Shu Yi is a web novelist, a homebody with social anxiety. The only ones who can get her to socialize are dogs.
While she is out picking up a food delivery, the friendly German shepherd from next door bowls her over at her own front door. Only this time, the dog isn't being walked by the elderly neighbor.
When Shu Yi looks up at the person there, her first thought is: Those gray pants are really eye-catching.
Then she looks higher: What a striking face, like the Russian beauty she saw online last night.
Later, Shu Yi tells her friend what happened, but her friend doesn't believe her.
"You ran into a guy who looks about six-foot-three right outside your place? Is he going to break into your home and sweep you off your feet next?"
As it turns out, her friend is right. Later, the man really does barge into Shu Yi's life and refuse to leave. She takes one step back, and he takes ten forward.
The two of them take the dog for a walk together. Shu Yi sits by the road and praises the dog. "So well-behaved. It smiles as soon as you pet it."
Duan Xiu crouches down in front of her. "Pet me and I'll smile, too."
Shu Yi gives him a smack, blushing as she pulls her hand out of his palm.
Then she deliberately says something sharp to hide how fast her heart is beating. "Talk properly. Don't put on that voice."
"You're accusing me again. I talk like this to my mom, too."
"You talk to your mom in that rich, languid, breathy voice of a top-tier heartthrob?"
"Why not?" Hearing her long string of descriptions, Duan Xiu laughs so hard his shoulders shake.
It's an exaggeration, but it's cute coming from her.
Duan Xiu is used to Shu Yi being so sharp with him, using words that only ever show up in romance novels.
Actually, it isn't really being sharp. She never talks like that to anyone else.
Which means it's a reward reserved just for him.
-
Reading guide:
A lighthearted, sweet romance, 1v1, both leads are sexually inexperienced.
The male lead is mixed-race. His mother is Chinese and his father is Russian.
-
Theme: Even people with social anxiety can find a love that breaks into their home
