Sweet but Not Cloying

[Upcoming: Begins with a Glimmer] Please add it to your reading list!~

[Synopsis]

Brown Sugar is an online friend Gu Tang has known for many years.

She always feels that having an online friend who can chat with her about anything is the kind of luck she must have been saving up for several lifetimes.

Whenever she vents to Brown Sugar about Professor Zhe, who has thrown her ordinary life into disarray, she finds her fingers flying across the keyboard at an astonishing speed!

One day, sitting across from Professor Zhe, Gu Tang still couldn't resist sending Brown Sugar a message.

[Sweetie: Honestly, I really wish you could see just how...]

A total piece of work!

Her finger slipped. Before she could finish typing, the message was sent.

Almost at that exact moment, the other phone on the table buzzed.

Across from her, Professor Zhe opened his phone, glanced at the message, and slowly raised an eyebrow.

"Just how... what?"

Gu Tang: "???"

Professor Zhe: "Thank you for letting me meet a... more authentic version of myself."

Gu Tang: "..."

Had she just been caught red-handed?

* Archaeology professor and expedition leader x magazine editor-in-chief and accompanying reporter

* A chance encounter in their youth, online friends for years

[Synopsis for Upcoming Novel: Begins with a Glimmer]

When Song Yuanwan first arrived in Xicheng, her striking features and graceful figure immediately drew plenty of attention.

The owner of the guesthouse enthusiastically recommended a guide, and she took one look at the tall man in the corner and decided he was the one.

"Brother Xu, what do you think?" the owner asked with a smile.

Huo Xu raised an eyebrow and walked over, his expression cool and distant.

As they brushed past each other, Song Yuanwan's breath caught. Her heart pounded, and she reached out...

"Hey, handsome. Come along with me, and I guarantee you'll come out ahead."

At daybreak, the first rays of morning light spilled into the tent. The space beside him was cool and empty. She was long gone.

The man slowly sat up, his eyes turning cold.

Something was wrapped in the black T-shirt at his feet...

A Junlan Hotel annual membership card!

A cold smile touched his lips. "So this is your idea of coming out ahead?"

Song Yuanwan never expected that, despite being a qipao designer, she would win an award for a distinctive men's long gown.

After the award ceremony, a reporter asked, "Was this long gown designed for someone in particular?"

Song Yuanwan smiled. "Huo Xu, I guess."

Everyone else: "I guess? What kind of answer is that??"

She had heard that the owner of Junlan would personally present award winners with the hotel's VIP card, the kind that meant free rooms for life!

Song Yuanwan was looking forward to it. After all, she really did like the Junlan Hotel.

It was just a little strange. Was the owner of Junlan really that free?

Why personally hand out the cards? Was it to show how much he valued the winners?

It wasn't until the hotel manager introduced him that she learned the truth: "Miss Song, this is our Mr. Huo, the head of Junlan."

Song Yuanwan swallowed twice, blinked, and asked uncertainly, "Isn't the owner of Junlan surnamed Luo?"

Seeing that his boss was expressionless, the hotel manager could only continue explaining: "Mr. Huo is Chairman Luo's grandson."

Song Yuanwan: "..."

Even she hadn't expected her heart to keep pounding like a drum the moment the man looked her way, while a composed smile remained on her face.

"Mr. Huo, what a coincidence."

At that opening, the hotel manager immediately took the hint, stepped out, and considerately shut the door behind him.

Huo Xu advanced step by step. Song Yuanwan kept backing away, her breathing quickening. "Mr. Huo, that is, Mr. Huo... Let's talk this out. After all... this is your hotel..."

"Yes, it's my hotel." The man's voice was cool. "Did you think an annual membership card would be enough to get rid of me?"

Theme: Life is full of surprises, but they are never truly accidental. Years of steadfast perseverance will eventually be rewarded.