Returning to Clear Skies

[The print edition goes on preorder at 8 p.m. on November 29. Weibo: @Cha Nuan Bu Si] [The blurb for the upcoming next-generation story, Top-Tier Boyfriend, is at the bottom.] [This story↓] [Love scammer Su Piaoliang x Hong Kong’s most devoted playboy, Mr. He] Su Zhiyao is a pampered darling adored by everyone: proud, beautiful, and polished down to the very tips of her toes. He Siyu, head of the He family, is cold and dangerously charming, so reckless and arrogant that everyone who sees him gives him a wide berth. These two live like oil and water, never crossing paths. Until one day, Su Zhiyao offends He Siyu and gets dragged away, with a disastrous outcome. Su’s father figures she’ll learn her lesson after a little hardship. Good. Her stepmother puts on a hypocritical show of sympathy, while her stepsister openly delights in her misfortune… Little do they know that the very same night, at the He family villa, the man is lounging on the sofa with a cigarette between his teeth, his shirt soaked through where the girl in his arms has been crying. “They really are all pretending. It’s been a whole day and none of them came to save me. Waaaah… It was all fake, all of it…” He Siyu casts aside his usual coldness and draws her close by the shoulder. “Don’t rush, baby. Let’s wait a little longer.” His gentle, low voice makes Su Zhiyao go quiet all of a sudden. She sits up, finishes the last bite of dessert, and looks prim and proper, yet aggrieved. Then she holds out the empty plate. “He Siyu, this cream puff is so good. I want another one.” After that, her eyes grow misty with tears and she starts choking up again. “And a cup of Panama coffee, please…” Later, when the Su family learns the heartwarming truth behind it all, they regret everything. His underlings are just as shocked. “When did the boss and Miss Su get together?” Su Zhiyao: “Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re just good friends.” He Siyu: “…” He Siyu: “This is so damn hard.” :) * The truth is, Su Zhiyao is the one who’s pretending. At first, she just wants to use the all-powerful Mr. He to escape the Su family’s parasitic control. Later, the big shot seems to fall for her. And later still, he discovers her little secret. TAT At a banquet, Su Zhiyao is ready to make a getaway, but before she can finish changing into her dress in the dressing room, the man waiting to catch her pins her against the door. Her assistant knocks. “Zhiyao, are you in there?” He Siyu says, “Tell her.” “I’m…” Su Zhiyao is close to tears. She has no choice but to answer honestly. “I-I’ll be out in a moment.” He Siyu’s voice is low in her ear. “You won’t be ready in a moment.” #A seductive beauty’s pursuit goes spectacularly wrong# #How a hopeless romantic is made# [Content notes] ① This story contains no abuse of privilege, organized crime, political wrongdoing, or similar plotlines. Any illegal acts are punished by law, whether committed by a lead or a supporting character. The story’s portrayals are all positive. See the author’s note in Chapter One for details. ② Both leads have only ever been with each other. It’s a sweet romance, but not pure fluff. ③ All settings in this story are fictional and unrelated to reality, including but not limited to places, people, and dates. Please don’t make real-world comparisons in the comments. ④ This story is not a stand-in for any real or fictional person or character, and there are no real-life inspirations. Please don’t read it that way, and don’t make false claims about its content. ⑤ If you drop the story, no need to tell me. Please don’t give writing advice. ⑥ The title Yaoyao Returns to Clear Skies: Yao is pronounced “yao,” third tone; Ji is pronounced “ji,” fourth tone. [Top-Tier Boyfriend] [The big shot who rules high society vs. the heiress who rules him] [Astronomy × oceanography] Sheng Junlin has been promised in marriage since childhood, but he lives in Jing City while the girl lives in Hong Kong. They grew up worlds apart and only met once when they were little. He remembers her as spoiled and headstrong, and has never taken the arrangement seriously. With his temperament, he’d never want to marry a princess. Then the He family’s precious daughter comes to Jing City to study. He’s told, “If you don’t bring her home as your wife, don’t bother coming back either.” So the rebellious young master Sheng Junlin storms over to the library on her first day of school, intending to scare her into calling off the engagement. His underlings lead the way. “Boss, that’s her!” Sheng Junlin flips open a butterfly knife and strides over. “Hey.” “Brother Junlin.” The girl smiles, her eyes dark and bright, then suddenly looks frightened and hides behind his arm. “Brother, they’re so scary…” After exchanging glances, Sheng Junlin clears his throat, quietly slips the butterfly knife back into his pocket, and tells them to get lost. His underlings: “…?” - Over the next few months, Sheng Junlin acts as if he’s been bewitched. He finds it harder and harder to turn down her requests. He has a vague feeling that this girl is going to be the death of him. But before he can figure out what’s happening, he realizes he might not mind accepting this childhood engagement after all. Then one day, he accidentally overhears her talking on the phone “Uncle Sheng, Sheng Junlin listens to me now. We agreed that once he did whatever I asked, you’d call off the engagement. You can’t go back on your word!” Sheng Junlin: “…” Damn it. That day, He Tingxue has no idea he knows. As usual, she gives him an order. “My shoulder hurts, Brother Junlin. Can you carry my bag for me?” Sheng Junlin sneers. “I’m a grown man. Carry your bag? Dream on.” “Then carry the small one today.” “Carry it yourself.” He Tingxue holds it out to him. “Will the red one do?” After three seconds of gritting his teeth, Sheng Junlin says, “…I want the black one.” Theme: Life is not about killing; it is a romantic revolution. Love will save you from absolute clarity.