FLWS 01

Chapter 1: How Long Do I Have to Keep Avoiding Him.

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The blazing midsummer heat was finally eased by a few rare, gentle breezes.

Inside the café, the soft sigh of a woman sounded for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Mu Wanwan, that’s the ten-thousandth time you’ve zoned out. Can you please acknowledge my existence already?”

Qiao Le rested her chin in her hands, looking helplessly at the woman sitting across from her.

Mu Wanwan gave an apologetic smile. “Lele, I—”

The moment she opened her mouth, Qiao Le knew exactly what she was going to say and cut her off.

“Alright, alright, don’t start apologizing again. My ears are getting calluses from hearing it.”

Mu Wanwan’s smile softened. “I knew you were the best, Lele.”

“Cut it out with the flattery.”

Qiao Le rolled her eyes, though her tone carried clear concern.

“You just got back—how are you adjusting? How’s work?”

“It’s been fine,” Mu Wanwan replied lightly.

Qiao Le hesitated, then cautiously asked,

“Wanwan… if you ever run into him again, what are you going to do?”

The spoon stirring the coffee froze mid-motion.

Mu Wanwan lowered her gaze, hiding the flicker of emotion in her eyes.

Yes… what would she do if she saw him again?

He must hate her now—mustn’t he?

“Wanwan, it’s been four years. Haven’t you let him go yet?”

Qiao Le took her hand, only to find her palm ice-cold.

Mu Wanwan gave a bitter smile.

If that man was Lu Li, then the words let go didn’t exist in her dictionary.

“Wanwan, after you left, Lu Li changed completely. He never smiled again. Even when he did, the kind of cold, empty smile he had—it sent chills down my spine.”

As Qiao Le recalled how Lu Li had reacted the day Mu Wanwan left, her heart tightened. For the first time, she’d seen that proud, aloof man’s eyes filled with despair and collapse.

She never understood—why must two people who love each other be torn apart?

Mu Wanwan’s pupils constricted, and a sharp pain pierced her chest.

So she really had hurt him that deeply.

Seeing the sorrow cloud Mu Wanwan’s eyes, Qiao Le quickly changed the subject.

“Forget it, let’s not talk about him anymore. Tell me about work instead.”

Mu Wanwan nodded faintly. She lifted her head—and her gaze brushed past the window.

In an instant, her whole body froze.

Under the soft golden sunlight stood a man with sharp, sculpted features, his dark eyes glinting with an icy chill that could pierce bone.

Lu Li.

Mu Wanwan’s lifelong tribulation.

As though sensing her stare, the man stopped walking and turned his head. Their gazes collided midair, perfectly aligned.

For a moment, it felt like time itself had stopped—like they’d crossed a century just to look at each other again.

The man’s tall, lean body stiffened.

Mu — Wan — Wan.

Even after four years, he could still recognize her at a glance.

Her porcelain skin glowed faintly pink, her clear eyes shimmering like rippling water, lively and bright.

Four years.

She had finally appeared again.

“Wanwan, what’s wrong?”

Qiao Le looked at her friend’s suddenly distant expression.

“Lele, I have to go.”

Mu Wanwan grabbed her bag and bolted before Qiao Le could stop her.

“Wanwan—!”

Qiao Le was stunned. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone stride in through the door—and nearly fainted.

Oh no.

It couldn’t be that coincidental.

He was here too.

Right—Wanwan!

She turned toward the side door just in time to see Mu Wanwan slip out.

Before she could sigh in relief, a voice colder than frost sounded above her head.

“Where is she?”

She shivered.

Trying to stay calm, she looked up at him and forced a smile.

“Wow, Lu Li! What a coincidence, you’re here for coffee too?”

“Where’s Mu Wanwan?” His voice was low, cold, and commanding.

Qiao Le let out a nervous laugh.

“I don’t know where she is. You’re acting weird today, Lu Li.”

“This is her coffee.”

His dark eyes flicked to the cup on the table, his tone leaving no room for denial.

Cappuccino—her favorite.

Qiao Le wanted to cry.

He claimed to hate her, yet he still remembered even her coffee preference.

These two really were born to torment each other.

She forced herself to keep up the act.

“No, that’s mine.”

Lu Li’s gaze sharpened.

“When did she come back?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Qiao Le said quickly, grabbing her bag and edging toward the exit.

“Anyway, I’ve got work. Gotta go!”

He knew she’d never betray Mu Wanwan. His eyes darkened with restrained fury.

“Tell her this for me,” he said coldly. “If four years weren’t enough, does she plan to hide for another four?”

The icy tone made Qiao Le’s heart tremble.

She paid the bill and fled.

Lu Li sat down in the seat Mu Wanwan had just vacated, lowering his gaze to the untouched cappuccino. His fingers traced the rim of the cup.

So she’d come back—but still refused to face him.

Mu Wanwan, how much longer are you going to keep avoiding me?

Having just returned from abroad, Mu Wanwan had been busy adapting to her new job. The workload left her no time to worry about accidentally running into Lu Li.

With her stellar academic background and years of overseas experience, she’d quickly secured a position at M·E Magazine, one of S City’s most prestigious media firms—becoming its youngest-ever deputy editor-in-chief.

As usual, she nearly arrived late—her terrible sense of direction striking again.

The moment she entered the office, an assistant approached.

“Deputy Editor, the meeting’s about to start.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there.”

She set down her breakfast, grabbed her files, and hurried into the conference room.

After the meeting ended, the chief editor called out.

“Wanwan, stay for a minute.”

“Sure,” she said politely.

Once everyone else had left, it was just the two of them.

“Editor Zheng, is something wrong?”

Zheng Hao—the chief editor of M·E—was known as a powerful, no-nonsense career woman. Her colleagues often joked that her motto was: A modern woman doesn’t need a man—just her work and her freedom.

Zheng Hao handed her a folder.

“Wanwan, there’s an exclusive interview opportunity. I’m going on a business trip tomorrow—can you take this one?”

Mu Wanwan took the file and opened it. On the first page was a photo of a man she knew all too well.

Lu Li.

“This is Lu Li, CEO of Lu Corporation,” Zheng Hao explained. “He’s the richest bachelor in S City—young, capable, and incredibly successful. If we can get this interview, our next issue will sell like crazy.”

Mu Wanwan hesitated for a long moment.

“I’m sorry, Editor Zheng. I can’t take this assignment.”

Zheng Hao assumed she was worried that Lu Li wouldn’t agree.

“Don’t worry, I know it’s hard to land an interview with President Lu. Just give it a try. Even if you don’t get it, it’s fine.”

Many reporters in S City would kill for a chance to interview him—but Lu Li had never once accepted a media request. Zheng Hao’s own hopes weren’t high.

“It’s not that,” Mu Wanwan said quietly. “It’s for personal reasons. I’m sorry, but please assign it to someone else.”

She could interview anyone in the world—but not him. Not yet.

She wasn’t ready to face Lu Li.

Zheng Hao saw the sincerity in her expression and didn’t press the issue.

“Alright, no problem.”

“I’m really sorry, Editor Zheng.”

“No need to apologize,” Zheng Hao said with a dismissive wave. “It’s just a small matter.”

Lu Corporation, towering high above the most prosperous district in the city—an empire of glass and steel.

At the top floor, in the president’s office—

Huo Zheng walked in to find Lu Li standing by the floor-to-ceiling window. The golden light cast over his profile couldn’t melt the frost in his eyes.

Hearing the door close, Lu Li turned around. His black shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a chiseled collarbone. His sleeves were rolled up loosely. The way he stood—casual yet commanding—radiated a dangerous sort of elegance.

“Lu Li, here’s the document,” Huo Zheng said, handing it over. “Take a look and sign if it’s fine.”

Lu Li skimmed it quickly, signed his name, and set the pen down.

“Oh, by the way,” Huo Zheng added, “M·E Magazine wants to do an exclusive interview with you. Should I turn them down?”

“You know I don’t do interviews,” Lu Li replied flatly without looking up.

“Come on, man. You’ve been running Lu Corporation for years now. A single feature wouldn’t hurt you.”

Huo Zheng gave him an exaggerated look.

“You’re wasting that face of yours. If you did an interview, you’d have a fanbase overnight.”

Lu Li ignored him and closed the folder.

“Lu Li, M·E’s director is your father’s old friend. Do it as a favor, huh? Just one short interview.”

After a moment’s silence, Lu Li finally said,

“Half an hour.”

That meant yes.

Huo Zheng’s face lit up.

“Deal! Half an hour’s plenty.”

Then, almost as an afterthought, he said,

“Oh right—Zi Qing said your mom’s trying to set you up with An Yao?”

As Lu Li’s close friend and classmate, Huo Zheng knew the whole story between him and Mu Wanwan.

He knew Lu Li had never stopped looking for her.

The world saw him as cold, distant, untouchable—but they didn’t know that he’d poured every ounce of warmth he had into one woman named Mu Wanwan.

And after her, no one could melt the ice around his heart again.

Lu Li took a sip of coffee, his tone as chill as ever.

“Not my concern.”

Just as expected. Huo Zheng sighed.

“Lu Li, it’s been four years. You should learn to let go. Mu Wanwan isn’t coming back.”

The words were harsh—but true.

Lu Li’s eyes darkened, a trace of mockery curling his lips.

“You’re wrong. She’s back.”

Huo Zheng froze in disbelief.

Mu Wanwan… is back?

Hi there!
This is A Xia’s new book — just reserving a spot for now!
Once the previous novel wraps up, I’ll continue filling this one.
Welcome, my lovely readers — I promise you a high-sweetness story! 💋