Failed to Steal the Male Lead's Love Interest, Then Got X Instead [Book Transmigration]

1.

At twenty, Xie Xun transmigrated into a book.

He'd been a big brother type who dropped out before finishing middle school, worked odd jobs, led a gang of underlings collecting debts, and fought so much he was covered in scars. Now he'd become the weak, second male lead in a campus romance novel.

Being the second male lead wasn't the problem. The problem was that he was an "academic prodigy."

Xie Xun: "Ha ha, poor big brother's uneducated. I pick up a pen and forget how to write. How embarrassing."

At the first monthly exam of the school year, Xie Xun earned the honor of being kicked out of the advanced class as the lowest-ranked student in his grade.

The original story's male lead, the one who was pursued, brought him a little cake to cheer him up. Xie Xun remembered what was supposed to happen next.

After taking the cake, he was supposed to get cornered and beaten up by the male lead, the pursuer, on his way home, who'd then steal the cake. At home, his alcoholic father would beat him up, his precious younger brother would make snide remarks, and then he'd quietly wallow in misery and cut himself with a knife...

Would a big brother put up with that? He'd beat the guy until he was on his knees calling him Dad!

In a dark alley on a moonless night,

Xie Xun met the pursuer, the main male lead of the book: Shen Fanglian.

Xie Xun was a shameless troublemaker. Shen Fanglian's face was so pretty to him that he didn't look like a man at all.

Leaning against the wall, Xie Xun laughed. "Hey! Why not call me Big Brother? If it sounds good, I'll let you go!"

Shen Fanglian raised an eyebrow, threw him over his shoulder, and pinned him to the ground. Leaning close to his ear, he breathed out the word "Big Brother."

Then he smiled and dislocated Xie Xun's shoulder.

Xie Xun: "...Why is my body as weak as a boiled chicken now?"

2.

The education system was reformed. From now on, schools were no longer allowed to divide students into advanced and regular classes.

Xie Xun was sleeping soundly in class when Shen Fanglian suddenly became his deskmate.

And in the seat behind him was the other protagonist of the book, Shen Fanglian's destined partner, Song Cangfeng.

Xie Xun was all ready to enjoy this beautiful romance up close, but why did that Shen kid keep staring at him?

Was he afraid Xie Xun would steal his wife?

Oh ho.

With the intention of annoying Shen Fanglian, Xie Xun helped Song Cangfeng chase off the punks who bullied him, ate meals with him, took him for a joyride... and even gave him roses!

Until one day, Song Cangfeng called him to the little woods behind the school.

Xie Xun thought, "Oh no. He's fallen for me."

Song Cangfeng said in despair, "Brother Xun, Shen Fanglian gets so jealous he's always threatening me to stay away from you. When are you two going to make up? I'm terrified!"

Xie Xun: "...?"

Xie Xun: "Damn, he's after me."

* Two strong leads, sweet romance, each other's first love, a whole bowl of sugary goodness.

* Synopsis written on October 9, 2024, and screenshotted.

Theme: Live a better life.