Don’t Be a Kept Man

Description

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In this world, there is always one type of man who does not want to improve themselves. They care only for themselves, by whatever means possible. They make their life goal to be kept as a lover, and they will use their lovers up until they have no more use.

Self-Reliant System: Our goal is to rise up! Our goal is to persevere! We must be self-sufficient and self-reliant!

When the system has bound numerous souls to enter into the bodies of those who only rely on their lovers, what could this lead to?

In other words, this is the main character transmigrating into a scummy human being, and creating his own destiny kind of story.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Don't be a soft rice man (manhua)
ระบบพึ่งพาตนเอง #ผู้ชายไม่กินข้าวนิ่ม
不做软饭男
Related Series
On the Thousand Postures Reconstructed by the Scumbags (Shared Universe)
The Rescue Of The Tragic Villain Is In Progress (Shared Universe)
I Come from Afar Within the Zerg (Same Franchise)
Recommendations
Beloved Husband (5)
Good Man Operation Guide (2)
On the Thousand Postures Reconstructed by the Scumbags (2)
Don’t Pick Up Boyfriends From the T*ash Bin (2)
Rebirth of a Movie Star (1)
Holding Onto My Man (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. here for the plot (actually)
  2. Multiple protagonists
  3. My favourite QT novels
  4. TBR (GL/BL) 5
  5. Masterpieces

Latest Release

Date Group Release
05/29/23 Winteree Translations c161
05/15/23 Winteree Translations c160
04/30/23 Winteree Translations c159
04/16/23 Winteree Translations c158
04/01/23 Winteree Translations c157
03/18/23 Winteree Translations c156
03/12/23 Winteree Translations c155
02/26/23 Winteree Translations c154
02/11/23 Winteree Translations c153
01/29/23 Winteree Translations c152
01/14/23 Winteree Translations c151
12/31/22 Winteree Translations c150
12/17/22 Winteree Translations c149
12/04/22 Winteree Translations c148
11/20/22 Winteree Translations c147
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58 Reviews sorted by


L_ose
L_ose rated it
December 11, 2023
Status: --
Why, the hell, are the endings so beautiful? Just finished 2nd Arc but I'm already here to give you a sign. ☯ If you're in with something light (?) read this.

It's so f'ing nice! Although sometimes I deadpan with the ML.

But

I just wonder if every MC in every arc is, yah know, weak. ඞ (I'm not complaining, it's unique.)

Oh well, will surely find that out by the end of this novel.

Thank you for continuously translating this! Really ! ෆ

Edit: currently in the 4th arc and IDk somehow I lost almost half of my interest.? (Maybe with just this arc, it's just kinda boring? Or am I just so sleepy earlier.? It's hard to differentiate) will surely still follow the novel and continue reading after my exam

Second Edit: Disregard what I just told with my first edit lmao The FOURTH ONE IS BEAUTIFUL!! I'm almost done with all 8 arcs kinda skipped the sixth arc tho.

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th arcs are my faves with the first and seventh ones being top of it all.

I still enjoy the rest like the fifth one? The one where the MC rebirthed.

7th arc MC has the best personality to me, I love him, dude is such a smoothie. 5th and 7th MLs are cute af (the others are also cute)

I haven't really gone into the 8th, it kinda bore me out
Spoiler

since it was the system.

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I'm blabbering lol.
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Asteroit
Asteroit rated it
November 17, 2023
Status: Completed
I was reading the author's other translated novel and realized this and that novel has the same author. I read this novel a whole time ago and I don't really remember it well. I just remember the first arc and the arc with martial arts MC becoming famous. I also remember that I loved this novel too and actually It was the first novel I read from this author. To be honest I liked The Rescue Of The Tragic Villain Is In Progress more than this one and I'm currently... more>> reading On the Thousand Postures Reconstructed by the s*umbags but This was the first one so I thought I should rate it. (I should've done it a long time ago) I actually thought I rated it before but I guess I didn't. I also liked this novel regardless so here u go~ <<less
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kello
kello
June 15, 2023
Status: v1c1
I love this novel so much !

Each arc has different protagonist and it's like different stories merged into one... according to their similarities like every MC was a s*um and took advantage of people around them. In this most were reborn, It's been a long time since I read this so I think only one of them is reincarnated. That's the 2nd arc ig

That arc was fav for some reason and I re-read only that arc again after completing the novel.

... more>>
Spoiler

the last arc is for the system who managed all of them till now ig, that arc is also cute as the system was not a human till then

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Kassandra
Kassandra rated it
October 20, 2022
Status: Completed
It's nice, I didn't expect that s*um would be the top. It's an unexpected surprise.

I like how it wrote stories about 8 people, and how they all healed. It's a very nice system novel.

008 is such a cutie, he deserved his current life. All of them deserve it.

Overall, a nice light read. I actually came here because I want to read the manhua and I thought, "Oh, I should try to read the novel first." And here I am!

Gotta go! Off to read the manhua.
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darkelf01
darkelf01 rated it
August 7, 2022
Status: c4
What a unique story and system! Initially I was scared off by the unreliable premise since you can't expect a new reader like me to believe that a s*um MC would change his way just by reading the stellar reviews.

The first few chapters are okay, they're very page-turning and the concept is unusual but fresh. It offset many things I don't like about s*um MCs, and it was within my expectation that he didn't like the system but I think he was slowly changing his behaviour, if only not to... more>> be punished by the system's restriction.

I like the ML, too. He's a delightfully realistic and cynical rich kid I didn't see often in novels. <<less
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Plotbunnies
Plotbunnies
May 19, 2022
Status: c125
Honest, I only read this novel because I found the manhua and got s**ked in. I recommend this novel. If you are looking for comedy you are gonna laugh, if you want tear jerking moments you will get plenty, and love stories worth their own full novel. Each pair works off each other and because this is a rebirth/transmigration novel you get to see two ways they work off each other. You get to see how they literally fall in to ruin because of each other and how they can... more>> bring out the best in each other.

I think that it is a point that each of the MCs got skills, skills that they aren't using. All the MCs wasted their ground shattering/god-tier/genius to be lazy careless leeches. The MCs all live one lifetime not caring about those around them, they live selfishly, and they are all self-center people who are as broken as their MLs. All got their comeuppances. It also interesting how none of them really set out to be better people in their second lives. They need help like their MLs and the system is the tyrantical life coach. The system does it's job too, it forces the MCs to pick up their perfect tushes and evolve in to better people. It really says something that each MC is greatful to the system by the end of their second lives.

All the MLs are broken people that end more broken because of the MC is a lazy careless leech, in this way the MLs are kind of cannon fodders. In some of the arcs the ML is an enabler to some of the MCs terrible behavior. I love how the MC is kind of falling in love with the MLs as people after they stop seeing the MLs as ATMs, it is also interesting that the MLs seem to open up more than what the MC remembers from their first life which believably surprises the MCs. Somehow, this works for the arc's benefit and mitigates some of the stuff I hate about redo protags. <<less
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Common_people
Common_people rated it
March 30, 2022
Status: Completed
Not the usual QT types, fresh plot for me, about the journey of the system to assist the s*umbag to be a reliable men, and earn points. The system is cute, it has a Lil bit humanity
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Melange
Melange rated it
February 15, 2022
Status: Completed
This is a pretty decent QT novel consisting of several arcs involving different couples and their relationships. There's a little bit of something for everyone and each couple has a varied dynamic.

My only gripe is that closure is not the author's strong suit. Most of the arcs end once there's a hint of a happy ending and the overall ending leaves something to be desired.

... more>>
Spoiler

The system becomes a human but his situation is never explained after he transmigrates into the body of a former scum, and his partner never discovers that he is not the original person.

Unfortunately, this is something that the author also did in their subsequent QT novel, 论渣男改造的一千种姿势 (Thousand Ways to Reform s*umbags).

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Daoist_TeA
Daoist_TeA rated it
August 30, 2021
Status: c120
I wish I could read this for the first time again. SO GOOD! I love this book with all my heart and soul!!!! 🤭❣️💕💕❤️💋🥰🥰
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Regra
Regra rated it
December 20, 2020
Status: c109
Ok. So.. I never liked BL where the MC was the top. Even if the story summary was giid I would skip it However this is a super big surprise for me! The start is good the character is captivating who cares about top or bottom

(╯°□°) ╯︵ ┻━┻ I still finished it! (^O^)

Recommended for all of you!
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Ouryane00
Ouryane00 rated it
December 20, 2020
Status: c61
I actually want to rate this 4.5 but I can’t click on the stars right lol

Anyway, among the novels w/ systems that I read, this one is pretty unique for me because every arc there are different characters not just the MC/ML transmigrating to another people’s lives.

Arc 1 ... more>>
Spoiler

I like this arc, really cute >///< can’t remember much tho cause read this arc months ago and I’m just commenting after reading arc 2

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Arc 2
Spoiler

For me, this arc was just so so. There were cute moments and all but I couldn’t grasp much of the characters, there were certain questions that for me weren’t solved like how come the ML accepted that we was married to ML instantly and slept w/ him etc. I know he was a player and he wanted to survive and all but for me, his thought process wasn’t explained much but overall it was still a good read but compared to arc 1 I like arc 1 better but that’s just my preference haha

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nhipnhip
nhipnhip rated it
March 26, 2025
Status: Completed
I read the first two volumes and I love the writing style of this novel.

Volume 1: 5/5 stars ⭐️

The pacing is great, the characters have a lot of depth and the underlying feelings and the tension were portrayed very well.

The development of the relationship between the characters started quite toxic and chaotic. The actions and emotions of them both were always pretty ambiguous and quite complex.

At first I thought that it was quite emotionless and stoic but you just have to read further to understand.

... more>>
Spoiler

The MC and the ML began their relationship in an incredibly toxic way. Both think they have too much to lose and are scared to commit to the relationship. They understand each other so well but because they are hiding from each other they are just in a very harmful and destructive relationship.

While the ML knows his feelings well and is clearly dependent on the MC, literally loving him to death.

He feels attracted to the gentle side that the ML rarely displays. Longing for more affection he is trapped. He can't let go even though the love he gets seems fake and not enough.

Being in a onesided relationship and being mentally unstable, he tries to keep being in control by „buying" the MC. He lashes out on the MC physically (in the first life), trying to hide his feelings as to not lose control. He doesn't realize that this behavior increases his insecurity in the authenticity of the MCs behavior. After he gave the MC seemingly everything he has in the first life and still couldn't get him to love him, he doesn't see way out anymore and ends their lives.

Meanwhile the MC has lived a hard life being poor. His way of living was using others for his benefit. He himself doesn't regard himself as a good person. He thinks that he is heartless and doesn't care about anything other than his dream of escaping from poverty. However, there are several small details showing that he does care and does have feelings. Otherwise he wouldn't stay with the ML in his second life. Even though he said that he would otherwise be killed, I am convinced that he is scheming enough to be able to break up. After knowing that he can't use the ML he still stayed. He accommodates the ML in his own inconspicuous ways. Covering him in the rain, taking him to the infirmary and buying him his favorite food and drinks. Throughout the second life these habits became slowly more and more apparent. He is also attracted to the ML because he is always true to himself different from the MC, never thinking of faking for benefits.

I think the MC was scarred by poverty. Thinking that the gap between the ML and him is too big he never thought of being fully accepted. I think one of the reasons he wanted to be wealthy is to stand on a better ground to face the ml. He doesn't know the extent of feelings of the ML and the mls fear. Therefore he just notices the possessiveness and anger issues. Being treated badly he himself doesn't realize that he somehow likes the ml.

The problems of their relationship is mainly because of one side thinking he can only keep the other with money while the other side thinking that the other can never treat him well and not realizing his own feelings. Both of them are afraid that changing their behavior will make them lose out.

So the crucial part in their second life is the MC being independent. Thus giving the ML more security so that he can open himself. Also the MC being independent gives him enough strength to finally accept the ML fully.

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volume 2: 4.5/5 stars ⭐️

I liked the witty MC and overall it was pretty sweet.

volume 3: 4/5 stars ⭐️

A pretty sweet story with badboy x sweet guy vibe. I felt like the MC is a bit too monotonous and stoic thats why I didn't feel the romance and tension between the characters that much. Still I enjoyed this volume as a sweet and short entertainment romance.

volume 4: 5/5 stars ⭐️

In the beginning the problems of the couple reminded me of volume 1 but there were changes halfway through.

Normally I don't read a lot of exorcist novels but this story took my heart away. It's quite emotional.

Spoiler

Its kind of bittersweet. Especially because both are so in love with one another. I felt so sad for the MC. He knew that their relationship would be the mls demise but never had the heart to rlly break up. All these attempts just made him and the ML feel worse. But still both can't let go of the other. The amount of guilt the MC must have felt. The sadness that he hid away just hit me so hard.

Just like all the small things the ML did to search for feelings of the MC for him. His cause of death was truly tragic.

I survived because this had a happy ending otherwise I might have needed a break. As long as they are together dead or alive I don't care.

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As a shortstory this has quite a lot of depth and I loved this wholeheartedly!!

volume 5: 4/5 stars ⭐️

I think this story is quite cute but there were minor things that I disliked.

I didn't like how the MC was so immature in the beginning.
Spoiler

He was always calling the ML s*upid and he was overall very shortsighted.

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But the character development was good. I didn't like the portrayal of the ML that much.
Spoiler

Everyone saying he is s*upid repeatedly didn't sit quite right with me. And I felt so bad for him he was treated like sh*t by the MC the first life. I personally prefer a more proactive ml. I felt rather like the ML didn't have any desires himself just pleasing the MC.

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However, I enjoyed them spoiling each other a lot.

volume 6: 4/5 stars ⭐️

I would say in comparison to the other volumes this one isn't as good.

In terms of plotline and loving moments it was good. However I felt like the character growth of the MC was a bit slow or rather too abrupt. I felt like the story is a bit too short and some details could have been added.

Spoiler

The MC is definitely not a player but he is too spoiled sometimes. He seems to live a bit recklessly and proud. I didn't like how the ML held him in such high regards even though he suffered so much. The MC learned way too late to appreciate the ML in my opinion.

The story felt a bit unfinished as there was so much said about the siblings and the emperor in the last chapters that lead to nothing.

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Besides these small details that I disliked the story was good. Nothing too crazy.

volume 7: 4/5 stars ⭐️

I feel like the plot and moral of the story in this volume were more significant. There was more depth to this plotline. But the story felt kind of unfinished. It would have been a fantastic story if it were a bit longer and more detailed. Especially in terms of the development of the feelings.

Spoiler

The love seemed kind of shallow even though it wasn't because there was the development of their feelings missing. They kind of got together in a split second. I didn't rlly understand why the MC likes the ml. The ML is like a chick imprinting and that doesn't rlly feel like love.

There could've been more suffering. The MC had too much of a plot armor.

I also think that the system helping them is a bit too farfetched. There should have been more interaction with it beforehand. I also think that the last fight was just way too rushed.

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Well, this volume had a lot of potential but it was way too rushed. It seems very shallow to me in terms of romance, character development and plot.

volume 8: 4/5 stars ⭐️

This was cute but it felt like something was missing.

I couldn't rlly understand why the MC would like the ml. I think the plot is pretty bland. The romance was sweet tho.
I would've liked it when they would maybe show more of the past between the couple. It felt like the ML used to like the MC for no reason.

All in all just a sweet story but the plot wasn't the best. <<less
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Chips111
Chips111 rated it
June 7, 2024
Status: Completed
It's good this Author really is Never miss their Novels I like all the Novels I had read so far

Thought I can't really understand what they were saying as I'm reading the mtl version but it's still 5/5 for me

I had too say I really like the ghost arc it's so fresh in my reading experience and it's so good easy 5/5

This Author really is spoiling us with their works
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SzJy
SzJy rated it
April 16, 2024
Status: Completed
This is one of my fav!! The arcs are not boring and very interesting..

Every characters are very vivid and well written. My fav arcs are actually the most heartbreaking ones for me because I cried for the MLs.. It's the 4th and 5th arcs..

Each and every arc is very well written and the system is helpful even though it doesn't make appearance often. The way the MCs changed for the better is not too abrupt and we could see their development from scummy to a better person. I couldn't wait... more>> and mtled the rest and I have read this twice! <<less
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WallEyeKnee
WallEyeKnee rated it
July 17, 2023
Status: Completed
This is such a good gem to read. All 8 of these 8 story arc can become a novel themselves, that's how good they are.

I really enjoy how these gongs manage to change themselves and becoming someone I look up to myself. Their self reflections, inner turmoils. It was fascinating and my hatred for them was let go slowly as they keep growing step by step. I don't think this ever happened to before and I don't feel bad about it. Good writing I must say

The system here is one... more>> of the best out there, rank top 5 in my opinion. Even he himself had an arc, I would like a whole novel of himself, he's just so admirable, gentle, lovable. I adore 08 to the end of the earth ha. His personality is one of the best.

All the shous are possessive and seems blackening to a point. But were saved in the end by nurturing love, I am so happy watching their journeys together. They all deserve love and care.

I never got bored with this novel, not even once, it always give you a different flavor. The author did an amazing job manage to put in all these stories that doesn't feel repetitive at all, also allowing readers to experience different settings and scenarios without finding it confusing.

Translation is amazing Thanks to the translator.

I can't believe it took me so long to read this, miss out big time. Good thing I manage to finish this amazing work in the end <<less
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KeyonDrenson
KeyonDrenson rated it
December 9, 2022
Status: c20
BL romance world hopping novel where MC wants to use ML for material gains and is stopped by a system, both ML and MC are realistically flawed in every world which I love and resent a little (I personally find ML a little annoying), they give of a vibe of "jerks that deserve each other"; good translation available

pretty good but ML personality bothers me a bit, MC is reborn into his past but now there is a system that sometimes punishes him when he tries to get money from his... more>> rich bf, ML has violent temper, not abusive but they aren't super nice to each other <<less
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Adelina92
Adelina92 rated it
August 10, 2023
Status: Completed
This is like a bunch of s*umbag MCs managed and turned into a proper man by one system... System 08.

My faves are the

Modern: Kept gong vs rich obsessive shou

Ancient: scholar gong x former general shou

Modern: out of school youth gong vs mentally ill (just trauma making ML look timid coz he doesn't speak much) shou

For the other arcs... They're ok to pass tym..

Ghost arc, haven't read.. not fan of stories with ghost backgrounds~.. just not my cup of tea..
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di_immortales
di_immortales rated it
January 5, 2023
Status: Completed
f*ck.

too good.

I have stayed up until 4AM to finish this in one day. What crazy woman is this, I ask myself. My brain is sleepy. Grammar gone.

... more>> amazing book. The author is great and recounted the lives of eight people... striking my heart with a newfound fascination. I want to be an author like them someday.

too good, too good. Absolutely must read.

I remember one book I read I didn't realise until halfway through that the MC was in the same world after his original body's death and not in the past or a different world.. everyone else knew.

likewise, I didn't realise this book had several different protagonists. Attached to all of them, system is real protagonist !! wintereetranslations did a poll but I couldn't decide which couple I liked best. Human nature is selfish and innately greedy.. the portrayal of the inherent qualities of such a race in the protagonist is executed outstandingly by the author. Flawed, but with a reason behind it all, a chance to redeem oneself, misunderstandings brought to light, the reunion and meeting of the lovers and the sweet nuances of each protagonist. The detail, the small interactions, the thought put into this. Refreshing concepts in each arc.
Spoiler

transmigrator into book, arc 7?! Did not expect. A whole collection of nice long chapters in EACH ARC, every one good enough to be an individual potential expanded novel.. author spoils us and so does translators and editors by not splitting them and giving us so much content.

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Definitely will reread.

shiz I gotta get up early tmr... READ IT please. Author is a genius. Plus it's one of the few novels that have ever made me tear up.. probably the fourth? arcs 4 and 7 like translator said. props/thanks to translator and plum for being so hardworking and taking effort to add in footnotes for us readers. <<less
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