The Ship of Theseus

Chen Mi x Gu Xiansui, narcissistic romance, switching roles

[Blurb]

Chen Mi, who lived and died in the gutter, is reborn and meets Gu Xiansui, the person he will become in his next life.

Gu Xiansui, the young master of Dingkang Holdings, is the picture-perfect hothouse flower: sickly, disabled, born into privilege, and surrounded by lousy friends.

He enjoys traveling in his wheelchair and eating fine food. Every investment he makes loses money, and he's a famously naive, pampered heir.

Chen Mi scoffs: How could this idiot be me?

Chen Mi easily wins Gu Xiansui's trust and becomes the young master's personal driver, bodyguard, and cook, diligently cleaning up his many messes.

Gu Xiansui, his client, is very satisfied and makes a thrilling new request: “Work is so boring. I want to go out and clear my head. You can pretend to be me.”

Chen Mi: “Don't worry, President Gu. I'll play you ‘very well.’”

Some time later.

After Chen Mi finishes giving a presentation at a major conference, the audience breaks into thunderous applause.

The auditorium lights come on. Gu Xiansui, who should be watching the aurora in the Arctic from his wheelchair, then getting caught and fed to a polar bear, is actually sitting among the special guests.

Gu Xiansui stands up, back straight, and mouths something to Chen Mi.

He says, “Congratulations,” with a wide grin and a lovely smile.

Chen Mi: ?

Many years later, Chen Mi recalls that moment and looks at the person curled up asleep in the crook of his shoulder.

Chen Mi lowers his eyes, rubbing Gu Xiansui's cool ankle bone with his fingertips, and smiles faintly.

“Such a clingy tease. Such a little liar.”

*

The lonely young master Gu makes a wish during a total lunar eclipse, asking the heavens to send him a partner.

They must be good-looking and have a great figure, not uglier or shorter than him, with long legs, a perky butt, and every single ab in place.

Most importantly, they must get along with him and understand what he's thinking.

But he never imagined he'd meet himself. The unbearable past locked away in the deepest part of his memories surges forth like lava.

The moment he sees Chen Mi, the darkness in Gu Xiansui's heart roars and churns, wanting to tear the other man apart.

Suppressing his fear and hostility, he gives Chen Mi, who has come for a job interview, a gentle, even somewhat sweet smile. “Mr. Chen, you've got the job.”

Note:

Chen Mi has transmigrated into this body and is 25. Gu Xiansui is 22. They look almost exactly alike, and both have the memories of being “Chen Mi.”

Theme: Seize every opportunity and let life shine.