Why Are There So Many Rivals in Love?

Pausing updates for revisions. Once they're done, I'll update daily until it's complete.

The male lead's unrequited love comes true / a battle among suitors / stealing someone's love / a long-laid plan

1.

Qin Zhao is about to get engaged, but falls out with her fiance over the question of whether she'd be a full-time housewife.

After they break up, her top-tier star ex-boyfriend tries to get back together while he has the chance.

Qin Zhao rejects him outright, only to have a puppy-like coworker confess to her in public right after.

The three terrible suitors give her a headache. As they corner her after work, the rivals see one another and sparks fly. Just as they're all getting into a fight, Jiang Shimu arrives.

Jiang Shimu has been her friend for years. He's a powerful force in business, reserved and courteous, and the very picture of refinement. Everyone agrees he's a gentleman. As it happens, he's both her ex's boss and her current client's representative, as well as the puppy-like coworker's uncle.

Jiang Shimu comforts her: "Don't worry. I'll talk to them."

Before long, all three have settled down.

Qin Zhao puts her mind at ease and focuses on work, but gradually, Jiang Shimu's presence fills both her work and her personal life. He even joins her for the sports she enjoys.

On a mountain hike, Jiang Shimu gets bitten by a snake in a rather unfortunate spot. As she blushes and treats his wound, things heat up.

After that night, Qin Zhao worries their friendship will change and steels herself to say, "How about we forget that night and stay friends?"

Jiang Shimu pulls out a hiking guide. "You've always wanted to visit Mount Cook, haven't you? I've already got the flights and guide ready. Want to go?"

As a hiking enthusiast, Qin Zhao manages to hold out for one second before giving in. "I want to go."

Jiang Shimu pulls her into his arms, just as he did the night he was injured. "How about you check my wound before we leave?"

Qin Zhao can't resist the temptation, and Jiang Shimu finally becomes her boyfriend.

On their wedding day, Jiang Shimu is no longer his usual refined, restrained self. He kisses her passionately, out of control. "Zhaozhao, if you don't love me soon, I'm going to lose my mind."

Only later does Qin Zhao learn that Jiang Shimu waited fifteen years to say those words: "I love you."

2.

On Jiang Shimu and Qin Zhao's wedding day, the three rivals realize they've been tricked and confront him.

Top-tier star ex: "You only pretended to be my buddy because of Qin Zhao!"

Former fiance: "You only gave me such a low price because of Qin Zhao?"

Puppy-like coworker: "No wonder you said Qin Zhao and I would become family sooner or later. You wanted her to become my aunt-in-law!"

Jiang Shimu drops his disguise, revealing his arrogant, unrestrained side, and finally stops pretending:

"So what if I did? I'm warning you: stay away from my wife."

The three rivals finally understand that they were merely obstacles in Jiang Shimu's pursuit of Qin Zhao.

Watch as a scheming, possessive big shot gradually wins over his first love, his white moonlight.

She knows how to flirt but doesn't realize it × scheming and possessive

Everyone loves the female lead. Expect melodrama and soap-opera twists.

The male lead is ruthless. He plays nice with his love rivals for her sake and goes mad with love.

Message: As long as you work hard, you can succeed.