I'm the Human Shield, Pay Up! [Reborn]

Coming soon: The Vegetable King [Apocalypse]

When he was eleven, Jian Yi wrote in his diary: Huo Sheng is the best big brother in the world.

At twenty-three, his diary was filled with the same words, written over and over: I really like Huo Sheng.

Then he died. It turned out the Huo family had adopted him to serve as a decoy for their second young master.

They should've told him sooner. He could've negotiated a better price.

Given a second life, Jian Yi planned to take the money and retire.

Then he looked at those children, their fuzzy little heads resting in his palm.

He thought, I should help them. After all, they smile so brightly.

Six years gave Huo Sheng more than enough time to wear out Jian Yi's diary by reading it.

Huo Sheng couldn't forgive himself for failing to save Jian Yi. Whenever he thought about it, the pain in his heart left him speechless.

When he opened his eyes again, he was careful, alert, and ready with a plan.

This time, he was absolutely, absolutely going to protect A Yi, until he found out that this time it was his A Yi who'd willingly gone off to get himself killed.

Huo Sheng: ...?!

Later, Jian Yi lay in Huo Sheng's arms, listening to him say over and over, "Yi Yi, I missed you so much."

After they both revealed their identities

Lying in his hospital bed, Jian Yi addressed Huo Sheng: "Mr. Huo, since you got a second chance too, you must know how horribly I died in my past life. No need to say more. You're going to have to pay extra for this!"

Huo Sheng hurried to support Jian Yi as he struggled to sit up. "Extra, definitely extra."

After they cleared the air, Huo Sheng turned into a clingy cuddle monster, much to Jian Yi's exasperation.

After moving out of the Huo residence, Jian Yi held the cat's paw. "Meow-meow, come say goodbye to Uncle Huo. Uncle Huo isn't welcome tonight."

Huo Sheng smiled faintly at Jian Yi's smug little look as he shooed him away, pulled a key from his pocket, and let himself into the apartment across from Jian Yi's.

Jian Yi's cat paw froze mid-wave. "!!!"

The bottom is cheerful and optimistic, always looking ahead.

The top is aloof and taciturn, but really a doting homemaker. Later, he becomes a needy clingy type, terrified of losing the bottom.

The two fall for each other.

The bottom has his own personal growth.

There's just a little bit of chasing after his love, but no groveling redemption arc. A sweet little romance!

The two leads are not related by blood and are not registered in the same household.

Next up: The Vegetable King [Apocalypse]

Rong Yu loved following his grandmother around to plant vegetables and tend flowers from the time he was little.

The vegetables he grew were shriveled, and the flowers he tended always wilted.

Rong Xiao Yu put his hands on his hips. "Grandma, I'm going to become a great farmer and take care of you! I'll be a plant expert!"

Grandma covered her ears. "Rong Xiao Yu, just say you want to starve this old woman to death!"

In all these years, Rong Yu had managed to raise only three plants: a little Peach Egg, a Bear's Paw, and a Songjin.

Then the Apocalypse came.

Even his three little succulents abandoned him, dying one after another. Heartbroken, Rong Yu packed up and carried the pots of his three companions into the base.

He was assigned to the vegetable-growing area and given a little plot of his own.

He worked hard, only to end up growing a completely barren field.

Luckily, a kind person often brought him vegetables. Rong Yu was deeply touched.

Everyone around him awakened an ability. Rong Yu thought, I'll take anything except a wood ability. I'm not picky.

A few nights later, he woke up, blinded by the green light glowing from his hand.

Just when all hope seemed lost, a furry hand smacked him unconscious.

Bo Chong was second-in-command at the base.

His buddies all knew that Bo Chong had a sweetheart who couldn't grow vegetables in the greenhouse.

He often brought his sweetheart vegetables and meat, too.

But the good times didn't last. Tensions within the base kept getting worse.

Bo Chong decided to leave and establish a new base.

Before leaving, he worked up the courage to invite Rong Yu to come with him.

Rong Yu realized it was his upperclassman, the kind person who had helped him before the Apocalypse.

His upperclassman was such a great guy!

It couldn't hurt to follow him.

Rong Yu waved his hand, and the three little succulents led countless vegetables bouncing out of the greenhouse.

Top: ...

Pack them all up and take them with us.

Theme: Treat others with sincerity, and be confident and determined