Listening

[The companion story, Dialogue, is now open. Find it in my author page.] Blurb One Shencheng No. 1 High School once had two “school treasures.” The top humanities student, Yan Ling, and the top science student, Chen Zhuoqing, were both gorgeous, with each representing half the school. Their places at the top of the class were unshakable. No matter how much the students at No. 1 shipped this academic power couple in private, the two of them never sparked even the slightest romance throughout their three years of high school. But no one could have guessed that a few years later, Chen Zhuoqing would be Yan Ling’s blind date. The man before her was dressed formally in a black suit and white shirt, his hair slicked back neatly. His features were still devastatingly handsome. By comparison, she was wearing a loose white T-shirt and jeans, with no makeup on. She felt she might be showing him a little disrespect. She was wondering if she should go home and change when the man cut her off. “The Civil Affairs Bureau closes in an hour, Ms. Yan. We should hurry.” Blurb Two Later, the two of them attended a high school reunion. The sight of Yan Ling and Chen Zhuoqing together stirred up all the classmates who had once shipped them. Someone said, “The reason I thought they might have a chance back then was that I heard a rumor.” “A rumor that Chen Zhuoqing had a secret crush on Yan Ling.” As soon as the words left their mouth, the male lead, seated in the corner, spoke up. “It wasn’t a rumor.” “I loved her, and she didn’t love me back.” The classmates: “!!!” They seemed to have just learned an incredible secret. After the reunion, everyone headed home. The two leads were at the back of the crowd when Chen Zhuoqing suddenly wrapped his arms around Yan Ling from behind. He was tall, so he bent down to match her height, rubbing his chin against her shoulder like a big puppy looking for comfort. One of the guys Yan Ling had once rejected happened to turn around. He was about to step in and stop him. “Even if she didn’t love you back, you can’t do this!” But then he saw Yan Ling turn around and hug him back, her expression tender as she softly comforted him. She looked at everyone’s confused faces and explained, “Sorry, my husband’s drunk.” “…” One guy: Wait, when did you two get married? The shippers: Did the couple I shipped finally get together?! [Gentle beauty × cool, edgy guy who’s clingy] “Later, I stood atop a mountain, watching the clouds drift for a thousand miles and the dusk sink into darkness, while you remained forever out of reach.” Because I was still thinking of you. Reader’s Guide: 1. Both leads have no previous romantic experience or partners. Primarily set in the city, with some school memories woven in. 2. Reunited after years apart, marriage before love. 3. The hero has a secret crush on the heroine, and he gets put through a little emotional angst. May not suit readers who are fans of the male lead. Blurb finalized 2022.1.29 Revised 2022.11.11 Message: Beautiful love