Keep Pretending

Two adorable sweethearts bicker their way into a relationship and work hard together in this sugary romance.

Xie Xueshen x Ming Xi

Bold, carefree genius | shooting athlete x quirky, mischievous dunce | classical dance princess

High school setting | Mutual crushes hidden behind secret identities

Many people say Ming Xi seems born to dance. She is graceful and light on her feet, able to become a deer in the forest or a wisp of smoke.

Ming Xi had loved hearing people praise her like that since childhood, and had practically turned herself into two different people because of it.

At home, she was a clumsy little monkey. When she went out, she was an elegant, refined princess.

That is, until Ming Xi saw a shooting competition on TV.

The Chinese American boy named Elvis Xie wore protective glasses, his lips set in a cool line as he pulled the trigger. He was like a peerless god of war, a general with no rival who could take the gold medal from him.

Ming Xi's heart stirred.

Calm, steady, and as elegant as a leopard waiting to pounce...

Wasn't that exactly the person she wanted to become?

From that day on, the proud little princess had a secret idol.

-

A boy who had come out of nowhere to place first in the class placement exam transferred into Ming Xi's class. His name was Xie Xueshen.

His name was as serene as the lonely moon on a snowy night, but he was easygoing, cheerful, and full of mischief.

On the first day of school, Xie Xueshen pretended to be an overseas returnee who couldn't speak Chinese, making dunce Ming Xi embarrass herself in front of him.

"Elegant little princess? Hmm?" Xie Xueshen propped up his chin, wearing a half-smile.

Furious, Ming Xi shouted, "Let's make a bet! If you lose, you have to change your name! You can't be a Xie anymore!"

Xie Xueshen propped himself up with one hand and hopped onto the bleachers, a provocative smile curling his lips. "Sure. You pick the terms."

Ming Xi was brimming with confidence. "Shooting. Do you know how? I won't bully you. I'll give you a whole semester to practice!"

Xie Xueshen, who had won so many shooting trophies he could barely hold them all, choked.

-

When they were little, Xie Xueshen had seen Ming Xi in his mother's dance studio, wearing a pink-and-white traditional dress and dancing as gracefully as a startled swan.

From then on, Xie Xueshen's gaze followed only his little swan.

"You said your idol is also called Xie Xueshen. How am I not like him?" he asked with interest.

Ming Xi shot him a glance. "My idol doesn't smile... and he's so handsome."

Xie Xueshen coughed lightly and looked away, but before long, he couldn't help smiling again.

"You think I'm cuter than a perfect ten... Is that my fault?"

Theme: Bring glory to our country.