The Grind King Becomes a Stand-In in a Scum Romance

Xie Jingyao, a famous workaholic in the infinite-flow world, quits his job and randomly picks a retirement instance for himself.

Xie Jingyao enters an entertainment-industry novel full of scumbags, masochists, and melodrama, becoming a pathetic stand-in.

The person he likes is the worst kind of scumbag. He eats his food, drinks his drinks, and constantly gaslights him with a lovesick expression. “Don't look so stiff. You don't look like him that way.”

“If you were him, you wouldn't begrudge me the money.”

Xie Jingyao: Sure. This is right up my alley.

He sticks to the stand-in script, working three jobs during the day and placating the scumbag at home at night. This workload isn't even enough to whet his appetite.

But three months later

All ten web dramas he starred in go viral as soon as they're released.

Fans dig up old footage and discover that, alongside acting in web dramas, he'd also appeared as a background extra on several obscure variety shows, striking a chord with overworked office workers.

They've never seen a celebrity work this hard!

Xie Jingyao, looking innocent: I've never seen an instance this relaxing, either!

Offers come pouring in, and Xie Jingyao is lucky enough to be invited to star in award-winning actor Lin Zhaoyan's comeback film.

When they're alone, Xie Jingyao looks excited and admiring, like a fan meeting a big shot. “I've always hoped I'd get to work with you. Now I finally have the chance!”

Lin Zhaoyan gives him a half-smile. “Is that so?”

Xie Jingyao nods emphatically.

Lin Zhaoyan raises his eyes. “In that hit web drama, you said you were a huge fan and asked me for an autograph, then turned around and sold it to a scalper.”

“And last time, on that dating show, you said I was the guest you liked most and that you wanted to spend the night with me.”

As it turned out, he'd waited for him in the lobby all night, only to learn in the morning that the guy had already taken the director's measly appearance fee and run off.

Xie Jingyao: “...”

Damn. He's been found out.

He'd thought Lin Zhaoyan would make his life difficult, but why was this guy looking at him more and more strangely?

-

The award-winning actor who's never been linked to anyone keeps showing up in gossip stories about staying up late rehearsing scenes with an actor from his production.

Lin Zhaoyan's fans: My guy is better off on his own! This nobody should stay away!

Xie Jingyao's fans: It's fake. My fave is the most dedicated actor around. He's definitely just asking his senior for advice about the script. You know how it is.

The scumbag who'd ignored Xie Jingyao for months: It can't be true. He's only ever loved me.

The scumbag rushes to Xie Jingyao's hotel in the middle of the night, with a bunch of paparazzi tailing him, eager to see a show.

When word gets out, everyone assumes they won't catch anything juicy.

But when the scumbag charges up to Xie Jingyao's room, the door opens before he can knock

His moonlight, Lin Zhaoyan, is leaning against the doorframe, his alluring peach-blossom eyes lazily raised. His handsome face bears a clear bite mark, and he lets the paparazzi snap away.

Xie Jingyao has just come out of the bathroom. His oversized bathrobe can't hide the kiss marks trailing from his neck down to his chest. Gritting his teeth, he grabs the peacock showing off in the doorway and pulls him inside, then slams the door.

Scumbag: ?

Paparazzi: Oh ho~

1. The shou and gong have already broken up with the scumbag before getting together.

Theme: Hard work brings wealth.