Why Doesn't the Demon Lord Follow the Script?

[Subverting the usual tropes | Transmigrate into a book | Reborn with mind-reading | Mutual conquest | Scheming CEO top x goofy, theatrical bottom]

Bai Muze was a seasoned modern-day wage slave who transmigrated into an angsty romance novel as the Demon Lord's disposable substitute and spy.

Bai Muze was at a loss: he was forced to get into a relationship, and from the start, he was playing a doomed extra.

System: Don't worry, Host! Master the rules of romance and no conquest target is out of your reach!

Bai Muze followed the System's old-school romance tropes to the letter, copying every move and falling into every trap.

He read through every romance guidebook until his eyes crossed, then wailed, "Why won't the Demon Lord follow the script?!"

He thought his acting was flawless, but as he played his role, things gradually spiraled out of control.

Why was it that every time he flirted according to the rules and tried to run, the cold and ruthless Demon Lord would drag him back with a dark look and force him to see the "act" through?!

Everyone knew that Demon Lord Mo Jingxuan was cold-blooded and murderous. What they didn't know was that he had been reborn with his memories from his past life and the ability to read minds.

He watched Bai Muze go through the motions, awkwardly trying to win him over with outdated romance tropes, while inwardly complaining that he was a "clueless, neurotic boss."

In this cold, calculating world, where everyone respected and feared him, only this little ham was completely transparent inside, no matter how hard he tried to act.

A dull demonic life that should have been all ruin and destruction suddenly became a lot more entertaining.

Then, without even realizing it, this little drama queen broke through his long-dead defenses with sheer, clumsy audacity.

Mo Jingxuan wasn't content to remain a spectator anymore.

He started joining the game himself, even giving his little ham a helping hand and turning their "playacting" into real feelings.

Bai Muze read through the guidebooks until he finally gave up. "I'm done! These tropes are all lies. You're completely impossible to win over!"

Mo Jingxuan tightened his fingers around his wrist and pinned him to the gilded throne. His blood-red eyes were full of deep, possessive tenderness.

"Who says I'm impossible to win over? I took every scene you acted as the truth."

He held the back of his neck and kissed his incessantly chattering lips.

"Other people taught you how to seduce me by following the rules. But I... only want you to fall into my trap for real."

[Pairing] Reborn mind-reader, trope-subverting Demon Lord top x transmigrated-into-a-book, System-equipped, hardworking little drama queen bottom

[Reading guide]

1. One-on-one, mutually faithful, happy ending. A lighthearted, funny romance full of playful push and pull, with a mysterious, mildly suspenseful plot.

2. Winning someone over by following old-school romance tropes, only to have the tropes turned against you, is the central hook. The main plot is a suspenseful xianxia story and romantic comedy. The first half focuses more on romance, the second more on plot.

3. A mutual conquest that goes from tropes to sincerity:

The bottom is a slacking-off, survival-minded actor who loves putting on a show. The top goes from watching for fun to making the act real. The System lends a hand, but does not constantly force him to complete conquest tasks.

Theme: Tropes can be copied, but feelings can't be faked.