Cherished

The main story is complete.

My next novel, The Sweet Little Fool, is now open for bookmarks on my author page. Please add it if you're interested!

As the youngest son born to the Ming family in their later years, Ming Heng has stood at the top since birth. Everyone in Haijing knows him. Though still young, he's already the all-powerful head of the Ming family. He appears cool and aloof, but is ruthless and callous in his dealings. Everyone in his circle respectfully calls him Fifth Master.

Even years later, Zhuo Xiaotong still remembers the first time she met him. He lazily narrowed his eyes as he looked her over, arrogance and defiance in his gaze. With a cigarette between his teeth, he asked in a low, deep voice, "What did you just call me?"

Fourteen-year-old Zhuo Xiaotong stood there timidly, nervously biting her lip. "Fourth Brother."

The man chuckled.

He glanced sideways and calmly stubbed out his cigarette, his cold eyes narrowing slightly. "You're so little. Why call me Fourth Brother? Call me Uncle Fourth."

After that, everyone in Haijing knew that the coldhearted Fifth Master had taken in a delicate little girl. He guarded her fiercely and wouldn't let anyone touch her. He really did seem to have taken on the role of an elder.

When Zhuo Xiaotong turned eighteen, Ming Heng left Haijing and went abroad to expand his business empire. The affection she'd kept buried for so long, unable to confess, was hidden away in the depths of her heart.

Three years later, Ming Heng returned to China with an even greater reputation, and the Ming family held a banquet to celebrate his homecoming.

Under the brilliant lights, Ming Heng's black shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, his features sharp and striking.

He smiled faintly and said to her, "Tongtong, I don't think I've taught you how to hit people yet. Be good and sit there watching."

At that moment, the secret love Zhuo Xiaotong had buried deep in her heart saw the light of day once more.

One day later, at an exclusive club frequented by Haijing's upper crust, Zhuo Xiaotong glared at the woman leaning against him and angrily called his name. "Ming Heng, are you done playing around?"

The noisy private room fell silent in an instant.

With a snap, Ming Heng tossed down his lighter. His brows drew together as he stared at her through a haze of smoke, undisguised gloom and irritation in his eyes.

"Zhuo Xiaotong, where did you get the nerve to tell me what to do?"

After a moment's hesitation, Zhuo Xiaotong left without looking back.

Six months later, they appeared in the same private room at the same club.

Seeing that Fifth Master hadn't said a word all night, everyone couldn't help thinking that the young Miss Zhuo must truly be finished. Without Fifth Master's protection, a woman in her early twenties with a face that drew attention was unlikely to meet a good end.

Until Zhuo Xiaotong's shoes were splashed with alcohol.

She held back her anger, kicked off her wet shoes in annoyance, and placed her pale, delicate bare feet directly on the cold floor.

Before anyone could take pleasure in the spectacle, Ming Heng, who had been sitting in the corner, abruptly stood up. To everyone's astonishment, he knelt on one knee in front of Zhuo Xiaotong.

He took off his own coat and patiently wrapped it around Zhuo Xiaotong's uncooperative feet, resting them on his knee. He sounded a little helpless.

"Save your temper for when we get home. Don't make a fuss right now. If you catch a chill and get sick, you'll be unable to sleep again tonight. Are you trying to make things hard for me or for yourself?"

Zhuo Xiaotong glared at him and angrily kicked him again.

Ming Heng rubbed her ankle and sighed regretfully. "Tongtong, let's be fair. If you won't let me tell you what to do, can I at least look after you?"

Reading Guide:

1. Both leads are virgins, happy ending, eight-year age gap.

2. I hope everyone enjoys reading and has a good time.

Coming Soon on my Author Page: The Sweet Little Fool

After students are streamed into arts and sciences in the second semester of their first year of high school, new students join Class 1 and the seating is rearranged.

The homeroom teacher sets up study groups to improve the class's grades. Shen Zhiyi, the top student in the grade, is "forced" to tutor his new deskmate's younger sister, Zhou Shihan.

That evening, Zhou Shihan drinks the milk Shen Zhiyi brought her and eats the rice balls he paid for, then asks without a care in the world, "Shen Zhiyi, do you like my sister?"

"Is that why you're trying to win me over, so you can pursue her?"

Shen Zhiyi: "..."

After tutoring ends that night, Zhou Shijia comes to pick up her younger sister, Zhou Shihan. Shen Zhiyi, usually cool and aloof, blocks the doorway with a frown. "She can't leave."

Zhou Shijia: "???"

Shen Zhiyi: "There's still a subject we haven't covered."

"What subject?"

"Civics."

Later, Zhou Shihan, who has always ranked near the bottom of her class, suddenly breaks into the top fifty in her grade. Amid all the amazement, someone makes a surprising revelation:

"I saw Shen Zhiyi tutoring Zhou Shihan and helping her with her homework!"

Onlookers: "Didn't the study group end ages ago? Why is he still tutoring her?"

After a brief silence:

"Shen Zhiyi must really like Zhou Shijia. He loves her so much he even helps her sister with her homework, and the college entrance exams are almost here."

Zhou Shijia, who always gets blamed: "..."

A few days later, after the college entrance exams, a group of people bring drinks and snacks to Shen Zhiyi's home to celebrate. Just as they're having a great time, the bedroom door suddenly opens from inside. Zhou Shihan, her eyes still sleepy, stands in the doorway and angrily calls out:

"Shen Zhiyi, your house is too noisy. You're keeping me from sleeping."

Everyone: "..."

Theme: You deserve to love and be loved