Burning Spring

Chu Yi had been secretly in love with Yuan Tanchun since middle school.

Back then, he only vaguely thought that it would be wonderful if they could go to the same high school.

Later, they did get into the same high school and the same university. He grew used to following her with his eyes, never approaching or speaking to her. Every glance and smile felt like a gift, and every time she looked back, he took it as a blessing. His heart would race, his chest tremble. Then he would look away, ducking his head in a hurry as his ears turned red, because he knew no one was worthy of her.

After he started working, he reached the age when his family began arranging blind dates. To his surprise, his match was Yuan Tanchun.

Just how many years had he spent following her with his eyes?

He didn't hesitate before agreeing to the ill-fated marriage. When they met, she looked just as she had yesterday, just as she had back then. She was still warm and modest, keeping her sharpness tucked into the corners of her eyes. With ladylike poise, she pulled out a chair and invited him to sit first. Then she smiled and said, "Chu Yi, long time no see."

Long time no see? He thought in a daze. It really had been a long time since graduation... They had barely seen each other since their high school years, after the students split into arts and sciences, and in college they weren't even in the same department.

"I'm very happy with this match." When she said that, his mind went blank. He only knew that his heart was racing, and that he was finally going to marry her, just as he had always wished.

Then he heard her continue: "A marriage in name only, if you can accept that. Chu Yi, I can give you everything except love."

*

A world where men and women are equal. The female lead is the male lead's unattainable first love.

Theme: Love isn't a burden