Drowning in My Affection

[Upcoming novels: "I Want to Soothe You" and "Greedy for the Stars"]

1.

When Yan Le was sixteen, a quiet boy moved into her residential compound. He was taciturn and never played with the other kids. Everyone in the compound called him a weirdo.

Only Yan Le made a point of talking to him after school every day. She coaxed and cajoled him into coming home with her, where they ate together, drew together, and did their homework together...

Yan Le would pinch his cheek whenever she felt like it, then grin like a fool and say, "So soft. So cute."

Zhou Yibai would look at her with disdain, but he never once pushed her away.

Later...

When Yan Le graduated from high school, her family sent her abroad. She didn't even have time to say goodbye to Zhou Yibai, and cried for hours on the plane.

2.

Seven years later, Yan Le returned to China and became an American and British literature instructor in the foreign languages department at A University.

One day, a film crew came to shoot on campus.

Yan Le spotted the striking young man in the crowd at once. She watched the scene from the sidelines as the boy she'd once known shone like a star. Even without saying a word, he could draw everyone's attention.

Yan Le's eyes met his. Zhou Yibai glanced coldly past her, as if he didn't know her.

Yan Le's mood sank to rock bottom.

-

One day, when Yan Le came home after class, Zhou Yibai was waiting downstairs, his expression dark. As soon as she approached, he grabbed her wrist and threatened through gritted teeth, "Try leaving me behind again and see what happens."

3.

For countless nights afterward, Yan Le heard Zhou Yibai calling her name in her dreams. Even while asleep, he held her tightly.

Holding him close, Yan Le couldn't stop her tears from falling.

Older woman-younger man romance / three-year age gap

Blurb for "I Want to Soothe You"

Shen Cen is a newly hired professor in the physics department at A University. Cool and aloof in voice, scholarly and ascetic in appearance, he is both respected and feared by his students.

The first time Hang Tian filled in for someone else's class, Shen Cen caught her in the act.

After class, Shen Cen took her to his office.

He asked, "Why were you filling in for someone?"

Afraid he'd be angry, Hang Tian hurried to explain, "No, I just like Professor Shen's classes."

Shen Cen gave a soft laugh. "Really? I teach every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon. You can come to all of them."

To keep up the lie, Hang Tian ended up sitting in on his classes for an entire semester.

At the end of term, Shen Cen asked her, "Do you still like them? Should I tell you when next semester's timetable comes out?"

Hang Tian: "..." Can I still take that back?

Professor Shen had been single for twenty-eight years. Everyone at A University thought he was too picky and would never find a girlfriend.

But one day after class, the usually calm and composed professor hurried out of the room.

He gently coaxed the girl by the door:

"I'll explain what happened that day when I get home. Please don't be mad, okay?"

The students in class: "???"

Pretend-sweet comic artist X pretend-cold professor / not a teacher-student romance / Please kindly point out any plot holes, thanks!

Blurb for "Greedy for the Stars":

1.

Tang Xing first met Lu Shijin at a police station.

Her clothes were disheveled, her hair stuck to her skin with cold sweat, and her eyes were helpless and terrified. She was a complete mess.

After taking her out of the station, Lu Shijin gave her his phone number and told her to call if she ever needed help.

Over the years, Tang Xing changed phones several times, and her contacts dwindled. But she never forgot Lu Shijin's number.

She simply never called it.

2.

A few years later, Tang Xing learned that the Tang and Lu families had arranged a marriage between them.

A union between Pingcheng's two great families should have been a joyous occasion. But Lu Shijin had suffered an accident and might never walk again, so Tang Xing's older sister, Tang Yue, refused to marry him.

Tang Xing rushed back from abroad and took her sister's place in the marriage.

On the wedding day, Lu Shijin never showed up, and Tang Xing went through the ceremony alone.

She became a laughingstock throughout Pingcheng.

3.

Tang Xing stayed by Lu Shijin's side for a year.

As his legs gradually healed and he returned to being the proud, distinguished Lu Shijin, Tang Xing left, her work done.

Lu Shijin searched everywhere for her like a madman...

One month later.

Lu Shijin waited outside Tang Xing's door, setting aside all his pride as he pleaded:

"Xingxing, I was wrong. Please open the door."

4.

When Liang Xinyue learned that her best friend had finally won over her own uncle, she hurried back to congratulate her. She had barely begun to speak when Lu Shijin cut her off:

"You don't get to call her Xingxing."

Liang Xinyue glared at him, but under his threat, she had no choice but to change how she addressed her: "Auntie."

Eight-year age gap / Please kindly point out any plot holes, cuties

Theme: When winter fades, the river of stars shines bright.