Before We Forget [Rekindling an Old Flame]

Powerful man bows his head / Distinguished young heir from Beijing's elite circles x clear-eyed female student

In Beijing, Pei Yunan is a renowned power broker, rising to the top at a young age with a ruthless hand. When it comes to romance, though, he's never been linked to anyone.

Only those close to him know that he once had a young woman by his side.

She was still in college, with clear, dark eyes that were impossible to look away from. Most importantly, she was obedient.

In the back seat of a car, on the bar, in the bathtub, she went along with every unreasonable demand he made. Even when he went too far, she'd only call his name softly through her tears.

Li Shan enjoyed Pei Yunan's exclusive affection, then kicked him to the curb at just the right moment and left without looking back.

Pei Yunan spoke harshly, his words final: “You'd better never come crawling back to me.”

She really did disappear without a trace.

-

Five years later.

She returns to Beijing to get medical care for her daughter.

Needing to secure funding for a project, Li Shan has no choice but to humble herself and ask Pei Yunan for help.

The banquet hall glitters with lights. She ingratiates herself with him, apprehension in her eyes.

Pei Yunan stands in a suit, distinguished and aloof, his eyes cold.

“Do business with you?”

“Who do you think you are?”

Everyone knows Pei Yunan hates her. He refuses to discuss a partnership or lend her money, and makes trouble for her at every turn.

One day, a friend calls him:

“I think I saw Qiao Lishan at the hospital.”

“So?”

“She had a little girl with her.”

That night, rain pours down. For the first time, the usually proud and composed Mr. Pei loses his cool. He speeds there at 180 kilometers an hour, only to wait outside an old residential neighborhood.

Rain runs down his jaw as the man grits his teeth. “How long were you planning to keep our daughter from me?”

[Bonus scene]

Everyone knows that Pei, the head of Nanyuan Group, is cold and ruthless. He never has a kind word for anyone, and when he loses his temper, he can make his staff cry.

Recently, though, people have noticed that Pei Yunan carries a little girl everywhere.

The little girl has two braids and a strawberry hair clip. She nestles against his shoulder, clutching his tie and refusing to let go.

The man, who is usually a neat freak, lets her wrinkle his bespoke suit. He even keeps adjusting her little head so she'll sleep more comfortably.

A friend invites him out for drinks.

Pei Yunan walks in carrying his daughter, glances around the private room, and frowns. “Put out the cigarettes, clear away the alcohol, and turn down the music.”

Everyone: “...”

His friend can't take it anymore. “If we're not drinking or playing cards, why did you come?”

Pei Yunan holds his daughter with one arm and picks up the remote with the other, expertly putting on Peppa Pig.

The little girl snuggles in his arms, completely absorbed.

Only then does the man leisurely reply, “I came to show you my daughter.”

■ Both leads are virgins, and devoted only to each other.

■ Happy ending.

■ An old-school melodrama. The journey is angsty, but the ending is sweet. Best enjoyed without overthinking.

■ This story may not suit readers with very high moral standards for either lead, or readers who are staunchly devoted to one lead over the other. No unsolicited writing advice, please.

Coming soon: The School Bully and the Little Bunny, a sweet romance, Galaxy in Her Eyes

Theme: Those who try to use time to forget will always meet again in the river of time.