My Stepbrother Is the Second Male Lead Who Gets Rejected

【Pampered, bubbly little sun x gentle, gloomy sickly beauty】 Yue Fu transmigrates into a crematorium-style romance novel as the stepsister of the devoted second male lead. The ninth son of the Xie family, Xie Zhen, is plagued by illness, blessed with unparalleled looks, and as gentle as jade. In the original story, when his illness takes a turn for the worse, he falls in love with the heroine at first sight. He sinks deeper and deeper, following the well-worn path of the tender second male lead. Yue Fu had liked Xie Zhen ever since she read the book. After transmigrating into it, she makes a point of sticking close to him, doing everything she can to keep him from falling for the heroine and meeting the tragedy of dying young. She makes sure he takes his medicine at home, explores all kinds of candied fruit with him, and drags him out on spring outings. When she runs out of excuses, she simply pretends to be sick and throws a tantrum, clinging to Xie Zhen until he can barely get away from her all day. Every time, Xie Zhen's gaze is gentle and helpless. “Ah Fu, listen to your brother. Keep your distance from us.” Yue Fu retorts, full of confidence: “We're siblings! What's wrong with a big brother indulging his little sister? If I'm doing something wrong, teach me.” But later, her brother is still going to marry the heroine. Yue Fu thinks that perhaps he really does love her. If so, Yue Fu will help them be together. On the day of Xie Zhen's wedding, Yue Fu stands alone before the male lead, who has come seeking revenge, and dies beneath the hooves of his enraged horse. In her final moments, she sees someone stumbling toward her. Her brother must be happy now. And she should be able to go home. Yue Fu closes her eyes with a smile. When she wakes again, Yue Fu discovers she has returned to the book's world. But the story has changed beyond recognition. The second male lead, who was supposed to die young, has become the youngest Grand Secretary in the Great Yi, wielding the power of life and death. Dragging his barely living body, he brings the lofty Prince Regent down. He throws the man, along with everyone involved, into the dungeon, where they are about to face a bloody massacre. Yue Fu is forced to transmigrate into the book a second time, with orders to soften Xie Zhen's heart and restore the original plot. Trembling with fear, Yue Fu appears before Xie Zhen. She tugs at his sleeve and softly calls, “Brother.” His face turns deathly pale in an instant. Then he raises a finger to his lips. “That's wrong, Ah Fu,” he corrects her. “I taught you that when you want something, you shouldn't call me ‘brother.’” *Both leads are each other's one and only, happy ending. *The male lead has eyes only for the heroine and no romantic feelings for the female rival. They have no intimate contact. The marriage is staged as part of a ruse, so please don't read if that bothers you. Coming soon: Back to the Day I Married My Stern Husband Still not all that in love, but let's kiss first Blurb: I don't love my husband. He's young, but hidebound and wooden, like an old relic that's rotted away underground. Even though he's loved me since childhood, everyone praises him as a brilliant young talent, our families arranged our marriage when we were children, and he followed every proper ritual to marry me with a grand wedding procession, I still don't love him. He knows I don't love him, so for three years of marriage, he treats me with respect and courtesy, as if we were guests beneath the same roof. Three years later, I accompany him to the capital to sit the imperial exams. He places first and is chosen as a husband for a princess right there beneath the exam results board. I know he turns down the marriage, but I don't intend to let this opportunity pass. So I fly into a rage, accuse him of abandoning the wife who stood by him through hardship, refuse to listen to his explanations, force him to sign a divorce agreement, and storm off. Then I die. In the lofty halls of the imperial family, the princess must get the man she wants. And I am nothing but a stumbling block in the eyes of those in power. After I die, my soul remains in the mortal world. I watch helplessly as my husband turns gray overnight and wastes away. He leaves the capital to mourn me for three years. When he returns, he becomes a powerful court official and destroys the century-old foundations of the previous dynasty. Then, on the day rebel forces lay siege to the city, he drinks a cup of poison and dies before my grave. Standing before his body, I look at the words on the tombstone: “The Tomb of His Beloved Wife, Jian Wei.” My nose stings, and suddenly I don't hate those words so much. After one long dream, I discover I've returned to our wedding day, with a red veil over my head. Unlike in my previous life, after a hurried patter of footsteps, he rushes toward me. He stops abruptly just as he reaches me. I hear him say, “Though this marriage was arranged by our parents and matchmakers, it is ultimately a matter between you and me. I was wrong to disregard your wishes. The ceremony isn't complete yet. If you don't want to go through with it...” Why is he rambling on and on? This isn't how it went in my last life. Impatient with his prattle, I suddenly pull off my veil, stand up, wrap my arms around him, and plant a loud kiss on him. Theme: Be bold and pursue love