Through Winter to See You

Blurb:

"Happy birthday, Miss Lan."

1. Back in middle school, Jiang Yuzhou excelled in his studies and sports, and was popular with everyone. He was a dazzling, confident boy who charmed both girls and boys alike. But he had a prejudice against Lan Wei, and her alone.

Lan Wei was proud and openly hostile toward Jiang Yuzhou. Whenever they met, they either exchanged barbed remarks and pretended to be civil, or the air crackled with tension. No one could say exactly why.

Everyone around them knew they were sworn enemies who wanted nothing to do with each other for the rest of their lives.

2. After graduating from high school, Lan Wei changed her birthday wish each year to: "From now on, I won't think about anyone surnamed Jiang."

She made the same wish for four years in a row. Then she started working, stopped celebrating her birthday, and stopped making wishes. Little by little, she let go of the past and forgot Jiang Yuzhou completely.

3. Every year on her birthday, Lan Wei received a postcard that said "Happy birthday."

For nine years after high school, the unsigned card never failed to arrive.

But in the winter of the tenth year, no postcard came. Instead, she received a text: "Happy birthday, Miss Lan."

Beneath her window stood Jiang Yuzhou, looking as though he had traveled a long way. He stood beneath the light outside the old house, tall and straight in a black coat, his white shirt buttoned neatly to the collar.

As she stared at him in a daze, he raised the cake in his hand. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

4. That day, Jiang's mother was sitting in the courtyard, enjoying the sun. When she saw him come in, she asked, "Why didn't Wei come with you?"

Jiang Yuzhou answered casually, "She's at work."

His mother laughed in exasperation. "You can't fool your mother. I saw that agreement in your car."

Jiang Yuzhou leaned against the wall and tilted his head with a smile. "Mom, you're still thinking about her?"

"Of course I am. She's such a lovely girl. I like her. Don't you?"

Jiang Yuzhou lowered his eyes, lost in thought. After a moment, he said, "What if I win her back and make her your daughter-in-law?"

Later, at a classmate's wedding, Lan Wei, who was famous for keeping to herself, made a rare appearance. She arrived late, and every seat was taken. No one had saved her a place.

She picked an unoccupied table in a corner by the entrance and sat down as if she couldn't hear everyone whispering about her.

To everyone's surprise, the people at the head table all stood up. They crossed the entire banquet hall and took seats one by one at Lan Wei's table. It was such a grand spectacle that everyone turned to look.

Jiang Yuzhou was the last to come over. He rested a hand on the back of the chair beside Lan Wei, swirled the wine in his glass, and smiled. "Mind if I sit here?"

Lan Wei propped her chin on her hand, her doe eyes lifting slightly. They shared a knowing smile. "Why so polite, Boss Jiang?"

#Wait, weren't those two sworn enemies? #

#Why does this look so flirtatious? #

#If I didn't know better, I'd think they were the bride and groom. #

#Am I seeing things, or are they just that convincing? #

Rumor had it that the poor boy from back then had spent a fortune buying the Lan family's mansion before they went bankrupt. They said he planned to give it to his future Mrs. Jiang. Years later, Jiang Yuzhou got his wish and married the woman he loved, giving her the mansion at their engagement banquet.

His bride was none other than Lan Wei, the once-renowned heiress of the Lan family.

-In the name of love, in your name, I offer up my whole life.

A fallen heiress x the favored son of heaven / a true seductress x a fake straight-laced man

One-line premise: A century-defining showdown between two posturing, hypocritical, self-righteous jerks.

Rekindled love / school-days flashbacks / a sweet modern romance / healing

A well-matched couple, sharp tongues, one-on-one, happy ending, each other's first love.

Theme: Live life with hope