Name: Deliquescence
Author: Chang Qingyuan

Synopsis

[Completed: Travel-crush story Summer Captive. Thanks for adding it to your collection!]

[Coming soon: Angsty, groveling romance Youthful Sickness. Thanks for adding it to your collection!]

Blurb:

[Possessive, abstinent computer genius x warm, energetic social media blogger]

Reunion after years apart / Marriage before love / Groveling to win her back

Lu Yueling knew perfectly well that Fang Xiujing was marrying her only to have a married status, but she still agreed.

After all, he was the man she'd loved for fourteen years.

A year later, he became the much-celebrated new star of the online gaming world, just as he had hoped.

But that was when Lu Yueling chose to divorce him.

Only she knew that a melon forced from the vine really wasn't sweet.

At last, she no longer had to make herself miserable or spend every day at home waiting for someone who would never come back.

After the divorce, Lu Yueling picked up the dream she'd once put aside and went into business with Li Yunyun, opening the restaurant she'd dreamed of owning since childhood.

Every now and then, she'd hear the name “Fang Xiujing” from one of her single friends.

That was how she learned that her ex-husband was now worth hundreds of billions and had become the most eligible bachelor in the eyes of countless young women.

During an interview, a reporter asked her, “President Lu, you've been single for many years. What are you looking for in a partner? Would someone like President Fang Xiujing be your type?”

Lu Yueling gave an awkward laugh. “You reporters really do love matchmaking! If this gets out and causes President Fang any trouble, I'm not taking the blame.”

In the end, the platform still released this clip as a behind-the-scenes interview.

The handsome, sharp-featured man sat against the floor-to-ceiling windows of his downtown office, legs crossed. His deep gaze fixed on the smiling woman in the video, and a fearsome aura radiated from him.

Matchmaking?

Lu Yueling, you're the only one I want!

Reading Guide:

1. SC/1V1/HE/old-school tropes/short story

2. Primarily a contemporary urban romance, with a few school-days flashbacks

3. Both leads are ordinary people who work hard. The male lead is six years older than the female lead.

4. Most information about their professions comes from Baidu. Please go easy on me if anything is incorrect. Thanks!

Blurb for upcoming book Youthful Sickness:

School life / Growing up / Reunion after years apart / Unrequited love fulfilled / Groveling to win her back

1.

Throughout her three years of high school, Lin Chuhe had been careful to keep an eye on Li Chengchuan.

He was outstanding in every way, from his family background to his looks.

He was like the morning star hanging in the distant sky, guiding Lin Chuhe as she struggled to catch up with him.

But all the beautiful memories shattered at a gathering on the night after the college entrance exams ended.

Clutching the snacks she'd bought for Li Chengchuan, Lin Chuhe stood dazed outside the KTV room and clearly heard him say in a disdainful, scornful tone:

“Her? She's just my little lackey. She's so dowdy, but at least she's willing to do all the work. She's pretty useful, actually.”

2.

Seven years after graduating from high school,

Lin Chuhe was forced to return to this city, a place full of painful memories.

At a chance gathering, she saw Li Chengchuan for the first time in seven years.

He still had that gorgeous face. Only she knew that inside, he was rotten to the core.

As they passed one another,

Li Chengchuan wore the warm smile she knew so well and patted her shoulder like an old friend.

“Chuhe, long time no see.”

Standing in seven-centimeter heels, Lin Chuhe looked him straight in the eye. With her manicured fingertips, she brushed off the spot he'd just touched, her face full of disgust. She stepped back as if avoiding a plague, frowned impatiently, and said,

“Sorry, sir, who are you?”

3.

The third son of the Li family had always been as gentle and refined as a spring breeze and clear moon.

But on the day Lin Chuhe left Lin City, he let go of the arrogance and self-control he'd maintained for thirty years.

Looking haggard, he clutched her luggage and sank to the ground, utterly drained.

In full view of everyone, his eyes reddened. His voice broke as he begged her,

“Lin Chuhe, please don't leave me behind, okay?”

Reading Guide:

1. SC / Unrequited love fulfilled / HE

2. School life and city life: 5:5

3. Old-school groveling to win her back

4. The confession comes after they reach adulthood