I Knew You Had a Crush on Me

A super-oblivious, overconfident little-kid gong vs. a sensitive, insecure shou who often gets so riled up his hair stands on end

Cen Lan, nicknamed the Emperor of Part-Time Jobs, works just about anywhere: convenience stores, bubble tea shops, bungee-jumping clubs, ski resorts... He's unapologetically broke and radiates confidence.

He doesn't notice men or women flirting or sneaking him flirtatious glances. The only thing that fills him with boundless enthusiasm is working to make money.

His catchphrase is: "It's fine, as long as I get paid."

He's bad-tempered without realizing it, and his mood changes as quickly as the weather in June.

When he can't win an argument, he calls in reinforcements. He's a master of turning everything upside down, a mercurial little brat who loves dishing out sarcasm.

Life was going along just fine until one day he realized that Shen Qingyu, the bespectacled guy across the hall who always kept his head down, was definitely in love with him.

The evidence? Nothing but his sixth sense.

-

Shen Qingyu really is in love with Cen Lan.

He considers himself sensitive and dull-witted. Behind his thick glasses, which isolate him from the world, he can observe everything in secret.

The world is dull, and people are mediocre, until he notices a figure that seems to glow.

Shen Qingyu starts secretly watching him.

They brush past each other in the hallway of their apartment building, in the convenience store, in the bubble tea shop... In short, Shen Qingyu passes through every place Cen Lan works, just to catch a distant glimpse of that dazzling figure.

He thinks he's hiding it well.

Until one day, Cen Lan corners him against the wall and grabs him by the wrist. "You like me this much? Honestly, what am I going to do with you?"

Shen Qingyu's eyes widen in shock. He has no idea how the other man figured him out. Before he can think of an answer, Cen Lan adds, "Since you're here, help me yell at someone."

Shen Qingyu: "...?"

And just like that, Cen Lan barges into Shen Qingyu's world.

In the evening, he drags him along to throw a public tantrum and yell insults. At dawn, they go to the park and let the dogs walk them. Late at night, they wander through the noisy, bustling streets of food stalls...

Cen Lan: Insecure and sensitive? Let's shake that up. The world is dull? Let's shake that up.

Shen Qingyu: The world is interesting, so interesting! I want to shut myself away. Please leave me alone.

Cen Lan: Shut yourself away? Let's shake that up-

Shen Qingyu gets annoyed and manually mutes him.

As if he'd expected this, Cen Lan licks his palm and keeps blabbering against it: In love with me? Let's kiss about it~~

Shen Qingyu: ...

PS:

1. Gong POV, mutual pampering, one-on-one, a sweet little romance.

2. A cute story about a narcissist overcoming an insecure person, and a secret crush turning into open affection.

4. Blurb dated 2025.6.13

Theme: Love makes people better.