This Setup Is Broken - This Setup is Broken Chapter 1: Crossing Over

When Bai Shi logs in, the editor group is discussing a hot topic recently— “Driving Homebody crazy with Pitiful endings.” (Homebody: A person who like to stay at home, especially perceived as unadventurous)

Homebody often love “harem” stories for a few reasons:

1. The protagonist, starting as an underdog, constantly humiliates rich and powerful rivals. Which feels immensely satisfying.

2. The protagonist dominates the world, easily defeating countless weaklings and killing whoever he wants.

3. The abundance of beautiful girls that the protagonist can sleep with at no cost makes the stories even more exciting.

The endings that drive homebody crazy usually deviate from these expectations. The stories that make it to the infamous list aren’t those illogical, over-the-top novels where the protagonist wins by sheer luck. Instead, they have solid plots, clear values, engaging twists, and yes, beautiful girls… But somehow, these stories still manage to frustrate readers.

A new writer in the group excitedly shares, “Check out this one—the protagonist doesn’t hook up with any girls, but the story ends with a wedding scene!”

Everyone hasn’t read that far, so they ask, “Did the author not mention the girl? Is that why it’s on the list?”

“No, he attends the wedding, but the bride isn’t his! The beautiful girl marries someone else!”

Everyone: “…”

“Another story by the same author—the girl confesses to the protagonist at the end!”

Everyone hesitates, “And then?”

“The protagonist says he only sees her as a friend. And since his close buddy just died, he doesn’t want to get married. The girl says she understands, walks away heartbroken, and that’s how it ends.”

Everyone: “…”

Bai Shi watches their chat calmly.

He’s an online writer who’s been in the competitive world of Baqi Tianxia (A novel website) for two or three years and is now fairly well-known. Baqi Tianxia specializes in harem stories, so naturally, he writes that genre too. However, there’s a twist to his stories—despite the large number of beautiful girls, the protagonist’s harem never exceeds one.

Coincidentally, the two stories they were discussing, were both written by him. Unbothered, he closes the chat window and checks his reader group, which is also buzzing about the posts. Since they followed his stories from the start, they’re even more frustrated.

They shout: “Friends? We hate that word! And why can’t he marry just because his friend died? What’s the connection? I think the author needs a beating!”

Bai Shi chuckles at their outbursts, thinking: “Should I tell them it’s because the author is gay, and most of the girls seem like the protagonist’s friends to him?”

Of course, he knows he can’t say that, he’d definitely get flamed. Instead, he sighs and opens the forum, browsing through the readers’ BL fanfictions. He’s moved— “The fans really get it!”

As he reads with interest, a notification for a new discussion group pops up in the corner. Curious, he clicks on it and finds that it’s a group with some well-known writers, most of whom he’s on good terms with.  They must have been lurking in the editor group chat earlier and pulled him in for something. He asks, “What’s up?”

There are five people in the group, one of whom isn’t online. The remaining three are typing like crazy. Bai Shi understands, these three all live in the same city and felt that their writing environments weren’t ideal, so they decided to rent an apartment together. To celebrate this significant moment, they planned to collaborate on a story and brought in two others, including Bai Shi, as adviser.

He doesn’t know their exact division of work, copyrights, or profit-sharing, but since they’ve decided to co-write, they’ve probably figured all that out.

“Sounds good. What’s the story?”

“A sci-fi novel! The protagonist controls a top-tier mecha and dominates the universe, slaughtering enemies everywhere!”

“There’ll be various planets, different species, and tons of girls!”

“Yes, lots of girls!”

Bai Shi knows their style. They’ll definitely include every type of beauty they like, so the protagonist’s harem will be massive. But… Can male lead handle it all? Even if he could, wouldn’t that be exhausting?

“Hmm, and then?”

The three on the other side are full of enthusiasm, discussing the basic plot and setting. The protagonist lives on a faraway planet. In this world of mecha, being a mecha pilot is a highly sought-after and respected profession. However, mechas require a certain level of genetic and mental ability, so not everyone can pilot one.

The planet has a youth academy dedicated to nurturing talent. Every year, they test ten-year-olds in the region. Those who qualify can enter the academy, and after a few years of training, they may be recommended to the military academy of the star system. If they excel, they could even be accepted into the prestigious Royal Military Academy, with a bright future ahead. The story starts with this test.

“Don’t make the protagonist too strong at the start. That way, there’s more room for growth. By the way, are we letting him pass the test?”

The group discusses briefly and decides to have the protagonist fail the test. They think if he passes, the story would be too predictable since everyone learns the same things afterward. They want the protagonist to take a unique path. After debating between a large and small family, they settle on the protagonist being part of a large family.

“This planet isn’t very developed, so his family is considered big locally, but small compared to others. This meets the criteria of a modest background. The protagonist is the useless one in the family, constantly mocked by his brothers. His brothers pass the test, but he fails and gets mocked again, prompting him to run away and grow stronger. Years later, during the main city’s mecha competition, he faces his brothers and crushes them. There’s your cannon fodder.”

The others agree and then ask Bai Shi for his opinion. Bai Shi, not a fan of the womanizing protagonist, slowly types, “Your audience is mainly homebody. You want them to relate more, right?”

“So?”

“So, the protagonist should come from humble beginnings. He lives in a small village and works odd jobs at a nearby junkyard, where he becomes familiar with discarded mecha parts. Some wealthier kids in the village bully him. They pass the test, but he doesn’t.”

Bai Shi feels quite satisfied with this setup.

There’s a brief silence on the other side. “…That’s way too tragic. He’s like the underdog of underdogs!”

The trio quickly rejects this idea but agrees to make the family less powerful, at least not noble. Bai Shi was just suggesting things casually, so he has no objections. The group then continues discussing other story elements and plot points.

Besides randomly making sarcastic comments, Bai Shi doesn’t have many flaws. Now that he’s been pulled in as an adviser, he offers helpful advice, such as reminding them that the protagonist’s personality might seem inconsistent since three people are writing.  One day he might act cold, the next he’s giving evil smirks, like a madman. So, they should set clear character habits and traits from the start to avoid confusion. The trio agrees, asking him for suggestions.

Bai Shi, knowing they could solve it on their own, decides to tease them: “Easy. Make him expressionless.”

“…”

The trio thinks that’s not cool enough and changes the protagonist’s personality to be cold and aloof. Just then, the other adviser joins the chat, catches up, and enthusiastically joins the discussion. As usual, the conversation drifts, but someone remembers that the protagonist still doesn’t have a name and brings them back on track.

Bai Shi, again feeling snarky, says, “Your name choices are too plain. This is the protagonist, he needs a name that sticks with people after hearing it once.”

The group asks for a suggestion: “Like what?”

Bai Shi replies: “How about Goudan?” (狗蛋 -Dog egg: Playful term used as a nickname or to tease someone. Similar to calling someone a little troublemaker)

The group: “…”

The chat immediately fills with angry emojis aimed at Bai Shi. Laughing, Bai Shi sends a smiley face and throws out a few normal name suggestions. After chatting for a bit, he logs off to focus on his writing. Once he’s done with his updates, he calls up his friends to head to a bar. The bar is cozy and relaxed, a place he often visits.

A while ago, he met a handsome guy there, and since then, he’s been going more often, hoping to run into him again. But several days have passed without any luck. His friends know why he’s there and patiently accompany him.

“I didn’t fall in love at first sight.” Bai Shi explains.

“Everyone appreciates beauty, and so do I. That doesn’t mean I’m interested in him romantically. You get that, right?”

His friends nod understandingly. Bai Shi has many admirers, but he’s very reserved when it comes to relationships, having never dated. Now that he’s finally showing a bit of interest in someone, they’re supportive. Bai Shi, satisfied with their responses, gives a small “Hmm” of approval.

Life continues peacefully. Bai Shi writes, exchanges banter with his group, and enjoys his trips to the bar, feeling content. A few weeks passes, the group finally starts writing.

One day, just after Bai Shi finishes an update, he gets a call from his older brother. He immediately rushes to meet him. Bai Shi has always admired his brother. Who often advises him to be polite, even if you hate someone inside.

His brother says: “Even if you’ve insulted them a hundred times in your head, always maintain a graceful attitude on the surface.”

Over the years, Bai Shi has watched and learned from him, and this has shaped his habit of inwardly mocking others. His brother, who has been working in another city, has recently been transferred to Bai Shi’s city and plans to stay with him for a while. Bai Shi is excited and welcomes him into his home.

When he sees that his brother has learned to cook over the years, Bai Shi is even more impressed. They chat while eating, but within ten minutes, Bai Shi is struck with acute gastroenteritis and is rushed to the hospital. When the doctor says it’s food poisoning, his brother remains calm, as if it wasn’t his fault, and starts looking around the hospital. “This place is interesting,” he says warmly.

Following his gaze, Bai Shi notices some words on the bed cover: “God loves everyone” printed on them, along with the slogan “God cares for everyone.”

Bai Shi’s lips twitch. “Who came up with that? They don’t trust their own medical skills, so they turn to God? This place seems unreliable.”

He pauses, realizing his brother is dodging the issue. He quickly turns back to him. “You ate the same food. Why aren’t you sick?”

His brother pauses for a second and calmly replies, “I’m used to it.”

Bai Shi: “…”

“Is your stomach even human? Just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean you can poison me! I’m your little brother, for God’s sake! Were you really not trying to kill me?”

His brother glances at him. “You’re not cursing me in your head, are you?”

“…No.”

His brother pats his head. “Good boy.”

Bai Shi returns home late at night from the hospital. A friend texts him saying the handsome guy showed up at the bar, but he was with another man. Bai Shi sighs, wondering why all the good men end up with other men. He decides not to go and opens his computer to chat instead.

The group chat is discussing the villain, and they ask for Bai Shi’s opinion when they see him online. Feeling annoyed, Bai Shi quickly types: “Villains are always either jealous of the protagonist for getting the girl. Or mad because the protagonist’s talent gets in their way. It’s so predictable!”

“…So, what are you suggesting?”

“Make the villain different. Why does he want to kill the protagonist? Because the protagonist has too many girls! And why? Because the villain loves the protagonist!”

Bai Shi types rapidly. “If he can’t have him, he’ll destroy him! So twisted, right?”

Not satisfied, Bai Shi even copies some of a steamy fanfic from elsewhere. Replacing the characters with “protagonist” and “villain”, then sends it to them. The group chat goes silent for a moment before being flooded with angry emojis. After joking around for a while, Bai Shi shuts down his computer and goes to bed.

He’s startled awake by noise and looks up, finding himself in a plaza-like place. Ahead, a white building bears the words “Sowang Academy Office” in gold letters. His mind flashes back to a scene from the group chat. —A grand white building bathed in morning light, solemn and majestic. The golden words “Sowang Academy Office” seem to promise endless hope. A long line of parents and children has already formed.

He looks up, clenches his fists, and waits for the test, when suddenly a mocking voice rings out: “Hey, look who’s here for the test.”

“Hey, look who’s here for the test.”

Bai Shi snaps out of it and looks around. Three kids are standing nearby, glaring at him with disdain. He glances around and realizes they’re talking about him. He freezes in shock—what’s going on?

One of the kids adds, “This idiot is definitely going to fail. Talking to him is embarrassing.” Then they walk off to join the line.

Bai Shi watches them leave, then looks down at himself. His body is smaller, and he’s dressed in ragged clothes. Stunned again, he’s about to pinch his leg when he feels someone tugging at him. He turns to see a boy his age, looking worried.

“Goudan, are you okay?” The boy asks.

Bai Shi is silent for a few seconds, maintaining a blank expression. “…Are you talking to me?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong?”

Bai Shi: “…”

What is this ominous feeling?!