Xu Menglai was raised by his grandparents. His parents each remarried soon after he was born.
The first time his biological father's face appeared in his memory was at a funeral.
His grandparents had been working away from home when they died in an accident. The court awarded compensation, and because Xu Menglai was a minor, his father was appointed to manage the money for him.
So Xu Menglai was brought back to the city and enrolled as a transfer student at the private high school his younger stepbrother attended, repeating the year.
-
To get through school without trouble, Xu Menglai tried to keep a low profile, but his stepbrother kept picking on him every day.
Then one day, a rich young master transferred in from a big city.
The title of "school tyrant" changed hands, and the young master surnamed Wen took over.
Since both boys were transfer students, their homeroom teacher seated the young master beside Xu Menglai.
The young master put his head down and fell asleep during the first class, his elbow touching Xu Menglai's arm.
"Hi. Could you sleep on the other side?"
This guy ran too hot. Even his elbow was scorching.
Xu Menglai wasn't used to sitting so close to anyone, especially someone who radiated so much heat.
Wen Che lazily lifted his eyelids and gave him a cool look, but didn't move.
Xu Menglai didn't dare provoke him, and silently pulled his arm away.
His stepbrother seized the chance to sneer. "No wonder everyone hates you. You woke Brother Che up. Shut up, got it?"
A few of his stepbrother's lackeys joined in.
Wen Che propped his chin on his hand and looked at Xu Menglai with an amused smile. "They seem to hate you."
Xu Menglai: "..." They did, but that wasn't his fault, was it?
"Honestly, I can't stand these idiots. But they seem to hate you, so... I'll look out for you from now on." The young master yawned.
Xu Menglai: "...?"
Stepbrother: "...??"
Lackeys: "...???"
-
Wen Che always ran hotter than other people, while Xu Menglai was naturally sensitive to heat.
Years later, whenever Wen Che touched him, Xu Menglai still thought... this guy was so hot.
His hands were hot, his lips were hot, and his body was even hotter.
*
Wen Che tugged at the tie someone had just finished tying. "Coming over today?"
Xu Menglai glanced at the sun outside the window. "No. It's too hot."
Wen Che smiled without warmth. "...Unbelievable. You think the air conditioner is just for show?"
"I'll get sweaty, and then I'll have to shower," Xu Menglai replied calmly.
"...I'll help you wash up," Young Master Wen said with a warning smile.
[Reading guide]
1. A story about two little bitter gourds saving each other:
🐕 Wild dog vs. 🌿 wild grass, Wen Che x Xu Menglai
Sharp-tongued savior top x self-contented stone-Buddha bottom. Happy ending, no pairings changed and no role reversal, each other's first love and only one for each other.
2. They are classmates for one year in high school, both transfer students. Their romance only begins after they part and reunite at work. The story is split sixty-forty between high school and workplace scenes, with a slow-burn romance and two leads who save each other. There are misunderstandings on both sides that will gradually be cleared up.
Theme: Keep striving through life, and bitterness will eventually give way to sweetness.
