When Love Becomes Clear

From childhood to adulthood, Qin Xian has always been seen as an easy pushover, a soft persimmon anyone can squeeze.

She can compromise on anything. Nothing ever bothers her, not even when a stranger ruins an expensive umbrella of hers.

Though she gets bullied plenty, Qin Xian alone thinks of this as a calm attitude toward life, one that has weathered countless storms.

Xu Jiming is much the same. Since childhood, everyone has thought of him as "cold" and "arrogant."

But only he knows the sensitivity deep inside him, and the inferiority complex he would never allow himself to show.

If he accidentally breaks a stranger's umbrella, he'll search everywhere for an identical one to replace it. And when the pressures of life make him put himself down, he'll lie awake all night.

"An inferiority complex is a man's finest dowry," Qin Xian believes. From the very beginning, she has been intensely interested in this man who seems so "genuine."

Unlike everyone else, she loves the puppy-like heart hidden deep within him, beneath the surface.

Xu Jiming is much the same. It seems only he has seen through Qin Xian's "playing dumb to outsmart people" and her power to quietly get things done.

But he doesn't guard against her for it. Instead, he hopes to draw out more of her hidden talents. He is, without a doubt, Qin Xian's pioneer.

They give each other's names a deeper meaning.

He helps her not only embody an elegant and graceful bearing, but also become skilled at handling all things and navigating human relationships.

She helps him not only understand reason and discern situations, protecting himself in ways that set him apart, but also peels back the layers of his heart, bringing clarity to the soul he pretends is as bright as the moon at midnight.

She also helps him become more skilled at loving someone, while he helps her find the moment when the love she keeps bottled up, too shy to express, finally becomes clear.

[High-EQ Avoidant People-Pleaser x Cold on the Outside, Warm and Devoted Puppy]

*Growing together, falling in love over time

Note:

1. They are not each other's first love.

2. The romance develops slowly, with mostly ambiguous, flirtatious moments.

3. The male lead struggled with science subjects in high school. He worked hard in private, but couldn't compete with other people's natural talent. He is no prodigy.

4. The setting is fictional, with only some everyday details based on real life.

5. This story is entirely fictional, with no real-life inspiration or reference. Every character is an original character through and through.

P.S.

This story is entirely fictional and original. Any resemblance is purely coincidental! I hate plagiarism most of all!

It's not finalized, and I'll make changes whenever I want! Corrections are welcome~

Chapter One was first posted in February 2022.

Theme: Romance and growing together