Some shou protagonists are betrayed again and again by scum gong, tormented in body and soul by the plot until they are covered in wounds... Then, before the crematorium has even been lit, the gong regrets everything, gets drenched in the rain, and shows up injured, and the shou's heart softens. They live happily ever after.
Ji Tongchen has a scum-gong-and-shou HE System, and his job is to play every shou protagonist who can't let go.
In the first world, he is a beautiful, single “father” forcibly claimed by someone powerful.
The shou protagonist is proud and upright, but when a sudden turn of events sends him crashing to rock bottom, he strikes a deal with the gong protagonist, who has been scheming for a long time. From then on, he is trapped in a melodramatic cycle of running away while the gong chases him, with nowhere to escape.
“You don't want the child to hear you making that kind of sound, do you?”
According to the plot, the shou is supposed to be tormented until he loses his grip on reality. Then, during an accident, he takes a knife meant for the gong. The gong sees the error of his ways, regrets everything, becomes a devoted husband who grovels for forgiveness, and takes advantage of the shou's amnesia to get their happy ending.
Ji Tongchen: “You're willing to do anything to turn over a new leaf, right? Consider it done. :)”
He secretly gathers evidence and sends the gong straight to prison.
In the second world, he is a star adored by everyone, yet hopelessly in love with his down-and-out partner, who is beyond saving.
His partner is an insecure, paranoid lunatic with an intense need for control. He often reads too much into things and torments Ji Tongchen until he can barely get out of bed. He even tries to lock him up and keep him as his own private treasure.
“Tell me, who are you trying to seduce by dressing up like this?”
Ji Tongchen: “Paranoid and obsessed with being cheated on, huh? Consider it done. :)”
He accepts the advances of a powerful industry figure and crushes his partner, who has “never had a chance to show his talent,” into the dirt.
In the third world, he is a devoted imperial tutor, working day and night for an insincere emperor until he is frail and ill.
“The ruler is the ruler, and the subject is the subject. Teacher, remember your place.”
In the fourth world, he is an elite assistant who secretly loves an overbearing CEO, helping him make money, enter a sham marriage, and pursue his unattainable first love.
“You'd better behave. Don't keep pestering me when you don't know your place.”
In the fifth world, he is the personal shadow guard of a brutal prince...
System: “Wait, Host, we're in the scum-gong-and-shou HE fiction group, not the switch-the-gong-at-the-crematorium group! If you break the worldline, you'll be sent to be destroyed, aaah!”
Ji Tongchen: “Just tell me, did the OOC value change?”
System: “N-no, it didn't.”
Then we're good. :)
People who trample on sincere feelings without a second thought should know this: a heart that has been betrayed will never turn back.
Note:
The crematorium burns fiercely, and the scum gongs are reduced to ashes and scattered.
But before the crematorium, there will be a lot of angsty, melodramatic writing... That's just what I like, so please bear with me.
Theme: You have to love yourself first.