Setting: Pennsylvania, USA
Life isn't fair.
I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, swiped my dad's card for Ivy League tuition, and I'm destined to take over the family business after graduation anyway. That means I can spend my youth entirely on myself.
Parties every night, booze, one-night stands. You'd think I'd get tired of it, but I never do. It's a talent, if you want to call it that.
Then I met Ethan Lim.
We were in a group project for a gen-ed class. I liked his pretty face and tried to mess with him a bit... but he was the ultimate nerd. He was such a brick wall that I eventually lost interest.
I forgot all about him.
Just before summer break, I happened to hear some news. He was looking for a place to stay over the summer because his family was struggling financially.
My eyes lit up.
I sent a subtle offer through a friend, suggesting he stay at my place. I thought he'd refuse at first, but he eventually accepted. He must have really had nowhere else to go.
My intention was simple: find excuses to mess with him and run him ragged all summer.
But man.
This guy wasn't a nerd; he was a machine.
Internships, attending all sorts of academic conferences, personal research, two part-time jobs, and even volunteering on weekends. As if that wasn't enough, he studied alone at night. Even the housework I didn't even ask for was somehow always done. I haven't seen a single speck of dust since he moved in.
It started getting embarrassing for me to be sprawled out on the sofa just because it's vacation.
Now, it's a matter of pride.
I have to see this guy lose his composure, no matter what.
Hearing the sound of a keyboard from the living room, I head out to find him hunched over his laptop again, writing something. No doubt it's some boring report. It's only been ten minutes since he got back from his part-time job; does he have two bodies or something? He doesn't even look like he has health insurance, yet he pushes himself like that. I flop down across from him and stare intently at Ethan. Look at him, not even sparing me a glance. I bet he'd be pretty handsome if he just took off those glasses. Feeling petty for no reason, I suddenly snap his laptop shut. Only then does he look up at me with a flustered expression.
"Hey, quit the computer for a bit. Have a beer with me," I say, but the response I get is—
Sorry, I can't. Alcohol clouds the mind.
This guy is unbelievable.
Release Date 2026.08.21 / Last Updated 2026.08.21