Fireworks Fade Too Soon

One-on-one romance, both leads are each other's first and only. Sweet romance plus wealthy-family power struggles. The heroine is a handful but clever, and the hero is a madman who's gentle only with her.

Reading Guide:

? A troublesome heroine with a fiery temper who fiercely protects her own. Her morals are flexible, but her values are sound.

? A mad hero who's an elegant young gentleman on the surface, but obsessive and possessive underneath.

? Childhood friends face a dramatic breakup. Her ex-boyfriend returns from overseas later and tries to win her back, but has no chance.

? An illegitimate younger brother. Their relationship goes from hostility to relying on each other.

? Wealthy-family business battles plus sweet everyday romance. Full of excitement, with no angst for the heroine.

The Lin family garden, that year

Dusk, like melting amber, bathed the entire rose garden in golden afterglow. The silver shears in Lin Yu's hand snapped shut, cutting off an overly long rose stem.

"You like Lin Yanyan."

It wasn't a question, but a statement. The words were as light as a falling leaf, yet sent ripples through the quiet dusk. Lin Ye's fingers paused as he adjusted the sprinkler system. A glint reflected off the metal valve and flashed across his jaw. Fine mist hung between them, blurring the usually impeccable lines of his figure.

"She's your sister."

Lin Ye didn't answer the question, but Lin Yu noticed his Adam's apple bobbing half a beat faster than usual. The young student council president's slender fingers absently rubbed the badge on his chest. Its metal edge gleamed coldly in the dusk. It was the only tell that gave away his feelings.

Lin Yu suddenly laughed. He casually plucked a blue rose. Its sharp thorn pierced his fingertip, but he didn't seem to notice. A drop of blood rolled down the stem and fell onto the cobblestones, leaving a dark flower-shaped mark.

"So what?" He stepped closer, the sunset gilding the edges of his khaki sweater. "Are you afraid to admit it?"

Mist gathered on Lin Ye's eyelashes like tiny crystals. He slowly lifted his head, as if the moment were unfolding in slow motion, and looked straight at Lin Yu through the haze.

"Do you know why she hates the southeast corner of the rose garden?"

The sudden question made Lin Yu narrow his eyes. He saw a lisianthus petal on Lin Ye's suit cuff. Those flowers were never grown in the Lin family's garden.

"Because that's where they buried the rabbit that was bitten to death by a stray cat when she was ten." Lin Ye's voice was soft, but every word rang clear in the silence. "Every year on its death anniversary, she sneaks out at midnight to leave a bunch of lisianthus." His fingers gently turned the petal. "Because they're the rabbit's favorite flowers."

Lin Yu's knuckles clenched until they turned white. "You even know that." His mocking laugh was icy. "But do you know why she never plays 'Moonlight' in public?"

The sprinkler system suddenly stopped. The whole rose garden fell into an eerie silence, even the cicadas going quiet. Lin Yu's voice dropped to a whisper.

"It was the only piano piece her mother knew. Every time she reached the seventh measure, she'd deliberately miss a semitone..." He swallowed. "Her mother taught her that fingering on purpose."

In the dusk, Lin Ye's pupils suddenly contracted. His left hand, held behind his back, unconsciously tightened, his nails digging into his palm. For the first time, the boy who was always so perfect showed a crack in front of Lin Yu. His breathing had fallen out of rhythm.

Lin Ye: "How do you know?"

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. "I live here. Even if we only say one word to each other every two weeks, I'm only one meter away from her. My room is right next to hers. We go to the same school, and early last year I skipped a grade and joined her class. I can get to know her friends too. And, of course, I peeked at her diary."

"You're despicable!"

"So? Deal? You help me become part of this family, and I'll help you..." Lin Yu's lips curled into a smile. "...understand her."

Lin Ye was greedy.

Premise: Stay positive