[Radiant, flirtatious, pretend-spoiled seductress x aloof, distant, genuine ice prince]
Lin Chaoxing first met Pei Li at her scumbag ex-boyfriend's home.
It was the first time she'd ever been cheated on, and furious, she brought two younger cousins over to confront him. She beat him up and smashed quite a few things, too.
As she left, Miss Lin ran a hand through her slightly disheveled hair.
At that moment, she felt like a female avenger straight out of a Hong Kong action movie.
She walked out of her ex's home with a smile, only to spot a handsome man across the hall as she reached the door.
He was tall and handsome, with an imposing air. His cold, piercing eyes were especially striking. He was the most incredible man she'd ever seen.
Miss Lin immediately put on an act, smiling sweetly and innocently. "Hey, handsome, don't be scared. We're not gangsters."
His response was a cold click as he shut the door.
The second time Lin Chaoxing saw Pei Li was at work.
She'd heard the company was bringing in a new director, but she never expected it to be the handsome man from across the hall.
From then on, Miss Lin began living the dream: gossiping and flirting with her boss at work.
-
Lin Chaoxing knew Pei Li would be hard to pursue, but she hadn't realized just how hard.
One day, she saw a photo of Pei Li's ex-girlfriend at her best friend's place. To her surprise, the woman looked a little like her.
Miss Lin immediately decided she had the advantage of being a "substitute for his first love" and found an excuse to bring him coffee the next day.
Taking advantage of the empty office, she parted her lips and asked, "I heard your ex-girlfriend looks a lot like me. So, would you like to give us a try?"
Pei Li frowned at her. "Who told you that you look alike?"
Lin Chaoxing was surprised, then asked eagerly, "We don't?"
"She talks a lot less than you do."
"..." Lin Chaoxing: I shouldn't have asked.
-
After they got together, Lin Chaoxing moved into Pei Li's place.
Then, on just the second day, she ran into her scumbag ex in the neighborhood.
The scumbag trotted after her, apologizing over and over and begging to get back together.
When he saw her press the button for her own floor in the elevator, his eyes instantly grew moist. "I'm sorry, darling. I never thought you'd forgive me. How about I let you hit me again, so you can get it all out of your sys-"
Before he could finish the word "system," Lin Chaoxing stopped outside the door opposite his, opened it, changed her shoes, and closed it, all in one smooth motion.
When she saw the scumbag's disbelieving expression through the peephole, Lin Chaoxing was over the moon.
Later, she told Pei Li about it, but to her surprise, he didn't react at all.
Lin Chaoxing found it boring and dropped the subject. Only that night did she discover what it meant to be calm before the storm.
"Pei Li!" Lin Chaoxing panted as she looked at him. "How did I never realize you were so jealous?"
Pei Li clasped both her wrists in one hand, his smoldering gaze fixed on her. He replied without answering her question, "It's okay, Queen Chaochao. You can be louder. I'm not afraid of anyone hearing us."
Reading guide:
1. Both leads have exes. There is a six-year age gap. The heroine is 22 and the hero is 28 at the start.
2. This is not a substitute romance. The heroine and her ex only resemble each other a tiny bit in temperament.
3. The heroine's full name is Lin Chaoxing, and her nickname is Chaochao.
-Blurb revised and screenshotted on April 25, 2025-
Theme: Have the courage to pursue love
