When the Fireworks Bloom

(Next book, updating now: This Golden Retriever Needs Training, and It Bites. Pseudo-incest. A scheming aunt is relentlessly pursued by her golden retriever niece. 9770358)

Cold and domineering older strong receiver X sunny but insecure puppy-like weak giver

1.

That day, Gu Yizhou smiled at her and said, "Sis, will you be my girlfriend?" Li Zimu knew she was done for. She couldn't resist Gu Yizhou calling her "Sis." Her sensitive ears had no resistance to Gu Yizhou at all.

A friend asked Li Zimu, "Don't you like her? Why won't you say yes?"

"Because I like her too much. I'm already afraid of losing her before we've even gotten together."

2. Li Zimu clenched her back teeth and fought back tears as she asked, "Can I ask why you want to break up?"

"Li Zimu, go see what people are saying online! They say I only got where I am by clinging to you, that without you I'm nothing, and who knows whose bed I'd have to climb into next!"

"Yeah, I used to think that too. I thought I'd crawled out of that hell, but your presence has made all my efforts invisible. You know about my family now, too. Isn't it awful? I think it's awful, too. Standing in front of you now, I feel like all my clothes have been ripped off and my self-respect has been shattered."

Li Zimu, I love you.

Content warning: mental illness

Theme: Love yourself before loving someone else, but cherish everyone who loves you.