Reborn, I Went Undercover by My Own Side

[A relationship-driven story, originally titled A Familiar Face, Perhaps]

Shi Zizhuo was reborn.

The first thing he did was take a knife to his own face, carving it into the likeness he had in his previous life.

In his previous life, his name was Jing Si. A carefree prince, he spent his days hawking and hunting dogs, drinking and living in a stupor, never bothering anyone.

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, auspicious snow promised a good harvest. While laughter and merriment filled other people's homes, he was killed alone in his sleep.

He hated it so much.

Reborn in this life, he would make the dead restless in their graves and tear his surviving enemies to pieces!

He would also... protect himself, live in peace, and sleep soundly.

Using his face, which was identical to the prince's, Shi Zizhuo became a spy placed in Prince Xian's residence by the Imperial Guard. There, he met his former self.

The plants and trees in the prince's residence were just as before, but his former self was as shameless as ever. The moment they met, he teased, "How well-endowed are you? Take it off and let me see."

Shi Zizhuo was at a loss for words. "...I had no idea you had that kind of taste."

*

A new face had arrived at Prince Xian's residence.

The newcomer carried himself with more authority than the prince. His eyes, hidden behind a mask, were dark and sinister, yet the prince indulged him.

They went everywhere together, ate and slept together, and spent night after night in passionate bliss, lavished with every favor.

But later, someone saw the prince trapped beneath a rain of arrows, while the newcomer used his body to shield him, a dagger pressed to the prince's heart.

"Are you going to kill me and claim the reward?" The prince smiled.

"Or die with me for love?"

*

The plum blossoms were in full bloom at the prince's residence that year. Though it was the depth of winter, the room was warm and cozy.

Among the embroidered quilts, Jing Si stroked Shi Zizhuo's face teasingly, heedless of the hand still gripping his neck.

"Today, the king has a king above him. At last, I know there is another me within myself."

A narcissistic switch romance: A flirtatious, sharp-tongued prince x A cunning, vicious, and restrained Imperial Guard

[Character art created by: MHS Manyu Tianshang]

◆ Another narcissistic switch romance:

How to Capture Myself

You are a police detective at the end of the 22nd century.

You discover there's a mole on your team, but you can't find them.

The serial killer you're investigating always seems to know what your team is going to do in advance.

Then one day, after a long time without looking in a mirror, you do so and see your reflection smile at you.

It turns out the serial killer lives inside your body.

Narcissistic switch romance, faux dissociative identity disorder. The upright, righteous primary personality x The unhinged, wicked secondary personality.

Told in third person.

Upcoming narcissistic switch romance: The Road Less Traveled

One morning, a CEO starts finding letters appearing in his home at random. The writer imitates his handwriting and manner of speaking, and the contents grow increasingly explicit...

Only later does he discover that the writer is a younger version of himself.

[Narcissistic switch romance, reverse time travel. A short story.]

Theme: Even when life is beyond our control, we must keep moving forward bravely.