Reborn as a Substitute

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In his previous life, Ji Sheng was a popular star who was framed and eventually died in disgrace.

Reborn as an 18th tier artist, Ji Sheng is determined to take revenge. In order to climb to the top of the world of fame and fortune, he does not hesitate to send himself to the bed of Xie Xuanming, his enemy in the previous life.

Xie Xuanming is handsome, rich and can be considered a perfect lover.

It’s a pity that there is a white moonlight in his heart.

On the first meeting after rebirth, Xie Xuanming squeezed Ji Sheng’s chin and narrowed his eyes.

Xie Xuanming: You look like him.

Ji Sheng: Hehe, I knew it in my previous life.

One day, Xie Xuanming was drunk and crazy, dragging Ji Sheng to visit the white moonlight’s grave.

Xie Xuanming hugged the tombstone tenderly: I knew him for several years, but he never loved me.

Ji Sheng: Hmm, no love, no love.

Xie Xuanming stroked the nameplate with the tips of his fingers: Obviously he approached me first and my heart was stirred, only to find that he was playing games.

Ji Sheng: Yeah, acting, acting.

Xie Xuanming: Come closer, let him see. It’s not like I am alone, it’s not like no one wants me.

Ji Sheng had no choice, stepped forward and froze.

Ji Sheng: Wait, isn’t this my grave?

Associated Names
One entry per line
重生为替
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Rebirth: Different Way (5)
Dear Mr. Lu (4)
Professional Body Double (3)
Perfection (3)
Rebirth of a Movie Star (3)
Guanshan Muyu (3)
Recommendation Lists
  1. TBR (GL/BL) 12
  2. My read Danmei
  3. Modern times - fantasy
  4. Rebirth
  5. Not Read Yet!

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/18/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c68
04/15/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c67
04/15/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c66
04/15/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c65
04/14/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c64
04/14/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c63
04/13/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c62
04/13/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c61
04/12/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c60
04/12/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c59
04/11/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c58
04/11/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c57
04/11/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c56
04/08/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c55
04/08/22 Xiao YunYun Translations c54
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61 Reviews sorted by


Ksharone
Ksharone
June 30, 2024
Status: --
Well written novel but just as disturbing. The main character is very s*upid in both lives it is physically painful. He is basically unable to see that the ML is just as manipulative as his ex. His ex was trying to alienate him from other people and the ML does that as well, getting angry when he talks with other people and locking him on his house so that he doesn't leave him. Both the MC and ML need some extensive therapy before getting into into a relationship because I... more>> don’t think that its the responsibility of ones partner to heal them from their trauma and what not. Which also reminds me of that part where the MC accompanied the ML to his therapist it tasted like he wanted him to just feel bad for him. The ML basically takes advantage of him in the car. The MC says (in his head) that they are close but not close enough to get intimate with each other and tries to push him away before it happens. And we are supposed to think that it is okay. And much more... <<less
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Potatoteeth
Potatoteeth rated it
June 11, 2022
Status: Completed
The writing/translation is sleek enough, but the content is morally problematic. Romanticises r*pe and imprisonment by abusive ML. Rebirth is wasted on doormat MC. Mental illness is poorly represented and gratuitous violence is handwaved. 3 stars.
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Vakana19
Vakana19 rated it
June 1, 2022
Status: --
I find it hard to read as the flashbacks kept happening very often so one can confuse the past and the present very easily, many would find it annoying and confusing at the same time. Personally, I think that the past MC should be Ji Sheng and the present should be referred to as Ji Hui to not confuse it since we all know that Ji Sheng was reborn inside Ji Hui's body.
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Keikey
Keikey rated it
March 24, 2022
Status: --
At first I thought it was going to be a revenge story and a strong willed MC. But the most narration is about MC and ML past, both that are depressing at some point in time. K, you need the past to understand the present but the author has a tendency to show the characters strong personalities sometimes and afterwards, they became s*upid and doormats even if she tried to justify. Honestly MC wants to know the truth behind his '' mu*der'' but towards the return to the past sequences... more>> are too slow and long and break the rhythmn and interest in the plot.. And the ambiguity with MC and his childhood sweat heart, is chaotic:. I don't know if they were at one point together because it seems even in private, they never had a couple pdas or intimacy. Are they really in love? In the end, it makes it hard to read. <<less
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Tilbar
Tilbar rated it
April 29, 2024
Status: Completed
First, the translation was excellent. Thank you YunYun.

For me, this was not a forgettable story. Something about the characters continues to stick in my mind. They were flawed, but relatable. Ji Sheng/Ji Hui begins to investigate his own death and finds a huge betrayal that could have broken anyone - but not with Xie Xuanming by his side. The ML lends his strength as well as his bat sh*t crazy temper - which was very satisfying when doling out the punishment.

I can't really put into words why I loved this... more>> story so much. It and the characters just seemed so real. I always write notes as I read so that I can use them in writing a review. For this one, I was so into the story that I didn't write any notes. It clicked for me and I hope it does the same for you.

Also, the author did a good job weaving the past with the present - though it did take at least half the novel before I realized there were cues at the top of each chapter. Duh. <<less
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Cravn dgfood
Cravn dgfood rated it
November 27, 2023
Status: Completed
As the translator said the story really gets better as you keep reading, if you leave out the parts about forced intimacy and s*x.. but I really didn't hate it that much ... more>>
Spoiler

since the MC already prepared to sell himself to the ML at the beginning and also the MC reactions are not so repulsive every time it happens

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so I'm fine with it and it's the only parts of the story which show their intimacy..... But I think this would have been the best if we could get even just one chapter of smuts.....

And yeah it's a slow burning novel, but the slow pace is not boring at all compared to other slow burning novels. and this is really my thing since I usually get easily bored with fast pacing romance it makes me feel like the novel should already be over since the two are together and they feel draggy..

Generally, the novel is really good highly recommend it... <<less
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updatesnovela
updatesnovela rated it
February 21, 2025
Status: Completed
I am not sure how to put my emotions into words. When I first started reading, I disliked the ML - more specifically, how unhinged and ruthless he was. But then the first flashback came, and I started empathising with him. The MC, on the other hand, was completely different from what we had seen of him before. That's what makes this novel special. You genuinely connect with these two lovable characters. The character growth is incredible. The ML struggles with many psychological issues, but it's refreshing to see that... more>> he's aware of them and actively seeking professional help (not much emphasis on that. But we know that at least he has and is seeking help).

I have mixed feelings about the flashbacks. The story wouldn't have had the same impact, nor would the character development have been as strong without these flashbacks. They allow you to truly experience how the characters evolved into who they are in the present. However, I wasn't a fan of how long some of them were.

I agree with some reviews that say the flashbacks felt sudden, but each one was actually a smooth transition that connected the present events to the past. Isn't that how it often works in movies and series too?

Overall I loved reading this story. It was a great read.

and extras are so cute!
Spoiler

It is a perfect closure for original (the past) JS and XX.

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shuulys
shuulys rated it
September 28, 2024
Status: Completed
Not bad. Finished it in 2 days. Our MC Ji Sheng is way too kind hearted, trustful, and forgiving in the past. Somehow I think its just his character. Not that its bad but its a little sad how those positive aspects of him led to his downfall. The story mainly revolves around the present, past, finding out the truth, getting revenge, and a little sprinkle of romance haha. But the interactions between the MC and ML are still quite cute. I love their relationship back when they were younger... more>> and sad when they eventually drifted apart due to the meddling of outsiders and the MC's poor eyesight. How good would it be if the MC met the ML way before he met the Sheng dude. Hais <<less
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Aurinne
Aurinne
April 28, 2024
Status: c19
Just a note to myself about why I've dropped this: ... more>>
Spoiler

Absolutely hate the ML. I know he'll probably improve in the future, but no real sign it happening any time soon and frankly I'm not very interested in him improving because I hate it when MLs are total bastards to lots of people - especially people who are basically powerless compared to them - and then later on we're supposed to be sympathetic because they've got some tragic backstory and also start treating the MC more nicely. Well, lucky MC, he's the ML's true love so he's gonna get some good treatment in the future. For now, though, you'll have to continue getting physically ab*sed because the alternative is to expose yourself to the unknown mu*derer of your body's original. Because ML is gonna continue being an abusive bastard until he finds that out, right?

And the plot itself is already just messily and poorly explained. I know some things are purposely obscured because of mystery, but seriously I don't get why anyone is acting in any way they're acting so far. MC has thrown themselves into this abusive relationship but doesn't seem to have any logic for whether he's submissive or defiant or anything, nor does he seem to want to even attempt to communicate normally with the ML... which, fair enough because the ML is a lunatic, but MC put himself at his mercy and isn't seriously trying to understand him at all.

All the references to the past and a lot of the present characters and actions feel convoluted already and every new character or fact about the MC that is introduced just feels like it adds to this murky bog of stuff that I don't really want to have to sort out in the future.

By far the majority of reviews have enjoyed reading the development of their relationship, so I'm not saying there won't be good stuff in the future. I'm just a bit too tired of ploughing through this messy plot with the MC's frustrating/illogical/poorly-explained actions and the ML's frustrating/illogical/poorly-explained/insane behaviour.

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<<less
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Rube
Rube
December 26, 2023
Status: --
Really don't like that there's no clear distinction between the past and the present. The flashbacks happen in the middle of the story but bc the characters' names are the same you get confused on why they're suddenly like that only to realize it's a flashback
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Sayma
Sayma rated it
November 9, 2023
Status: Completed
Enjoyed it. Flashbacks occupied more than half of the story and started all of a sudden like jump scares. Though it might seem normal to others, the whole 'forcing business' didn't sit well with me. Overall was a good read.
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Winterrz
Winterrz rated it
August 22, 2023
Status: c30
I'm dropping this book at chapter 30. It's sooooo, meh. I can't go on.

So basically MC is someone that gets reborn in another person's body. And ML is someone that liked the old MC and looks for his image in everyone that looks familiar. MC gets close to ML to find out more about his death... But then that's it. That's all the good stuff. From there it's random band bickering and flash backs and crushing on each other. I'm dropping this at c30 and I don't even know who... more>> the villain is. And who their accomplishments are. It's random talking and plot holes that's supposed to be funny but instead I find it annoying and frustrating.

Maybe in future chapters the author will come back to their senses and continue with the original plot.

It's just too boring now for me not to consider it time wasting. <<less
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bookmunchies
bookmunchies rated it
May 28, 2022
Status: extra 3
The tl is good, tho I'd say it's a pity the spice was not included due to inability to find the scenes.

The story revolves around a dead drummer who transmigrated into a younger look alike, some time after his death, and his desire to uncover what actually happened to his original life. The premise is interesting, and I did enjoy it until smwhr close to the end, even tho it has some obvious plotholes, but then the ML's chara gets run into the ground when the author decides to turn... more>> him into yandere light for no rsn. There is the male yandere tag, as I see now, but due to lack of actual yandere behavior until so late in the game, it just doesn't vibe like a yandere novel. He does act unreasonable while unaware of MC's identity, but the original host was what he was and did what he did, so that much in understandable. Close to the end tho, some time after the MC being alive again is discovered, he r*pes MC, and acts extremely abusive and toxic which is very unlike his previous behavior. And the tags for s*xual ab*se are nowhere which is why I am not putting the spoiler cover over that, so people would know that it has r*pe, and aren't shocked by it. The spice scenes are entirely missing, as they weren't part of the book and were just on the authors weibo, but r*pe is r*pe, and afterwards ML feels great satisfaction and no regret, very much in the style of this is owed to me, this is what I want and what is overdue. The one old friend who is a decent person is the sanest of them all, and I 100% support his stance
Spoiler

of saving the friend who is a victim from their ab*ser even tho they are unaware or in denial about said ab*se

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he was right the whole time. MC is great, but blind to people, gets some awareness after everything he's been thru but turns into a fool again and gets with ML. The s*um is shameless and makes you wanna jump into the book just tp slit their lying throats.

All in all, starts off and goes well, until that positive impression is overturned for 0 rsn, so I gave it a 3 cause 2 seems a bit harsh when it has enough good points. <<less
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cookiemonsterp
cookiemonsterp
May 16, 2022
Status: c1
I haven't finished this novel yet, but I have to say I am already attached to the characters. In substitute themed novels, the substitute is usually the one who suffers the most, but in the back story, the focus is more on the ML's point of view, and I really find that nice. The parallel scenes and objects from the past and the present were also well done. My heart goes to the ML, this cunning but pitiful wolfdog. His story and the reasong why he fell in love with... more>> the MC really resonated with me. 🥺 <<less
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ElleFaux
ElleFaux
May 12, 2022
Status: c11
The narration is very engaging and enjoyable. It's not that boring since it immediately delves to the scenes and things escalate without unnecessary details.

But I would really like to know what the MC actually thinks? Like what he thought of ML who's in severe depression cause of his death, or this friend that remembers him cause of their similarity with the new body and scolded him when he was alive, or even his fan before that also cried cause she remembers her dead idol.

c66

I'm starting to think I mistook this... more>> for a revenge story lol. The issues, no matter if its regarding his past self or present, weren't solve. Will it ever be cleared up to the fans/public? Idk. Also, this is a lot darker than I thought. <<less
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MsGenix
MsGenix
June 19, 2024
Status: Completed
Ok, so this novel kept me interested enough to conplete it, but my main takeaway is that there seemed to be something missing. I feel like maybe it was the chemistry? Anyway, it was a good enough read at just under a hundred chapters. Thank you to the translator!
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Give.Me.A.Piece.Of.Cake
Give.Me.A.Piece.Of.Cake rated it
April 6, 2023
Status: c40
I dropped this novel at chapter 40 mainly because the story is so slow and there's nothing exciting about the plot and almost zero face-slap in that 40 chapters since the ML is too powerful no one can touch the MC at all. Another reason this novel is boring for me is because I find the MC really boring and with a boring MC, I couldn't invest my time in finishing the novel. If the MC is boring, the story is pretty much over. Honestly, I kind of even developed... more>> a hate/disgust feeling toward the MC in that 40 chapters to the point that I felt like he deserved his death and for what good karma he had to be able to be reborn was not worth it to waste it on the MC... his death is on himself. Normally when I read rebirth story, the author makes it so that the readers will empathize with the MC for his death and support his rebirth/revenge but this story I don't even care that the MC died and who wrong him I almost feel like because of his bad personality it's no wonder people want to use him and kill him. After death, he did not change at all and remained as blind and selfish as he was before death so there's really no point in giving him a second chance in life.

Also, when the story goes into PAST MODE, it gets really boring reading about the past so I always skip it.

The only good thing about this novel is that there is not a lot of weibo comments. Some entertainment/show biz novels consist of only weibo comments. <<less
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Eueu
Eueu
June 18, 2022
Status: c81
Honestly it was a bit difficult to read this. Not because the writing is bad but because there's been so many bad things happening to the MC (both past and present) that it became a bit tiring. I love the concept of an unlucky person reviving in another person's body (Professional Body Double, Flying Ash). But this was just hard for me. MC was treated like a celebrity (not in a good way) because everything he does becomes a damn rumor. Lyk, are these ppl so bored? Why are they... more>> so interested in this small time drummer. <<less
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Saori_Raven
Saori_Raven rated it
April 2, 2025
Status: Completed
A long story short,

Ji Sheng: Stockholm syndrome

Xie Xuanming: Affective deficiency syndrome

... more>> If you like the stories of rebirth and some revenge, it is not bad but there are better options not to mention that all scenes x are r*pes without any repercussions at the level of the story (or the characters).

In any case there is no chemistry between the characters, with a marked search for affection on Xie’s part (the type of trauma to be treated by professionals) and Ji seems unaware of the evil or affection of those around him (as a piece of wood when it comes to feelings). <<less
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