How Is He So Good at Pretending?

(ABO romance about two powerful men saving each other, with a sharp-tongued, scheming bottom and a devoted, haughty top. Set in a fictional world, with a school setting early on and business wars later, featuring an intense push-and-pull romance.)

Anyone can put on a show. Jiang Wuwang was born into a prominent family and had impressive fighting skills. In high school, he once stepped in to help someone in trouble and casually acquired two lackeys, though really it was a buy-one-get-one-free deal. He spent his days helping them beat up troublemakers and kick the school bullies around, charging ahead without a care until he forged himself a fearsome reputation: The Terminator.

Then, at university, he met the nemesis of his life. The infuriating thing was that this nemesis was so handsome it was practically offensive. Even worse, he was an even bigger show-off than Jiang Wuwang.

A little scene

"Why can't you just admit it: you like me too." As the words fell, Jiang Wuwang's voice trembled. It wasn't an accusation, but more like a desperate, all-or-nothing gamble at the end of the road. He had laid his heart bare and offered it up to the other man, unable to bear being rejected one more time.

A few seconds of silence felt like an entire century.

"I like you." Lu Mingyi let out a scornful laugh, as if mocking himself. The breath he exhaled fogged up the oxygen mask, turning it white. He simply raised a hand and took it off. "It's really hard to hide how much you like someone. I can't keep pretending anymore."