Translated by Eve
Edited by Kara
Xiao Yuanmu’s eyes were dark, and his tone was unreadable. “You agree?”
“I agree.” Song Xuanhe seemed to have not noticed the other’s dark expression. He said in a casual tone, “I’ve never been one to do long-distance relationships. You’re also so busy, and it’s not like either of us went into this relationship thinking it’d be real. Things will get back on the right track if we break up now.”
“Back on the right track.” Xiao Yuanmu repeated his last few words, lips suddenly rising into an arc. Derision was written all over his face. “If us breaking up is ‘getting back on the right track,’ then what was I to you when we first got together?”
Xiao Yuanmu got up and walked closer to Song Xuanhe. His eyes were cold like a bottomless abyss. There was also a sinister gloominess constrained within them. His voice was cold as winter’s frost. “A substitute?”
Song Xuanhe didn’t panic when he saw Xiao Yuanmu walk over. He returned the other’s gaze calmly. But when he heard the word, “substitute,” he was still inevitably taken aback. He frowned. “What substitute?”
“The reason you had used the Director to threaten me to date you.” Xiao Yuanmu moved in closer, hands falling onto the back of the sofa behind Song Xuanhe. After trapping him, he continued in a low, frigid voice, “The reason you had wanted to act like a couple with me even though you don’t like me. The reason why you have never tried to do anything with me even after we had moved in together.”
Xiao Yuanmu’s black pupils were trained on Song Xuanhe, catching every single change in his expression. His lips curled into a ridiculing arc. “Am I right?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Song Xuanhe’s eyebrows were furrowed tightly. He had already anticipated how Xiao Yuanmu would react when he had said that he wanted to break up. That had been why he didn’t panic upon sensing Xiao Yuanmu’s anger. But when he had heard the other randomly mention a “substitute” and saw the serious, dark look in his eyes, he knew that things were heading in an unexpected direction.
“What substitute?” Although he had a faint, bad premonition, Song Xuanhe didn’t feel afraid at all for some reason. Instead, he simply met Xiao Yuanmu’s eyes with his own pure, innocent ones. “Explain.”
Those pure eyes would make one unwittingly lower their guard and trust his every word. Even if you knew that he was clearly lying, you wouldn’t be able to help but try to find an excuse for him. You’d rather lie to yourself than to cause disappointment to appear in his eyes.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
How come he hadn’t noticed that Song Xuanhe had such good-looking eyes in his previous two lives? They were so good-looking that he was even willing to deceive himself now.
“Lft.”
Wljb Tejcwe ijeutfv mbivis. Lf kjrc’a ijeutlcu ja Vbcu Wejctf yea ja tlwrfio. Snfc atbeut tf xcfk atja clcf bea bo afc atlcur Vbcu Wejctf rjlv kfgf ojirf, tf kjr ralii kliilcu ab yfilfnf atja ktja tf rjlv kjr agef.
The words Song Jiani had said to him at Xiao Nan’s banquet echoed in his ears. “Do you actually think Xuanhe gege likes you? The person he likes isn’t you but someone else. You’re nothing but a substitute!”
“Have you never wondered why Xuanhe gege wants to be with you or why he would threaten you with the Director but never formally introduce you to everyone else after you had gotten together?”
Song Jiani had smiled as she raised her glass of champagne. She had looked pleased with herself like she was looking at some ignorant soul. Quietly, she had continued, “If I’m not mistaken, you two haven’t slept with each other yet, have you? You don’t have to trust me. Of course, you are free to go investigate this. Find out who Xuanhe gege is the happiest with and who he cares for the most.”
“Or, just watch Xuanhe gege when he talks to others. I have never seen Xuanhe gege smile at you as happily as he does with the person he likes.”
“Vbwfbcf abiv wf atja sbe’gf erlcu wf jr j reyralaeaf obg Wljb Vtfcuilc.” Wljb Tejcwe’r ujhf kjr olzfv bcab Vbcu Wejctf’r. Lf jrxfv, “Qjr rtf gluta?”
“Impossible!”
If Xiao Yuanmu had mentioned anyone else, Song Xuanhe might have hesitated and wondered whether the original host had been capable of doing such a scummy thing. However, the person he had mentioned was Xiao Shenglin.
Although Xiao Yuanmu and Xiao Shenglin both had the surname “Xiao,” and Xiao Shenglin was indeed a member of a related branch family, their appearances and personalities were completely different. There was no way either of them could be a substitute for the other.
“What, you believed her just ‘cause she said it?” Song Xuanhe didn’t cover up just how ridiculous he found this to be. “Think about it yourself, how are you and Xiao Shenglin similar? You guys aren’t alike at all!”
Song Xuanhe had thought that Xiao Yuanmu would have been swayed when he heard this or at least doubt himself. But, Xiao Yuanmu’s expression was currently unexpectedly calm. He only quietly made a “mn” sound before asking, “Who do you think I’m like then?”
“No one.” Song Xuanhe pushed Xiao Yuanmu’s face further away and looked off to the side. “Don’t listen to nonsense. I had just wanted to be with you back then because you are good-looking.”
Xiao Yuanmu let go and left without a word. A moment later, he came out of the bedroom with two pictures. He handed them over to Song Xuanhe.
Song Xuanhe picked one up. It was Xiao Yuanmu dressed in undergraduate graduation robes at the gates of his university. Although the Xiao Yuanmu in the image had a distant look in his eyes, they also still had the purity and brightness of youth.
This made Song Xuanhe suddenly recall the first time they had met as well as the other’s bright eyes from when Song Xuanhe had saved him at the pool. Although he was still Xiao Yuanmu after his rebirth, very few people would instantly think he was the same just by looking at this photo. Their auras were completely different.
Song Xuanhe subconsciously glanced at the current Xiao Yuanmu. In the past, Song Xuanhe had felt like there wasn’t much of a difference between the pre-rebirth and post-rebirth Xiao Yuanmu. However, looking at him now, he discovered that there was actually a big difference.
To put it another way, this post-rebirth Xiao Yuanmu had gradually changed. This change hadn’t taken place overnight. It had happened over a long period of time.
This was why Song Xuanhe had been so slow to pick up on it. It hadn’t been until the matter with Sun Jinren that he had realized that Xiao Yuanmu had been reborn in advance. After having seen this photo, he also realized that he hadn’t been able to read Xiao Yuanmu the same way he had with his pre-rebirth self in a long time.
The current Xiao Yuanmu was unfathomable.
It was just…. Song Xuanhe’s finger twitched on his leg. Regardless of which Xiao Yuanmu it was, he would always make him feel conflicted and afraid.
It was probably because he had understood the pre-rebirth Xiao Yuanmu, who had been distant and cold but also weak. And also, because he had seen how the strong post-rebirth Xiao Yuanmu really liked dogs. And also, because he had seen how deathly pale Xiao Yuanmu had gotten after having seen that snake before.
He knew Xiao Yuanmu’s weakness, preferences, and how much pain and darkness were beneath his strong exterior. Unwittingly, he had come to completely understand him.
The last person he had known this well had been his best friend, who had told Song Xuanhe to continue living on happily just before he had died. Xiao Yuanmu was the second person, but their relationship, regardless of what form it took, was not destined to last long.
Speaking of which, it seemed like, regardless of which world he was in, the people he cared about would always leave him.
Everyone else would be incidental. It was only Xiao Yuanmu who was foreordained to leave him. Since that was the case, he had all the more reason to make sure this was settled now. From now on, Xiao Yuanmu would have a promising future ahead of him. There would be many people who loved him. After Song Xuanhe left this world, Xiao Yuanmu would naturally be able to begin anew.
Song Xuanhe stared at the second photo. His pupils constricted slightly. He then smiled. It seemed like things wouldn’t have to wait until he left. From today on, it looked like he and Xiao Yuanmu would be completely over.
The person in the second photo was someone Song Xuanhe was very familiar with: Xiao Shenglin during his school days.
If you were to just look at these two people in these photos and not think of what they were like in real life now, Song Xuanhe had to admit that Xiao Shenglin, who had also been wearing a graduation gown and had a cold expression on his face, looked really alike to the distant pre-rebirth Xiao Yuanmu. Just by comparing these two photos, you’d also realize that their features and face shape were quite similar as well.
The current Xiao Shenglin was gentle and refined. His features were soft and elegant. Meanwhile, the current Xiao Yuanmu was cold and indifferent. His features were even frostier and sharper than before. Therefore, no one thought they looked alike. But of course, this was on the premise that no one saw these two particular photos.
After having seen these two photos, Song Xuanhe naturally couldn’t lie with his eyes open. Even if he did, Xiao Yuanmu wouldn’t believe him.
Song Xuanhe placed the photos onto the coffee table and turned to meet Xiao Yuanmu’s gaze. He smiled and asked, “Are you trying to use these two photos to prove that I’ve been using you as Xiao Shenglin’s substitute?”
Xiao Yuanmu’s legs were crossed as he sat on the armchair. He had been waiting with cold eyes ever since Song Xuanhe had laid eyes on those photos. His fingers had been tapping against the armrest rhythmically. When he had heard Song Xuanhe speak up, the tapping stopped. He looked up. “Were you?”
“If I said no, would you believe me?”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yuanmu’s cold but firm tone startled Song Xuanhe. He peered into Xiao Yuanmu’s jet-black eyes. There were countless complicated emotions hidden in his bottomless eyes. Song Xuanhe discovered that he suddenly couldn’t utter the words that were already in his mouth.
Song Xuanhe regarded him, a heedless smile in those clear eyes of his. It looked like there were no emotions in his eyes. “And, what if I said yes?”
A moment of silence later, Xiao Yuanmu moved his hand to his leg. He pursed his lips slightly, his cool voice tense with some kind of emotion. “I hope that you’ll say no.”
Song Xuanhe looked down and asked again, “If I said yes, would you believe me?”
When he saw Song Xuanhe break eye contact, something quickly flickered through Xiao Yuanmu’s black eyes. His pursed lips curled up slightly. There was some kind of alluring tone and hidden danger constrained within his voice. “Whatever you say, I will believe it.”
Eve: Guesses on what He bao will say??? Also, again, I cry because SXH clearly cares about XYM (HE EVEN SAID HE’S 1 of the 2 PEOPLE HE’S EVER REALLY CARED ABOUT TO THIS EXTENT). And the part where he muses about how everyone he cares about leaves him (INCLUDING HIS PARENTS) I—-
Kara: inhales— (┛◉Д◉)┛彡┻━┻ WHY DO WE HAVE TO PLAY THESE KIND OF MINDGAMES, HUH, MY PRECIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL SONS??? WHY???? YOUR MOM IS TIRED!! I JUST WANT MY SONS TO BE HAPPY AND IN LOVE!! 。゚(゚´Д`゚)゚。 Mom demands sweetness later, otherwise I don’t know how more I can take. My heart is hurting… _:(´ཀ`」 ∠):_ …
Thank you for the chapter!! Please say no SXH ;-;
ack! sxh please please say no !!!
Aaaaah don’t be dumb SXH!! Just say no!!! I beg you!!! My heart can’t take it QAQ
Thanks for the chapter!!
Thanks for the update
my anxiety levels just went off the charts 📈
SXH I hope you make the right choice, for my hearts sake :(´ཀ`」 ∠):
Xiao Yuanmu and Song Xuanhe are quite big on nonverbal signals. Is it an elite people thing? (´・∀・`) I hope what Yuanmu picked up on that action is that if He Bao said yes (while breaking eye contact), he lyin’. So it wouldn’t hurt that muchh. Though their thought processes are quite unfathomable sometimes for a peasant like me ( ̄▽ ̄;)
Thanks for the update!
Ah, now I am really curious about Xuanhe’s best friend from his last life… So much foreshadow(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
Thank you for the chap!
+1, I hope XYM is the reincarnation of the best friend!
I can’t do it anymore guys, your comrade has fallen… I will be waiting for the novel to finish so that I can binge read it or else I will literally drop dead QAQ Thanks for the chapter, see you on the final chapter~
Awkward breakup, but the MC knows he’s doing the right thing.
Why do I feel like this chapter was a pit??? (T▽T) I hope I get to sleep tonight
I really love how they are confliceted it makes the romance somewhat believable. Thank you
Oh my god hes gonna say yes isnt he. Hes gonna say yes so that Mumu will yeet himself out of his life. Ugh. I hope he says no but also I welcome angst and pain so I half hope he says yes.
Also im still worried about Shenglin drinking himself away. hdlwagwisb Thanks for the chapter~
<3<3<3
He better say no 😤
Thanks for the chapter!!
Omg, these two…they both have one brain cell when it comes to each other 😆
Thanks for the chapter!!!
My heart really can’t handle this, i hope this ends well :’( thank you for translating!
Crawling and dying alone…I need sugarrrrrr
Thanks for the great translation ♥️
Thanks for the chapter! ^^)❤
Thanks Eve and Kara. What I feel is exactly like you two (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻(ᗒᗩᗕ)(ᗒᗩᗕ)(ᗒᗩᗕ)(ᗒᗩᗕ)
Now THAT was a cliffhanger. Thank you for the update. The waiting might just kill me.
@^@ Q^Q I can’t take it. The angnst and the pain….. I need sugar for healsies
oh no SXH is going to say yes, isn’t he? for XYMs sake and for clean breakup
Thanks for the update
Thank you for translating! <3
+1 Eve and Kara my mind is blowing up huhuhu
Now I’m Really Curious what SXH bestfriend look like
Kara-mom? Can I smack your He Bao? Please?
Just answer the question properly, He Bao! You know he’s paranoid, so stop messing with him, urrrggghhhhhhh
can’t wait till they break up and we eat some real fluff…
My heart is also hurting :(( I just want them both to be happy. I understand how Xuanhe has to keep his distance because he believes he has to go back to his original world but I need some sweetness..
Thanks for the chapter <3
Tuesday please come quickly tuesday please come quickly tuesday please come quickly-
QAQ
Thanks for the chapter (〒﹏〒)
SXH clearly cares about XYM but is suppressing himself because of the plot ….Ahh! Now only XYm can change the plot.
Thanks for the chapter
… who is xiao shenglin? i dont know who this man is
Song Xuanhe’s buddy. The one he’s comfortable with. He kind of face slapped the white lotus b in the cufflink incident and is getting drunk in his sorrows with their funny buddy now.
many thanks for the reminder~
The Song girl is causing trouble again?! Why Xiao Yuanmu listened to her words? They’re all nonsense.
Thanks for the chapter!
I WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT AAAA I’M SO EXCITED ༼ つ ◕◡◕ ༽つ
This kind of torture is slow but deathly ☠️
Pls say no 🙁 also i really want to know about that best friend
I don’t know if the cliff hanger is good thing or not. Because if I remember correctly, in regards to the whole revelation of the substitute lover scene, the chapter ends /after/ the person admits to using their current significant other as the substitute or as soon as the person gets their “using SO as a substitute” gimmick gets exposed. Here, we were given a buffer event wherein the photos of the lookalikes were exposed and then the chapter ends with a question hanging in the air.
The author could either follow the dog blood path or the relatively refreshing proper communication way. The aforementioned buffer scene plus the story’s trajectory so far has given me a little hope that the author will swerve away from the dog blood path. Aiyayayaya, idk. This whole XSL possibly being the white moonlight of SXH hit me harder than Ye Wangxi’s reveal in 2ha.
On a different note, that best friend of our MC has been mentioned all throughout the story. There’s already a bunch of transmigration novels that features the soul of the ML gimmick wherein somehow, a person from the main character’s original world is present in the MC’s current world due to some soul stuff wizardry. Will the book follow that path two? Is XYM somehow our MC’s past best friend? I really find it unlikely in this novel. The question is, what’s the purpose of mentioning the past friend? Is it to just take a look into SXH’s past and make him more human by asdfghjkl-
This is already too long and it’s past my bedtime. Goodnight-
Im too honest for all this. If just be like “i dated you because I was told if I didn’t I would die” and leave it at that
1
Say no please😣
BRO COME BACK
BRO YOU CHANGED
(this novel’s titles are the bait for the trap that is its angst… I swear to Dianxia, every time I hope for a cute feeling chapter and it’s angst)
I wonder if SXH has ever got drunk with the drink that symbolized his friendship with his best friend after his death… yo why am I hurting myself over them??
blind trust over each other makes me cryyyy
and we’ll have the inevitable separation of who knows many years… Mumu better get his life together and come back ready to court SXH
but SXH’s OG!world is a very concerning matter… who will clean his parents and buddy’s graves?
thank you for the chapter!
Xiao Shenglin: Why must you pit me? щ(゚Д゚щ;)
Where is my dog food? cry
Kara I’m with you. 😖
Thanks for the chapter! ٩(๑•◡-๑)۶ⒽⓤⒼ❤
Me is Kara. T^T
Xiao Shenglin became the rival now, lmao.
I’m shaking omg.
i bet sxh will say yes lol because he wants to push xym away as much as he could…
I started bawling at the everyone leaves him moment. T-T my heart it breaks.
I don’t think XSL is innocent in this whole mess. Somehow, right on the night XYM is meant to leave the country, XSL is having some sort of problem and is getting completely drunk. And I bet it wasn’t ZN who wanted SXH to go and help him take care of the XSL, but XSL himself.
As for what his reason for doing this could be? 🤔 He either likes SXH or XYM.
Just please say “yes”. Bring me more angst. I have not had enough.
If Song Xuanhe wanted Xiao Shenglin, then where are portraits of Xiao Shenglin in his sketchbook? Where are designs inspired by him?
oof. this has got to be my fav chapter so far just cos I like hurting myself and the characters. 😭😅
OH GOD SONG IM SO SORRY THAT YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN LIKE THIS QAQ
Thank You for the chapter (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤