Fireworks on the Tide

[Blurb written on 2023.8.8; may be revised later. Screenshot saved.]

[Trendy fashion-label owner male lead, a handsome scumbag on the surface but actually a sweet, innocent, devoted good man, X foodie novelist]

After moving into Moon Perch Apartments, Nan Zhiyue had a wonderful impression of Rong Yu, her neighbor on the same floor. She was eager to find a chance to become friends with him.

After all, Rong Yu was not only refined and kind, but also an excellent cook.

Whenever Nan Zhiyue worked at night and caught the delicious smells coming from Rong Yu's apartment, she wished she could become the kind of friend who'd take a bullet for him that very day.

There was another neighbor on Nan Zhiyue's floor, Xuan You. He looked cold and unapproachable, and was always at the cutting edge of fashion. Even the bag he carried was a designer piece worth five figures, and Nan Zhiyue couldn't even tell what it was supposed to look like.

Different beautiful women often went home with Xuan You, too. Nan Zhiyue had seen it happen several times and was convinced he was a scumbag from a world she didn't belong to.

But then, one day, a thief tried to snatch Nan Zhiyue's bag. Xuan You stepped forward impassively, grabbed his own five-figure bag, and hurled it at the robber.

The robber went down, and the contents of the bag scattered across the ground.

Sealed beef, bright green broccoli, a bottle of oil, a bag of salt, a bottle of cooking wine...

Nan Zhiyue: ?

Only later did Nan Zhiyue learn that the neighbor whose cooking she had admired so much was Xuan You.

She also learned that outside of work, Xuan You didn't go clubbing or fool around. He just liked going home to buy groceries and cook.

For the sake of her appetite, Nan Zhiyue started trying to get closer to Xuan You instead.

A few months later, Nan Zhiyue accidentally twisted her ankle. She ran into Rong Yu on the road, and he said he had medicated oil at home, so he helped her back to his place.

An auntie saw them on the way and rumors spread. By the time the story reached Xuan You, who had just returned, it had become "Rong Yu carried Nan Zhiyue home."

Xuan You's eyes widened slightly. The next moment, he tightened his grip on the bag in his hand, which was full of Nan Zhiyue's favorite food.

That evening, Nan Zhiyue knocked on Xuan You's door to mooch food and drinks as usual. The moment the door opened, Xuan You grabbed her by the wrist.

He pulled her inside, shut the door, and pinned her down, all in one smooth motion.

Reeking of alcohol, Xuan You held Nan Zhiyue's wrist in a vice-like grip. His cool, clean breath brushed her neck as he asked, his eyes dark,

"Are you two together?"

Nan Zhiyue was stunned and instinctively shook her head.

In the night, Xuan You gave a slight smile and leaned closer, his gaze captivating: "Then I'm cutting in line."

Nan Zhiyue looked confused, but the next moment, she understood.

That day, Xuan You's burning breath stole hers again and again.

[The male lead isn't a scumbag. He has nothing going on with those beautiful women; there's a reason for it.]

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