Two heirs to influential Beijing families | Age gap | [Some] coercive romance | Love and hate
Cold-hearted pawn x deranged, out-of-control player
Si Tang had been dating her boyfriend for a year, but the person she heard about most was his uncle, Yu Cenhuai.
Some basked in his reputation, some feared his power, and some coveted his looks. Just a touch of reflected glory from him was enough to earn them a measure of respect.
The year Si Tang crossed paths with him, her family fell into decline and her boyfriend cheated on her.
She went to knock on his door and ask for his help.
Yu Cenhuai smiled casually. "Miss Si, if you're asking for help, you should have something to offer."
*
Later, when she learned the truth, Si Tang barged into Yu Cenhuai's office in front of everyone, her heart filled with hatred.
"My family fell apart and my boyfriend cheated on me. Was it all your doing?"
He didn't deny it. Instead, he grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her close.
"You're here with me. So who are you thinking about?"
Si Tang sucked in a sharp breath.
"You kept me by your side just to hold my family hostage, didn't you?"
Yu Cenhuai slid a finger beneath her collar, pulled out the recorder she'd hidden, and tossed it in the trash. Then he stroked the top of her head.
"Tangtang, you don't need to think so clearly when you're with me."
*
After two years of entanglement and mutual destruction, she fled across the ocean and cut all ties.
Half of Jing City heard that Mr. Yu had actually been dumped by a young woman. No one dared ask him directly, so they made subtle inquiries instead. "Mr. Yu, what happened to the crabapple tree in your courtyard?"
"I burned it." He put out his cigarette, his expression indifferent.
It was only a pawn to keep the Si family in check.
*
Drunk in a foreign land, Si Tang said that all the love and hate in her life belonged to one person.
A few days later, at a private exhibition, Si Tang was explaining the exhibits for the host. Behind a screen, she saw the man everyone was bowing and scraping to flatter. He looked travel-worn.
Yu Cenhuai looked down on the world, his eyes fixed on her alone. He rose unhurriedly and said, "Looks like you've sobered up."
Si Tang's expression was cold. "And?"
His usually pristine features were filled with desolation.
"Tangtang, while you're sober, tell me one more time that you loved me."
Reader's guide:
1. The male lead is nine years older | Both leads are sexually inexperienced
2. No real-life inspirations. The background and setting are fictional and exist only to serve the story, so please don't associate them with real life.
3. Neither lead is a paragon of virtue. Family conflicts will be explained as the story unfolds.
Theme: Love and honesty
