Springtime Washes Over Me

Celebrity-director x costume designer

As a young fan, Lang Xi loved Du Xiao for ten years and was willing to give him everything, even becoming his wife in name only. But no matter what she did, there was no place for her in Du Xiao's heart.

After Du Xiao won the Best Actor award three times in a row and captured the hearts of countless fans, Lang Xi finally came to her senses. She left a divorce agreement behind and went far away.

Three years later, Lang Xi returned after completing her studies. At an awards ceremony, she reunited with Du Xiao, now one of the country's top directors. Smiling brightly, Lang Xi offered him her congratulations in front of everyone.

But after the ceremony, Du Xiao abandoned all his usual restraint and composure, trapping her in a dressing room. His eyes bloodshot, he asked with bitter disbelief, "Congratulating me? Wishing me good luck after I barely survived being abandoned by you?"

The next day, the internet exploded with news that a famous director surnamed Du and designer Lang Xi had been caught kissing backstage. Weibo crashed overnight.

Afterward, reporters contacted them for confirmation.

Lang Xi: It didn't happen. I went home early that day and got bitten by a dog.

Du Xiao, who never posts on Weibo: I'm the dog [smile]

Important notes and content warnings

* This is a slow-burn romance, and the male lead keeps suffering until the latter half.

* The male lead suffers into the latter half, and the pacing is slow, so he suffers a bit more. I don't accept claims that his suffering is forced.

* I don't accept either "the male lead didn't suffer at all" or "the male lead was forced to suffer later on." Those claims contradict each other, and the author can't satisfy everyone's tastes.

* Not recommended for people who are deeply invested in celebrities.

* One-on-one romance + both leads are each other's firsts + happy ending

Please add my next book, Swaying, Falling Into Your Heart, to your favorites. Here's the blurb:

B-list actress x domineering CEO

1. At seventeen, Yao Yao fell for someone. He was cold and arrogant, yet spoiled her rotten. Sadly, their love came at the wrong time, and Yao Yao shattered her heart and left without a word.

Years later, the boy had grown into a proud and distinguished man, while she had become a fragile flower, adrift in the entertainment industry.

They met again at the Jiang family's birthday banquet. Old Madam Jiang introduced her to Jiang Zhi. "I heard you were high school classmates. You must know each other, right?"

The man curled his lips, a cold, meaningful glint hidden in his eyes.

Yao Yao looked away. "We don't know each other. We're not close at all."

After the banquet, a black Maybach pulled up in front of her. Jiang Zhi lowered the window and said calmly, "My grandmother likes you."

"Pretend to be my fiancee, and I'll take care of all your problems."

Yao Yao: "Excuse me?"

2. Faced with a huge breach-of-contract penalty, Yao Yao gave in. But pretending to be his fiancee wasn't easy. Jiang Zhi seemed impossible to warm up, yet everyone in their circle was jealous. Fed up, she blurted out the truth after drinking: "Jiang Zhi and I? It's fake! It'll be over as soon as the contract ends. Then you'll all have a chance!"

She never expected Jiang Zhi to hear her.

The man held his wineglass and glanced at her without a word. His look made Yao Yao shiver.

Just as expected, as soon as they got home, Jiang Zhi pinned her against the wall. Years of pent-up love and hatred erupted. "Over?"

His eyes bloodshot, the man was almost out of control. "I won't let go. You won't escape me."

3. Everyone thought a B-list actress like Yao Yao marrying into the Jiang family was a stroke of incredible luck. No one knew how much thought and patience Jiang Zhi had put into luring her into his arms.

* Both leads are each other's firsts, one-on-one romance, happy ending

* The heroine thinks she's the one with no power in the relationship, but the hero really is

* Reunion after a long separation / contract romance / patiently waiting

Theme: Learn to love yourself before you can love others.