Time flows on, things change, and people are no longer the same. Looking at the lifeless hands, touching the no longer beating heart in the chest… the solitary figure, spanning millennia, remains silent. Finally, a faint sigh rises in the morning breeze. The mad demon has vanished, leaving only the traveler known as the Doll. Silver hair, silver eyes, clad in black, the world sings the song of the nameless. From where does it begin, and where does it end, it wanders through mountains and rivers, traversing the seasons and snows… Traveler, why do you not stop your journey? Beneath the hood, a slight purse at the corner of the mouth, touching its silent chest, the Doll… does not answer.

[Slow-paced + Ensemble Cast Elements + Growth + No Cheats]

Ji Nian is an ordinary office worker, spending Monday to Friday repeating the same daily grind and sleeping in his dorm on weekends—a seven-day cycle that plays on endless repeat. Everything stays the same until a newly hired assistant disrupts this monotonous loop.

The assistant is a very beautiful girl. She takes him hiking up mountains, to see the sea, to amusement parks, and to do many things he’s never experienced before... But for some reason, even though these are all things he’s never done before, Ji Nian feels an inexplicable sense of familiarity—almost as if he’s done them not just once, but many times!

Until that day, when he’s driving alone through the silence...

The story takes place in the fictional Chinese kingdom of Caiyun. According to legend, a young man, aided by the power of the Eight Immortals, founded Caiyun. Consequently, Caiyun's territory was divided into eight provinces: Hongzhou, Huangzhou, Bizhou, Lanzhou, Zizhou, Heizhou, Baizhou, and Chazhou. Approximately 600 years ago, the king of the time ordered the nobles of each province to adopt one of these eight colors as their surnames (for example, the Marquis of Lanzhou became Lan, the Marquis of Hongzhou became Hong, and so on). Commoners were prohibited from sharing surnames with these eight marquises. Consequently, those bearing these eight colors were considered the most aristocratic of the nobles. Furthermore, because the Marquis of Zizhou, where the capital was located, also served as king, the Zi family became the royal family's surname. Despite being born into the prestigious Hong family, Hong Xiuli lived in poverty. She had to work extensively to support her family. Having experienced the turmoil of the throne struggle as a child, she deeply understood the suffering of the people. From a young age, she diligently studied, hoping to pass the imperial examination, become an official, assist the king, and build a prosperous and peaceful nation. However, as a woman, she cannot take the imperial examination. One day, Xiu Li accepts a high-paying commission from Grand Tutor Xiao and enters the harem as a noble concubine to teach and assist the incompetent emperor. This opportunity leads Xiu Li to a career as an official, and she encounters a variety of people.

Once the gears of fate begin to turn, love and hate intertwine into an impenetrable net. Turning to Ashoka's "The One I Loved Most Was the Murderer," the male and female protagonists embark on a perilous and fraught journey to uncover the truth behind the unexpected death of the male protagonist's wife.

COVID-19, disease, hardship, misfortune, workplace struggles, love and hate, life and death… They persevered through countless difficulties, and they embraced new life amidst despair. This book celebrates the steadfastness and devotion of love, showcases the resilience and brilliance of humanity, and takes you deep into the labyrinth of human nature to explore the true meaning of love and redemption.

In this battle between love and sin, can they uncover the truth? The book features both thrilling mystery and delicate, moving emotions; it depicts a love story that transcends life and death, and also reveals the ugliness and justice of the world.

"One must learn to face youth head-on." "To gain love, one must first acquire the ability to love." Shizusui Asama, using words she herself didn't believe a word of, helps the protagonists achieve their desires. Embarking on a path of shadow, escaping the banality of evil, and ascending to the pinnacle of supporting roles. This is a story of a solitary soul reflecting the entirety of Tokyo. Other titles: *Eiwa Academy: The Shadow of Strength*, *I Really Didn't Want to Be the Protagonist*, *Living in Tokyo, Earning a Billion Yen a Day as a Matchmaker*, *I Loaded a Romance Game, But I'm Not the Protagonist*.