Hidden Envelope

(The story shifts to campus life from Chapter 2 onward.)

My next book, He Calls to Me from the Distant Mountains, begins on June 13. The blurb is below. If you like it, please add it to your favorites~

What lies inside the envelope may be a letter you won't be able to read until some time in the future.

Reserved, aloof science girl vs. gentle, thoughtful humanities boy

Mutual secret crushes, and a love that comes true

Back in high school, Jiang Shuwan had a crush on someone. She never told him, simply keeping her head down and getting through her studies as planned.

Now, as she approaches graduation from college, Jiang Shuwan stumbles upon an envelope. Inside is a postcard. She assumes it's nothing special, until she discovers a secret.

Jiang An likes her.

Jiang Shuwan has a secret of her own: she likes Jiang An. She has kept it hidden for years, and it has become an obsession.

Maybe it was the day they first met, when he stood in the sunlight, full of youthful confidence.

Maybe it was the hand he held out that day, as if a god had breathed a soul into her.

Maybe it was all those chance encounters that made her notice him more and more.

Maybe it was all those countless moments. Whatever the reason, she liked him.

On graduation day, many people confessed their feelings to each other, but she still said nothing. The boy was headed in a different direction from her.

She only remembered that beneath a sky filled with flying exam papers, he had told her, "You're outstanding, the most outstanding person I've ever met."

She thought that after graduation, she would probably never be in touch with Jiang An again, so she replied politely, "You too."

But two years later, she learned by chance that the boy had once loved her, too.

It turned out none of their encounters had been coincidence. The boy had made them happen on purpose. There was no such thing as fate: he had created it all himself.

P.S.:

1. The heroine thinks a crush is a small matter, and that love should be mutual, so she never showed her feelings. Because of her family environment growing up, she is somewhat insecure at first, though she's remarkably capable and a star in everyone else's eyes. She just can't let herself off the hook. She'll grow more confident later.

2. The hero thinks the heroine is exceptionally gifted. He wants to get close to her but is afraid to confess his feelings. He doesn't tell her how he feels, either, but deliberately finds ways to spend time with her.

He Calls to Me from the Distant Mountains

Novelist heroine vs. orchard-owner hero

On the train home, Hua Yi meets someone. She thinks it's just a passing encounter and doesn't give it much thought.

After she gets home, Hua Yi goes to an orchard to pick fruit and runs into him again. They seem to grow familiar with each other.

But one day, Hua Yi casually mentions that she loves grapes, and the orchard changes. All the remaining land is turned into grapevines, and from then on, the whole orchard is filled with purple grapes.

Hua Yi: "Do you like me?"

Song Yisheng: "I do. What about you?"

They grow close and come to understand each other, but neither of them breaks through that barrier between them.

Then, one drunken night, the atmosphere between them seems to change.

Song Yisheng: "I like you. I really, really like you. Could you like me, just a little?"

Hua Yi smiles. "Kiss me."

Song Yisheng kisses her the very next moment, not caring whether Hua Yi was joking. If there's a chance to steal a kiss, he might as well take it.

At last, Song Yisheng gently brushes her lips and leans his head against her, asking her to promise him something.

Hua Yi finally recognizes her own feelings and says softly, "My life is a lake that flows quietly, with the occasional ripple. But this time, the ripples are because I love you."

Song Yisheng says, "When my mother named me Yisheng, I didn't understand why. Now I do. She wanted me to give my whole life to the person I love most. I'm certain that person is you."

At last, Song Yisheng says, "Our first meeting wasn't a coincidence. The loquats I grow are very sweet. Want to try some next year?"

Hua Yi rises onto her toes and kisses him. "Gladly."

P.S.: The heroine is a slow-burn type, but once she understands her feelings, she becomes very proactive.

The hero falls for her at first sight, and loves her more each time they meet.

Theme: Life moves forward little by little.