I Prefer Going Back to an Old Flame

The stories in my column, Never Bend, share a psychology theme with Call My Name, a story about a crush coming true. A bright, gentle heiress falls for a proud, innocent young man. Blurb at the very bottom.

This story: "Neuroscientist x Psychological Counselor," an unconventional groveling romance.

One night when she was nineteen, moonlight flowed like water and shadows swayed among the trees.

Deng Lili, just awakening to love, fell for Qin Zhan.

From then on, she kept her brilliance under wraps, tucked away her dreams, and obediently became a little assistant by Professor Qin's side.

His moods were unpredictable. He didn't believe in marriage. In every way, he was an unqualified boyfriend.

But she was still happy to put up with it.

After waiting for years, she finally realized that all her devotion was a joke. Professor Qin was the kind of wise man who would never fall in love.

She asked to break up. Qin Zhan sneered. "Fine, but I never go back to an old flame. I hope you won't either."

**

Everyone in their circle knew that academic powerhouse Qin Zhan had a little assistant he could never get rid of.

Then one day, the assistant left and started a new life and career without looking back.

Day one. Qin Zhan was indifferent: "Take care of the handover. Don't think I can't manage without you."

A week later. Qin Zhan glared at her: "You can be angry if you want, but it's about time you got over it."

A month later, Deng Lili became a celebrated psychology expert. Qin Zhan scoffed: "What kind of pseudoscience is that? And she dares call herself an expert?"

Six months later, a photo of Deng Lili with a younger, puppy-like man appeared online.

Qin Zhan finally couldn't sit still. "You wanted me to apologize, didn't you? I'm here. Stop making a fuss."

Deng Lili's gaze was calm. She smiled and patted his cheek. "Professor Qin, you can't just go back to an old flame whenever you feel like it."

Tips: 1. Both leads are each other's first and only, happy ending.

2. The leads are evenly matched. Neither gets stupid later on, and the female lead is somewhat assertive.

3. The career storyline revolves around psychology, and all the cases are based on real principles. This isn't purely a romance novel. After the breakup, the female lead's career focuses on psychology-related work, including counseling, crisis intervention, and hypnosis.

4. You can't please everyone, so feel free to stay or go.

**

Never Bend

"Groveling romance, second male lead takes the lead, proud little goddess x icy demon king, psychology theme"

Who doesn't love the thrilling sight of a noble person brought to their knees, or a beauty on a pedestal falling from grace?

Wen Zhiyuan certainly does. He put a great deal of effort into winning over Jian Shuyu, the goddess of the psychology department, all so he could dump her in public and show everyone that this so-called untouchable beauty was just an ordinary woman after all.

Not long afterward, Jian Shuyu arrived dressed to the nines at Wen Zhiyuan's birthday banquet.

Everyone in on the secret waited for the dramatic scene they knew was coming.

Halfway through the banquet, Wen Zhiyuan gave Jian Shuyu the first slice of cake and said, "I'm bored. Let's break up."

"Oh." Jian Shuyu ate her cake and glanced at him. "Classic histrionic personality. You need to attract other people's attention to feel that you exist. Let me guess: your parents never praised you, did they?" Then she handed a business card to Wen Zhiyuan, whose face had turned bright red. "It's my teacher's counseling office. Mention my name and you get twenty percent off."

With that, Jian Shuyu left in style, leaving everyone staring at one another.

Later, Wen Zhiyuan finally realized he'd been wrong. He came to offer her a sincere apology, hoping they could rekindle their relationship.

"Shuyu, I was too immature. Will you give me another chance?" he asked, standing outside her home with red-rimmed eyes.

Jian Shuyu only smiled, saying nothing, when a voice came from inside the room.

"Tell him to get lost. Trying to steal his uncle's girl? Does he have a death wish?"

-

Everyone thought Jian Shuyu was cool-headed and aloof, an untouchable beauty who would never lower herself.

Only Wen Chen remembered that night. Jian Shuyu, wearing a little red dress, had thrown up until she could barely stand, but when she got up, she still held her back straight, like a proud little peacock.

"An untouchable beauty never bends."

*

Call My Name

"A young man's passionate love: once is all it takes for a lifetime."

Wen Miao was beautiful and gentle, with a wealthy family behind her. She was the undisputed little princess of No. 1 High School.

Countless boys had crushes on her, and she turned them all down.

Everyone thought she simply hadn't fallen in love yet, but they didn't know that Yan Shao already lived in her heart.

On her eighteenth birthday, her coming-of-age celebration, she finally gathered the courage to confess to Yan Shao.

Her cheeks were burning as she waited for his answer.

Yan Shao lazily raised his eyes and looked at the crystal chandelier in her living room, worth hundreds of thousands. "Sorry, I'm allergic to money. We're not a good match."

Those words ended Wen Miao's humble crush for good.

-

Several years passed before they met again.

Yan Shao had become a rising star in finance. In his impeccable suit, he was handsome and distinguished, surrounded by countless women.

Looking at the young man who was so different from the one in her memories, Wen Miao felt she could finally let go.

But in the days that followed, Wen Miao found that wherever she went, she always seemed to run into him.

She went to buy milk tea, and he happened to be passing by to get coffee.

She went to see a movie, and he just happened to be nearby having dinner with someone.

Even when she signed up for a yoga class, he somehow found a gym next door.

After it happened again and again, Wen Miao finally couldn't take it anymore.

She stopped Yan Shao's car and asked him what he was playing at.

For once, Yan Shao looked a little nervous. He touched his nose. "...I've only ever lied to you once. Can you guess when?"

[Bright, Gentle Heiress x Proud, Innocent Young Man]

Theme: Pay attention to the health of our spiritual lives