Imaginary Enemy

Shen Zhichen is the person Fang Qizhu hates most.

They have equally illustrious families, equally outstanding abilities, and equally striking looks. Both are the finest young alphas and the twin stars of the Imperial Army, a source of pride for the empire.

But no matter what Fang Qizhu does, he always falls just a little short of Shen Zhichen.

Shen Zhichen is also quite the two-faced schemer. He acts friendly toward Fang Qizhu, but secretly mocks him for being inferior, and uses the secret that Fang Qizhu is actually an omega to force him to obey.

Fang Qizhu is so furious with this hypocrite that his teeth ache.

Parasitic monsters that devour humans rapidly multiply across the planet. The apocalypse is about to begin.

Fang Qizhu has no choice but to work with Shen Zhichen.

He is deeply unhappy about it.

Yet, as they work together, he gradually discovers that his memories seem to have been altered, and that other people deliberately steered his hostility toward Shen Zhichen.

He was not inferior to Shen Zhichen in everything, and Shen Zhichen never blackmailed him.

He and Shen Zhichen are friends, and lovers.

Shen Zhichen has always regarded Fang Qizhu as his best friend.

When Fang Qizhu develops "apocalypse delusion," Shen Zhichen chooses to stay by his side and do everything he can to help.

Apocalypse delusion is a condition in which some people suddenly develop memories of the apocalypse and believe they are living through it.

Patients need treatment in a virtual space.

But after Shen Zhichen accompanies Fang Qizhu into the treatment room, he discovers that Fang Qizhu has forgotten their past and is deeply hostile toward him.

Worse still, Shen Zhichen finds that the apocalypse is actually happening.

Apocalypse delusion turns out to be "post-apocalyptic trauma." They survived the apocalypse and forgot the disaster.

And the reason the apocalypse has returned is that someone longs for it...

On New Year's Eve, Fang Qizhu is kicked out of his home.

The reason is that his father once again scolded him for being inferior to Shen Zhichen. Fang Qizhu talked back, making his father furious.

Standing by the moat, Fang Qizhu looks out at the deserted streets and the brightly lit residential district in the distance.

Snowflakes flutter down, covering his slightly upturned lashes and the fragile ice.

He works his nearly frozen hands and leans over the railing.

A tremendous force comes from behind. In the warmth of an embrace, he comes back to himself.

Shen Zhichen holds him tightly, keeping him away from the water. "Let's go home."

Fang Qizhu says dully, "I don't have a home."

"Yes, you do." Shen Zhichen kisses his cold lips, passing warmth to him. "We'll have a new home."

Shen Zhichen x Fang Qizhu. A steady, reserved gong x a short-tempered, tsundere shou. This isn't a purely lighthearted power fantasy or sweet romance. It's probably more of a healing story.

Theme: Stay away from emotional manipulation.