After the Embers

(Pure-hearted younger special case agent x cool, commanding older national security director)

1.

After Xue Siyan volunteers to transfer to the National Security Technical Division, she begins working with her direct superior, Lin Nian, an elite director at National Security Headquarters. The two work seamlessly together to solve a series of major cases. Xue Siyan gradually develops feelings for Lin Nian and begins to pursue her relentlessly. Moved by Xue Siyan's sincerity and passion, Lin Nian decides to start a new chapter with her.

Meanwhile, Xue Siyan's abilities catch the eye of Dark Hall, an international criminal organization, which decides to recruit her and bring her into the fold.

The complex cases turn out to be connected to Xue Jingru, a former member of the Special Cases Team and Xue Siyan's mother. Her mother's death planted the seeds of revenge in Xue Siyan's heart. The two join forces to uncover the long-buried truth.

But when they are one step away from the truth, an explosion shatters everything.

To protect and train Xue Siyan, the Special Cases Team decides to temporarily transfer her out of National Security and send her back to her original unit for further training.

Lin Nian signs the transfer form and pushes Xue Siyan away, leaving a farewell letter behind. She takes the ring Xue Siyan had prepared in advance and heads overseas to begin her undercover career...

The two go their separate ways. After four years, the cruelty of war and Lin Nian's departure have left Xue Siyan with severe post-traumatic stress and emotional detachment, making her unable to feel anything for anyone.

Xue Siyan cannot accept her lover's deception and heartless departure, and begins avoiding Lin Nian.

⌈I wish we were only superior and subordinate, but I can't lie to myself about how much I desire you.⌋

As they spend time together, Xue Siyan gradually realizes that even though she wants to push Lin Nian away, she keeps falling for her again and again.

At the same time, Dark Hall resurfaces. One bizarre case after another unfolds, and terrorist attacks threaten everyone's lives. How will Xue Siyan balance her feelings and her work, while shouldering the mission she shares with the other members of the Special Cases Team?

2.

After earning her master's degree, Lin Nian is recruited directly into National Security. In just two years, she rises through the ranks on the strength of her abilities to become its youngest director. Xue Siyan, the younger sister of the Xue family, who grew up alongside her, has also grown from a little kid into a responsible adult. Xue Siyan joins the National Security Technical Division, where she works seamlessly with Lin Nian and becomes her trusted right hand.

Her loyal subordinate falls in love with her and starts pursuing her.

But behind the strange cases they solve one after another lie long-buried secrets of the Special Cases Team and the mysterious terrorist organization, Dark Hall.

Once Lin Nian realizes how powerful Dark Hall is and that it wants to turn Xue Siyan into a tool and make her an enemy, her strong desire to protect Xue Siyan awakens. In the struggle between life and death, Lin Nian realizes she is falling in love with the younger woman and is willing to stand beside her as her lover to fight the darkness.

While Lin Nian is away on a mission, Xue Siyan is lured alone into the archives, where an explosion occurs.

By the time Lin Nian arrives, Xue Siyan is barely alive.

To avenge her lover, Lin Nian decides to infiltrate the International Special Cases Team and continue investigating a branch of Dark Hall. She personally signs the transfer form and pushes Xue Siyan away to keep Dark Hall from hunting her. She leaves a letter to make Xue Siyan give up on her completely. But she underestimates how much Xue Siyan loves her. If Xue Siyan keeps searching for her, Lin Nian will be caught in an impossible dilemma, so she decides to tell Xue Siyan that she has "died in the line of duty," extinguishing her last hope.

Over the course of four years, Lin Nian dismantles the branch of Dark Hall and successfully helps the international police capture key members. Her ruthless decision back then dealt Xue Siyan a terrible blow. Now Lin Nian decides to return to her side and win back the woman she once loved. But everything has changed, and the past cannot be recovered.

⌈This time, let me pursue you. Let me love you.⌋

Meanwhile, the remaining members of Dark Hall return to Country C, determined to eliminate the Special Cases Team. Lin Nian and the entire team will face Dark Hall in a bloody final battle.

Xue Siyan and Lin Nian will protect their love for each other and work together to safeguard the people's peace and the nation's security.

Set in a fictional modern world. Any resemblance to real names is purely coincidental.

Angst and sweetness, with a happy ending.

I'm worried you won't remember the supporting characters, so I'll post character profiles and a relationship chart later.

Theme: Even after the ashes settle, daylight still shines