Reckless Light

[Complete / vb@Er Liu 26] [Please add my next book, The Universe Is Unstoppable [Marriage Before Love], to your reading list] Yu Qingyun never thought she'd have anything to do with Chi Che. They were worlds apart in every way. She made her lonely way through life, quiet and reserved, while he was wild and carefree, adored by everyone. Until the drone racing competition packed with spectators... In a utility room separated from the crowd by a wall, the winner everyone was watching cornered her between a wooden door and the wall. He twined a finger in her hair and coaxed her with an ambiguous breath: "What are you afraid of, good girl? You won't lose out if you come with me." She really didn't lose out. Chi Che pursued her with a grand display, and everyone knew they were dating. He gave her everything except his sincerity. The only flaw came when she decided to walk away. Chi Che leaned against the wall, cigarette in hand, his tall figure cut into pieces by the dim streetlights. Its ember flickered in and out. His voice was cold and sharp, each word distinct: "You'd better not regret this." - Years later, they met again at work. Chi Che still had deep-set eyes, but time had made him more mature and formidable. He saw how composed, calm, and distant she was, how lightly she spoke of the past. As if she'd never taken that ridiculous affair seriously. Until one day... Chi Che was dead drunk, blocking her way and calling her name through bleary eyes. Yu Qingyun's eyes reddened at the corners. "Chi Che, it was just a game to you." "It was." Chi Che gave a mocking smile and slowly nodded. Yu Qingyun's nose stung. She brushed past him, but heard the man behind her give in, his voice hoarse: "But I'm the one who can't afford to lose." I'm the one who got in too deep. - *Roguish, handsome schemer x reserved, clear-headed woman *Drone engineer x biopharmaceutical researcher *This novel has been heavily revised, so the content may not match the comments *See the author's note in Chapter One for warnings and things to keep in mind ------ The Universe Is Unstoppable [Marriage Before Love] ------ Eight years after graduating high school, Yu Ling attends a class reunion for once. Zhou Weixi happens to be there, too. The prospect of former lovers reuniting always gets the onlookers excited, but these two act like strangers the whole time, without even exchanging glances. At the end of dinner, Yu Ling downs her drink and reaches out to make peace with Zhou Weixi. "We were young and foolish. Let's let bygones be bygones." Zhou Weixi gives a faint laugh, folds his arms, and leans back against the sofa. His tone is anything but gentle. "Sorry. I was born petty. I can't let it go." Yu Ling immediately withdraws her hand and says they should have nothing more to do with each other. She never expects to wake up in the same bed as him the next day. Yu Ling: "..." Yu Ling: "Let's pretend this never happened." Zhou Weixi picks up his shirt from the floor and puts it on, standing at the foot of the bed as he buttons it, looking down at her. As he fastens each button, the scratches on his chest and neck disappear beneath the fabric. It really does look as if nothing happened. "Fine, Yu Ling. You've got guts." Zhou Weixi is so angry he almost laughs. His words are nearly cutting. "You'd better hope I never run into you again." Yu Ling thinks, I certainly hope not. But a month later, after calling in three favors, Yu Ling gets Zhou Weixi's number. His voice is still cool and indifferent. "Did I not say we shouldn't keep in touch?" She pauses for two seconds. "I'm pregnant." Zhou Weixi falls silent. - They rush through getting married, meeting the parents, the wedding, and the honeymoon... In no time at all, Yu Ling and Zhou Weixi become husband and wife in name only. And to keep their families from worrying, they have to pretend to be blissfully in love. Then, all of a sudden, the pregnancy turns out to be a false alarm. "Sign it. I have a date later." Yu Ling hands him the divorce papers, glancing at her watch with a calm expression. Click. The car doors lock, and the cramped interior closes in around them. Zhou Weixi tears up the papers without batting an eye and corners her. "Last time you said we should pretend nothing happened. Now you say you want a divorce. Everything is always up to you, Yu Ling. What do you take me for?" "What's the big deal?" His hand settles at her waist, his voice dangerous and suggestive. "If there's no baby, then let's make one." "One day, two days... six months. You'll never escape my grasp for the rest of your life." Theme: Love can overcome every obstacle.