I Haven't Been a Stand-In for Years

[Major warning: the writing falls apart, so reading is not recommended! Not recommended! Not recommended! Don't read it! (Seriously)]

*Blurb: [Not a revenge-and-payback power fantasy! A fake scumbag's path to redemption, focused on romance. If you want to see someone get what they deserve, move along. This is my second, still-rough work, so please go easy on me~]

Kong Miaohe transmigrates into an ancient-style melodramatic novel as a substitute for the one true love cherished by the male lead, Prince Yi Yan Zizhan.

He rescues her from a slave trader, then dresses and disciplines her according to the beloved's every preference.

He even forbids her from doing anything that would contradict the beloved's personality.

He often raises his phoenix eyes slightly and pinches her chin. "Don't cry. If you do, you won't look like her anymore."

She neither cries nor makes a scene. Instead, she humors Yan Zizhan and puts on a show of undying devotion.

But on the day Yan Zizhan chooses, the birthday of his beloved, to marry her, she drugs him.

Then, right in front of him, she takes off her wedding dress and removes her hairpins. She even walks up and strokes his face.

Yan Zizhan's gaze darkens. "You're leaving? Why?"

At last, the long-awaited moment arrives for Kong Miaohe.

She hops onto the windowsill and smiles brightly. "Because, my lord, I stopped being a substitute years ago."

[ I love you. Just kidding ] Black-lotus Kong Miaohe x utterly unscrupulous, possessive prince Yan Zizhan

Reader's guide:

1. She really is a substitute, but there's a misunderstanding. The blurb isn't the whole story. There's a redemption arc. It's just a story, so don't read too much into its morals. If you drop it, don't tell me.

2. Those who demand historical accuracy, don't read. Nitpickers, go away. I welcome kind corrections, but don't attack me personally.

3. Both leads are each other's first and only; happy ending.

----Blurb for the next modern romance, Crossing the Line-----

[Gentle jewelry designer Cen Chuyu x proud, spoiled young master Xu Zhuo]

In the second year of Cen Chuyu's marriage to Xu Zhuo, she could count the number of times they saw each other on her fingers.

So, at Xu Zhuo's birthday party,

Xu Zhuo appeared in a perfectly tailored suit, walking toward the guests with a charming young woman on his arm.

Everyone held their breath, watching Cen Chuyu's reaction.

Cen Chuyu merely took a slow sip of wine, her expression unchanged, and asked Zhan Yin beside her, "A Yin, is that Pulcher's new collection?"

Everyone: ...

When Xu Zhuo finally reached Cen Chuyu with his female companion,

she held them back.

Everyone held their breath again.

Cen Chuyu stood with effortless grace and smiled, glancing at the woman beside Xu Zhuo.

"Be careful tonight, okay?"

"Then I'll go stay at Qianhai and give you two some room."

Everyone: ...?

Later, beneath swaying lights and in the dim shadows, no one noticed

Xu Zhuo grip Cen Chuyu's wrist and whisper in her ear, "Should I remind you that one of your titles is Mrs. Xu?"

Cen Chuyu didn't pull away. Instead, a smile curved her lips.

"Then should I remind Mr. Xu..."

"That this marriage ends in a year?"

After the birthday party, his female companion walked up beside Xu Zhuo, smiling innocently.

"Hey, bro, your wife doesn't seem to care about you much."

Xu Zhuo crushed the glowing tip of his cigarette. Irritated, he raked a hand through his fringe, exasperated.

"Shut up."

Like I need you to remind me?

I'm already annoyed : (

[Thinks she's kept her promise without crossing a line once, Cen Chuyu x Can't figure out what he has to do to get his wife to cross the line, Xu Zhuo]

Reader's guide:

1. Marriage of convenience, romance after marriage, one-on-one, both leads are each other's first and only.

2. I welcome kind corrections, but don't attack me personally.

Theme: Remember your original aspirations and stay clear-headed at all times.