[Chinese BG novel] 穿成未来大佬的彪悍妹妹[七零] by 凌恒 / Transmigrating into a tough sister of a future boss [70]*

(*title is mtl'd)

Synopsis: Dr. Chu is a known female demon in the hospital, but no one knows that her high efficiency comes from the past trauma and deveoped mental illness. On the day of a long operation Dr. Chu felt dizzy and woke up in a body of a young girl with the same name as hers - Chu Yu. The girl had unfortunate fate of drowning, while Chu Yu swam ashore and thought of what to do with this new life.

Not entirely my cup of tea and I have few questions, but they are details. In general it wasn't bad and I'm glad I read it pretty fast, but I wasn't wow'd by it. Previously I read 'Impossible Lovers' (since it's on NovelUpdates, my review is on the site), which followed steps of 'Offended boss' in terms of leaving a very favorable impression, so reading something sadder really was a step down.

But at least it had such an agressive female lead, of course she has a story behind it, which is basically:

Trauma to the head ⇨ constant headaches ⇨ growing irritability ⇨ mental problems.

/~SPOILERS~/

And not just simple spoilers, but heavy spoilers as you might guess, because otherwise how do I explain my questions that I had.

This novel has three lifetimes:

1. Orignal line of Chu Yu's past, modern world. As one finds out she received a head trauma that left sequale and that are headaches. Because she grew up in such abusive household she also developed anti-social personality, which later she had enough control to hide. Others considered her a high-quality specialist, but only she knew that her growing number of headaches caused her temperament to deteriorate;
2. First time travel. As we find out that Chu Yu was reborn in the past total of 2 times. In the first life she was hit in the ehad the day she traveled, when she fell into water. Thus she did not escape her first life and the trauma and sequale were the same. At first it was managable, but her irritability grew stronger. This life was filled with tragedy though;
3. Second "time travel". We start from the same point where Chu Yu is in the water, but now she does not hit her head and escapes the calamity. From this point her life changes.

Points in time that were changed or not (CHRONOLOGY):

• Chu Yu does not hit her had when she wakes up in the water. She also has a strong feeling of danger from it (explained later when Chu Yu finds out that she lives for a second time in this world);
• Chu Yu takes a hold of her two siblings who are now under her rule and iron fist, this I presume does not change from the previous life and because of this start it's also beginning for Chu Yu to have a close relationship with her relatives, mostly Brother Chu, eldest;
• Chu Jianghe's bullying case, changed in this life. It is noted that bullying led to the youngest develop autism and not react to a bigger disaster. Also things changed because Chu Yu did not have head trauma and she had a chance to keep a close eye. One of the bully's sister, Wang Sixian, actually saw dreams, more like a premonition, she made her brother to apoligize to escape the madness of Chu Yu and her brother she saw in the dreams;
• Chu Jianghe escapes the teacher. This is unfortunate event. The so-called teacher is someone who escaped from a different place, because in previous life CY had problems they missed the chance to save the youngest in time, which led to him being traumatized by these events. CY wanted revenge but was caught, so when she was away Brother Chu took his youngest away, but it still did not prevent the youngest to commit suicide, which consequently led already unstable CY to get revenge from all the bullies. In this life CY was smarter and wasn't held back by any headaches and she did manage to get revenge on this teacher, also prevent him from assaulting the youngest and indirectly saved her cousin, who was also assaulted by this teacher, who is also their distant relative;
• Chu Yu and brothers are taken away by their mother. Snce Chu Yu lived under the roof with biological father and stepmother in previous life, I assume, she might have taken the money that their biological mother sent to support them, but might have never written her an answer. But in this life they sent several letters asking her to cut the support. Which probably led to the three siblings being taken away. Because in previous life Brother Chu was the one to take his youngest away, make money and trying to live. And their mother probably thought that they did not forgive her when she did not receive an answer;
• Since this point was reached the timeline completely changed. Chu Yu had no trauma, although had few episodes that were dangerous and it felt like something was aiming at her. Like the episode of a girl that went berserk and rushed towards CY with a brick. Anyway, generally things changed. Eventually all siblings, including brothers and sister from step-father's first marriage, to be under her iron fist and knowledge, since she tried to skip and enter university as sonn as possible. Chu Yu still chose medicine, but chose double major, clinical and bio;
• Brother Chu was doing fine before unfortunate event where he hit his head due to a fall. This showed the moment of Chu Yu's great care, unlike her previous indifference. The one who woke up was not only her brother, but also her brother with memories of his previous life. With time he acted a bit abnormal, as if he he had something urgent, but one thing was certain, the first thing he was happy about is that Chu Yu had no head trauma. Here is also the question how they died in the previous life, this was mentioned by a traveller girl, her character was like a tool to mention fire in front of siblings. She was discarded afterwards btw. And the next one was Wang Sixian who had dreams, which led to conclusion, both siblings died in fire, but Chu Yu was also poisoned prior to the fire breaking out. It felt like someone investigated it too;
• Timeskip. When Chu Yu finished her courses to make Brother Chu be at ease she chose to go and study abroad. Again timeskip;
• Chu Yu comes back with the tudy on prostetics, this is helpful because currently there is war going on. When she finished her research she volunteered to go to the front after hearing that her step-brother was in the hospital. She is escorted with Brother Chu, youngest and another step-brother. Btw it is said that the Xu family (stepdad) has four children, but only 3 were mentioned from time to time, the eldest was a soldier and it was as if he never came home to visit;
• She came to not only visit but help as a doctor before the war was over, yet during a sudden suicidile attack the hospital where Brother Chu and her step-brother were suffered from explosion. Chu Yu who was near saved his life, but she also thought that this was the price he had to pay. Everyone escaped this calamity. And this is basically the timeline of entire story: life in the village, being a domineering deom, moving to the capital, continuing being a domineering demon, studying, returning and having an episode at the front.

Although Chu Yu did not have a head trauma and did not develop severa headaches, like in previous life, where she could not even help it with medication, but she still had irritable and intolerable character, so she often met others with her iron fist. What her character showed is that even if she softened and became more calm with time, like the relationship between siblings, but she wasn't the type who will start to compromise with time, which many do not like. She could openly criticize people who are above her and try to squeeze her into a mold. A bit of one-sided portrayal though.

The mystery behind fire was simple, Chu Yu had a failed operation and her symptoms became worse, because she was a subject under surveilance she could have been put into asylum. Brother Chu decided to give up, he could not bear seeing her suffer and decided to end it with her. So he fed her medicine she prepared as escape route for herself and when she was gone he set the house on fire. As extras explained after his death he was bound to a system, although hi  fate was to have a wealthy life, but it is lonely, so he gave up his luck for his sister to be reborn, I suppose he should not have had memories, but that hit to the head awakened his memories and maybe because of this he and Chu Yu had several episodes where things were directed at them to have injuries. 

ROMANCE: Not typical romance, but there is a relationship. His name is He Chen. Because Chu Yu is the indifferent type and does not like to be bound, so her choice is to have free relationship (meaning being lovers, not married and also she refused to have children) and because the other person sounded like herself, quite composed person, she one-sidedly decided things for herself and asked him not to wait for her and not to like her. What he did was the opposite, he liked her for a long time, although he looks composed but he knows what he wants and despite everything finally confessed when she came to the front. He never let go of his feelings and thought a lot about their future, so even if he has such a prominent family and future he will try to solve it all to be together. And after that sudden attack at the end of the book she agreed. The only person who was always against was Brother Chu. In previous life Chu Yu had headaches and mental problems, also she had a record, so she refused. In this life they came to know each other earlier, so He Chen had feelings for her from that time. Because of her decision to go abroad they had time apart (seven years btw) and when she came back they met again and decided to be together. Chu Yu always believed that he has same strong and a bit indifferent personality, but she was wrong.

And that is all.

Well, it's not without good points, especially when you see Chu Yu finally come to terms and finding someone for herself, although it's not a perfect romance. The humor value mainly lies with Chu Yu's force value.

The biggest question to me was actually author in their own comments, because either the public is stupid or author likes to explain their own work, I couldn't help but pay attention at times, but what can I say I'm not the one who needs things to be explained, like for example why the fire mystery was only in the extras and was not mentioned by Brother Chu himself.. like come on. Some characters were like tools and I honestly thought was there a need to make it into two lifetimes, really, because Chu Yu in the end got a normal family that awoke feelings in her heart, her main moving force were two brothers and she even came to term when it came to romantic relationship. So partially I did not see the need in that second lifetime, since the main was now. Maybe author wanted to enhance the feelings between siblings, but by the time Brother Chu awakened his memory I though their feelings were quite strong and we mainly follow the changes in Chu Yu. Or otherwise there would be no "future boss" from the title, although the novel had little emphasis on his business tbh. Well, that's it.

I basically recalled all main spoilers, because I don't think I want to recommend it.

PS: There is no cover (;_;)

RATE: 3/5.

[Animation] Alice in Wonderland (1981)

Since watching Sleeping Beauty (Disney) offline, for some reason YT seems to find the joy of recommending animation relentlessly. Although thanks for recommending Soviet cartoons as well, since they're too much fun. And they're more.. how to say, crazier? But at least they were not bound by the idea of being "pretty", I'd say a bit crazy even in terms of what was animated. And also Alice is more of a just a girl, instead of a beauty~. No really, it's always so much fun to watch.

If one wants a version with Eng. subs a video can be found [here]. The one below comes from official channel, but they don't provide Eng subs, but the quality is better and the sound is so crisp.

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

[Chinese BG novel] 退休大佬在豪门兴风作浪 by 板栗子 / Retired boss causes trouble in a wealthy family*

(*title is mtl'd)

Synopsis: Zhao Qingshuang was ready to enjoy her retirement world after completing her last task. Everything was ready: a cozy mountain with abundant spritual power, a lovely dog to make company, but suddenly there was a system bug and Zhao Qingshuang landed in a bloody novel. Before the bug was fixed she had to stay in this world, but staying with annoying parents and a vicious sister was out of option, so ZQS readily agreed to the marriage with a disabled master from the Ling family. Who knew that such arrangement became the beginning of a life-long companionship.

Since this is the same author of the previously reviewed novel "Falling in love with offended boss", I decided to pick something else from their list of completed novels, I did not expect it to conquer the "offended boss", so the result wasn't that bad, but I still have few regrets with this novel. By the way this novel has a cameo of Du Youwei, it's one of author's characters. It also mentions some places that I think are featured in several novels, so you can imagine it as a small author's playground.

I must say that the consequent events that promised stakes were put together nicely, but in the end they weren't put into action, so the built-up expectation fell through. This is basically my only dissatisfaction with this novel as a whole, but I think it's quite big. But it did not hinder others from leaving pretty high ratings on JJ. And I also do not consider it to be a bad novel, it's just not accomplished to what I was expecting, that's all.

CHARACTERS:

Zhao Qingshuang. I suppose I realized what type of female character author prefers. Although they can be like a salted fish, but in other times they're pretty lively, life-loving and sunny. Because ZQS comes from a cultivation world and has no big opponent to her others are like jumping clowns, but she's also lazy to take care of them. The cutest part of her (maybe, it's all personal opinion) is that she likes to have a drink, she has horrible drinking capacity, but she simply likes to have a drink and acts funnily when she's drunk.

Ling Ji. This time male character is a bit posessive and sickly at the beginning, but later acts better. But I think it conforms to his situation. ZQS and LJ are supposed to be main characters of the novel, but her character is submissive and abused and she has a bad ending. ZQS meets LJ after he had a car accident for some time, as a previous son of destiny he has quite gloomy disposition, but ZQS who is not afraid of him slowly integrates into his world and becomes a very important part of it, so at first LJ was quite paranoid in his need to know where his wife went and what does she do etc. It may sound bad, but except for jealousy that keeps reappearing, he slowly calmed down with time. But his worry and love for his wife are genuine, you know he could do anything for her.

Secondary characters. There's a lot, but they're mainly small roles and many are discarded after the use (lol). Some stay with the mains all the time, like Fugui'er, it's ZQS system that has a look of a cat or LJ assistants, especually Qi Hao, who is more like a comedic relief. Others that appeared to "shape" the story are: 

• Zhao family. Zhao FeiFei. They appear in the first part of the story as a remnants of the bloody novel itself. When ZQS arrives she is now the famous disfigured daughter of the Zhao family, but she's like a marginalized figure, since her parents prefer ZFF more, since this daughter was sickly since birth and they also managed to listed too seriously to some majic stick saying that eldest daughter is defeating youngest. So ZFF grew up with crooked mind, almost bullying original ZQS. ZFF was also responsible for the wound on ZQS's face, since ZFF wanted to get ZQS boyfriend at that time - Ling Zhen, Ling Ji's half-brother. LZ did not disappoint her, knowing that ZQS had her face ruined made him jump into ZFF's bad immediatly. ZFF acted like a monster all the time, before ZQS taught her a lesson she would never forget. Because ZQS healed her face ZFF wanted to ruin it again and made an appointment, but what she saw was not ZQS but a clone and when she cut clone's face, the reflective charm worked so she cut her own face. Because she did many bad things and she also exposed previous ZQS photos with scars, Ling Ji, who was already in love with his wife did not let ZFF go, he exposed her on the net, especially the previous attack on her own sister. This ZFF exited the stage along with Zhao family they were not mentioned.
• Ling family. Ling Zhen, previously mentioned, had the most screen time, since he was brought up to compete with Ling ji by his mother. LJ's father remarried to a woman from a common background, but this woman was ambitious, she also was responsible for LJ's car accident. Although she acted like a monster at first and thought that she had things under control, but when LJ realized his legs could heal, he did not intend to continue this forced confinement and started to take action, as a result his stepmom entered the game, his dad was sent there too, Ling Zhen escaped since there were no direct evidence, but he had another use for the story (will be explained in storyline, containing spoilers), his sister was the only one left, but her fate is unknown from time they moved to another city. Grandpa and grandma of LJ were not without bottom line, so they did not get involved into LJ dealing with his family. They were recuperating abroad and were very supportive of the marriage.
• The rest of novel world people are small characters who appear here and there, but don't have such a great impact on the story.
• Cultivation world characters. Yes, this is spoilerish. So beware. When LJ and ZQS came to cultivation world for cure and other business they suddenly meet someone from ZQS past, to be precise someone from her original world. This part is underwhelming tbh, because stakes are low and it didn't give a wow effect that "finally, that small part of her heart that cared can now calm down", it did not have any significant impact, althogh it had a good connection to other parts, since the story is also connected to "inner demons" and the past was ZQS's inner demon to an extent. And this is why I feel pity, because i has a great connection and just a bit of dwelling into emotion could make the feeling more profound. But who am I to judge :)

STORYLINE:

Here is the spoilers part. And here is the chain that I think was not realized completely and in retrospective becomes underwhelming. The chain of events sounds like this.

⇨ We start from the knowledge that the world has very thin aura, but there are still some places that have richer aura

⇨ ZQS at first believed that she was the only real cultivator from that world, but then she heard someone mentioned a master who had same name and did the same things that someone she knew from cultivation world (it concern the part where one of LJ's admirers went for pills to confuse LJ's memory and replace his wife). As it happened this person was the one she knew, so she realized that someone else except her could end up on this earth

⇨ After meeting another cultivator who was originally from this novels world she now had a guess that previous case and this girl who suddenly had inner demon may have been instigated, after hearing the entire story and knwoing someone helped the girl. ZQS checked but couldn't find anyone 

⇨ Then hearing about a new variety show with never before seen content ZQS became suspicious, since it involved metaphysics. She signed up (after all some other cultivators might come for the same reason as her). Here she met few others who definitely knew her and were from her world of cultivation. But what made her confirm that someone who knows her too well may manipulate things, since the day she found human bones in the wall of a haunted house while they were filming the show. This involved her past. But because she had LJ she was fine. But her suspicion of a program member was confirmed but before she could find the person they resigned

⇨ Here is the use of Ling Zhen, since he was beaten as a dog, someone approached him and offered help. Luring LJ out alone ZQS was not at ease so she followed, here was the confrontation scene and after ZQS gets poisoned by poisonous gas that invades cultivation we know that this behind-the-scenes person is none other than inner demon of the mentioned Immortal Master. Due to bug he landed to this earth and decided to corrode other cultivators for his own gain, since ZQS was the strongest he aimed at her, he wanted to take action but was interrupted

⇨ The inner demon wasn't resolved by ZQS and LJ though, but another immortal who travels through worlds, he took him back and seemingly the scene was fine, before mysterious disappearance occured. As it happens poisous gases erroded the plants around and those gained wisdom. LJ, who returned from the cultivation world after inheriting the blood and power of his ancestor Ling Xuan seemingly easily resolved the poisoning, but

⇨ After a while a sudden epidemic hit the City A, starting from one of the poisoned victims in the disappearance case, as it happened he ate some fruit, but also had fruit in his baggage, which poisoned the surrounding people

⇨ Searching for the antidote ZQS and LJ travel back to cultivation world and for the prescritpion LJ had to find a grass that grows in snowy area. Because ZQS was found to be pregnant at this point LJ went alone, but because of illusion set by the herb he saw the scene that originally should have happened in the novel - ZQS is shot at the wedding scene. This scene shocked LJ and before their wedding arrived it felt like he suffered from nightmares from time to time.

And this is where I say that the chain was broken, because so far it was built in a chain: poisonous gas ⇨ epidemis ⇨ cure ⇨ illusion ⇨ inner demon. Because the whole novel had the inner demon character and others suffered from inner demon, I think as a grand finale it could take some time to portray the defeat of inner demon by LJ. By this time he was newly appointed Immortal Master and he could get some sort of test after all. Others might justify it as his love for his wife is so great that he wouldn't be confused, but because there is no narration of emotions etc. this scene passes with lesser impact it could have been. But at least build up is present.

So passing of the wedding scene without a hitch makes it a happy ending. If one wants you could read the extras, they take place when their son is 5 years old and they take him for the first family outing into cultivation world. 

RATE: 3,75/5. Partially I could even give it 4/5, but deep inside I was really not satisfied by the underwhelming climax. and I KNOW this supposed to be a calm story, but it felt just too calm :D

[Chinese BG novel] 和得罪的霸总上恋综后 by 板栗子/ After falling in love with offended boss*

 (*title is mtl'd)

Truly LOVED it!

It's lovely, humorous, very light-hearted, airy romantic story. It has pretty simple storyline with no overcomplications and maybe this is what bought me. The characters have depth and details that are fed to the reader little by little. Recently I watched few rom-com KDramas (loved them! I even registered on mydramalist to follow more), but most of them, if not all of them have a one single trait is that ML has traumatic past. In the novels we also have this setting, because MLs usually come from wealthy families in romantic novels (at least those I've read are mostly like that) and their situations are always complicated with some family drama. It is rare when there's none. But here it is FL who has more complicated past, nothing tragic though.

In more details.

Synopsis: The Internet was swept by revelations about new top male idol, as it seems he is a scumbag who cheats girls. The fans were whailing, the public was denouncing. Bai Monroe/Menglu (I'll explain her name later, her name is also mtl'd to Bai Menglu) bought papparazzi and hot searches and even brought up the boss behind idol's entertainment company, Tianqin Entertainment, as a big mastermind. After that Bai Monroe went on a love variety show to promote her fashion brand where she met devilishly handsome man, although she came to show off her brand it was okay to flirt a bit, right? She thought.

Bai Monroe: Hello, Bai Monroe.

Handsome man *who recently returned to China*: Zhuang Yan, the mastermind behind Tianqin Entertainment.

A story about misunderstanding that grows into love.

The setting I found amazing and the title of the novel is good too, this is the main reason why I picked it up among other novels from this author. And honestly I did not regret one bit. I may not come across a big fan of romance, although I reviewed quite a number of it on this blog. But it's hard for me to become a fan of a couple, to really like characters more than tool paper men, but to really have a feeling like I want to cheer for them. Surprisingly, this novel made me feel this way. What is even more surprising is that there is nothing too special about this novel (except the beginning and the revelation post), it's a pretty easy-going novel, yet I really cheered for the two. Maybe it's because there was more of a human touch to it? There is something magical about simple stories. 

CHARACTERS:

Zhuang Yan, although he's a big boss and has an opening scene of appearing at the meeting and sending his uncle to retire as if it was the cliche big rom-com production, but Zhuang Yan is not just a stoic face and a crisp suit without a wrinkle. Characters are expressed more from their small actions and expressions instead of inner monologues or narration from the God's perspective. Thanks for that tbh. We see a glimpse of his approach as if he is still a studios person (as he did in his childhood as we find out) he does things he never learned, he can talk back, but it's not domineering, it's more witty and subtle and he also has this reliable feeling about him. And when he's with BM and she can actually embarrass him, which is rare for him, but it sounds cute.

Bai Monroe/Menglu. You might think I made a mistake, but her name actually comes from Monroe, it is mentioned in the novel itself, so I suppose even if you use Monroe for her she won't mind. After all being named after such an icon is a baggage. As we find out, not at once, that BM has a complicated family situation. Her mother was cheated in marriage, very cliche story, then her parents divorced, the cheating father reunited with his first love with cheated money and gave birth to twins, while her mother remarried and also became pregnant real soon and gave birth to a son, both parents had new family, while BM was left to fend for herself. She was taken back by her grandparents (from mother's side of course) and they gave her the love they could give (she mentions them the most, look out for those funny drunk scenes). So she's not all sunshine and some things still get to her even if she's an adult now, because at first BM makes you feel that she is pretty confident individual, she now has her own studio, she is pretty talented in fashion design and wants a promotion for her brand. She came to the show without any unreal expectations, everyone had an agenda, so she followed suit, she also was aware of things that would make the public more interested in the show instead of being lukewarm. I first felt that her character is alive and more real from first scenes when she prepared for the show, including full spa and booking make-up artists to get her ready for the first "best" impression. So it had a subtle meaning of not being obsessed with her own beauty (although she's openly narcissistic, in a cute way though), but you feel that she knows times when to be ready, to spend time on it. Previously I had too many times when I read about women that did nothing tbh, it was always like "natural beaty" that doesn't care about anything and if they do something it is left to professionals, we don't get people who do things themselves, but some beauty needs care, ok? She did things many could relate to. At least my hair never looks good if I don't style it. Also I liked her personality, she's smart, she knows her goals on this show, she's not afraid of making it fun in comparison to very popular type of girls that remind you shivering bunnies waiting to be saved/protected (most disliked type to me). I also liked that she had a career before the story starts, so she built herself instead of taking money from the man or being provided, having inheritance, golden finger etc. Lol, she also has inheritance though, but she didn't get it yet, her grandpa left an interesting will where she needs to get married to get it. These things are not told right away, they're slowly delivered through several scenes, which also gives the impression that she did not dump info on you, but this information came at the right time. For example, if she wasn't drunk when remembering grandparents we wouldn't have the first scene where he gets stuck with ZY and calls him grandma, without mentioning the past there would be no nickname Sissi, without arrival of a female guest we wouldn't find out that it's actually her half-sister who truly believes the words of her father that he was separated from her mother and their love is true love, so she hated this half-sister and loved to chase after things she did or liked. So these things worked to me to build the characters and reveal something about their past.

Side-characters. And I talk about all side-characters you can think of. You can call them small people who help build up the atmosphere. No one outside two main characters is given too much time or space for their own development, I think even if they're like tools but they serve to showcase who our main characters are, so we don't get narration, instead it's those side-characters who say something about the characters. Like most of the time we get the impression given by special assistant Meng next to ZY, he has his own period of disbelief that his own boss got together with BM. Or assistant Yuanyuan next to BM who teased BM when ZY was on a business trip, pointing out that her emotional changes were too transparent for others to see.

STORYLINE.

The storyline is pretty simple as one can guess. First phase is the love show. ZY appeared as an extra help in this show, but I think it has the fateful taste to it in a sense. Of course they start from an interesting side, more like a small friction, but later the misunderstanding is resolved and things move into new direction. It's fun to watch their bickering and how they react to each other. I'd like to mention one of the best things - barrage. Because it was too many times when barrage in shows or broadcasting when authors use it as a tool, sometimes it's like a bunch of brain-dead zombies following one side of opinion and often it is very negative, like offensive comments etc. Navy in Weibo comments were used like very few times, but it was obvious to many that it was a bought navy to set the rhythm. But the barrage in the show was really the helping hand, because it made the scene lively, it had a very positive feeling, sometimes very humorous. As for the feelings during the love show one should not be scared, BM doesn't fall in love right away (although she has few shoujo moments here and there). With her family situation and her dislike for scumbags and almost recent cheating of the idol she put on a hot search it was hard for her to believe a man, like all men are in the scumbag category for her and someone nice is a pure exception, so it's an obstacle to our ML.. or not? It is obvious that an old tree of ZY bloomed first. His chasing is very subtle and not annoying. He didn't show it on the show too much. Compared to others it was very subtle. The main part came after the show. It felt as if they have this paper window they have yet to pierce, but with a tacit understanding they don't do it for some time, he doesn't push forward agressively and doesn't act greasy, it has a natural way the way they interact. I loved that he's a type of no high profile, especially the phrase he said when the show had the final episode and he was outside the scene - that his love is not for show and not for cameras. Damn, that phrase felt good. Anyway, he finds a way to connect with BM outside of the show and slowly gets together. But the process doesn't take too long, I think they have mutual attraction at this point. Some of the scenes have a "I'm cannon scene for a romantic movie", such as a girl getting sick and a boy taking care of her, checked. But I don't know, they worked to me, he shows his reliable side at these times and it also opens the gate for her believing that he really has something for her, this is where she starts to tease him and finds it novel and fun. Really nice and fluffy stuff. And they come together so naturally that you have the feeling - oh, they're really good together. As an example I'll give the quote from the time when he went on a trip, but started sending flowers. It had such a nice feeling.

〝There is also a strange emotion that comes up inadvertently recently...longing? 

When she was a child, she would miss her parents. Later, her grandmother and grandfather passed away one after another, and she missed them even more. But it was different from what she was feeling now, and she knew it. 

Zhuang Yan had only been away for five days, and she actually felt lonely during some gaps in her life. 

But this loneliness was gradually filled with the bouquet of flowers Zhuang Yan gave her every day. Every time she received flowers, she felt a sense of solidity, just like the other end of her occasional longing was not floating lightly in the air, but tied to Zhuang Yan's body. 

It seems that through these flowers, you can feel the connection between the two of them. 

She rarely has such romantic thoughts, and Zhuang Yan is even less of a sentimental person than her, but now they seem to be doing something very romantic. 

She never asked Zhuang Yan what the daily bouquet of flowers meant, and Zhuang Yan never explained. These flowers became a tacit understanding. 〞

As you can guess, things develop in a very nice way from here on out when ZY returns.

In conclusion I must say.. I had no idea I wanted such a simple story and will be so impressed by it. There are no weirdos, no forced plots. And in comparison I had too many rebirth plots or plots where person transmigrates and knows the plot as if all the stories are plots where hero and heroine are main protagonists and they are essentials of the world. But here it's just a story, which was a nice change for once. I'm sure I will check other novels by this author. I know I've read one novels from them for sure, maybe two, but I'm not sure. One of their latest is on my to-read list, but it's still on-going, but while I'm waiting I can check out other novels.

RATE: 5/5 (rare) for all the light-heartedness, humor, airiness and simplicity that created unforgettable reading experience.

[SHORT REVIEWS] #7

白月光手撕替身剧本后[重生] by 惗肆

(*mtl: After White Moonlight tore the stand-in script with his hands)

[BL] This comes from my favorite author and it's their latest novel that is still on-going, I read just a little bit when it started and the synopsis is exciting, love rebirth novels. Synopsis: Jian Jinzhao was in the industry for ten years, but suddenly the comany was reported for money laundering and only after that he witnessed how supposed-to-be bamboo horse, agent and even a friend were praising the newly signed artist who looks very much like him and realized that he made the wedding dress for others. Being reborn two years prior JJZ tore it all up with his hands. Wanton and indulging he was hit by a young man who happened to be a newcomer Yu Yan. But the one who was picked up could not be shaken off again. RATE: no rating (on-going). But I've read enough from this author and actually have few novels unfinished, I keep them for the right time, you know, when you're in The Mood.

s级女王[穿书] by 诸葛扇

(*mtl: S-class queen)

[BG] The same author from the mentioned before QT novel (我在快穿世界反内卷). Tbh it's trash. I'm surprised it got high rating on JJ (8.8). Synopsis: Li Su traveled to a novel world and became a vicious cannon fodder. Heroine of this book is a darling of many - Wen Nuan. And the male protag is her fiance - Lu Siyan. The novel describes her going crazy after Lu Siyan asks to break off the engagement and frames the heroine again and again, before she is beaten by everyone and ends up dead. While this Li Su is a pro green tea, she acts in front of everyone, sows discord and her framing is much smarter, since at first she really framed the heroine, but later the heroine, who was supposed to be having high self-esteem and never did anything beyond her character actually used few opportunities to harm Li Su, but now that so many coincidenses appened, who would believe her, if she's truly innocent. Li Su basically seduced and trained all the male partners of original story before they come into contact with Wen Nuan, in the end when everyone started to turn away from her it drove Wen Nuan crazy. But actually there was some truth in accusations from others. For example, Wen Nuan was introduced to LSY by Li Su herself back in school. Wen Nuan was a tomboy and acted as a brtoher, but what friendship can there be between males and females. In the end they had relationship behind Li Su's back. True love or not, Li Su's father helped Lu's family in times of adversities, but now when they can stand on their own she's discarded as an old thing for "true love". Original book is a bit of sadomasochistic back and forth betwen ML and FL. But now that all male partners and MLs changed their mind Wen Nuan tasted her own medicine. But Li Su, our current LS is actually acting like a sociopath, no remorse, only planning, it's explained that she acted since childhood like that in her original world, she figured things out early. I find it cruel and not attractive at all. There is actually no need to destroy others, her main thing that system asked was just to change her bad ending, that's all, but not to crash and burn. Anyway, LS cheated here and there all the male partners of their love, played with feelings and in the end had a relationship with a person who was not mentioned in original work, but is related to LSY, since he's his brother.. why these things. Also LSY himself was too fascinated to get LS back (after all he turned into little M in front of her), his company fell and it gave a chance to a person who always had a grudge to act, it's someone whose company was aqcuired after bankruptcy, so LSY ending sounded miserable.. like why include this? It's not like the whole story has a sense anyway, but it's just.. bad. I can understand that author may have wanted to create this escaping character of LS who can cheat here and there and end up with an upper hand, but it's just not it for me. RATE: 1,5/5. This author also has a new novel "Love variety show female observer", I hope it'll rehabilitate my falling impression.

恋综女观察员 by 诸葛扇

(*mtl: Love variety show female observer)

[BG] On-going novel, I must say it just started, but I've read a novel or two from this author and they're pretty polarizing. Also the topic of this novel seems appealing. Synopsis: Shi Ge chose parameters for her retirement world: beautiful body, very rich and she wants to be a salted fish. Who knew she happened to be in a body of a notorious winner of a beauty peagant who is now shunned by entire network. She is indeed beautiful, she was also found by a rich brother, but her reputation stinks from manipulated masses. Also Shi Ge found a particular thing - she traveled to this world several times and went through several scripts. Now, original host has only one show left and that is a love variety show where Shi Ge met many past acquaintances. The reason for original host to be blackened is all about her friend who fell in love with a rich playboy, she believed she could take him on the right path, but of course failed. She came to Shi Ge all the time to pour out her feelings, Shi Ge adviced to leave, but her friend did not listen, so she spent time in this sadomasochistic relationship. In the end her playboy boyfriend/husband started to eye even Shi Ge, but of course failed, instead he framed her up as if she seduced him. Her friend instead of believing her chose to believe her lover and also poured dirt on her calling her a mistress. Original Shi Ge was baffled, but she had a strong personality nad was hanging on. But black materials flew all over the sky, without evidence. This is what I dislike about network and netizens, they act like a stupid herd being led by their noses, at least novels portray them as such, but there ARE such people, who lack IQ and easily believe anything without proof. Honestly, sad. When humans pride themselves in being so intellectual, yet act so brainlessly. RATE: 4/5 (initial). Who knows this might turn out badly, but so far it's very upbeat.

分手后我靠咸鱼爆红娱乐圈 by 风短短

(*mtl: After a break-up, I became famous in the entertainment industry by relying on being a salted fish)

[BL] This one is also on-going atm. The original story that Lu Wan read was about unpopular true master who was cheated by a scumbag and was used as a stepping stone by the male mistress, becoming black on entire network. Lu Wan easily kicked the scumbag away, because he knew that this relationship brought more benefits to the other party, than him. After all he is from the Lu family, no matter what everyone thinks. The male mistress tried to frame him on the show, but Lu Wan chose an open route - I'm allergic to green tea and mistresses. I don't need to scheme against you, I will kick you in the face when everyone is present, I'm so straightforward. And as for the ex. Good ex should act as if he's dead. Lu Wan acts very wanton and doesn't really care. He waits dormant for the chance to strike back. The story promises an all-rounder character that is too good to be true (acting, singing, dancing, composing etc.). Gong - Gu Yuchun - appears early on, so it's fine. RATE: 4/5 (initial).

惊！假千金是流落异国的公主 by 江山沧澜

(*mtl: Shock! The fake daughter is a princess from a foreign country)

[BG] A big nope from me. I became disinterested really fast. I've read a book from this author about true/fake daughters previously and it was not a fancy one, but it was bearable. With such a striking title the novel itself made me feel bad right away. Synopsis: Song Xi returned to her original world where she was used as a blood bag since childhood, her status was revealed and original daughter felt she was robbed and blackened on entire network. Fiance stayed indifferent. But the Ning family brought the child just for the sake of her bone marrow and a free organ donor. Song Xi who returned felt nothing towards her adoptive parents, her biological parents even had no idea before they were gone in a car accident. She had nothing that held her in this place, along with her she brought saved worlds (islands) that appeared on this Earth. They're super technological, they've been waiting for their queen to return. What I founf unnecessary is that her islands ranged from jurassic park to haunted with ghosts, others were normal. So it's all together like it's a no big deal. When they appeared some started to take action, but what I hated the most is this process of grabbing and launching an attack back, which honestly doesn't sound good. This left the worst feeling for me. I don't mention the braindead family, brainded true daughter who is like a villain, braindead fiance who acts like he doesn't know his feelings but now it's too late, but his previous behavior makes you want to punch him in the face. But basically I was baffled by this sudden conflict that could have been avoided. Not to mention the bizzare islands (I suppose future attraction/tourism)...So I dropped it. RATE: 1/5 (dropped).

那个姓霍的疯子 by 一字眉

(*mtl: The madman named Huo)

[BG] I know this author from the novel "I accidentally sat on the actor's lap" (不小心坐了影帝大腿) and I wasn't a big fan of the previous novel, as far as I remember I didn't even finish it properly. I found it in bookmarks and decided to give this author a second chance, after all  they have so many book deals (for publishing), and chose this one named Madman named Huo (or lunatic, if you prefer). I read like first 15 chapters and then I couldn't handle it and went straight to the end. There was nothing bad about how it was written or what was written, but it felt like it takes itself too seriously. By the content of what I've read and seeing the number of chapters it was obviously that someone will drag the living hell out of it. Synopsis: Ye Jianing found herself in predicament, she's been chased by a second-generation man who can't take "no" for an answer, her family is in a hard situation with her mother in the hospital and little brother weighing down as her responsibility. But suddenly she meets someone in her radar, someone from her past, the gloomy boy that now became a man and has a reputation of a madman. This is the basic gist of it. The difference is in details, because situation sounds too cliche. Jianing studies forensic medicine, her mother was brain specialist, but now needs a kidney transplantation, they now have no money. Later on we find the "past" that is slow to be revealed tbh, I only know a little bit, because in earlier chapters it wasn't told in a one go, but revealed by tiny bits. As it is Jianing's mother was married twice, first time she was married to a wealthy man, but by the gist of it we know he cheated (his second daughter even lives with Jianing in the dormitory), I don't know his psychology, but in the end he figured things out and divorced the little three. Second marriage was not as big, but was more happy, because as a step-father he dearly loved his daughter, from this marriage they had a boy, but unfortunately this person was gone when the boy was only 2 yo. Now when her mother retired from work she suddenly fell ill. Jianing worked everywhere and of course includes higher end establishments to get more money, this is where she caught Wang Yueheng's attention. She did nothing, because of her upbringing she does have nobility in her bones, but now she has no money, but she is quite cold and indifferent (not the hard to get type) and his chase brought her nothing more but trouble. He's the typical toxic guy who is either I get you or I will get you anyway. In the number of his "friends" she saw a young man who was named Huo Chen, later we find out they lived as neighbors when she was little. Have no idea if he remembers (since I skipped the novel), but it feels like he does and has a turbid obsession about her, though he doesn't show. You can say by one scene where Huo Chen was ready to drive and hit Wang Yueheng that he does things with a straight face, but things he does are not normal. She strikes a deal with Huo Chen, because she needed protection number one and also money for operation number two. From here you can guess the development. But they're both cool and more like indifferent characters. Jianing also has the sense of humor where she tells outrageous things with a straight face or they're more witty. Novel of two cool beauties. Oh yeah, she calls him puppy, because she basically trains him not to be so crazy. Sometimes I don't really like when men are portrayed as some sort of psychos and the woman needs to teach them not only love, but put them on the path of more correct three views. RATE: no rate, because I dropped. But again, while I was reading there wasn't really anythin wrong, it just felt really slow and it wasn't my cup of tea.

娱乐圈女王还是我[重生] by 板栗子

(*mtl: The queen of entertainment industry is still me)

[BG] Another on-going novel that I plan to read from the author previously mentioned in reviews (I think I discussed 没出息的豪门女配[重生] previously, at least I know it was an okay one). For the latest one I know only synopsis, which sounds excitingbtw! Synopsis: Jin Mi dominated the entertainment industry as a star that could act, sing and dance. At the peak of her career she was found dead in her appartment. Jin Mi is reborn twenty years later as an idol who debuted with money, who could not dance, sing or act. She woke up in a hospital after comitting suicide due to harassment. In front of her was her husband. (ML is stipulated from a get-go which is her husband). And the mystery of murder and other things will also be explained, which sounds very interesting to me.

在娱乐圈靠武力值爆红了 by 叶子已青

(*mtl: She relied on force to become popular in the entertainment industry)

[BG] I don't particularly remember the content of this one, I only remember the main thing about it and that is, Jiang You, our main character is one of those who travel from apocalypse to peaceful times. At first Jiang You acts a bit silly, but at least she has her justification for that. Also she's omnipotent when it comes to sports and using weapons, since you can't survive without it. The one she traveled to is a bankrupt girl who was too pampered to know how to live. But to Jiang You a roof and the bed are already great  resources. Her now younger brother Jiang Qi was waiting to see the jokes, but thanks to the leftovers of their wealth they now have the house that looks like it's haunted, but have no money to renovate. But no problem, Jiang You walked around different prize-winning events and came back with a truck full of appliances and she hasn't spent a penny on them. To earn money she entered an extreme sports competition. This is where the light-heartedness comes. Jiang You is now laid-back person who doesn't think much of her ability, she's like a King Kong Barbie that is tiny. but her force power is real. If I'm not wrong she also tinkered with some technology to create a monitoring system since she grew birds and fish on the territory of her mansion. After all nothing can comparing to home-raised chicken or duck. There is romance and ML in the story, he appears later. And here lies the problem - I can't really remember the last parts of the novel, though I marked it as light-hearted and even gave it RATE: 4/5. I will stick to this given rate, even if my memory is bleak, but I can't help it, I can't hold all the novels in my head)))

怀了万人迷情敌的孩子 by 苓心

(*mtl: Pregnant with the child of a love rival)

[BL] I wrote short "ewe" in notes. I know I never finished it, more like I barely started and I re-read first few chapters to understand 'why?' I wrote that. The answer was simple. Synopsis: When dieing Chi Yao realized how hated he was by everyone around him. After his death his soul floated for some time to see that his body was collected by his supposed-to-be love rival. His love interest Shen Ling, played him like a puppy, so-called friends used him as ATM machine, no sincere relationship around him. When he was reborn he saw through these people and decided to find a father for his future child and live alone. The only one he thought was suitable was his love rival - Fu Rong. My problem lies with Fu Rong. When we arrive we know that everyone treats Chi Yaoi insincerely, the one who treats him the most as a clown is Shen Ling, but Fu Rong actually says that they're same type of people, those others misunderstood their relationship. He was interested because he found Shen Ling "interesting". And this is what sent me in the 'ewe' direction. because Fu Rong knows that Shen Ling plays with feelings of a young boy, but he doesn't stop it and has no sympathy for the boy and even considers them "the same type of people". From which point? You make it sound like you're a scumbag too. But in the same chapter he sounds like he is criticizing Shen Ling for what he does when Shen Ling calls Chi Yao a puppy... I mean.. this is bad writing ok. This is why I dropped this novel quite early and Chi Yao.. we can understand that he wanted the child as the only close person to be near him and to care for, because he has no sincere feelings with others, although at first he basically wanted to remove the organ. I can't judge the rest. but this image of ML and Fu Rong is our ML I mind you is something that spoiled the first impression completely. Maybe author wanted to show that even if you were once enemies you can be together... but honestly Chi Yao was even happy finding troubles for Fu Rong, yet he found out that Fu Rong was father to his child in the turn of events and decided to let it be for the second time, for this he came forward as if he had debt and sold his body and the one who he was with was Fu Rong..so you see why I think it's ewe.. setting are bad. RATE: 1/5 (because I'm mad at it).

豪门小少爷是偏执反派的白月光 by 琅空一色

(*mtl: The wealthy young master is the villain's White Moonlight)

[BL] Although this one isn't exceedingly exciting, it's more like it's quite a calm story tbh (nothing bad about). Synopsis: Lin Feinan dreamed that he was part of a bloody novel and his roommate was the shou in the story and the entire group suffered from being suppressed because of him and his dream of becoming idol was shattered like that. Waking up Lin Feinan withdrew and picked up the invitation to the newly formed group called LUST (bad naming tbh, if I'm not wrong author seemed to rename them later).. Anyway, Lin Feinan had no idea about his origins (and I forgot about it too, I know that his parents are loving people and were happy to find him back) he joined the group and they debuted together. Because the story doesn't sound anything new (but one thing I'm sure about is that all members are like related households) it is hard to remember the entire plot. But because they were not from draft their time together wasn't limited, so they basically strived to work hard and become a real deal. Hou Yanzhou is the ML of this story, he is a reborn person and the one he misses the most is his white moonlight - Lin Feinan. I really hardly remember the plot, if it wasn't for the group's name..))) even if it sounds sultry, but made me remember a little bit. Anyway, not a bad one certainly, just a calm story))) RATE: 3,75/5.

[Chinese BL novel] 软饭硬吃[重生] / It's hard to eat soft rice

After reading most of the novel I decided it deserves getting a separate post, because when I mentioned this novel earlier, I was basically at the initial stage of reading and had no idea that things will turn out like this.

Mpreg btw. My initial thoughts were the same as with the synopsis, we have Xu QingHe as our MC, he was reborn. We could say that his past life was messed up pretty badly and it felt like all the bad luck befell on him. Misfortune started when he entered the wrong room, but with his messed up look he was caught by paparazzi and his image fell. He couldn't ptove himself, his company did not help. Trying to get any kind of job he was greeted with difficulties before accident after accident ruined his face and later his leg was broken and he lost his life. I also thought that we'd stay away from the past events and things would play differently, but who knew that the past holds so many secrets XQH had no idea about.

This novel was ups and downs for me. Ups is that how it played past and present in the present time (about this in spoiler section), downs for me were probably the portrayal of ML Pei ShengYe.. no, it should be wrong to say his portrayal, it's their portrayal, because PSY is casual domineering president, quite ruthless, but he changes with time, yet one thing I didn't like is their relationship in front of the kid (one particular thing - having s* when the kid is asleep, even 3 meter wide bed will not help the situation to me, I don't like it, I loathe it).

Okay, back to the novel and to realize why I think it worked well when it came to playing past and present together I must present spoilers, lots of them. because this story is more moved not by events (though there are loads of them), but more by relationships between, which are the main force that moved the story and were responsible for some events.

/~SPOILERS~/

Not really big spoilers, I won't retell the stories, but some things are mentioned that ar efun to explore yourself. 

At first when XQH is reborn, it's the fateful night when he slept with PSY. But now he is not panicked, more like dismissing. Because the paparazzi who squatted near the hotel destroyed his reputation in previous life he did not rush. He met with his agent and suggested to terminate the contract, after all this pimping agent was no good. XQH also sent him to court for withholding payment etc. Termination went smoothly, he lost almost all his saving and left the most important for last - getting ready for pregnancy. In his last life he had no idea he could give birth and due to all stresses lost his child, it also caused contravercy to him, but he wanted to keep the child. Now he was more laid-back and thought he'd stay away from everything and everything will be fine. But the child's father arrived, he inadvertantly heard it from another person, his cousin, who saw XQH in the hospital and just wanted to help, but later found out he was pregnant (Btw pregnancy wasn't treated as something really big in the hospital).

In a second XQH is married and accomodated in the villa, raising his baby. Everything starts peacefully before he is involved in several big struggles.

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Pei ShengYe. ML is a huge businessman, he comes from a prominent background, he came to power quite early and ruled with iron fist. One person who definitely has high IQ. He doesn't naively trust people, but doesn't paranoidly avoids others as well. If one doesn't touch his interests (not meaning in business only, but especially XQH), they they will reap what they sow. He has quite domineering characteristics as he is the person who is adapted to being in charge, but with time he changes and becomes more attentive and a little softer. He is the type that is not particularly happy to have children, the one who could be happy in a two-person world. So he is quite dismissive of his son in comparison to loving XQH, but it doesn't mean he's irresponsible.  Taking care of the kid etc. he can do it. But he lacks in fatherly love (if it's about his childhood, who knows, we don't dwell, but I believe it bears responsibility). The only thing that got to me was them having intercourse when their kid was sleeping a meter away. And I know the kid is too small to understand things, but no matter what they should have avoided it, especially when they have a large villa with too many rooms. This part chopped off a chunk of my good impression. Tbh I don't really know why it was made into mpreg, but it worked.
• Grandma and the Lu family. Because with start with PSY's mother's family. His mother died when he was young, she committed suicide, because she was mostly driven mad by her relationship with her husband and their failed marriage. This is why I say it had an effect on him. Grandma is the kind person who accepted XQH and especially loved her great grandson a lot and took care of him when both parents were busy. Mother Lu is PSY's aunt, she was also taking care of them, even if she was more of a side-character. But Lu Wenkang, PSY's cousin, is often mentioned, especially in the beginning of the novel, because he helps a lot and despite his image, involved in family business. There is also a girl Lu Wenxin, but she's not mentioned often. Lu father is skipped.
• Pei family. We get to know them on the surface very early, but we meet these coinceited family members who think they're better than others. Pei grandma looks majestic, but as we later find out, although she cares about some upbringing etc. but she failed to bring up her sons to be decent human beings. Starting from PSY's father. He is now in prison, thanks to PSY, but he deserved for his failed business practices. He also had too many illegitimate children and relationships (thus PSY's mother's depression). Other PEi member, except younger generation, looked like nothing and were easily fooled by the biggest villain of the book - Qin Zhen. They tried to play the elders card, but it doesn't work with ShengYe, to him they're clowns. Only in crisis he took over, but the rest of the family was reduced to dust. It is not mentioned much after that, except one cousin - Pei Qinwei. He is one of those who moved to China and took position of the manager, although he was not in the close circle and was left out when it came to dealing with another villanous character - Shen Xinyu.
• Qin Zhen. Will be the biggest and craziest villain. He's not really into the face as a villain, but he is often present in the talks. Because he is responsible for a lot of discrediting online which were directed at XQG, also several accidents and even kidnapping. But this guy is completely mad. He is also responsible for XQH's death, but XQH himself had no idea why this guy targeted him, before he remembered the last scene of his life - where PSY was mentioned to be dead in the explosion. In last life XQH had no idea, but in this life he was still targetted. At first we think it is connected to Shen Xinyu who QZ finds a "better" match. But later the target switches and it's more like QZ basically can't deal with PSY, after all PSY ruined his business in retaliation. This is also where XQH's fear of dogs is explained, because he was intimidated by trained dogs, which were in QZ's posession. QZ and who he is is the part of the puzzle we find out who is responsible for miserable life of XQH in the past. And basically the reason why he was targetted (of course it's because of PSY). Although XQH at that time was purely an unknowing victim. I personally loved the last chapters before QZ capture, since it's not him being saved, but XQH managed to defend himself in that situation, even wounding QZ, which was a really big pay-off for all the trouble QZ caused during the novel.
• Shen Xinyu. At first Shen Xinyu is presented as a scheming actor with great reputation. But in the first meeting it is inevitable to find out that Shen Xinyu is not a soft persimmon. He used unknown means to attract a neighbor's dog to attack XQH who was holding a flower pot that was just presented to him by SXY, you can't say anything, no evidence, but targetting is obvious. And XQH was pregnant at that time and was barely weeks away from giving birth. But later because of this incident and XQH being surrounded by bodyguards there were also several finds during the recording, SXY presents contained medicine that could stimulate. This uncovered one of the past events, because this actor previously acted frivously and ruined XQH's reputation even further. But in this life these medicine were avoided and the same actor even joined XQH's company later. So this SXY is not an innocent hard-working person at all. There are a lot of schemes and they all seem insidious. At first we had an impression that QZ is like a supporting male role that holds SXY in high regards and thinks of him as a white moonlight, but later in the novel these images shattered when we figure that thei relationship is quite business-like but with dark secrets. They're not a pair, but to get resources SXY was responsible for delivering several stars whose life was ruined. The servaillance was used as a last step into ruining SXY's reputation. XQH could have used it earlier, but when he found out that SXY was responsible for hiring those paparazzi who ruined his life, he took actin into dismantling SXY's "good" reputation online. This was quite a move I'd say. XQH wanted SXY to feel what it's like to get your reputation ruined for nothing. After all in his last life he was targetted and not helped and most of it probably came from SXY and QZ. His end is not explained tbh, but he escaped being imprisoned after QZ got him a double and sent him abroad, after all the two had business dealings together. But with his reputation ruined there was no place for him in this country.
• XQH's mother. This was the biggest change for me in entire novel. The thing about rebirth novels is, as you may have read a lot, is that character retaliate against people a lot and sometimes those people, who were responsible for something in previous life, did nothing in this life yet. The biggest change I think lies with XQH's mother. When we first hear from her it feels like she's in dismissive relationship with XQH, she's a remarried woman, she took oil bottle, her husband had a son from the first marriage and they had a child together. But XQH often spent time outside and was kept outside - without a reason. So at first XQH couldn't come in terms with his mother, because she wasn't there when he needed her the most in his last life. As it happens before they first visited one big truth was revealed, his step-brother, the older one, was revealed to have thoughts about XQH and he had them since XQH was quite young. This is the reason why his mother tried to keep him away, after all I could understand the situation, if this gets out who knows whose reputation will be ruined more, after all her husband, despite having a big fight with his son, did not dismiss him completely and would have defended him pouring dirty water on XQH's head. During the first visit PSY managed to talk XQH's mother into divorce, because he saw her unfavorable situation at home. Surprisingly, his younger step-brother, Zhang Lizhe, left with them. The fight started because her husband dismissed her own son as not needing any property, he was also pretty homophobic etc. As it happens, XQH's mother had had enough and decided to divorce right there. She spent her earned money on this family, had to cook and wash after working and had no saving for her own son. Her work was for nothing. Not to mention as we find out after her husband's kidnapping, he had a woman outside who gave birth to a daughter and was treated better than her second child. The kidnapping was targetted at XQH of course and this step-father, Zhang Xinwei, confessed to kidnappers that he has a rich step-son. This was the last knot that was untangled in XQH's heart. He realized that this kidpanning happened in the previous life, but his mother was still married, had no idea about affair and called him for money, but at that time he was riddled with scandals and had no money, so she said some pretty harsh words to him. But now from a different angle, his mother was shocked to be called by a mistress to call for ransom. After all Zhang Xinwei not only has this, but photos of young XQH taken secretely by stalking elder brother. Although Zhang Xinwei was saved, but had a new hole in his leg thanks to PSY who went to deal with the situation. This is why our impression of XQH's mom changes, after all she loves her child, but she's afraid of what might happen to him at home, she has nothing to offer, just make sure to keep him away and even his little brother is rather cute, although we start as thinking he's a brat, but he loves his mother, was aware of the situation at home and knew how to care for his mother. Thus they stayed in the capital with XQH and PSY, but they lived separately and XQH'd mom didn't want to be completely dependant, so she worked while Zhang Lizhe went to school.
• Pei Qingxu. Our star boy. Nicknamed Zaizai, he was more of a mascot, cute though. But XQH truly loved his son, after all losing his son was the biggest regret of his and Zaizai was always present somewhere in the background. Just a happy little boy like any other, playing and having fun. Because the span of the novel covers only few years, Zaizai is still a kid wearing diaper when it's over. PSY is always intimidating, so he even intimidates Zaizai a bit, but actually Zaizai is one of few who is not afraid of him, just only when PSY acts stricter not to let the little boy off the rails. But in general Zaizai is a cute mascot.
• The HAREM. It's a joke of the novel, because after PSY created a whole company for XQH's acting career, XQH managed to recruit a lot of people to his company with time. Even joked about it online by netizens. They shared a lot of resources and most of the first batch (were acquainted at the show) was basically acting as a friends group and they had a lot of fun. Most prominent would be Fan Yihan, he was more like in conflict with XQH, but they became bickering friends later on and FYH is a great friend. The only one who did not jump the companies. Partially it's just friendship, one person was recruited because he helped XQH in previous life. Personally, I liked that this chat continued through the entire novel, because many do not hold onto the friendship relationships and it's a pity.
•  Love relationship. This one I think is a bit vague. Because XQH wasn't attracted at first, it was more PSY's infatuation. At first we are made to believe that PSY was ready for nurturing, but later we figure out that even if they would have started at that, PSY would switch them and upgrade their relationship pretty quickly. It is vague because the attraction seems to be from the first meeting, when XQH was still drunk and flirted with PSY. And as we know, if PSY won't allow you to be near, he will kick you out, thus he was pretty like a clean blank paper before XQH. I can't say that XQH held some great redeemable qualities to even them up, but sometimes XQH is described as a bit of a silly goose, but not stupid. He is kind at heart, but can retaliate against villains. Anyway, he's quite lively and ordinary at first. There is no emphasis of him being so absolutely great. Like he worked to improve acting skills and singing, so he's not the "I know it all" type of character. Although the novel has such title, but he never used power to win only male leads, he played characters he saw fitting to his progress. he also had enough problems which were brought by their relationship, after all it were all PSY's enemies and rotten peach blossoms who came to him. So they come together, at first seemingly because of the child, but later XQH is attracted to his man and some events make this bond stronger. Btw there is enough innuendo to s* scenes, if someone cares, I don't.

This is it. I want to draw a bigger emphasis on making changes in the past and present that were shown through XQH and his mother's relationship. As I said usually people get retaliated even if they did nothing, some people truly deserve it, like for example step-father who kept a mistress, or villains QZ and SXY, they did enough evil to be put down. But as we know some relationships are not clear, such as this pair of mother and son, and I found it most exciting part, because sometimes I feel like a person can grow and let go of their grudges, not to fall in love with enemies, but simply let go of revenge, step out of the misery. But sometimes relationships can change depending on the situation as this novel showed. And more importantly, some grivances came from something unknown. XQH had no idea about the situation, so at that time he felt betrayed, but when he analyzed the situation he realized the truth behind it. This what impressed me the most and was so different from other novels where people don't explore these things and only one idea - you betrayed me, you won't be better - exists in them.

The only questionable part of the novel to me was that several entertainment companies had the same ending. Like XQH's previous company was revealed to openly pimp artists (XQH one of them, thus his scandal). One of the main perpetrators was quite a big star. But almost the same happened to Shen Xinyu's company. Where SXY was the one responsible for getting artists (by all means). Not mad at it, but felt like copy-paste situation.

RATE: 3,5/5. Don't look at such a low rate as it seems, I chipped off part of it for s* near the kid (personal preference of dislikes), the rest of the story was quite fine and pretty entertaining. It's just not everything was perfect, so here we have it. I rarely give 5, to me 4 out of 5 is already the highest praise to the novel.

[BOOKS] Monday Begins on Saturday by Strugatsky, Arkadi & Boris

You know when you have The Book in your collection. For me "Monday begins on Saturday" is that beloved book that I can re-read many times and it's still full of wonder. It's the world where technology and magic live together in a Research Institute. I think this is the kindest book as well, it has no conflicts, no huge stakes (no there are), but you still feel like nothing bad can happen in this book, only goodness. It is also stays very entertaining. And this book is old, so I find it fascinating that connection between fairy tales and modern world is done in such a way. Our main character makes a stop at a small town, it's a point of randevous, because he has no place to leave he is recommended to stay the night at a fantastic place (izba with chicken legs, which now is a museum and supposed to be Baba Yaga is the caretaker, all magic items are exhibit items). He gets fascinated by these wonders and in the end stays in this town and joins the Research Institute (very long title that makes sense in original language) where here and there they research the use of magic items. It's pretty interesting, because some things are explained from the point of physics etc. The story is divided into several short parts, each is about something big (like one is about consummerism and happiness, which resulted into creating almost a balck-hole-type creature or there is a mystery about Institute's director, who is two people and one person at the same time). I always found it good-natured and at times a bit metaphorical.

Monday begins on Saturday