So You Were Pretending Too

As the heir to the Lin Group, Lin Zhi had to represent the company at a high-society gala as soon as he returned to the country.

When he learned that his fiance, whom he'd never met, would also be attending, Lin Zhi decided to switch places with his bodyguard and have the bodyguard meet his fiance instead.

Before the event, Lin Zhi said sternly, "Act as rude as you can in front of him. Then he'll call off the engagement himself."

The bodyguard replied, "Don't worry, Mr. Lin. I'll take care of it."

The two met at the banquet.

The fiance wore blue floral-print board shorts, sunglasses, and a thick gold chain. He had a cigarette in his mouth and half a leather wallet sticking out of his shirt pocket. He exuded the air of a nouveau riche, and was definitely not Lin Zhi's type. The secretary beside him, on the other hand, was polite and handsome.

After the banquet, Lin Zhi fell in love at first sight with the secretary, while his fiance, just as expected, was displeased with his rudeness and asked the Lin family to end the engagement.

Lin Zhi had a sudden idea and made a condition: "There should be compensation for ending the engagement. Let me borrow your secretary for three months."

The other party readily agreed.

Over three months together, their feelings quickly grew.

They worked out at the gym together, took turns winning free meals at high-end restaurants and treating each other, and collected free roses at the mall on holidays.

The man of Lin Zhi's dreams lived in a rented apartment of just thirty square meters, but after winning five million in the lottery, he spent a romantic sunset with Lin Zhi on a cruise ship.

Lin Zhi couldn't bear to see him struggle so much, and decided to come clean and confess his feelings.

On Valentine's Day, he entered the restaurant in a sharp suit with a bouquet of roses, only to be surprised to find the other man dressed just the same.

Lin the Bodyguard Zhi and Lu the Secretary Chen: "...Fuck."

You were pretending too!

Reader's Guide:

1. Polished scoundrel seme X proud, refined uke. Both are CEOs, of an insurance company and an adult-products company. Older love interest.

2. One-on-one, both are inexperienced, happy ending. Short story. Blurb written on December 9, 2022; serialization started in August 2024.

No writing advice, please. If it's not for you, don't read it.

Theme: Oppose arranged marriage and promote free love. Don't judge by appearances.