A Quiet Crush

- The story is complete. Print edition signed; follow @Qiao Yu on Vb for updates. New novel "Heart-Pounding Gamble" is available to add to your collection. 1. In high school, Yun Qiao and Lin Jie were close, but no one thought they would end up together. They came from different worlds. One was born into a family of scholars, excelled in school, and was the undisputed pride of Nancheng No. 9 High School. The other flouted convention, never studied, and was the very image of a rich playboy. But no one knew that through those hazy, youthful years, they had never been able to forget each other. On the night after the college entrance exams, Yun Qiao finally worked up the courage to call Lin Jie and confess her feelings. As soon as he picked up, the boy’s carefree voice came through: "Don’t call to confess. I like someone else." "Sorry to bother you." Yun Qiao quietly hung up and followed her mother’s decision, going abroad to study. 2. When Yun Qiao returned to China, her friends invited their old circle to a welcome-back gathering. After a few rounds of drinks, everyone started playing games. Lin Jie lost and was asked to name the thing he regretted most from his youth. The private room was dim and dappled with light. The man leaned lazily against the back of his chair, raised his eyes, and fixed them on Yun Qiao. "On the night after the college entrance exams, I was drunk and accidentally hung up on the girl I liked." Crash. The glass slipped from Yun Qiao’s hand and shattered on the floor. - "Every girl has an unreachable boy in her youthful dreams. He may not be the best, but he’s the one who makes her heart race the most." *High school: model student girl x rebellious boy; city life: gentle reporter x handsome, roguish race car driver *Mutual secret crushes / sweet romance / happy ending *Nonlinear storytelling; from school days to city life *Warning: Both leads have had previous partners; proceed with caution if that bothers you [Blurb for "Heart-Pounding Gamble"]: 1. Nancheng University is full of prominent figures, but the two who draw the most attention are Bo Yi and Xu Li. The former comes from a poor family, is handsome and aloof, and is known as the university’s untouchable campus heartthrob. The latter comes from a wealthy family, is gorgeous and uninhibited, and has countless admirers at her feet. They are worlds apart, and everyone agrees they are the least likely couple to get together. Then one day, Xu Li suddenly announces that she’ll win Bo Yi over within a month. During that month, Xu Li tries every trick in the book, even making a big show of moving into his home. He only looks at her coldly and says, "Xu Li, don’t tempt me." The month passes in a flash. On the day Xu Li moves out of Bo Yi’s home, he blocks her way. Xu Li smiles, triumphant, as the usually composed young man wraps his trembling arms around her. His voice is utterly humble: "Stay. Be with me." Just when everyone thinks the story has ended perfectly, Xu Li dumps Bo Yi and boards a plane to Tokyo to study abroad. 2. When they meet again, the once-poor young man has become a rising star in finance, adored by countless socialites and actresses. A reporter asks Bo Yi, who stands at the top of the pyramid yet remains alone, if there is someone he can’t forget. Bo Yi looks straight at the camera, his expression indifferent. "No." Later, they meet at a gathering with friends, and someone brings up the interview. Bo Yi’s face remains expressionless. Xu Li smiles brightly. "It was just a fling. Who would take it seriously?" Later still, Xu Li uses the same old tricks, and Bo Yi loses all composure. On a stormy night, Xu Li is trapped in the car by Bo Yi. He grips her chin and kisses her, his voice brimming with obsessive desire: "If you love playing with me so much, then play with me for the rest of your life." 3. One day after they get back together, Xu Li finds a notebook she abandoned in high school while looking through Bo Yi’s study. On its yellowed title page is a passage: "I don’t know how I fell in love with you, or when or where. I love you. Because I don’t know what else I could choose besides loving you." - "Your heartbeat is the trumpet that sounds the opening call of this game of love." *Playful temptress x untouchable beauty on a pedestal *From college to city life, interspersed with high school memories; the male lead has a secret crush on the heroine *Warning: The heroine has past relationships; the male lead is inexperienced. Readers who prefer both leads to be inexperienced should proceed with caution. *Note: The quoted lines are by Pablo Neruda. Contact me for removal if there are any issues. Theme: Help each other become better as you grow.