*
The precious third young master of the Song family dies suddenly.
When he wakes, he learns that his parents from his previous life have happily reunited with their long-lost biological son, who was switched at birth.
So it turns out he's a fake young master, struggling to survive in the slums.
Question: What's it like to fall from the clouds into the mud overnight?
Song Ji: ...Thanks for asking. I'm numb.
*
Lu Lingzhou, a two-time Best Actor, sees his career plummet and his reputation ruined after a scandal that nearly destroys him.
Then one day, he accepts an offer to appear on a charity reality show.
With nowhere left to turn, the once-famous actor seizes his last chance to get back in the spotlight, determined to turn things around.
During filming, Actor Lu spots a shabby-looking poor man beneath an overpass. He steels himself and approaches. "Boss, need a hand?"
The poor little shop owner glances at him. "Screen protectors, 20. Privacy screens, 40. No refunds or exchanges."
After the show airs, the overpass screen-protector duo becomes a sensation, and Lu Lingzhou decides to keep things going and make a comeback against all odds.
Lu Lingzhou: "Hey, you see..."
Song Ji produces a bill and a payment QR code, his expression unchanged. "Taking a photo, 500. Posting a promotional update on Weibo, 1,000. Posting on Moments, 2,000. Anything outside my services costs extra."
Lu Lingzhou: "...Okay. Sure. Fine."
Lu Lingzhou asks him to visit the set.
Song Ji, expression unchanged: "Sure. That'll cost extra."
Lu Lingzhou wants to take him to an event.
Song Ji considers it, then holds out his hand. "Sure, but that'll cost extra."
Finally, Lu Lingzhou can't take it anymore. He lays out a list of his assets in front of Song Ji. "Marry me? You can have all of this."
Song Ji slowly reads through the list and raises a delicate eyebrow. "Sure, but..."
Lu Lingzhou cuts him off without hesitation. "It'll cost extra, right? Here's everything I own. You decide."
Song Ji gives him a critical once-over. "I'm afraid this time it'll cost quite a lot, Actor Lu. This might not be enough..."
Lu Lingzhou: "Would adding me be enough?"
Song Ji, now a real young master again, a penny-pincher and loaded beyond belief: "? Are you telling me what to do?"
Rags-to-riches, talented actor top & proud young master bottom, reborn as a disabled pauper
Also known as Reborn and Starting from Zero, My Fake Couple Became Real, and Constantly Switching Between Fake and Real Young Master
[Reading Guide and Content Warnings]:
1. The top has never done anything bad and is completely innocent.
2. The bottom is disabled and in poor health. His condition improves later, but he will not walk again.
3. The bottom really is poor at the beginning.
4. Same-sex marriage is legal in this setting.
5. The story tries to follow medical reality, but the plot comes first.
6. This novel was written by the author's cat.
Theme: Overcome physical disability with determination and work hard to build a prosperous life.
