Lost in the Night in the Capital

I saw He Zongting again at a private antique gallery. He sat beneath the covered walkway, eyes half-lidded, with a cup of clear tea beside him. The teacup was the color of a blue sky after the clouds had broken. A draft lifted the hem of his shirt, revealing sharply defined abs and a tattoo faintly visible across them. My friends said He Zongting was cold, ruthless, and not to be crossed, but that he was generous and indulgent with women. You could have fun with him, but you must never fall for him. Through countless nights of wild passion, Yan Rui kept that in mind. Even after they parted, she never let He Zongting realize she'd ever harbored the faintest hope of being with him. Friends in their circle teased He Zongting, saying that after years of playing with hawks, he'd finally been pecked in the eye by one. He flicked away some ash and smiled nonchalantly. "Even a caged bird needs to stretch its wings. When she's hungry, she'll come back." But after Yan Rui left, she never returned to the capital. Years later, they met on the banks of the Qinhuai River. For the first time, He Zongting lost control. He pinned her against a wall almost frantically, his breath rough as he brushed against her lips. "Break up with him." On Yan Rui's wedding day, the capital was blanketed in snow. He Zongting sat all day and night in the little courtyard of gray-brick walls, where the morning bell and evening drum could be heard, snow piling up over him. He knew there was no going back, and he didn't want to break himself apart again. But then he saw a photo of her in a wedding dress, leaning against someone else's arms. In that moment, all his cool pride went up in flames. Later, people in their circle said He Zongting had gone mad. Not only had he destroyed his promising future for a woman, he was even offering to raise her child. Reader's Guide: Cool, aloof female student x capital's princely heir, ten-year age gap. An old flame rekindles, and a haughty princely heir bows his head for love. Theme: Stay positive, optimistic, and healthy.