“I want to ask you… do you want to be my boyfriend?”
As soon as Wang Ziqin said it, he realized it sounded a bit off. He was about to clarify when he saw Tang Xiaotian’s face flush bright red.
Wang Ziqin froze. Embarrassment washed over him. He hurriedly added, “No, no, you misunderstood. I’m not harassing you or anything.”
He quickly explained: “I… I… the person I liked is getting married. I told him I have a boyfriend now. I don’t have many friends here abroad, so I wondered if you could pretend to be my boyfriend, come with me, and attend his wedding.”
“I’ll pay you! It’s so far away, no one at school will know…”
Wang Ziqin hesitated, adding: “If your studies are too busy, it’s fine. You’re straight, pretending to be my boyfriend might be difficult. I can find someone else.”
Tang Xiaotian didn’t respond directly: “Who else would you ask?”
That stung. I asked you because I couldn’t find anyone else suitable! Tang Xiaotian’s straightforwardness made him worry-free. If Tang Xiaotian said no, he’d have no choice but to hire someone else.
“I might… hire an actor,” Wang Ziqin said.
Tang Xiaotian frowned: “Fine, then I’ll go with you. When is it? I’ll see if I can get leave from school.”
Seeing Tang Xiaotian reluctant, Wang Ziqin’s idea of hiring an actor seemed perfect—business done, no debts left. He said: “It’s fine if you don’t want to go, I won’t force you. I think hiring an actor would work.”
Tang Xiaotian grabbed his hand: “You should still take me. Someone unfamiliar isn’t safe.”
Wang Ziqin found Tang Xiaotian a bit odd, but he was right—so he chose him.
For Shen Yuan’s wedding, Wang Ziqin had a suit custom-made for himself and sponsored one for Tang Xiaotian. His roommate’s wardrobe was unusable—anime tees, plaid shirts, canvas jeans—utterly sloppy. Wang Ziqin picked a suit for him, though not as expensive as his own, and even took him for a haircut and contact lenses.
Tang Xiaotian shivered—he had never cared about his appearance. Wang Ziqin handled it all; he was flamboyant and experienced, having charmed girls since kindergarten.
Wang Ziqin had always thought Tang Xiaotian was naturally good-looking—slim in clothes, muscular underneath. With the suit, new haircut, and contacts, Tang Xiaotian looked strikingly handsome, a bit like an ice-cold model.
Now, holding Tang Xiaotian’s hand at the wedding, Wang Ziqin felt confident he wouldn’t embarrass himself.
Of course, underneath, Tang Xiaotian was still a shy introvert, shrinking slightly beside him.
“This feels strange… don’t you think?” Tang Xiaotian whispered.
“Stand tall! You’re handsome, have a good figure. People will notice,” Wang Ziqin reassured him.
Tang Xiaotian blushed: “They won’t like me… I’m boring and gloomy. They say I’m creepy.”
Wang Ziqin considered how Tang Xiaotian played weird games behind closed doors. Those girls aren’t completely wrong, he thought—but he couldn’t say that aloud. He said instead: “They just have no taste. You’re good-looking, kind, cook, quiet—how’s that creepy? Normal guys would like that.”
Tang Xiaotian, simple and trusting, believed him and looked at him gratefully. Wang Ziqin felt embarrassed—if he were still a scumbag back then, he would have teased this odd, shy guy.
Standing straight, Wang Ziqin realized Tang Xiaotian was actually taller than him by about ten centimeters.
So, dressed up, Wang Ziqin led Tang Xiaotian to Shen Yuan’s wedding. Seeing Shen Yuan from afar, standing by the flower wall, a wave of bittersweet emotion hit him.
Tang Xiaotian noticed Wang Ziqin’s expression darken and took his hand, pulling his attention back. Wang Ziqin, never having held a man’s hand before, froze.
“Why are you holding my hand?” he asked.
“It’s part of dating. Look at the other couples,” Tang Xiaotian said shyly.
Wang Ziqin nodded. A man’s hand feels different from a woman’s. Tang Xiaotian’s was larger and rougher, not soft like a girl’s.
Tang Xiaotian noticed Wang Ziqin’s smooth hand, thinking it different from his own rough skin.
It felt like walking a well-behaved large dog—hand in hand, they paraded in front of Shen Yuan.
But Shen Yuan showed no reaction. In the past, he had disliked Wang Ziqin, which at least distinguished him from others. Now… Shen Yuan treated him like a stranger.
“Congratulations on your marriage. Best wishes,” Wang Ziqin said, his mood flat. It wasn’t the excruciating pain of two years ago, but still a sting.
Qiao Hailou ignored him entirely. Wang Ziqin remembered his younger self, thinking he was the greatest—back then he wasn’t afraid. Now he understood.
Seeing Shen Yuan ignore him, Wang Ziqin let go of Tang Xiaotian’s hand.
Tang Xiaotian comforted him: “I don’t think he’s that great. Don’t dwell on it.”
Wang Ziqin smiled awkwardly: “I’m not that fragile. Haha.”
They ate dessert together. Tang Xiaotian, clumsy with words, just fed him what he liked. To an observer, they looked like a sweet couple.
Then a familiar voice came from behind: “What are you doing here?”
Wang Ziqin turned—his father—but stayed calm.
“I’m attending Shen Yuan’s wedding. He invited me,” Wang Ziqin said.
Wang Ru scanned Tang Xiaotian: “Who is this?”
“My friend,” Wang Ziqin replied.
After a brief chat, Wang Ru moved on, not suspicious.
Tang Xiaotian seemed a bit upset. Wang Ziqin asked: “What’s wrong?”
“I thought pretending as your boyfriend would be for a day, but now you’re not pretending?”
“In front of Shen Yuan, we should still act,” Wang Ziqin said.
Tang Xiaotian nodded, a little dejected.
Wang Ziqin kept to himself at the banquet, drinking heavily. Tang Xiaotian tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen. Later, Tang Xiaotian carried him back to the bedroom.
Drunk, Wang Ziqin clung to him. Tang Xiaotian helped him off his clothes and onto the bed. Wang Ziqin grabbed him and kissed him, leaning back.
Blushing, Tang Xiaotian pushed him away: “You’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk! Hehe…” Wang Ziqin hiccupped.
Tang Xiaotian, hidden in shadow, asked: “Do you know who I am?”
“You’re just a little otaku,” Wang Ziqin laughed.
Then, suddenly, he jumped up: “Damn it, Shen Yuan’s married! Why am I keeping my morals? I’m going out to mess around!”
He pointed at Tang Xiaotian: “Get me a woman, the prettiest!”
Tang Xiaotian didn’t fetch anyone. He pinned Wang Ziqin down.
The next morning, Wang Ziqin woke up sore and disoriented, held tightly by Tang Xiaotian.
He wasn’t angry—he never had much moral restraint—but last night wasn’t exactly pleasant.
Tang Xiaotian, a virgin, had no technique—just reckless force. Wang Ziqin’s backside ached terribly.
He called out: “Wake up, my hands are numb. Let me go.”
Tang Xiaotian woke, shy and flustered. Seeing him blush, Wang Ziqin felt awkward.
Tang Xiaotian hugged him tighter and kissed his cheek: “Are we officially dating now?”
Wang Ziqin was shocked: “Can’t be—we only slept together once. We can’t…”
Tang Xiaotian, upset: “I gave you my first time! Aren’t you going to take responsibility?”
Wang Ziqin blushed, thinking: I was the bottom! My butt still hurts!
Tang Xiaotian, serious: “You can’t avoid this! Wang Ziqin, you must be responsible. If not… I’ll jump into the sea!”
Tang Xiaotian climbed up in anger.
Wang Ziqin panicked, grabbed him: “Okay, okay, don’t act rash… I’ll do my best. Let’s try, see if we can be friends, alright?”
Tang Xiaotian lit up: “Okay!”
Wang Ziqin, helpless, was hugged tightly, realizing he now bore the many bite marks Tang Xiaotian had left. Is this a dog? he thought.
[End of Extra Chapter]