How Do You Deal with a Second Male Lead Who's a Hopeless Romantic?

After talking it over with my editor, this story will go premium on Wednesday (3/20). Feel free to read the chapters already posted. I’ll release three chapters in a row tomorrow, and there’ll be red-envelope giveaways in the comments. Thank you so much for your support, everyone!

Chapter comments are open. All you lovely readers are welcome to join in.

[Daily updates. I’ll post a notice if something comes up.]

1.

Xie Chushi stayed up all night finishing a romance novel.

The heroine was beautiful as a fairy and sweet and innocent, winning the affection of the entire group of male leads.

Among them was a gloomy guy who thought of nothing but romance.

To get the heroine, he tried everything, from arson and imprisonment to all kinds of games and dirty tricks, but still lost to the protagonist’s halo and could only spend the rest of his life alone in prison.

Xie Chushi was furious as he read.

Wasn’t this second male lead kind of an idiot? He had power, looks, and money. He could have anyone he wanted, so why was he so dead set on competing with the male lead?

Then he transmigrated into one of the heroine’s many admirers.

Not only did they share the same name, he was also the first disposable extra the second male lead killed.

As soon as he transmigrated, Xie Chushi wanted to stay far away from the whole lot of them, but he got caught up with the second male lead as a child.

At that age, the other boy was still a poor wretch everyone despised.

He was beaten and scolded whenever people felt like it. All he had left was his misery.

Fine, fine.

Xie Chushi’s compassion got the better of him. He took the boy home, helped him deal with the school bullies, and promised him a bright future.

And then… then he was held tight in someone’s arms.

“Ge, who’s that woman? You promised to stay with me forever. Are you trying to take it back?”

“Since that’s the case, let’s tie ourselves together. Then you won’t be able to go anywhere, Ge.”

You can only be with me.

Xie Chushi: Hello, emergency services? There’s a lunatic here with a one-track mind about love!

2.

Qin Mu was abandoned by his parents as a child and raised by his uncle’s family.

The adults in the household ignored him, and the other kids bullied him. He was clearly born to stand above the rest, yet he was denied even the most basic respect and lived like a worm in the gutter.

Until someone told him:

“You’re wonderful.”

“You’ll become incredibly powerful. Everyone will envy you, look up to you, and respect you.”

“But above all, don’t become an idiot in love!”

He took the first two things to heart, but that last part…

That person fed him and clothed him. They weren’t powerful themselves, but they gave him the best they had and soothed his wounded body and soul.

After the college entrance exams.

The whole class went out to celebrate and got drunk. Qin Mu said he was taking someone home, then turned around and carried Xie Chushi into a hotel.

Staring at that pale skin peeking from his collar, he could no longer hide the desire in his heart.

He wanted him.

“He’d never had anything good in his life. This one person was all he had, and even if the whole world condemned them, nothing could tear them apart.”

Gloomy, obsessive, devoted top X sunshine-bringing, warm, easily flustered bottom

The one with three characters in his name is the bottom

Extra scene:

A sunny day.

It was already noon, and neither of them had gotten out of bed.

Xie Chushi, barely able to speak: I told you not to be… an idiot… in love… Did all that go in one ear and out the other?

Qin Mu rolled over and held him tighter: I’m your dog.

Reader’s guide:

(1) The top is two years younger.

(2) The top is genuinely ruthless, and his love is genuine too. The bottom has a slight everyone-loves-him vibe, likes only the top, and only gets flustered in front of him.

(3) They’re each other’s first love, and both are virgins. The top’s one-sided feelings are extremely strong. There will be a breakup and reconciliation, but no angst. Overall, it’s extremely sweet.

(4) They’re both over eighteen when they get together.

(5) The top doesn’t like the heroine! The top doesn’t like the heroine! The top doesn’t like the heroine! Important things must be said three times!

-

Here’s another upcoming story: The Campus Heartthrob Keeps Thinking I’m Pursuing Him After Losing His Memory

[Daily updates. I’ll post a notice if something comes up.]

1.

Ji Qingli, a new student in the history department at Jiang University, was gentle and otherworldly, with skin like jade. He looked like a work of art fallen from heaven, and caused a sensation across campus on the day he registered.

Because he stood out so much, he and Jiang University’s campus heartthrob, Tan Ye, kept being picked for the same events. After a while, people couldn’t help comparing them.

Tan Ye was 187 centimeters tall, with a strong, well-defined back. Anyone who saw him would feel their blood race and marvel at this walking bundle of hormones.

Seeing the things people were saying about the two of them online, he gave a soft snort and replied from an alternate account:

“The photographer’s no good. They don’t look like they’re at each other’s throats at all.”

Then he uploaded a private photo of his own.

In the picture, the two of them were facing each other for real, passing over the script for their emcee duties.

One had his head lowered, the corners of his mouth lifted in a rare smile.

The other was looking slightly up at him, eyes shining.

Netizens:

What’s with all this chemistry practically dripping off the screen?

I’m shipping them! I’m shipping them!

The person above is so right!

Tan Ye: He closed his laptop, satisfied.

2.

On the basketball court.

Tan Ye suddenly dashed to the sidelines and took a flying ball for Ji Qingli!

The ball hit him squarely in the back of the head, and Tan Ye collapsed.

When he woke up,

Tan Ye saw Ji Qingli and immediately turned bright red. He yanked the covers back up to hide his excitement. “W-why are you in my bed?!”

“I haven’t even said yes to you yet!”

Ji Qingli: ?

The others who came to visit: ?

Because of the accident, Tan Ye not only lost some of his memories, but his personality changed completely, all where Ji Qingli was concerned.

Ji Qingli went to get food at the same dining hall as him.

Tan Ye, who had crossed half the campus to get there, pretended to be surprised as he coyly joined Ji Qingli’s line and muttered to his roommate, “Tsk, he really follows me everywhere.”

His roommate: “…”

Ji Qingli was asked by a teacher to proctor their class’s exam.

Tan Ye got there early and grabbed a seat in the front row. He filled Ji Qingli’s thermos with hot water, rested his chin in his hand, and looked at him. “Ji, you’re even taking on all this hard work just to see me.”

Ji Qingli looked helpless. It’s not hard, and I’m getting paid.

Ji Qingli had just finished running a thousand meters. He casually lifted the hem of his shirt to wipe away his sweat, revealing his slender, pale waist.

Tan Ye snapped photo after photo, his molars aching. “He’s willing to use his looks just to get my attention.”

Then he rushed onto the track and covered Ji Qingli from head to toe.

Ji Qingli took part in an off-campus speech contest. When it ended, his longtime rival unexpectedly confessed to him in front of everyone.

The two of them standing on stage looked made for each other.

Just as Ji Qingli was about to answer,

Tan Ye appeared out of nowhere and pulled him into his arms, his voice a little aggrieved. “Behave. I’ve already said yes to you. Don’t try to make me jealous with other people.”

Everyone: So who’s pursuing whom here?

-

Ji Qingli * Tan Ye

Cool and gentle, a voice connoisseur who gets inexplicably entangled with him, bottom * Narcissistic, tsundere, devoted top who insists on turning the tables

Reader’s guide:

(1) Light and cheerful, extra-sweet fluff with no angst. The plot doesn’t take itself seriously; it’s warm and healing.

(2) They’re each other’s first love, and both are virgins. The top’s one-sided feelings are extremely strong, and he’s had a crush on the bottom for years.

(3) The one with three characters in his name is the bottom. He’s a huge fan of deep voices and only falls for the top’s voice.

(4) Same-sex marriage is legal in this setting.

Theme: Everyone deserves to be loved