As the Minor Gay Rival in Het Novels Novel

By XiXiLi

★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ 4.5

Fan Yuan’s life is a masterclass in tragic romance—or at least, it’s supposed to be. As the designated “gay rival” in countless Mary Sue novels, his role is simple: pine for the male lead, hinder the fated couple, and ultimately, suffer a heartbreaking end. It’s a thankless job, but Fan Yuan excels at it, world after world, meticulously crafting his character’s unrequited devotion. He’s an actor of unparalleled skill, pouring his heart into every tearful confession, every longing gaze, every desperate plea. Until one day, his performance is *too* good. “I do not want to be your brother,” he confesses, his voice thick with practiced emotion, “in fact, I have always loved you.” The male lead, instead of recoiling in horror or offering a platonic consolation, looks back with an unsettling tenderness. “Me too,” he murmurs, a possessive glint in his eyes that Fan Yuan has never seen directed his way. Panic. Utter, soul-crushing panic. This isn’t in the script. This isn’t how it’s supposed to go. The system is glitching, the universe is fracturing, and Fan Yuan, the expert at playing the heartbroken foil, is suddenly thrust into the spotlight he never wanted. His carefully constructed character is crumbling, his tragic past weaponized against him, and the very men he’s supposed to lose to are now looking at him with an intensity that promises anything but a gentle rejection. Now, Fan Yuan isn't just playing a role; he’s fighting for his narrative, his sanity, and perhaps, his very heart. Can he escape the clutches of these increasingly devoted male leads, or will his superb acting finally trap him in a love story he never signed up for? The line between fiction and terrifying reality has blurred, and Fan Yuan is about to discover that some performances have consequences far beyond the final curtain. Dive into a world where being the side character is a full-time job, until the main character decides you’re his leading man. Start reading now and witness the chaos unfold.