★"I have a secret to tell you — there's someone who has always lived in my heart."
★The latest heartwarming youth romance by Jiu Jiu, acclaimed author of "My Dearest You", destined to charm countless readers again!
★A nostalgic tribute to youth that resonates with everyone, hailed as a hidden-gem unrequited love story.
★Loyal, brilliant girl with unshakable devotion × Cold-but-flirty all-around campus heartthrob
★Includes exclusive bonus chapters revealing the ultra-sweet daily life of He Shi and Xie Yaqi before and after marriage — guaranteed to make your heart flutter!

Xie Yaqi fell for He Shi in high school. Before college entrance exams, she mustered the courage to ask which university he'd attend — he casually named a local school. When acceptance letters arrived, Yaqi discovered he'd lied. Confronting him yielded no answers, yet fate eventually revealed her best-kept secret...
She had loved him in silence — persistently, relentlessly.
He had always known, yet pretended not to notice, never responding.
Then one day, she grew weary...
he suddenly couldn't bear her absence.

Jiu Jiu

Jiu Jiu, bestselling author crowned "The Sweetheart of Youth Romance", crafts stories that are fresh, witty, and utterly heartwarming. Her published works include "My Dearest You", "You Are the World I Want to Explore", "Love Until It Hurts", "Thinking of You Day and Night", and over ten other beloved titles.

Chapter 1: Secret Crush
Chapter 2: Heartbreak
Chapter 3: Pretense
Chapter 4: Coincidence
Chapter 5: Hesitation
Chapter 6: Right and Wrong
Chapter 7: Cold War
Chapter 8: Conflict
Chapter 9: Companionship
Chapter 10: Jealousy
Chapter 11: Trials
Chapter 12: Turning Point
Chapter 13: Overwhelmed

Epilogue

Bonus Chapter 1
Bonus Chapter 2
Bonus Chapter 3
Bonus Chapter 4
Bonus Chapter 5
Bonus Chapter 6
Bonus Chapter 7

Outside the apartment, a torrential downpour raged. Raindrops hammered against the windows in a relentless staccato rhythm. Through the glass, sky and earth blurred into one, the world smeared into obscurity by the deluge.
Xie Yaqi sat at the computer desk, her chin propped on one hand while the other scrolled through a webpage. Her expression shifted subtly as she read the varied opinions in the comments section. A sudden noise from behind made her whirl around — just as He Shi emerged from the bathroom.
He wore a black T-shirt and light-wash jeans, casual yet effortlessly poised.
There was an aura about him, something intangible that always arrested Yaqi’s attention whenever he entered her line of sight. His features were finely carved, his frame tall and lean — the kind of figure that made even simple clothes look like runway fashion. Now, he tilted his head slightly, rubbing his damp hair with a large white towel. His phoenix eyes narrowed with mild irritation. "Don’t touch my computer."
Yaqi startled, quickly closing the browser and clearing the history before standing with an appeasing smile. "Let me help you dry your hair."
"No need." His rejection was cool as he tossed the towel onto a chairback. "Pack up. I’m taking you home."
"But it’s pouring outside", she murmured, then added in a rush, "And this is my first time here — "
"Let’s go." He ignored her protest, snatching his car keys from the desk and hoisting her luggage with ease.
"He Shi!" She hurried after him, biting her lip. "You still haven’t answered me. Why did you lie to me?"
As if deaf to the question, he checked his watch. "It’s 1:15. I booked you a ticket for 2:00. We’re running late."
"You — " Frustration welled in her chest. He was brushing her off — again. Not that this was anything new.
To this day, Yaqi couldn’t pinpoint when this boy had taken up permanent residence in her heart.
It might’ve been during a high school break between classes. Walking back to the classroom, she’d glimpsed a boy peeking around a corridor corner — his gaze seemingly on her, yet not. The faint, playful quirk of his lips had short-circuited her brain. That face — flawlessly pale skin, phoenix eyes with their slight upward tilt, pupils dark as bottomless pools. A straight nose, lips the healthy pink of blooming peach blossoms. A boy so beautiful he seemed unreal. By the time she blinked for a second look, he’d vanished, leaving only the memory of a light blue jacket.
Their second encounter happened when her brother asked her to deliver bottled water. Task completed, she’d turned to leave — only to freeze at the sight of him executing a flawless layup during a basketball game. One effortless motion, and the air left her lungs. The screaming fangirls faded into white noise; her universe narrowed to him alone.
It was the first time she’d ever watched an entire basketball game.
If the first glimpse had ensnared her with his face, the second had stolen her heart with his poise.
A fleeting glance at He Shi was enough to doom her for life. In just those brief two glances, she had already given her heart away.