Canelé

[The complete novel costs less than eight yuan. Thanks for supporting the official version (*/ω\*). My new novel, Revenge Romance, is now available, and the next one, Long Time No See, is coming soon. Please add them to your favorites!]

[Playboy CEO x cool, sweet pastry chef / The second male lead appears in Chapter 6]

[Broken up and never getting back together / Scumbag gets his comeuppance / Second male lead wins / Three-year age gap]

Over three years, Gu Yiran came to understand that her relationship with Shen Nanzhi would always depend on their engagement, which barely mattered to either of them.

Her affection was worthless, and none of her efforts paid off. So she gave up on what she had once clung to and used her savings to open a pastry studio.

After all, Shen Nanzhi had never seemed to give her desserts a second glance.

-

Su Chebang first met Gu Yiran at her bakery.

He had never liked sweets, but work was getting to him, and he wanted a change of pace. On a whim, he ducked into the bakery near his office and saw her smiling brightly as soon as he walked in.

The desserts there were excellent, too.

-

Gu Yiran's dream is to run her baking studio well. Ever since she asked Shen Nanzhi to end their engagement, she's had to deal with his pestering on top of making desserts every day.

Each time Su Chebang visits, he gives her a different impression. On his fifth visit, she looks up and sees him waiting on the terrace outside for her to finish work. She considers how she might get him to help her.

After much hesitation, she picks up a freshly baked canele and walks over to him.

-

One day, after Gu Yiran and Su Chebang have gotten together, she suddenly asks, "Were you sure I'd end up with you back then?"

"No," he answers honestly. "I worried you might give in to his relentless pursuit."

"I'm glad I didn't."

Gu Yiran is surprised he ever worried about that. Her voice is gentle but firm. "I never thought about going back."

Shen Nanzhi happens to overhear them, and his inner world crumbles in an instant.

-

Bonus scene:

Shen Nanzhi bitterly regrets his choices and tries everything to win Gu Yiran back, lingering around the studio during business hours in a desperate attempt.

When Gu Yiran comes out and hangs up the "Open" sign, Shen Nanzhi hurries over. "Yiran, I really want to try one of your cakes again."

But Su Chebang is leaning against the doorway. Hearing him, he scoffs, "As if you deserve one."

-

Revenge Romance

[Marriage first, love later / Five-year age gap]

Lin Zhenyi is a famous fashion influencer, dazzling and alluring in appearance, spoiled yet humble toward others. Her expertise has made her as popular as many top-tier stars.

Zhang Xinglin, lead singer of a top-tier band, has both good looks and talent. His rebellious personality and rich, clear voice have won him countless fans.

No one knows Lin Zhenyi secretly loves him. Calling each other brother and sister makes it easy to hide her feelings. A twist of fate leads to a moment of passion and one reckless night, changing their relationship overnight and making them legally married.

Before long, a ring appears on Zhang Xinglin's left ring finger.

From then on, he clears up every rumor he once couldn't be bothered with, and after each performance, he heads straight for the woman hiding in the shadows.

He always thought he was the one who fell in love first, and did everything he could to make her fall for him.

-

Lin Zhenyi can't say exactly when she began to secretly love Zhang Xinglin. Everything about him and the band HOPE is engraved in her heart.

She's confident enough not to give herself away, but she buries her feelings deep. His attentive care, reserved only for her, is what reveals them.

That night, he pins her against the edge of the bed, raining kisses on her. In a husky voice, he asks, "If I hadn't figured it out, would you have kept it from me for the rest of your life?"

A moment later, before she can recover, he finally gets the chance to say what he's planned for so long: "Shouldn't you start calling me your husband?"

Later, Zhang Xinglin makes another public announcement at his first major solo concert.

"I told you, Zhenzhen really isn't my girlfriend."

Then he takes two red marriage certificates from the inside pocket of his jacket.

"She's my wife, legally married to me."

After a brief silence, screams erupt from the audience like crashing waves.

-

Her perspective: a secret crush comes true. His perspective: marriage first, love later.

-

Coming soon: Long Time No See

[Gentle on the surface, possessive underneath x sensitive / Playboy turns over a new leaf, but the ashes are scattered / School days to city life / He secretly loves her / Heroine grows over the course of the story]

Anqin Middle School.

Everyone knows Xu Jialan likes Chen Haofeng.

She follows Chen Haofeng around and caters to his preferences, only to hear other people tell her, again and again:

"I saw him at the movies with the prettiest girl in the class next door yesterday."

"I saw him walking around the sports field with a girl the day before."

"Jialan, you didn't know about any of this?"

She knows better than anyone.

Day after day, plenty of people still like Chen Haofeng.

Everyone knows no one can claim a place in his heart, but they keep trying anyway, hoping to be the one who finally does.

-

Outside an empty classroom.

Xu Jialan happens to hear a girl's voice from inside, teasing with a laugh: "You like me? But isn't Xu Jialan always following you around?"

"I don't like her. She's the one who came after me."

The utopia she'd built for herself shatters. She kicks the stone in front of her into the door.

She turns away resolutely, never expecting to meet a pair of dark eyes. They belong to Cheng Huai, the boy everyone has high hopes for, the so-called child of destiny.

He lowers his eyes and asks quietly, "Finally giving up?"

Embarrassed at being caught, she has no mind to process his words and assumes he's mocking her. She hurriedly makes arrangements to study abroad.

-

They meet again.

At a bustling banquet, Xu Jialan sees many familiar faces and catches up with everyone she can.

From the corner of her eye, she spots Chen Haofeng in the distance. He no longer makes her heart flutter like he did when they were young.

She turns away to avoid his gaze. Just then, Cheng Huai steps forward and asks the second question he never got to ask all those years ago:

"Would you consider giving me a chance?"

He knows the Xu family is in a difficult position and needs an alliance through marriage to change its circumstances.

-

Only later does Xu Jialan learn that her joys and sorrows filled Cheng Huai's youth.

Conviction: Leave the scumbag behind and pursue your dreams.