CH 1

Chapter 1: You Have to be the hero’s love rival!

DECEMBER 9, 2021 / KINKYTRANSLATIONS

Your Rival in Love Gets Prettier Every Day

Author: 公子于歌 / Gong Zi Yu Ge

Translator: Kinky

“How can there be a shameless person like you in this world?” The man’s eyebrows were enveloped with bitterness. His shirt was torn, revealing teeth marks on his neck that were faintly bleeding. “Even in my next life, let alone touching you, I will never love you!”

After he finished speaking, he barely rolled off the bed and quickly wrap a quilt around his body. He wiped his hands on the bed sheet in disgust and added: “Because you can’t even match his toe!”

Shen Jintai was dumbfounded. ‘What the hell was going on?’

“Get out of here!”

Shen Jintai’s mind was blank. He quickly put on his pants and grabbed a suit jacket. As soon as he opened the door, he heard the man behind him angrily said: “Wait!”

As he turned around, he was hit with a glitzy thong.

The sun outside was very dazzling. Shen Jintai blocked the sun with his hand and felt a little dizzy. Hearing a horn honking, he quickly retreated to the side of the road and squatted down by a sycamore tree.

What the fuck…

“Ding Dong! Love you, me, and him. Harmony depends on everyone. Your love-advisor Xiao Ai is online!”

Shen Jintai frowned.

“Hello dear host! Congratulations on your successful entry into our harmonious love system.”

What the hell?!

“I’m not a ghost. I’m a tangible benefit. It’s detected that your life value has been used up. In other words, you are dead in the real world.”

Shen Jintai: “…”

Wasn’t it his first time being nominated for best actor? Wasn’t he on his way to the awards ceremony?!

He vaguely remembered. Was there an accident?

“But don’t be sad, dear. You’re lucky to have the opportunity to be reborn. As long as you complete the task as required, you can be reborn into a new world.”

“…What task?”

“As we all know, in response to the government’s call, various websites have begun to implement the “neck plan”. That is, this new harmonious rule where scenes cannot be described below the neck. This new rule has little effect on the plot but has majorly impacted romance novels. From this, we have carried out a Love Harmonious action plan, urging transformation of major romance novels into career novels. A harmonious society, you, me, and him and a better future depends on everyone!”

Shen Jintai said: “…Love Harmonious action?”

“Yes, we are members of the Harmonious Love System. It is our basic principle to spread harmony and reward love. Xiao Ai is here to look at your task rewards… Congratulations, dear. The reward for completing your tasks is that you’ll become more beautiful and sexier. The highest level of reward you can get is to be able to live in this new world in the best possible way.”

Wow.

Shen Jintai was moved.

“Okay, then Xiao Ai will help you with the first task.”

“Can you hear me?”

“Alright dear, can I debrief you on your first task?”

“Okay.”

“The book you are in is called <Everyone Loves Bai Yueguang*>. It is a danmei**.”

*Refers to the white moonlight. I left it in its original Chinese because the white moonlight is also referred to as Bai Yueguang (he has a different name). This is apparently referencing a character from the White Rose written by Eileen Chang referring to a cherished memory of the first blush of love, pure and unsullied by reality. Basically the white moonlight can be considered “a first unblemished love”. Throughout the novel I’ll be referring to either the name or the actual “White Moonlight” depending on the context.

**Genre of literature and other fictional media originating from China which features romantic relationships between male characters. AKA What you are reading right now.

Wait a minute. Wasn’t this the sweet and lovable novel he read in his spare time?

“My dear, please listen carefully and don’t interrupt Xiao Ai. According to the original plot, the protagonist of this novel, Yan Qiuchi, after falling in love with Bai Yueguang, will melt from a thousand-year-old popsicle becoming a raging molten fire. His love though becomes dark and depressing that it could be considered quite shameful.”

This was true. He had hop on the ship of Yan Qiuchi and Bai Yueguang and can only say that Yan Qiuchi, whose love became so severe it turned into an obsession that left him with endless hunger and thirst eventually leading him to become quite perverted.

“…” Xiao Ai paused and continued: “Yan Qiuchi’s state undoubtedly does not conform to the new regulations of harmony today, so you need to take away his official position and save him from his childhood love. You must suppress and destroy him so that his sword will be sharpened. Fragrant plum blossoms come from the bitter cold*!”

*Idiom that basically means one needs to endure difficult things before getting great results.

Very good. This falls in line with the main theme of socialism!

“Your first mission is to take away his white moonlight. The reward for your success in the first mission is: Your ass won’t sag.”

Shen Jintai: “…isn’t it becoming more beautiful?!”

“The ass, as we all know is the sexiest part of the body and the most basic tool for seduction. Authoritative votes show that it surpasses: long legs, face, and other parts to become the most attractive part for men therefore it is the most suitable as your first reward. Dear, do you have any questions? If not, Xiao Ai will go offline for the time being.”

“…No.”

“Alright. If you need anything you can just say Hello, Xiao Ai and I’ll come online to serve you. I wish you success in completing your task. Please look forward to your rewards after each completion. Not only will you become more beautiful, we guarantee that each reward level will make you scream!”

With a beep, Xiao Ai disappeared.

Shen Jintai held his forehead and stood up from the ground. An uncle walking a dog next to him looked at him like he was a monkey in a zoo. He probably saw him talking to himself, and thought he was crazy.

He suddenly felt a little dizzy. His original memory seemed to be gradually disappearing and was replaced by the memory of the Shen Jintai in the novel.

Shen Jintai in the novel was twenty years old and an idol. Two years ago, he fell in love with the prince of the business world, Yan Qiuchi, when he became popular on a talent show and retired for love.

Yan Qiuchi was known for his abstinence. Readers gave him the nickname “Yan Paifang*”. The author described him as having a male dog’s waist and long legs. Such a clean and ascetic look cannot be touch let alone contaminated by a cannon fodder**.

*Paifang (牌坊 )= Arch but in a sense of a nickname I’m not entire sure why he’s called this. I suspect it’s because he gives off an abstinent and ascetic vibe and arches are usually related to temples where monks reside.

**Term came from the war era where it basically means soldiers are metaphorically food for enemy cannon fire. In the context of this novel, basically an unimportant side character who’s easily disposable and usually their only purpose is to develop the Main Characters.

The exception though is the white moonlight.

Memories of what happened a while ago flashed through him. The male protagonist, Yan Qiuchi, pulled him off the bed and scolded him.

“Even in my next life, let alone touching you, I will never love you!”

“Because you can’t even match his toe!”

Haha!

Shen Jintai walked to his car preparing to return to his residence.

As soon as he got in the car, he saw a huge advertisement on the building next to him with Bai Yueguang

The white moonlight’s name is Bai Qingquan.

The bright moon shines between the pine trees, the clear spring rocks are flowing up, Quingquan and Shen Jintai are exactly two different types*.

*明月松间照，清泉石上流，和沈金台正好是两种类型。 Not sure how to translate this. I’m assuming that it’s referring to the meaning of their names.

Their names are opposite, and the mentioned people are even more opposite.

He and Bai Qingquan are not just rivals in love, they have been rivals since their debut.

During a men’s team draft in a summer two years ago, there was two rising stars that came into the entertainment circle. The first was Shen Jintai. The second was Bai Qingquan. On the final night was a classic fan battle. The two of them had been fighting for the top spot since their debut. Their fans were in the same situation and love to compare them.

But Bai Qingquan was an official star who dangles in the clouds. The son of divine selection. A small white flower that blooms from the tepid grass with a “special temperament”. As for what temperament is, it wasn’t clear. In short, it was “different from others”. Relying on this special temperament, he broke into the entertainment circle, paving the way for the protagonist to fall in love with him. The male protagonist would pinch his waist and press him against the wall to kiss him. His male suitors would fight for him with bloodshed. Even the fans were crazy about him and would bang relentlessly against the wall for him!

The cannon fodder, Shen Jintai, was the complete opposite.

He was a rich, seedy bastard who debuted with money. He was always dressed in fanciful costumes when he was in the spotlight. He debuted under the reputation of a rich second generation who would “return to inherit his inheritance” and was once the top traffic in the entertainment industry. Originally destined for great stardom, he died a lonesome death. He fell in love with Yan Qiuchi, not knowing that Yan Qiuchi was Bai Qingquan’s tyrant fan, and retired because of it.

How cheap! How stupid!

When people touch either “cheap” or “stupid”, it would not end well. Let alone touching one, he touched both! Before he even caught Yan Qiuchi, his family went bankrupt.

Shouldn’t it be time to return to the entertainment industry and restart a career? After all, his fate has changed from “If you don’t become popular, you can return to inherit your inheritance ” to “If you don’t become popular, you’re going back to farming.”

No. He was carrying the mission of a cannon fodder. Because his family went bankrupt, he chased Yan Qiuchi even more fiercely, trying all types of tricks to get into his bed and was kicked down by the male lead.

When he was reading this novel, he was infuriated by this brain-dead man!

Such a man who had no ambition!

Even a cannon fodder needs to have a bit of dignity, okay?!

In his last life, he was also in the entertainment industry. His only hobby in life was acting. Because of his lack of looks, he could only be paired with vases and fresh meat*. He was finally nominated for an award but died on the way to the ceremony.

*Vases = Beauties. Fresh Meat = Beautiful popular male stars.

What kind of fucking life is this!

He was in the entertainment industry and understood the importance of physical beauty. Now that he has been given this opportunity, he will become more and more beautiful and become a showstopper!

He searched for Le Meilan’s, his agent, name on his phone and dialed the number.

“Who are you? I don’t seem to know this number.” Li Meilan said weirdly.

“Shen Jintai.”

“You still know how to call me?!”

Shen Jintai looked at the sunlight that was shining through the luxuriant summer branches, and said, “Sister*, I want to come back.”

*Not in the sense of being related. He’s calling her Jie for those who’s familiar with Chinese terms. I’m still debating whether or not to keep some of these terms in their original language or to translate them. For now I’ll stick with the translated version.

Doing tasks won’t affect his career. Since he was given a second chance, he wanted to re-enter the entertainment industry and rise to the top.

The other party was silent for a long time. He depended on his agent to accomplish his goal. The original owner was such garbage. Has his agent completely abandoned him?

Shen Jintai was about to express his sincerity again when he heard the other party cried out. “Do you know how many years this sister has been waiting to hear this from you! Woo, woo, woo!”

Shen Jintai sighed and expressed sincerely: “Sister, don’t worry! I died yesterday and now I am Niu Hulu* Jintai!”

*I think this is referring to the Niu Hulu clan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niohuru.

Li Meilan burst into tears and smiled: “You have been idle for too long, so you have no current projects. You don’t have any resources, but don’t worry, I’ll help you find them. Even if we can’t get any big projects there’s still smaller activities you can do!”

After hanging up the phone, Shen Jintai sighed and looked at the taxi driver that had been silent in front of him. Thinking quickly, he leaned towards the driver and asked: “Master, do you know me?”

He wanted to check Shen Jintai’s current fame.

The master turned his head and glanced at him: “I don’t know…”

“Shen Jintai.” He prompted.

“Ah!” The master exclaimed.

It seems that Shen Jintai’s fame wasn’t too bad. At least a middle-aged uncle recognized his name!

“You are the legendary… the male star who chased after a man and went bankrupt!”

Shen Jintai: “…”

The author has something to say:

Open the novel, Sow flowers.

Super Su Shuang. He’s born with great acting skills and does not need to grow! People will become more and more beautiful and sexy, and finally become the best! Everyone loves him, and it’s so sweet that all the staff slapped their faces. An article by Su Zhifa.

I would like to be with you on the new journey. Thank you all for following this novel.

Kinky thoughts: Okay this was my first attempt at MTLing. I footnoted things I was unsure about in terms of either translation or meaning. If you’re able to provide clarity please let me know so I can fix them. Also do point out any grammar or spelling mistakes! Hope you’ll enjoy reading this series.