A Mistaken Climb

【Next up: Stealing Her Away, Dark Moss】 【The blurb is complete, and they have reunited】 Young Master × the Housekeeper’s Daughter | Reunited after years apart | Please don’t wait until it’s finished to read :D Zhong Youyi came from a poor family. With neither father nor mother, she learned during her years on the run from a young age that she had to do whatever it took to climb her way up. A kidnapping incident changed her life. She lost the use of one leg saving the Chu family heir, and her life took a new turn. With financial support from the Chu family and adopted by their housekeeper, she no longer had to worry about making ends meet. She even received a good education and access to all kinds of opportunities. Zhong Youyi was delighted. The only problem was that Chu Xiangyuan, the sole son of the Chu family’s second branch, was incredibly hard to deal with. He would always stare at her with sharp eyes, as if trying to dissect her and see whether she was good or bad inside. Zhong Youyi greeted him with a smile every time, treating the young master like royalty. She did it for no other reason than to make her life at the Chu house more comfortable. Over time, everyone around them knew that a pretty little follower had appeared at Chu Xiangyuan’s side. A favored son of heaven like Chu Xiangyuan was never short of admirers and suitors. Zhong Youyi became a thorn in their side and was decidedly unwelcome. One day after school, she was locked in the art room overnight. When Chu Xiangyuan found her the next day, he wore a thoroughly displeased expression. Zhong Youyi was exhausted, but as usual, she tried to soothe him: “I’m the one who got locked in. Why are you making that face? Don’t be mad, Young Master.” Chu Xiangyuan got even angrier and ignored her for a long time. But Zhong Youyi heard that the students who had locked her in that day all dropped out. It suddenly dawned on her that maybe Chu Xiangyuan didn’t hate her as much as she’d thought. Still, she never imagined that Chu Xiangyuan might actually like her a little. When she saw a drawer full of love letters to her in Chu Xiangyuan’s room, Zhong Youyi stood there at a loss. Looking at Chu Xiangyuan, who had just showered and was lounging against the doorframe, Zhong Youyi asked, “These are all for me?” Chu Xiangyuan sneered and refused to admit it. “They’re for a ghost.” Zhong Youyi was beautiful and sweet-natured, with admirers everywhere, but no one actually dared to pursue her. Whenever someone’s gaze lingered on her for too long, it drew an even more menacing stare. Before long, everyone knew that Zhong Youyi belonged to Chu Xiangyuan, and she was off-limits. Chu Xiangyuan had been in a bad mood lately. Zhong Youyi kept going on about which celebrities in the entertainment industry were good-looking and who was holding a concert, but she had completely forgotten that his birthday was just a few days away. After his birthday, he would be an adult and able to date. But why hadn’t Zhong Youyi confessed yet? Didn’t she like him? The young master was too embarrassed to ask directly, so he awkwardly tried to drop a hint: “Christmas is almost here.” Zhong Youyi’s eyes lit up. “I know. The forecast says that’s when it’ll snow the hardest. I’ve made plans to go see the snow with my friends.” Chu Xiangyuan scowled. He held back for a moment, but still said, “Have you never seen snow in your life?” Zhong Youyi replied, “I have. You took me to Chuandao to see it.” For some reason, the anger in Chu Xiangyuan’s heart instantly melted away. He gave a little snort. “At least you remember.” Fine, he wouldn’t hold it against her. He’d have to be the one to confess, after all. So one proud young master spent several nights laboring away, writing hundreds of love letters in a week, and never feeling satisfied with any of them. When Zhong Youyi finally discovered them, he was both mortified that his secret had been exposed and regretful that he could never manage to say anything nice. Reading Guide: 1. The female lead suffered a deep wound that went through her leg. She later worked hard to recover and is more or less fine. 2. The story is told chronologically, from their youth to their separation and eventual reunion. Blurb for upcoming novel Dark Moss 【Stealing Her Away】 Xu Miantai’s first impression of Lin Shuanghong was terrible. He lounged lazily beside the pool table, making demeaning and mocking remarks about her current boyfriend, Guan Xianqing, and humiliating him at will. Of course, her second impression wasn’t any better. Lin Shuanghong wore a black shirt that left very little to the imagination. With an insouciant smile on his lips, he blocked her path without the slightest courtesy, took her hand, and placed it against his chest. “Break up with him and be with me.” Xu Miantai quickly pulled her hand away, called him shameless, and turned to leave. But by the third time they met, her feelings had shifted a little. During a winter blizzard, Xu Miantai had a high fever and sent Guan Xianqing a message while barely conscious. His reply was perfunctory, and he even told her not to be so melodramatic. She thought their two-and-a-half-year relationship had probably run its course. Weak and sick, she took a taxi to the hospital for an IV drip. As she curled up alone beside the cold wall, staring blankly, she heard a voice above her that sounded almost mocking: “Where’s that good-for-nothing? Why isn’t he here with you?” Xu Miantai looked up and saw Lin Shuanghong, tall and slender. As he spoke, he took off his well-tailored black coat and expensive scarf, then knelt in front of her and draped them over her. Unwilling to lose face, she said, “I can manage on my own.” He let out another mocking laugh. He left, and Xu Miantai breathed a sigh of relief. She tugged at the clothes on her and found them uncomfortable. Before she could recover, Lin Shuanghong returned with a hand warmer and unceremoniously stuffed it into her arms. She instinctively tried to refuse. “I don’t need it.” Lin Shuanghong pressed down on her hand. “Don’t move. Stay still.” After that day, Xu Miantai could no longer bring herself to treat him coldly. Once she had recovered, she sent Guan Xianqing a message breaking up with him. Of course, he refused to accept it. A barrage of questions and phone calls nearly crashed Xu Miantai’s already sluggish phone. When he couldn’t reach her, he showed up at her door. The cheap rental apartment was neither warm nor soundproof. Xu Miantai was grabbed by the sleeve and forced to listen to his apologies while a crowd of onlookers watched. Unable to bear having so many people witness the scene, Guan Xianqing grew more and more anxious. “Miantai, stop being unreasonable, okay? Or we can go inside and talk. Is there some kind of misunderstanding between us?” Xu Miantai looked at him coldly. “There’s nothing left to say. It’s been two and a half years. It’s run its course. We’re better off apart.” She was about to turn and go inside when Guan Xianqing reached out to grab her, but a hand suddenly shot out from behind and stopped him. Lin Shuanghong wore a faint smile, but his eyes were icy. “Didn’t you hear her say she was breaking up with you?” Guan Xianqing was furious and demanded to know what it had to do with him. Before Lin Shuanghong could answer, Xu Miantai called him inside. Outside, Guan Xianqing’s face flushed red as he angrily stormed off. Xu Miantai had no time to worry about him. Lin Shuanghong had her backed against the door, interrogating her. “That’s right. What exactly are we to each other?” Theme: Live every day with passion