Otis and Mei had known each other since college but broke up before graduating. Both of them ran off to places thousands of miles apart, thinking they would never cross paths again. Yet, fate had other plans, and they ended up becoming roommates. The moment Otis pushed the door open and saw Mei sitting on the sofa, he froze. "You look like my ex-girlfriend." Mei immediately jumped up, stomping her foot in frustration. "I am your ex-girlfriend!!!"
"I want you to kiss me..."
A delicate, oval face swayed before his eyes, its fair skin glowing. Her bright, captivating eyes brimmed with affection, stirring Otis's heart.
But a sharp, detached voice cut through his daydream.
"Sign here. Rent is one month upfront, plus three months' deposit. That's a total of forty-eight hundred."
The landlady's plump fingers, adorned with gold rings, pointed to two thin sheets of paper on the mahogany table.
She spoke while eyeing the young man sitting across from her. His handsome face, clear, innocent eyes, and tall frame painted the picture of someone freshly stepping into adulthood. His toned arms, visible beneath the short sleeves of a white t-shirt, hinted at a regular exercise routine.
If only I were twenty years younger...
Otis Prescott glanced at the papers, then looked up to ask, "What about the other tenant?"
The landlady gestured toward the open front door. This was the ground floor, facing the street. At the far end of the lane, a figure in denim shorts and a light blue sun jacket with shoulder-length hair could be seen.
The distance was too great, and without his glasses, Otis couldn't make out the details. All he could register was a sense of familiarity. That figure... it resembled his ex-girlfriend.
He immediately dismissed the thought as absurd. How could it be? This place was miles away from their college. There was no way he'd run into his ex here.
It must be that he was still caught in the shadow of their breakup, which made him think of her at a moment like this.
His ex had a beautiful name: Mei Hawthorne.
In Otis's memories, Mei was about a head and a half shorter than him, with silky, jet-black hair cascading to her waist. In summer, she would wear a pristine white dress, her long hair swaying in the breeze, captivating anyone who saw her.
They would stroll hand-in-hand beneath the shaded paths on campus, whispering and teasing each other, stealing kisses in the warm summer wind.
On those sweltering summer days, her lips were like a cool spring, refreshing and intoxicating.
On weekends, they'd spend the day at a cat café or sit silently together in a quiet coffee shop. As night fell, they'd walk along brightly lit sidewalks before slipping into the shadows, embracing in secluded corners.
In the dark, she'd blush, wrap her arms around him, and softly call his name. He loved that about her...
No, he didn't love it!
They'd broken up. Stop thinking about it!
Otis gripped the pen tightly. Damn it, why was he thinking about her now?
I don't miss her at all!
The landlady noticed Otis's face shifting through a range of emotions and assumed he was reconsidering. She interjected, "The other tenant is a young woman. You've seen the place; it's spacious, and you won't interfere with each other. The location is excellent, close to the subway. You won't find another place this good."
Otis indeed found the location ideal, just a twenty-minute walk from his workplace and close to public transport.
Having just graduated, he had only six thousand yuan to his name. During college, he'd worked part-time to save some money, but most of it had gone toward dates with Mei.
This apartment was the cheapest he could find. Even if the other tenant turned out to be a three-headed, six-armed monster with eight tentacles, he'd still rent it.
After reviewing the lease to ensure there were no issues, Otis signed without hesitation and handed over the forty-eight hundred.
The landlady beamed, her wrinkles smoothing as she smiled. She pulled out a jangling bunch of keys and, after a brief search, handed one to Otis.
"Here you go. Do you need me to show you up?"
Otis shook his head. "No, thanks. I remember the way."
The landlady nodded, offered a few last words of advice, and watched as Otis dragged his suitcase away.
The wheels of his suitcase clicked against the pavement as he glanced toward the end of the street. The figure in the sun jacket had disappeared.
Once again, Otis found himself wondering about his new roommate.
She seemed to be about the same height as his ex.
His ex again. His ex again. Stop bringing her up!
I'm just looking for a reference point!
Otis's thoughts were a mess. Shaking his head, he hoped she'd at least be someone who didn't leave trash everywhere.
He'd read many horror stories online about cohabiting with strangers. Far from romantic encounters, it often involved clogged drains, scattered belongings, and endless headaches.
Please, let her be normal.
Otis pulled his suitcase into the apartment building, pressed the elevator button, and rode it up to the twenty-first floor.
Apartment 2102-his new home.
As he stood before the door, Otis plastered a determined smile on his face.
Let's go, Otis. Welcome to your new life.
No more dwelling on the pain of your breakup. No more thinking about Mei.
At that moment, Otis recalled something Mei had once told him.
After graduation, she wanted to work at Émerveillement Corporation. Otis had joked, "What a coincidence. I want to work there too. We're meant to be."
But then they'd broken up, and Otis had packed up and moved to Snow City, thousands of miles away from Jinghai.
By now, Mei was probably happily snapping selfies on Émerveillement's bustling streets.
Hmph. Goodbye, Mei. We'll never meet again.
He slid the key into the heavy door and pushed it open.
The living room came into view, fully furnished with a dining table, coffee table, and sofa. No television, though.
Sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating the tiled floor.
On the sofa sat a young woman with short hair covering one side of her face. She seemed engrossed in her phone but slowly turned her head when she heard the door open.
Otis raised his hand in greeting, but the woman stopped mid-turn, staring at him.
Familiar. So familiar that it made her dizzy, as if she were dreaming.
Mei had been enjoying a relaxing moment, scrolling through her phone and reading a novel before starting her new job.
To hell with you, Otis! I'll never see you again in this lifetime!
But now, she was looking at a figure she had longed for... no, recognized.
Otis's hand froze mid-air as he stared at the familiar-yet-different face before him.
Still as beautiful and charming as ever, though her hair was shorter.
Wait a second. Am I dreaming? Is this a dream?
The room fell silent, the dust particles visible in the sunlight.
Both tried to say the other's name.
"Mei?"
"Otis?"
Three seconds of silence. One. Two. Three.
Both of them widened their eyes in shock and exclaimed at the same time.
"What are you doing here?!"
Everyone says that CEO Anderson is a formidable figure in the Kingdom of Alssta, someone not to be trifled with. His name alone inspires fear, and those who see him instinctively bow and lower their heads. Some even claim that CEO Anderson's home is a den of dragons and tigers, filled with corpses and bones. Rumor has it that the young bride, who was married off in her sister's place, has already died... When they meet again, CEO Anderson flashes a menacing smile and takes out...
1. Ophelia always believed she would be with Finnian. At the age of eight, they became step-siblings and faced the hardest times of their lives together. Finnian once promised, "Ophelia, wait for me to succeed, and I will marry you." But on her birthday, he publicly announced his relationship with the famous actress, Eamon. 2. The man she had waited for all these years found someone new, while her family's business teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. Ophelia stood amidst the storm-not only were there those waiting to see her fail, but others with malicious intentions biding their time to strike. But what everyone expected didn't happen. Instead of succumbing to despair, Ophelia stunned everyone by organizing a grand wedding that shook Selista. The Radcliffe family, the most prestigious family in Dolasiats, hosted an extravagant wedding in Selista for their beloved daughter-in-law and sole heir, Logan. In an instant, Selista became the gathering spot for more than half of Dolasiats' elites. No one could figure out which lady from Selista had such incredible fortune. When Ophelia appeared in a pristine, dazzling white wedding gown that captivated every gaze, the entire audience was stunned. Finnian, attending the wedding, dropped the wine glass he was holding. It shattered to pieces on the ground. 3. Ophelia knew full well that this marriage was not stable; it was merely a transaction of benefits and could end with each going their separate ways. But Logan had given her so much. After registering their marriage, she gradually made concessions, fulfilling his every demand. From moving in under the same roof, to sharing the same bedroom, and then... Each night, he was possessive, indulgent. She could no longer endure it. Her eyes turned red, and she trembled as she protested, "Can you restrain yourself a little?" The man leaned down, kissed her damp hair, and in a husky voice coaxed her gently at her ear, "Be good and call me husband*."
At her own engagement party, she was betrayed by her best friend, making her a laughingstock in front of everyone. With no other choice, and being a person with pride, she couldn't just walk away humiliated. So, she impulsively grabbed someone to salvage the situation. Unexpectedly, the man she happened to pull was none other than the cold and fearsome CEO of RS, someone everyone dreads to cross paths with. But she wasn't the innocent, defenseless white lotus people saw on the surface. Just wait and see-who would prove to be stronger!
Once, there was a kind-hearted young girl who saved the life of a little beggar boy. Amid hunger, bitter cold, and the overwhelming sense of despair, the girl drove away a pack of stray dogs that threatened the boy and gave him a box of chocolates she loved dearly. This simple act planted a seed that would blossom sixteen years later. The boy, now grown, returned to find the girl who had once saved him, silently protecting her in the guise of a naive, seemingly useless husband.
Calista Whitaker and Dorian Blackwood were childhood sweethearts, engaged for a long time. But just when the crucial moment approached, an unexpected twist occurred- On the day of the engagement, Dorian's affair was unexpectedly exposed. While the marriage alliance between the two families hung in the balance, a weary yet striking man appeared, his gaze both proud and leisurely, skimming over their clasped hands. Alpha Zephyr introduced him flamboyantly as another son of his. Despite his youth, he had already taken control early on and now held the lifeblood of the Blue Moon pack in his hands. As Dorian scrambled for an opportunity to explain, news of the broken engagement spread across the city, yet no one knew that Eamon Blackwood had secretly arranged a meeting with Calista. The man casually tossed her a tempting proposition: "Miss Whitaker, would you mind if the groom were to change?" -Would you like to turn this half-baked victory into a guaranteed triumph and become my accomplice?
Michael William was praised by everyone as the most powerful Lycan King. However, with his extraordinary appearance and talents, he could not avoid the sympathy and suspicion from others. He was not only adept at ruling but also possessed a cold, ruthless, and cruel nature when necessary. Due to a misunderstanding, he once decided to kidnap Zoey Anderson, a weak and delicate maiden in the palace. Although she always tried to escape from his grasp and endured torture, her life became more tragic than ever under such a cruel ruler. But despite the suffering and abuse, there was something strange-why did her presence touch the heart of anyone, even just a little, causing them pain? While the falling petals had meaning, the compassionate heart of a powerful king was shattered by her. So, could his heart ever be mended after all of this?
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." Darcy stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You're not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She stared at me in the mirror. "You can't even glance at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of gazing at that scar?" Heather Bailey got a surprise from her husband: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. She was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman. After signing the divorce papers, shockwaves caught her up. Her flower shop was burned to the ground. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers from influential families, she started her revenge on Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted, but that was just the beginning.
When Corynn mustered up the courage to tell Elliot about her pregnancy, she unexpectedly found him gallantly helping another woman from his car. Her heart sank as three years of effort to secure his love crumbled before her eyes, compelling her to leave him behind. Three years later, life had taken Corynn down a new path with someone else, while Elliot was left grappling with regret. Seizing a moment of vulnerability, he pleaded, "Corynn, let's get married." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Corynn gently replied, "Sorry, I'm already engaged."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!