I Failed to Win Over My Cold Master, but He Won Me Over Instead

[Two male leads × three lifetimes × mild angst]

Adorable, scheming disciple's descendant × cold, devoted patriarch

That year, snow fell thickly, turning everything white.

[Host, please win over the second male lead]

I refuse.

[Complete the task, and you'll receive 300 million dollars and a ticket home]

It's not about the money. Society has taught me to be helpful.

Yan Yunli approached Wen Jinghe under a false identity. He'd thought their meeting would be a graceful encounter at just the right moment, but who could have expected it to be so rushed and awkward?

Golden sunlight spilled through the woods and fell on Wen Jinghe as he walked among the trees.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in his path.

Yan Yunli was battered and wounded. He turned to face the boy, whose cheeks had reddened with fear.

H-hello.

...Yan Yunli couldn't hold on. He promptly hit the ground and passed out.

At first:

Win Wen Jinghe over quickly, then erase his memories before leaving.

Later:

Wen Jinghe, I like you. Will you become my cultivation partner?

He realized that he'd fallen too deeply to pull himself free. Yan Yunli buried his face in Wen Jinghe's shoulder and wrapped his arms around his waist from behind.

All right.

Then one day, his identity was exposed.

Shi Qingyou? Or should I call you Yan Yunli? Patriarch?

I'm sorry.

You approached me from the very beginning... just to... use me?

Explain yourself! Why... won't you explain? "Sob"

I'm sorry.

System, I... I'm not going back. I'm all alone in the modern world, but here, there's someone who has eyes only for me.

[...]

From now on... Yan Yunli belongs only to you, Wen Jinghe.

Don't lie to me! If you deceive me again... we'll never see each other for all eternity!

All right. I won't lie.

Yan Yunli... why did you lie to me again?

I've forgiven you. We won't be apart forever. What if... we meet in every lifetime to come?

Yan Yunli, I love you, and I hate you.