Rejoice again sisters, because they never break up in book 2!!! In the extra chapter 3, Gu Man reveals the breakup plotline was in her previous version of book 2 but she scrapped and rewrote the story without a breakup plot. ☺ I personally prefer the new version as Lin Yusen is not the type to play s*upid push pull melodrama like breaking up with Xiguang...

The first book deals with Xiguang's failed first love, the alienation and bullying of her university classmates/peers, and her heartbreak of dearly loving Zhuang Xu who willingly misunderstands and mistreats her at every turn. We also deal with Lin Yusen having to grapple with losing his career as a neurosurgeon due to a car accident for who he believed at the time to be Xiguang (but turned out to be her stepsister). All of this brings a lot of drama to the story and makes it very emotionally intense to read. I personally cried reading the first book because I could relate to Xiguang a lot. The second book is much less dramatic, as Xiguang and Lin Yusen encourage and support each other, unlike Xiguang's dynamic with Zhuang Xu. They're united as a singular unit moving towards the future together, so there is obviously much less drama as they have a healthier and emotionally mature relationship. Personally, now that I'm older, I enjoy this mature romance much more, where they find contentment in the dazzling ordinary.

They were sweet to each other and really happy that the FL did not end up with the 2nd ML, as he was quite selfish in my opinion. He always blamed the world for his shortcomings, but love isn't like that. The FL found love with the ML/Li Yusen, who was open-minded, understood her better, and was supportive. Most importantly, she didn't have to be cautious all the time and could truly be herself.

Just before talking about the big grape, FL asked ZX "you can't stand me, right? you think I'm lazy, etc". And he said yes!! And then he said he had a big gr*pe and chased her away. You can't be that s*upid. I don't even know what to say about this.

Also, I do not understand if ZX did go out with YR at any point, or not. It is implied that they didn't go out. Was that bcz she had reservations that he was poor and he was not even interested in her romantically?

In the 2nd extra chapter, he told his secretary that he doesn't know if many girls liked him back in college, but he liked a classmate (FL).

Yet in a flashback ZX's brother said to him that he heard from YR, that FL liked him and that's bad, because doesn't she know "your relationship"? (might be the lacking translation at fault here - otherwise what relationship?)

From the first book, as a reader, I already knew ZX did like our FL and read the book with that assumption. But I still could not justify some of his actions and words. Why did he, even after deciding to be with FL, not clarify the rumours of him being with YR? All of YR and the other girls' words implied there was something between them. Don't tell me he never heard the girls talking about it when he was present and we, as readers, "heard them". Did his guy friends not even know who he liked between XG and YR? Was there no discussion between the guys and girls and so ZX never knew ppl thought they were together? These are plot holes to me.

And, to be honest, the fact that he helped YR frame MC seemed out of character for me. This kind of retaliation is what scheming female characters do in novels, but not what guys do to the girl they like, especially knowing the girl will find out the guy was behind it. He was very disappointing then.

Yu Rong implied to FL that FL is looking down on her and maybe the tables will flip in the future. Actually, ZX also implied multiple times that FL looks down on him because of his humble background or that FL went out with the ML because he is of the same league as her.

But FL never looked down on the two of them for that and never judged people based on money or status.

So I wish she could have clarified to YR, that she never looked down on her and it was YR that looked on herself and was insecure. It was also YR who judged people based on money.

He actually told FL that ML only wanted her for her money. When he has those 2 leeches by his side! He could not tell a gold digger apart even if they had a sign on their head!

Moreover, I would have told him that when he divorced his wife, he also lost the last woman who loved him for just himself. All other women afterwards will only want him for his money. Let that sink in, old man.

Btw, I wish FL's father had some realisation or something, and finally left most of his money to his daughter. In the end, he didn't even willingly give her those shares he promised her! It is implied he sold them to her later, at a lower price, probably, but still. He should have given them to her for free.

Ch 10

-

The book I had purchased was not bad but I couldn't immerse myself in the story. In the end, I decided not to read it so as not to do injustice to the author.

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Ch 30

-

"You're not afraid that they'll misunderstand that we are in that kind of relationship?"

"Actually, it doesn't matter to misunderstand once in a while." I imitated his speech, "I am a woman who is pretty like a flower, so you are not losing out!"

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Ch 33

-

Confessing here will really pull down my class. But with you crying like this, if I don't take advantage of this opportunity, I'll let my IQ down.

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Ch 33 - "So my confession also has the effect of making you feel numb."

My movement was somewhat stiff and I stopped in my tracks. Then I looked down at my tiptoes.

"I am sorry!"

All was quiet for a while.

"Nie Xi Guang, you should not reject me like this."

"You should confidently and righteously say, Lin Yu Sen, I still have not taken a fancy to you because you've not met my requirements. However not like this as if you've done something that let me down."

"No."

I quickly looked up and subconsciously denied his statement.

How could he not meet my requirements? Such a brilliant, outstanding and distinctive man. Even when I was fantasizing what my other half will be like when I was young, I also felt embarrassed to fantasize such perfection.

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Ch 35 - Actually, I have never cared about the rumors in the company. Probably after experiencing the rumor culture in the university, I was already less sensitive over this. I cared about —— why every time I also followed Lin Yu Sen after he said a few words? Having a meal, watching a movie..... every time my heart firmly said no, but after ten sentences.....

I did not want to mention anymore.

I recalled that sentence spoken by Lin Yu Sen —— how dumb must I be not to be able to court you.

Suddenly, I have an ominous premonition that I will be defeated like a landslide.

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Ch 38 - He smiled faintly: "Didn't I tell you eight o'clock?"

I 'snorted' twice, he still dared to mention about it.

"You did tell me eight o'clock, but I checked the train schedule. Train coming from your side either arrives at six in the morning or ten o'clock, but definitely no eight o'clock one. Why did you lie to me?"

Actually, before asking him this question, I have already thought of an answer, for instance..... afraid to make you get up too early, too exhausting for you and so on.....

Who would have thought he will sigh and say: "I am afraid you'll say, Lin Yu Sen, forget about it. I cannot get up so early, so you better go back to Suzhou alone."

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Ch 39 - I tried to avoid his gaze and pretended to tease him by saying:. "Oh, by the way, very powerful."

"What?"

"I saw everything just now, the woman in blue."

He grinned: "Is this a plus or minus point?"

I stared blankly for a moment before comprehending what he meant. Then I immediately felt embarrassed. "What plus point minus point, my math is not good..... "

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Ch 40

-

I finished looking through his impressive autobiography with keen interest. Then I picked up the phone to dial his office number and said in a low voice: "What did you give me? Why did you give it to me?"

"Ah, product manual? Let you find out about your boyfriend's features and functions."

...

I finished looking through his impressive autobiography with keen interest. Then I picked up the phone to dial his office number and said in a low voice: "What did you give me? Why did you give it to me?"

"Ah, product manual? Let you find out about your boyfriend's features and functions."

"..... But you don't have to write that you know how to change the light bulb."

"Oh, that is a representative of the function for household use. Oh, by the way, I am also pretty good at stitching and knot tying."

"..... So you're writing out your romantic history to tell me that you have the experience of being a rejected good?"

"Miss Nie, do you have a problem understanding Chinese? Is that romantic history?"

Who asked you to write about your experience of being forced to go on a blind date by a teacher?

I held back from laughing and said very seriously: "Of course, it is regarded as such."

"That is a wrong target customer, so the product was withdrawn from the market. In addition, I want to remind my most highly regarded customer that in the past, not all of this product's features had been fully available to be used. Miss Nie, I hope that you can sufficiently exploit it and actively use it."

Was it my imagination?! I felt that those last words 'actively use it' gave a strong sense of..... being hit on = = I quickly changed the topic and pretended to ask seriously: "Don't try to fob me off. Hurry up and give me a detailed account of the dark, unspeakable things of your past."

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Ch 2.2

-

"Wait, wait!" I chased after him. "Weren't you trying to run into someone? Who is this person? Do you have a picture? Let me see!"

He started walking faster, and I had to hurry to keep up, panting. "Hey, don't give up so easily! We said we were going to have a chance encounter, didn't we?"

He suddenly stopped, and I almost ran into his back. He turned around, nodded, and said, "You're right."

Me: "???"

What?

Jiang Rui: "Let's keep walking."

One hour later:

"Brother, I'm no longer interested in your secret crush. Can we go home now?"

Two hours later:

"Brother, I really don't think fate is on your side with this person... How about that girl we passed earlier? You should consider her."

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Ch 2.3

-

My uncle glanced over and surprisingly did recognize him. "I've met him once. He's the grandson of Old Mr. Sheng."

What a small world. That's perfect!

"Can you introduce me?"

My uncle was startled, staring at me in shock. "W-What are you planning?"

With a straight face, I said, "Nothing much. He's handsome, and I want him to be my boyfriend."

I nodded seriously and added, "Remember, my mom told me to find someone, and I think he's great. We've got a good vibe."

My uncle was completely thrown off.

I struggled to hold back my laughter, staring at him with utmost sincerity.

Glancing around, my uncle leaned in and lowered his voice, "Your mom may have told you that, but you can't just pick someone off the street!"

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Ch 2.5

-

"Mom, don't flatter me. There were so many beautiful girls at the party, all from good families with excellent jobs. He's capable and so handsome; why would he focus on me?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Mom said, "That's true."

... A thousand points of damage.

...

She sighed again, "You should be dating at your age anyway. My judgment isn't great, so if I helped you choose, it might be worse than if you just muddled through on your own."

... I didn't muddle through. Mom, you can criticize yourself, but why drag me into it?

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Ch 2.12

-

"Do you want me to succeed or not?" I was utterly confused. Why did he encourage me to work hard one moment, only to approve of slacking off the next?

"Either is fine. But, Xiguang, " he said thoughtfully, "you put on such a convincing performance as the airheaded eldest daughter of the Sheng family that everyone bought it. If you don't accomplish something, won't that just reinforce their low expectations of you? On the other hand, if you quietly prepare and then amaze everyone, wouldn't it be fun to see their shock when they realize you were just playing them?"

Wow. That would be so satisfying.

I imagined the Sheng family's dumbfounded faces and instantly felt energized—ready to tackle ten more tons of documents.

"Alright, back to work. No more talking."

I immediately grabbed a new file from the mountain of materials and started reading diligently. Lin Yusen chuckled softly and immersed himself in his own world.

An Hour Later...

I started to think that impressing the Sheng family wasn't all that important after all.

An Hour and a Half Later...

I began to question why the Sheng family deserved to be my motivation for working hard. Who do they think they are?

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Ch 2.13

-

My fingers absentmindedly played with the buttons on his coat as I called his name, "Lin Yusen."

He lowered his head to look at me.

"You don't have to replace my plum blossom cake."

"So generous?"

"Mm. If my dad ends up causing you to lose the shares, we'll consider the cake my compensation to you."

The man above me stayed silent for a moment before patting me on the head. "Xiguang, keep at it."

"Huh?"

"You have a knack for business."

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Ch 2.27

-

Yin Jie seemed to enjoy her food even more. "Speaking of which, one of my dreams has come true! My best friend married a rich, handsome, and domineering CEO, and from then on, I'd be riding on her coattails and dominating the company."

"You've only eaten a rabbit so far..." I was speechless. "Besides, if it's a dream, why not marry a rich, handsome, and domineering CEO yourself?"

Yin Jie answered me scientifically and meticulously: "Because I am only one person, but I can have many best friends. Which one has a higher probability of coming true?"

I've learned something new. Even dreams have probabilities.

Well, they don't even break up!!! So it's just sweet, mellow and so lovely. The ML actually wants to go back to the job he loves. Xiguang is going to take over the company (and she's not a dumb little white flower!!!) -she even gets to confront that guy. So yeah who would care about a tiring romance-that-never-was when you have a devoted boyfriend who wholeheartedly cares for you. I can't say I feel much pity for Zhang Xu.

That aside, I really would have liked seeing a bit more of Xiguang's progress and Lin Yusen's as well. The family conflict on both ends -maybe some more face-slapping? Xiguang's mother in her new role. Or maybe even the couple getting married. But this is not really the author's style and that's actually great. I still need to read the epilogues though so here's to more Xiguang and Yusen living a happy life.