A Journey to Fragrant Hill

◎ A powerful Beijing man x a female student/employee, a status gap, the powerful one bows his head ◎ Rekindled romance, bittersweet tension and push-pull | Eight-year age gap, older male lead The day she ran into her ex, Xu Zhi was dead drunk. She kept tugging at him, asking whether all men were like that, having their cake and eating it too. Fei Nanzhou didn’t even look up. He said lazily, “Hard to say. I’m not into having several people at once.” Xu Zhi had had enough of his carefree manner and couldn’t resist needling him. “If Young Master Fei wanted, there wouldn’t just be two. Four or five would be lining up to get with you.” At last, he lifted his eyes and glanced at her, returning her teasing with an almost-smile. “Does that include you?” The older man’s flirtation stopped just short, but left plenty to the imagination. Xu Zhi sobered up instantly. She would never dare set her sights on him. But then that one night crossed the line. She knew perfectly well she shouldn’t, that she couldn’t, but she still couldn’t help walking toward him, sinking into those deep, sea-dark eyes. Until their affair came to light, and she was caught up in rumors, desperate to get out. “So now I’m something you used and threw away?” He seemed to laugh, but his voice was ice-cold. “Don’t say that.” Xu Zhi bit her lip. “We were happy together. Since there’s no future for us, let’s part on good terms. You have a bright future ahead of you. There’s no need to waste it on me.” “Xu Zhi, you’re wonderful.” He smiled again, then turned and left. - They met again two years later. People said Mr. Fei lived high above everyone else and was nearly impossible to meet. Getting him to do you a favor was harder still. Xu Zhi needed his help, but she knew she had hurt him deeply back then. A man like him had only ever been humiliated once in his life. She was lucky if he didn’t hate her to the bone, so she kept her distance. That day, she went out with a group of friends. The microphone fell. Just as she was about to pick it up, a pair of polished leather shoes stopped in front of her, blocking her way. Xu Zhi held her breath. It took a long moment to gather the courage to look at his cold, distant face. “Mr. Fei, it’s been a while.” She smiled, pretending not to care. He tossed his car keys aside and sat down on the sofa. “Zhizhi, how long are you going to keep this up? Is it so hard to swallow your pride just once?” ☆ Note: They are pseudo-siblings, with no blood relation or household-registration ties. The leads discover the truth around Chapter 20. Please proceed with caution if this isn’t your thing. ☆ Dominant and brooding male lead x proud, flirtatious female lead. Both are non-virgins. Theme: Being too stubborn isn’t always a good thing. Learn how to get along with others.