My Roommate Coaxed Me into Making Our Fake Romance Real

[Same-Genre Upcoming Story: Puppy, Puppy] A warm, everyday childhood-friends story. My next historical danmei opens on 8/12: After the Sickly Beauty Is Desired by His Nemesis

Ji Shanjian has a wonderful roommate. He brings him meals and applies medicine for him. Whatever Ji Shanjian wants, he gives it to him.

It's just that people always misunderstand them. When Xi Huanyang brings him food, their other roommates think he's giving Ji Shanjian leftovers.

When Ji Shanjian's lips swell up from a seafood allergy, his roommates think Xi Huanyang did it to him.

Ji Shanjian has tried to explain, but his roommates won't believe him.

Ji Shanjian thinks he ought to do something for Xi Huanyang.

"I really do need you."

It turns out someone has been pursuing Xi Huanyang lately, and Xi Huanyang is having trouble figuring out how to turn them down.

"That's easy!" Ji Shanjian eagerly suggests that he pretend to be in a relationship.

Xi Huanyang: "I'm not seeing anyone."

Ji Shanjian: "I can pretend to be your boyfriend."

So the two pretend to be a couple in front of everyone, giving anyone who comes by a faceful of their public affection.

Everyone, that is, except one of Ji Shanjian's roommates: "Does he have something on you?"

Ji Shanjian: "It's perfectly normal for people to help each other out."

Roommate: "...Dating him is helping each other out?"

"We aren't going to make the act real."

*

Ji Shanjian wakes up in the middle of the night and reaches out, touching warm skin.

Ji Shanjian opens his eyes. "Why are you in my bed?"

Xi Huanyang: "It's cold. I'm warming you up."

Oh, he's warming him up.

Ji Shanjian is touched. Xi Huanyang is such a good person. He would never lie to him.

Later, Ji Shanjian hears someone say Xi Huanyang is getting married. He's a little unhappy, but still goes to offer his congratulations.

"I wish you a long and happy marriage." Ji Shanjian's voice is so quiet it's almost inaudible.

Xi Huanyang: "Did you forget something?"

Ji Shanjian: "Huh?"

Xi Huanyang: "Aren't you my boyfriend?"

Ji Shanjian's brain freezes. "Weren't we just pretending?"

Xi Huanyang: "The act became real."

My next historical danmei opens on 8/12: After the Sickly Beauty Is Desired by His Nemesis

Same-genre upcoming story: Puppy, Puppy, a warm, everyday childhood-friends story

Jiang Shi'an is mute. His family dotes on him and lets him do whatever he wants. If he wanted the moon, they'd find a way to get it for him.

But he doesn't want the moon, and he doesn't know what he does want.

His doctor suggests that he spend more time with children his own age. For his sake, his parents bring a child home every so often, but Jiang Shi'an drives them all away without exception.

His parents take him to an orphanage and let him choose a friend for himself.

The children at the orphanage are adorable, chattering like birds singing.

But Jiang Shi'an finds them annoying. He wants them all to shut their mouths, preferably to be just like him.

He's miserable, but then, amid the crowd, he catches sight of a child sitting quietly, just like him, unable to speak.

Jiang Shi'an stares blankly, then chooses the child who hasn't said a word.

He thinks he's found someone like himself, until one day, when he happily throws a birthday party for the other boy, he hears him say, "Thank you."

The cake slips from his hands, and Jiang Shi'an runs out of the house, his thoughts in a muddle.

When Jiang Suiyu finds him, he seems to have so much to say. After a long silence, the first thing he says is, "Come home with me. I won't speak anymore."

Like a drenched puppy, he looks pitiful as he pledges his loyalty.

Jiang Shi'an watches him for a moment, then reaches out and accepts.

On the way home, Jiang Shi'an lies against Jiang Suiyu, his nose filled with the smell of mud and rainwater on him.

His puppy has come back for him.

But a puppy that can talk... is it still his puppy?

*

Jiang Suiyu hates rainy days. Unfortunately, that child appeared on a rainy day, then pulled him home through the damp, stifling rain.

Later, he learns the other boy chose him because he thought Jiang Suiyu was mute, just like him.

He tries to come clean many times, but whenever he sees the child's smiling face, the words catch in his throat. He doesn't want to disappoint him.

But as time passes, he eventually fails to keep the truth hidden.

The child's eyes fill with tears. Unlike before, when he'd get angry and pick on Jiang Suiyu, this time he turns and runs away.

He doesn't want to see him.

By the time Jiang Suiyu comes to his senses, the child is gone. For the first time, Jiang Suiyu panics.

He searches everywhere like a madman, but all he gets is soaked to the skin in the rain.

Someone says they know where Jiang Shi'an is, but only if Jiang Suiyu agrees to one condition.

Theme: Study hard.