Quit Pretending to Be a Nice Guy, Big Shot

[Complete] [80% anti-theft]

[Even-tempered, straightforward god of slaughter bottom x spirited, sharp-tongued, devoted fanboy top]

[Upcoming audio-drama-circle novel: The Whole Internet Is Shipping Me and My Ex. Blurb at the very bottom~]

Yu Shen was a legendary esports player of his generation, with countless awards to his name. After being reborn, he found himself in the body of a gaming blogger so obscure he was practically underground, five years after his own death.

His predecessor had made money by cultivating a pure-hater persona: terrible at games and always mouthing off. In the end, he worked himself to death after staying up too late in a ten-square-meter rented room.

Reborn, Yu Shen escaped his parasitic parents and the exploitation of an unscrupulous manager, and reclaimed the youthful spirit he had at nineteen.

"Why doesn't the streamer insult people? Because I don't want to."

"Did the streamer change his persona to cash in? Yes. I'm done pretending."

"Did the streamer hire a booster? No, because I couldn't find anyone better than me."

"Do you dare turn on the camera and show us your skills? I do."

The next second, the camera showed the young man's long, nimble fingers dancing over the keyboard as he claimed a dazzling victory.

It took only half an hour for the chat to go from skeptical to full of respect.

Yu Shen didn't like insulting people or swearing, until one day he was matched with a teammate who seemed born to clash with him.

The two traded insults while saving each other from enemy skills and helping each other hunt down opponents, drawing countless onlookers.

[You two are pretty civilized. Not a single swear word between you.]

[You know, there really aren't many people who can argue like this and still take the game seriously.]

[If you two keep this up, I'm really going to ship you.]

[Does the streamer really not know who the other guy is?]

The stream's viewership soared, and within a day it had reached the top of the rankings.

Only afterward did Yu Shen learn that the ID belonged to a professional player at the peak of his fame.

Yu Shen quietly declined the invitation to a one-on-one match, but the other player kept inviting him again and again.

Yu Shen smiled and said, "One sentence, and a pro keeps challenging me over and over."

As an esports player who reached his peak the moment he debuted, Jiang Weizhi's greatest regret was never getting to see his idol Yu Shen one last time.

Yu Shen had passed away before Jiang Weizhi even made his debut.

Everyone said Jiang Weizhi had no equal in lane, except for Yu Shen.

Yu Shen died in a car accident five years ago, becoming one of Jiang Weizhi's deepest regrets.

He never imagined that five years later, he would be soundly shut out in a one-on-one match by an unknown streamer, losing 3:0 in kills.

Jiang Weizhi suspected Yu Shen wasn't dead. Ever since he met a guy named Yu Sheng, he kept seeing Yu Shen's shadow everywhere.

They had the same habits, the same personality, and could pull off plays that no one else could replicate...

If someone really could return from the dead, had a god turned its gaze upon a legend?

But in Jiang Weizhi's eyes, Yu Shen himself was already the equal of a god.

[Pro, what do you think of Young Master Jiang's poor form in today's match?]

Yu Shen replied to the chat, which was only too happy to stir things up:

"Tell Young Master Jiang to log on and come get coached by me."

A cold sweat broke out on Jiang Weizhi's back. He had a guilty feeling that he was about to get beaten senseless.

#MyIdolWasMySeniorAndThenBecameMyWife#

(The detailed game rules and supplementary notes are in the author's note of Chapter One. Warning: the author's notes are extremely long and full of rambling. The rules section only needs a quick skim, and it isn't rigorous. If you really don't want to understand the rules, just imagine any game you're familiar with and apply them.)

Reader advisory (a little long, apologies):

A feel-good power fantasy set against a MOBA game. The game is fictional to prevent nitpicking and readers projecting real games onto it. Anything unreasonable is an author-created setting, so please don't compare it to reality.

The author is just a lousy writer, the kind who's bad at games but loves playing them. I can't come up with any unbelievably novel or exciting game mechanics, either. It's just a regular Dota-style MOBA, so some similarities to real games are inevitable. I've already piled on plenty of disclaimers, so please don't give the author a hard time. I've already been driven to this point: TAT

In anticipation of potential nitpickers:

Why not use a real game? Because I'm not worthy.

Why write an esports novel when you're bad at games? Because I want to!! Mind your own business! (roars)

If you're going to criticize it no matter what, go ahead. (lies flat)

Both leads play ADC. The bottom is the strongest player in the story, with no equal, and he won't return to a pro team, so this isn't a traditional esports novel.

The focus is on romance, starting from the characters themselves. There is an ensemble cast, but the emphasis is on the characters' stories and bonds, with the occasional meaningful message.

I can't think of any other warnings for now.

Universal disclaimer: During the outlining stage, every single game mechanic, character profile, story detail, and team experience and setting was sent to a friend in esports for review (I treated him to a meal, so no need to feel sorry for him). If anything is still inappropriate, take it up with him (and help me get my meal money back).

One last disclaimer: There are no real-life inspirations anywhere in this story. Similar names or plot points are purely coincidental. Please don't bring unrelated real people into the discussion. If you suspect plagiarism, use a comparison chart. Please don't give me writing advice. If you drop the story, don't come back just to tell me. Extreme top- or bottom-fans, please keep away. Beginner writing ahead. Please read civilly and help create a good writing and reading environment.

Coming soon:

Proud, thinks he's fierce but cries easily bottom x flirtatious, gorgeous and knows it, fiercely competitive top

Kan Sheng, a top-tier star in the Chinese audio-drama voice-acting scene, went viral in an absurd way: a shipping entry written by a friend in the circle trended online, and...

He was the bottom!

The top in the ship was Chen Jingshi, a rising new voice actor making waves in the industry.

With a beautiful voice and a beautiful face to match, he gained countless fans overnight.

Kan Sheng wasn't having it, and messaged his friend: Why am I the bottom when you compare me to him?

His friend: Don't you think it's sacred?

Kan Sheng: ?

-

Kan Sheng stewed over it, still indignant, and finally rushed to his friend's house to demand an explanation.

But the person who opened the door wasn't his friend.

The smell of noodles cooking drifted from behind the door. A fair, handsome man leaned against it in an apron and looked up at him. "What is it?"

Kan Sheng froze.

Kan Sheng never dared ask about the shipping fanfic again.

Because the person his friend had paired him with was his friend's older brother.

...And also the ex-boyfriend he had had an ugly breakup with five years ago.

-

The "Jinsheng Jingshi" ship exploded across the internet, its popularity soaring until even their agency joined in to promote it.

Kan Sheng figured Chen Jingshi must hate being tied to him as a pairing.

After all, though their breakup had been decisive, the reason had been awful.

Who could have guessed that Chen Jingshi would pin a bold post on Weibo: [The best voice in the world @Kan Sheng]

Kan Sheng: ?

During a voice chat, Chen Jingshi said in a voice that could make anyone melt, "Thanks for pulling me into the call, A-Sheng."

Kan Sheng: ??

When a new production needed someone, Chen Jingshi enthusiastically recommended him. The words "They'd be most natural playing a couple" got out and became a must-quote line in the ship's fan forum.

Kan Sheng: ???

-

Kan Sheng kept insisting that Chen Jingshi was just diligently promoting their ship, until, while recording a kissing scene, the man grabbed his wrist and kissed him for a long time.

He kissed Kan Sheng until he was dizzy, then used that face to win over the troops with practiced ease.

Chen Jingshi hooked an arm around Kan Sheng's long legs and pulled him back into his lap, claiming it would help them get into character.

"Shh, Shengsheng, we're recording."

Kan Sheng immediately clenched his teeth, his back shivering.

In the script, Chen Jingshi's character was begging his lover not to break up with him.

Kan Sheng flushed from head to toe, body and mind alike, and trembled with his face buried against the man's shoulder.

A moment later, Chen Jingshi suddenly stopped and asked quietly, "...Shengsheng, why are you crying?"

Kan Sheng's resentment boiled over. He wanted to bite down and never let go as he snapped:

"Why didn't you say that to me back then, you bastard!"

Chen Jingshi tossed the script back onto the table and hit pause.

He lowered his voice. It sounded soft and aggrieved, but his grip didn't loosen at all.

"Please don't break up with me, Kan Sheng. I'm begging you. I really miss you."

Theme: The spirit of youth is precious beyond measure.