Biting Candy

◎Next novel: Midsummer in Disarray

★Synopsis:

When Luo Shu was fourteen, Old Master Huo brought her into the Huo family. Every day, she sparred with the Huo children, both wits and fists.

Later, when Old Master Huo fell ill and was hospitalized, he worried she would be bullied at home alone, so he asked Huo Chen to take her in and look after her for a while.

The children in the family complained

“Big Brother, Luo Shu is so mean. Watch out for her. She always eats all the food before we get home, then throws it away on purpose so we go hungry.”

“She scares us, too. Last time, I almost got frightened into the hospital.”

“She even cut up the dress I was going to wear to a banquet.”

Huo Chen looked at the child beside him, who was clearly furious but holding it in, and asked, “Are you all ready?”

-

Everyone knew Huo Chen was famous in the business world for being ruthless, decisive, and heartless. Nobody dared cross him.

One day, before a dinner gathering had even ended, Huo Chen hurriedly left.

A friend asked with a smile, “What happened? What's got you in such a rush?”

Huo Chen replied calmly, “Picking up a kid.”

Luo Shu had waited for him at the school gate for half an hour. When Huo Chen arrived, her cheeks were puffed up like red bean buns.

She refused to get in his car. Huo Chen bent down and saw that the little girl's eyes were red. He apologized several times, then gently coaxed her: “Shushu, don't cry. I promise it won't happen again.”

-

His friends teased him

“Young Master Huo, you're so invested in this kid. What if Shushu brings a boyfriend home one day?”

“What does that have to do with me?”

The day Luo Shu brought home a fake boyfriend, Huo Chen's gaze turned icy. He slammed the door and stayed away from home for a whole month, ignoring her calls.

Luo Shu had no choice but to go find him at his office.

In the office, Luo Shu walked over to him and tugged at his tie, teasing him with a suggestive smile

“Didn't you say it had nothing to do with you if I found a boyfriend?”

Nine-year age gap. Please kindly point out any typos or plot holes. Thank you!

★Next novel, Midsummer in Disarray, synopsis:

A little girl comes to live at the house. She's soft-spoken, sweet, and so pretty that just looking at her makes people feel fond of her.

But the old family home is too far from her school, and the old master feels sorry for her having to make the long commute. So he specifically asks Lu Shuyi to stay temporarily with his youngest son.

Zhou Jinye, the young master of the Zhou family, has charming eyes, a toned physique, and a flawless face that makes countless girls fall for him at first sight.

The only problem is his rotten temper. He's notorious in their circle for being a shameless troublemaker.

When the old master gives him the order, Zhou Jinye is overwhelmed with dread.

Everyone thinks he won't last three days.

But who could have guessed that Zhou Jinye would go into full-time dad mode?

In winter, he buys hand warmers; in summer, a mini fan, afraid she might get too hot or cold.

Even when Lu Shuyi takes her herbal medicine, Zhou Jinye peels a piece of candy and puts it in front of her.

His friends tease him: “Ye, you're so good to Shuyi. Don't tell us you've got feelings for her?”

Zhou Jinye gives them a couple of playful punches and laughs. “What are you talking about? She calls me Uncle. How could I think of her that way?”

That day, Lu Shuyi happens to overhear their conversation and quietly changes her college application to a school far away.

One goes north, the other south. They don't even contact each other once in half a year.

-

By the time she graduates, Lu Shuyi returns to her hometown at her mother's request. After all these years, she's grown into a graceful young woman, more lovely than ever.

The once rebellious and unruly Zhou Jinye is now a shining star in the gaming industry. In his suit and tie, he looks even more distinguished and composed during interviews.

Whenever they meet, Lu Shuyi respectfully calls him, “Uncle.”

One day, at a matchmaking event, Lu Shuyi is having a pleasant conversation with someone.

Wearing a crisp suit, Zhou Jinye storms in and takes Lu Shuyi away with an overbearing lack of regard for anyone else.

In a cramped corner, Zhou Jinye's gaze burns into her.

After a long pause, he says, “Lu Shuyi, I knew you first. We should follow the rule of first come, first served.”

Lu Shuyi looks up at him calmly. “But Uncle, you were the one who rejected me first.”

Five-year age gap. Both are inexperienced and have no exes. The heroine has a one-sided crush in the beginning, and the hero pursues his wife in the second half.

Theme: Keeping each other company and healing together.