A Summer Kiss

[Complete]

*80% paywall. Please add my next book, Sweet Dream Swamp, to your favorites.

In her senior year, Xia Yi finally got her first boyfriend after years of being single.

He was a handsome, gentle, considerate upperclassman from the year above, good at his studies and popular with everyone. Her friends were envious. “Xia Yi, you’re so lucky.”

But no one expected the two of them to break up after just one week.

A shocking rumor spread everywhere:

It turned out that the “great upperclassman” everyone admired had only pursued Xia Yi on a bet, and he broke up with her after seven days to beat the record for the shortest relationship.

Along with their disillusionment with him, the people around her looked forward to seeing Xia Yi in a sorry state.

But they didn’t know that Xia Yi had finally, finally been waiting for this day!

Men are such a hassle! So boring!

Being single is wonderful, comfortable, and freeing!

When her upperclassman asked to break up, she almost cried with joy.

But he assumed she was simply heartbroken.

-

Before they broke up, Han Li, the upperclassman, benevolently told her a hard truth: “Xia Yi, in this day and age, no one is sincere. You’ll never find the genuine feelings you want.”

As if being jaded were the norm.

Then Xia Yi met Liang Tinggu, a famous figure at Yunchuan University and the high-and-mighty, ruthless head of the Liang family, one of Yunchuan’s most influential families.

But around Xia Yi, he was gentle and considerate, refined and courteous, nothing like the rumors about him.

With every word and gesture, he showed her that sincerity did exist, that it was real. And on countless late nights, he made it clear that someone could love her deeply.

Even when some of his true nature began to show, Xia Yi enjoyed it.

-

Late one night, Xia Yi got a call from an unknown number. The voice on the other end was drunk and slurred, yet somehow familiar.

“Xia Yi, don’t let him fool you! Do you know how controlling Liang Tinggu is?! He’s not a good person!”

Having learned his true nature days ago, Xia Yi replied, “I know. So what?”

Hearing how cheerful she sounded, the upperclassman’s eyes reddened. His voice turned humble as he asked the classic question from every romance drama: “Xia Yi, did you ever like me?”

“…”

Her silence made him think he still had a chance.

But soon, he heard the woman’s voice go soft, mingled with a sweet little whimper. “Stop kissing me.”

“…”

The next second, he heard that calculating man murmur, “Yi Yi, you’ve gone over by a minute. What should we do, hmm?”

Xia Yi quietly hung up.

The girl who had made Han Li’s heart flutter that summer finally escaped his jaded world.

Important warnings:

1. Both leads have only ever been with each other. The upperclassman is just a minor character, not even the second male lead. The heroine never liked him.

2. The hero is calculating and controlling (important). He has been plotting to win the heroine for a long time.

3. A bit melodramatic, with an overbearing CEO vibe (?). He spoils her rotten, and there’s a seven-year age gap.

The description was screenshotted on March 10, 2023.

-

Please check out and favorite my upcoming novel, Sweet Dream Swamp, in my collection~

Sweet, well-behaved little princess x aloof, cocky rich young master

Childhood friends / marriage first, love later / groveling pursuit after the wife leaves / secret crush

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Jiang Linchen’s awful temper is something only Liang Mo can put up with. Unfortunately, he’s good-looking and attracts admirers everywhere.

Whenever that happens, Miss Liang affectionately takes his arm and flashes a sweet, obedient smile. “Sorry, Jiang Linchen is in love with me. He’s crazy about me. He can’t live without me.”

His friends all crack up at Liang Mo’s hopelessly corny line.

Young Master Jiang just glances at her lazily, then smiles. “What are you laughing at? Didn’t you hear what my sweetheart said?”

Likewise, whenever Liang Mo encounters someone she doesn’t want to deal with, Jiang Linchen pulls her into his arms and coldly glares at the person in front of them. “Do you think you can pursue my woman?”

One day, egged on by their friends, Liang Mo watches the man shielding her from drinks and says, “We’ve been taking hits for each other for years. Why don’t we get married and keep doing it for the rest of our lives?”

“Sure.” Jiang Linchen gives a faint laugh, showing no emotion.

*

Liang Mo never expected the wish she’d made as a joke to actually come true.

After they marry, she and Jiang Linchen kiss, embrace, and do all the things married couples do.

Until one day, she hears Jiang Linchen tell the old master in an even voice, “It’s just a marriage alliance. How much affection do you expect there to be between us?”

This sweet dream had lasted far too long.

…

One day after they separate, Liang Mo comes downstairs and sees the man leaning against his car with a cigarette in hand. His long coat is wrapped around him against the cold, and he looks as if he’s been waiting all night.

“Is your cold getting better?”

His voice is hoarse, but Liang Mo simply watches him in silence, keeping her distance.

“Have you signed the divorce papers?”

Snow falls thickly. The unfamiliar coldness in her eyes stabs Jiang Linchen in the heart.

She really doesn’t want him anymore.

…

Warnings:

* The hero is stubborn and sharp-tongued at first. He’ll have to chase his wife back, and they will get divorced.

* Neither lead is perfect, and both have flaws. Not for perfectionists.

Description first posted October 5, 2023, revised January 3, 2024.

Theme: Sincere love will always exist.