Marrying When Our Relationship Was at Its Worst [Marriage Before Love]

A companion story to Summer Cicadas.

Zhang Ningyan went with her "boyfriend" to visit his sick mother. In that hospital room, she met her boyfriend's older brother, whom she also greeted with a "Big Brother."

Later, alone in the hallway, Zhang Ningyan asked him, "It's been so long. How have you been?"

Xia Shuqi walked toward her in silence, until he had her pressed against the wall. He looked down at her. "Miss Zhang, are you trying to catch up with me as my younger brother's girlfriend?"

Three months after she and Xia Shuqi parted ways, she received a call from him late one night. At first, no one spoke after she answered. Zhang Ningyan thought he had called by mistake, then wondered if he was drunk.

Then he suddenly asked her, "Will you marry me?"

Zhang Ningyan asked, "Do you know who you're calling?"

Xia Shuqi: "I haven't been drinking."

Female lead: A natural-born superstar

Male lead: An abstinent CEO

Xia Shuqi: "You are my most passionate freedom, and I am your most devoted audience."

Reading guide:

*The romance isn't angsty. They go from flirtation to passionate love, from the first little stirrings of affection to intense dependence. Since they really don't know each other well at first, and because of the male lead's personality, the romance develops slowly. They fall deeply in love later on.

*But this isn't a sweet romance. There is family-related angst.

*I felt quite nervous writing this one, and I look forward to your comments and suggestions. I'm not good with words, so I don't reply much, but I read every comment. Thank you for leaving them.

Theme: The everyday is splendid and bright at its very heart.