Love Returns in Full

Childhood Friends Version of “She Runs, He Chases” / His Secret Crush Comes True / Spirited Girl × Scheming Boy

The confession letter she worked up the courage to send never got a reply.

Zhu Qingmai began to realize that “having a popular childhood friend really does scare off other romantic prospects.”

After the college entrance exams, everyone around her paired off. Meanwhile, she couldn’t even find an opportunity to say more than a few words to a guy.

To avoid regrets in college, Zhu Qingmai made three plans.

1. Study hard.

2. Have a sweet romance.

3. Pretend she and Ji Yichen are strangers throughout college, so her romantic prospects won’t be affected again.

She thought the plan was foolproof, but her childhood friend crossed the line even faster than she could find a boyfriend.

Zhu Qingmai could take no more and tried to restate their agreement, only to find herself trapped in his burning embrace.

Ji Yichen leaned close. “Xiaoman wants to fall in love. Why should I, her childhood friend, step aside?”

–

Ji Yichen had never been one of Zhu Qingmai’s romantic options.

They had known each other since childhood, and she had long regarded him as family, someone she could rely on.

Not quite a brother, but better than one.

How could she possibly date her brother…

When Ji Yichen pursued her, Zhu Qingmai meant to back away little by little. Instead, she unexpectedly crossed the line and did something outrageous.

–

Now that her brother had become her boyfriend, Zhu Qingmai still couldn’t quite believe it was real.

Deep down, she thought Ji Yichen was only used to having her around. Once he realized they weren’t right for each other, he could put an end to this absurdity.

Just as their farce was about to end, Zhu Qingmai sent the breakup message herself, then turned around and agreed to dance with an upperclassman.

The music began, but her dance partner was late.

In the darkness, a hand offered as a mere courtesy became fingers entwined. They drew close, their breaths mingled, and familiar tea fragrance enveloped her. She couldn’t escape.

Separated from the lively crowd by just one wall, Ji Yichen lifted the girl whose legs had gone weak and bit her lips through their masks.

“Zhu Xiaoman, only a fool would fail to see how someone feels.”

“We’ve already kissed, so you’re not allowed to seduce me and then abandon me.”

Blurb finalized on June 4, 2024, revised on July 8, 2025.

Reader's Guide ★

This story takes plenty of creative liberties, and many details exist to move the plot along. Please don't overanalyze them or relate them to real life! The setting is fictional, with no real-life models!

The blurb has been extensively revised, but the premise is unchanged.

The characters aren't perfect. Whether their flaws are dealbreakers is up to you. You don't need to tell me if you drop the story. Hope you enjoy reading!

Coming soon: Please add "Secretly Getting Closer to You" to your reading list!

His POV, secret crush comes true | Three-year age gap | Happy ending

After the college entrance exams, Ying Qian did two things.

First, she put an end to her three-year-long crush.

Second, she stopped being a good girl.

When choosing her university, she insisted on going to a southern city, leaving all her ties behind and starting over.

On an unfamiliar street, Ying Qian let the drizzle soak her clothes. Dazed, she collided with someone and instinctively apologized.

The other person steadied her swaying body, gentle and courteous.

“It's been a long time, junior.”

Ying Qian's thoughts flew back to her second year of high school.

Back then, this man would often visit her classroom to share study tips and encourage them.

Brilliant and sunny, he was a popular topic of conversation, an idol, and the ideal type girls pursued.

Only, she had been so focused on someone else that she hadn't noticed him at all.

Perhaps meeting a familiar face in a foreign place made them feel especially close, and they began getting in touch more often.

One night, after drinking and talking, they accidentally ended up in bed together.

Afterward, the man smiled at the girl who was clutching the blanket and too shy to show her face.

“Getting brave, are you?”

“I don't care about anything else, but you're responsible for me now.”

**

In high school, Cheng Siyi often saw a ponytailed girl wandering around the hallways and stairwells, looking about with an unmistakable glint of mischief in her eyes.

After a while, he grew curious. His companion burst out laughing.

“You really don't get it? She's ‘admiring the scenery.’”

He didn't understand then, but later he learned what “scenery” really meant. Whenever a certain person passed by, the girl's mischievous, lively gaze would turn cautious, and her eyes would betray her affection.

Later, he became one of those waiting to see the “scenery.” He knew Ying Qian had someone in her heart, so he kept his distance and never crossed the line.

When the college entrance exams ended, so did her unspoken crush. He never expected to see Ying Qian again so soon. Nor did he imagine that those unspeakable dreams would one day come true.

Theme: Childhood friends are the destined couple