Strong Liquor, Warm Jasmine

Shen Jinting was the proud and aloof eldest daughter of the Shen family. Once hailed as a "young prodigy," she played violin pieces that soared with passion and guzheng melodies that flowed with tender grace.

But when her half-sister crossed the threshold of the Shen estate, Shen Jinting fell from her pedestal. Her reputation went to ruin. She formed cliques, drank and brawled, and grew as prickly as a hedgehog, snapping at anyone who came near and rarely showing outsiders a friendly face.

One day, her older brother, Shen Huaiji, introduced her to his closest friend, Wen Jingci.

A few days later, her brother left on a business trip, and she was packed off to stay at Wen Jingci's home.

Wen Jingci was gentle and refined, with brows and eyes as dark as ink. He had only recently settled in Yancheng, where he spent his days taking traditional Chinese medicine, feeding fish, and tending flowers, perfectly content.

After Shen Jinting moved in...

The fish he raised were eyed every day as candidates for steaming or braising. The artificial turf was replaced with fresh soil, and a four-tier wooden rack of flowerpots appeared, planted with pure white jasmine.

-

After getting drunk at a party one night, Shen Jinting secretly turned over the possibilities in her mind: Should she put a sack over Brother Jingci's head, or drag him straight to her room?

After losing three ranked matches in a row, Shen Jinting hid under the covers and gamed all night, ignoring everyone until Wen Jingci brought her favorite snacks...

She wanted to steal his household registration booklet and drag him to the marriage bureau!

-

Wen Jingci was like jasmine, handsome and self-possessed, while Shen Jinting was more passionate than strong liquor to the core.

So passion met tenderness, and strong liquor warmed the jasmine.