The Nightingale and the Rose

The first time they met was at Shen Qiangwei's villa halfway up the mountain. It was Ye Ying's first time there, and the bus only went as far as the foot of the mountain. She walked uphill for half an hour, then stopped, panting, in front of an ornate iron gate. She saw blue rain roses blooming all over the villa's garden wall. They were climbing roses with purple-white flowers. Shen Qiangwei stood at the door with her eight-year-old daughter to welcome her. The woman wore vivid red lipstick and had a graceful figure. Holding out a bouquet of pink tulips, she embraced Ye Ying. "Welcome, Teacher Ye." At the time, Ye Ying had no idea that from then on, every Friday she'd have to climb that hill for half an hour to Shen Qiangwei's house, working part-time as a tutor, nanny, gardener... and Shen Qiangwei's cuddly pillow to help her sleep. * Ye Ying was there for every big and little event in Shen Qiangwei's life, including her husband's funeral. The woman always stayed perfectly elegant and beautiful, no matter when or where. At the funeral, she wore a black wide-brimmed hat, a pencil skirt, and stilettos, and never shed a tear. Outside the cemetery, beneath a fir tree, Ye Ying said, "I won't be coming next semester." Beneath her black lace gloves, the woman's slender fingers tugged on the drawstring of Ye Ying's hoodie. She took off her hat and lifted her chin, her eyes already brimming with tears. "Is even Teacher Ye going to leave me?" At the time, Ye Ying had no idea she'd be climbing that steep hill to Shen Qiangwei's house for a very, very long time. * Rich woman x poor student (six-year age gap) * Romance begins after the loss of a spouse Coming soon: Jade Also known as Little Auntie Lin Fei was nine when her mother brought home a little auntie, seven years older than her, nicknamed Cuicui. Cuicui had a round face, a pointed chin, phoenix eyes, and skin so fair and tender, like tofu, it looked as though it had been kept out of the sun all winter. "What kind of stupid name is that? It's so tacky!" Lin Fei, covered in mud and smelling awful after falling into a puddle, stood upstairs and kicked a slipper at her. Cuicui caught it with ease, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled warmly at her. At thirteen, Lin Fei got into a fight with a boy at school. With blood all over her head, she didn't dare go home, so Cuicui took her by the hand to the hospital to get stitches. That night, she held her and sweetly soothed her, calling her a good girl. Lin Fei lay awake, watching her all night. At eighteen, Lin Fei was about to see Cuicui return to her hometown to get married. She caused a scene at the wedding and shouted at the groom's family, "Liu Cuicui is the child bride my mom found for me! We've done everything together, so all of you get lost!" Cuicui had no choice but to go home with her. Eyes red, she asked why Lin Fei had made up such nonsense. Lin Fei sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, shaking her head smugly. "I wasn't making it up." Cuicui clearly remembered that nothing like that had happened between them. Ill-tempered little lion x gentle, demure little auntie "Brows lightly darkened, lips richly red, a hint of cloud-soft hair above green temples. Little mandarin ducks, golden kingfishers, just as one would wish.", "Wine Spring Song: Brows Lightly Darkened, Lips Richly Red" Theme: Life holds endless possibilities. Don't be afraid of failure; dare to try.