Heartbeat at the Evening Bell

*

In eighth grade, a family with the surname Chen moved into the vacant house across from Wen Zhi's.

For a while, Wen Zhi's favorite thing to do was squat in front of the Chen family's flower bed and watch their younger son, Chen Yan, bring home a different woman every day, then get thrown out with her.

And he never seemed to tire of it.

One day, while she was watching the usual spectacle, one of the people involved crouched behind her without her noticing and muttered bitterly,

"What kind of girl goes around spying on people?"

Wen Zhi spun around in alarm. The boy's clear eyes glimmered in the moonlight, and his sharp jawline was like a sail setting off on a journey, quietly launching itself in the girl's heart.

Rich people could keep the moon at home and do whatever they pleased.

That's what Wen Zhi thought.

Later, the Chen family moved out overnight. By the time Wen Zhi arrived, all that remained was a mess.

The boy as bright as the moon was never heard from again.

The girl's first love finally came to nothing.

**

After graduating from college, Wen Zhi interviewed at a new company. She made it through every round and landed the position of board secretary, never expecting the chairman who walked through the door to be Chen Yan, whom she hadn't seen in eight years.

By then, the boyish spirit had left the man, but beneath his immaculate, expensive suit, he still had that devil-may-care attitude.

"You've grown so tall. Let me get a look at you."

Wen Zhi stepped back, her tone just like it had been when she was a child. "Chairman Chen, I'm at work right now."

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow. "Can't we catch up while you're working? Simple, then."

He dropped the contract and headed for the door. "You're off work."

Wen Zhi refused with righteous conviction. "I'm sorry, Chairman Chen, but work comes first. I don't skip work, and I don't date. I hope you understand."

Chen Yan: ?

Chen, internally: Isn't building a career better than chasing men?

[What should I do if my company's female secretary refuses to go on a date with me after work?]

Reading guide:

1. The male lead doesn't fall for the female lead until she's an adult.

2. Both leads are sexually inexperienced.

3. Eight-year age gap.

Theme: Love can heal regrets.