Chen Bai died from overwork while trying to pay off a million-dollar debt.... more>>

To his surprise, he becomes a side character who not only shares his name and appearance but is also burdened with an even greater debt left by his father—a staggering million yuan. In the original storyline, this character is destined to be a mere stand-in for the male lead’s lost love, enduring an abusive relationship and ultimately succumbing to despair by taking his own life.

Refusing to repeat the tragic fate scripted for him, Chen Bai confronts his overwhelming debt with unwavering determination. Embracing his innate work ethic, he juggles eight jobs a day—by day, a dedicated stand-in actor fully immersing himself in his role; by night, a relentless worker taking on odd jobs and live-streaming until the early hours. His exceptional skills and genuine dedication not only help him chip away at his colossal debt but also inadvertently capture the attention and affection of the male lead.

When the original love returns, the male lead realizes he can’t let go of his feelings for Chen Bai. In a grand romantic gesture filled with flowers and music, he confesses his love. Yet, ever the pragmatist, Chen Bai interrupts to take a call, casually announcing that his shift has ended and he must head to his next job—unlocking someone’s door.

Stunned, the male lead asks if there’s someone else. Chen Bai simply replies, “I need to go unlock someone’s door.”

Balancing his roles as a professional stand-in and a part-time locksmith, Chen Bai navigates his new life with practicality and resilience. In defying his predestined path, he transforms from a tragic side character into the unexpected hero of his own story.

A witty and heartwarming tale of determination and self-reliance, this novel explores how one man’s relentless work ethic and refusal to accept a doomed fate can rewrite the pages of destiny—even within the confines of a fictional world. <<less

In every novel, there are always some villains with tragic pasts and twisted personalities, acting as stumbling blocks on the protagonist's life path.... more>>

Chen Luosong, as calm as pine trees, with a stable temperament and a charming smile, is an outstanding employee of the Transmigration Bureau dedicated to reforming villainous characters.

He has reformed not limited to but including young masters of wealthy families, fallen 18th-tier celebrities, and the banished son of a demon lord.

The solitary pine will quietly accompany until spring's warmth, and even on abandoned planets, it will bloom fervently.

[World One] The son of the wealthiest man in the world was kidnapped by human tr*ffickers, endured hardships in exile, and suffered poverty and cold. After news of his father's death spread, the person claiming to be his father’s secretary brought him back, giving him a home and truly making him a complete person.

[World Two] An actor who offended someone and got blacklisted was dragged onto a drinking table. The person sitting at the head of the table helped him adjust his pulled-down collar.

This person led him out of adversity, propelled him onto the big screen, and stood under the bright spotlight.

[World Three] The banished son of a demon lord was adopted by a gentle but frail mortal in the human world.

① 1v1, with Gong being one person, the ending is HE, in some worlds Shou will be with Gong, in others not, Shou leaves after completing the rescue mission [Highlighted] <<less

The world always has those protagonist-like individuals—escaping from horror games, bearing the responsibility to save the world from monsters alongside their companions. Due to such and such reasons, they have no choice but to live in ordinary citizens’ homes, outwardly portraying themselves as typical high school students while secretly battling monsters and leveling up. ... more>>

And the ordinary citizens are ordinary but kind, always tolerant of the protagonist’s late returns, providing a gentle sanctuary.

Jiang Yujin, however, is the antithesis of that ordinary citizen. Running a struggling business, living an unkempt life, the protagonist attends school by day, fights monsters after school, and even returns home to do his laundry and cook for Jiang Yujin.

Yet even a laid-back person needs to turn things around. Despite financial deficits, Jiang Yujin briefly stands tall.

While the protagonist battles monsters, he helps someone find their lost cat. While the protagonist tirelessly protects the school from monsters, Jiang Yujin is involved in romantic escapades with the Special Investigation Unit for Strange Species (?!). While the protagonist hunts for clues behind the scenes, Jiang Yujin, with a small skirt in hand, pretends to be a rich lady in an online romance scam.

When the protagonist and allies face a major monster, Jiang Yujin… well, he stays up all night playing mahjong and ends up lying dead drunk at his doorstep.

When the protagonist finds themselves in a precarious situation…

The dead lying at the doorstep vanished.

——

Beside the massive monster’s corpse, in front of the protagonist’s group, a man with snow-white hair blowing backward, holding a blade stained with threads of blood.

Amidst the silence, Jiang Yujin, the ordinary citizen, lowers his eyes, bending slowly with the blade’s support:

“Urgh—”

Surely shouldn’t have had those two drinks after playing mahjong.

Protagonist’s group: “…”

— —

Xu Tonggui, captain of the Special Investigation Unit, known as the living Yama in everyone’s eyes, a workaholic whose life revolves only around his job. Everyone thought he would remain a lifelong bachelor. Even the members of the Special Investigation Unit believed so.

Until one day, they saw their captain pinning down someone whose hair was so disheveled it covered their face, gritting his teeth as he asked in a low voice, “Drinking again?”

The hair covering half the face was lifted by a large palm, and the person pinned down on the car glanced sideways—

That day, the members of the Special Investigation Unit understood two things:

Never underestimate someone who seems unkempt.

The captain has a damn good eye.

— —

#A chronicle of an unreliable adult suddenly becoming reliable, but not entirely#

#Your guardian is still your guardian#

#The man behind the high schooler saving the world# <<less