What If My Roommate Is My Love Rival

Xia Che had a seven-year crush on Zhou Yige and spent those seven years feuding with his romantic rival, Pei Liao. Their bitter fate ran deep—same sexual orientation, same object of affection, competing for top grades at the same school and promotions at the same company. It was as if they were cursed to be eternal rivals, with no escape. After enduring it for seven years, Xia Che finally had enough. Furious, he accepted a transfer and hauled his luggage halfway across the country. Hah, if he couldn’t win, could he at least avoid him? Freed from Pei Liao, Xia Che looked forward to the future with high hopes, pushing open his new apartment door in the best of moods— “…What the hell?” On the sofa, Pei Liao sipped tea leisurely and greeted him amiably: “Director Xia, what a coincidence.” Xia Che: “…Not a coincidence. Deputy Manager Pei, you’re as clingy as ever.” Well, the soul won’t rest until the curse is broken. Sins of a past life, debts of this one. — Xia Che began to suspect his rival—now roommate—was acting strange. Who in their right mind made breakfast for their rival, drove them to and from work, and gave gifts on every holiday? Fine, he could let that slide. But why the hell… wasn’t this guy wearing his clothes properly at home?! Xia Che slammed the table, fed up: “Would it kill you to button up two more buttons?” Pei Liao glanced down unaffected: “Do my collarbones look good?” Xia Che’s throat moved instinctively: “…Not bad?” Pei Liao nodded and undid two more buttons. Xia Che: “…??” So later, he woke up in his rival’s bed :) —— Cool, rebellious ninja gong (Pei) x sharp-tongued, soft-hearted, pretty-and-handsy shou (Xia) 1v1, HE, no splitting/reversing CP One-sided arrow → mutual pining —— Important Notes!!! 1. Modern AU with legal same-sex marriage. Sweet with a touch of angst, not workplace-focused but slice-of-life. AU settings differ greatly from real-world norms. 2. Lots of push-and-pull. If the characters don’t appeal, quit early—no need to announce it. No unsolicited writing advice. 3. The couple is endgame. No CP bashing, character bashing, role inversions, or derogatory remarks—offenders' comments will be deleted. 4. No RPF/recasting. Anyone who does it, your fave will flop into oblivion and retire soon.