When Breathing Fails

I’ve got a crush on my best friend’s uncle.
The word is he has shoulders for days and a waist you could span with two hands—a body built to drive a woman mad. The only catch? He’s a man of few words and even fewer desires, completely immune to the charms of the opposite sex.
During my sophomore year break, I went to visit my best friend, Rosie, in her hometown. She begged her uncle to pick me up from the airport.
Thinking he was collecting a child, the man had my name broadcast over the airport’s PA system.
“Paging little Tia. Your uncle is waiting for you at the information desk. Please do not talk to strangers.”
I sprinted toward the desk, my face burning. When he saw me, the man froze for a heartbeat, his demeanor instantly cool and distant.
But later that night, he held me so tightly in his arms that the very concept of distance between us ceased to exist.

1
Rosie was at a family reunion and video-called me to complain. But I wasn't listening. My eyes were glued to a man standing in the corner of the room.
Broad shoulders, narrow waist. His dark suit jacket was casually draped over a nearby chair. He’d forgone a tie, and the sleeves of his dress shirt were rolled up, revealing muscular forearms traced with the faint blue of his veins. He had an air of handsome indifference that was, somehow, devastatingly sexy.
High-bridged nose, thin lips. The man was a masterpiece.
My gaze drifted down… and down… until a sudden warmth flooded my nose.
“Tia! Are you okay? You’re having a nosebleed!” Rosie’s shriek echoed from my phone.
Her voice was so loud that it drew the attention of several people at the party. There I was, sitting in my bright yellow cartoon pajamas, my hair a mess in a haphazard bun, gnawing on a slice of watermelon.
From the corner, it seemed the man’s gaze flickered toward the screen.
Thank God I wasn't there in person. They couldn't see my current state of disaster, or I would have died of humiliation on the spot.
Rosie was still fussing over me, but I just wiped the blood away with the back of my hand.
“I’m fine,” I said with a goofy grin. “I think I’m in love.”

2
Rosie’s eyes went wide. “No way! You’re finally interested in someone? You’re dating? When did this happen? How did I not know!”
I smirked, lowering my voice. “Not exactly, Rosie. I’m talking about the guy in the corner, just behind you.” I pointed gingerly at my screen. “The tallest, most handsome one.”
She followed my finger, and her eyes widened even further. “My uncle? You’ve got a thing for my uncle?”
“Your uncle?”
Rosie nodded. “Yep, that’s him. I mean, he’s gorgeous, obviously, but Tia, if you’re thinking about trying to date him… you’re in for a world of hurt. It’s basically impossible.”
Her words were a bucket of ice water. He was her uncle? I thought he was our age, a senior in college at most. The man had a face that completely defied his real age.
“How much older is he than you?” I asked.
“Six years.”
My eyes lit up. Six years! That wasn't so bad! Not an insurmountable gap at all.
“Why is he so hard to get?” I pressed, my hope rekindled.
Rosie started ticking points off on her fingers. “He’s famously aloof, a man of few words, and completely uninterested in romance. He’s ruthlessly self-disciplined, the kind of guy who stays perfectly rational no matter what. Even though he’s only a few years older than me, he’s the one person I’ve been terrified of my entire life.”
“As far as I know,” she continued, “the concept of ‘dating’ doesn’t even exist in his world. He’s twenty-six and I’ve never seen him with a girlfriend. Not once. He spent all of college buried in a lab, and the second he graduated, he took over the family business. It’s only been a few years, and he’s already number one in the industry.”
Rosie’s tone was cautionary. “Tia, my uncle is the ultimate catch. The number of women who have tried to pursue him over the years isn't in the dozens, it’s in the hundreds. And every single one of them has crashed and burned. They couldn’t even get close enough to touch him.”
She gave me a serious look. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

3
I hadn't realized he was that accomplished. Hearing Rosie lay it all out, I felt the chasm between us yawn wide. The gap in our age and life experience felt like a canyon I could never hope to cross.
Defeated, I decided to give up on the idea.
But after that day, something strange happened. It was like I was bewitched. For a solid week, I had a series of… unspeakable dreams. And he was the star of every single one.
Nothing like this had ever happened to me before. I was a complete novice in these matters.
His face was seared into my brain, impossible to forget.
In the middle of the night, I crept out of bed, flipped open my laptop, and searched for official information on him.
John Chen. CEO of Chen Corp. 26 years old. Six-foot-one. Single.
“John Chen.”
I whispered his name, and it felt good on my tongue. It was a nice name.
Staring at his formal, corporate headshot, I couldn’t resist. I opened my chat with Rosie.
“Rosie! I can’t get your uncle’s stupidly handsome face out of my head! What do I do?!”
I couldn’t help it. I was just a normal woman with a healthy appreciation for beauty.
To my surprise, Rosie was awake and replied instantly.
“What can you do? How about this: you come visit me, and I’ll get my uncle blackout drunk and deliver him to your bed?”
Me: “Get him drunk?”
Rosie: “Totally! He might look like he can hold his liquor, but he’s a total lightweight. One drink and he’s out cold!”
I considered the plan. A trip to visit Rosie… I was on break anyway. It was perfect!
I typed back furiously: “Okay, I’m coming to visit. But…”
Rosie: “But what?”
Me: “But I don’t want to just sleep with him. I want to win him over! Rosie, I’m going to pursue your uncle!”
Rosie: “Holy crap. You’re serious?”
“Yes!”
She didn’t reply for a long time. When she finally did, it was with the gravity of someone making a momentous decision.
Rosie: “Alright. That’s my girl. Go big or go home! I don’t care how impossible he is. I will use every trick in the book to make you two fall in love!”
Me: Overwhelmed. Crying. Clinging to her leg…

4
After getting a full debrief from Rosie on John’s personality and preferences, I was finally on a plane to Crestview.
At the exact same time, Rosie was on a plane heading out of town.
Using her trip as an excuse, she had begged John to pick me up from the airport and look after me for a while. To build the suspense, she deliberately only told him my name, Tia. She emphasized that he needed to take very good care of me, that he had to take me everywhere he went, or I might get lost.
Naturally, John assumed he was picking up a small child.
After the plane landed, John couldn't get through to my phone. A few minutes later, as I was wheeling my suitcase through the terminal, I heard my name over the PA system.
“Paging little Tia. Your uncle is waiting for you at the information desk. Please do not talk to strangers.”
And again.
“Paging little Tia. Your uncle is waiting for you at the information desk. Please do not talk to strangers.”
The social anxiety was real. Face flaming, I rushed toward the information desk with my luggage. As I got closer, I slowed my pace, catching my breath.
My eyes landed on a powerful back.
John was standing there, leaning casually against the counter, his fingers drumming a light, impatient rhythm on the surface. He projected an aura that was half relaxed, half intimidating. He wasn't in a suit today, but a casual shirt and jeans. His perfect physique made him look good in anything.
He was like a painting you couldn't tear your eyes away from.
Girls all around were sneaking glances at him, but no one dared approach, deterred by his formidable presence.
We hadn't been properly introduced yet, and I agonized over what to call him. Should I call him what Rosie does?
After a moment of hesitation, I finally found my voice.
“Uncle?”

5
John heard me and lowered his gaze. His eyes fell on me, and for a split second, he looked completely stunned.
He straightened up, gesturing toward the still-broadcasting speaker.
A deep, pleasant voice washed over me. “My apologies. I didn’t realize you weren’t a child.”
My ears burned as I shook my head and mumbled that it was fine.
He took my suitcase from me and extended a hand.
“Hello, I’m John Chen.”
I had whispered that name to myself countless times on the way here. My eyes were involuntarily drawn to his hand—it was all elegant knuckles and long, graceful fingers, with neatly trimmed nails.
Hesitantly, I reached out. The moment our fingertips touched, I whispered, “I know.”
Lifting my gaze to meet his, I managed a nervous greeting. “My name is Tia. It’s nice to meet you, Uncle John. Thank you for looking after me.”
His eyes were dark pools of ink. Was it my imagination, or did they seem to dim for a fraction of a second after I spoke? It happened so fast, I couldn’t be sure. But his demeanor immediately grew more distant, his voice cooler.
“It’s no trouble.”
Still, the warmth from his palm sent a jolt through me.

6
John was a perfect gentleman. Once he took my luggage, I didn't have to lift a finger.
In the car, I sat obediently in the passenger seat, buzzing with the excitement of our first real meeting.
He had the unmistakable air of a man in charge. His presence was so powerful that just speaking to him made my palms sweat. But the face from my dreams was right there, sitting next to me.
I picked at my seatbelt, unable to stop myself from stealing glances at him.
He kept one hand on the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead, seemingly oblivious to my little movements.
As we drove past city landmarks, he would point them out, telling me their stories. History, when told in his voice, suddenly became fascinating. The more I listened, the more I was drawn to his quiet, mature charm.
His voice was a clear, comforting baritone that made me want to relax. Gradually, my own inhibitions started to fade. I became more talkative, the initial awkwardness melting away.
I even found myself poking his arm to get his attention. “Uncle, look! What’s that?”
“Is that another famous Crestview building?”
“It’s so pretty!”
“And it’s right downtown, it looks like a fun area.”
“Wow, look at that one, too!”
When I got no reply, I turned. “Uncle, why aren’t you…”
My voice trailed off. I found myself looking directly into John’s handsome eyes, which held the lingering traces of a smile he hadn’t quite managed to hide.
My voice dropped to a whisper, my ears heating up. “Why didn’t you answer me?”
John let out a soft chuckle. “So, Tia’s finally not nervous anymore, is she?”
He had noticed my anxiety. And he had been subtly, wordlessly, helping me overcome it.
My heart gave a violent lurch.
Damn. Was this the power of a mature man?
And he called me Tia!
Realizing this, I couldn’t stop the corners of my mouth from turning up. The ripples in my heart were spreading.
Maybe John Chen wasn't so cold after all.

7
The car pulled into the driveway of a beautiful villa. John got my suitcase out of the trunk, and I followed him inside. He opened a closet and pulled out a pair of women’s slippers in a cheerful butter-yellow.
My eyes lit up. It was my favorite color!
He instinctively bent down as if to help me put them on. My face flushed. “Uncle, I can do it myself!”
He’s being too kind! I screamed internally. Is this part of the service?
I slipped them on. Damn. They were a perfect fit.
My size, and my favorite color. Surely they weren't bought specifically for me, were they?
The thought had barely formed before I dismissed it. No way. If he knew anything about me, he wouldn't have thought he was picking up a kid at the airport.
Which meant… these slippers were for another woman.
Rosie’s intel was wrong.
Just like that, my giddy excitement deflated. My head drooped.
I had a rival.
And judging by this, she was someone important to John.
He led me upstairs to a bedroom. When he opened the door, it was clear the room had been decorated for a girl. There was a new toothbrush, toothpaste, even a fluffy new towel that had already been washed. Every detail was thoughtful and welcoming.
John leaned against the doorframe. “You can stay here for now. My room is to the left, and my office is on the right. If you need anything, even if I’m working, feel free to come find me.”
He expected me to be pleased, but my head hung even lower than before.
Who said John Chen was a stoic who was uninterested in women?
This room, so perfectly prepared… it must have been for her, too.

8
John had noticed my mood shift earlier, but now he seemed baffled by my deepening gloom. He reached out and pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well? Or was I driving too fast? Are you carsick?”
“Maybe I’m just a little carsick,” I mumbled, taking a step back.
His hand froze in mid-air before dropping to his side.
The moment the words left my mouth, I was kicking myself. Tia, what are you doing? You can’t even control your emotions? How rude! You want to make a bad impression on your first day?
I wanted to explain, but I didn’t know what to say. In a moment of panic, I blurted out, “Thank you so much for picking me up today! You’ve been a huge help!”
I tried to force a winning smile, but it felt stiff and unnatural. “Really, thank you! Because of you, the four seasons are warm! Thank you, because of you…” My hands started moving on their own, performing some bizarre, grateful dance as John just stared at me, his expression unreadable.
I snapped my mouth shut, mortified.
I wanted to slap myself. What was I doing, trying to be funny? It just made things a hundred times more awkward. He must think I’m a total weirdo.
My shoulders slumped in defeat. “Okay, fine. I’m just carsick, Uncle. Don’t worry, it’ll pass. I’ll just rest for a bit.”
I thought I was hiding my feelings perfectly, but my act was full of holes.
As I started to close the door, I saw a flash of helplessness in John’s dark eyes. The man who always seemed to have everything under control now looked like he was struggling to figure out how to handle my mood.
His voice was soft. “Alright. You get some rest. Call me if you need anything. I won’t disturb you.”
He gently closed the door for me.
Was it my imagination, or did his retreating figure look almost… lonely?

9
My parents are both teachers, and from middle school through high school, I was always in a class taught by one of them. I was raised under a strict set of rules, a product of countless regulations.
As a result, I never had a crush during my teenage years. Back then, I genuinely believed that dating young was a serious transgression.
It was only when I left my parents’ nest that I realized the world outside wasn't so scary after all. The desires I had suppressed deep inside began to grow wild.
When I got to college, the number of guys who tried to hit on me made me realize I probably wasn't ugly.
But this was the first time I had ever been so intensely interested in a man.
After a night of feeling sorry for myself, my fighting spirit returned.
So what if the room was prepared for another woman? I was the one living in it now. We were under the same roof! A man of this caliber… I was the one who was winning here.
My mind drifted to John’s incredible body, which even his clothes couldn't hide. I couldn't sleep. I spent the night trying to guess his measurements, but even his corporate bio didn't have those details.
Moving in together right after we met… this was a test, wasn't it?
John was single, successful, and ridiculously handsome. It would be weirder if I didn't have any competition.
I had timing and proximity on my side. I needed to take advantage of this perfect environment. What was I moping about for?
The next morning, I was bursting with energy.
When John saw that my mood had lifted, he seemed to let out a sigh of relief.
But I noticed the dark circles under his eyes. Hadn't he slept well? Or had he been working all night?

10
In the days that followed, John cleared his schedule to show me every corner of Crestview. A CEO of his stature, personally playing tour guide just for me.
He must have been incredibly busy, but he never let it show in front of me. The only clue was the light in his office that often burned late into the night.
Every outing was planned meticulously. All I had to do was follow him, no brain required.
The more time I spent with him, the more I realized that the man who seemed so unapproachable on the outside was actually incredibly thoughtful and observant.
He remembered the food I liked after I mentioned it just once. He picked up on my hobbies, my taste in music, everything.
He took me to a high-end auction. Without me saying a word, he knew exactly which item had caught my eye. He bid for it without batting an eyelid, driving the price up until it was his. The next day, it was sitting in my room.
I turned to find him, my heart soaring. “Uncle John, is all this for me?”
He was just leaning against the doorframe, a faint smile on his lips. “I had a feeling you’d like it.”
At glamorous parties where I knew no one, he would instinctively draw me into his circle of safety. Even while talking business with others, his eyes would follow me. He told me that meeting the people at these events would be good for my career after graduation. Because of him, I navigated the galas with ease, making connections and seizing opportunities.
Being with John was just… comfortable. I insisted on wearing high heels to go out, loving how they looked. He never tried to talk me out of it. But every single time, just as my feet were starting to ache, he would crouch down, pull a pair of sneakers out of his backpack, and help me change into them. I had no idea when he’d started carrying them.
One afternoon, sitting on a park bench, he gently examined my ankle for any redness while lightly flicking my forehead with his finger.
“Next time you want to wear heels, how about we just wear them for the photos? Okay?” he asked, his tone gentle and consultative.
His perfect manners, his unwavering consideration. I couldn’t tell if this was special treatment reserved just for me, or if it was simply his good upbringing, a favor for a friend.
All I knew was that in the moment our eyes met, my heart lost all control.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
A current zapped through my body.
I think, I really think, I’m falling for John Chen.

First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "264761" to read the entire book.