Sweet Strawberry, First Love

- Everything is bright and clear, and you are the cutest.

- The air turns sweet and creamy when I'm with you.

- A sweet-toothed, sweet-faced little schemer and a CEO

[Ten-year age gap]

1.

The first time Lin Du met Shen Zhili was at the home of their families' longtime friends. The little girl wore a fresh white sundress with straps, her thick eyelashes framing a face as lovely and delicate as a porcelain doll. She loved sticking to Lin Du like a shadow, always insisting she wanted to grow up and be his child bride.

But Lin Du hated children, especially annoying crybabies like Shen Zhili. He warned her again and again:

"Don't call me big brother. By seniority, you should call me Uncle."

"And don't come into my room again. Your future aunt might get jealous."

2.

Later, when Shen Zhili went to university, she had to stay at Lin Du's home for special reasons.

Lin Du started leaving early and returning late. After two peaceful months, one night he was working in his room when the smell of baked cream wafted from the kitchen. For weeks, it drove him wild with longing and left him tossing and turning.

At last, he couldn't take it anymore and went to knock on her door, only to discover an unfamiliar young man in her bedroom...

A vein twitched at Lin Du's temple. He was about to lose his temper when Shen Zhili coldly blocked the doorway.

"Uncle Lin, please don't knock on my bedroom door without permission next time. I'm afraid your future nephew-in-law will get the wrong idea."

Here's a recommendation for my next book, "Spoiled Because of You":

A taciturn, untouchable beauty x a wealthy flower who never stops talking

1.

At Rongxi No. 1 High School, almost everyone knew that the rebellious Mu Yu and the model student Qu Sinian were at each other's throats.

Qu Sinian always wore a school uniform washed so many times it had faded, along with thick black-rimmed glasses that made him look dull and old-fashioned. His family was dirt poor, yet he had a face that drew people in, so girls kept sending him love letters.

When Mu Yu heard that the end-of-term scholarship was generous, she immediately declared to Qu Sinian, "I'm determined to rank first this term!"

After school that day, Mu Yu ran into Qu Sinian at the school gate and gave the boy a flirtatious wolf whistle.

The usually polite and modest boy scoffed. His tone was scornful. "Want to beat me? Try getting above second-to-last place first."

2.

When a project under the Mu Group launched, the celebratory banquet drew a crowd of prominent guests. Officially, it was a celebration. In reality, the occasion was being used to announce the engagement between the Mu and Qu families.

Mu Yu wore a misty-blue mermaid gown. Her slender figure and delicate silhouette made her look like a flower of wealth and splendor. Her parents led her around to meet influential guests, and she greeted them with a graceful smile.

When the Qu family was introduced, Mu Yu's eyes fell on the handsome young man sitting in the far corner of the sofa. His tailored black suit was crisp and impeccable, and the watch on his wrist was worth a fortune. His old-fashioned black-rimmed glasses were gone, replaced by rimless gold frames. His chestnut hair was neatly cut, and a metal earring glinted in his earlobe. He looked refined and noble.

Mu Yu was stunned. Qu Sinian rose and walked over as if nothing were amiss, his expression faintly amused. "Would my fiancee do me the honor of a dance?"

3.

Mu Yu and Qu Sinian attended their class reunion together.

The two sat at opposite ends of the room. Qu Sinian was just as refined as ever, eating at an unhurried pace. Mu Yu smiled like a social butterfly, chatting animatedly with a classmate who had once had a crush on her. Neither of them bothered to pay the other any attention.

One classmate noticed the cold hostility in Qu Sinian's eyes. "Little Yu, it's been so many years. Why are you and Qu Sinian still so at odds?"

Mu Yu's foxlike eyes tilted as she smiled. "We're born under clashing signs. We just can't stand each other."

That night, just as Mu Yu was lying in bed and about to fall asleep, a familiar, warm presence pressed against her back. The man wrapped his arms around her slender waist and lowered his voice with a teasing edge. "Shall we talk about you batting your eyes at other men today, hmm?"

Mu Yu sneered. "There's nothing to talk about."

Qu Sinian turned over and trapped her in his arms. His eyes reddened slightly at the corners as he held himself back. "I'm sorry. Back then, I didn't know you'd become my wife. If I'd known, I never would have rejected your confession."

I once wasted my days and went along with the vulgarities of the world. But falling in love with you taught me how precious life is, and made me long to live to a hundred.

Adapted from "Written for Old Kang Ya"

Theme: We each grow up in our own way, then meet at the very top.