Even right from the beginning, even though he knows how money works (because he's not truly a fish) he begs for expensive snacks with what little money they have. You're not a child!

And there's some moments where I think the MC might do something (like when he writes his novels) to better the lives of shuang'gers and women because he knows a world of more equality. Nope. He goes back to doing nothing after selling some books.

And as another commenter said: it was extremely annoying when MC insisted on accompanying ML in situations where he would just be in the way just because "he didn't want to leave his side". Like be more self-aware about your skills PLEASE. You have basically none.

ML is a person who lost his memory, sick, unhealthy person. He is extremely talented and awesome kind of person who can do everything and can learn everything quickly. A great example of high IQ and high EQ. He understands everything but keeps his one eye closed in matters of MC. He is extremely indulgent to MC and tries to act strict only to fail miserably. Throughout the relationship it's always ML in the lead but he doesn't force MC or manipulate his naivety but dotes upon him to wait and come to realize his own feelings! Truly a gentle soul. Even after getting tidbits of memory he still loves MC and throughout the story he was always one tracked. One thing that I love about ML is that in spite of his cold appearance his relationship with others is the highlight. Whether it's the other villagers or the fat brother who saved his life or chen or li family or gu family or the young emperor or the fierce general, he always respects the other person and sees through their good qualities and believes in their innate character and judges the situation and utilizes it. No massacre no cannon fodder!

His ability to accept that kindness for a while will taste sweeter but kindness for a long time makes mouth bitter is paramount in his actions and his indebt attitude towards the villagers. Continuing to believe that they are kind but poor and goodwill and kindness should be reciprocated and not always be expected. His moral character is so great which gives him an extreme high point from others and everyone respects him and this respect is mutual cause ML also gives other people respect. He doesn't think of them as passerby numbers but living actual humans with their own good and bad qualities. His love for MC and his family makes it all the more absurd, since ML tends to keep others by a hand lengh but is always acting a drama for MC and his children. It's so much fun with an extreme gap moe. And don't misunderstand him as an upstanding fellow like MC, he has a bad cunning side which always tries to play tricks on others and use them to an extreme especially to the general and ofc our naive MC who always ends up throwing himself on the platter well seasoned. Lol!

Cute Naive kind hearted koi fish. MC was living in a modern world where he was extremely unlucky and people would curse him as a bad luck charm all the time. So he always feels that he isn't a koi but someone who always brings misfortune to others. It takes a while for MC to come into terms that he indeed is a koi charm with the guidance of ML and it's extremely rewarding to see him come out of his shell. It takes a while and doesn't happen all of a sudden but slowly and gradually taking it's own pace. And the best of all, this novel isn't a one way arrow but two way!!

MC is in love with ML from almost the beginning and he shows it through his actions. He always indulges ML even knowing that ML is tricking him but he willingly gets tricked. He bought all the beddings and red festivities for their marriage by earning money extremely hard. Tbh MC courted ML and took care of him more usually it's the other way round. And MC being a transmigrator isn't used much cause MC doesn't take any ideas of modern world like soap nonsense...

phew!

He is more of a koi who brings opportunity to ML and others and ML utilizes it to not cause any harm to MC. Great that they both take care of each other and have their own insecurities and always communicate. Yes, you read that right. A HEALTHY COMMUNICATION!!

They both have secrets but they still trust each other and continue to give each other time and space to grow and share!! It's so healthy and fluffy!! Anyway MC is a great help to others and he still gives less credit to himself and always tries to take responsibility and stand foot to foot by MLs side

A great explanation and something that ML grasped in a few months that MC couldn't do in two lifetimes on his own.

oh this kid MC is super pure!!

MC has koi physique which brings luck and opportunity to others. But it isn't without a price, it will bring bad luck to MC if effort is not put from other side! That's why MC had so much bad luck. He brings good luck to those who are kind to him and bad luck to others.

So ML's solution was to cut the tree before the roots penetrate the soil. He basically works harder than anyone else and plans nad prepares so that MC's luck wouldn't be exploited or cause a backlash!

As ML mentioned no one is good or bad. They have their own circumstances and it isn't wise to take someone's kindness for granted.

• • The fat bro Chen who appears like a usual cannon fodder in most novels,
    saved ML and inturn his house was occupied by ML while enduring the extreme pressure of upcoming exams and his family burden

• • The single mother of Chen bro who actually brought people to beat ML out of the house while trying to take advantage of his bad health and use his books and notes for her son , had to endure and work hard to raise her son alone and because of ML occupying the land may not even have a place to sleep after the grandma's death! All because of some kindness and life saving grace of her son, her son couldn't even have a place to study! And maybe no place to live

• • The Lin family guy, who looked down on ML
    after getting saved by ML ends up renting his courtyard cheap and helps in all other village matters!

• • The Perfect guy in first exam
    though corrupt doesn't go too far for the common folk and towards ML too. He knows who to push and who not to!

• • The Yan guy who was champion
    got drunk and accidentally spoke sh*t about ML is the biggest fan of ML inspite of everyone thinking that ML is treasonous

• • The Gu young master who is spoiled and pampered by his family
    after losing to ML was willing to apologize and continue his studies for his mother

• • The Previous disciple who ranked first and betrayed ML thinking that he is extremely ruthless
    knows his wrongs and obeys ML but not giving an inch to ML for his beliefs and thinking that ML is ruthless. Always acting for a greater good without compromise inspite of being from a poor background and inspite of ML being his teacher and him his disciple.

• • The Commander Xiao
    who is always against ML still respects him and tries to help the Royal Family even though they might consider him treasonous. He has so much power probably to combat the emperor or even ML but he never has treasonous thoughts and always tries to help and aide the Royal family.

• • The Dr. Xue who thinks that his prescription should earn thousands of taels
    never takes a penny of money and teaches his adopted grandchild everything. And he also realises that he still has a lot to learn and there are many ways to aide the commoners!

• • Aiyi who appears an introverted shoung'er
    knows business, medicine, stands up for his friend but is still shy and dense

• • The Yan shoung'er who appears as a love rival of MC and is of aristocratic birth
    has no airs or intention to be the other party and ends up becoming besties with MC and even helping him in book publicity!! Smart brains!!

• • The Lin girl inspite of being a woman of that era
    still scores highest in her class and plans her future where her education will be beneficial to others and can be used as a powerful tool for not just other woman but also students without any gender bias.

• • The Village chief who solves everyone's problem and has a village to support. Knowing that ML is going up in power never tries to climb the ladder and even advises ML for the sake of MC knowingly taking the risk of offending ML

• • The Young Emperor who was taught and almost ab*sed and emotionally scarred by ML (lolol)
    is a genuine good heart who just wants to live a good life. He is constantly on pins and needle between ML and Xiao commander on both sides and imperial queen mother and other ministers on the other sides. He isn't just struck in a hard and Rocky place but he is surrounded.

    He still never goes astray or doubts others and even goes far and beyond for ML's approval. It isn't just a student teacher relationship but a paternal figure big brother and a little brother who happens to be the emperor always constantly trying to learn from his big brother and seeking approval albeit being a scaredy cat. But don't underestimate him! This seemingly naive kid survived the crown prince to emperor battle in the midst of his countless siblings!

ML is the Regent Prince who taught a young Emperor. Just before he could retire while pretending to be a traitorous corrupt official, he was assasinated by the Empress Dowager who wanted power. In fact, the Late Emperor who told the ML to take care of the Current Emperor is the one who slowly poisoned the Regent so that he would die once the young Emperor came of age. ML doesn't take revenge, he just lets the Emperor's loyal General to kick away the Empress Dowager and he slowly helps the Emperor stabilize the throne.

They also keep A LOT of secrets from each other. Some harmless, but some are huge secrets like the ML remembering his past with the MC. Even after they have a kid together, I don't feel they're as connected to each other as most other couples I've read of.