Half-Ripe Fruit

Complete! Please add it to your favorites~

Next book: Low-Temperature Fog, fake uncle and niece + stealing someone's partner, an aloof beauty turns into a possessive, forceful maniac. Please add it to your favorites~

> Brave, sunny sweetheart × mature, fake-gentleman, gloomy young master

> Seven-year age gap / rekindled romance / entertainment industry / fake dating contract / bittersweet healing

When Chi Jiang first met He Tianzhou, they were already worlds apart.

Chi Jiang was an ordinary college student, while he was a privileged young master high above everyone else.

"I'm pretty, cute, and talented. Why wouldn't I be good enough for him?" Those audacious words set their tangled story in motion.

Everyone laughed at her naivete. Even Chi Jiang was surprised when He Tianzhou came to her of his own accord and asked if she'd be willing to put on an act with him.

"I have a deal to offer. Would you be interested, Miss Chi?"

When trouble struck her family, Chi Jiang had no choice but to enter the entertainment industry and act. She became a hugely popular genius actress, as well as his pretend girlfriend.

When their contract ended, she announced her retirement and went abroad to pursue her dream again, then decisively broke up with him.

Years later, Chi Jiang returned home with a new film. The premiere was packed, but the media weren't interested in the movie. They wanted to hear about her past relationship.

One person even boldly asked at the event, "Director Chi, what do you have to say about the rumors linking you to Mr. He?"

People in their circle said that Mr. He had nearly destroyed the entire He family for Chi Jiang.

But even after the premiere ended, the man at the center of the rumors never showed up. Everyone waited for Chi Jiang to become a laughingstock, and no one knew that He Tianzhou had been waiting for her all along.

In the underground parking garage, Chi Jiang bowed her head to him for the first time and got into his car of her own accord.

"You want me to help you? Don't you think Director Chi should offer me something in return?"

"What? Be your girlfriend again?"

He Tianzhou stood in the shadows, his deep gaze fixed on Chi Jiang as he smiled casually.

"I won't make the same mistake twice, and I won't give you another chance to break up with me."

"Marry me."

No one knew that beneath He Tianzhou's forceful words, he was desperately trying to stay calm because he was afraid Chi Jiang would leave him again.

Then let's use each other one more time.

He Tianzhou hated her naivete, but he also wanted to protect it.

SC / HE / Neither lead is perfect. Please see the author's note in Chapter 1 for specific content warnings.

Theme: Learn to love