Love Grows in Tenderness

Nine-year age gap / Gentle male lead / Sweet romance / No major angst

Synopsis:

Everyone who knew Lu Junyao, a man at the top of the pyramid, addressed him as "Mr. Lu" when they met.

It wasn't just his wealth and family background that captivated people, but also his handsome face, which seemed untouched by worldly concerns.

Everyone in Beijing's elite circle knew the three things Mr. Lu of the Lu family loved most: flowers, tea, and blending essential oils.

They say that Juan Yang Mountain, 2,500 kilometers away, is covered in purple-red wild azaleas when March and April come around.

By a waist-high earthen wall, Meng Juan knelt on the ground, her voice hoarse from crying. "Mom, I'm begging you. Don't marry me off to the Meng family."

"No. Half a pig from the Meng family has already been delivered. You're marrying into that family tonight."

Lu Junyao, wearing a hiking jacket, walked past and looked at the girl kneeling on the ground, clinging to her mother's trouser leg.

Later, everyone in Beijing's elite circle knew that the gentleman from the Lu family was raising a "wild azalea."

From the age of twenty to thirty, for nine whole years.

*

The wild azalea knew her place and never took the initiative to approach him. That night, he was drunk. He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her into his arms, his dark eyes fixed on her.

"Meng Juan, what do you really think of me?"

Too many people had warned her: Don't get the wrong idea. You're not good enough for him.

She looked up, hiding every feeling she shouldn't have, and smiled. "You're my savior."

His eyes burned with a brilliant light. "Listen carefully. I'm Lu Junyao, 34 years old, and single."

He asked her, "Do you understand what I mean?"

She didn't answer. She held his face in her hands and kissed him.

It was the first time she'd ever been so close to him, so close that he went mad and lost his mind.

But when he opened his eyes again, she was too far away to reach.

So far away that he could only touch her face on a screen.

#If you won't come to me, our love is separated by mountains and seas.

A friendly note:

* One couple, both leads' first relationship, no upsetting plot points.

Theme: Healing and redemption