KO One 3/4: The Calamity

Bai Manzhu and Zhi Ge lived lives that were worlds apart, and their personalities were just as different. She could never win her father's love, while he had all of his father's affection. She was cold and socially inept; he was innocent and kind. At her father's command, she had no choice but to get close to Zhi Ge, earn his trust, and secure funding from her family for their research project. Rain poured from the sky. Bai Manzhu held an umbrella as Zhi Ge stood before her, gazing at her. "Bai Manzhu, I can't say I understand you completely, but I want to understand you." Zhi Ge seemed to steel himself, his expression turning serious. "Even if you approached me for some other reason at first, even if we're different in so many ways, even if it's hard for you to think of me as a friend, I really like you!" At the end, Zhi Ge shouted it. A flash of purple-white lightning streaked across the sky, seeming close enough to touch. A few seconds later, a tremendous clap of thunder made Zhi Ge jump. That thunder seemed to flash Bai Manzhu's mind blank for an instant, too. She couldn't quite describe what she was feeling. There was shock and disbelief. There seemed to be joy, too, mixed with all kinds of doubt. How could anyone possibly like me? [Please note] 1. This is a one-on-one romance featuring an original female protagonist and Zhi Ge. It's written in first person and has a happy ending, so enjoy without worry. 2. The early part is original; later on, it follows the original plot with additional original events. 3. The early part will most likely be full of angst, with the heroine suffering at the hands of many people. Zhi Ge may suffer a little, too. The later part brings in the events of Part 4 and turns sweet. 4. I'll do my best to avoid making it a wish-fulfillment story or writing anything cringey. I'll try hard... Theme: Love should be said out loud.