Dating My Childhood Archrival

From “We’re sworn enemies, and the world isn’t big enough for the both of us” to “Childhood sweethearts who finally make it work”

The blurb for my upcoming novel is below. Please give it a little star~

Though He Suichuan and Shen Zhao grew up together, they were sworn enemies who couldn’t stand the sight of each other.

He Suichuan was the classic “other people’s kid”: brilliant, a top student, and outstanding at everything. But to Shen Zhao alone, he was arrogant, selfish, and cold, a complete pain in the neck.

Shen Zhao had been a lively little ringleader since childhood, warm, cheerful, considerate, and brave. But in He Suichuan’s eyes, she was a troublemaking brat, fake, rude, domineering, and noisy.

They learned each other’s names before they learned their parents’ names. The first words He Suichuan ever said were, “Shen Zhao.”

Under the expectant gaze of everyone around them, that small, round, pale hand crumpled up the paper on the table and hurled it away with all its might.

The crumpled ball of paper rolled across the floor. That was how he showed his dislike.

And Shen Zhao had said with a look of disdain, “His name means a smooth journey and a vast sea that welcomes a hundred rivers. So I wish that nothing ever goes his way.”

Shen Zhao thought that after three years apart in middle school, they had long since become strangers, each hoping never to see the other again. She never imagined their feud was far from over...

Little Scene

Ding, the elevator doors opened. No one was inside.

At the same time, Shen Zhao’s phone rang. He Suichuan glanced at the flashing screen too. The call was from Xu Hui.

Shen Zhao answered. Seeing He Suichuan’s expression grow darker by the second, she was about to make some excuse and hang up when he pulled her into the elevator.

The instant the elevator doors closed, He Suichuan leaned down and kissed her.

“Mmph, ” Shen Zhao shuddered in surprise. A moment later, he bit her lower lip, as if punishing her.

The call cut out for a few seconds in the elevator. When the doors opened again, Xu Hui heard Shen Zhao breathing hard and asked, “What’s wrong? Why were you quiet for so long?”

Shen Zhao glared at He Suichuan and said into the phone, “I was just in the elevator. The signal was bad. I’ll hang up now.”

As soon as she ended the call, He Suichuan leaned close to her ear and said, “Do you want him to know you’re dating the person you hated most when you were little?”

Reading Guide:

The leads are each other’s only partners, and this is a one-on-one romance. No misunderstandings, no love rivals of either gender, and a lighthearted tone.

A quick heads-up: there is a girls’ love couple. They don’t get much page time in this novel, and I’ve also started a short story next door. If that bothers you, please think twice before reading!

Blurb for the Upcoming Novel

Rekindled Romance / Mutual Healing / Reunion at the Start

A rational, melancholic inheritor of jade carving × a passionate, obsessive lead singer

Ning Qing had always been a good girl: well-behaved, sensible, and obedient. She excelled throughout school, then followed her parents’ wishes and studied medicine for five years at university.

But just before she was due to go abroad for further study, she changed her ticket on her own and flew back to her hometown to run a dilapidated jade-carving shop.

After three years of scraping by, her reputation had barely grown and business was still mediocre. Then, by chance, she ran into her ex-boyfriend, Yu Songjin, the lead singer of Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, and Seas.

Three years ago, Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, and Seas was an obscure little band. Now everyone knew them, their concerts sold out in no time, and Yu Songjin had become one of the rising stars of the Chinese music scene, winning award after award.

Ning Qing had thought she would never cross paths with this star again. He would shine brilliantly, while she could only admire him from afar and wish him well.

But not only did they meet again, Yu Songjin actually wanted to get back together with her?!

On the surface, Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, and Seas was a hugely popular band. Every member seemed to be living the high life, and even old men out for a stroll in the park could hum a few of their songs.

But aside from the band members themselves, only Ning Qing knew that beneath its glittering exterior, the band was a ragtag bunch of old, weak, and broken-down people.

Back then, Yu Songjin had nothing. He planned to give up music after finishing the cigarette in his hand, but Ning Qing snatched the flame away from him.

Ning Qing awkwardly held the lit cigarette between two fingers. It looked like an orange flower blooming at her fingertips. She hardly seemed like someone who would smoke, yet she really did take a drag.

White smoke rose slowly into the night, forming the shape of a crane before drifting away.

“So many people are afraid to fail, so they do nothing at all. Giving up in advance is the best way to comfort yourself.” She barely held back a cough as she returned the cigarette to Yu Songjin. “Are you one of those people too?”

Yu Songjin crushed out the cigarette. The surroundings suddenly grew dim, and a breeze happened to blow through.

“You’re not smoking anymore?” Ning Qing asked.

After a long while, he gave a soft laugh. “I’ll quit from now on. It’s bad for my voice.”

Little Scene:

Ning Qing left the jade market and hailed a taxi back to her studio. The radio was broadcasting the day’s entertainment news.

“Yesterday, at Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, and Seas’ concert at the Bird’s Nest, lead singer Yu Songjin made an impassioned confession to his ex-girlfriend.”

Ning Qing’s heart jolted. She could feel every hair on her head, right down to her ears, standing on end.

Then the radio played a recording from yesterday’s concert.

Yu Songjin’s clear, gentle voice came through the static and straight into Ning Qing’s wildly pounding heart.

“Eight years ago, I was a wandering singer performing in bars. I told a girl that I wanted to hold a concert at the Bird’s Nest. Today, I’ve made it happen, but she’s nowhere to be found.”

Shouts and screams rose from the crowd below, but Yu Songjin’s voice remained steady and firm.

“Now I want to find her and bring her back. The next song is called ‘A Song for Qing.’ I wrote it for her. No matter where she is now, I know she’ll hear it.”

Reading Guide:

1. The leads are not each other’s first partners. The male lead has an ex, but both leads are virgins.

2. There is a small amount of boys’ love content, but it is not a side couple. If either point bothers you, please think twice before reading!

3. A bittersweet romance. Both leads have flaws early on, which is why they broke up.

4. The story before and after their reunion takes up roughly seven parts to three.

Theme: Don’t speak too soon.