If the arrogant male lead of a broken-engagement story were forced to marry his cannon-fodder fiancée, would that count as a plot derailment?
Blurb from the male lead's perspective:
Duan Qingxiu crashes into the Shanhai Realm, only to discover that he's the male lead of a typical wish-fulfillment broken-engagement novel, The Azure Mountain Reversed Sword Art.
After his meridians are destroyed, his clan members bully him, and his fiancée publicly breaks off their engagement, he'll meet the remnant soul of a powerful old master, gain a golden finger, and rise to the top of the world, killing anyone who stands in his way, be they gods or Buddhas.
So even though his drinking water is muddy, his rice is full of sand, and his cousin beats and berates him whenever he feels like it, Duan Qingxiu bears it all in silence. After all, he can't fight back.
But hope is just around the corner, and his luck is about to change. Once he gets through the broken-engagement plot point, he'll make a complete comeback.
His fiancée, Helan Chi, is the noble young mistress of the Helan family, but in this broken-engagement novel, she's no more than a cannon-fodder supporting character.
The Helan family arrives in grand fashion. His cousins are all waiting for a laugh, but Duan Qingxiu gives them a devilish grin. What do you know?
He isn't going to say something like, "In thirty years, the river will flow west, then east." Isn't it better to break off the engagement properly and take the compensation?
Duan Qingxiu is so lost in dreams of his bright future that he barely listens to what the Helan family is saying. He keeps agreeing: "Sure, sure, fine by me, all right, all right."
The Helan family is very pleased with how sensible he is. With a wave of their hands, they bring out 128 chests of precious treasures, then ask Duan Qingxiu to get into the wedding sedan.
Huh? Get in the sedan? This isn't how the story is supposed to go!
Duan Qingxiu stammers: "G-Get in the sedan for what?"
The Helan family: "To return to the Helan estate, of course, and marry our young mistress in a few days!"
The Helan family came here acting so high and mighty, not to break off the engagement, but to force him into marriage?
He can't refuse. The Duan family accepted the Helan family's betrothal gifts ten years ago, so Duan Qingxiu can only repay the debt with himself.
As events plunge downhill like a landslide, Duan Qingxiu stares in disbelief.
Is it really right for the male lead of a broken-engagement story to be forced into marriage by a cannon-fodder supporting character?!
From the female lead's perspective: I found a cute puppy, so I have to bring him home to my bowl.
[Cold on the outside, warm on the inside, burdened with idol-worthy dignity, female lead x sunny, cheerful, hopelessly lovestruck, snarky male lead]
Author's note:
1. 1v1, devoted true love, romance is the main plot, and the relationship is a major focus.
2. The arrogant male lead might not be all that arrogant, and the cannon fodder might not be cannon fodder after all.
Theme: There's genuine love in this world
