The Bottom of the Pool

Reunion after a long separation / Mutual devotion

Winery owner vs. legal beauty

In the eighth year since they parted, Wen Yang never imagined she would see Jiang Duo again.

Halfway through the welcome dinner arranged by her fellow alumni, someone came in to raise a toast.

The man wore a black jacket. His features were cool, and his exhaustion was impossible to hide. He looked utterly unfamiliar, nothing like the person she remembered.

He smiled and clinked glasses with everyone at the table, filling each glass to the brim and lowering his own a little each time.

When it was Wen Yang's turn, she copied him and tipped back her full glass, but her fingers gripping the edge of the table had gone white with tension.

Back in their student days, everyone at school knew Jiang Duo. He was a carefree young man from a wealthy family, admired by countless girls.

And Wen Yang was just one of the most ordinary among those who liked him.

Unable to contain her curiosity, her roommate asked, "Why did you choose her?"

Jiang Duo glanced up at his phone screen and smiled. "Why does there have to be a reason? She's just fine."

Everyone thought Wen Yang and Jiang Duo would stay together forever, especially since she had been the one to pursue him.

No one expected her to be the one to end things, leaving Jiang Duo the one who got dumped.

No one thought Jiang Duo would get back together with Wen Yang.

After all, back then, the proud young man had humbled himself and tried to win her back, but she hadn't even looked back at him.

Until a class reunion years later.

During a game of truth or dare in the KTV room, a classmate pointed at the two of them and demanded they kiss for ten seconds.

Wen Yang blushed and waved them off.

Everyone jeered that she couldn't let go of her ex and would never find a current boyfriend.

The man simply walked through the crowd, pulled her into his arms, and coaxed her with a smile: "Do me a favor. This time, I didn't let anything slip. They're the ones making a fuss."

[If you don't say it, how can I be sure you still love me?]

Coming next: The Unknowing Spring, from the series about old flames rekindled

Jiang Lai attended a medical technology banquet with a friend, never expecting to run into Meng Pingzhou.

The once-staid, well-behaved boy-next-door had become a hotshot in the tech industry, surrounded by people and exuding an air of nobility.

She was merely one of the hospital doctors invited to participate in the project.

Her friend urged her to go say hello. Unable to refuse, Jiang Lai nearly tripped over her long dress.

From among the crowd, Meng Pingzhou reached out to steady her, his cool eyes fixed on her face. "Long time no see, Dr. Jiang."

She withdrew her hand and smiled in thanks. "I've heard so much about you, Mr. Meng."

Everyone knew that the Meng and Jiang families were close, and that Meng Pingzhou had spoiled Jiang Lai rotten.

They had assumed the two families would become relatives by marriage, but on the night the Jiang family moved away, Jiang Lai dumped Meng Pingzhou too.

The two families cut off contact completely.

At this reunion, everyone waited to see Jiang Lai regret it and get her comeuppance.

As they raised their glasses, someone beside her spilled champagne down the front of Jiang Lai's white dress, staining it bright red. She went into the restroom to clean up.

When she came out again, she saw the man leaning against the wall, his long, distinct fingers holding a cigarette. His profile was refined and aloof. "Do you need help?"

It was just like that rainy night three years ago, unknown to anyone else.

Meng Pingzhou had kissed her fingers with utter devotion, murmuring, "Where else should I kiss you? Here?"

As their breaths grew hot, he kissed her until she could no longer speak.

Eight-year age gap / Gentle but stubborn woman and a staid older man

Theme: It's best to have both bread and love.