The Scumbag Substitute's Crematorium [Reborn]

* Click to read a deliciously over-the-top, angst-filled chase-your-ex-to-the-crematorium romance * If you enjoy this kind of melodrama, you can also bookmark my upcoming novel, The Substitute Starts a Crematorium for the Young Lady * Ongoing novel: After Faking My Death, Everyone Regretted It Everyone in their circle knew that, compared to Lin Hanlu, the haughty Yan Zhaoying was the one who loved more. Lin Hanlu’s childhood sweetheart was about to return from abroad, and people were waiting to see Yan Zhaoying make a fool of herself. But no one expected to see Lin Hanlu gripping Yan Zhaoying by the throat. Lin Hanlu was the one crying, while Yan Zhaoying smiled with careless, icy indifference. * Yan Zhaoying was notorious among the Alphas of City A for being someone you did not want to cross. Bewitchingly beautiful, arrogant, and wild, she threw her family’s influence around and let no one catch her eye. But with Lin Hanlu, she set aside all her pride and defiance. She braved every obstacle and gave Lin Hanlu everything she had, all just to win a smile from her. A friend hinted, “Lin Hanlu seems a little cold toward you.” Yan Zhaoying didn’t take it to heart. “She’s just a reserved person. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t like me.” * It wasn’t until Lin Hanlu’s childhood sweetheart, who looked nearly identical to her, returned from abroad that Yan Zhaoying realized even someone as distant and cool as Lin Hanlu could look at the person she loved with eyes as gentle as water. Yan Zhaoying had thought she was the one who had won Lin Hanlu’s heart. It turned out she was only a substitute. The beloved was the moon in the sky, a gentle breeze on earth, beautiful and kind. Yan Zhaoying, the substitute, was nothing but a mosquito bite or dust on the wall, doomed never to earn so much as a glance. * She died with hatred in her heart. When Yan Zhaoying opened her eyes again, she was back before Lin Hanlu’s childhood sweetheart returned. On the day the beloved came home, Lin Hanlu abandoned Yan Zhaoying, who had waited all night, to welcome her childhood sweetheart, just so she could say, “Welcome back.” Yan Zhaoying let out a cold laugh. Sitting lazily on the sofa, she watched Lin Hanlu walk through the door, then lit a cigarette without a hint of haste. “You’re back? Let’s break up.” With that, she turned and left. * A major piece of news recently swept through City A’s upper circles: Third Miss Yan, who had kept herself faithful for her girlfriend, had accepted a suitor’s rose in public. The news drew a swarm of admirers, all eager to win Yan Zhaoying’s favor. Everyone hoped to earn the affections of this beautiful woman who seemed so fickle and unfeeling. They all wanted her most passionate love. After a party one night, Yan Zhaoying found Lin Hanlu waiting outside her home. Though she claimed not to care, Lin Hanlu had waited there all night. The cool, proud beauty’s eyes were red-rimmed, and tears streamed down her face as she choked out, “How could you not want me?” How could you give me everything, only to take it all back so easily? Yan Zhaoying laughed with drunken nonchalance. Not a trace of affection showed in her enchanting eyes. “Well, if it isn’t our very own Best Actress Lin. Too bad you won’t make it to my engagement party.” Reading Guide: 1. Bewitching, flamboyant, universally adored beauty Alpha x cool, chaste, beloved beauty Omega 2. A chase-your-ex-to-the-crematorium romance, a melodramatic rekindling after a breakup. The main couple stays together, with no role reversal and no what-if pairings with other characters. 3. My own take on ABO. Alphas don’t have attachments. 4. Neither lead is perfect. The Alpha is a little twisted, and the Omega is a little crazy. Upcoming: The Substitute Starts a Crematorium for the Young Lady The first time Jiang Tingyun saw Shen Yubai, her heart began pounding uncontrollably. Shen Yubai was the eldest daughter of the Shen family, dazzlingly beautiful, bold and passionate. Wherever she went, she drew everyone’s gaze. Jiang Tingyun had never imagined they might have anything to do with each other. After all, she was the most insignificant of Shen Yubai’s many admirers. But one day, Shen Yubai suddenly took notice of her and made the first move. * On their passionate nights together, Shen Yubai called her name again and again. Her hazy eyes were filled with tenderness. Jiang Tingyun fell head over heels, lost in a beautiful dream called Shen Yubai. * In the fourth year of their relationship, Shen Yubai tossed Jiang Tingyun a bank card and said breezily, “Your breakup money. I’ve found someone who looks more like her than you do.” Only then did Jiang Tingyun learn she had been nothing but a substitute. She took the card, then fled in a panic, leaving in a hurry. * They met again at a business gala. The room was full of influential people, and Jiang Tingyun was surrounded by all kinds of admirers. Shen Yubai stood outside the crowd, her face deathly pale. After the gala, the once proud and arrogant young lady dragged Jiang Tingyun into an empty corner and pleaded humbly, “Don’t leave me. Come back to me. I’ll give you money and a proper title, anything you want.” Jiang Tingyun pulled her hand away and said casually, “But I’m already engaged. If you like me, Miss Shen, you’ll have to settle for being my secret lover.” * Shen Yubai had always treated Jiang Tingyun as a way to pass the time, a pretty ornament to keep by her side. Even if she felt a little affection for her, she never took Jiang Tingyun seriously. Her friends had warned her not to push Jiang Tingyun away, but Shen Yubai had brushed them off. She was powerful and privileged, arrogant and cold by nature. She never imagined she would humble herself to fall in love with a substitute. Until Jiang Tingyun vanished from her world. Shen Yubai searched across countless mountains and rivers, but couldn’t catch even a glimpse of her. Theme: Challenging the impossible