The Reborn Heir of a Wealthy Family

[Signed for an audio drama and publication. The Macau print edition has shipped.]

When Chen Wengang was nine, his father died in the line of duty. The Jin City Zheng family took him in, and he had to live under their roof as an outsider.

His life took him from staying in a wealthy family's home to being left homeless. He fell in love with the Zheng family's eldest son, only to suffer betrayal by his lover, schemes, deception, and endless rumors.

Most of the young heirs from powerful families looked down on Chen Wengang. At the darkest point in his life, Huo Niansheng, a playboy who had once mocked him mercilessly, appeared before him and raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you always so high and mighty? How did you end up in such a state?"

Chen Wengang leaned against a wall covered in chaotic graffiti, a crumpled cigarette between his fingers, half his face marred by a hideous scar. Huo Niansheng sauntered over and borrowed a light. "If you've really got nowhere to go, why not come with me?"

Chen Wengang got into Huo Niansheng's car.

He never expected one clasp of their hands to last a lifetime.

No one knew why the shrewd Huo Niansheng was so devoted to a disfigured lover he kept in secret, caring for him tenderly and never again setting foot in the world of glittering nightlife.

Later, Huo Niansheng died in a cruise ship accident. In the letter he left Chen Wengang at the end of his life, he wrote: I never knew whether you truly loved me, even once. It's a shame I may never get the chance to find out in this lifetime.

Later still, Chen Wengang was reborn at the age of twenty.

He hadn't been disfigured yet, and there were plenty of regrets he could still set right.

There was one more thing he could do: give Huo Niansheng another chance.

My love, if only you would stop and pay attention,

you would see how deeply I love you.

Playboy top x gentle, steady bottom

Reader notes:

1. Primarily romance-focused, slice of life, one-on-one, happy ending.

2. Huo Niansheng's feelings from his previous life will be reciprocated.

[Comments on individual chapters are open. Feel free to have fun, but please don't fight!]

[I'm constantly revising. The main story has been thoroughly edited. Pirated copies have many errors and omissions and differ greatly from the official version, so I don't recommend reading them.]

Coming soon: Pillar of the Court

Feng Lianchen is executive assistant to the chairman of Tan Jewelry Group. Clearheaded and perceptive, he was promoted by the old chairman, Tan Ru, who regards him as a trusted right-hand man.

Everyone knows the Tan family has two sons, both eager to inherit the family business.

They fight for dominance, but their situations are different:

The eldest son, Tan Shizhang, is arrogant, brooding, and vindictive. Though he has some talent, he's not quite up to the task.

The second son, Tan Haoyang, is clearly favored by the old master. Tan Ru even appoints Feng Lianchen to ensure his success.

Feng Lianchen sides with Tan Haoyang. After Tan Ru dies and the will is settled, the second son, who has every advantage, unsurprisingly comes out on top.

After the funeral, Feng Lianchen, standing by the corner, sees two figures hidden on the other side. Tan Haoyang's lover has an arm around his neck, pouting as he coaxes him. "That stone-faced lackey of yours acts so superior and is always giving me attitude. He's useless now. When are you going to kick him to the curb?"

Tan Haoyang affectionately pinches his lover's nose. "Already itching to take his place?"

Feng Lianchen says nothing. When he gets home, he deletes Tan Haoyang's messages professing passionate love, throws away all the clothes and belongings Tan Haoyang left behind, and wipes out every trace of their relationship.

The bow is discarded once the birds are gone, and the hound is slaughtered once the hare is dead. Tan Haoyang has full control now, so it's no surprise when he turns against the people who served him.

Feng Lianchen is the first target, but instead of receiving a dismissal notice, he gets a transfer and demotion order:

Effective immediately, he is removed as executive assistant and reassigned as Tan Shizhang's personal assistant.

Tan Haoyang is killing two birds with one stone: the move intimidates the loser while pressuring him to leave of his own accord.

Feng Lianchen leans against the doorway of Tan Shizhang's office and listens as the second son inside spins his tale, trying to stir up trouble.

Inside, Tan Shizhang has listened for a while too. He smiles faintly. "So Mr. Feng, my new assistant, is mine to use however I like."

Tan Haoyang is basking in his success and has no idea that, much later, he'll look back on this day with nothing but regret.

The eldest son is the official top.

Deeply calculating, ambitious top x poised, capable beauty

Reader's guide:

1. The blurb is made up. The story isn't really angsty: comeuppance for scoundrels, check; playing the fool to catch the tiger, check; seeming to love and hate each other, check. At heart, it's still an adult romance.

2. People have complained about the title for ages, but I really can't think of a better one. If I had to pick a formal title, it would be Pillar of the State, or Who Doesn't Have Two Faces?

Other upcoming books:

The Wealthy Family Butler's Work Journal (heartthrob and love rivals)

Offering Roses to the Cold Beauty (winning the heart of an aloof beauty)

Assistant Shen Teaches You Business Warfare, Step by Step (real business warfare means pulling the plug)

Completed books: When the CEO's Assistant Faces an Old-School Angsty Groveling Romance; My Archenemy Always Wants to Marry Me

Theme: Love takes courage and perseverance