The Couple I Ship Is Fake!

As an ordinary wage earner, Zhou Xu's only hobby was shipping men with men. Recently, though, he ran into a particularly troublesome situation:

The two male celebrities topping the rankings on the same-sex ship fan page had moved in next door.

Zhou Xu immediately turned into a human microscope, hoping to ship them up close.

Unfortunately, he recognized them at first sight, but still had to pretend he didn't:

One second, watching an edit of their interactions: Aaaah, this is feeding me!

The next, calmly greeting them: Nice weather today.

At night, screaming at their ship photos: Leopard and kitty, I have been born!

The next day, coolly holding the elevator for them.

But soon, he noticed something was off.

First, the shou in the ship looked at him with stars in his eyes way too often, grinning like an auntie every time they met.

Second, though he hated to admit it, this ship might be fake...

And at some point, the person being shipped seemed to have become him???

At last, Zhou Xu stared at the gong, his scalp crawling, and demanded:

Why are you always eyeing my butt like that?!!!

-

Wen Yushan, nicknamed "the scheming ultimate gong," had perfect looks, physique, and grades. He shot to fame after accidentally appearing on a reality show featuring ordinary people.

On his first night after moving in, he saw a poster of himself in the neighbor's home and his own face on their TV: ...

A sasaeng fan? A guy? Shipping a male-male couple?

He decided it would be best to pretend he knew nothing for now.

That is, until the cast party, where he saw Zhou Xu in disguise, skulking into the VIP section.

Zhou Xu waved awkwardly and hid the pink light stick in his hand. "Um, I have a friend..."

Wen Yushan: ...

Zhou Xu: "All right. Actually, I'm a solo fan of your partner. ("^▽^")"

Wen Yushan: "Your account, ranked Level 12 in our ship's fan community, has been exposed."

Zhou Xu: "Oh."

-

One morning later on, Zhou Xu lay limp against Wen Yushan, giving up resistance.

Wen Yushan kissed him lazily, as if taking out his frustration, then pointed at their photo together and said with a playful smile, "A fan's dream comes true. Living with a shipper. Younger man. Turns out we're that fun to ship?"

Zhou Xu: ...

Partner: Yay, the ship I love is real!

Next book in the same series: Have You Fallen Asleep?

In her third month of insomnia, Xia Ji was forced to take a leave of absence from school when she happened upon a post:

How I saved myself from years of insomnia. The three things I did right!!!

Step one: Make your sleeping environment as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

Xia Ji looked at her bed, covered in soft plushies and blankets, and her bedroom, where she'd specially installed a sleep-friendly light: ...

Step two: Adjust your body and mind before bed. Burn incense, take a bath, and listen to relaxing music.

Xia Ji, who had tried all of that countless times, fumed: This has to be fake!

The final step: Find a roommate who sleeps well, then fall asleep listening to the rhythm of their breathing.

Xia Ji's eyes widened: ...That works?!!

-

Though skeptical, Xia Ji still posted a roommate wanted ad on the campus forum.

She had planned to delete it the next day, but someone knocked on her door that evening.

When she opened it, Xia Ji saw a handsome young man in a black hoodie, with dark hair and bright eyes. It was Lin Xingchuan, the famously handsome campus heartthrob.

Xia Ji took half a step back and warily sized up the tall, well-built guy.

The young man spoke calmly. "I heard you aren't charging rent, so here I am."

Xia Ji relaxed. "But I do have a few requirements..."

Lin Xingchuan: "I sleep well. I don't snore or toss around, and I shower and change clothes regularly."

Xia Ji's eyes lit up. They hit it off immediately.

That night, listening to the steady, even breathing from the bed beside her, Xia Ji closed her eyes for the first time in ages.

The next morning, thrilled to have slept so well, Xia Ji happily made breakfast, only to notice the dark circles under Lin Xingchuan's eyes when he got up. "Didn't you sleep last night?"

The other man's deep eyes lowered. He glanced at Xia Ji, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Xia Ji thought: This guy's kind of weird.

Ever since Lin Xingchuan became her roommate, Xia Ji had been sleeping much better.

Sometimes, though, simply sharing a room wasn't enough, and Lin Xingchuan tactfully offered more suggestions:

For example, they could sleep in the same bed, with him lending Xia Ji his arm as a pillow.

Or he could hold Xia Ji while she slept whenever she had a nightmare.

When Xia Ji had a cold or fever, she could sleep on his firm abs.

Xia Ji sincerely thought: This guy's cold on the outside but warm inside. He's a keeper!

Until one night, six months later, Xia Ji, sore all over after Lin Xingchuan had thoroughly worn her out, struggled to sit up from their kiss and sobbed in a broken voice:

Please, be gentle! I still need to sleep tonight!

[Blurb written on 2023.10.23 / Screenshot saved]

Theme: Everyone deserves to be loved.