Growing at the Right Time

This story will go premium tomorrow (October 24), starting from Chapter 17. Two chapters will be updated at noon tomorrow ^^

Please add it to your collection, and thanks for reading~

(The blurb for my next story, Love Song, is below. Please add it to your collection too ^^)

When her younger sister starts dating, Su Xia is summoned to school by a teacher. There, she unexpectedly runs into the boy she had secretly loved as a teenager. He is the older brother of her sister's boyfriend.

After years apart, the boy has grown into a mature man. His cool eyes soften with warmth the moment he sees Su Xia.

Su Xia sees his lips move, but hears nothing. Ever since an accident affected her hearing as a child, she has worn hearing aids. She can just make out what seems to be her name.

After she gets home, a new regular appears at her flower shop: a persistent man who stops by on his way to work every day to buy a flower and say, "Good morning, Boss Su."

*

On his first day of high school, Li Zhao noticed the prettiest girl in class. She always spoke gently and smiled at everyone.

That day, her hearing aid ran out of power. Li Zhao immediately noticed her panic and walked her home. From then on, they gradually grew closer.

Li Zhao loved to stare at the heart-shaped, dark red birthmark behind her ear. Like a tattoo, it rose and fell with her breathing, as if a heart were beating beneath her skin.

Later, Li Zhao became a tattoo artist, and even in his dreams he would remember the little heart behind that delicate, pale ear.

On a damp night, Li Zhao's lips lingered behind her ear as he soothed the trembling girl beneath him. Beads of sweat traced the words Su Xia at her waist. He had tattooed them in his first year as a tattoo artist.

*

On the day he confessed, Li Zhao said:

"I'll give you ninety-nine scepter roses. You are the one and only love and ruler of my life."

"Let's grow together in good time, and fall in love at the perfect moment."

Reader's Guide

They reunite at the beginning, the feelings are mutual, and the man pursues the woman.

*** Love Song

Zhou Zhuyun is a socially anxious artist whose greatest pleasure in life is staying home and lying flat, enjoying the smooth ease of being alone.

But one day, she comes home to discover that her house has been burgled. Without a second thought, she calls the police.

Two officers arrive in a flash. Zhou Zhuyun is cowering in the hallway, too afraid to go inside. At the sound of their voices, she looks up, and her gaze lands on the younger officer.

In that moment, Zhou Zhuyun feels a surge of inspiration. She could draw another hundred commissions.

Those phoenix eyes, long lashes, and cool demeanor are already irresistible. And when he looks at her with a sidelong smile, he is absolutely her type.

How could she let a catch like this get away?

After they finish taking her statement and gathering evidence, the middle-aged officer turns out to be an enthusiastic matchmaker. Seeing that they're both single, he sets them up, and Zhou Zhuyun gets the younger officer's contact details with no effort at all.

Unfortunately, her dream guy is so aloof that every reply is just a few short words.

"Hey! You're so handsome. Can I ask if you like anyone?"

"No."

"Then can I pursue you?"

"I wouldn't recommend it."

"Okay! I'll pursue you with all my heart and enthusiasm."

"..."

Even after meeting her dream guy, the socially anxious Zhou Zhuyun is still socially anxious.

She comes out swinging online, but turns timid in person. The two of them never manage to arrange a single real-life date.

Then Zhou Zhuyun's friend drags her to a comic convention to cosplay. Her terrible luck strikes again: in broad daylight, she gets robbed.

After a frantic chase, she finally catches the thief.

Huh? Why is her dream guy here too? And he's wearing that uniform. So handsome...

Seeing him in person and realizing he's clearly working, Zhou Zhuyun doesn't dare act as bold as she does online. She says dutifully, "Thank you, Officer. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."

Her dream guy, who she chased down: "...Have you ever pursued anyone before?"

Zhou Zhuyun shakes her head, wondering what he means. Then inspiration strikes: "Oh! You want me to send you a thank-you banner, right?"

Wu Peng: Forget it. I'll pursue you instead. At this rate, who knows how long it would take us to get together if you were the one chasing me?

Socially anxious, oblivious woman artist x all-capable, dad-like people's police officer

Theme: Be independent, strong, and free.