This Rebirth Seems a Little Off

Blurb:

Jiang Xingye was reborn.

His final memories were of his childhood friend's damp, cold hair brushing his cheek, an embrace that was both familiar and strange, and the harsh scraping sound and thud of something heavy hitting the ground, echoing through the night.

When he opened his eyes again, Jiang Xingye was back in kindergarten.

Starting over, he vowed to reclaim everything that belonged to him. On the outside, he was a child, but inside, he claimed, he had the soul of an adult.

He would study hard and start building up work experience from a young age, so he could land an irresistible job offer after graduating from university, with twenty years of work experience under his belt.

A permanent position after six months, an award for outstanding performance after a year, a promotion after two years. He'd become a successful man who lived for his career...

Lu Zhiheng, the childhood friend who had also been reborn: I believe you can do it, Xiao Ye. (Applause.jpg)

Jiang Xingye stood on a rock, enthusiastically looking to the future. He turned around, deeply moved, and looked at Lu Zhiheng. "Thanks, buddy! When I make it big, I won't forget you. I'll look after you in the future."

Lu Zhiheng's bright black eyes were fixed on Jiang Xingye. His expression was exceptionally serious. "Mm. We'll always be together in the future."

Jiang Xingye had a vague feeling that something was off, but couldn't say what. ...

Later, after his childhood friend confessed to him, Jiang Xingye, a straight man by his own account, suddenly realized that something was off about the world he'd been reborn into.

His teacher wanted to cultivate immortality.

His dad might transmigrate to another world.

His uncle was a stepping-stone villain in a story about an overpowered hero.

His friend was a magical girl who dressed as a woman.

He also seemed to have caught the quiet attention of the authorities...

Immortals are as numerous as the stars. What greater calamity could be waiting for him? What else could there be?!

He was getting a marriage proposal from his best friend.

In this life, same-sex marriage was legal.

Only when Jiang Xingye, dressed in formalwear, walked hand in hand with his "buddy" Lu Zhiheng into the marriage hall did he finally snap out of it.

Buddy, we're buddies!

Buddies can't become wives!

Buddy, wait, you're not the wife.

Buddy, wait... How did I become your wife?!

*

In his previous life, Jiang Xingye grew up to be "manly" and "masculine," just as his mother had hoped.

He worked out, respected women, worked hard, bought a house and a car, and took on family responsibilities early. He lived as a "normal" man.

But when the time came to get married, he couldn't take another step forward.

Once he was over thirty, the only unmarried friend he had left was his childhood friend, Lu Zhiheng.

At the time, Jiang Xingye didn't know what that companionship meant. He only knew that Lu Zhiheng's eyes always held warmth and focus when he looked at him.

Steady and quiet, Lu Zhiheng walked by Jiang Xingye's side.

Perhaps they would go on like this until the end of their lives.

Jiang Xingye would always be a "normal" man, and Lu Zhiheng would be his closest, most dependable childhood friend.

That would be nice, too.

[Stubborn, reborn straight man by his own account, the one who receives love x Steady, gentle, protective one who gives it]

When social conventions no longer veil your eyes, can you recognize the feelings that are truly yours?

① One-on-one romance, each other's first love, no third parties involved before or after the rebirth, childhood sweethearts, only the one who receives love is reborn, happy ending.

② The one who receives love already liked the one who gives it in his previous life, but his upbringing and social pressure kept him from facing his feelings. The one who gives love understood his struggle and quietly protected him. After the rebirth, with social conventions no longer in the way, he patiently wins him over, and the couple lives happily ever after.

③ Apart from same-sex marriage being legal, other things are also off about the world after the rebirth. After all, he was reborn, too. (Laughs)

④ Mostly everyday life. My take on everyday life.

⑤ More to be added if I think of anything.

Theme: Don't be afraid. Love bravely.