Ashes of a Butterfly

Beautiful, perceptive Maine Coon x loyal, protective big puppy

Older woman-younger man romance | Long-planned pursuit | His secret crush comes true

At a birthday banquet, Yun Zhihua notices a young man sitting nearby with a middle-parted, naturally curly wolf cut.

His vibe feels out of place at the party. He exudes an artistic air, yet also has a coldness that warns strangers to keep their distance.

What sticks with her most about Ke Jue is the mole on the tip of his nose, just like a rose's thorn.

That day, a mutual friend introduces them, and Yun Zhihua learns that his studio needs an illustrator. Without hesitation, she boldly offers herself for the job and joins his ceramics studio.

-

That day at Shoutan Temple, the wind on the mountaintop blows hard, making the bells at the four corners of the eaves ring.

Yun Zhihua pays her respects to all the deities in the main hall.

Ke Jue rests his elbows on the wooden railing of the viewing platform, taking in the whole mountaintop. Remembering how she had just paid her respects to the Buddha as a formality, he asks softly, "Do you believe in Buddha?"

She raises her eyes and says what she has kept hidden in her heart: "Little brother, I only believe in myself."

-

At last, the clouds part and the moon appears.

Yun Zhihua sees the final missing piece in the puzzle of her memories. Her mind works sluggishly as she thinks it over, then she chuckles in sudden realization. "So when you said you weren't interested in dating an older woman, you were playing hard to get?"

Ke Jue shows no embarrassment at being found out. His steady voice comes from above her. "I've had a crush on you for a long, long time."

From casually drinking the water she gave him to deliberately plotting how to win her over, he has waited for many, many years.

| Illustrator x ceramic artist

| Female lead not a virgin / male lead is a virgin | Five-year age gap | Happy ending

| Gentle, healing story

Theme: Passion never cools.