A preview of my upcoming novel, 《Love Lost Is Hard to Recover》, a second-chance romance. Synopsis below, and I’d love it if you added it to your reading list!
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【A sickly, emotionally oblivious bottom x a scheming, tsundere, devoted top-tier heiress】Older top, both pure, slow burn, childhood nurturing
When Wen Mian was four, she was sent to the Fan family to serve as a little maid to their eldest daughter, Fan Yi.
Back then, she was filthy and covered in dust, and she stuttered a little, too. The moment Fan Yi saw her, she cried, “I don’t want this dirty kid!”
Wen Mian was heartbroken, but she was still made to stay because Fan Yi had a sleep disorder, and a master had said that having Wen Mian by her side would help treat it.
But Fan Yi was so mean. She was always teasing Wen Mian, making fun of how small and skinny she was, how she stuttered, and how little she knew about the world.
Wen Mian got angry and cried, “Miss, I hate you.”
She thought Fan Yi would be angry, but to her surprise, Fan Yi suddenly changed. She started taking Wen Mian’s hand, protecting her, dressing her in pretty little dresses, and even taking care of her daily needs.
“You can’t stutter forever. Learn from me.”
“You can’t eat that. If you’re hungry, you have to say so.”
“If anyone bullies you, tell me. I’ll protect you.”
“You have to sleep beside me, understand?”
Wen Mian suddenly felt that she wasn’t the little maid at all. Fan Yi was.
.
When Wen Mian was four, Fan Yi despised her.
When Wen Mian was five, Fan Yi started treating her like a little sister.
When Wen Mian was six, Fan Yi said she would protect Wen Mian for the rest of her life.
…
Whatever Wen Mian wanted, Fan Yi gave her. Everyone knew Fan Yi had someone she treasured above all else: Wen Mian.
When Wen Mian turned eighteen, Fan Yi knelt before her. The proud girl finally lowered her head and asked nervously, “Mianmian, I like you. Will you be with me?”
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【A once-spoiled, later withdrawn and insecure bottom x devoted, unhinged top】
(The story opens with their reunion)
Ji Yan was a famously wealthy heiress in Hong Kong, spoiled and ill-tempered, but generous with money. She started dating Qi Linhe, a poor student who had only recently entered the workforce.
Qi Linhe was withdrawn and unsociable, but she did everything Ji Yan asked.
When Ji Yan was thirsty, Qi Linhe would ride her bike more than ten kilometers to buy her a drink. When Ji Yan was picky about food, Qi Linhe would get up at four in the morning to cook for her. When Ji Yan couldn’t sleep at night, Qi Linhe would come rushing over, no matter the weather.
Just as everyone thought Ji Yan had finally settled down, even Qi Linhe believed they were in love, she heard Ji Yan say, “I don’t like Qi Linhe. I’m just playing around with her.”
That was when Qi Linhe finally came to her senses. Ji Yan had never loved her. She broke up with Ji Yan and left to start a new life elsewhere.
That same year, the Ji family went bankrupt. Ji Yan went from a wealthy heiress to a poor woman buried under tens of millions in debt. No one wanted to help her or lend her a hand.
Her former friends mocked her, her old rivals sneered at her. Everyone crushed her pride beneath their feet and laughed as they ground her into the dirt.
“Isn’t that the Ji family’s heiress? You’re not even worthy of licking my shoes now.”
“How pathetic. You’re a pariah now.”
“Didn’t you love humiliating people with money? How about you get on your knees and beg me? I’ll give you a little tip.”
“…”
With tears streaming down her face, Ji Yan finally learned what it felt like to have everyone turn against her. That year, she moved to the most remote place she could find and took the hardest jobs, working from dawn until late at night just to make money. She kept at it for five years.
Five years later, Qi Linhe had become a rising business star, while Ji Yan was an inconspicuous waitress. When they met again, Ji Yan bowed respectfully. “Ms. Qi.”
Qi Linhe glanced at her and looked away in disgust. “I don’t want to see her again.”
Qi Linhe made things difficult for Ji Yan. Unable to find work or repay her debts, Ji Yan had no choice but to beg Qi Linhe to forgive her. “I’m sorry. I was wrong back then. Please, have mercy on me.”
Once so high and mighty, Ji Yan now spoke humbly. She was gaunt, and her hands were covered in cuts and scars. Qi Linhe looked at her impassively.
“I can forgive you, but you have to become my lover and stay by my side, just like you did to me back then…”
P.S. The top is older. The bottom isn’t sickly from the start. After their breakup, she develops severe psychological problems and a strong tendency toward self-destruction! Please note: this story is melodramatic and full of familiar tropes!
Theme: Study hard and keep improving.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival [Come on] Mianmian, be well [crying]
Wuwuwu, poor Mianmian [biting handkerchief] I hate that family [biting handkerchief] How could they treat such a cute baby like this [biting handkerchief]
Sleeping Princess is fishing 🎣, and those who wish will take the bait [dog head holding rose]
Sofa [laughing] Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, boss
I finished reading the fattened article in two days [biting handkerchief]
Oh, poor Mianmian, please get better soon [poor]
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival [Come on] Mianmian, be well [crying]
Wuwuwu, poor Mianmian [biting handkerchief] I hate that family [biting handkerchief] How could they treat such a cute baby like this [biting handkerchief]
Sleeping Princess is fishing 🎣, and those who wish will take the bait [dog head holding rose]
Sofa [laughing] Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, boss
I finished reading the fattened article in two days [biting handkerchief]