Surviving the Romance Finals by the Skin of My Teeth

In this world, falling in love can get you killed.

Su Mubai had grown up witnessing life and death amid adults' romances.

As a child, he had wondered why the couples in TV dramas were so unlucky, always having to go through another round of kidney transplants and heart replacements. It was only when he grew up that he realized art imitates life. The only thought he had left was, "I absolutely will not fall in love."

Although he was firmly committed to remaining single, life didn't seem willing to let him off so easily.

After a mysterious senior from his school and an amnesiac young man from the hospital, life continued its relentless attempts to drench him in melodrama, and eventually sent a young rich second-generation heir his way.

The young man, dressed in a bespoke suit, sat down across from him. His opening line made Su Mubai's scalp tingle: "Student Su, I've been keeping an eye on you for a long time."

...Keeping an eye on me for a long time?

Su Mubai had read all kinds of angsty romance novels, and could almost guess how the relationship would unfold:

Their family and careers would both fall apart; he'd weep over a check, his heart dead to the world.

On the road to love, I'd run and he'd chase, until neither of us could escape.

How tragic. This was so tragic!

That was until he heard the young rich heir's complaints.

The young rich heir, Gu Chen, said resentfully, "I know you've run into some trouble lately. As it happens, I've had plenty of trouble myself while staying single. Almost every time I go out, my entire suit gets soaked with spilled drinks. I've often felt like a walking dumping ground for beverages. A few days ago, I even caught a cold because of it."

"Maybe we could work together and pretend to be a couple to fend off these mishaps... Honestly, sometimes I just want to go home one day in clean clothes."

Just from the way he spoke, Su Mubai felt as if he were looking at another version of himself.

Thinking about the disastrous relationships he was currently dealing with, Su Mubai hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

"...Fine, but you have to promise we won't fall in love."

Considering the equally common romantic trope of pretending until it becomes real, he added that last line just to be safe.

Gu Chen's face was full of confidence. "Of course. Whoever falls in love is a dog."

One day, long afterward, Su Mubai and Gu Chen met up and sat together.

They looked at each other, unable to say a word for a long time.

After an unknown stretch of silence, someone finally spoke.

Gu Chen: "...Woof."

Su Mubai: "...Woof."

They really were two peas in a pod. With that one bark, they understood each other without a word.

Theme: Love can overcome anything