Yesterday's Westward Fall

[First novel. The writing is immature, so read with caution. Characterization may leave something to be desired, but I still love all the characters I created. Please don't criticize the characters; criticize the author instead. There is much room for improvement, and I appreciate any feedback.]

Blurb:

#Fearless Youth x Reason Above All#

#Cultural Relics Restorer x Color-Blind Female Professor#

I

Everyone in Beijing's upper circles knows that He Zhishan is not someone to mess with.

At just twenty-three, he left his family and became one of the country's top cultural relics restorers.

Young and accomplished, stern and aloof.

He doesn't smoke, drink, or fool around.

Though he has passed through countless flowers, he has never let a single petal cling to him, leaving no one the slightest leverage against him.

No one expected that five years after leaving home, Second Young Master He would return to a family banquet with a woman seven years older than him.

The woman, Yang Yue, is a university professor.

She is elegant and composed, with gentle, courteous manners.

Yet standing beside Second Young Master He, she somehow seems both close to him and distant.

It wasn't until a lavish spread of dishes was served that He Zhishan, seemingly oblivious to everyone around him, gestured to Yang Yue with his injured hand.

Yang Yue let out a helpless sigh.

Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, she resigned herself to feeding him spoonful after spoonful.

When they saw Second Young Master He's brows knitting into a tight knot, everyone held their breath for Yang Yue.

After all, He Zhishan was famous in Beijing for being a smiling tiger. Even his own father was afraid of provoking his temper.

At last, the usually taciturn Second Young Master He moved his lips, slowly.

"Sis, it's hot."

II

White lights, gray clouds, a black sky.

It was as if God had veiled the world before her eyes.

But if she could,

she wanted to know what color her lover's eyes were.

Her young lover's eyes must reflect a dazzling array of colors.

Through letter after letter sent from far away, she came to know the world anew.

So tender green was the new growth of spring, and leaves turned golden in autumn.

"Next time it snows, I want to come see you."

One winter passed after another, until snow finally fell outside Beijing.

Just as promised, He Zhishan held her tightly amid the vast white snowfall.

"The snow outside is white, my scarf is gray, and my clothes are black. Now the whole world looks just like what you see."

He Zhishan lowered his head, asking her for a kiss.

"So how are you going to reward me?"

The young man grinned, but the hand resting on her waist trembled nervously despite himself.

Yang Yue caressed his burning cheek and smiled as she kissed him back.

"But I bet your face is red."

Divider

Below is the blurb for the neighboring novel, Sleepless Nights.

#Rekindled Love | Mutual Pining | Reunion After Years Apart#

I

Chen Jing never imagined she would see Ji Mingyang again at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

In the photo with its red background, the man was handsome, but his expression was as cold as if he had just lost his wife.

It wasn't his fault.

Chen Jing silently lamented.

After all, five years ago, she had slept with him and then left without a second thought.

Back then, she had toyed with someone's feelings on a whim over a bet.

By the time she realized she liked him, five years had already passed.

"We've been broken up for five years, Chen Jing. Don't get ahead of yourself. This is just a marriage alliance."

Ji Mingyang's laugh was teasing.

Chen Jing thought there was no need for him to remind her.

She had long since put away her foolish hopes. All she wanted was to stay by his side this time.

II

She dutifully fulfilled the obligations of a wife in an arranged marriage.

Ji Mingyang was absorbed in work all day, nowhere to be found.

Until one day, at a class reunion, her classmates egged her on until she agreed to go on a trip with a male classmate.

Just as the offered glass of wine reached the table, another large hand stopped it.

When Ji Mingyang suddenly showed up,

everyone was stunned and hurried to their feet to greet him.

Ji Mingyang said nothing, silently drinking every glass of wine they offered him in her honor.

Everyone couldn't help but wonder about their relationship and asked them outright.

Chen Jing lost her nerve and lowered her head.

"President Ji is my... boss."

Late that night, when they got home, Ji Mingyang slept on the sofa, refusing to go back to their room.

Chen Jing brought him a glass of milk to sober him up, feeling guilty.

Looking at his exhausted sleeping face, she couldn't resist stealing a kiss on his cheek.

To her surprise, the next moment he grabbed her wrist and pinned her down on the sofa.

"You left so decisively five years ago. Where are you planning to go this time?"

The man, usually so restrained and self-controlled, suddenly held her waist and kissed her fiercely.

"Are you tired of playing with me again?"

"I'm not playing anymore."

Chen Jing was breathless and dazed from his kisses, but she didn't dare look him in the eye.

"...I'm not leaving."

In the darkness, she felt his breath quiver.

With the next kiss, his tears fell beside her face.

"This time, can you really... not leave me behind?"

Theme: Pursuing your dreams.