Where the Clouds Grow Deep, No One Knows the Way Back

Cool, aloof, and obsessive violinist × reserved, gentle meteorological researcher

Reunion after a long separation / rekindling an old flame / mutual unspoken love

At seventeen, Shu Yiyan transferred to Nanyin High School.

The girl was cool and quiet, a violin strapped to her back. Her introduction was only five short words, yet she instantly became the center of everyone's attention.

But in the heart of this solitary, proud girl, there had always been someone she secretly longed for.

Han Zhen was her cousin's childhood friend, as well as a senior one year ahead of her.

Because her cousin had told him, "She's my little sister. Keep an eye on her for me," he looked after her in every way for an entire year.

A year was long enough to fall for someone. But Shu Yiyan needed only three months to fall for him.

At their high school, everyone said Han Zhen was impeccably well-mannered, a man with gentleness to his very core.

But only Shu Yiyan knew that loving him was a process of breaking herself apart from within.

It was a clear-eyed plunge into misery, one she willingly chose.

In the bitter winter that year, Shu Yiyan finally resolved to confess, but the instant she heard those words, she lost her nerve.

"Han Zhen, who's that girl? Why are you taking such good care of her?"

"Her? She's my good friend's little sister."

Her youthful dreams and the love she had never found the chance to confess were buried together beneath the heavy snow of deep winter.

-

They met again many years later.

Shu Yiyan was invited by a television station to perform the theme song for its weather forecast, but at a dinner gathering she couldn't get out of, she ran into Han Zhen, now a meteorological expert.

Their superiors introduced them on a blind date, but it ended in acrimony.

After a huge argument, she raised her hand and slapped him.

He grabbed her chin and kissed her fiercely.

As night fell, tears mingled with sweat. After endless intimacy and tenderness, she pushed him away, her voice indifferent. "Don't worry. I won't cling to you this time."

But he pulled her into his arms as if she were a precious treasure he had lost and found again.

"Yiyan, I've loved you for far longer than just these past few years."

"You have no idea."

-

Tips:

1. The story moves from school life to the city. Happy ending.

2. They are secretly in love with each other, but neither knows it at first.

3. The male and female leads each make their own life choices and have clear career paths. They are not consumed by romance.

Blurb screenshot taken on December 15, 2023.

The blurb for the next book, Sleepless, is below. If you're interested, please add it to your favorites. Thank you!

1.

In her second year of high school, a sudden upheaval struck Wen Li's family. She went with her aunt to the He family home, where she first met He Zhiyan, her aunt's stepson in name only.

As she entered the He family home with trepidation, a broad-shouldered, lean-waisted, tall figure appeared on the spiral staircase.

Dressed head to toe in designer clothes, one hand in his pocket, an exquisite, expensive watch visible on his wrist, he stood in the shadows at the stairwell landing and spoke in a cold, heartless voice:

"The He family isn't a shelter. Are you really going to bring just anyone home?"

The only truth Wen Li had ever believed in was that she had to depend on herself. She would never accept charity.

So she gave him a blank look and turned to leave.

For the next six months, she refused to set foot in the He family home.

Watching her cool, resolute back disappear, He Zhiyan let out a scornful laugh and started downstairs. His pale, cold features gradually emerged into the sunlight.

"She's got some backbone, I'll give her that."

2.

He Zhiyan had been a born winner since childhood.

Proud and free-spirited, he was adored by everyone. Yet he was also strict with himself, showered with praise and admiration wherever he went.

But even a cold, aloof, distinguished young master could make a wrong turn.

Like falling in love with someone he ought to have hated, developing feelings he never should have had.

When he happened to learn that she had fallen for someone, he lost control. Red-eyed, he sought her out and cornered her in the shadowy, narrow landing where they had first met.

Seeing the loathing in her eyes and how desperately she avoided him, he was at a loss for the first time in his life.

Scalding tears fell onto her snow-white neck as he held her captive in his arms, his voice trembling.

"Lili, could you try loving me? Just a little?"

"Even if you only give it a try?"

3.

Wen Li stayed by He Zhiyan's side for the two simplest, happiest years of his life. Then, when he was desperate and helpless, she kicked him aside and never looked back.

Six years later, when she saw him again, Wen Li felt as if a lifetime had passed.

He Zhiyan was no longer the deeply tender man he had once been. Now he was as cold and heartless as she had been back then, speaking to her with words so cruel they cut to the bone.

At last, Wen Li gave up on him completely. She accepted the arrangement made by her elders, and went on a blind date and got engaged. Everything proceeded smoothly.

But he could no longer keep up the act. He went mad with desperation, found her, and pinned her firmly against a street corner.

On a freezing night amid ice and snow, their lips and tongues entwined, their warm breath falling against her ear.

"Wen Li, you'd better not think about walking away again."

-

Tips:

1. Step-siblings in name only / one-on-one romance / both are each other's only partner

2. The man pursues the woman. At first he looks down on her, then later gets a hard dose of face-slapping.

3. The male and female leads are not related by blood and are not registered in the same household.

Theme: Watch the clouds rise.