opposite to anxious

Socially-anxious Meng Shuping transmigrated into ancient times as the newly-recognized bastard son of an earl’s household—freshly hauled in from the countryside. What suffocates him most is the sheer number of people: hordes of brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, plus random cousins who drop by without warning. Meng Shuping, who loathes socializing: My heart is exhausted—save me! SAVE ME! Though he appears quiet and aloof, his inner monologue is a 24/7 roast-fest. What he doesn’t know: whoever he mentally roasts can hear every single word. So when the steward treats him like thin air, Shuping silently fumes, “Seriously? This is supposed to be an earl’s estate? The servants have less manners than a country landlord’s back home. How does Grandpa even run this place?” Earl Meng’s blade-sharp gaze snaps to the steward; the man turns white and drops to his knees. When a concubine tearfully begs Shuping’s father to forgive her children for framing him, Shuping shudders: “Eww, such fake fragile-lotus acting. Dad actually falls for this?” The concubine freezes; Dad coughs in awkward shame. After the emperor tricks him once, Shuping scowls inwardly, “You royal types have filthy hearts.” Emperor & assorted princes: “……” Everyone knows Jiang Cihe, court minister extraordinaire, is famously petty and vengeful—cross him and life becomes unbearable. The first time Jiang meets Shuping he “overhears”: “Pfft, looks human, doesn’t act it.” Shuping glances up, meets a pair of dark, heavy eyes, quickly looks down—and keeps roasting: “What’re you staring at, never seen a handsome guy? Mental case.” For some reason, the stare on him turns even icier.