Is Mr. Bai Still Putting on a Brave Face Today?

[Slow Updates, Chapter Comments Open] Lu Ji was a notorious playboy. Among the young elite, no one's name carried more weight than Young Master Lu's. He could remain on good terms with all his former lovers. There was no love or hatred etched into his bones, and he would never stoop to trading barbs with anyone. But there was one exception. The moment Lu Ji dredged Bai Qingcen up from the depths of his memory, he knew this was a hurdle he would never get over. When he wanted to break up, he had tried every way he could think of to upset and hurt that gentleman. All he had done was make himself regret it and miss him. For thirty-three years, everyone had been chasing Bai Qingcen, pursuing his achievements, his talent, and his heart, high above the clouds. He had once been the medical world's youngest and brightest star, as well as the revered Mr. Bai of the business world. He was aloof, proud, and sharp-tongued: a noble phoenix who never bowed his head, a cold jade perched high on a cliff. Until three years ago, when a young deer clasped the mole on his wrist. And vowed, again and again, to love him. * One day, the sealed past finally came to light, and Lu Ji learned just how much his gentleman had shouldered for love. The home he had yearned for with all his heart for twenty years had been right before his eyes, yet he had tossed it aside with a wave of his hand. Eyes red, he chased after Bai Qingcen. But all he saw before him was a frail, broken body. The man who had once been so proud and aloof could barely muster the strength to curse him: “I don't care whether you believe me, and I don't care whether you understand.” “As for whether you love me, I care even less.” “I have no desire to keep an ex-boyfriend around as a dog, Mr. Lu. Get out.” He still seemed as sharp and formidable as before, yet his pallid, weary appearance gave him away. He suppressed a cough and breathed in short, light gasps. Lu Ji fell to his knees before him, eyes bloodshot, and refused to leave. He held his gentleman's hand and kissed the vermilion mole on his wrist over and over. “He should have seen the way that man always put on a brave face, the vulnerability he hid;” “the other side of a god, behind all that pride.” “...And just like that, he lost his chance.” A young deer bends its knees beside an emerald cypress, so close at hand, yet fails to notice the leaves falling here, or that spring has already grown weary. Couple: sharp-tongued, proud gong whose heart turns to ashes later × amorous, cold-hearted shou who becomes an all-capable, devoted puppy later ◆ One-on-one romance, gong is eight years older, both are virgins, happy ending ◆ We recommend skipping the first 35 chapters. They're angsty for angst's sake, written in an old-fashioned style, and the plot makes no sense. ◆ The gong is in poor health, but not weak. There are many scenes of him coughing up blood. The early part puts the gong through physical and emotional suffering; later, the shou chases his husband and suffers for love. They dote on each other in the end. Includes a melodramatic misunderstanding, so please avoid if that's not your thing. ◆ The shou has an avoidant personality and is infuriating early on. The real pursuit arc starts in Chapter 58. The gong becomes everyone's idealized beloved. The shou is extremely infuriating in Volume One, but turns over a new leaf in Volume Two. ◆ This novel is extremely unsuitable for gong fans. The more devoted you are to the gong, the more likely it is to upset you. The story leans toward the gong only because the author favors this character. He's the classic beautiful, strong, and tragic type. If you enjoy beautiful, strong, tragic characters who are also frail and ill, feel free to give it a try. “Blame the need for perfection; avoid treatment for fear of illness.” Theme: Endure hardship, and you will eventually see the light