Surviving Under the Tyrant

[Scheming, Cunning, Black-Bellied Tyrant Gong vs. Clever, Sly, Righteous Puppy Shou]

Ming Shuangzhou is the fourth son of the Grand Tutor's family. One day, he happens to rescue a strange red bird. That night, the bird appears in his dream and tells him that in a year, the entire Ming family will be executed, not a single person spared.

To repay him, the bird magnanimously offers to send him into another body, one that will make it easier to get close to the emperor and uncover the truth.

Ming Shuangzhou sneers.

The current emperor is a notorious tyrant!

Does this bird take him for a fool?

One day, his soul transmigrates into the body of the emperor's personally appointed top scholar.

The tyrant's reputation is well deserved. Every three days he grows suspicious, and every five days he puts Ming Shuangzhou in his place. Ming Shuangzhou may know nothing else, but he's become increasingly adept at dropping to his knees and begging forgiveness.

As the only person who can soothe the tyrant with ease, Ming Shuangzhou keeps his achievements discreet, waving his hand in public. "A mere little tyrant? I've got him wrapped around my finger."

In private, he wipes away the bitter tears brought on by all that kneeling.

Unfortunately, Ming Shuangzhou is far too naive, actually entertaining the impossible idea of changing a ruthless tyrant who kills without hesitation.

This is Yu Zhao, who ascended the throne at eighteen, executed the Noble Consort and exiled a prince, and drenched the palace hall in the blood of countless officials.

The order to confiscate the Ming family estate hits Ming Shuangzhou like a bolt from the blue.

He begs for mercy with all his might, only to hear: "If you bring this up again, my dear minister, I'll kill you too."

Now there's no hope of saving them. With his heart turned to ash, Ming Shuangzhou accepts a mission no one else wants: to bring the rebels into the fold.

If they can't survive, then the whole family might as well go together.

But he never expected that, when he no longer wanted to live, Yu Zhao would refuse to let him die.

Ming Shuangzhou: Seriously, is Yu Zhao crazy?

1. Before Shou fakes his death, the two haven't confirmed their relationship.

2. Gong has always loved Shou's soul and personality, not his appearance. The two protagonists are assumed to be the most handsome.

3. No heart-wrenching angst. Shou returns immediately after faking his death.

Check out my upcoming novel, My Target's Character Has Collapsed!

Synopsis:

[Black-Bellied, Unhinged, Sharp-Tongued Gong x Self-Aware Gay Comedian Shou]

Is there anything more tragic than living alone for twenty years, then getting hit by a car on the very day you win five million in the lottery?

Ning Shuangyu raises his hand: Finding out after you die that you're the only heir to a billionaire family, missing for years!

Ning Shuangyu: QAQ

Perhaps even Heaven couldn't bear to see this. A glowing orb calling itself the System came to him.

System: Want to stay alive? Bind yourself to me first! Win over your sunny childhood friend and keep the story moving. Put up with some humiliation now in exchange for a healthy life forever!

Ning Shuangyu went for it.

But Yu Zhijie was gloomy and taciturn, and his occasional remarks could infuriate anyone. The way he looked at Ning Shuangyu seemed more like he was settling an old score. He was nothing like the sunny, cheerful person the System had described.

Ning Shuangyu gritted his teeth. Liar!

Until... Ning Shuangyu followed the plot and climbed onto a rooftop. His legs trembling, he delivered the line: "If you won't accept my confession, I'll jump!"

He thought his straight childhood friend would look torn and anguished. Instead, Yu Zhijie calmly walked over, wrapped his arms around Ning Shuangyu, and jumped with him.

Ning Shuangyu was stunned when they landed on the air cushion.

The character's changed, fine, but now the plot's getting rewritten too? This is a workplace injury! He wants to file a workplace injury claim!

Later... Ning Shuangyu stared wide-eyed. Was this really Yu Zhijie, the one who'd just put a skirt in his hands of his own accord?

He's a grown man... Fine, the original body seems to have been a sissy, but he isn't!

Feeling a shiver as fingers caressed his skin, Ning Shuangyu was close to tears.

When the System happily returned to check on the small world, the alarm on its scanner was deafening. It circled the two of them again and again as rows of gibberish appeared on its screen.

A tall, broad-shouldered man held the completely unguarded boy, who was engrossed in a video game, in his arms. His eyes held an obsessive possessiveness that could not be erased.

The System let out a piercing shriek. This was definitely not the original Yu Zhijie!

The next second, the man lifted his eyelids and fixed his gaze on the System in the air, narrowing his eyes.

The System trembled. Host, we need to run...

Gong's perspective:

Yu Zhijie's past life had been a complete mess. He had passed the imperial examinations, plotted a rebellion, and killed people. Given the chance, he would have gladly destroyed the whole world.

So the instant a rift in time and space appeared, he jumped into the unknown without a backward glance.

Fortunately, Heaven showed him mercy.

This time, he would never let the other person go again. What did dignity and wealth matter? As long as he could earn their sympathy and affection...

Yu Zhijie was willing to hide every cruel and wretched part of himself and become a wolf in dog's clothing.

Reading guide: 1v1 | HE | Comedy with a touch of madness | Gong goes crazy before the System does | Shou is a self-aware gay comedian

Theme: Duty to one's country and people