We Said Just Once

[Short story, about 100,000 Chinese characters.]

Jiang Yinainian’s childhood friend, He Wenshuo, is tall and handsome. Lately, a girl from their school has been openly pursuing him.

He Wenshuo is deeply troubled by this. One day, he suddenly gets an idea. "Niannian, put on a skirt and pretend to be my girlfriend. Come with me to walk around my school."

Jiang Yinainian refuses. "Don’t be ridiculous."

He Wenshuo immediately clings to his leg. "Niannian, Niannian, please help me out! I’ll take you somewhere delicious, buy you gifts, play games with you... I’ll be your servant. Name your price."

Jiang Yinainian reluctantly agrees. "Just this once."

-

There’s a saying that cross-dressing happens either once or countless times. Jiang Yinainian never believed it.

Until...

Two weeks later, He Wenshuo asks him to help reject another admirer.

Three weeks later, He Wenshuo asks him to help clear up the rumor that he’s been dumped.

A month later, He Wenshuo asks him to come along to a dorm gathering.

Looking at the skirts filling half his wardrobe, Jiang Yinainian thinks, I really can’t let this go on.

What he doesn’t know is that He Wenshuo, who lives near his house, is frantically searching online: Is it normal to have... a physical reaction to a close male friend I’ve spent every day with?

---Next up: Starting with Marriage---

Word on the street is that two major business dynasties are about to unite through marriage: the Fu family’s eldest Alpha son and the Song family’s second-born Beta son are getting married.

A powerful alliance, and one that’s sure to make waves.

The Beta in question is sending an engagement invitation to his friend.

After reading it, his friend teases him. "Congratulations. You got what you wanted."

Song Xian: "I didn’t."

His friend: Weren’t you in love with him for years?

Song Xian smiles helplessly. "I have been in love with him for years, but I never planned on telling him."

His friend shakes his head. What’s wrong with him?

-

The other person involved, an Alpha, also announces his upcoming engagement on social media.

His business partner is baffled. "Why him, of all people? Wouldn’t it be better to marry the more famous one in his family?"

Fu Ang remains calm. "I like him."

"?"

His partner is confused, but knows for certain that he must have more to say.

Sure enough.

Fu Ang calmly adds, "He’s smart."

His partner: "Tch."

Knew it. A man who puts profit first would never compromise for love.

-

---2024.4.28

Theme: What suits you is what’s best.