Reborn as the Male Lead's Cannon-Fodder Childhood Friend

Pei Yin is the young master of the Pei family. He has delicate features and pale skin, but he neither cries nor smiles. Diagnosed with emotional deficiency syndrome as a child, he is like a beautiful, aloof doll.

When he was seven, a family moved in next door, bringing with them a handsome, refined boy.

The boy, Qin Shi, was his age and naturally took on the responsibility of looking after him.

From then on, they went to school and came home together. Qin Shi treated him wonderfully, warming his hands, soothing him to sleep, and taking care of him in every way. He practically acted like he was already married to him.

Then, at twenty, Pei Yin suddenly awakened and realized he was living inside a danmei novel where childhood friends always lose out to newcomers. He was the cannon-fodder childhood friend of the protagonist, Qin Shi.

In the book, he had secretly loved Qin Shi for ten years without success, only for Qin Shi to gradually distance himself from him.

The protagonist's love interest would arrive out of nowhere two months later, become Qin Shi's closest friend, and gradually claim a place in his heart. Qin Shi, previously straight, would fall for him so hard he'd be twisted into a pretzel.

Meanwhile, Pei Yin would grow increasingly jealous and unhinged, sabotage Qin Shi's relationship with the love interest, and eventually be abandoned in the most humiliating fashion.

But...

Pei Yin rested his chin on his hand, looking mildly troubled.

He only thought of Qin Shi as a friend.

Not long after Pei Yin awakened, the protagonist's love interest really did show up, just as expected.

Pei Yin thought considerately that he could keep his distance from Qin Shi so Qin Shi wouldn't have to feel awkward.

And so, Pei Yin, who had once been inseparable from Qin Shi, vanished. When they saw each other, Pei Yin would turn away and avoid him, as calm as if they were strangers.

Leaving Qin Shi alone to clench his fists and hold himself back.

Then, at a gathering, a junior student blushed and confessed to Pei Yin. Pei Yin furrowed his brow in thought, but before he could answer, Qin Shi grabbed him and pulled him close. His usually gentle expression turned icy, and the possessiveness in his eyes was terrifying.

A violent aura swept over them. Qin Shi held his hand in a tight grip and said, each word distinct: "Yin Yin, why can't you look at me?"

Much later, Pei Yin finally understood.

Perhaps he'd gotten it wrong from the very beginning.

This wasn't the tenth year he'd been secretly in love with Qin Shi.

It was Qin Shi's...

Tenth year of secretly loving him.

An aloof, emotionless cat bottom x a deceptively innocent, scheming puppy top

Reading Guide:

1. Childhood friends, with sweet everyday moments.

2. The top falls first, spoils the bottom, and pursues him.

3. Unrequited love becomes mutual, and childhood friends become a couple.

4. "Emotional deficiency syndrome" is a condition I made up. It means the bottom can't feel affection or fear, but he still has all his other abilities.

5. This is a sweet, slice-of-life bedtime read, not a power fantasy, and there's no face-slapping.

Theme: Stay calm and keep striving, even when faced with adversity.