Hidden Until Evening

My upcoming novel, Rain's Ache, is now open for preorders.

Please add my upcoming novel, Low Kiss, to your bookshelf.

Blurb:

The young master of the Xie family, Xie Hengli, is refined and elegant, with an extraordinary bearing. He flew all the way back from Los Angeles just in time for New Year's Eve dinner.

Zhou Ti was merely an orphan fostered by the Xie family. Sitting at the same dinner table, she was quiet and reserved.

No one knew what happened that night, in that dim room.

The man shed his usual refinement, bent down to whisper in her ear, "Cry louder, so everyone can hear you, okay?"

--

Zhou Ti had three boyfriends. She never mentioned the first two, and the third was the one she was going to marry.

Streetlights reflected on the road as the evening breeze blew.

The girl's long hair danced in the wind, the boy's fingers resting on her shoulder.

The fog swallowed up the scene. Moonlight fell across the man's striking features, languid and noble, a crimson glow flickering in and out.

Then he hurriedly disappeared into the moonlight, leaving only a wash of fear behind.

He backed her into a cramped corner, closing in on her step by step.

Zhou Ti glanced away. "I have a boyfriend."

He smiled with unhurried ease. "That's fine. I'm just looking out for you as your older brother."

On the sofa, he coaxed and cajoled her. "He's not right for you. I'm the only one who's right for you."

"Are you going to break up with him? Now."

When she tried to run, he caught her hand.

That day, a bright red marriage certificate was forced into her hands.

"Little sister, it's time to start calling me your husband."

Content warnings at the end of Chapter 1.

Blurb written on February 8. The version posted when the novel launches takes precedence.

Low Kiss

--

At a school band performance, everyone's eyes were fixed on Liang Yu at the center of the stage, microphone in hand.

His classic leather jacket, studded with silver, gave him a wild, rebellious air. His narrow eyes were cold, but a single glance was enough to make your cheeks flush.

After one song, Ye Lai caught someone confessing to him.

Passing by, she heard him answer casually, "A girlfriend? No, I don't have one."

They didn't even meet eyes.

That evening, in a penthouse suite, the intimate lights swayed.

Liang Yu snapped shut his Vivienne lighter as the hot flame flickered. He stroked her chin, smiling as if amused. "You're getting all worked up. Not going to let me kiss you?"

"Don't you see them just as often as I do?"

Everyone knew the young master of the Liang family was cold by nature. His life was so easy that he was free from desire, and he didn't even need love.

Ye Lai thought so too.

That's why she sought him out for their unhealthy relationship.

They would play the role of the person the other liked. They were using each other, not partners.

Until that day, when the rain poured down.

His arms wrapped around her waist again and again, his warm breath brushing her ear.

His grip was forceful, but a trace of vulnerability crept into his voice.

"Don't leave."

"Stay with me a little longer."

[At the end of death, I would gladly lower myself to kiss you.]

Theme: Self-reliance