Shen has fallen on hard times. He's had to reuse one ring for two relationships.

Later, she gets the full story: Shen Di and his first love have been together for ten years! (Cue the celebratory flowers ∠※)

Wait...

His first love?

Ten years?

They became desk mates in their first year of high school, started dating in their sophomore year of college, and broke up a year later. It's only been ten years since they met. How can this guy have had a first love for ten years?!

Shen, privately: Ten years, first love, all Song Zhilan. Not a single word is wrong.

(When you're out and about, you get to choose your own identity.)

*

Both leads are virgins; happy ending.

The leads aren't perfect. The heroine has an ex and a male best friend, so proceed with caution if that bothers you.

A mostly sweet slice-of-life story. The school portion (high school and college) makes up about 90% of the novel.

Theme: Love should be open and honest.