Mint at the Winter Solstice

[Marriage alliance between wealthy families | A stiff, proper man falls in love | Slow-burn everyday life | Sweet romance]

Little minx x serious man | Seven-year age gap

Jiang Yao was the youngest child in the Jiang family, with two older brothers and an older sister. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she had been spoiled all her life.

At twenty-three, honoring an agreement made twenty years earlier, she was to marry into the Xiang family. Her groom was Xiang Siheng, seven years older than her.

The eldest son of the Xiang family, he had returned from overseas during the years the family was in decline and turned things around. Now he was in control of the entire Xiang family group.

At their first meeting, Jiang Yao fiddled with her fan and said frankly, "I'm arrogant and spoiled. You're probably not going to be able to put up with me."

The man had a steady, rigid demeanor. He clearly wasn't the type to talk about feelings, and he treated her like a little girl who hadn't grown up yet.

He glanced at her coolly. "Mm."

-

In the second month of their marriage, she watched the man come home every day and sit in his study until midnight. Clapping sarcastically, she said, "You really love your work, don't you? Such a workaholic."

The man remained unruffled. Without looking up, he continued reading the documents on his desk.

Jiang Yao's temper flared, and she added in a low voice, "So cold."

At that, Xiang Siheng looked up. He glanced at her, then at the colorful fans scattered all over the floor, and clapped back at her. "So loud."

"..." Jiang Yao straightened her pajamas, turned, and left the study without another word.

-

A year into their marriage, Jiang Yao realized that Xiang Siheng wasn't always the composed, gentlemanly, indifferent man she thought he was.

For example, when he found out she was having dinner with another man he didn't know, or when he learned someone was pursuing her despite knowing she was married.

And there were other ways in which he was even less composed.

Clutching the bedsheets, Jiang Yao protested desperately, "Xiang Siheng, you said we could take a few days off this month!"

Xiang Siheng tucked the blanket around her and got up. His tone was still casual, though his voice had grown a little hoarse. "Who was it that said I was old yesterday?"

[She was the summer sun and a mint candy in winter, while he was the gentle, clear spring that could embrace all her passionate exuberance.]

*Several completed marriage-first, love-later novels in my collection:

A Wild Rain, Snow in Midsummer, Nightfall, A Gentle Fall of Snow

Theme: Live well