After the Broken Engagement, My Childhood Friend Went on a Long Road to Redemption

[The Ex's Regret]

He Yanran is the Prime Minister's only daughter. She has been adored and pampered since childhood and has always lived in luxury, yet the thing she looks forward to most is marrying her childhood sweetheart, Rong Jingzhou, when she turns sixteen.

The Rong family is a distinguished clan, and Rong Jingzhou, as its legitimate heir, is naturally refined and dignified, with peerless good looks. Before he even turned twenty, he had placed third in the palace examinations.

Although he is aloof and proud, as distant as snow on a mountaintop, He Yanran has kept Brother Rong in her heart since childhood. As soon as she came of age, she pestered her father until he secured a marriage contract for her.

But just as the wedding date approaches, the He family falls into ruin overnight. She and her mother become government slaves, scraping by in the darkness.

He Yanran no longer dares hope that Rong Jingzhou will marry her. She only asks that Brother Rong look her way and speak a few words to her, and not cast aside the bond they have shared for over a decade.

But when she begs him through her tears to save her mother, he coldly pulls his robe away from her, gently brushing off the dust and creases, and says:

"I, Rong, have never met you, miss. Please show some self-respect."

Only then does He Yanran finally understand that Brother Rong has never had feelings for her.

Their supposed childhood romance was all in her head.

Not long afterward, He Yanran vanishes without a trace, and a peerlessly beautiful courtesan appears at Tianxiang Pavilion.

They say her eyes are captivating and her beauty is refined and enchanting. She plays the pipa beautifully, yet remains chaste and above the ways of the world. Princes and nobles may admire her from afar, but none may get close enough to touch her.

Amid the spring warmth of silk curtains, Rong Jingzhou gazes intently at her graceful figure on the balcony. But he sees her delicate fingers pass lightly before his face as she takes the hand of young Marquis Gu, who has long admired her, and leads him into her private chamber.

In an instant, it feels as if a sharp blade has split Rong Jingzhou's heart open, leaving him in excruciating pain.

*

Born into a prominent family and blessed with exceptional talent, Rong Jingzhou has had his family's responsibilities etched into his bones since childhood. He knows he is expected to marry a woman from an equally distinguished family.

So when the He family falls into ruin, he cuts ties without hesitation, breaks off the engagement, and never spares He Yanran another glance.

He thinks himself detached, disciplined, and proper. Only when he starts dreaming every night of those alluring, captivating eyes does he begin to regret his choice.

He does everything he can to win her back, even wearing down the threshold and breaking his pride, but all he gets in return is:

"Young Master Rong, please show some self-respect."

1. Both leads have only ever been with each other. Happy ending.

2. The female lead does not debase herself. She has another reason for entering Tianxiang Pavilion and will eventually reclaim her identity.

3. The male lead will have to work hard to win her back, and she won't forgive him easily.

Theme: Understand your feelings and cherish the person by your side