Painted Faces [Male Unrequited Love + Peking Opera]

* A carefree celebrity x an aloof Peking opera performer

* She seems to pursue him, but he's the one who has loved her all along; the object of her seduction turns out to have a crush on her

Su Qinghe is famous for her romantic escapades in the entertainment industry.

Her rumored boyfriends have a one-month shelf life, and every time someone confesses, she moves on to someone new.

He is the one exception.

Su Qinghe looked at the handsome man in the passenger seat. He had a slight furrow between his brows and an unmistakable air of keep your distance.

At that moment, she should have been dying of embarrassment for getting into the wrong car, but all she could think about was adding him to her collection.

Only later did she learn that he was Xu Wenyan, a Peking opera fanatic renowned for his disinterest in women.

In the hospital room, with other people watching, she gently traced her fingers over the man's forehead, eyes, and lips, finally coming to rest on his Adam's apple.

Su Qinghe smiled seductively. "Can you put me up for one night? Otherwise, I'll be sleeping on the street tonight."

The man remained unmoved. He caught her wandering hand and said coolly, "Then sleep on the street."

Onlookers: Whew, he's so cold!

Su Qinghe: He's so clueless, I love it!

Until one night when passion overtook them

The man held her tightly in his arms,

his warm breath brushing her ear,

and her reflection gradually filled his eyes, as cold and unyielding as ice.

He said, "Su Qinghe, I love you."

She tried to escape, only to realize it was too late. She had already fallen too deep into this game.

**

Everyone knows Xu Wenyan keeps his distance from women.

But no one knows he's been secretly in love with Su Qinghe for eleven years, loving her without hope of return.

The first time he confessed, the woman looked at him coldly, her eyes full of disgust:

"You say you like me? You're hilarious. Doesn't that disgust you?"

"Get lost."

After that, he never appeared before her again.

Not until the woman treated him like a stranger she'd just met and pursued him relentlessly.

Friend: "She's got her eye on you, huh?"

The man lowered his eyes and gave a self-mocking smile.

She just wanted to play a flirtatious little game called pursuit with him.

Friend: "What a jerk! Run!"

The man swirled the wine in his glass. The light shone through it and fell across his eyes, leaving them impossible to read.

"In that case, I'll play along to the very end."

[Reading Guide]

1. Because of her family situation, the heroine has an avoidant attachment style. She can be a little difficult at times, but I think she's adorable most of the time.

2. The hero mainly performs the qingyi role. I've done my best to research the Peking opera details, but I'm no expert, so please be patient with me.

3. The overall tone is healing.

4. Please add this to your favorites, dear readers!

There's a completed novel next door, Let's Fall in Love! Right Now, about a screenwriter x voice actor. Check out my author page if you're interested!

There's also a contemporary romance coming soon on my author page. Please add that to your favorites too!

Theme: Live positively, embrace life, and promote the culture of traditional Chinese opera