Crescent Moon

[An Age-Gap Romance]

That night, Qin Yubai's features were hidden in the dark. "Do you like me?"

Heyue didn't deny it.

Qin Yubai said, "But, little Crescent, when you're a little older, you might realize that this is dependence, not love."

Heyue stubbornly shook her head. "I know the difference."

Qin Yubai fell silent.

Heyue turned away, her voice low. "How much older? A year? Two years? Or five or ten?"

Qin Yubai's gaze darkened slightly, though his smile remained captivating. "How about one year?"

Heyue nodded. "All right, one year. I won't come looking for you."

She did as she promised and told Old Master Qin that she was moving out of the Qin residence.

She started growing her hair long and wavy, wearing bright red dresses, actively joining school clubs, and meeting all kinds of boys. She had more admirers than she could count.

On Christmas Eve that year, a very nice young man invited her out. In the dim cinema, the seat beside hers remained empty. When the movie was two-thirds over, someone took the vacant seat.

Heyue caught a familiar scent, mingled with the smell of slightly tipsy liquor. Her eyes trembled, then she felt someone take her fingertips, cold as snow and wind.

"What am I supposed to do, little Crescent? I don't want to leave you a way out anymore."

I'm afraid you'll regret it later, and even more afraid you'll come to your senses and truly stop wanting me.

Word had it that the unfilial son of the Qin family had been causing trouble again, to the point that Old Master Qin was threatening to disown him. He had gone to all that trouble for just one person.

She was the little girl he'd taken in years ago. He called her little Crescent.

*No intimate scenes while the female lead is underage.

*The female lead is temporarily in foster care, with no blood relation or legal household registration ties.

Theme: Keep your feet on the ground and build a better future together.