Rules for the Heroine in a Multiple-Love-Interest Novel

Putting up a coming-soon title, "Don't Scam Me with Love". Blurb below!

College student Xu Zhenzhen transmigrates into a romance novel where readers pick their favorite male lead, as the chosen heroine.

She has a noble background, is the daughter of the prime minister, and has a bright future ahead.

The System tells her: Find the real male lead and win his heart, and you can go home.

Xu Zhenzhen looks at the three male leads on her mission screen: the gentle Crown Prince, the arrogant general's son, and the aloof official of the Court of Judicial Review. She falls into thought.

She's... not interested in any of them!

To get home, Xu Zhenzhen diligently completes her missions and works hard to win over all three male leads.

During her efforts, she makes a deal with the mysterious, highly skilled guard at her side. They each get what they need: Xu Zhenzhen will help him find something he wants, and he will keep an eye on the three men's movements for her.

It was only a relationship of mutual benefit.

But as the three male leads' affection levels keep rising, the guard gets fed up.

He asks with a cold laugh, "What do you even see in them? I'm better than they are. Why can't you like me?"

Pinned against a wall by him, Xu Zhenzhen answers earnestly, "I can't like you."

The guard: ...

If you're going to make up a lie, at least make it convincing.

*

Xu Zhenzhen is telling the truth. She can't like him.

She's the heroine, so she can only like the real male lead.

But she overlooks one thing: in a novel, whoever the heroine likes is always the real male lead.

* Mild-mannered, universally adored college girl × sharp-tongued, teasing guard

* Not a pick-your-favorite-male-lead story. The guard is the male lead.

* The male lead is lovesick and wins himself over. Love triangle drama (maybe?)

* If anything doesn't make sense, just remind yourself the author is an idiot, thanks!

* Peace and love

Here is another coming-soon blurb:

Tang Yu is a gaming streamer who is good at all kinds of games. Her skills are top-tier, and her streams are always entertaining.

One day, a viewer asks in chat: [I've followed you for ages, but I've never seen you play a dating sim. When are you going to give one a try?]

The girl wearing headphones fires off a shot and wins the match. Calmly, she replies: [Men only get in the way of my gaming skills.]

Tang Yu lives by the motto "No men in your heart, and your skills will soar" and has no interest in dating sims. But the offer from the sponsor is too tempting to pass up, so she impulsively agrees to take part in a beta test.

Tang Yu confidently accepts the System's mission to win someone over.

Her target is named Xie Shijun. His character design is flawless, with a slim waist, long legs, and an air of cool nobility.

Then she sees his starting affection level: -50%.

Diagnosis confirmed: this guy hates people.

The gaming expert keeps failing at romance, and Tang Yu's competitive spirit is roused. She is determined to win Xie Shijun over.

After a long, arduous effort, her progress finally reaches 100%.

Tang Yu calls him and gets her revenge, mocking him mercilessly. "You didn't actually think I liked you, did you?"

"Let me tell you, I've been lying to you this whole time. I don't feel a thing for you."

After mocking him, she blocks and deletes him without hesitation.

Next, she'll quit the game and never see Xie Shijun again.

But the exit button suddenly stops working. Tang Yu tries everything, but can't get out.

Xie Shijun has already tracked down her location. His expression unchanged, he walks up and grabs her hand to stop her from leaving. "Why don't you say what you just said to me again?"

Tang Yu: ...

What do I do if the game's NPC has developed self-awareness and is trying to force me into a romance?!!!

* Outwardly aloof, secretly a hopeless romantic NPC male lead × skilled, free-spirited, steadfast heroine

* Both are each other's first love. There will be some forced-romance scenes, but no coercion.

* Happy ending, sweet romance. A character's values don't necessarily represent the author's.

* Peace and love

Thesis: I make my own fate.