The Substitute Cannon Fodder Gets Promoted

[This is a sweet little romance, and the story is complete!

My next danmei novel will be Transmigrating into a Book, I Became the Funny Guy. Please add it to your favorites!]

Xie Mingzhu has been blind since childhood. Abandoned and nearly frozen to death, he was rescued by an elderly craftsman who made bamboo mats.

From then on, he learned the craft from the old man, selling bamboo grasshopper figurines and small bamboo carvings.

The old man spent much of his savings to send him to a school for the blind, but one winter night he suddenly fell ill.

Just as Xie Mingzhu was frantic with worry over raising money for treatment, a wealthy family came to their door. They said they would send the old man to the best hospital.

The price was that Xie Mingzhu had to win over the Liang family's second young master.

Only then did Xie Mingzhu learn that he looked a lot like the person Liang Second Young Master had always loved. He was being sent to serve as a substitute.

But contrary to the rumors that he was cold and heartless, Liang Second Young Master became the only person to reach out and help Xie Mingzhu when he was sinking into the mire.

Liang Second Young Master treated him gently, praised his craftsmanship, and even helped him draw designs for bamboo carvings.

He also took him to get treatment for his eyes and stood up to the people who had wronged him.

Xie Mingzhu kept reminding himself that he had no right to these moments of warmth.

He was only a substitute, and had no right to hope for more.

But even so, the longing in his heart kept growing wildly.

Until one day, Liang Second Young Master's friends teased him, asking whether he planned to stay unmarried for the rest of his life.

Hearing this, Xie Mingzhu, who was there, felt as if his heart had been cut in two. He knew Mr. Liang had been "saving himself" for the person he loved.

But Liang Second Young Master laughed and replied, "That depends on when Xiao Zhuzi is willing to give me a title."

Xie Mingzhu: !!

Reading Guide

1. A fake-substitute story. The top has no unrequited love for anyone.

2. A sweet romance, both are each other's first.

3. The bottom (Xie Mingzhu) is a bamboo-carving craftsman, and the top (Liang Yubai) is a designer.

Content warning: This story includes many details made up by the author, such as assistive devices for the blind, schools for the blind, and the characters' drawing and sensory abilities. Some details do not reflect reality, so please keep that in mind.

-- Next danmei novel, Transmigrating into a Book, I Became the Funny Guy --

If you're interested, please add it to your favorites. Here's the blurb:

Wei Mingjue transmigrates into a danmei novel about a real and a fake young master, becoming the fake young master who serves as cannon fodder.

In the original story, the real young master is the protagonist top, a cool, aloof academic star adored by everyone. The fake young master, meanwhile, is spoiled and arrogant, useless at everything, and acts like a rich second-generation heir all day.

He constantly targets Lin Yunmo, the real young master who was taken back by his family, and does all sorts of stupid things. He even becomes a criminal, meeting a miserable end: hated by everyone, kicked out of the family, and sent to prison.

Wei Mingjue: ?

Legal-knowledge whiz Wei Mingjue: No way!

The moment he sees Lin Yunmo.

Wei Mingjue: *heavy breathing*

The original novel never said the real young master had the face of my dreams!!!

Wei Mingjue smiles warmly: "Hello. We're family from now on."

And so, Wei Mingjue wipes away his drool and begins the long process of winning Lin Yunmo's favor.

He brings Lin Yunmo an umbrella when it rains.

He clumsily peels fruit for Lin Yunmo.

When Lin Yunmo's adoptive parents come to the school and make trouble, Wei Mingjue bravely steps in front of him.

But no matter what he does, Lin Yunmo remains cold and distant toward him.

Until one day, Wei Mingjue, feeling down in the middle of the night, mutters to himself: "I'm done being a simp. Let's part on good terms."

A cool, melodious voice comes from outside the door: "Who are you parting on good terms with?"

Reading Guide: A 1v1 sweet transmigration-into-a-book romance. They only have eyes for each other. A cool beauty of a top x an optimistic, easygoing bottom.

Theme: Keep hope alive even in adversity.