The first time Qiu Qingzhi stepped into the Nian family's home, she gazed at the imposing old mansion, grand and steeped in history, and felt awkward from head to toe, as fresh and delicate as a young peach.
Tang Wennian traced her red lips with his thumb. "I'll ask you one last time. Are you sure you won't regret being with me?"
The man looked cool and detached, his smile dangerous yet captivating.
Qiu Qingzhi gazed at him blankly and said she wouldn't regret it.
It was the dead of winter. Snow lay deep in the courtyard.
He brought her into the glittering world of wealth and fame.
Tang Wennian, head of the Tang family in the capital, was refined and dignified, with a handsome face.
Women loved his looks, and they loved his power.
Tang Wennian spent lavishly on her, carefully paving a golden road for her future.
With him, Qiu Qingzhi rose rapidly through the ranks.
In just four years, Qiu Qingzhi won countless awards and became the top star in both film and television.
And that year, she was only twenty-three.
*
Qiu Qingzhi had lived in the Nian family home for four years.
The awkward, unworldly girl who arrived there had long since been transformed by money and power, her cheeks rosy and radiant.
Another winter came, and the courtyard was buried in snow.
Qiu Qingzhi stood barefoot by the window. Outside, the cold was bitter and the snow piled high, but she wore a thin qipao, its fine silk outlining her graceful figure.
Behind her, bodyguards carried in box after box of rare treasures, all collected from around the world by Tang Wennian, just because she liked them.
"Where is he?"
"Mr. Tang has some personal matters to attend to, so he won't be coming back. He asked me to wish you a happy birthday."
Falling in love with Tang Wennian and dreaming of marrying him had been a beautiful dream Qiu Qingzhi once had.
Now that she had woken up, she could let it go.
That last time, she was passionate, clinging to Tang Wennian without tiring. He held her close, his gentle, lingering kisses roaming over her face. When he chuckled, his voice was rich and alluring, full of affection.
"Why are you so well-behaved today? Hmm?"
Qiu Qingzhi looked at his warm, gentle features and recalled all those nights when they had made love with abandon. His gaze had always been just as tender and focused.
But she knew Tang Wennian's heart would never thaw.
He didn't love her, and he had never planned to marry her.
"Tang Wennian, after we sleep together this one last time, let's go our separate ways."
"You're talking nonsense again."
He smiled and tapped the woman's nose, not taking her seriously.
*
Tang Wennian thought Qiu Qingzhi would never leave him.
She was greedy, ambitious, spoiled, and domineering. Who else could give her everything she wanted and indulge her unconditionally, if not him?
He waited for his temperamental lover to go out and make her way in the world, suffer some hardships, and come crawling back. But instead...
After leaving him, Qiu Qingzhi continued to thrive. She even threw a party for a group of buff men on the island he had once bought her, partying all night long...
For the first time, the usually composed and self-controlled Tang Wennian found himself at a loss.
[Reading Guide]
1. Nine-year age gap | Happy ending | Both leads have no previous relationships
2. The powerful one lowers his head + adult literature
Theme: I love you, so I'll do everything I can to help you rise
