I Stay Alive by Being a Simp

[Proud, Cold Top Who Later Becomes a Green-Tea Homewrecker for Love x Pretty, Pure, Sweet-Looking Bottom with a Dark, Scheming Side]

[Cheng Jisong x Tang Nianbai]

Everyone knows Tang Nianbai loves Cheng Jisong desperately. He brings him breakfast, arranges chance encounters, and has confessed more than once.

Once again, Tang Nianbai stands amid candles arranged in a heart, holding a huge bouquet of roses as he confesses to Cheng Jisong.

Cheng Jisong frowns, his voice full of anger. "Tang Nianbai, how many times do I have to tell you? I'm not going to be with you." Then he turns around and calls the school administration to put out the fire.

The area is full of onlookers, mocking and humiliating him.

But Tang Nianbai refuses to listen. He doggedly pursues Cheng Jisong, even returning to buy him breakfast after getting into a car accident.

This time, even his best friends can't stand it. They all think there's no saving Tang Nianbai.

Only Tang Nianbai knows the truth: he isn't a lovesick fool anymore. He's completing a mission.

[Congratulations, Host. Your lovesick fool rating has reached 2.5%. Your life has been extended by 15 days.]

[Congratulations, Host. Your lovesick fool rating has reached 7.5%. Your life has been extended by 45 days.]

[Congratulations, Host. Your lovesick fool rating has reached 20%. Your life has been extended by 120 days.]

To stay alive, Tang Nianbai continues diligently playing the role of a lovesick fool, until one day the System tells him that the mission is complete.

Tang Nianbai: I'm free!

He lets loose completely, dancing at bars and enjoying life, casting the words "lovesick fool" far behind him.

One day, while he's in the middle of partying at a bar, his phone suddenly vibrates.

Cheng Jisong: "Where are you?"

Tang Nianbai lies without changing expression. "I'm in my dorm, about to go to sleep. You should get to bed early too, Cheng Jisong."

Cheng Jisong: "Really? Turn around and look at the booth behind you to your left. Come have a drink with me."

Tang Nianbai turns his head and meets Cheng Jisong's faintly amused gaze.

Cheng Jisong corners Tang Nianbai against a wall, his eyes red as he demands, "Why did you stop chasing me? Didn't you say you'd always like me?"

Tang Nianbai pats his shoulder, his tone casual. "You can't trust what men say. I have a boyfriend now. We shouldn't see each other anymore. My boyfriend would mind."

Later, Cheng Jisong faces Tang Nianbai, dripping with green-tea charm. "Nian Nian, your boyfriend is too possessive. Unlike me, I'm perfectly happy to be your secret lover."

Facing a rival in love, Cheng Jisong strikes with all the confidence of the official partner. "Do you know the one who isn't loved is the homewrecker? I suggest you give up on your delusions sooner rather than later."

Tang Nianbai: ?

A university campus story, one-on-one romance, happy ending.

Content warnings and notes: 1. The top's rejection of the bottom was not deliberate; there are extenuating circumstances.

2. The bottom's later "boyfriend" is just a close gay friend. He uses the title of boyfriend, but there are no real romantic feelings between them.

Theme: Everything has two sides.