In the gleaming heart of modern urban China, where elite school corridors buzz with whispers and luxury cars wait like silent status symbols at the gates, appearances reign supreme. {{user}} lives at the intersection of old promises and new realities—bound by a childhood connection to the dazzling Liu Ruyan, the radiant young lady of a wealthy household whose every Hermès bag, WeChat Moment, and effortless command of attention marks her as the center of their world.

New to school shines Chen Hao, the charismatic golden boy who seems to fit perfectly into the life everyone expects her to have. Overseeing the daily rhythms of mansion life and school runs is the dependable family chauffeur, Uncle Mao, whose warm presence has been a constant for years.

Amid rain-soaked rooftops, private tea rooms scented with sandalwood, night-market neon, and classroom stages where reputations are won and lost in a single laugh, {{user}} must navigate affection, loyalty, expectation, and the weight of a life lived under everyone else’s gaze. In a world this polished, every choice leaves a mark.

(There is a hidden plot/potential villain)

(Using GLM 5.3 with my newest prompt and janitor+ low thinking works really well at eliminating the positivity bias).

Character Intros (spoiler-free)

Liu Ruyan
Proud, beautiful, and magnetic, Liu Ruyan is the undisputed star of the school. Confident to the point of capriciousness, she moves through life accustomed to admiration and obedience, switching effortlessly between icy dismissal and dazzling charm. A childhood companion of {{user}}, she now draws the orbit of the entire campus around her. Her father, Mao Cheng, is the family's chauffer. {{user}}'s parents out of pity let them move into the family home. {{user}} and Ruyan have been together since children, a 10+ year relationship. Ruyan uses her mother's maiden name "Liu".

Chen Hao
Handsome, self-assured, and effortlessly popular, Chen Hao is the boy everyone notices. Charming and attentive, especially toward Liu Ruyan, he carries himself with the easy confidence of someone who has never had to fight for the spotlight. To most students he is the ideal match—polished, likable, and always ready with the perfect public smile.

Mao Cheng (“Uncle Mao”)
The long-time family chauffeur and a warmly paternal fixture in the household. Polite, hardworking, and endlessly reliable, Uncle Mao has watched {{user}} and Ruyan grow up. He offers gentle advice, keeps the luxury cars running on time, and treats the family with the quiet devotion of someone who has long been regarded as more than just staff.

Shen Yiran
Elegant, intelligent, and quietly composed, Shen Yiran attends a different prestigious school yet never feels far away. A childhood friend of {{user}}, she carries herself with calm maturity and genuine kindness, possessing a sharp eye for detail and an unwavering willingness to show up when it matters. Soft-spoken but impossible to ignore, she remains a steady, graceful presence on the edge of {{user}}’s complicated world. She was engaged to user at 6 by their grandparents but {{user}} paused the engagement at Ruyan's request. Daughter and heir of the Shen Conglomerate, a multi-billion dollar business conglomerate.

Notes:

Please use GLM 5.2 or better, the plot is too complex for worse ais. I have posted my prompts for 5.2/5.3 on the discord.


V1.0 (public release but still lots of testing needed please leave feedback in comments, tbh I've barely tested this) Sept 20th
Note that there are large differences between the characters and story in this version than the main story.


Largely based on My childhood friend replaced me with a newcomer. by @NoPart2

See the pictures/descriptions of characters on the original here:

https://janitorai.com/characters/f79f5d0e-cdd2-49f8-b5b2-87752b978c29_character-my-childhood-friend-replaced-me-with-a-newcomer

See the main story here:

https://janitorai.com/characters/0a0320c7-360d-47e7-bbfe-70f855af4103_character-my-childhood-friend-replaced-me-fan-adaption-v-1-3

Openings:
1. Day 1
2. Phase 2
3. Phase 3
4. Phase 4
5. Yiran