My Ex Wants to Make Our Fake Romance Real

○ Versatile roles, showbiz, updated whenever inspiration strikes ○ Obsessive CEO-specialist x resilient drifter actor ○ "You pretended to be in love with me, but I truly fell in love with you." When Gu Ningyi was down on his luck, he ran into his ex, Zhao Linwu, now the CEO of a film company. He thought this would be a brief truce, but Zhao Linwu invited him to co-star in a gay romance film called Diverging Paths. There were countless kissing scenes and four sex scenes. Zhao Linwu was practically making it obvious that he wanted to turn their pretend romance into the real thing. Gu Ningyi followed his heart and turned down the deal. But then he was replaced in a role, chased by creditors, kicked out by his landlord, and betrayed by his only friend. It seemed fate was pushing him downward, straight into the tender trap Zhao Linwu had carefully laid for him. They flew across the ocean, borrowing someone else's story to love and hate each other. The line between truth and pretense gradually blurred. On the night filming wrapped, Gu Ningyi couldn't help asking, "Why did it have to be me playing your lover?" Zhao Linwu answered with complete candor: "I'm not a very good actor. You know that." Gu Ningyi leaned against the headboard, trying to tell the truth from the lies in Zhao Linwu's eyes. In the end, all he could do was sigh. "You seem pretty good at lying to me." Diverging Paths became a huge hit after its release. Zhao Linwu broke into the film industry, and Gu Ningyi finally became known. Even years later, movie fans kept tirelessly speculating about their relationship. Only then did Gu Ningyi realize that was exactly what Zhao Linwu wanted. Love or hate, no matter how many conflicts they had or how far apart their paths took them... Their names were bound together forever. ---Curtain up on the little side story--- Zhao Linwu found it hard to open up. For instance, he had many scars on his lower back, but even though he and Gu Ningyi fell in love, broke up, and got back together, Zhao Linwu never told him where they came from. Gu Ningyi, however, was determined to make him be honest. Zhao Linwu usually kept his guard up. Gu Ningyi could only wait until he was out of it, then turn him over and over, stripping away every layer of disguise and tension. "Can you tell me the truth now?" "Be good." Gu Ningyi had an old knee injury and couldn't do strenuous exercise or kneel or squat for long. He didn't really mind. When filming, he did what he had to, and at worst made a few extra trips to the hospital afterward. But Zhao Linwu's desire to control his body was downright alarming. Just as Gu Ningyi was about to kneel, Zhao Linwu used the toe of his leather shoe to lift his knee, switching their positions. "Tell me, what do you want to do to me?" "I'll do it." ---Time for the disclaimers!--- 1. Showbiz setting, no real-life counterparts. 2. Versatile roles, one-on-one, each other's first love, getting back together after a breakup. Neither was involved with anyone else during their time apart. 3. After they reunite, they switch roles for every night together. They love each other deeply, but both have principles they won't give up. One is stubborn and pain-loving, the other extremely controlling. Both have flaws... I can't list every potential trigger. If you don't like it, just drop the novel. Please don't get angry or upset over it. 4. Thanks to Teacher Qiaobian for the inspiration for the characters' names. Theme: Follow your heart and remain unwavering.