After the Handsome Guy Downstairs Knocked on My Door with a Cold Face

This novel has been signed for publication in simplified Chinese. For updates, contact vb@Shi Chunbai. ★ The companion novel, A Romantic Farce, is complete! Come give it a read! ■ Both leads are sexually inexperienced | Light comedy | Wealthy, world-weary bartender × idealistic, spirited shop owner ■ Tough-looking, pure-hearted tattooed bad boy × adorable, timid girl with a restless heart Chen Kuang stormed upstairs, fuming, and pounded on his neighbor’s door. His work kept him up all night and asleep all day. For a whole week, the clanging and banging upstairs had been disturbing his sleep and driving him to the brink of a nervous breakdown. Whether it was a couple having sex, someone knocking down walls during renovations, or a kid getting a spanking, surely it had to stop eventually? On his fifth knock, the door swung open. The clear eyes of a petite woman, hurried and bewildered, met his. Chen Kuang’s brows twitched. His gaze dropped to the words on her apron: “L.ing Silver Jewelry DIY.” 2- A new neighbor had moved in downstairs. Qiao Ling had never seen him, but the neighborhood aunties said he was obviously no good. He went out every night, and they’d seen him beat up several people in the alley. Stay well away from him. The first thing she saw when she opened the door was the terrifying half-sleeve tattoo beneath his T-shirt sleeve. When she looked up, she met Chen Kuang’s cool, menacing gaze. “What’s your deal?” he asked with a frown. Qiao Ling’s heart gave a jolt, and her legs nearly buckled with fright. 3- Chen Kuang’s daytime sleeping schedule and the hours of operation of Qiao Ling’s silver jewelry shop were almost impossible to reconcile. So Qiao Ling had no choice but to invite him to her apartment… to sleep. As they spent time together day after day, her impression of him gradually changed. The only two things that stayed the same were these: He really was scary, and he really was sexy. Exactly her type. → Male lead: (just breathing) Female lead: >0< He’s flirting with me again! ★, Please read the following content warnings carefully, ★ *Both the male and female leads are sexually inexperienced, though they have each had brief romantic relationships. If you’re especially bothered by the male lead having romantic experience, this book isn’t for you. To be absolutely clear, from the initial planning through the writing and completion of the novel, the male lead has always been 설정 as someone who has been in a relationship but has never had sexual contact. This has never changed. Any misleading interpretation of this is a bad-faith content warning. *The male lead lives in a hotel-style apartment in a mixed-use building. The female lead’s shop operates normally, so it is not deliberately disturbing anyone. *The male lead has tattoos, but they aren’t the kind of tacky designs associated with nonconformists. If you can’t accept a tattooed male lead, please don’t read. *The ingredients in all the original cocktails in the story are based on variations of classic drinks or special variations the author has noted while visiting bars. The author isn’t a professional, so please forgive any inaccuracies. *An urban fairy tale. Comments calling the female lead “ky” or making sweeping judgments about the author will be removed. Discussion of the male lead is not restricted. *Blurb archived on November 3, 2024. The companion novel, A Romantic Farce, is now underway! ■ A bunch of mischievous, cocky guys × a bunch of sweet-tempered, gentle girls ■ Married first, fall in love later | Mutual healing | Start with sex, then fall for each other Jiang Zao had always believed Xie Lisheng didn’t like her, and even looked down on her a little. Luckily, she felt the same way about him. After years without contact, they met again at a blind date. She set down her teacup, shifted her gaze away from the handsome face across from her, which was way above her standards for a partner, and said, “Sorry, you’re not my ideal type.” 1- One day, Jiang Zao ran into him in the company break room. Xie Lisheng unbuttoned his shirt collar and leaned lazily against the counter, sipping his coffee as he asked, “Want to grab a drink with me after work? We can call it a date.” Jiang Zao shot him a look, her expression cool, and turned him down without hesitation. “I’m sorry, Mr. Xie, but I have a conscience.” “I can’t go on a date with a married man.” Xie Lisheng replied nonchalantly, “I’ve told you, there’s no love between me and her.” She glared at him and stressed, “But I’m married too.” Xie Lisheng shamelessly replied, “I don’t mind being the other man. Who’d know if you didn’t tell?” Then he leaned closer and touched her hand. Jiang Zao’s heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, she glanced toward the door to check whether anyone was coming. Xie Lisheng’s long fingers brushed over the plain ring on her left ring finger, then tapped her watch to remind her, “Mrs. Xie, you put on my Apple Watch this morning.” “Let’s stop pretending for now.” “Want to switch?” “Others mock you for being reckless. I’ll back you up with love.” * Both leads are sexually inexperienced. A few brief flashbacks to their college days are included. * The story opens after their marriage √ No romantic feelings before marriage √ * All the dialogue in the blurb is just light flirting between a real married couple in their everyday life. Please don’t mistake it for a statement about conflict between the sexes. Theme: Suffering may be a raging fire that forges the soul.