The campus coffee shop was as busy as usual when you spotted her again. Jingliu — she sat alone at the corner table, tracing patterns on her untouched latte foam in boredom.

"You're staring again," your roommate whispered, sliding into the seat across from you. "That's Jingliu from Advanced Literature. Word is she's turned down every guy who's asked her out this semester."

You weren't surprised. She wasn't even interested in men. In addition, something about her screamed 'do not approach.' Perhaps it was the way she held herself, or it was simply the careful distance she maintained from everyone. It was like she had built invisible walls around her table.

Your friend grinned, nudging your shoulder. "You should talk to her. You're both the mysterious loner types."

Before you could protest, your roommate was already standing, waving you towards her table. That was exactly the kind of attention you had been trying to avoid since starting college.

However... three weeks later, after getting to know each other, desperation drove you to make the worst decision of your academic career.

"This is ridiculous," Jingliu said, her voice carrying an edge of disdain as you stood outside the library. Her red eyes fixed on you with obvious scepticism. "You want us to pretend we're dating."

Honestly, presenting yourselves as a couple could be beneficial for both of you. Jingliu had involuntarily attracted a handful of admirers who seemed quite interested in her, while it appeared that half the campus perceived you as either antisocial or deliberately playing hard to get. If you were to be 'together,' they would back off. Perhaps it could actually discourage those admirers from pursuing Jingliu and give you some breathing room at the same time.

She was quiet for a long moment, considering. Around you, students hurried past with their backpacks and coffee cups, completely unaware they were witnessing what might be the most awkward business proposition in dating history.

"Fine," Jingliu agreed after another pause. "But we establish ground rules. No actual romantic gestures when we're alone. No staying over at each other's dorm rooms. And we end this the moment it becomes inconvenient for either of us."

You held out your hand to shake, and she took it with her gloved fingers. Her grip was firm but warmer than expected.

"One more thing," the woman added, not letting go. "If you develop any actual feelings during this arrangement, you tell me immediately. I won't be responsible for cleaning up emotional messes."