Tales of Yanjing

[Nine-year age gap: a cunning, calculating tycoon x a straightforward, adorable university student]

Huo Zhimiao is the scion of a top-tier wealthy family, the famous "Ninth Master Huo" of the capital's elite circle. Handsome and refined, he can turn the tides with a flick of his hand. He carries himself like a gentleman, but acts with ruthless cruelty, sweet-tongued yet treacherous.

Once, at Yuchan Temple, a fortune-teller read his lot and said he would struggle to escape a romantic calamity, one that might cost him his life.

Huo Zhimiao agreed on the surface, but scoffed inwardly: What a load of nonsense.

Old Madam Huo, however, took the prediction to heart. She had a string of agarwood prayer beads specially made for him and ordered him to wear them at all times without taking them off.

Two years later.

To celebrate the hundredth anniversary of Yuchan Temple, the Huo family and a group of university students gathered there to pray and celebrate.

Huo Zhimiao didn't believe in Buddhism and had little interest in the event.

But when he glanced over, amid the smoky incense and fluttering colorful banners, he stood on the high steps and looked across the sea of people to see the one destined for him.

A soft, sweet, charming young woman, wearing a plain white qipao with a loose, collarless cut. In the cool early autumn breeze, she was like a pure white lily.

Buddhist teachings say that a single thought can rouse the spirits of the ten directions.

One glance was all it took for him to fall. Once fate begins, nothing can stand in its way.

/

Xu Lianlian was naive back then, believing that by "paying" a steep price, she could truly escape Huo Zhimiao's control.

A few months later, on a rainy night, she came right to his door.

Huo Zhimiao glanced at her, his tone icy. "What is it?"

She gripped the handle of her umbrella, cursing his vicious methods inwardly. Keeping her composure, she said, "I need something."

She wanted him to show mercy.

* A ridiculous, melodramatic Mary Sue novel. If it's not your thing, proceed with caution.

* She runs, he chases, and she can't escape.

* Dream material.

Theme: Overcome all suffering.