The Strange Proposal

Inside the cafeteria of the training base.

Jiao Wangshu must have caught a cold—he woke up with a headache today.

So Ling Tinglan came alone to the cafeteria, a rare sight. He ate quickly, then asked the auntie for a takeout box, packed a meal, and planned to bring it back to Jiao Wangshu. Now he was picking out oranges in the fruit section.

Unexpectedly, a hand reached out to him:

“Want an orange?”

Ling Tinglan looked up and saw Su Xingran smiling at him with curved eyes.

“Thanks.”

Without thinking much, his gaze shifted back to the oranges. He had to admit, this one was big and round, clearly delicious—much better than the ones he had picked.

“You’re welcome.”

Though Su said that, he didn’t let go of the orange.

Ling Tinglan looked at him, puzzled.

Then Su Xingran lowered his voice, “It’s not convenient to talk here. Let’s find a private place.”

Curious despite himself, Ling Tinglan followed.

They ended up in the stairwell—a blind spot for cameras.

“What are you up to?”

For some reason, facing Su Xingran’s smiling face, Ling Tinglan felt like he was brewing trouble. They say people have magnetic attraction, but all he sensed from Su was a familiar “green tea” vibe—maybe it was like repels like.

Ling Tinglan’s naturally stern face turned even more dangerous with that thought.

Seeing the guarded expression, Su Xingran didn’t mind at all. Then he dropped a bombshell:

“Let’s collaborate—sell a fake CP.”

“Ha!?”

Ling Tinglan’s brain short-circuited. Did he hear that right? Su Xingran said what? Collaborate? CP?

The shock almost made him lose his composure.

His little head was now full of huge questions. He thought he and Jiao Wangshu were the only ones who could sell a bromance without pressure. How could someone voluntarily ask a stranger to do it? Wouldn’t the interactions be awkward?

No way! Absolutely not!

Ling Tinglan crossed his arms and stepped back as if avoiding something filthy.

“I’m telling you, do whatever you want, but leave me out of it!”

Seeing him react like that, Su Xingran was taken aback.

He tilted his head, as if discovering something big. “So you really are a straight guy.”

“Strange, how did my gaydar fail this time? It shouldn’t have. The way you act with Jiao Wangshu, I thought you were 100% into men.”

This outburst shocked Ling Tinglan even more. He was 100% into men, because he used to be a straight girl attracted to men! But he couldn’t say that; then he’d be not just a ‘suspected gay guy’ but a ‘suspected gender-dysphoric gay guy.’ Either way, he was a gay guy now…

Seeing Ling’s face turn red and pale as he stammered, Su grew more certain.

“Oh, I get it. I was right—you do like men.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. It’s the modern age; everyone is open-minded. Actually, you’re very common in this circle. Many of my friends are the same.”

Su continued, “And rest assured, I’m a straight guy. If we sell a bromance, I won’t have any ulterior motives.”

Ling Tinglan was silent. Ling Tinglan was speechless. Ling Tinglan decided to skip this topic.

“Actually… I just don’t understand. You and Ji Yan already have such a popular CP. Why look for someone else? And if you want to, why not pick a more popular partner? Why me?”

Su Xingran rolled his eyes dramatically. “Because he’s too popular.”

He pointed at his own face. “Look at my looks. Most of my fans are ‘reverse-gender’ shippers—basically the bottom’s mommies in CPs.

To convert them into my solo fans and strengthen my fanbase, I can’t tie myself to Ji Yan alone.

Ji Yan is handsome and talented. If I bind myself to him, all those CP fans would lean toward him, and I’d become just a CP accessory.”

“In short, my female solo fans love seeing me as a ‘universal golden flower’—the ultimate partner who can be shipped with anyone. The more partners, the better my appeal. I can pick up CPs anywhere.

I’m not stupid enough to lock myself with Ji Yan. Otherwise, his rabid solo-stans and CP shippers would skin me alive.”

Having vented, Su suddenly remembered something and kindly added, “By the way, Jiao Wangshu is the same type as me—a ‘golden flower.’ For his own development, he shouldn’t be tied to you either.

I’ve secretly checked the forums; recently there’s been some spark between him and Ji Yan. Consider my offer—it’s all benefits for you…”

Hearing this, Ling Tinglan completely broke down. What was all this?

“What spark! There’s no spark! Jiao Wangshu only sells CP with me, okay!”

And you call yourself a straight guy?!

Su Xingran’s expression became even more meaningful. “See, you’re getting defensive. I’m not trying to break you two up—I’m here to join you.

You and Jiao Wangshu can keep doing your CP. Just interact with me occasionally. Our audiences are different. We’ll each attract fans by our own ability. It’s a win-win!”

Objectively, Su’s proposal made sense. Everyone was just plastic colleagues. Even trainees from the same company would backstab each other under contract pressure.

A deeply bound CP was especially dangerous—you never know when one half might collapse. Then you have to cut ties and claim you were just colleagues, which sounds ridiculous compared to the earlier obsessive shipping.

Plus, everyone had different tastes. More CPs meant more possibilities. Any other trainee would jump at such an opportunity. Su never expected Ling Tinglan to refuse.

But he couldn’t blame him. Su could never imagine that someone could find a CP partner who would never betray them.

After all, the bizarre event of both Ling Tinglan and Jiao Wangshu turning from female to male and crossing into a parallel world had actually happened. Not to mention a relationship scandal—even if they got married right now, they wouldn’t bat an eye.

Hooking up with your bestie for a lifetime of luxury? That’s perfect.