When You Look at Me

Pre-release: His Montage, an abstinent director x an actress whose reputation has been ruined. Rolling around and begging for follows~ Blurb at the very bottom

At Beichuan No. 1 High School, Cheng Qianzhou was the adored, heaven-blessed golden boy, the moon surrounded by countless stars.

Gu Chuqing, meanwhile, was at most a speck of gray dust, not even worthy of being called a star.

She had witnessed Cheng Qianzhou being confessed to countless times, pretending like everyone else that she was just there to watch the show.

Only she knew that she secretly kept track of how often they brushed past each other, secretly recorded his rather unenthusiastic speeches, and listened to his “Good luck with the college entrance exams” ten thousand times.

She seemed to know the sight of his back better than his face.

During the final winter of high school, Gu Chuqing had rehearsed that simple confession for three years, but when she stood in front of him, she still couldn't help wanting to run away.

Gu Chuqing, why are you such a coward?

At the class reunion, everyone was having a wonderful time.

They were sitting a little far apart. Just as she had countless times before, she watched him surrounded by people, with no place for her among them.

After the reunion, snow began to fall outside. At some point, Cheng Qianzhou had suddenly appeared behind Gu Chuqing, her scarf clutched in his hand.

Overcome by drink, Gu Chuqing buried her face in Cheng Qianzhou's brown coat and, for no reason she could explain, felt a pang of grievance. “When are you finally going to notice me?”

The tall, slender figure in front of her clearly stiffened for a moment. Then Gu Chuqing heard a chuckle from above her head:

“My eyes are practically glued to you. How much more attention do you want?”

- Mutual pining, sweet romance, from high school to college

- Cool, cocky, gentle, mature, and jealous boyfriend x hardworking, ambitious, adorable girl who chases the light

- About Being So Obsessed with My Secret Crush That I Failed to Notice They Liked Me Back

His Montage blurb:

A refined, wicked, abstinent, famous director x a fallen heiress and actress whose reputation has been ruined

Meng You was free-spirited and outspoken. After more than a decade of struggling in the entertainment industry, she had made no shortage of enemies.

Then, through one careless mistake, she fell from grace.

All she could do was go home and inherit the family fortune.

Zhou Yicheng was the most outstanding young director in all of Country C. Countless people wanted to play his leading lady, yet he chose Meng You, who had become thoroughly disillusioned with the entertainment industry.

The first time Meng You saw him, he was sitting in the director's chair with his eyes closed, his features handsome.

The second time left the deepest impression: at the film awards ceremony, she won Best Actress, captivating everyone with her performance.

Zhou Yicheng wore a dark blue suit, cut somewhat loosely, yet it made his broad shoulders and long legs stand out. His tie hung loosely around his neck, his eyes and brows carried a lazy weariness, and he smiled with pursed lips.

He looked utterly harmless.

After the film wrapped, Meng You was swamped with social engagements, and one high-paying movie offer after another came her way.

She got home at three in the morning.

She didn't turn on the lights, afraid of waking the person asleep inside.

The next second, she suddenly collided with a warm chest.

A low voice rasped by her ear, its breath dangerous. “You came back too late.”

“Had things to do.” Meng You seemed accustomed to the man's clinginess. Even with him hanging off her like a koala, she carried on with her own business.

Today, Zhou Yicheng seemed determined not to let her go.

As she was pushed onto the bed, Meng You had one brief moment of clarity:

“Does this count as abusing your power?”

“If you marry me, it doesn't.”

*

A paparazzo spread rumors about Zhou Yicheng. It was the first scandal he'd had in eight years, ever since his debut.

Meng You went drinking with a friend to blow off steam, but the more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

The alcohol went to her head, and she decided to compete with Zhou Yicheng. If he could have a scandal, why couldn't she?

So Meng You put on the air of someone marching bravely to her death and accepted the invitation of a cute young guy who had asked her to drink with him.

Zhou Yicheng, who had been watching from another booth, suddenly stood up, his composure slipping for the first time.

In the crowded bar, its lights flickering between bright and dark, Zhou Yicheng gripped her chin. His touch wasn't forceful, yet left her unable to resist.

“Don't take this too far.”

And so, the underground relationship the two had maintained for over three years was finally exposed.

*

The exposure of their relationship made Meng You's acting career rocky.

Watching Zhou Yicheng's directing career flourish, she was so annoyed that she said petulantly, “My dad found me someone to marry for the sake of the family. Maybe I should just marry him. I'm not going to make money anyway, so I might as well let someone keep me.”

Thinking Zhou Yicheng would lose his temper again, Meng You made a point of keeping her distance.

Instead, Zhou Yicheng took a chilled soda from the fridge, pulled the tab open with one hand, and scoffed. “Fine. I don't mind.”

Meng You's eyes widened. That very night, she ran away from home.

When Meng You's father heard she'd agreed to the marriage, he was delighted. The next day, he arranged for the two of them to meet at a restaurant.

And then...

Meng You saw Zhou Yicheng sitting in the restaurant, dressed formally and waiting early, his face serious. She stood frozen, her jaw practically hitting the floor.

“What? I'm your arranged marriage partner. Not happy?”

Theme: The young set sail, but love will find them again