The Curtain Falls

vb@Just Thinking

[Very Early Work, Read with Caution]

Blurb

“From the age of twenty, I lived beneath the spotlights, surrounded by flowers and applause. Amid millions of eyes, he was the only one who brought me back down to earth.”

[Proud, sensitive swan x Deep, scheming old fox]

Mutual salvation / Rekindled love

He Runong rose to fame at a young age, winning award after award. She was invited to present at a Golden Image Awards ceremony.

As luck would have it, the newly crowned Best Actor had quite a history with her.

They'd slept together, but they weren't close.

*

They had known each other before either of them made it big. Jiang Yishang had once been her light.

When they met again years later, he had become worldly and smooth, navigating the cutthroat world of fame and fortune. He Runong loathed that side of him and did everything she could to avoid him.

Until one night at a party, she climbed into the passenger seat of his car and set off on an escape.

Neon lights traced the man's profile: a straight nose, a sharp jawline. He looked just like someone who had once shared her pillow.

Catching her staring for a moment, he remarked with feigned nonchalance, “Someone put my profile next to your husband's and said I look like his replacement.”

*

He Runong decided to have a little fun with Jiang Yishang.

They kissed beneath the moon, took a stroll on the first snowy night, made wishes amid fireworks, and did everything lovers do.

Then she discovered that she hadn't been the only one quietly nurturing a long-hidden crush. He had kept her in his heart for a long time, too.

But when she stumbled upon the secret that Jiang Yishang was preparing to propose, she gave nothing away and left without a trace.

*

Years later, Jiang Yishang's acting talent and popularity had soared, earning him the top spot among male stars of his generation.

Even more remarkably, his love life was so spotless that people began to speculate about his sexuality. The only exception was one trip with a mysterious woman, caught on camera at Tokyo Airport.

Then the dedicated, scandal-free Jiang Yishang began to “fall from grace.” First, rumors surfaced that he smelled of women's perfume; then Hong Kong paparazzi caught him kissing a woman on the street.

Before netizens could piece together what had happened, the man himself claimed the relationship publicly: That's right, it's He Runong.

Everyone: ??

Fans: Mr. Jiang's finally blossomed. Let's be understanding.

*So the old fox is really just a lovesick puppy.

*From now on, after every grand finale, I'll be right there beside you.

[Content Notes]

· The heroine was previously married. She is divorced when they reunite, and the hero is a model of gentlemanly conduct.

· A touch of the replacement trope and morally complicated romance.

· Slow burn.

*Edited on 2024.5.22, screenshots saved.

Coming Next: Meeting You Again

One-on-one | Bickering couple | He falls first

Ruan Huilu has been having a run of bad luck lately.

Her family is pressuring her to go on a blind date, and her date turns out to be Li Chongyu, a high school classmate she had an unpleasant history with.

Worse, during dinner she manages to drop Li Chongyu's phone into the hotpot. She spends all her savings buying him a new one, only for him to coldly refuse: “If I have to wait for you to pay me back, my time is worth more than the phone.”

But she refuses to owe him anything. After several rounds of negotiation, she manages to take charge of Mr. Li's dinners.

At the first meal, Li Chongyu says the budget can't exceed 100.

At the second, Li Chongyu won't let her order takeout.

At the third...

Ruan Huilu grits her teeth and adds Mr. Li's food restrictions to her notes, vowing never to see him again once her debt is paid.

Employees of Starpath Tech: No! If you're not there, he'll make us work overtime!

Later.

Li Chongyu, the rising tech tycoon of Lucheng, has always looked down on everyone. To most people, he is an immovable block of ice who would never bend for anyone.

Until Ruan Huilu gets drunk, grabs him by the collar, and sobs as she accuses him of being far too arrogant the last time he confessed.

No one expects Mr. Li to stay calm. Instead, he tenderly wipes away her tears. “How should I do it differently?”

Ruan Huilu pretends to be drunk: “Beg me.”

“Okay,” he replies without hesitation. “Marry me. I'm begging you.”

*Wait, who actually begs when they propose???

*I got a happy ending with the high school classmate I couldn't stand.

Soft but tough heroine vs. the world's biggest ice mountain

A classic Pride and Prejudice

Reading Guide:

1. Both leads are each other's first love, a sweet romance with no angst. Dive right in.

2. Don't take the professional details too seriously.

Theme: Love can melt ice and snow.