If We're Fake-Married, You Don't Have to Spoil Me This Much

For years, he had struggled to fall asleep. Then one day, a drunk young man clung to him, and the two ended up spending the night together in a hotel. Only then did he suddenly realize that with the young man's company, he seemed to sleep especially well. Song Jiqing went to teach in a rural village for a year. But when he returned, the person who had once sworn to wait for him forever had already found someone new. Heartbroken, he got drunk and agreed to the other man's marriage contract after waking up. He had thought this marriage would be completely loveless. But who could have guessed that the man, always cold-faced and seemingly difficult to get along with, would actually act cute with him? Song Jiqing was busy with work and sometimes stayed up late. When he returned to their room, he found the man reading a book. Hearing him come in, the man slowly looked up. He spoke unhurriedly, as if simply stating a fact. “It's eleven thirty. Aren't you going to bed?” “Soon. I'll just wash up.” The man heard his answer and frowned slightly, then said, “Oh.” After a moment of silence, the man kept his expression unchanged and continued, “I've been waiting for you for fifty-one minutes. When we go to sleep, can I borrow you for a hug for ten minutes?” Song Jiqing was afraid he'd fall asleep too quickly and drool on the man, so he answered with some difficulty, “Could we make it five minutes?” The man lowered his head and thought about it very seriously, then spoke softly. “Then how about seven minutes?” The last syllable dipped in a subtle little curve. Song Jiqing stared at him in surprise, then looked up and saw that the man's ears had turned bright red. Was… was he acting cute with me? *In a setting where same-sex marriage is legal. Theme: Keeping each other company and walking through life with love.