Before Spring Comes

Next up: "The Twelfth Tide" - [Rekindled love / marriage first, love later]

Rekindled love / old flame rekindled

Uptight, principled older man VS seemingly obedient but actually rebellious woman

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

The once uptight and principled older boy next door had become a hot new name in tech, surrounded by admirers and radiating an air of elegance.

She was just one of the doctors representing a hospital invited to participate in the project.

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

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

She pulled her hand away and smiled. "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.

Everyone had assumed the two families would become in-laws, but on the night the Jiang family moved away, Jiang Lai broke up with Meng Pingzhou, too.

The two families cut off all contact.

Now that they had reunited, everyone waited to see Jiang Lai regret her decision and get her comeuppance.

At the drinks reception, someone beside her spilled champagne on Jiang Lai. Red wine splashed across the front of her white dress, leaving a vivid stain. She pushed open the door to go tidy herself up in the restroom.

When she came back out, she saw a man leaning against the wall, holding a cigarette between his distinctively jointed fingers. His profile was elegant and aloof. "Need a hand?"

It was just like that rainy night three years ago, the one no one else knew about.

Meng Pingzhou reverently kissed her fingers and murmured, "Where else should I kiss you? Here?"

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

Eight-year age gap / both leads are virgins

Tech up-and-comer & female surgeon

The male lead's secret crush comes true

Next up: "The Twelfth Tide"

[Rekindled love & marriage first, love later]

Jiang Jin met Chen Linyan again at a matchmaking dinner arranged by their parents.

At the table, their parents praised his family background, his job, and his handsome looks. He was the perfect rich, handsome bachelor.

She remained composed, smiling and nodding along.

Chen Linyan was even more impassive, giving nothing away.

As they got up to leave after dinner, she accidentally stepped on his leather shoe.

Chen Linyan caught her by the elbow. His distinctively jointed fingers brushed her waist, and he asked in a distant, polite tone, "Miss Jiang, would you like me to take you home?"

Jiang Jin suddenly remembered her junior year of college, when she had stepped barefoot onto his custom-made leather shoe, its surface cool to the touch.

Chen Linyan's large hand had been dry and burning hot against her waist, gripping her soft flesh as he forced her to look up and accept his kiss.

The desire in those cool eyes was nothing like the detached indifference in them now.

After a mutually agreed marriage, Chen Linyan left on a business trip to discuss a project the day after they registered their marriage.

Her friend teased Jiang Jin that she had found herself a handsome ATM.

Cold and unfeeling, he showed not the slightest concern for her as a husband.

Until the New Year's Eve party that year.

The snow was falling heavily when the party ended at midnight, and everyone stood at the entrance waiting for their rides.

They saw Chen Linyan walk through the snow, look up at her from the foot of the steps, and say,

"Jinjin, I'm here to take you home."

Theme: I love you with all the courage I can muster.