Falling into Spring

[Complete, undergoing revisions. Please consider leaving a full-completion rating! My next book, A Marriage of Convenience, is now underway.]

1,

Cen Zhixu had always been a rule-breaking rebel. The year she returned from a leave of absence to focus on restoring cultural relics, she spotted him at a gathering organized by her friends.

He sat casually, sharp brows shadowing a pair of cold, distant black eyes, seemingly detached from the shooting range around him.

Among the young playboys of the capital, he seemed especially proud and aloof.

Cen Zhixu had never seen him before. Thinking he was some minor character brought along by someone, she curled her lips and said, "Why don't you teach me?"

The moment he glanced up at her, a chorus of gasps sounded behind her.

He smoothly hit a perfect ten with every shot, and said tersely, "Go ahead and learn."

Her friend was terrified and hurriedly tugged at Cen Zhixu's hem. "You dare mess with Brother Ci?"

Cen Zhixu froze for a moment, then hesitantly said the name of the legendary young master of the Xie family, who could turn half the capital upside down.

"Xie Cixu?"

2,

The illustrious Xie family had only one son.

He'd taken control of the family at a young age, and everyone said he was a ruthless character.

Cen Zhixu regretted falling for him, and worried she wouldn't be able to get away later, so she made up a story about being a poor Cinderella to deceive him.

During their nights together, their bodies fit exceptionally well.

Before they parted, Cen Zhixu borrowed a line from the internet and forced two tears into her eyes. "You live in a lofty tower, while I dwell in the spring mountains. I understand that much, and I'm sure you do too, Mr. Xie. From now on, we'll each return to our own social class, and never meet again."

It was the first time she'd seen Xie Cixu look so furious.

"How have I not treated you well, Cen Zhi?" He kissed her out of control, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "To hell with your spring mountains. If you want to climb that tower, I'll help you up even if it costs me everything."

3,

Years later, when Cen Zhixu set foot in this place again, she was still uneasy.

Her elders kept introducing her to promising young men, and she turned them all down.

Until Xie Cixu appeared at her home. One of her elders smiled and waved her over. "A Zhi, come meet Mr. Xie."

The man's once-indifferent eyes were clouded with darkness as he smiled meaningfully.

"You left out one character, but I still found you."

"How are you planning to play me this time?"

[He wanted to lift her to the top and spend his life with her, but she only wanted one night of pleasure and never to meet again.]

A few notes:

1. Five-year age gap / both leads are sexually inexperienced.

The female lead has kissed her ex-boyfriend. The male lead is an aloof, high-cold flower with no romantic entanglements.

2. A calculating young lady who wants sex but not love x a seemingly cold, brooding, jealous man who crawls on the ground.

3. Male rivals competing for her / the female lead is adored by everyone. No bankruptcy. After their reunion, she'll take over the family business. The story centers on the woman, and she's clear-headed throughout, with a touch of dog-training romance. Not recommended for readers who are extreme male-lead loyalists. If you're going to insult the female lead, don't read it either, thanks.

4. A high-level flirtation game between hunters. He fears her and walks on eggshells, unaware that he's already fallen into her trap, while she watches from across the river, completely in control.

Please add my next book, A Marriage of Convenience, to your favorites.

Unrequited love comes true / marriage first, love later / mutual seduction

1,

Lu Qinghuai first met Xie Wangyan the year she went abroad on a full scholarship as an exchange student.

At the time, he was refined and aloof, speaking French with her in a composed, dignified manner. She blushed, her tongue tying itself in knots, like a speck of dust gazing up at the moon on a high terrace.

Lu Qinghuai had grown up in an orphanage in a small town. She didn't find her birth family until she was twenty-four, just as the marriage arrangement between the Lu and Xie families had reached an impasse. That was the second time she met Xie Wangyan.

Later, Old Master Xie's condition worsened, and there seemed to be no solution. Lu Qinghuai summoned her courage and asked, "Mr. Xie, since anyone would do, would you consider me?"

Xie Wangyan looked at her. "The marriage will last two years. During that time, you're free to date, but your family mustn't find out."

She agreed coolly, but inside, a spark had burst into a blazing fire.

2,

After marrying Xie Wangyan as she had hoped, Lu Qinghuai remembered to maintain a proper distance.

In public, they were inseparable; in private, they treated each other with formal courtesy.

At some point, Xie Wangyan began coming home more and more often. His belongings gradually took over the marital home, and he would always appear before her wearing a bathrobe.

Lu Qinghuai blushed and could only retreat every time.

But he circled his arms around her, his damp hair brushing her cheek. "Why are you hiding?"

3,

At a gathering with Xie Wangyan's childhood friends, Lu Qinghuai immediately recognized the long-time unrequited love of her best friend. She quietly asked, "Is the man in glasses sitting in the corner single?"

Xie Wangyan replied languidly, "Yeah."

"Could you help me get his contact information?"

"..." Xie Wangyan clamped his cool fingertips around her chin and planted a burning, chaotic kiss on the corner of her lips. "You dare?"

Theme: Never give up, even in adversity