The Nerd Is Troubled

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There’s always this novel where the main gong is a wealthy Alpha, and the main shou is a poor Omega. For certain reasons, the shou disguises himself as an Alpha and enrolls in an elite all-Alpha boys’ high school, ending up as the gong’s roommate. From that moment, the gears of fate begin to turn. They circle each other, push and pull, testing the waters, never quite closing the distance— until they do.

And then, there’s the cannon fodder roommate.

Forced to watch as the two flirt, provoke, and probe each other day after day. Occasionally roped in as an unwilling wingman, sometimes even an accidental part of their “play”. But for the most part? Just a perfectly qualified piece of background decor.

Unfortunately, Jiang Xu transmigrated into that very cannon fodder roommate.

The turning point of the story happens when the main gong turns 18. Still unaware of the main shou’s true gender, he decides to come clean to his family.

His family, unsurprisingly, doesn’t take it well. A poor same-gender lover? Absolutely not. They start throwing high-status, high-quality Omega candidates his way, hoping to “correct” his romantic inclinations.

Frustrated beyond belief, the gong turns to his ever-reliable cannon fodder roommate.

“Just do me a favor— help me get rid of one of them, and I’ll give you 100,000. How about it?”

“…….”

Jiang Xu took a quick look at his bank account, which was emptier than his soul.

So, he agreed.

Months later, after enduring a relentless emotional tug-of-war with the main shou, the main gong was utterly exhausted.

Then, at a grand banquet, he unexpectedly ran into one of his former matchmaking candidates, Jin Jiayue, the sole Omega heir of the Jin family.

Jin Jiayue was 28 this year, tall and strikingly handsome. A textbook domineering CEO type. But his overly assertive nature often made people joke that he didn’t act like an Omega at all. Add in his infamous bad temper, and he had successfully scared off every Alpha who had ever tried to pursue him.

Rumor had it that he had never even been in a relationship.

The main gong stared at Jin Jiayue’s stunning face in a daze, then pulled out his phone and dialed Jiang Xu’s number.

“Jiang Xu, did you already get rid of that Jin Jiayue for me?!”

“Yeah.”

“How the hell did you do it?!”

Jiang Xu was silent for a moment before replying, “I became his boyfriend.”

Main gong: “……”

Jin Jiayue despised blind dates and loathed being alone with those scheming Alphas. Yet, under his grandmother’s persistent pleas, he reluctantly agreed to meet a high school Alpha.

He’d heard this Alpha was tall, handsome, and smooth-tongued. Someone with countless admirers but no history of ever getting close to an Omega.

The first meeting was at a library.

The Alpha, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, wore black-framed glasses and sat across from him, reading an entire book in silence.

Jin Jiayue: “……”

The second meeting was at a café.

The Alpha ordered a glass of milk, then, as if no one else existed, pulled out a copy of Five Years of Gaokao, Three Years of Mock Exams.

Jin Jiayue: “……”

The third meeting was at a hot spring lodge on a mountainside.

A lone Alpha and an unattached Omega, finally alone in one room. The Alpha leaned back on the couch and played on his phone.

Jin Jiayue figured, “There’s no way he can keep up this act now.”

He scooted closer to take a peek, only to see the screen displaying 94 words learned on a vocabulary app.

Jin Jiayue: “……”

Jin Jiayue was like an old house catching fire; once set ablaze, it burned uncontrollably. If he didn’t see his Alpha for even a second, he found himself thinking about him. So, he simply accepted the invitation from A City’s top Alpha high school to give a speech.

While passing by the Hall of Honor beneath the administration building, his gaze inadvertently landed on a familiar face in a framed photo.

Beneath it, the name and class were written clearly:

Senior Year, Class A.

Jiang Xu.

Only then did Jin Jiayue realize that his Alpha, the one who had quietly wormed his way into his heart, was actually a top student who still had to run around working odd jobs just to make ends meet.

A little bookworm who had no choice but to hustle for his own survival.

Introduction: It turns out I am just a part of your play

Associated Names
One entry per line
The nerd is distressed
书呆子很苦恼
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Hold On, You’re Something Else (3)
This Alpha Is Determined Despite Physical Disability [Interstellar] (2)
When a Social Phobic Transmigrates as an E-Scum Gong (2)
After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Fell for the Male Lead (1)
The Rescue Of The Tragic Villain Is In Progress (1)
The Fake Scumbag Gong’s Online Romance Backfires (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Omegaverse type shii
  2. BL (modern)
  3. Dump!!
  4. [ABO] FTL In-progress
  5. Abo or futuristic which sound appealing

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/11/25 Mistmint Haven c38
04/10/25 Mistmint Haven c37
04/09/25 Mistmint Haven c36
04/05/25 Mistmint Haven c36
04/08/25 Mistmint Haven c35
04/08/25 Mistmint Haven c34
04/08/25 Mistmint Haven c33
04/04/25 Mistmint Haven c32
04/04/25 Mistmint Haven c31
04/01/25 Mistmint Haven c30
03/31/25 Mistmint Haven c29
03/29/25 Mistmint Haven c28
03/29/25 Mistmint Haven c27
03/29/25 Mistmint Haven c26
03/29/25 Mistmint Haven c25
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13 Reviews sorted by


Luciaaa
Luciaaa rated it
March 24, 2025
Status: Completed
Bruh, I was just looking for something to cure my boredom, but man, this book is really my type. It’s cliché, sure, but the thing is—they’re both green flags! And I love that because it’s so rare to find.

The only downside for me is the age gap. Like, every time they mention it, I get this icky feeling. But overall, I still enjoyed it. I even read the whole thing, including the MTL version. I just wish they included the extra chapters, but you have to subscribe first, and I... more>> can't... sad.

Read at your own risk! If you're not comfortable with age gaps, you might want to skip this one. It gets mentioned quite a few times, and honestly, it gave me the ick a little. <<less
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Shadowdrop
Shadowdrop
March 26, 2025
Status: Completed
I don't mean to bash on other authors, but this novel is one of the rare cases where I 100% believe that the author is (or at least at some point was) in a healthy relationship.

The plot is sometimes over the top and the side characters are a bit cartoonish (especially original novel's alpha "ML" and this novel's ML's "rival"), but the relationship carries the novel.

It's a bit more smutty than I prefer, but the smut is pretty realistic and not the awful "the top going at it for hours... more>> while the bottom begs to stop and can't walk afterwards". Also, in case someone wants to know - it's tagged mpreg, but there is no pregnancy in the main text (except one or two unnamed passers-by)

Lasty, it's neither a plus or a minus, but there were several times when I couldn't understand why the author did something, and then later was like "oooh, they probably wanted to write their kink". <<less
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karevamp
karevamp rated it
March 29, 2025
Status: Completed
I enjoyed reading this story for the couple's growing romance. I don't mind the age gap since MC is mentally older than he looks.

The only criticism is that majority of characters are so freaking entitled and judgemental on whether you're rich and/or have status. Only MC and ML didn't care but almost everyone else judged MC harshly or pitied him for being "poor". I found it so annoying that he is judged for his living conditions and not him as a person. It just shows how all these people only... more>> find value in useless things and not a person's character. Just sad really.

Spoiler

In fact, I wish MC was never from a rich family cause that is such a cop out to fixing their "problems". Why not make a story that gives a lesson that you shouldn't judge a person by their wealth and love a person for who they are. MC is such a strong willed person to earn money for his family and they just shoot that down in the end by adding in the trope "you were lost as a child and came from a rich family all along." And I find that so boring. Sigh.

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But MC and ML are really sweet to each other and that keeps me going despite everyone acting self-entitled.

And they have social norms on how omegas and alphas to act. MC and ML break those norms and I LOVE that. Wish they discussed more on that but this isn't a revolutionized tale on society, it's a simple romance, so I'm chill with that haha. <<less
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Ouryane00
Ouryane00 rated it
August 13, 2025
Status: Completed
Definitely in my Top 5 this year!!

I wasn't expecting that much but I couldn't put this novel down.

Typically, when the leads get together, I lose interest in the novel because their relationship becomes cloyingly sweet for me.

... more>> Not here!!!

I couldn't get enough of them. I just love their dynamics.

MC (gong) is so lucky to have ML (shou). As MC himself said, ML was the one who took 99 steps for him.

At first, it was ML that was proactive in the relationship, MC was into ML as well but he was kinda simple minded and a blockhead in terms of feelings lol. So it was endearing and nice to see him progress from that to being proactive in their relationship too.

I'll definitely come back for the extras!!!

I hope we get to read about MC's adult life, him meeting ML's family, them having a baby, etc!! So excited.

Their love story just makes me yearn to be loved like that, I'm jealous!! Hahaha

At the same time, even tho they are just book characters, I find myself silently wishing them the best. I hope they spend the years of their life together and happy.

HAAAAA im gonna miss them!!!

Note to self
Spoiler

definitely reread!!! There's little to no misunderstanding and it was just a sweet ride. Funny at times and makes me smilee

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beaisbusy
beaisbusy rated it
March 21, 2026
Status: c166
4.5/5 — A surprisingly wholesome take on a cliché setup.

I initially went in expecting something light to pass the time, and that’s more or less what I got—but in a good way. The story leans into familiar tropes, yet what makes it stand out is the relationship itself. Both leads are genuine green flags, which is honestly rare in this genre. Their dynamic feels balanced and mutual, with a steady, “give and take” kind of development rather than instant attraction. It’s not love at first sight—they grow into each other,... more>> and when it clicks, it really clicks.

There’s also something about the way their relationship is written that feels grounded. Even with some over-the-top plot moments and slightly cartoonish side characters (especially the rival types), the core romance carries the novel. It gives off the impression that the author understands what a healthy relationship looks like—supportive, sincere, and built over time.

That said, it’s not without its downsides. The age gap is a big one, and the story doesn’t let you forget it. It’s brought up often enough that it can feel uncomfortable, depending on your tolerance.

Overall, it’s a solid read if you’re in the mood for something sweet and relationship-focused, even if the premise feels familiar. <<less
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Yumeru
Yumeru rated it
January 16, 2026
Status: Completed
Finished main story waiting for extras, so hard to find to mtl

A gem of a novel in this genre and age gap. ML is Such a green forest! He has his goals, hardworking and very sincere to MC. MC is a stable /responsible kind of adult for me, considering he has friends who's in the same age but diff attitude in life. Not Love at first sight. They build their relationship overtime. Just like other people they cant imagine ML or MC having a partner. But when they see ML... more>> and MC, it just click! They look good together. It is a give and take relationship despite the current situation+ age of ML. A healthy relationship. There are problems here and there but it will be resolved ^^. Sweetness between MC and ML is there. Tbh Im excited to them being a family. <<less
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TheCabbageofHappiness rated it
November 26, 2025
Status: c102
An absolute must read with a gong protagonist. The premise is very basic with a transmigration into a poor alpha Roommate of the ogML but other than that I found the characters to be very different from all the other cliche in ABO transmigration novels.

The alpha protagonist has a very refreshing personality where he genuinely cares for the ML and shows it through his actions. Moreover he is not arrogant or prideful and is mature enough to use everything in his means to achieve his goals. He is incredibly hardworking... more>> and the absolute king of time management. One of the best MC I've read in ABO.

Comparatively the ML did seem superficial in his feelings for the MC in the start but as the story progresses their feelings grow and they both genuinely love each other. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Tokka
Tokka rated it
November 12, 2025
Status: Completed
why the heck is this story so cute???

4.2/5

who would have thought a nerd obsessed with work and his grades like this would be the greenest flag to ever exist after he gets into a relationship??

the premise is fun but inherently the reason for their "relationship" is kinda cliche. But I genuinely do like most of the characters, even the original main character who's annoying but in a funny way

this doesn't have any drama but I didn't feel any boredom at all definitely recommended!!
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Spoilerlove
Spoilerlove
August 8, 2025
Status: Completed
Loved it.

Very cute and heartwarming characters.

Not that explicit (smut)

I want to read those extras too😩
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Zome
Zome rated it
February 22, 2026
Status: Completed
This story takes a fun and clever twist on a classic ABO setup. Instead of focusing on the typical Alpha/Omega main couple, the real story is about their "cannon fodder" roommate, Jiang Xu, who transmigrates into the background character no one notices.

I would like to say... it has a frustrating family subplot. The story reveals Jiang Xu is secretly the lost heir to a rich family. This leads to a frustrating issue with his poor, bedridden adoptive mother. She is deep in debt and makes his life harder, even refusing... more>> his help while he struggles to survive. When his real family finds him and pays off everything, he chooses to stay with the adoptive mother. This choice is hard to understand and makes the protagonist seem more like a pushover than someone who deserves a happy, stress-free life with Jin Jiayue.

Verdict:

A charming and funny story with a lovable main couple and a great twist on old tropes. The romance is the highlight. However, the subplot with the adoptive mother adds unnecessary frustration. Recommended for the sweet relationship, but be ready to skip some annoying family drama. <<less
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Novelreader 22102
Novelreader 22102 rated it
January 31, 2026
Status: c163
Why is the extras so hard to find

...i'll have to wait for the htl.

The novel is so cute. I loved the ML and MC but I also loved the abo world setting.

    • There are schools divided based on abo gender. MC goes to an alpha school and ML graduates from an omega school.
    • Everyone seems more intune with their abo gender than male/female. Eg: There would be male and female alpha friends talking in the background abt their omegas
    • The pheromones scent is not so much a smell but more so something u can perceive like an aura. It can be bad/good but never described by its smell.
    • The heat is kindof like periods. It gives them stomach, lower back, breast pain. O's also don't really lose their head and get fully consumed by lust. It's more so clingier, more pheromones and more tired. O's even have to use padded underwear for the slick.
    • Since they live longer their highschool is longer too. They are 20 when they graduate.
Another thing I loved

Spoiler

The og ML and MC of the novel don't end up together. The og shou is a cute naive person. The gong is honestly a manwho*e and very immature. I hope in the future extras they don't end up together or something.

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Kisaki_Tsubasa
Kisaki_Tsubasa rated it
February 15, 2026
Status: c36
After so many good reviews, let me leave mine, which is, not so stellar.

I only reached chapter 36 and dropped it. I gave it 3 stars because it's not horrendous. Why then, did I drop it so early on? Well, it was getting frustrating to me. I don't enjoy deception and lies between the main characters in love stories. Actually, I can't stand it, so that's why I dropped it. I also dropped it because MC keeps treating everyone as fictional characters with "predestined storylines", which is another thing I... more>> can't stand.

Spoiler

The MC is someone who transmigrated into a book as a cannon fodder, there as a third wheel to the original couple, because he was their roommate. MC accepts money from the OGgong to go on dates OGgong's family set up in OG gong's stead and get rid of those omegas. MC goes because he needs money, even though it hurts his conscience because he's pretty much wasting the omegas' time. Then he feels worse because he realizes that he's not only wasting their time but also their efforts and feelings.

But what do you think happens? He goes on a date with ML. ML is also a cannon fodder, a victim of the main couple's relationship problems. In the original story, ML falls in love with OGgong just to be discarded in the end in order for the OG couple to have a happy ending. During the date, ML actually notices many of MC's qualities even though MC doesn't show any interest in ML nor in going on dates. ML asks MC to keep seeing each other and to get to know each other, which shows his interest in developing their relationship further. MC, instead of telling ML the truth, decides to accept and string him along and drag things out. In his reasoning, MC wants to string ML along until after ML's and OGgong's "destined encounter" to avoid ML's heartache later on. But MC is doing the same or even worse crap than OGgong because he's stringing and leading ML on for an indefinite amount of time to avoid something that might or might not happen. A simple solution would be to be honest with ML, telling him that it was OGgong who asked him to go on those dates to get rid of the omegas because there's already someone OGgong is in love with, whom his family doesn't approve of. If he said that, it would definitely give ML a horrible impression of OGgong, which would then keep ML from falling in love with OGgong. Simple. Easy. But no, he has to do all of this which would hurt ML a lot if not handled properly. I can't stand it.

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I don't like how unaware of his own actions MC is being. So, this book is not for me. Other than that, I think the slow burn might be to the taste of many other readers. I would've liked it and kept reading if it wasn't for MC not being honest early on. I don't ask him to tell ML the truth right away, but I was expecting him to confess the truth after the second time they met or after a few opportunities presented themselves, like:

Spoiler

When ML said he saw "MC's parents" at a wedding. Or when ML asked MC to give him an answer (of whether or not they should keep seeing each other)

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But no. MC kept on dragging things out. So, I'm done. Bye. <<less
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KhunP
KhunP rated it
June 1, 2025
Status: c161
Spoiler

I want to know the ending of the main couple in the novel, but I can't find the extra episode.

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This story clearly makes your heart flutter with 'first love'. It's cute. ML and MC There is good character development, but the side characters' stories are completely skipped.

It's not bad. I understand that the author just wanted to write the main character's love story. Just focus on the main character.

Spoiler

Up until the end of the main story, it was never explained why MC had trouble ejaculating and perceiving pheromones. They threw away when MC started a relationship with ML.

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