Delayed Love [Marriage Before Love]

[Next up: the campus novel "Biting Ginger." My column's "Enamored with You" [older woman/younger man] is complete. Please add them to your collection!]

Novel blurb:

Lu Yuxi's family is pressuring her to get married. A veteran of speed-dating, she pretends to go to a date in place of a friend, only to be found out on the spot.

She thinks the date is ruined, but the man says, "If you're willing, Ms. Lu, we could give it a try."

Cheng Wang is the distinguished second son of the Cheng Group and the director of its flagship pet hospital.

His older brother is already married, but he doesn't even have a girlfriend. His sick grandmother is eager to see him married.

He wants to find someone to marry for appearances, but after meeting Lu Yuxi, he falls for her for real.

In her contract marriage with a big shot from the group, Lu Yuxi does her best to play her part, thinking that once the contract expires, they'll each go their separate ways.

Then one day, Cheng Wang's parrot says, "I love you." The passionate confession rings out again and again.

The night before the confession, Cheng Wang gets a call from a bar. Lu Yuxi's drunken voice comes through: "Hey, handsome, who are you talking to? Come keep me company and have another drink."

Cheng Wang rushes over and takes her home. The woman in his arms murmurs, "Don't seduce me, you sly fox."

"Who?" He lays her down on the bed, pinning her in place with his hands on either side of her. "Lu Yuxi, don't forget, you're not allowed to be in a relationship with anyone else during the contract."

"Look at me. Do you know who I am?"

Lu Yuxi hooks a finger into his tie and brings her red lips close. "What are you muttering about, Cheng Wang? You talk too much."

One day after they confess their feelings to each other, Lu Yuxi can't get tickets to a concert by her favorite singer, Yniue. Her idol spots her during a livestream, invites her to join the stream, and offers her two tickets.

She excitedly recites a fan catchphrase: "Thank you, teacher! Heart hands, love you!"

The next second, a familiar ID enters her idol's stream, sends three luxury cruise ships, and leaves a message: "Thank you, Teacher Yniue, for the tickets for my wife."

Someone hugs her from behind. Cheng Wang kisses her ear and says, "Wife, who were you making heart hands at? Who do you love?"

---- Next novel: "Biting Ginger" ----

The day Jiang Huan received her acceptance letter from No. 1 High School, a tenant moved into her home. He was supposedly the son of her grandaunt's friend, a rebellious boy who had fallen out with his family and run away from home.

Jiang Huan has always been all smiles toward people who pay her.

But for some reason, the boy often watched her in silence, a hint of amusement hidden in his cool, sharply defined features.

What a strange person.

After secretly cursing him, Jiang Huan stopped thinking about it. She remained gentle and polite, exchanging a nod with him each day. They got along well enough.

Until one night, when rain poured outside and drowned out every other sound.

Inside, books had been ripped apart and pages were scattered across the floor. Jiang Huan clenched her fists and glared furiously at the person standing before her.

Shen An restrained her with one hand, leaning lazily against the door.

"Dropping the act?" he chuckled. "Did you think I hadn't grown up all these years?"

The title comes from the heroine's personality. She seems gentle, but she's actually aggressive. Ginger candy: sweet and crisp on the outside, but bite into it and the spicy warmth of ginger spreads through your mouth.

Reader's guide:

1. Both leads are inexperienced, with a happy ending. A young couple bickers, grows, and pursues their dreams.

2. No intimacy between the leads before they reach adulthood.

3. The school system is based on the old college entrance exam format, with separate humanities and science tracks.

Theme: Getting along harmoniously