Second Chance Romance / Possessive Pursuit
1
It was the tenth year since her mother married into the Qi family when Si Yao called Qi Nanyu “brother” for the first time.
It was a welcome-home banquet for her graduation and return to China. His childhood sweetheart was there, too, and Si Yao called her “sister-in-law.”
The woman was delighted. She drew Si Yao into conversation and teased Qi Nanyu for being so cold. With a bright smile, Si Yao played matchmaker: “My brother is very gentle in private.”
She slipped away midway through the banquet and ran into him in a narrow corridor. His indifferent voice drifted down, tinged with amusement. “Just how gentle am I in private?”
Si Yao wanted no part of the conversation, but he blocked her way. Laughter and chatter from the banquet drifted over now and then. Her heart pounded as the man’s scorching breath brushed recklessly over her ear.
“You’ve learned to lie in the years we’ve been apart.”
“Back then, didn’t you always cry and ask me to go easy on you?”
2
Rumors about Qi Nanyu’s wedding were everywhere, but nothing ever came of them. He often showed up at nightclubs, and no one in their circle dared ask him about it. Only a friend who knew the truth cautiously probed, asking if it was because of Si Yao.
A cigarette rested between his long, elegant fingers. Through the swirling smoke, his alluring phoenix eyes looked all the more heartless. “Don’t talk nonsense. She’s just my sister.”
Si Yao froze outside the door. From then on, she called him only “brother.”
3
Later, Si Yao fell in love. Her boyfriend was handsome and accomplished, and the two soon began discussing marriage. On the day they were furnishing their new home, a once-in-a-century downpour hit, so they stayed there overnight.
The knock at the door shattered the night’s intimacy. Qi Nanyu barged into the bedroom, soaked through, looking disheveled yet noble. He fixed his eyes on Si Yao and cut off her boyfriend, who was trying to speak. “Get out.”
She couldn’t help herself. “Qi Nanyu! He’s my boyfriend.”
The door slammed shut. He pinned her hard against it, his wet fingers stroking her cheek. His deep, hoarse voice was taut with restraint.
“He’s your boyfriend, so what am I?”
“Does he know you’ve been with me since you were eighteen?”
Wild, unhinged man X cool, refined woman
Space scientist X art conservator
SC, no blood relation, not registered in the same household
Written on 2025/01/21
Theme: Flying through that endless spring rain
