The Summer of the Seventh Year

The children’s story is up for preorder in my author page's upcoming works section. If you'd like to read it, you can add it to your collection in advance.

The print edition goes on preorder on the 22nd. If you're interested, please check Weibo. Thank you for your support.

Written and illustrated by: Weixi Lethe

The main story is complete.

Blurb:

When Lin Yang was sixteen, her mother remarried and took her to live with the Shen family. There she met Shen Wang. Living under someone else's roof, she crossed wits with the seventeen-year-old young master of the Shen family.

One day, Lin Yang was called in because of a "puppy love" situation.

In the brightly lit teachers' office, the homeroom teacher looked at the relationship listed on their student files and asked in surprise, "You two are siblings?"

Shen Wang's eyes were dark as he gave her a long look, then said mockingly, "Teacher, do I look like her brother?"

After a brief silence,

Lin Yang said expressionlessly, "Dad."

Shen Wang: "..."

That was the beginning of their feud.

Shen Wang liked smoking. Lin Yang couldn't stand the smell.

She tried to talk some sense into him: "Studies show that burning cigarettes release 38 toxic chemicals. Smokers make up over 80 percent of lung cancer patients each year, and heavy smokers have up to a 30 percent chance of developing lung cancer."

Shen Wang curled his lip. His clean fingers deftly tapped away the ash, and he replied in a lazy voice, "Didn't that tell you that at most 10 percent of the harmful substances enter the respiratory tract, while the rest stay in the air?"

Lin Yang silently glanced at the white smoke filling the air and smiled. "So, Brother, you do know that secondhand smoke is more harmful than firsthand smoke."

Shen Wang looked at her around his cigarette, his expression arrogant and unruly. "If you know it's so harmful, why come over here?"

The words carried a double meaning.

"..."

After Lin Yang graduated from high school, her mother and Shen Wang's father fell out of love, their marriage broke down, and they parted amicably.

His friends teased the usually arrogant and unrestrained young master Shen for giving up the cigarettes he loved for a woman, only for her to leave without a second thought.

Shen Wang listened, rolling an unlit cigarette between his fingers. His eyes half-closed, he said thoughtfully, "It's not so bad."

Years later, while away on a business trip, Shen Wang received an invitation from a college classmate: It was his younger sister's birthday, and they were getting together for a casual celebration.

Thinking of something, Shen Wang lowered his eyes and smiled faintly. "She's not even your real sister, yet you're taking such good care of her."

His friend raised an eyebrow. "She's so thoughtful. If she were your sister, you'd care about her too."

Shen Wang narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

The next day, Shen Wang went to the gathering.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw a beautiful, radiant girl sitting in the middle of the sofa in the dimly lit private room. A man's jacket was draped over her shoulders, and a cigarette rested between her red lips. She tilted her head toward the man in front of her and held out a hand. "Brother Qi, where's your lighter? Light this for me."

Shen Wang's brow twitched. He strode over, snatched the cigarette from her mouth, and put it between his own lips.

He shot a sideways glare at his friend, who was about to hand over the lighter. His low voice carried a note of anger. "I haven't let her breathe secondhand smoke all these years, and you, her brother, are willing to let her?"

Reader's guide:

1. Both leads have no previous partners, and this is a happy ending.

2. Every reader has their own experience of a story, and the author can't cater to everyone's tastes. If you don't like it, feel free to skip it; there's no need to leave a comment saying so. Please be understanding of one another.

3. Enjoy the story, and no fandom drama.

Blurb for "A Bewitching Glow":

As the youngest son born late in life to the Ming family, Ming Heng was born at the top of the world. Everyone in Haijing City knew of him. Still young, he was already the all-powerful head of the Ming family. He looked laid-back and rakish, but was ruthless and cold in his dealings. Everyone in his circle respectfully called him Fifth Master.

Even years later, Zhuo Xiaotong still remembered the first time she saw him. He had lazily narrowed his eyes as he sized her up, radiating arrogance and pride. With a cigarette between his lips, he asked in a low, deep voice, "What did you just call me?"

Fourteen-year-old Zhuo Xiaotong stood there timidly, biting her lip nervously. "Fourth Brother."

The man chuckled.

He glanced to the side and calmly stubbed out his cigarette. His cold eyes narrowed slightly. "You're so little. Why call me Fourth Brother? Call me Uncle Four."

From then on, everyone in Haijing City knew that the cold and heartless Fifth Master had taken in a delicate young girl. He protected her fiercely and wouldn't let anyone lay a finger on her. He really did seem to have a guardian's affection for her.

When Zhuo Xiaotong turned eighteen, Ming Heng left Haijing to expand his business overseas. The love she had kept hidden for so long, unable to confess, disappeared into the depths of her heart, where no one could find it.

Three years later, Ming Heng returned to China, more famous than ever. The Ming family held a banquet to welcome him home.

Under the brilliant lights, Ming Heng's black shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his features were sharp and striking.

He smiled faintly and said to her, "Tongtong, I don't think I've taught you how to hit people yet. Be good and sit there watching."

At that moment, the love Zhuo Xiaotong had buried deep in her heart saw the light of day once more.

One day later, at an upscale club frequented by Haijing City's elite, Zhuo Xiaotong glared at the woman leaning against him and shouted his name in fury. "Ming Heng, are you done playing around?"

The noisy private room fell silent in an instant.

With a sharp snap, Ming Heng tossed his lighter aside. Through the haze of smoke, he glared at her, his eyes openly dark with irritation and disdain.

"Zhuo Xiaotong, what makes you think you can tell me what to do?"

After a moment of stunned silence, Zhuo Xiaotong left without looking back.

Six months later, the two of them were in the same private room at the same club.

Watching Fifth Master sit silently all night, everyone couldn't help thinking that the Zhuo girl was probably finished for good. Without Fifth Master's protection, a woman in her early twenties with a face that drew attention was unlikely to have a good fate.

Until Zhuo Xiaotong's shoes were splashed with alcohol.

Suppressing her anger, she kicked off her soaking shoes in irritation. Her delicate, pale feet landed directly on the icy floor.

Before anyone could watch the fun, Ming Heng, who had been sitting in the corner, abruptly stood up. To everyone's astonishment, he knelt on one knee in front of Zhuo Xiaotong.

He took off his jacket and patiently wrapped it around her uncooperative feet, resting them on his knee. He sounded a little helpless.

"If you're going to lose your temper, wait until we're home. Don't make a scene now. You'll catch a chill, get sick, and then you won't be able to sleep tonight. Are you trying to make life difficult for me, or for yourself?"

Zhuo Xiaotong glared at him and kicked him again in anger.

Ming Heng rubbed her ankle and let out a regretful sigh. "Tongtong, let's be fair. If you won't let me control you, how about you let me take care of you?"

Theme: There will always be someone who loves you as faithfully and wholeheartedly as ever.