The Extra Top's Rise

■Top-focused story (Top-centered) ■Scroll down for notes before diving in. **World 1:** After Li Mingrang’s father passed away, he became utterly alone, burdened with debt and living in the wealthy household where his father once worked. While attending school, he desperately took on extra jobs to scrape together money. The young master of the house, Li Yun, lived a life worlds apart—one meal could cost half a year of Li Mingrang’s living expenses, and a single tie was worth his entire wardrobe. But one day, to spite the person he liked, Li Yun climbed into Li Mingrang’s bed. Li Yun warned him: *"This is just a transactional relationship. If you expect more, I’ll end it immediately."* He assumed Li Mingrang would push for more—after all, Li Mingrang seemed to like him a lot. But in the end, Li Mingrang really just wanted his money… **World 2:** A young master arrived at Deng Mingjiang’s construction site—the son of the corporation’s boss, dressed head-to-toe in luxury, meticulously groomed down to every strand of hair. But he wore a constant scowl… until his fiancé visited, and the young master bloomed like a sunflower. One night, Deng Mingjiang stumbled upon the fiancé embracing someone else. When he turned, the young master stood behind him. Heartbroken, the young master sought solace in Deng Mingjiang’s company. One thing led to another—drinks, then intimacy. Afterward, the young master wept daily: about the hardships of labor, his fiancé’s betrayal, and most of all, that he’d slept with someone like Deng Mingjiang. Deng Mingjiang: *"…"* Later, the fiancé returned, and Deng Mingjiang left. When the young master finally tracked him down, Deng Mingjiang said, *"Now you’re happy, right?"* The young master stayed silent, tears streaming. **World 3:** Lishan Village was a poor, remote mountain settlement—and Chen Mingxia’s family was the poorest of them all. That summer, a wealthy businessman arrived with a team to develop tourism. Young, handsome, and accomplished, the villagers revered him like a god. But Chen Mingxia recognized him—his older brother’s ex-boyfriend. **World 4:** *"Boss! That bastard Yin knew we were coming and fled with his concubine!"* A lackey scrambled in, panicked. Ji Mingli, lounging on his couch, hurled a teacup: *"Useless! We got nothing?!"* *"W-we did!"* The lackey dragged in a hooded, bound figure. *"Yin’s wife—we caught her!"* Ji Mingli yanked off the hood. The face was stunning… but— *"Why’s it a man?!"* *"Yin married a male bride…"* Ji Mingli decided to keep the "wife" as bait—maybe Yin would return. But no free rides: the man had to cook, clean, and work! Half a year passed. No Yin. Then Ji Mingli dreamed the "wife" was actually the exiled son of a former prime minister, sold to the sickly Yin as a symbolic bride. Now, the prime minister’s allies were closing in. Terrified, Ji Mingli rushed to return him. Through mountains and valleys, the "wife" followed without complaint. Near the capital, Ji Mingli woke feverish. A pair of cool hands touched him—what followed was inevitable. By morning, the "wife" lay beside him. Ji Mingli panicked, scrambling for excuses—until the man clung to him: *"Husband."* Ji Mingli: *"？？？"* Ji Mingli: *"AAAAAH MY GOD!!!"* **Notes:** ① Each world is a standalone story. Trope: lovesick/privileged young master bottom × rugged/poor outsider top. ② Sweet-and-sour flavor. ③ "Top-perspective" just means more focus on the top’s POV—literally.