Crimson Heartbeat

[The entire novel is complete (-^〇^-). Next up: "Unconventional Model Student," a "villainess" and her loyal dog. Please add it to your collections, babies~~]

1,

Before breaking up with Yan Yixiao, Xia Ling had only heard things about Shen Zhuxu.

She had heard Shen Zhuxu was Yan Yixiao's half-brother, sharing the same mother. He was rich, but taciturn and difficult to get along with.

The first time she met Shen Zhuxu was at a business reception. The man stood tall and graceful, strikingly handsome in high definition, as if he belonged to a different dimension from everyone around him.

They looked at each other from afar, leaving a deep impression.

Not long after the breakup, her ex-boyfriend's older brother, Shen Zhuxu, became her client because of a business partnership.

The day he reached out with an offer, Xia Ling couldn't help suspecting a trick. Her professional pride made her scoff at the idea: What does a merchant reeking of money know about art? He's just using his status as my ex-boyfriend's brother to humiliate me.

As it happened, her studio's cash flow had dried up. The long list of lavishly funded "sincerity" in the contract was just what she needed to get out of her immediate bind.

After much deliberation, she finally bowed to the need to make a living and signed a three-year contract.

When the reality show "Tracing the Roots: Intangible Cultural Heritage" began filming and airing, Xia Ling was surprised to discover that Shen Zhuxu didn't seem quite like the man described in the rumors.

Wasn't this perennial peony said to prefer men?

Then why did he sneak a kiss on her?!

And why was he blushing and grinning to himself afterward Σ(O□O@)!!!

Something was wrong.

Very wrong!

2,

The first time his younger brother brought his girlfriend to meet him, he knew he could never bless their relationship.

He wanted her.

He was an ambitious man.

· The male lead gets the girl, scheming for a long time / The ex-boyfriend chases his wife to the crematorium

· Coveting his brother's (ex-)girlfriend, past and present

· New-Chinese-style fashion designer, gorgeous and level-headed vs. intangible cultural heritage ambassador, refined and elegant

[Coming next: "Unconventional Model Student." Tap the author's page and add it to your collection, baby =w=]

The first day Jiang Yanyue transferred schools, her attention was caught by her new deskmate, who arrived late.

Her new deskmate had very fair skin and a delicate face. Even more than his striking looks, what caught Jiang Yanyue's attention was the bruise on his high nose bridge and the cut at the corner of his mouth. The fresh wound hadn't healed; a long gash had been torn open.

Her new deskmate didn't like to talk and didn't fit in. He was even more distant toward her, a new transfer student.

She offered him a bandage, but all she got in return was a cold, "Don't touch me."

*

The new transfer student excelled at school and was beautiful. She was cheerful and kind, usually speaking in a gentle, soft voice.

A model student through and through.

She and he could never be the same kind of person.

That was what Qin Xiaomu thought at first.

Until one day, he accidentally caught a glimpse of her other side.

At a wonton stall, Jiang Yanyue scooped a wonton into the bowl of the man sitting with her and watched him eat it.

"Don't bother me again." She moved away the hand the man had been using to repeatedly stroke her thigh under the table, smiling sweetly. "Next time, I won't remind you that there's rat poison in the wontons."

*

Rain poured down in torrents. He tilted his umbrella entirely toward her, following close behind, step by step.

"Stop following me." Jiang Yanyue flung his umbrella away in frustration and spoke in the coldest voice she could muster. "Qin Xiaomu! Are you stupid? I told you I was using you! Why are you still following me?"

He was trembling. His eyes were red as he looked at her, like an abandoned puppy.

"It's okay," he said. "I don't mind."

A silent crow opens its beak, cawing all night over decay, hunting the sun after dark.

Sensitive and insecure (cold on the outside, loyal as a dog within) vs. skilled at playing on people's feelings (uses him at first, falls for him later)

Setting note: A story about two little bitter gourds saving each other and growing together. The heroine looks like a sweet, innocent flower, but she's no pushover, and she has limits.

Message: Opportunity favors those who are prepared.