Spring Tide Over Falling Rain

[Main story complete. Updates on Sundays~ Marriage first, love later / slow burn / healing] 1. At twenty-seven, after being laid off and pressured by her elders to marry, Chen Qing Yao grew even more composed than her usually mild-mannered self. After sending out countless resumes, she arranged a second interview with an HR representative at a cafe near the airport, only to learn that the representative had to leave town on short notice. The handsome, distinguished man across from her kept glancing at his watch, and the questions he asked had little to do with her professional skills. “Are you in a hurry?” Chen Qing Yao smiled. “The sooner, the better. We'll need some time to adjust to each other, after all.” He nodded coolly and handed her a business card. “If it works out, my assistant will get in touch.” 2. Duan Xu Huai, founder of Qiming Tech, was often described by his peers as an aloof beauty who never descended from his pedestal. He was proud and distant, and had never been linked to anyone romantically. Chen Qing Yao later learned that their first meeting had been a misunderstanding. The young man, a darling of the heavens, had gone on a blind date to humor his family. She had arrived half an hour early, and the two of them had mistaken each other for their intended dates. Fortunately, she got the job she'd wanted, and Duan Xu Huai sent her a message to check in. Buzzed with alcohol, she made a half-serious suggestion: “Mr. Duan, why don't we just go along with the misunderstanding?” Half an hour later, the refined, elegant man appeared outside her home. “If you have no objections, we can each get what we need.” A property and a million in cash. He was generous and gentlemanly, so she couldn't lose. Chen Qing Yao smiled. “It's a pleasure doing business with you.” He glanced at the hand she held out, but made no move to take it. 3. After the wedding, both families took turns checking up on them. Exhausted, Chen Qing Yao moved in with Duan Xu Huai with his permission. Hugs and hand-holding soon became routine. He gradually fell for her, but she kept her boundaries clear, unable to see why Duan Xu Huai kept inching closer. Then Qiming Tech acquired her company, and a new CEO arrived without warning. Duan Xu Huai asked her to come to his office in private. As soon as the blinds came down, the usually distant man pulled her onto his lap. Chen Qing Yao instinctively looked around and asked warily, “Did your parents come by today?” “No.” The man who had gone to great lengths to win her over sounded a little dejected. “Did my parents come?” “No.” “Then…” Chen Qing Yao started to get up, but suddenly met his dark, deep gaze. The arm around her waist tightened inch by inch. “Yao Yao, can you really still not tell that I like you?” She was momentarily stunned. Duan Xu Huai, jealous, bit her ear, then gave in with a frustrated sigh. “I'm not pretending.” [He willingly let himself fall, and even still water came to a boil.] A few notes 1. Both leads are sexually inexperienced, and the male lead is a gentleman. He turned down several blind dates before her. She was the only exception, and before then he had never seen a photo of the woman he was supposed to meet. 2. Cool, gentle AI engineer × outwardly cold, proud, powerful executive 3. The workplace plot is there to help him win her over~ Theme: Stay true to yourself