How to Properly Use the Male Lead

Qi Mu discovered that his world was a novel. The overpowered male lead was a rich heir who hid his identity to work at a small company, going around showing off and humiliating his enemies, pretending to be weak while secretly being strong. Everyone who crossed him met a terrible end. It was undeniably a brainless wish-fulfillment novel, but Qi Mu wasn't happy about it.

He wasn't the male lead or one of his allies. He wasn't even a villain. He was just a minor early-game boss the male lead encountered, whose company went bankrupt because he coveted the male lead.

Qi Mu: ? He wasn't even into men!

From afar, Qi Mu watched the new hire who was unmistakably the male lead: exceptionally handsome and distinguished. He thought of the plot, where his lust would bring about his company's bankruptcy and his family's ruin, and took a deep breath. What kind of brainless story was this, where the rich guy could destroy a company with a snap of his fingers?

There was no way he was going to fall for the male lead. But if the heir was going to work here, Qi Mu might as well make use of him. In this novel, the male lead never lost. No matter what difficulties he faced, he overcame them with ease. He was basically using cheats.

Can't close a deal?

No problem. Just bring the male lead along.

Can't get a contract signed?

No problem. Just bring the male lead along.

And if something else comes up...

Whatever it is, bringing the male lead along is the answer.

Qi Mu took the male lead on every business trip, banquet, and negotiation, entrusting him with important responsibilities. Riding on the male lead's good luck, the company flourished. With the threat of bankruptcy finally gone, Qi Mu decided to end their employment relationship and send this formidable man on his way in peace.

So he took out a termination agreement, scrawled his signature, and gave the male lead N+100 in severance pay, as a reward for helping him make money.

The male lead looked at him in disbelief. “So everything you've done was just to make me help you earn money?”

Qi Mu: “What else?” (confused.jpg)

The male lead was silent for a long time, then tore up the termination agreement and gave a cold laugh. “You're throwing me away after using me? You think that amount of money will get rid of me?”

Qi Mu looked away. “...It's not like we can't discuss the price.”

The male lead glanced at him, then pressed a warm hand to the back of his neck and pulled him close. In a low, husky whisper, he said, “But if Mr. Qi is willing to pay me in other ways, we might be able to come to an arrangement.”

Qi Mu: ?

Wait, where the hell has this ridiculous plot taken me?

Didn't you also say you weren't into men?

#I thought my husband liked me, but he just treated me like a workhorse#

#I fought as hard as I could, but couldn't resist the capitalist's sugar-coated bullets#

Blurb written March 10, 2025.

Upcoming novel: "This Friend Has Got to Go", please add it to your collection~

Fang Yuan has an alpha best friend who's top-tier in every way: a good family, good looks, and good grades.

As an unremarkable beta, Fang Yuan is often proud of his alpha friend.

Until one day, while they were out together, his alpha friend suddenly said, “That omega who just walked past smells amazing.”

Fang Yuan: ?

·

Fang Yuan discovers that his world is an ABO romance novel full of angst. His alpha friend is the seme protagonist, while Fang Yuan is a passerby whose name appears fewer than three times in the entire book.

In the near future, an accident involving pheromones will lead his alpha friend to spend a night with that omega. But the alpha will be cold and cruel, getting the omega pregnant and causing them to miscarry, then subjecting them to a horrifying forced-love storyline.

Fang Yuan: ? This friend has got to go.

They're over. They have to be!

Fang Yuan stops answering calls, ignores texts, and turns down every invitation, determined to stay away from this criminal.

Alphas really are terrifying. From now on, he should rule out A's when making friends!

His friend comes to see him, looking utterly confused and innocent, and asks why Fang Yuan won't talk to him. Fang Yuan refuses to budge, because he's seen through the man's true nature!

Until an accident happens.

He and his alpha friend end up in bed together. Fang Yuan is devastated, but at least he's a beta, so pheromones can't affect him and he can't be marked.

Fang Yuan just wants to pretend it never happened.

But his alpha friend doesn't see it that way. Again and again, he bites the back of Fang Yuan's neck, panting as he says, “I know you've had a crush on me. You wanted to break things off because you were jealous. I won't look at anyone else again. You're the only one I love.”

Fang Yuan: ...That's not what happened, you bastard! Get off me!

Both virgins, one-on-one, sweet romance.

Seme: I've had a crush on my wife for ages. I can't believe he likes me back. Overjoyed.jpg

Uke: I only wanted to end our friendship. How did I end up with my friend? Confused.jpg

Upcoming novel: "I Thought I Was Just a Cannon Fodder", please add it to your collection~

After Shu Yan dies, he transmigrates to a world of immortal cultivation as the younger brother of the villainous demon lord. His System tells him he's Taskmaster No. 7152, and his mission is to kill the demon lord and stop him from destroying the world.

Shu Yan is baffled. “Did you just assign these numbers at random?”

System: “Nope. You're the 7,152nd taskmaster. Good luck, newbie!”

Shu Yan stares with innocent eyes. “...Do I look like someone who can save the world?”

More than seven thousand predecessors have already failed. Shu Yan doesn't think he can succeed either. He doesn't want to throw his life away; he'd rather survive one day at a time.

After a while, the System tries to persuade him. “You're the only younger brother the demon lord dotes on. You got a winning hand from the start, and being close to him gives you an advantage. Why not give it a try? The reward for success is incredible. If you pull it off, you can lie flat for the rest of your life and never have to live in fear again.”

Shu Yan wavers.

The System says, “You've got two lives. What are you afraid of?”

Shu Yan: “...Then I guess I'll try?”

Try it and die.

Shu Yan finally finds a chance to sneak up on the demon lord. But before he can even draw his knife, the demon lord subdues him. The beautiful man, as ethereal as an immortal, watches him with a faint smile. “What a naughty child.”

Shu Yan: “Waaah, am I going to be tortured to death?”

Shu Yan pictures the gruesome deaths of his predecessors and thinks he's done for. But he isn't. The demon lord merely locks him up.

The man puts golden bells around his ankles and won't even let him wear shoes inside.

Then Shu Yan finally realizes what a terrifying demon lord this is! His butt hurts so much T T

With the System's help, Shu Yan finally manages to escape.

Watching the man chase after him, he throws himself off a cliff without hesitation.

He refuses to stay by the demon lord's side any longer!

After this ordeal, Shu Yan has a clear understanding of his own abilities. Killing the demon lord is out of the question. Rather than walking straight into a trap, he'd be better off staying away.

Shu Yan ignores the System's urging. As long as he doesn't do the mission, he can live freely in this world. This is the kind of mission best left to someone who actually wants to do it!

Shu Yan enjoys a peaceful life in the countryside, determined to keep slacking off and taking life easy.

Time flies, and three years pass in the blink of an eye.

Shu Yan has nearly forgotten about his mission when one day, while going into town to buy rice, he spots an ornate carriage in the distance. The wind lifts the curtain, revealing a refined and handsome man inside, dressed in pale, simple clothes with black gauze covering his eyes.

Shu Yan freezes, his heart suddenly racing in fear. He quickly reassures himself that the demon lord definitely hasn't seen him. But wait... how did the demon lord go blind?

Who could possibly hurt him?

Calm down, calm down. Even if the demon lord isn't blind, he can't possibly recognize him. There's no need to borrow trouble. Carrying his bag of millet, Shu Yan cheerfully heads home.

But before long, he runs into the demon lord again.

The man lowers his head and closes his eyes. Pale-faced, he pulls Shu Yan tightly into his arms and says in a husky voice, “Please don't leave again, all right?”

Theme: Our fate is in our own hands.