My Straight-Athlete Roommate Is an Art Student

Fang Zhengran is gay. But he's poor, sunny, and rough around the edges, the kind of gay everyone sees as unmistakably straight. After his sexual orientation was accidentally exposed to his college roommates, the atmosphere in the dorm became extremely awkward. He had no choice but to rent a place off campus and find someone to split the rent. A friend introduced him to a wealthy second-generation art student. The guy had plenty of demands, but was willing to cover two-thirds of the rent. Fang Zhengran's eyes lit up. His friend warned him, "This guy is violently homophobic. You'd better keep it under wraps." Cash-strapped Fang Zhengran: "Don't worry. I wouldn't come out for the sake of money, either!" - His rich new roommate is trendy and sharp-tongued. He wears designer streetwear and earrings, has enough clothes to fill two suitcases, and won't even give people a smile. On the very first day, he sprayed disinfectant right in Fang Zhengran's face. Fang Zhengran flared up for a moment: "...For the rent." But after living together for a while, he realized his new roommate was actually cold on the outside but kindhearted, and pretty easy to get along with. Once they got to know each other, the roommate would sketch him and invite him out for hot pot. He hated the smell of sweat, but still brought bottled water to Fang Zhengran's basketball games. He was even willing to put aside his rich-kid pride and shop with him for matching clothes on sale at the supermarket, and matching everyday... necessities... Fang Zhengran, a gay guy himself, realized something was off. He asked his friend, "Did I accidentally turn him gay?!" His friend scoffed. "You have no idea how homophobic he is. And you dare think that about him? You should be glad he hasn't found out!" Fang Zhengran was reassured. But not long after, his roommate accidentally caught him getting handsy with another gay guy. The next day, his deeply homophobic straight roommate glumly packed his suitcase and ran off. Theme: Love is like sesame oil: the more you grind, the more fragrant it gets.