Growing Familiar

[Complete] Next up: Bite the Mist and Dye It Ripe. The linked preview novel Long Night Begins is the story of Zhong Yun and Gu Sheng. It's a sweet romance, come join us!

Chen Ran and Zhou Ting'an began with a ridiculous accident.

That night, she went to meet her boyfriend. In a dim, secluded corner, she mistook someone else for him.

Her boyfriend was a little tipsy. He cheerfully led her, still unaware of her mistake, over to the real person and introduced her: "Mr. Zhou, this is my girlfriend."

Zhou Ting'an lowered his eyes and brushed at the sleeve she'd just wrinkled. He gave a quiet acknowledgment. "She's beautiful."

His manner was mild and casual.

He hadn't even looked at her face.

Still, Chen Ran felt reassured. Zhou Ting'an was exactly as the rumors in their circle described him.

Cool and distant, but never difficult to deal with.

Until the night she successfully secured an interview with him. Alone in a conference room, he leaned close to her ear and said plainly, "End things with him. Start something with me."

-

Zhou Ting'an was born into a prestigious family and held a high position. Like a pine tree in the mountains, he kept his talents hidden, yet his reputation was renowned.

Perhaps only Chen Ran knew how cruel he could be. For the two years after she caught her boyfriend cheating and broke up with him, she experienced all of Zhou Ting'an's tricks in private.

Then they parted. When they met again, he was the one who reached out.

Holding her interview notes, Chen Ran peered through the crack in the door at Zhou Ting'an, standing by the window and making a phone call. She hesitated several times before finally raising her hand to knock.

Zhou Ting'an held the phone as he looked toward the door. Then he walked over, opened it, took her by the wrist, and led her inside.

Chen Ran offered a polite greeting. "Long time no see, Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Ting'an hung up and used that same hand to brush her lips lightly. "Why are you afraid to come in? Worried I'll kiss you?"

-

[A little madness, and I want your true heart.]

[Scion of an elite family x financial journalist]

A few reading tips:

1. The leads' relationship begins only after the heroine breaks up with her ex-boyfriend. After the breakup, okay! Also, the novel is entirely fictional, and everything is set up to create the right atmosphere. The locations are all imaginary, so don't associate them with real life.

2. Includes an age gap, class differences, stealing someone's partner, a bit of forceful pursuit, and consensual sex.

3. Pay special attention! The male lead is extremely, extremely possessive! He's not a good guy in any strict sense of the word!

Blurb written on 2024/12/26 and saved as a screenshot.

Core theme: Life is beautiful, and the future is full of promise.