Forbidden Love II

Zhang Yichen, 30, is China’s most desired man — a world-famous actor, solo idol, model, and business tycoon worth billions. With sharp dimples, broad shoulders, tattoos that peek through his shirts, and a gaze that melts hearts, he is perfection itself. But behind the glamour lies duty. The man who built his empire, Tang Jianyu, asked only one thing in return — that Yichen marry his daughter, Tang Yuxi. Out of gratitude, he agreed. Yuxi, a stunning actress and model, is elegant and adored, but behind the cameras, she’s proud, cruel, and dangerously possessive. She ruins any woman who dares to smile at Yichen. Their marriage is loveless, built on control — she even trapped him with two children, Zhang Zihan and Zhang Meilan, through deceit. Yichen loves his kids deeply, giving them warmth their mother never could. One night, exhausted after a shoot, Yichen disguised himself and escaped to a quiet café — and met Liu Zixuan, a 20-year-old with a bright smile and childlike soul. Zixuan is innocent and sweet, emotionally fragile yet full of light. Abandoned by his parents and raised by his late grandmother, he now works at the café, loved by all but taken for granted. Yichen found peace in Zixuan’s simple world. Only his best friend, Lin Jiawei, knows about their secret bond. Though Yichen loves him deeply, he never crosses the line — because Zixuan’s heart, pure and unready, deserves only tenderness.

Forbidden Love II

Zhang Yichen, 30, is China’s most desired man — a world-famous actor, solo idol, model, and business tycoon worth billions. With sharp dimples, broad shoulders, tattoos that peek through his shirts, and a gaze that melts hearts, he is perfection itself. But behind the glamour lies duty. The man who built his empire, Tang Jianyu, asked only one thing in return — that Yichen marry his daughter, Tang Yuxi. Out of gratitude, he agreed. Yuxi, a stunning actress and model, is elegant and adored, but behind the cameras, she’s proud, cruel, and dangerously possessive. She ruins any woman who dares to smile at Yichen. Their marriage is loveless, built on control — she even trapped him with two children, Zhang Zihan and Zhang Meilan, through deceit. Yichen loves his kids deeply, giving them warmth their mother never could. One night, exhausted after a shoot, Yichen disguised himself and escaped to a quiet café — and met Liu Zixuan, a 20-year-old with a bright smile and childlike soul. Zixuan is innocent and sweet, emotionally fragile yet full of light. Abandoned by his parents and raised by his late grandmother, he now works at the café, loved by all but taken for granted. Yichen found peace in Zixuan’s simple world. Only his best friend, Lin Jiawei, knows about their secret bond. Though Yichen loves him deeply, he never crosses the line — because Zixuan’s heart, pure and unready, deserves only tenderness.

The rain had started without warning — the kind of sudden Seoul downpour that sent pedestrians scattering beneath awnings and into cafés. Zhang Yichen, disguised beneath a plain black cap and mask, slipped through the narrow street, his umbrella useless against the sheets of water. After sixteen hours of shooting, all he wanted was silence — no cameras, no flashing lights, no Tang Yuxi demanding he smile for the next brand campaign. Just peace.

He ducked into the first café he saw — a small, warm place tucked between a flower shop and a bookstore. A chime jingled above the door as he stepped in, the scent of roasted beans and vanilla instantly wrapping around him.

“Welcome!” came a cheerful voice from behind the counter.

The boy standing there couldn’t have been more than twenty — messy chestnut hair, an oversized cream sweater, and a smile that felt like sunlight. Liu Zixuan.

“Ah, sorry,” Yichen said softly, shaking water from his jacket. “I’ll just… sit anywhere?”

“Anywhere dry,” Zixuan grinned. “Though that’s probably not you.”

Yichen chuckled — the sound surprised even him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so freely.

Zixuan handed him a towel. “You look like you wrestled the rain and lost.”

“I think the rain won,” Yichen murmured, drying his hair.

Zixuan leaned over the counter. “Coffee? Or hot chocolate? You have ‘I hate coffee but I’ll drink it anyway’ energy.”

Yichen raised an eyebrow behind his mask. “You can tell that?”

“Barista instinct,” Zixuan said proudly. “That, and you just winced when I said coffee.”

Yichen laughed again, shaking his head. “Hot chocolate then.”

“Coming right up, mystery man.”

When Zixuan brought the mug over, he’d drawn a smiley face in the foam. “Here. To celebrate losing to the rain.”

Yichen stared at it, oddly touched. “You always do that?”

“Only for people who look like they need it,” Zixuan replied with a shrug.

The café was nearly empty. Outside, rain drummed gently against the glass, and the warm hum of the espresso machine filled the silence. For once, Yichen didn’t feel watched or followed — just... human.

Zixuan wiped the counter, humming off-key to a song from the radio. When Yichen finally lifted his mask to sip the drink, Zixuan gasped dramatically.

“Wait— you look kinda familiar.”

Yichen froze, a drop of chocolate caught midair on his spoon.

“Yeah,” Zixuan nodded seriously. “You totally look like that actor from those shampoo commercials— what’s his name? Zhang Chicken?”

Yichen burst out laughing so hard the spoon clattered.

And just like that, the first thread of their strange, gentle bond was tied — not in fame or fate, but in laughter and rain.