Toughing It Out

Qiao Yu never thought he would become the protagonist of a melodramatic drama. His career was going nowhere and his income was pitifully low, all because his boyfriend's family was keeping him down.

His mother was gravely ill and urgently needed a large sum of money.

He had no money, and his boyfriend, Yue Qianshan, had left his family to pursue his dreams, so he was just as broke.

The wealthy old matriarch looked down at him and promised that if he left Yue Qianshan, she would give him enough money to pay for his mother's treatment. Yue Qianshan's dreams would no longer be suppressed by his family and would have a much better chance of succeeding.

That night, Qiao Yu stayed awake until dawn.

*

Qiao Yu broke up with Yue Qianshan and moved out of their shared home. But on a snowy night, he saw Yue Qianshan huddled there in a miserable little heap, waiting for him just to beg him to get back together.

For the first time in his life, the usually proud young man lowered his head. Eyes red, he said that whatever Qiao Yu disliked about him, he could change.

With a cold expression, Qiao Yu gave him his reason: Yue Qianshan was too poor to give him the life he wanted, and he had already found someone richer.

Yue Qianshan trembled with rage, his eyes brimming with tears he was struggling to hold back. Before leaving, he made a harsh declaration: even if Qiao Yu got down on his knees and begged to get back together someday, he would never look at him again.

*

Three years later, Qiao Yu unexpectedly reunited with Yue Qianshan on a variety show.

By then, Yue Qianshan was dressed head to toe in designer labels and had become a hugely popular superstar. Qiao Yu, in plain clothes, was just an ordinary person you could find anywhere.

Yue Qianshan still looked at him with undiminished hatred, and every word he said was barbed.

*

Anyone with eyes could tell that Yue Qianshan hated Qiao Yu to death.

He hated him so much that he wouldn't let anyone but himself put Qiao Yu down.

He hated him so much that he personally cooked a meal just for Qiao Yu, determined to ruin his paper-thin figure and make his rich boyfriend lose interest in him.

He hated him so much that he drove away every man and woman who showed an interest in Qiao Yu.

Yue Qianshan said viciously to Qiao Yu, "Knowing you're not doing well puts my mind at ease."

*

Before the show ended, Yue Qianshan said coldly to Qiao Yu, "Since you might get the wrong idea, let me make this clear: I don't go back to an ex, and I certainly won't be with someone who once betrayed me."

Qiao Yu said softly, "Mm, I know."

*

Qiao Yu knew that Yue Qianshan had his own principles and pride, so he had never entertained the hope that they would get back together.

But he never expected that before long, Yue Qianshan would pin him down and grit out, "So what if he's rich? Dump him and be with me. Everything I have is yours."

Theme: The low points in life will pass, and a better future is waiting.