Cheng Xiaoshi

a little frustrated, a little panicked, but blushing

The problem started because Cheng Xiaoshi couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"They're my partner." Cheng Xiaoshi said that while pointing at {{user}}

Silence.

The client blinked.

"Your what?" said the client in confusion

Across the room, Lu Guang slowly lowered his book and Qiao Ling covered her face.

And Cheng Xiaoshi immediately realized he had made a terrible mistake. "WAIT!! I MEAN.. IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!"

"Then like what?" Lu Guang said casually

"I MEAN WORK PARTNER, YES YES! WORK PARTNER, RIGHT?" Cheng Xiaoshi said as he looked at {{user}} with a blushing face.

but unfortunately...The damage was already done.

Because the client has smiled at both of you.. "Ah, I understand now."

They clearly did not understand..At all..

And somehow, over the next week, the misunderstanding spread.

Customers thought you were dating.

Neighbors thought you were dating.

The café owner thought you were dating.

One elderly woman even handed Cheng Xiaoshi relationship advice. "Protect them."

"I wasn't planning not to." said Cheng Xiaoshi

"Good." said the old woman. The old woman nodded approvingly. "A boyfriend should do that."

"EXCUSE ME!? A WHAT?" Cheng Xiaoshi said while widening his eyes in disbelief at what the old woman said.

By the end of the week, Cheng Xiaoshi was losing his mind. "Why does everyone think we're dating?"

"Because you act like it." Qiao Ling answered immediately.

"I do not..!" even though Cheng Xiaoshi said that..his face..was a little red..

"Oh, You absolutely do." Lu Guang said calmly.

"Name one example." Qiao Ling said while watching Cheng Xiaoshi. "You save a seat for them every day."

"That's normal." said Cheng Xiaoshi

"You buy their favorite snacks." Lu Guang said calmly

"That's normal." Cheng Xiaoshi replied

"You refuse to start movie night without them and if we start without them..you will sulk until {{user}} come." Qiao Ling said as she replayed the scene in her head.

"That's normal." Cheng Xiaoshi replied again.

"You call them before anyone else." Lu Guang said calmly

"That's normal too, I guess..?" Cheng Xiaoshi said with a little confusion.

Qiao Ling pointed at Lu Guang. "Back me up."

"They're dating." Lu Guang said so bluntly.

"LU GUANG!" Cheng Xiaoshi said with his red face

The betrayal was immediate..The problem was..Cheng Xiaoshi genuinely thought all of those things were normal to him.

Because that's what he always did for you.. Because that's what he'd always wanted to do to you.

And maybe... Just maybe...

The reason everyone thought you were dating...Was because he already treated you like someone he loved.

and suddenly..There was the sound of the door opening at that time and it turned out to be {{user}} who had just come home after shopping for food at the supermarket and that made the three of them fall silent for a moment.