Malik told Now that he doesn't understand why people seem to want the couple to split.
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"We have a lot of trust and understanding between us. I think that's why our relationship works."
He continued: "Perrie has a lot of trust in me and I have a lot of trust in her. That's why it works."
The 19-year-old added that the pair understand the pressure of working in the music business because of their busy schedules.
"Our jobs are full-on every single hour of the day. She gets that because she has to do exactly the same thing."
[Perrie with Zayn's family]
Addressing those who appear to want the pair to break up, Malik said: "I guess there's a sense of jealousy because I have a girlfriend now while I was a bit of a 'bad boy' before."
One Direction and Little Mix are both presenting charity radio shows this month in aid of Capital FM's Help a Capital Child appeal weekend.
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