How Are You Not Normal Either?

Yu Zhixing has a weak fate, and has been able to see all kinds of ghosts and monsters since childhood.

For example, when he opens his eyes in the middle of the night, there is always a ghost hanging upside down above his head.

When he takes the dog out for a walk, he might run into a canine demon that can talk and bat its eyelashes.

During final exams, a dark shadow might emerge from the cap of the pen belonging to the student at the next desk and sing right beside his ear.

That is, until he meets Jiang Qi in high school. Jiang Qi is handsome, tall, fit, smart, and comes from a powerful family. Most importantly, whenever Yu Zhixing gets close to or touches Jiang Qi, he returns to normal. The longer they stay in contact, the longer the effect lasts.

To find some peace, Yu Zhixing takes every chance he can to stick close to Jiang Qi. They eat and study together, and Yu Zhixing follows him like a shadow. He manages to pass himself off as Jiang Qi's obsessive male fan, even earning the label of gay, while enduring Jiang Qi's icy treatment.

After the college entrance exams, the effect that keeps demons and monsters away reaches its peak. Yu Zhixing eats his fill, feels refreshed, and immediately cuts off all contact with Jiang Qi. The next time he opens and closes his eyes, he has received an early admission notice from Qingcheng University.

On the first day of term, Yu Zhixing stares at students flying through the sky on swords above the dormitory building. "...Is this really a legitimate university? Are there any normal people here?"

The senior student beside him gives him a hearty slap on the shoulder. "It's certified by the state. Completely legitimate."

Yu Zhixing says, "Honestly, you'd sound more convincing if you put your fox tail away first."

Yu Zhixing thinks he can make it through four years of university in peace, until he sees Jiang Qi walk up to the podium at the opening ceremony. Jiang Qi's gaze locks onto him, and, through gritted teeth, he says each word of, "Good morning, everyone."

Help, how is the person I pretended to have a crush on not normal either?!

The first time Jiang Qi meets Yu Zhixing, he thinks something is a little strange. Yu Zhixing has weak yang fire in his fate and is prone to attracting evil spirits, so he should have the personality of someone cursed to be alone. But this guy is far too lively, and often follows behind him with a smile.

Someone tells Jiang Qi that Yu Zhixing is gay and has a crush on him.

Yu Zhixing also says he likes him, but Jiang Qi feels there is more to it than that.

He keeps a cold expression and avoids Yu Zhixing, while secretly wondering what Yu Zhixing will do to cling to him tomorrow. Before long, that turns into an inexplicable sense of anticipation.

After the college entrance exams, Jiang Qi hesitates for a long time before finally working up the courage to message Yu Zhixing, only for a red exclamation mark to pop up in the chat window.

For the first time, Jiang Qi knows what it feels like to be played.

Headline on Qingcheng University's campus website: A new student is a true prodigy. Hailing from a cultivation family, he can fly on a sword and draw talismans with ease. His spiritual energy naturally wards off demons and evil spirits. In just a few months, he has captured a string of wicked ghosts and monsters, making him a hot contender among the freshmen for a guaranteed place in the Non-Natural Forces.

There is another equally strong contender, and rumor has it the two used to be classmates. Their high school days were marked by a very unpleasant love-hate history, with Yu Zhixing being the pursuer Jiang Qi despised.

At this moment, at the foot of the men's dormitory building, Yu Zhixing refuses Jiang Qi's invitation to dinner for the twentieth time. Jiang Qi grabs his wrist, his ears red and his voice unsteady as he asks, "Back in high school, you said you liked me. Did you mean it?"

Yu Zhixing says, "...Well, I was joking."

Later, Yu Zhixing learns a lesson.

When it comes to love, if you dig yourself a hole, you have to jump into it yourself.

Screenshot dated November 18, 2025

Note:

I am very, very sorry to everyone who saved the previous blurb. The author is preparing for graduate school entrance exams, and the plan was to write the whole story in advance during breaks from studying. But after writing more than a hundred thousand words back and forth, I found myself seriously stuck, without inspiration, and unable to handle ABO. The entire manuscript turned into a waste. After much thought and serious reflection, I decided that forcing myself to keep writing bit by bit would be deeply disrespectful, not only to myself, but also to you and the characters. So I deleted all the drafts, the outline, and the chapter outline, and rewrote the story. As an apology, I'll send out small red envelopes when the story launches. Whether you stay or leave, please follow your heart. I am grateful for and treasure the connection we've shared. Lastly, I still want to say that I'm truly sorry. I offer my knees and prostrate myself in apology.

Theme: Love life and keep striving each day.