My Archenemy and I Became Childhood Friends in an Old-School Novel

Gu Tian, the young master of the Gu family, hated no one more than He Yang, his classmate in the same grade.

Whether it was grades, competitions, or sports, He Yang always had the edge over him.

Even the person Gu Tian had his eye on blushed and went to confess to He Yang.

Furious, Gu Tian went to demand an explanation from He Yang for stealing his crush, but missed a step and tumbled down the stairs.

When he woke up, he'd become a pitiful character in an old-fashioned melodramatic novel, being beaten by his drunken stepfather.

Just as Gu Tian curled up and covered his head, thinking he was about to be beaten to death, someone burst into his house, shielded him with their body, and dragged him out of that hell.

Shaking, Gu Tian wiped the blood from the corner of his eye, ready to thank his savior, only to find that the frail boy about his age had the same calm eyes as He Yang.

Gu Tian's mouth twitched. "He... Yang?"

He Yang: "Looks like I've become your neighbor, the older brother who grew up with you."

Gu Tian: "..."

In the original story, they were both nameless cannon fodder, barely scraping by in a dilapidated town. One eventually jumped into a river, and the other disappeared.

Now, looking at the equally ragged and pitiful He Yang, Gu Tian gritted his teeth. "Well, how about we put our grudge aside for now and figure out how to survive?"

He Yang: "...What grudge?"

Gu Tian: "..."

#What's it like to think someone's your archenemy when they never considered you a rival?#

*

Gu Tian: "Hah! I'd rather starve or freeze to death than eat a single bite of He Yang's food!"

He Yang: "...I made hand-pulled noodles. Want them spicy?"

Gu Tian: "...Yes."

*

Later.

A financial reporter interviewed the two young industrialists, having heard so much about them.

Reporter: "Mr. He, what first inspired you to enter the food industry?"

He Yang (smiling): "Oh, my wife said he likes the hand-pulled noodles I make."

Tsundere shou x devoted gong

Message: Strive tirelessly to improve yourself.