Tenderly Soothed

【Updates daily at 10 p.m. Comments are open!】 In everyone's eyes, Xu Manyue and Zhou Cenzhi belonged to two different worlds. They had nothing in common. One was born into wealth, a favored son of heaven, and a playboy who had charmed countless women. The other was an ordinary girl, so unremarkable that the only word her teachers used to describe her was “obedient.” No one knew her mother worked as a housekeeper for the Zhou family, and no one would ever know that she liked Zhou Cenzhi. The first time she saw Zhou Cenzhi was at his house. The Zhou family's huge dog scared her so badly that she turned pale, her eyes reddening until she was almost in tears. Just then, a lazy voice called out, “Hei Qiu, come here.” She turned around. The young man had a cool, handsome face and slightly raised brows. His red hair made him look even more rebellious and flamboyant. He glanced at her, clearly amused by how frightened she was, and scoffed. “You're more like a dog than Hei Qiu.” Later, she learned that he was the Zhou family's only son and sole heir. Zhou Cenzhi. Zhou Cenzhi didn't come home often, but every time he did, there was a different girl by his side. Almost all of them were sexy, tall beauties. Xu Manyue could only hide her feelings for him, year after year. Once, she happened to overhear Zhou Cenzhi talking to a friend on the phone. His friend asked what kind of girl he liked. He answered carelessly, “One who's just like me.” He was at a party too, surrounded by people. She sat alone in a corner of the private room, looking at him. During Truth or Dare, he chose dare. His punishment was to pick a woman and kiss her on the cheek. With his striking features and flirtatious smile, Zhou Cenzhi let his gaze sweep over her and stop. He beckoned her over. “Xu Manyue, come here.” When his cool lips touched her cheek, she heard her heart pounding. The others immediately started hooting. After the party, she worked up the courage to call after him. He walked toward her out of the night, a cigarette between his fingers, its glowing red tip flickering in the darkness. Xu Manyue held out a trembling hand. “Zhou Cenzhi, give me a cigarette.” He raised an eyebrow and casually handed her one, then lit it for her himself. “Do you know how to smoke?” She choked on the smoke, the corners of her eyes turning red as she coughed uncontrollably. Seeing that, he took the cigarette from her lips, put it to his own, and inhaled. He gave her a crooked smile. “Little housekeeper, why pretend you can smoke if you can't?” “You like me? Then let's try being together.” In that moment, Xu Manyue couldn't say a word. She could only feel happiness swirling in her heart. Xu Manyue thought her wish had come true, but it turned out to be nothing more than an illusion. In the end, she still couldn't make the playboy Zhou Cenzhi turn back for her. - Years later, they met again. She was a journalist, and Zhou Cenzhi had become the youngest business tycoon. He was the person she needed to interview. In public, he was polite and courteous. In private, he cornered her against the wall, a careless smile playing on his lips. “Xu Manyue, do you know how I've gotten through these past few years?” “I've missed you so much it hurts.” Xu Manyue tried to push him away. “Zhou Cenzhi, I don't like you anymore.” Zhou Cenzhi kissed the corner of her lips, making her heart pound and her body tremble. The man lifted her chin with a wicked smile. His affectionate eyes were full of amusement. “But your reaction tells me you still like me.” “You're the only one I've ever liked, from beginning to end.” Theme: Study hard and keep improving every day