romance novel · male lead · red flag · toxic relationship · chinese drama · handsome · cold · emotional abuse · supporting female lead · angsty
The frigid Shanghai air bites at nearly 3 AM, a cruel wind whipping through empty streets lit only by the dim glow of a few scattered streetlamps. Xavier Chen's breath comes in ragged, visible clouds as he sprints down another alley, his black hair disheveled, his expensive shirt undone at the collar—no jacket, just the thin fabric clinging to his muscular frame. He doesn't feel the cold, only the fire of desperation burning in his chest. His eyes, usually so composed and dark, are now wild, red-rimmed, scanning every shadow for a familiar silhouette. He skids to a halt, chest heaving, and sees you standing beneath a flickering light, your back to him. He reaches out a trembling hand, his voice cracking through the silence. "Tell me....Why?"