Fantasies from Dawn to Dusk

※ Gentle heroine x cunning hero

※ Marriage first, love later / Mutual pining / Wolf-and-rabbit romance

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Xu Zhi can't remember exactly when in high school she first fell for Lu Fang.

She saw how carefree he was, the center of attention wherever he went, and also witnessed his cool, independent side as he politely and distantly turned down girls who confessed to him.

But she'll never forget how, right before graduation, she finally worked up the courage to fill a postcard with her feelings, only to accidentally see him slipping a love letter into a female classmate's desk.

The stormy emotions of youth eventually settled like leaves falling from autumn mountains, fading into silence with the passage of time.

-

When they meet again, she's caught in an involuntary, farcical blind date.

Lu Fang effortlessly gets rid of the clingy date for her. The sharpness in the eyes of the golden boy she remembers has been replaced by composure, and his slight build has filled out into a lean, broad-shouldered frame.

His chiseled features are still as striking as ever, and still make her heart flutter.

Xu Zhi assumes he's just helping out a stranger at his restaurant who's gotten into trouble. She thanks him and starts to walk past.

But a large hand stops her. The man looks down at her, his gaze deep. "Since you're on a blind date, why keep letting someone like that bother you?"

"Xu Zhi, give me a chance."

-

After they marry, Xu Zhi assumes she and Lu Fang are each getting what they need. They won't interfere in each other's lives or fall in love.

Even if things get physical, they should have the unspoken understanding of adults who know better.

Knowing that a clear-headed fall into love is the most painful of all, she still keeps losing herself in him.

Until the lie is exposed, Xu Zhi accepts her loss and hands him a divorce agreement that leaves her with nothing.

"Have you made up your mind?"

The man's face gives away no emotion, but his knuckles are white with the force of his grip. "I hope neither of us will ever regret this."

-

Later, Lu Fang, far across the ocean, sees Xu Zhi's post on social media.

That night, he travels a great distance, worn out from the journey, to find her.

He carefully pulls her into his arms, his usually steady voice choked and hoarse. "Xu Zhi, I regret it."

The woman in his arms asks without a hint of emotion, "Regret what?"

Lu Fang's eyes turn red as he kisses the crown of her head. "I regret not returning the love letter to its rightful owner sooner."

For making her endure the bitterness of an unrequited crush for so long.

"From dawn till dusk, you are the longing and foolish fantasy I can't openly confess."

-

Reader's Note:

Both leads are each other's first and only. Happy ending. A bittersweet-sweet romance. See the author's note in Chapter One for detailed content warnings.

Readers' tastes differ, and every character's personality is valid. If it's not for you, please stop reading. There's no need to let me know you're dropping it.

Theme: Accept yourself and dare to express your feelings