Chapter 1
**Title: The Light of My Life Swiped My Stand-In** **Author: Yan Sheng Sheng [Completed + Extras]** **Synopsis:** Evelyn Lockhart has a gentle personality and usually keeps her temper in check—she's only lost it once in over twenty years, and that incident landed her ex-boyfriend in the hospital. Her ex, Cyrus Black, has a "white moonlight" in his life. This figure symbolizes unattainable desires for him, and he treats Evelyn as a mere stand-in. People say this "white moonlight" is soft, kind-hearted, even the kind of person who feels like a delicate flower. In fact, he bears an uncanny resemblance to Evelyn—eight parts alike, three parts in appearance, and five in temperament. However, everything changes when Evelyn finally comes face to face with this so-called "white moonlight." The man sits in a play of light and shadow, his profile strikingly handsome with a tall, athletic build. His long legs are crossed casually, and the black shirt he wears is two buttons undone, with tousled hair falling across his forehead. When he looks up, his sharp eyes resemble those of a cunning fox, glimmering with the vibrant allure of The Tipsy Bard. After a long hesitation, Evelyn decides to approach him while Cyrus is in the bathroom. She cautiously warns him that there might have been something wrong with his drink. To her surprise, the "white moonlight" leans on his chin and smiles teasingly, his enchanting gaze sweeping over her. "Is that so? He spiked my drink?" Evelyn blinks, feeling exasperated; they couldn't possibly look more different. Clearly, Cyrus has some sort of vision problem. Without hesitation, the white moonlight strides toward Cyrus. Evelyn can’t help but notice that this "weak and delicate" guy is significantly younger, almost a half-head taller than her ex. Then, defying all expectations, the gentlest figure kicks Cyrus in the back, sending him flying across the room. Well, Evelyn thinks, maybe they share some similarities after all—like their eagerness to kick Cyrus when he deserves it. --- Meanwhile, at a personal low, Lydia Montgomery has hidden herself away as a little white rabbit for self-preservation. She plays the role of being gentle, kind, and soft. Yet, she's been coldly observing as someone unworthy approaches her, using underhanded tactics, all the while believing himself to be sincere. How could anyone have such a pure soul in this world? To her shock, that impossible person truly exists. And just like that, he appears before Lydia. But instead of a little rabbit, it's a small deer, with a clear gaze and a temper that's just as fiery. He's cute enough that Lydia can't resist the urge to take him back to her fox den. **[Mild-Mannered Hero] × [The White Moonlight]** **[Reading Guide]** 1. This is a lighthearted, sweet romantic comedy, featuring soft, adorable characters rather than a strong rivalry. 2. The leads do not resemble each other, and Cyrus is truly blind to the truth. **Content Tags:** Delightful Foes, Perfect Match, Sweet Romance **Keywords:** Main Characters: Evelyn Lockhart, Lydia Montgomery Supporting Roles: Cyrus Black **One-Liner:** Your white moonlight is fabulous! **Core Message:** Everyone is a unique individual. --- Evelyn Lockhart finds herself in a surprising situation after breaking up with her ex, who had always treated her as a stand-in. Fate leads her to become neighbors with Lydia Montgomery, the very white moonlight Cyrus adored. Expecting Lydia to be delicate and helpless, Evelyn is ready to protect him when Cyrus threatens him. Little does she realize Lydia is actually harboring a fierce possessiveness in his gaze behind her back. Years earlier, Lydia faced bullying at school, only to find hope when the Page Boy entered his life, illuminating his path. Many years later, they cross paths again, and at last, Lydia has the chance to embrace the sunlight he once lost.
Chapter 2
At the end of June, Shenton officially welcomed summer. Even standing under the shade of trees did little to ease the stifling heat, and the relentless chatter nearby was only adding to the discomfort. A girl waiting at the bus stop furrowed her brow and glanced for the third time toward the other end of the station. There stood a tall and strikingly handsome young man. In this unbearable heat, he looked refreshingly cool, his slightly long hair brushing the nape of his neck, illuminating his porcelain complexion like an ice cream cone begging to melt under the sun. Such a dashing guy wouldn’t typically be considered annoying – it was the stout little man beside him, Sir Edwin, who incessantly rambled on about something that seemed to irritate the other waiting passengers. However, the young man remained polite, his long dark lashes casting gentle shadows over his eyes. Even when Sir Edwin's words felt like a scam, he showed not a hint of annoyance. Hmm... The young man certainly had that look of someone who could be easily swayed. Oblivious to the attentive gaze of several concerned onlookers, including the particularly well-meaning Aunt Agatha ready to swoop in for his rescue, the chubby man continued with his passionate monologue. "Our company, with the full name Starlight Cultural Arts Development Ltd., is a professional cultural organization that specializes in artist training, management, personal art education, and corporate image consulting…” He wiped the sweat from his brow and thrust a business card toward the young man. “Look at you! With your looks, don’t you want to give yourself a chance? Trust me, our company has a well-established operation model. With us, we can tailor a…" "But..." Evelyn Lockhart interjected softly, "Your company has only produced one online drama that got taken down, and this month, another artist was arrested for soliciting…” Sir Edwin was momentarily speechless, caught off guard. After a small pause, he replied, “Let me defend myself, that was all…” "A quick search of your company name reveals everything." Evelyn blinked sweetly, sincerity radiating from her eyes. “Sorry, but I’m not jumping into that kind of fiery pit.” Sir Edwin: … Just as the heated exchange ended, the bus pulled up. After enduring all the blabber, the young man waved goodbye to the chatterbox, cradling a flat rectangular box wrapped in waterproof paper that could have contained anything from art to photos. To avoid the jostling crowd getting too close, he waited at the end of the line until it was his turn to board. With a heavy sigh of disappointment, Sir Edwin sat down on a bench at the bus stop and made a call. "I bumped into a kid today who would meet all your criteria. He’s clean, young, and looks innocent... but he’s not foolish – he won’t come on board." "Old Li, do you think that could actually work? Our little company thinks it can find someone Lucian Rivers is interested in? That kid must have seen all kinds in this business. Honestly, I think he’s better than those dozen other offers I’ve seen – all of them are as appealing as the Daffodil!" The man sighed again, “But this kid... he struck me as an earnest good kid…”
Chapter 3
Evelyn Lockhart furrowed his brows, lost in thought, when suddenly the sunlight dimmed. Looking up, he saw a guy from earlier, returning again, hands cradling something, but his expression seemed off. “Excuse me, did you just say… Lucian Rivers?” Two days later, an absurd post popped up on an anonymous forum: **[What to do when you accidentally walk into your boyfriend’s selection for a queen?]** Evelyn rested her chin on her hands, waiting for responses. **[1L: Seriously? Sounds like something out of *The Legend of Zhen Huan*. You’re the scheming Hua Fei; he’s the overweight Emperor.]** It was clear that even the forum regulars hadn’t experienced anything like this; everyone was living in the twenty-first century, not some feudal society, so they assumed it was all a joke. Evelyn himself found the whole situation ridiculous, glancing around in disbelief that he’d somehow ended up in this bizarre audition. He had never expected to run into a “scout” at the bus stop, and even less expected that the name Lucian Rivers would actually refer to his boyfriend of two months. After today, however, it seemed he’d have to reevaluate who this ex-boyfriend truly was. Surveying his surroundings, he noticed five or six twenty-somethings sitting in the hotel conference room. Besides Evelyn, everyone else was dressed in white shirts, jeans, and white sneakers, looking as coordinated as a cheerleading squad. Evelyn felt like he should be under the car instead of in it, watching just how many admirers Lucian Rivers had. Dressed in a lemon-yellow t-shirt, he felt like a bee who accidentally stumbled into a patch of pristine white flowers. Yet those flowers were too engrossed in listening to Lord Gerald Lee from Starlight Media to pay him any mind. Lord Gerald, being the head of a decent company, didn’t shy away from holding meetings in a rented hotel conference room, but that didn’t stop him from inflating expectations. In fact, you could say he was hustling. “I’ll be frank with you all; we’re all adults here, so let’s cut to the chase,” he said, pointing at the projection on the screen displaying a handsome young man. “Lucian Rivers—a billionaire’s heir, president of the Evergreen Group. If you catch his eye, opportunities will be endless. So, during the interview later, don’t just try to look the part; try to resemble the kind of person he likes.” Evelyn lowered his head, glancing at the flimsy dossier in his hands. It contained a vague profile, depicting a boy sitting on a bench, legs crossed, head lowered to a book resting on his knees. Even with the poor quality of the image, the boy’s striking features shone through. Just sitting there, he somehow encapsulated the ideal image of youth for most people. As Lord Gerald introduced the Page Boy, he continued, “I had to pull some strings just to get this information for our candidates. This is the kind of guy General Lin liked back in school, and in recent years, he’s always been around this type…” His phone rang, and he answered while stepping outside. “Take a good look at the materials, think it over… Oh, and by the way, make sure to grab a white shirt on your way—this kid didn’t follow the dress code…” Once Lord Gerald exited, silence enveloped the small conference room. Evelyn flipped through the dossier, only a few pages long, even lacking the Page Boy’s name.
Chapter 4
“Just a picture, how am I supposed to act?” A guy next to him mumbled, his gaze casually scanning the group as he leaned back, finally tilting his head toward Evelyn Lockhart. “Hey, looking good! Which school did you graduate from? Art or theater? Are you gay?” Evelyn had been feeling a bit on edge lately, like a tired little bee, ignoring the eager guy in front of him. He replied, his voice slightly hoarse, “Shenwell.” He then picked up the glass he brought, sipping water as the fruit tea leaves danced around in the cup. At this point, he almost wanted to laugh, glancing at the array of pretentious white shirts filling the room. Suddenly, he understood why Lucian Rivers always suggested he wear white. So cringy. “No wonder, you look cultured; your knowledge shines through!” the guy chuckled. “I’m just a slacker; I didn’t even get into a proper college, so I can’t compare to you.” He looked around before continuing, “But what’s a guy like you doing seeking these kinds of gigs? Though, I guess, everyone needs the money.” Evelyn noticed the condescending tone in his voice but didn’t bother to argue. He lowered his gaze, flipping through the thin stack of papers. The few pages quickly turned, revealing mostly blurry photos and occasionally two pictures of The Page Boy, with Lucian Rivers' sunlight-graced smile standing out even in the low-res quality. Hmph. Look at him being so unremarkable. His phone vibrated, and Evelyn looked down to see a new message pop up on the screen. [Lucian Rivers: Hey, I’m back in Shenton. I have a job this afternoon, but I’ll be back tonight. Looking forward to the birthday gift you promised!] Attached was an emoji of a cartoon character sitting on a bed, playfully bouncing on the mattress—a not-so-subtle hint. Evelyn thought for a moment, then replied, [Sure, can't wait to see you! [Tea Time.jpg]] Maybe it was rare for him to use such a flirty tone, as Lucian shot back message after message, seemingly oblivious to the peculiar emoji. The guy next to him chimed in again: “But you know, having a degree doesn’t mean much for a gig like this. As a stand-in, the key is being adaptable. Whatever Mr. Lin wants, I can deliver. And you…” He joked, “You wouldn’t even bring a white shirt? Too much personality. With a look like yours, he might not be interested.” Evelyn nodded obediently, giving a sincere glance to the eager guy. “You could let your front hair down a little; some loose strands would be more lively. But you look fine now!” The guy was momentarily speechless, his face gradually reddening, and he cleared his throat awkwardly. “T-thank you.” Just then, a staff member walked in, announcing it was time to head out for their numbers for the audition. Evelyn followed the crowd of eager faces, his spot being closer to the front of the line. The conference room’s door was wide open, revealing a mess as a waiter cleaned up spilled mousse cake from the carpet after someone’s accident. Top.
Chapter 5
The door was ajar, and the voices of the two people sitting nearby drifted out. Everyone clutched their resumes, but Evelyn Lockhart's was a mere slip of paper. Distracted, he absentmindedly rolled up his resume as a candidate walked in. He shifted forward in his seat, straining to hear the voices more clearly amid the overtly dramatic lines being delivered by the actors auditioning. One of the voices, familiar and warm, belonged to his boyfriend, Lucian Rivers. A stranger's voice chimed in, “Hey Lin, that cute kid you’ve been hanging around with—haven’t you had your fun with him yet? What’s on your mind? Are you nurturing some artistic vibe or just being the world’s weirdest philanthropist? If all else fails, why not just take a little enhancement?” “You don’t get it,” Lucian Rivers replied, pausing before he continued, giving a knowing smile. “He’s got a sort of earnest energy about him, kind of reminds me of JoJo. Plus…” Lucian trailed off, a hint of mischief in his tone, “I'm not missing out here. I’ve got options. If I don’t go for him, I’ve got others.” Evelyn Lockhart's elegant fingers made a quiet sound as they fiddled with the plastic sleeve of his resume. The conversation continued. “Nice play!” Lucian’s friend snapped his fingers. “Did you notice? Most of the guys auditioning ahead of that kid were sort of cookie-cutter types. But take a look at the ones coming up next—all those white dress shirts… something’s off.” With a nudge of his elbow, he teasingly added, “Someone has got their eye on you, Lin. Honestly, though, I spotted a couple of decent-looking contenders—better than this cute one you’re with now. What do you think?” Lucian shrugged, “Let’s wait and see.” Their chatter didn’t seem to bother anyone else; the guys around Evelyn looked down as if they were doing their best to tune it out. That was just how things were, after all. As the scion of The Rivers Clan, a powerful name in the entertainment industry, Lucian likely felt untouchable by any scandal—bad news would vanish just as quickly as it arrived. Evelyn pursed his lips and pulled out an alcohol wipe from the small pig-shaped pouch hanging from his neck, wiping his hands repeatedly. “Lord Gerald Lee is squeezing through the crowd toward him, a wide grin spread across his face. ‘Hey ancestor! Why are you still lugging around that thermos? Come here, give it to me. You need to swap that shirt out,’ he insisted, pointing to the wrinkled fabric. “Number 12, get ready to go in—” “Wait!” Lord Gerald blurted. “Little Deer, should swap with Number 13 first…” “That’s okay.” Evelyn waved him off, returning the shirt. “Thanks for the offer, but you keep it.” Lord Gerald felt a pang of regret as he patted his belly; it was clear he’d have no use for it. Noticing that Evelyn still held onto the transparent glass, he hurriedly reminded, “Hey, Little Deer, give me that cup.” “I think I’ll hang onto it,” Evelyn mused, balancing the cup thoughtfully, “This could be quite handy. If I’d known I’d only sip a little water, I might’ve made it heavier.” Lord Gerald could only stare, speechless. In Chapter 2, when candidate Number 12 stepped in front of the director, those half-open, fish-like eyes lit up instantly. If the host was growing weary of the sea of white dress shirts, the sudden flash of lemon yellow before him certainly perked him up. The young man looked striking, with a fresh-faced demeanor and delicate features, his hair simply falling softly over his eyebrows, devoid of any outrageous styling.
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