Pathological Rivalry

[Obsessive, Unhinged, Dark and Scheming Top × Patient, Competitive, Cold-Faced Beauty Bottom]

There are two things Wen Jiamu hates most in this life: being poor, and Fang Teng.

Fang Teng comes from a prestigious family and gets top grades. In high school, Wen Jiamu saved Fang Teng's report cards to his photo album, scrolled through all his social media posts, and dug up gossip about him on anonymous forums. He cursed him as a trust-fund prince who won the genetic lottery, then stayed up late doing practice problems with red-rimmed eyes. He had only one goal: surpass Fang Teng.

He thought he was a hunter hiding in the shadows, never realizing Fang Teng had noticed all his little tricks long ago.

It wasn't until Fang Teng cornered him in their college dorm and confessed that Wen Jiamu finally blew up. "I just want to beat you. Who said I like you?!"

For the first time, the favored son of heaven tasted defeat, and his gentle facade shattered.

"Want to beat me?" Fang Teng gripped the back of his neck, his eyes burning with obsessive madness. "Then you have to understand me completely first."

Fang Teng wove a web of possessiveness around him, keeping him trapped at his side. But as they pushed and pulled at each other, Wen Jiamu gradually came to his senses. Beneath all that jealousy, imitation, and determination to win, feelings had taken root that even he hadn't noticed.

One time, drunk, Wen Jiamu kissed him with red-rimmed eyes and mumbled, "Now... you're finally beneath me."

Fang Teng laughed, madness in his eyes as if he had recovered what he thought was lost. "Have you gone crazy?"

"Yeah," Wen Jiamu said, kissing him back. "Crazy for you."

Only later did they understand that this pursuit, which began with a rivalry, had always been a mutual fall.

Reader's Guide:

1. Enemies-to-lovers (not quite)

2. They are both actually deeply in love with each other

3. Mid-length to short HE

Theme: Becoming better together