As for how I perceive the two's relationship, it really is how the author put it on the summary page. This is a comedy of miscommunication. Nothing out of their mouth's should be taken at face value.

Zhao Gongzi is crazy in love with the MC, and the MC is very, very in love with Zhao Gongzi.

The way I see it, is that they both see each other as needing the other's protection, and see the other as cute and a fool (cute morons...).

And they're both wrong and right. Zhao Gongzi thinks that MC needs his protection and stuff, and that he's be hopeless without him (cowardly, alone, pitiful, clumsy, easy to take advantage of by others, likes being proper and fussy, etc). And the MC loves teasing Zhao Gongzi, sees him as a spoiled young master, who keeps getting scammed out of money, who has (basically) no friends, who's dumb (academically), etc, etc. And those are indeed parts of them, but when they are alone they are both quite capable and smart +know more than they let on. Really, I always get surprised at Zhao Gongzi's perceptiveness.

In any case, they both like to provide for each other and protect each other.

Qiu Yixin (MC) likes to tease Zhao Gongzi and Zhao Gongzi likes to.... gruffly shout his worry and concern and be teased (I mean... his temper is 'short'... but it's really actually pretty good? In a strange way he doesn't exactly get actually too angry and is always keeps it together?? He just has brief, daily bursts of temper like little wisps of hot steam. But he never boils over.)

Qiu Yixin really really likes teasing Zhao Gongzi hhhh. And being dramatic, under a guise of gentlemanly cool. And it's only with Zhao Gongzi that he can let go and be childish, be mean, be impolite... be freely himself without caring about being annoying or improper.

As a servant and orphan that was basically a bought and sold s*ave that exchanged hands, Yixin had to always be well behaved and 'know his place'. But with Zhao Long, he doesn't need to care about that (mostly) and is (relatively) secure in the knowledge that Zhao Long will always love him and want him by his side.

Also, another glimpse into their personalities and relationship is their wills. Both wish that they other lives long and a good life if they die early/before the other. They're both quite realistic and don't say something like, my love has to die with me.

And honestly, while the ML is pretty good and doesn't actually mean the harsh words he says, sometimes it really hurts to read what he says to the MC. What hurts me more is how everyone treats the MC. It hurts so much in such a painful and dull way.

Qiu Yixin spent the first arc framing Zhao Long as someone who trapped him in an unwanted marriage, while mocking Zhao Long's overly possessive nature as hypocritical due to his supposed "extramarital" affairs. He also implied that ZL stole his dog, and threatened ab*se on the dog every now and then for leverage.

But then you hit around chapter 10-12, and you can pick up bits and pieces. First off, the dog's fine. ZL's the one taking care of it every day, while QYX lost interest in being responsible after the first two days. Moreover, QYX's the one that initiated their physical relationship, all the while hinting to ZL that he's interested in other men. There's the subtle possibility that he does so for attention (hinted by San Ge & Jin Xian'er). If anything, QYX's dedicated to ZL, but his insecurity over his own social standing clouded their relationship. Well that, and ZL's a sloppy, leech of a man who only has money and social status going for him.

But throughout their life, QYX cooked up the schemes while ZL got in trouble for them. If anything, most of their relationship problems came from ML's convoluted mess of a family. Though ZL could seriously benefit from a communications counselor.

who started their relationship but like 80% of the story, he’s like ‘I don’t like ML’ ‘I’m being forced to be with him cause I’m scared of his dad’ and it kinda irritates me because the ML really likes him and I wish he wouldn’t say he’s being forced

and as you read further, you'll realize that QYX is self aware that hes manipulating the first arc's narration and ZL knows that his outburst will annoy the hell out of QYX. Both the leads are so f*cking dramatic and they quarrel all the time about the most minor of things lol. The dad is bad.

1. Although adopted, all siblings of Xiao Long is loving and kind to Yixin.

2. Xiao Long when being beaten did not hesitate to protect Yixin (also did not hesitate to choose to marry Yixin)

3. In his will Xiao Long mentioned that Yixin cannot die before the age of 80. Not the typical overbearing ML u see where they want MC to follow them. I guess this speaks volumes of what he truly feels. He'd rather wait for a ripe time to reunite with MC than wish for his death.