A Swan Goose Treads the Snow

[Don't start reading yet. I don't know when I'll finish writing this.] Jiang Lai transmigrated into a book and spent three years as a powerful, corrupt official. Then a flood put an end to his crooked career. As he was about to drown, Jiang Lai grabbed the hand of Xie Yuzhe, the male lead of the book. They'd been enemies for three years, and Jiang Lai had managed to go from a minor cannon-fodder character to a major villain. Since he was about to exit the story, he naturally had to leave with a suitably cool parting line. So, faced with the choice of dragging the male lead down with him or giving him a chance to survive, Jiang Lai made the dashing choice to save him. With sincere affection and a heartfelt gaze, he wished Xie Yuzhe a brilliant future, then died spectacularly in the flood. Jiang Lai: Male lead, wasn't I so cool? He never expected the System to give him another chance to be reborn. This time, he was determined to fight the male lead to the bitter end. But time had passed, and everything had changed. As soon as Jiang Lai was reborn, he heard that Xie Yuzhe, who was supposed to have risen to great heights, had actually petitioned the emperor for an edict to marry Jiang Lai's memorial tablet. He even wore mourning clothes and prayed every day. Jiang Lai: Male lead, are you seriously crazy? Later, as Jiang Lai purged corrupt officials, cleaned up the court, reclaimed lost territory, and ascended the throne, that lunatic was always standing behind him. Jiang Lai: Hehe, good thing he's crazy. I like lovesick fools best. * Xie Yuzhe had always believed Jiang Lai's affection was genuine when he sacrificed himself to save him that day. Who in their right mind would save their sworn enemy, then tearfully wish him a bright future, unless they were trying to show off? He must have been secretly in love with him. Jiang Lai, you hide your love too well. Luckily, I'm clever enough to see right through it. * A clever, considerate gong who outsmarts himself * A shou who's focused on his career and somehow ends up with a man Theme: Persevere through hardship, and when the sand is blown away, the gold will be revealed