Which Emperor Did You Drop?

Should it be the big one, or the small one?

01

Chang Ling was cursed.

The curse was called Flower-Coughing Syndrome, and supposedly it was caused by unrequited love.

That was a real disaster, because the person Chang Ling loved was the one person he must never love: the emperor himself. To save his own life, he had no choice but to obey the suddenly appearing System and struggle through its missions.

02

One day, on his way home after work, Chang Ling encountered a brazen, reckless young man named Mu Shan Chi. Struck by his uncanny resemblance to the emperor at first glance, Chang Ling impulsively stepped in to protect him.

The youth had a temper that could be as fierce as fire one moment and as wild as a storm the next.

"You like him?" At dusk that day, the sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy saw through Chang Ling's affections. Sitting astride the wall, he laughed recklessly. "How about I help you?"

He leaped down and grabbed Chang Ling by the collar.

"The price is that you can never avoid me again."

Chang Ling shook his head, but Mu Shan Chi simply ignored him.

Worse, from that day on, the emperor, who had always been distant and cold, really did begin to show Chang Ling some concern.

It turned out the boy was no ordinary person. He was a member of the imperial family, too.

Chang Ling brought wine to visit the boy, intending to persuade him to stop doing this. But the boy just grinned and asked, "Where's my thank-you gift?"

Wine?

He said that wasn't nearly enough.

He wanted more!

03

This Flower-Coughing Syndrome, which made him cough up flowers anywhere and anytime, caused him all sorts of trouble. Not only had Chang Ling become a frail beauty in many people's eyes, he also had to deal with Mu Shan Chi's bizarre whims.

With Mu Shan Chi's "help," Chang Ling's peaceful life turned upside down. Though he resembled the emperor, his personality was completely different: unrestrained, willful, arrogant, and reckless, like a blade with its edge bared.

And His Majesty?

He must be a boulder, Chang Ling thought. A boulder hard as iron and cold as ice, impossible for anyone to move.

Only now did Chang Ling realize that he had actually compared Mu Shan Chi to His Majesty, and that the petals he coughed up were changing in strange ways, as if they were gradually taking on Mu Shan Chi's colors.

04

Chang Ling felt relaxed and at ease in front of Mu Shan Chi. When he laughed, he was like a bright, clear moon.

Gong Cheng Qian had seen him relaxed and natural, and witnessed his calm, friendly manner. So when he saw Chang Ling humbly prostrate himself before him, a wicked idea took hold.

How could he?

How could that carefree, joyful side of him appear only in front of Mu Shan Chi?

Gong Cheng Qian pinched Chang Ling's chin and spoke softly. "You like me?"

Seeing Chang Ling's startled gaze, as though his every thought hung on each word Gong Cheng Qian said, he smiled with satisfaction.

Gong Cheng Qian lowered his head and breathed in the increasingly strong floral scent clinging to Chang Ling.

"Shh... I don't mind."

Don't play favorites, all right?

Even if you met the younger version of me, you should like me more, shouldn't you?

[Title of the novel is tentative]

Theme: Face difficulties with a positive attitude, work hard through every danger, and save yourself!