The Spoiled Brat Across the Hall

The entire story has been rewritten. The word count has grown from 200,000 to 330,000. 2026.3.15

[Archaeologist x Playboy | A true playboy reforms, a woman saves a man]

To help her younger half-brother prepare for his high school entrance exams, Fang Shuqing moves into her family's home in Yuncheng.

Across the hall lives a handsome man named Cheng Baiyu: striking features, broad shoulders, long legs, and a world-weary air.

The young woman at the convenience store downstairs tells Fang Shuqing that he flirts with women everywhere he goes, always bringing a different woman along whenever he comes to shop.

Fang Shuqing doesn't believe her. After all, as a lifelong member of the looks club, she tries to get close to him, but he barely gives her the time of day.

She rescues him when he's being robbed by thugs, but he turns and leaves with injuries all over him.

She makes him some lovingly prepared porridge, but he only accepts it when his friend is there.

One day, he'd promised to have a late-night snack with her, but he's still not back when midnight is near. She can't help calling him, only to hear the suggestive voice of an unfamiliar woman: “He's in the shower.”

Fang Shuqing suddenly understands. Cheng Baiyu really is a playboy. He's just cold toward her.

Just as the high school entrance exams end, the archaeological team gets an urgent assignment, and she leaves Yuncheng for Yangzhou.

They meet again six months later, in a bar in Yangzhou.

That day, Fang Shuqing is playing Truth or Dare. Her task is to buy a drink for a strange man.

As the lights sweep across the booths, she sees Cheng Baiyu with his shirt collar loose, lazily bantering with someone.

She turns to leave, but her clueless best friend grabs her. “That one's handsome. Buy him a drink!”

Cheng Baiyu has spotted Fang Shuqing from afar, too. He idly fiddles with his watch, certain she'll approach him just as she has countless times before.

Sure enough, Fang Shuqing walks step by step toward his table and stops in front of him.

But before he can greet her, she hands the drink to his friend. “Here, handsome. Let me buy you a drink.”

From start to finish, she doesn't even spare him a glance.

His smile freezes.

Later, the two spend one passionate night together, but Fang Shuqing leaves as soon as she wakes up.

After all, a proper, well-behaved girl and a dissolute rich heir look like nothing more than a one-night mistake.

But Cheng Baiyu drives his limited-edition sports car to her workplace and waits for her outside.

He leans against the car door, but his tight jaw and the lingering bloodshot look in his eyes betray his inner restlessness.

He strides forward and grabs her wrist. “Fang Shuqing! What are we?”

Her voice is soft, with its usual gentle tone. “...We're each getting what we need.”

Note: The male lead has had sex before, the female lead hasn't. There is a reason for the male lead's womanizing. He has a double identity, and once he realizes his feelings, he loves the female lead deeply. His character won't change, so please don't read if you dislike that.

Theme: I spent all my luck just to meet you in this lifetime.