[Chinese BL novel] King of director / 不一样的导演[娱乐圈]

Title: King of director / 不一样的导演[娱乐圈]

Author: He Zhi / 何枝

Year of release: 2021

# of chapters: 174 (+4)

Status: Complete

Tags: AU, new life in new body, entertainment

Summary: A famous director, Qin Yan, who spent decades in entertainment circle, was showered with awards, but still couldn't get the highest award abroad died in a sudden car accident and came to a new body in a new world, which is really close to Earth, but still has historical differencies. In this world Qin Yan decides to take the director's mantle again, but with a different aim to make Chinese films recognized.

I'll start from a simple phrase. It's too explanatory. This word stuck with me to describe it fully. It can't be regarded bad, but this what makes it.. quite boring actually. I'll be honest, I haven't finished it yet (I'm at ch 70), but I feel bored.

Oh yeah, it also has a lot of reference to real movies and directors, so it's a rare thing. But as someone said, if you want to survive on jjwxc you don't use that.

Anyway, the premise of the story is simple. Qin Yan is reborn in a new body, it's a young orphan boy, he decided to follow the path, since he loves making movies, but this time not to follow the previous path of only literaly films, but doing those according to the situation (more about it later). The big difference is that time went backwards, but in this universe some historical events are different, especially there is a chance of China not being divided from the west by Internet independence (well, in chapters I read).

Three years after his arrival are skipped, but it is certain that Qin Yan used his skils and knowledge to his advantage and even if many things are backwards, but still it helped him sustain himself well and he entered the university earlier than others.

His first step to success was to enter the global student film festival, which he of course won. And it paved the way for him making movies and strive to make filmmaking in China more open, more free and greater.

But there is a big probem with the whole style of it, which made me think - was it necessary to write a danmei? Why do I feel like reading a statistics report? 

STORYTELLING:

• EXPLANATORY. This is the one thing I can say. Many things are just explained to you, but not really felt through. That's why it lacks any thrill. I understand some of it is the grounwork of world building and explaining why author decided to make it this way, but honestly I felt weird, I don't consider myself that stupid not to understand why the trajectory in here is different and where the criticism is coming from. If you read all together you'll realize how often you see the same thing of giving examples, like there is some idea or phenomena, but next paragraph starts with 'for example' and it goes with oh in this movie or during this time happened this and this for this reason.
• QUESTIONABLE GREATNESS. Sometimes when we talk about movies in novels it's great when authors take time to create stories, sometimes I feel that they really put work into creating those, sometimes it's really touching, but here I find it more of a questionable greatness than feeling it's real. Although there's a lot of 'how great MC is with his storyboards, editing skills and also creating atmosphere' etc. But there is little emphasis on what really mattered why his movies are so good - the story. Like in his first movie which was mocumentary horror it tells a story about the couple that movies into an old house, they realize something is amiss, but only later understand that all the horror of the night they forget next morning, only their camera made them realize that things are weird. before they finally escape but actually disappeared. But the emphasis of how people felt shivers and fear when watching occupies same amount of text as the premise of the movie itself. That's why I don't think that the story is bad, it just feels strange. The second part why I question its' greatness maybe comes from MC's utter confidence in himself, although he doesn't compare with others (thought sometimes he does), but he still feels like his works will be winners here or there.
• GOOD POINT that I think is indeed good is the explanation behind some movies not only being a tool for entertainment, but also a strategic move. Like some movies probe popularity abroad or some are released for a certain date/event etc.

CHARACTERS and their engagement in the story:

• Qin Yan, MC. His past was that of a man who loves movies, but also comes from a wealthy family. This divided him from other directors and made him create a habit, he doesn't like investments and be influenced, he does a lot of work like casting, editing, filming, script writing by himself. So it creates a hardworking individual. He doesn't mind burning money, since those are his own money. He also paves the way and lays a groundwork for a better movie environment. Which is of course a good thing. But except that and him being handsome tbh there's hardly any traces to portray him.
• Xie Beiyang, ML. Suffered from bleakness thanks to how the novel is written. He is actually always present, but that's the thing, present, but not being explored. You don't actually see his development, you are only told about his development. There are only just few places which would help to support the development idea, but in general author isn't that good at exploring their own characters, they're just present, you're told that they progress, you're told that they are great etc. But I honestly didn't feel it through anything, but author's narration.
• Secondary characters. More bleak than others. Some names appear more often, like Xi Qianqian who played heroine of MC's first three movies, but they're not really involved into anything. You just have to add some development to them on your own.

RELATIONSHIP:

• MC and ML meet early on. They're of same age. Their accidental encounter what helps them come together as partners in movies and then as partners in love. But honestly their love life is so... and their path to love is just so weak, like I was really disappointed. It is supposed to be a slowburn and indeed MC and ML actually move in together very early just as cohabitation. But later they get used to each other and feel comfortable around each other, that's the narration, but comfort doesn't represent love instantly. The only hint on something is that now, MC, who never knew love in previous life, is more tolerant to ML, that he can easily accept ML's involvement in his life. And oh god the one thing that really irked me how throughout the text they do or think about something and it's narrated as - He didn't even think how ambiguously it sounded. That's right 'he didn't even think'. So both are written as oblivious to anything, feelings included. Though it's logical that both have no idea about feelings, one never loved and other is actually a young man, but still their relationship is so on the background. It feels like I'm reading shoujo with - oh, my heart is beating, oh, it's comfortable to live together. Like honestly...I'm sure next thing will be their sudden coming together.

In the end, even if I haven't finished it yet, I still agree on the part where you better not mention real movies in novels, not to mention let's not put labels on countries, because it feels like gaslighting. Especially if you're going to make your MC as a leading force in the story who will "change" the industry.

Anyway, if it continues to be like this for another 10 chapters or so, I'll be dropping it, it's not bad, but I just feel bored with it I don't know.

RATE: n/a. (If honest, I agree with many 4 stars out of five, because it's not a bad story, but it bored me).

[Chinese BL novel] I became a hit after wearing a cannon fodder / 穿成炮灰明星后我爆红了

Title: I became a hit after wearing a cannon fodder / 穿成炮灰明星后我爆红了

Author: 惗肆

Year of release: 2020

# of chapters: 143 (+7)

Status: Complete

Tags: wearing a book, entertainment, face-slap

Synopsis: Ji Li wears a book and becomes a cannon fodder, his story is short and tragic. Being swindled to wine bureau he accidentally hurt his most valuable asset - his face. And in that instant became a discarded cannon fodder. It was supposed to be a career novel of a success life of a protagonist - Ji Yunqi, while Ji Li's story-time was shorter than 10 pages. When Ji Li wore the book, he was already an aged and pro grand slam actor in his previous life, but now he was back to being a trainee and his first assignment was supposed to be his last, but Ji Li's timely arrival turned the tides and opened doors to a steady path to success.

My personal opinion is very good. I must say from the beginning, this is a basic road to success with a lot of filming, a lot of face-slapping, there are A LOT of cliche face-slapping plots, there's really a lot of people seeking death, but I don't know what it is, but I still enjoyed it greatly. Maybe because not only the main characters were quite good, but also secondary characters, especially protag who became friends with Ji Li later on, they added a note of humor and also it was refreshing to have a circle of friends that appear here and there. And my second love goes to Yu Fuya, MC's agent, she became his mom fan and her protection level is immense. Although MC is described as beautiful and ML as a male hormone, but MC's beauty is often described not to be solely from the face, but his inner core and aura and ability to shape image. There's so much of rainbow farts throughout the novel about that :'D

There's really a bit of slow-burning, because career first and love second, but both MC and ML warmed up with time and loved each other sincerely till the end of the novel. ML especially was the first to fall in love. Although there were times when he used excuses just to rub in front of MC's eyes and increase their time together, but he was never forceful, even the movie they played together, he relied on fate and waiting for MC to agree on his own free will instead of promoting and forcing. He really let the fate decide for them. He later confessed to all his deeds, not knowing that MC actually started to have feelings for ML even before their filming, so them coming together came out naturally. To MC who lived his previosu life without a partner actually was happy that he found a soulmate and this world became his world because of ML. ML is the good type of accomodating and guiding, but they're also sensible to the point of filming separately to not be over-exposed and getting bad marks from the fans. Instead their slow drop of dog food here and there made a lot of fan feel for two and the acceptance rose very high before they finally disclosed their relationship at the very end.

Although load of routines are simple and repeat many of the same routines that were done before, this novel still has this positive vibe to it and some fresh parts here and there, especially plots of movies they shot. So it is great way to spend time and reading it once, if someone is into this.

RATE: 4,9/5.

[Chinese BL novel] Dressed as cannon fodder abandoned by the actor / 穿成被影帝抛弃的炮灰

Title: Dressed as cannon fodder abandoned by the actor / 穿成被影帝抛弃的炮灰

Author: 有点困

Year of release: 2019

# of chapters: 134 (+ 4 extras)

Status: Complete

Tags: wearing a book, entertainment, depressed character, tw: suicide

Before I start, I'd like to say, I don't mind the theme that was described, but damn the execution most of the time was messy.

The title says it all. Gu Qingchi's first day crossing was the second day of his marriage with an actor, Xie Luyu (ML). Then the plot was put into action and his life was a blank piece of paper for two years when the plot was implemented, since he was a cannon fodder, his existence was simply invisible, people would not remember him after meeting once, he couldn't interact with the world, except sending messages out, but with no answers. When the two years passed and he was asked to sign divorce papers, his role was over and he was free. But these two years changed him for the rest of the plot.

Now. The undertone of this novel is really depressing, basically it has a lot of emotional torment and depression from MC's point of view due to that period of time that left him with struggle to just live. He moved out, started working and was simply on his own and struggling, just floating with no sense of attachment to the world. There's really no plot, he was just assigned a role, so I have no idea why author decided to make it a "plot". As extras showed author put many reancarnations and all of them ended up badly. I really had no idea why they would add something so miserable.

As a turn of events Qingchi saw his only way is to enter entertainment industry to earn quick money for the cat that he picked up, he didn't like the cat, but the cat was really attached to him, so he took the small life in his hands and refused to put the cat to sleep and decided to earn for expenses. He was picked up by a good agent and slowly got few good projects, one of which was a show where he met ML, his actual ex-husband. Though Xie Luyu had no idea who Qingchi was, since the influence of the plot and Qingchi's invisibility was there, but he was attracted and soon tried to get close. Qingchi actually didn't push it away, but both didn't make things clear even after cohabitation. ML was really accomodating all of MC's states, he cooked, took care etc.

The breaking point was when ML mentioned being together and marriage, which MC discarded and instead broke off cleanly, since for him marriage was something out of the question. ML soon regretted, they didn't meet often after that, but whenever it was possible he tried to be close, tried to rebuild the bridge and helped MC behind the scenes whenever he could. At that time ML didn't fully understand MC and his motivation, but MC never shared either.

The breaking point for MC was when he met the family, it was his real family in his past life as he remembers, but here they were not (actually they were, it was a plot twist I'll explain in detail later). Some time after one gathering where his actual mother had a breakdown and prtected him, calling him her child, MC actually committed suicide. He was saved due to ML, who saw his message and knowing MC's character thought it was strange, he rushed to his house seeing MC covered in blood, wet, with slashed wrist, he walked out of the bathroom only because he answered the phone. Later he got into the hospital and with time his family actually figure out that this boy is the child they thought died after birth. MC's mother gave birth in a hospital, MC's father was abroad and came back only to see the message that the mother was ok, but the child was gone, his mistake was that he didn't find oddities that child was taken care of so quickly, but at the same time, his useless younger brother got himself a kid, despite several marriages and infertility. Only now MC's mother found it strange that people call MC her son, because they look so much alike, this pushed the family to uncover the truth and find MC, their lost son.

Despite the reunion, there was a tiny alienation between father, brother and MC, they cared and loved him, but he was already grown up, only his mother, who got these delusions of having the child (which were her past memories) that everyone thought she was mental. But because of this they had a close link with MC. Yet, this wasn't enough. MC was diagnosed with severe depression, though I think he acted quite bipolar throughout entire plot. His family cared for him, it also came almost after MC's previous marriage was dug out and posted online. He also admitted to it himself and said that he was unhappy in marriage. ML wanted to help him out and directed fire on himself, posting his own divorce, but it was this moment he found out that the partner he was forced to marry was actually MC, which pushed him into torment. He realized that the one who was mostly responsible was himself, since he decided at that time that he wouldn't care for the partner who he never saw before and even his marriage was done without his consent whatsoever. Later he also found out about the messages MC sent. But despite hat he already was deeply in love with MC and he couldn't really keep away. MC's family asked him to stay away, but ML knew about MC's condition and he knew that despite anything, he can't. And MC actually found some piece with ML by his side.

The ending was quite positive, but it still holds a baggage of scars that they've been through. MC gets his life back, since his parents and brother actually regain previous memories that pulled them closer, though no one actually talked about it, ppl just started acting like in previous life. MC also walks out from his depressed state and even promises ML, which previously was a taboo. He regains his life, some aspirations and moves on.

Now, two points I want to dive into:

1. Mental health question. I still think MC acted quite bipolar, which, as far as I know, can be treated with medication, but not fully healed. He strived for love and acceptance, though rarely talked about it, it was briefly mentioned way later. He also had really severe mood swings, like one second he is happy and next second he harms himself. But author describes it as severe depression, I've never been there myself, so I can't judge, but partially I try to understand. I'm really not against this question being discussed and this type of MC existing, because it tells a different story, of a sensitive person who was almost erased for 2 years, he lost any motivation and aspiration and was just floating along, he didn't take seriously anything, though he did his given tasks seriously, but he could cleanly break relationships, move from here to there, but he had no feeling of belonging. I think the moment of his mother breaking down in front of him actually harmed him a lot because he has all those memories of being cared about, but these people are not those parents. But his parents' care and care of ML actually made me think - damn, they suffer no less from the person themselves, they care for their child/brother/lover who has those issues. I'm pretty sure the whole question - is this world even real - was going through his head. But most of it, are my guesses. This is the part where my second point comes in.
2. The writing is a mess. Most of the things I'm talking about are my guesses. although it does take the majority of space and describes MC's not really state and thoughts, but just actions by which you can judge the level of his depression, his indifference to world, his melancholy etc. I must confess, for 134 chapters I found it really draggy at times (there were at least 20+ descriptions of MC being compared to a cat that is on his own, like it's hard to get close to him etc. that I find unnecessary), especially the beginning, at other times there were sudden time skips too, like the ending part contains quite a skip and MC getting better and promising ML. Maybe it's the thing about restrictions and that is why authors don't dwell on things, but really, it wouldn't hurt to describe his thoughts more. Because such important stuff like why MC got hooked up with ML wasn't only built on him not being repulsed, but actually being jealous of ML, since he was so tormented inside and felt so horrible, but ML was fine, so he wanted to drag ML along, which was his egoistic desire he was aware of, this part came way later, but was really not obvious when reading. You can't guess such stuff when it's plainly written, but the explanation comes way later. I also didn't find the whole book and world collapsing a thing, since it just added misery. The family's wakening to previous memories is also strange, MC is described as very sensitive to emotions, so he felt the difference. Anyway you can get the idea, but I find the way it was written quite messy.

In general it was pretty depressing, what else can you feel when you read about tormented character. There were some parts that made me think about stuff, but not necessarily that the novel was good. But I still ended up feeling really down after it and wasn't satisfied how author handled MC going out from this state, again nothing was written specifically at all, no thoughts, things were basically the same, just MC got his motivation back and later stopped medication, but what exactly made him like that, I can only assume - love and time. Although previously same love and time didn't stop him from self-harm.

RATE: 3/5. That's the most I can get with deduction of messiness and really gliding on top of things and conveniently putting them later on.

[Chinese BL novel] The male partner just wants to be a tool man / 男配只想做工具人[娱乐圈]

Title: The male partner just wants to be a tool man / 男配只想做工具人[娱乐圈]

Author: 林盎司

Year of release: 2021

# of chapters: 213 (+extras)

Status: Complete

Tags: wearing the book, humor, entertainment.

Summary: Shen QingShu suddenly crossed when saving a child, he thought he was dreaming and someone gave him a second chance, not to die lonely and a virgin, because he happaened to be in a hotel room with a real stud. Thinking this is a dream he gladly indulged, before realizing in the morning, that he actually wore a book and became a cannon fodder character. And the one he slept with was Han Cheng, second son of the richest man, and more imprortantly - protagonist gong of the story. Knowing that original owner didn't have a good ending, SQS decided to change his fate. First, let's get rid off these hateful parents who didn't like and welcome their wrongly held, but still biological son. Let's tear off the mask of his green tea "brother". And well, let's spend some time with Han Cheng before picking up his career and when the protag shou will arrive, he'll simply grab his stuff and move out.

The story is really easy-going, it has a load of humorous situations that felt ridiculous at times, but in general it was a really fun and entertaining read.

Story: If you've read this author's works previously then you know that this author wrote at least 3 novels with the same theme of wearing the book. Each book has its' style but yet has similarities. I recently re-read one and realized how some parts were basically really similar. But Toolman, as I call it, has its' own charm and its' own characters.

The story starts from the hotel scene. Originally if it was about original host, he'd cry and he and Han Cheng would nto do anything, but SQS thought it was a dream and he happily indulged. Later he broke up with his family and left the house with only a small sum of money, since his parents never listened to original host and always protected the son they brought up. Wrongly held babies were basic story of a poor woman who wants her child to take place of a young master and lead a good life, while original host was suffering from neglect.

SQS used his connection to HC to ask for help, thus they came to live together, and SQS thought that he'll move out when the time will come. Basically they became friends with benefits, they were compatiable in bed and didn't dislike each other, had enough fun living together, with HC working at the Han Group and SQS starting a writing career to earn his first pot of gold and later how to enter the entertainment world. On the surface they were fakely dating in front of other people for several reasons. One of those was a person who claimed to be closest to HC, but actually used him as a spare tire.

One specific part about these two is that they pretty much got into play in front of others and made it into a script play just fucking with everyone. At times though it felt a bit too much. But later the whole thing was simply resolved because the fake dating became a true dating.

SQS happily enterted the entertainment thanks to HC's introduction, but most of it was created by his own strength and luck. And he became one of the promising newcomers. He also became friends with the male one of his first drama, Bai Xiuege, and he was present as a secondary character throughout the whole novel.

The novel had two knots, (physically three): First was the arrival of the protag shou and the second was dealing with the combo of SQS's green tea brother who teamed up with the guy who used HC as a spare.

First knot was the one that made both realize their feelings and it was played quite well, previously SQS was always thinking about destiny and that plot will definitely move the way it was originally planned, like HC met the protag shou when SQS had no idea about it. It was self-hypnosis of a kind and when the time arrived and he decided to move away it felt abrupt and wrong and made HC sad, but he also spoke with BXG, who somewhat became their feelings mentor :'D and made HC realize that although previously HC was imagining how he will meet his destined person, he never thought dating SQS because of how they met and what happened previously, but later he realized that he feels closest to SQS and SQS is actually fitting him really well. So he opened up about it. Although SQS was still a bit hung up, but when he found out that even protag shou was going to use HC as a spare, he blew up, almost literally. At this time he lived with HC for quite some time and he knew how nice and caring HC is, so he wanted HC to be the happiest person. But seeing protag shou having second thoughts and unresolved feelings with a man who looked really close to HC, he promised to never let HC get close to protag shou.

Second knot was about the combo of green tea bitches. SQS's brother decided to empty Shen's company and become an upstart, so when the time comes SQS will get nothing. He played well, but was still founf out. Shen family agreed to HC's conditions that they will retire and will live on dividents, he will make SQS the president and will control the company, because their trust into adopted son almost ruined them. They finally realized that SQS's previous warning about SQY was not ungrounded and the son they brought up for 20 years would easily leave them with nothing and pat himself on the butt happily. As a retaliation SQY decided to kidnap SQS and mother Shen was brought along because of being there too. SQS though very nervous actually played well and conveniently had the bracelet with tracking HC brought him, since he felt things might get bad. Desperate people do worst things. SQS as a result was saved timely, HC was actually the one who was the most scared, he was scared that SQS would be ruined and scarred emotionally for the rest of his life if he didn't make it in time. It was resolved quite well, SQY was put into prison. But because it was obvious he couldn't do it alone HC was monitoring the second person under question. He once asked YJY if he had any idea, but of course received negative answer in return, it basically set things into stone. HC played behind the scenes to make YJY a bankrupt and also found evidence of him being accomplice in the kidnapping.

Ths the second knot was resolved.

The rest of the story has no suspense at all, it's just happy go lucky - if there is no fitting role, I'll write it myself, if there's no fitting filming I'll film my own. SQS became a producer of a movie based on his own suspense novel. No one was optimistic, but it became a dark horse. In the end SQS also won the best male along with another senior actor for his role.

The story wraps up on SQS fianlly meeting the whole Han family during New Year celebration. SQS fully let go of the previous life, which he hoped had his parents not mourn him too much and his older brother being happy too, because at first this was a written book for him, only HC's care made him find his place and slowly loving this world and loving HC, having him as his world.

This is the basic outline with load of fun stuff not mentioned.

Relationships and Characters:

• SQS and HC hit it off real quick actually. They acted like an old married couple even without realizing it. They teased each other, cared for each other. They treated each other really well. Because SQS found out that YJY who came back and almost always tried to pry between them was actually using HC as a spare to his brother was truly sensitive to this topic, since he found HC one of the kindest people and wanted him to be happiest he blew up with the protag shou and tore faces not giving a damn about him anymore. SQS never cared if he should say things straight in the face. HC is the rare kind of ML with a sense of humor. He doesn't act stoicly, he has youthful vividness about him, he is kind-hearted and fair. The only times he can show that he's not a soft persimmon is the payback for what ppl did to SQS. Their dog food has 100% concentration of sweetness;
• Other cool character is BXG, he is younger than SQS, but is a really fun and righteous boy. It was fun how he consulted HC on feelings despite the age gap. They were on close terms and became friends during filming and stayed friends after. He even agreed to play in SQS's movie without reservations and won the award for that play too. He was a great addition to the novel.
• Protag shou, who appeared not for long, happened to have a problematic personality. Because SQS had no idea about it, he thought that HC will be happy with him, but when he heard all the rhetorics about how - you're not me, you don't understand me, you're popular, so what can you know etc - by that time SQS had nothing, he left home, his income depended on entering crew, he got things by his own strength, but he arrived in this world alone, without nothing, so it felt ridiculous. And SQS doubted if HC could be happy with a person who would constantly point at the difference in their status. And thus HC would stop smiling, he'd only become an accomodating partner, and even not escape become a spare in the end. It was a bit one-sided and fast, but basically protag shou was hypocritical in his own opinion, when it came to SQS helping he'd say he didn't ask for help, you brought it by yourself. But when it came to knowing HC and expressing his thanks he always continued to pester HC for dinner or giving him something. HC later pointed out that he was very picky on who he was grateful to.
• Han family. Most time we could see Han Yu, HC's brother. He has an interesting personality, you could tell he really loves his brother, but also likes to tease him, their relationship is really funny, but he is also biggest HC's support in his relationship with SQS. Han mother was second to know, because she accidentally saw hickeys on SQS's neck. Father Han met SQS really at the end, but he was introduced to SQS and his works etc. beforehand, since both HC and SQS wanted to cushion before coming out. Since Han family wanted HC to be happy they accepted it.
• Shen family appears only before SQS's brother was sent to prison. They are basically plain ambitious upstarts, if you have value, you'll be cared about. SQS didn't want to have anything to do with them. Later when the whole ordeal of their company being emptied out by adopted son, they finally realized that by this time they pushed their biological son to the point of no return, while the son they brought up was ready to kill them financially, just because he wanted all the inheritance for himself. Later they agreed not to call or meet, since there was nothing to meet for, every time Shen family brought SQS only troubles.

For an easy-going read it's really perfect, lots of laughs, really small amount of fleating angst, the rest is just like a fun walk on a sunny day.

The only part that I think got repetitive was the playing the script part. At first it was fun, e.g. HC and SQS meeting SQS's brother who brought his old fling, they acted this desperate relationship of I love you, you will be with me or I'll lock you up etc. But later it was player one too many times and it felt like people had these strange meeting with absolute change of attitude. But indeed it's a happy reading.

At the moment of me writing this, only the main text ended, so I rate it, not the extras.

RATE: 5/5.

[Chinese BL novel] Marry the hero after being dressed as cannon fodder / 穿成炮灰后嫁给男主

Title: Marry the hero after being dressed as cannon fodder / 穿成炮灰后嫁给男主

Author: 烟雨如蓑

Year of release: 2021

# of chapters: 98

Status: Complete

Tags: wearing the book, entertainment.

Story: Kuang Yi, a famous actor in his previous life who suffered from a big fire and had to retire. His love life ended with the tragedy too. He was left alone for several years in the hospital, had a severe sequale, but in the end opened his restaurant and learnt to cook to try and overcome and lead a calm life. That was before he wore the book. He was the same name Kuang Yi, wrongly held young master that was chased instantly after the true young master, Li Heng, got back with the family. Both switched positions. Kuang Yi didn't think much, he was just thinking that now he has this healthy body, free of scars, and he may as well return to his favotire profession, but he has to clear those notorious rumors first.

The ending sucked. In short to describe what happens in the novel, in original novel the owner died in a car accident, but instead Kuang Yi passed and broke his leg. News of his chasing Mu Chen, ML, graced the news for a long time and he was mocked for that and how he was wrongly held and now his status turned from young master to a pauper. Kuang Yi decided to return to entertainment, now he has new healthy body, but he was dropped by previous agent and new agent didn't bother about him, so Kuang Yi did things on his own. While this was happening Li Heng, the supposed protag, under the strong backing of his family investment composed a song under guidance that would be used in Mu Chen's new movie, they also bought him place at a concert of a famous singer.

All was well, but MC used his strategy to get hype and offered to be a back dancer. In the end he stole the spotlight, despite being interrupted by Li Heng's friend which sent him to the hospital with allergies. People saw him in a different light. Li Heng who lacked presence didn't even put a fight on a scene.

Next stop was auditioning for a male one, director was optimistic about it and insisted on using Kuang Yi, but when former mother heard and saw how Li Heng felt "uncomfortable", which is his only range of feelings. She blocked MC with investment and he was replaced. Instead MC was angry and went to the show Li Heng was part of to fight with strength, everyone thought they'd see jokes but MC did win against Li Heng and when he achieved his goal he retired with excuse of filming. 

This audition also had problems, since the female one was a gf to the second Kuang family son, and she always heard only bad things about Kuang Yi, so she made it seem like MC missed the audition and never appeared.

This time Kuang Yi was pissed and used his connection with Mu Chen, which came to the point where Mu Chen came often into contact with Kuang Yi and saw him changed and unknowingly fell in love, but was honest with himself to admit it. Although MC felt bad using it like that, but he wanted to put up a fight and actually won the opportunity and now that this director chose him, director's reputation was beyond for anyone being able to move him.

The female one didn't like Kuang Yi, but in the long run of filming she realized the other party's strength and calmed down a lot. Though they still bickered but with no true malice.

NOW. Why the ending sucks. In the original book both ML and Li Heng took the same-sex movie, Mu Chen did agree at first, but when he knew the second person was Li Heng he refused. By the time Mu Chen got two times into trouble because Kuang Yi asked him to stay away from Li Heng (he still remembered that he was left by the person in previous life where he spent ten years in relationship saw his partner leaving and found out he was actually married to a woman and it was not yesterday and not to mention he was afraid of the storyline and protag halo). But the scene where Mu Chen refuses is abruptly interrupted by few lines how in few years Kuang Yi earned best actor with the role he was filming and they announced their marriege during acceptance speech.

The story moves back to previous scene. And the last two chapters are basically shortened to Kuang Yi filming his part, after release they announced their relationship, Li Heng played the same-sex film with another actor, but always felt "uncomfortable" about it being Kuang Yi with Mu Chen. At the end it was a basic episode that Kuang Yi for the sake of getting a doll he wanted for Mu Chen unknowingly stole endoursment from Li Heng, Li Heng thought he was tragetted, but Kuang Yi explained it was all to make his bf happy. After that Li Heng broke up with the actor from his movie realizing he didn't like him. THAT WAS THE ENDING. It was so spread about him getting the role to filming. Like getting the role started around chapter 47, but at the ending they were still only partially filmed with several episodes and bam, ending. Plus that award scene was cut in so out of place. And never was brought up again. I wish it was more profound than that, but who am I to ask.

The background on the Kuang family was done partially well, it was emphasized that the mother never liked Kuang Yi before, among her four children, so I wouldn't wonder if original owner was the way he was. But at least the whole family is not this one-sided. Why I say partially, it's because the rumors original owner had about him were not that big of a deal. But the mother had to emphasize that ppl watched their family's jokes, as if they're the only famly in the shopping mall. And that's it, it felt no one from entertainment actually knows Kuang Yi, as if he never offended anyone actually, except our ML, Mu Chen. But those are just lace news how Kuang Yi honestly and openly chased him, sure status is different and the original owner did a stupid thing, but it didn't feel that big of a deal.

But when it comes to "protagonist" of the novel, Li Heng, he seems a bit flat. He only looks pitiful all day long, can't take shit when it comes to losing, always looks wronged which causes MC many struggles, because his new family, his mother to be precise, is eager to block her previous son everywhere. Many parts felt flat and repetitive with no progress, Li Heng was just hanging around with the always bullied face. It's a pity author didn't explore further how his return actually influenced the bad waves between children. It was explored only like in two scenes. I say flat because Li Heng never actually grew into anything except that boy who no one touched but he felt bullied.

The biggest plus I found in this entire novel was the fact that MC didn't get a huge start from the get-go, he had obstructions here and there in the face of his foremer mother who acted on the spot each time she saw Li Heng with the sad expression, I mean. It was okay actually, and could have been expanded, but did not.

In the story no one has become the cannon fodder or ended up badly, which was surprising. But I don't dislike it at all. Also how the youngest daughter of Kuang family who was brought up in few lines at the ending was finally able to accept that ot forcing his family to bring Kuang Yi back isn't inherently good. But I also wished there was more to it.

The second good part is that relationship between MC and ML although started on bad terms, but Mu Chen is not stingy when he felt that people changed and he was charmed, he also was honest with himself. The only bad waters they had was connected to Li Heng and that several times Mu Chen did things without consulting him, but Mu Chen chased his wife to the crematorium and saw too much of a cold shoulder and learnt his lesson later.

While the first part is easy on the read that ending just sent everything to the dumpster. I was buffled when I saw the ending and finally realized why people sent their "abrupt ending" messages under the novel. SO, don't be surprised is I say that the rating is for cutting the novel.

RATE: 2,5/5