Twilight Metaphor

★ Married First, Love Later | Devoted, Refined Hero x Unknowingly Alluring Heroine

"If he rejects me, I will savor my romantic bewilderment, little by little."

-

Yi Qiang had downturned eyes that made her look innocent and guileless whenever she gazed at someone. The beauty mark beside the corner of her eye resembled a tear about to fall, leaving a damp trace upon the heart that had lingered for years.

Yet in other people's eyes, she was never single for long. She was always flirting with men, but the moment one of them fell in love with her, she lost interest and quickly cast him aside.

Yi Qiang was at a loss herself. She had been sincere with every man she'd flirted with, but she had lithromantic tendencies.

After several relationships that had ended before they truly began, Yi Qiang obediently followed her parents' wishes and went on a proper blind date.

Her date wasn't her ideal type, but Yi Qiang decided they could each get what they wanted and build a good life together.

So they got married that very day.

-

Song Xue'an was a well-known rising star in his industry: proper, composed, refined, and aloof.

Having heard countless rumors about Yi Qiang, he resolved to treat her with courtesy and keep his feelings out of it.

Only later did he realize that no man could escape the sweet trap Yi Qiang had woven.

Even though he knew the affection she so easily voiced with her red lips was a lie.

Even though he knew that once she had claimed his heart, she would cast it aside like trash.

Even though he had already fought to restrain himself and refused her a thousand times over.

He still let himself indulge, inviting her to settle in the very center of his heart.

-

Yi Qiang sensed Song Xue'an's affection in countless little details, and was convinced she wasn't imagining it.

But his attitude seemed to grow colder and colder.

She was cherished deeply, yet her love was not accepted.

At last, Yi Qiang said,

"If you won't accept my love, then cherishing your wife isn't your obligation."

"Let's get divorced."

As soon as the words left her lips, he reached out and gripped the back of her neck, kissing her fiercely, as though pouring all his love into the kiss.

When the kiss ended, he gazed at her, his eyes filled with an even deeper tenderness.

"Don't divorce me."

"Never leave me."

"I love you."

She had been the one to confess first, yet somehow he was the one who felt his lifeline was in her hands.

He wagered his heart on the chance that she could love him more than anyone else.

-

"I know how much you enjoy the pain of rejection, how you yearn for that romantic bewilderment. Countless people love you. I'm just the most ordinary man in this mundane world, yet somehow I was lucky enough to have you. I wouldn't dare hope for your love forever. I only ask that you love me a little longer."

"We met at dusk, and I hope I can be the place you return to."

"Yi Qiang, that tear of yours fell into my heart."

[I want to write a male lead who loves more and more until he's going mad, falling knowingly while still seeming perfectly calm on the surface.]

P.S.

1. One-on-one romance, happy ending, married first and falling in love later, both leads have no prior sexual experience. The heroine has had many flings, while the hero is deeply devoted.

2. Lithromantic means developing romantic feelings for someone but not wanting them reciprocated. Once those feelings are returned, they disappear.

3. The opening line is from the poet Xichuan, but the original uses "she."

[Blurb archived on 2022/08/31]

Theme: Devotion is a truly beautiful quality.