A Sweet Aftertaste

◎ Please add this to your collection

◎ Proud, doting childhood friend x calculating, flirtatious childhood sweetheart

The biggest obstacle Qiao Lu faced on her way to getting married was her ex-boyfriend.

They had grown up together. When they first began to understand love, they made the impulsive decision to date for a while, adding a touch of romance and awkwardness to their familial bond.

After less than three months together, Qiao Lu, who already hated being bossed around, found herself being controlled even more. She promptly ended their make-believe romance.

Perhaps because she was the first woman to ever break up with Pei Xun, from then on Qiao Lu had the deep impression that he couldn't stand her.

-

The wedding preparations were tedious and frustrating. Qiao Lu's perfectionism made her want everything to be just right, but her easygoing fiance thought doing their best was enough. Qiao Lu felt stifled, yet also thought she was making a fuss over nothing.

When she met up with friends, she didn't expect her ex-boyfriend and childhood friend to volunteer to handle everything on the spot.

"My company happens to be looking for a wedding-planning case study. Leave it to me."

Qiao Lu blinked in confusion. "Don't you work in artificial intelligence?"

The man leaned back with an air of arrogance. He turned his striking profile and eyes toward her, as if they were electric. Qiao Lu instinctively gripped her water glass. The next second, he gave a scoff.

"Mind your own business."

-

Pei Xun did a great job, though the bill was staggering. Qiao Lu thought it was worth every penny, but seeing her fiance's troubled expression, she still went to find Pei Xun in private.

"Um, I'll pay you half upfront. Then you can say you got the wrong bill later..."

He cut her off and pinched her cheek, his face dark with exasperation.

"After all these years of spoiling you, is this how you repay me?"

"He can't even bring himself to pay for the wedding. Your bags, your clothes, your beauty treatments, your trips, your lips..."

His gaze landed on her carefully colored red lips. His mind went blank for an instant. Only when she slapped his hand away did he come to his senses. He gritted his teeth. "That's how much it costs. Not a cent less!"

In the end, the wedding wasn't downgraded at all. It was upgraded instead. Her beloved flowers filled the banquet hall, and her wedding dress, set with tiny diamonds, shimmered brilliantly.

Qiao Lu looked at the groom and blinked. His bright-red ears were just too tempting. She couldn't help leaning in to bite them gently, the corners of her lips lifting.

"Can't be helped~ If you think no one else can take good care of me, then you'll have to do it yourself..."

Theme: Work hard