The Unromantic Dr. Liu

[Main story complete] Upcoming novel: You’re Not Like Him. Blurb below:

Blurb:

The year Qiao Xu turned twenty-four, she impulsively married a man seven years her senior so her gravely ill grandfather could pass away in peace.

He was a doctor from a family of highly educated people, a friend of her younger uncle, and handsome as a piece of jade. Unfortunately, he was quiet and traditional, so serious he could seem a little old-fashioned.

She had been the one to suggest marriage. They could treat each other with respect and let him keep her around as a pretty ornament. That sounded fine.

Qiao Xu had always thought that Liu Tongzhou agreed to marry her to fend off his parents’ overly aggressive attempts to get him married, and so he could go abroad for further study without a hitch.

Their marriage met both their needs, and they understood each other without having to say a word.

So she assumed that when he returned home, he would ask for a divorce.

But after Liu Tongzhou came back, things didn’t go the way she expected. This man seemed to be looking forward to their marriage?

The most promising young doctor in neurosurgery had grown up under strict discipline, in a world consisting mostly of patients and operating rooms.

His meticulous attention to every detail, his awkward compliments, and the way he accepted everything about her

all told her that he was serious.

He said, “Qiao Xu, I may not be a good partner yet, but I’ll be a responsible husband.”

-

You’re not romantic, so I’ll be the one to bring you flowers.

Married first, love later. The restrained one loses control.

Illustrator x Doctor

Reader’s Guide:

1. Told from the heroine’s perspective: married first, love later. From the hero’s perspective: his longtime crush comes true. Seven-year age gap.

2. If anything bothers you, feel free to drop the novel.

Blurb for You’re Not Like Him:

Knowing she’s flying into the flames, she still goes without hesitation.

--

As the most celebrated young director in the industry today, Shang Yanli has good looks and an illustrious family background.

With hit dramas and box-office films to his name, and fans who love both his looks and his career, he is a director countless stars want to work with.

A pampered young master, he thinks being admired and loved is only natural. Zhao Songqi loves him, too, so he thinks it’s fine to act up. People who are loved can do whatever they want without fear of consequences.

Apart from his eyes, he really isn’t like him at all.

Shang Yanli has a bad temper, is arrogant and conceited, and is extremely picky and difficult to please.

That’s all right. She’s willing to coax him and spoil him.

She can treat him like a rather disobedient pet, if only for a little comfort.

-

In a private room, a drunken friend teased, “Sister-in-law, those eyes of Yanli’s were donated by an adorable little girl. If he proposes to you, don’t let those eyes charm you into saying yes. Make him sweat a little.”

The handsome man smiled and cursed, “Get lost!”

Zhao Songqi’s gentle smile faltered for a brief moment, but her calm, cool voice was especially clear. “We’re not getting married.”

Like a cold thorn piercing the lively mood, a crack appeared in the man’s expression, and the entire room was suddenly shrouded in darkness.

The breakup came suddenly and violently. Furious, Shang Yanli thought Zhao Songqi had lost her mind.

It wasn’t until he saw her giving another man, whose eyes resembled his, all the affection she had once given him that he understood: She didn’t love anyone in particular. She loved the eyes of some guy who knows what! And now she was doting on that man!

He was consumed with jealousy and wanted to destroy him!

Zhao Songqi’s love could only belong to him. Even if he was a substitute, he was the one who looked most like the original!

-

Shang Yanli went crazy. He posted on Weibo: I will become an excellent actor.

Everyone thought he was planning to move in front of the camera, and his fans celebrated in the comments.

But he was watching a video, imitating every smile and frown of the refined, gentle man in it.

Practicing again and again, he went mad with obsession.

You never would love me, yet I keep sinking into your gentle indifference.

You never love me, even though... I’ve become so much like him.

Proud, conceited, possessive, and easily coaxed male lead x cold, strong, equally obsessive woman who’s tired of the world

Reader’s Guide:

- Male substitute, groveling-after-the-breakup arc, and the male lead is genuinely crazy.

- If anything bothers you, feel free to drop the novel.

Theme: Teach each other how to love.