Sometimes Shan Jiqiu thinks: if she could choose again, she would rather not have been Lu Yun’s childhood friend, growing up under his protection. Then at least she might have had the courage to openly like him, instead of guarding this bittersweet secret, too timid to risk even their friendship.
Lu Yun—handsome, witty, a little careless—was the quiet campus heartthrob of No. 7 High School. Everything about him was good. If he had one flaw, it was that his childhood friend always outperformed him in exams.
Lu Yun: “Let’s bet. If I score higher than you this time, you’ll wash my socks for a month.”
Shan Jiqiu: “…”
Lu Yun, shameless: “If you win, I’ll not only wash your socks, I’ll wash your underwear for a month too.”
Shan Jiqiu: “Get lost.” (Brain hemorrhage incoming.)
Years later, a friend asked Lu Yun, “I heard you had a childhood friend who was even better at school than you. Hard to believe anyone could outshine you. Why haven’t we ever seen her?”
Lu Yun leaned lazily against his car, an unlit cigarette between his lips, peach‑blossom eyes fixed on the cold, elegant woman at the school gate: “It’s been… a long time.”
Later, Shan Jiqiu returned to No. 7 High and ran into one of Lu Yun’s old admirers. The girl sneered: “I heard Lu Yun’s getting married. Guess you two won’t be so close anymore.” Then she glanced behind Shan Jiqiu: “Speak of the devil—there he is.”
Shan Jiqiu turned. The man in a suit was striking, no longer the boyish youth but fully grown, masculine. She smiled faintly, extended her hand before the crowd: “Long time no see.”
Lu Yun looked at her calmly, clasped her hand: “Long time no see.”
Shan Jiqiu: “I heard you’re getting married. Congratulations.”
Lu Yun: “Thank you.”
Shan Jiqiu: “I’ll be going in then.”
Lu Yun: “Mm.”
She had barely taken a step when he pulled her back, voice low and amused at her ear: “I just parked the car, and all you’ll give me is ‘long time no see’? Mrs. Lu.”
At age 7, Lu Yun crouched before her, rubbing her bruised arm: “Call me Brother Yun, and I’ll protect you.”
At age 25, Lu Yun knelt before her, eyes full of tenderness: “Call me husband, and I’ll give you a whole fairy tale world.”
Back then, youth was full of secrets. From then on, all joy was you.
The best kind of love is blatant favoritism and exception.
? Tropes & Themes:
– Hard‑working girl who doesn’t believe in fairy tales × gifted boy determined to create one
– Childhood friends, mutual secret crushes, double‑clean, from campus to city (school uniforms to wedding gowns), HE sweet romance
– Core idea: Hold ideals, stay upright and kind. A story of growth and love.
Tags: Childhood friends · Industry elites · Inspirational life · Campus
Main characters: Shan Jiqiu, Lu Yun
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