It came across as very preachy.

This is, in my opinion, a book that was written by a very young writer who wants to preach how women should act.

Having read and loved so many stories from this author, imagine my surprise to find one I don't like...

This story feels like it's probably written early in her career where the author hasn't found her footing in establishing the characters yet. The female lead is the epitome of a Mary Sue, i.e. the idealized version of a strong woman who does everything right... more>> and nobody can find a wrong with her, and the male lead is simply unrealistic. It paints an unrealistic standard of what an ideal husband/boyfriend should be... which is basically worshipping the path their partner walks on *cue eyes roll*

I don't like the dynamic between the FL and ML. I also don't feel the chemistry between them. Even in TBAVW where the FL didn't really fall for ML for nearly the entire series, I can still feel the connection between them. But this one... Su Le just seems to be too calculated and absorbed in her own ideas of what a woman should be. Meanwhile, Wei acts like his world revolves around her and often spoils her way too much that he's more like a butler rather than a boyfriend.

I give points that both leads are very mature though. They are working people who understand the business world and how to navigate in the mine field of pretentiousness and high society. I enjoy reading the parts when they have to participate in events and how they manage themselves and those around them.

Their relationships with friends and coworkers are also nicely done. I like that both have different groups of friends they can confide in. But since it's a short story, unfortunately there was not a lot side stories about them.

Also, an unrelated complain... there are so many Wei and Chen in this story who are unrelated. I guess the Chinese characters are different but the pinyin ended up the same so we got like 3 Weis and I think 4 Chens who are totally from different families... weird. <<less

I feel like this is the weakest of all the novels I've read from this author, or maybe because TBAVW is just that good.

I've always liked this author's way in uplifting women, my problem however this time, was that, I felt like the author kept on reiterating that a strong woman have to be cold, somehow.

I think that that's not a good way to encourage self expression, especially since women have always been, in history, boxed in stereotypes in society. So yeah.

I couldn't feel Wei Chu as well. The ML... more>> this time is bland, compared to other MLs in author's other novels. <<less

Every novel of this author is worth reading. The Female lead is very independent, the type of person who knows who is worthy of her tears and her heart. While the Male lead dotes on FL so much it's so adorable ‪♡. I love that he's more on "the action speaks louder than words" type (the things he does for the FL can make you swoon so bad). I definitely recommend this novel. It's light and fluffy. ‪♡

I like this author, but this novel, I have to say, boring. Nothing really happens, and everything is just too smooth.

It's great to have a strong and independent MC, but apart from the 'strong' label kept being mentioned in the narrative, there is not much else. She is level headed and confident, so she is able to stay calm whatever happens in front of her, but that's all of it. If it's called strong, then it's a completely passive type of "strong".

Something that bothers me a lot is how the... more>> perfect ML reduces himself into a housekeeper + driver + butler. He does everything, and she does nothing. That is not emancipation, that is imbalance, which is as bad as if it was the woman who does the heavy lifting.

The whole novel feels like the product of daydreaming, just like I daydream about winning lotto. It's boring from the middle mark by going on and on and on and on about how caring he is with all of the cooking, the cleaning, driving, etc, and how everyone is envious because he is so perfect. <<less

A calm story indeed, no scheme, no mean, a calm life of a man chasing his wife in his way.

Many reviews said she doesn’t deserve him, in my humble opinion... it’s true. The story represents the couple’s life that almost every women in the world want, that also include me. However, we know clearly that this so-call “Happiness” need both parties to work hard and achieve it, not just sitting leisurely and having him trying every possible ways to chase after her.

Like the description said, men should get rid of... more>> the mistress on his own and should not wait for women to fight for him, that true BUT at least she should show some actions that she love him, that she care, not just sitting around waiting to watch the show like it’s non of her business like that.

All in all, the story is CALM, too calm and MC is a kind of woman that her ancestors might have save a whole country that she can get a man like ML. <<less

It has potential.. But as the story progresses it turns a bit meh. I love the author, have read her other works such as TBAVW, and ETT, this is my first modern setting novel from her. And compare to previous projects, this one is my least fave.

This author like to write strong powerful FL, but on this one, I don’t feel FL much. And the love story seems too one-sided, their love and connection are not convincing enough for me, feel like ML do all the works while FL just... more>> passively agree with their relationship because ML is a good man, he pursue and did all the thing for FL. Maybe it’s the author attempts in writing comedy, it’s just me that can’t really connect to her story this time.

Overall, it’s just okay-ish for me. Not bad reading, it’s quite fun for short and light novel. Oh, The translation is great though. <<less

Plot

... more>>

Spoiler

FL - company employee, novel writer

Ml-ceo of his own company

Ex boyfriend cheat on fl. ML gets a chance to chase fl. ML initially befriend her then pursue her.

Ex boyfriend & mistress face slapping scenes. ML doing cooking, cleaning etc & becomes her boyfriend. ML cares FL but not much lovely scenes. FL meets ML 's parents. (All people like colleagues & friends, surrounding FL praises ML of his wealth, beauty and other qualities.)

ML proposes. Meets fl's divorced mother. Gets her permission. ML &FL gets married. They get a son.

[collapse]

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I really enjoyed this novel. A few reasons include:

1. The female lead has a really good head on her shoulders. It makes me really glad that she was able to keep her dignity pretty much intact despite what she went through. I am definitely a person that can really relate to her in the sense that love shouldn't be the only thing that sustains you and the moment you lose it somehow it makes your whole world crumble and make you enable to do anything without finding a new love or getting back with an old love.
2. The male lead isn't overbearing and understands the female lead and doesn't view her as a prize to be won. He treats her well and with respect and I live for that.
3. Despite no dramatic scenes, the story really keeps you hooked and make you want to keep reading until the end and all the characters fill their role well and not s*upidly frustrating.
4. Also really like the lowkey shade that the author throws at scenes that are seen in dramas and how unrealistic it is when you compare it to real life.

Overall, I definitely recommend this novel if you want to read something sweet and to get that satisfying feeling when you see a female lead that is strong and gets what she deserves and doesn't... more>> lose her personality once she gets with the male lead. Also do read it if you like female leads that doesn't lose their cool despite being faced with adversity and awkward situations. <<less

Very refreshing! It knows it's own tropes and gives them a twist while poking a little fun of them. Female lead is very practical kind. Looking forward to more!

I like the idea of the book, some women should really value themselves more than they do. But I did deduct a star because a couple should be as equal as possible in a relationship, but here she just takes and rarely gives.

I quite like this author's historical works so while I didn't go in with high expectations, I did have some. This was just an average read for when you have nothing else to do. I agree with much of what user katlya's review said. I like that the FL (and her friend) have strong characters but there's no real development, so much that she becomes bland and annoying. This view of "feminism" is skewed and extremely unrealistic. She actually never made any effort in any of her relationships - being... more>> in one and being loyal isnt the end, you need to work together to make it work. Her ex was definitely s*um but even with the ML, it never felt like she was invested. Or had any feelings. At all. I really dont know how she managed to write the romance in her 'bestselling novels' with her being.. Her.

And the ML.. Why does he like her? Why did his heart move for her? Overall, his character is too idealistic. There's no way a modern relationship like theirs would work in the long term, nor is it fair. So 3/5. The translation was good, no issues there. <<less

This novel is.... okay. If you are bored and have some spare time then sure go ahead and read this, but don't expect to be blown away.

I really wanted to like this novel because it has a genuinely strong and independent FL alongside a kind and caring ML who patiently pursues the FL, but to me the whole thing was just a little bland.

Personality-wise, while it was nice to see a strong FL that remained strong throughout the story and didn't suddenly start weakening because she'd fallen in love, she... more>> also came off as way too indifferent. Even towards the end of the story when she was supposedly in love with the ML, we never actually got to see her confess and she just lets the ML run around doing everything for her without her actually putting any effort into the relationship too. I just never really got the feeling that she was actually in love with the ML, it felt as if she just agreed to be with him because he was high spec and would do anything for her, which makes him a convenient option.

Also, to me, the ML had no depth. He was portrayed as an elite who wouldn't care about his image while pursuing the woman he cared for. And while he was genuinely caring and patient towards the FL it really felt like that's all there was to him. I was disappointed that you find out relatively early on in the story that the ML had liked the FL for years, which would have been a great way to add some depth to his character, but you don't actually find out how he came to like her until the epilogue (and even then it's basically "she treated him indifferently and he then just noticed her around a lot"), and you never see her reaction to finding this all out either which kind of makes it a pointless bit of plot that was only there to explain why this elite is pursuing this 'average' woman so wholeheartedly.

This is a really simple story with no dramatic miscommunications/misunderstandings, and no real interfering 3rd parties, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but this story just ended up feeling really bland. Maybe because there were many setups for the start of some drama but it was all dealt with extremely quickly, and while it was nice to see the FL being mature and level headed and dealing with situations like an adult, it didn't actually make for a particularly interesting read. <<less

Refreshing, incredibly refreshing.

This is a pretty short and stable story of a strong and independent woman which gets eagerly pursued by her university senior after they reunite years later.

Even though it has the standard plot it's pretty different from a lot of chinese novels that I've read. The protagonist is a woman that lives for herself and does not need a man to live or be happy and it's made EXTREMELY clear throughout the series, the ML is more than aware of this and respects her strong character and is... more>> honestly the best man in all existence. Sometimes I felt bad because his most sincere actions received a more relaxed reception but overall, all his actions didn't go unnoticed amd where greatly appreciated.

Liked the MC, LOVED the ML and really appreciated how the characters ended up. Even though there were some love rivals in the series they didn't up with a sh*t fate like how a lot of female supporting characters end up. All of them end up as they should, no ruined life just because they didn't end up with a man, and were decent. I really needed this after reading the novel "Doomed to be Cannon Fodder". <<less

Best webnovel read till date. This stands in my top favourite with The malicious empress of military lineage.

The story is normal and not much cliched with unnecessary plots like second lead, misunderstanding etc. It's simple and beautifully written. Although female lead may appear cold to few people, not all humans are same. So they can't expect female lead to get a 180° change in her behaviour just because of entering a romantic relationship. Being rationale and taking time to understand the person who you may possibly spend life time with... more>> is something that requires time and understanding. Being reserved doesn't mean the character is cold. It can be said the MC is someone who weighs sincerity and respect more than moment of impulse and thus she takes her time to be sure than regret it later, which is actually a good trait as long as it's not too late.

This novel was like a breath of fresh air after continuously dropping out domineering CEO/president type novels. I hope this type of normal and sane stories get the credits it deserve. <<less

The story is simple, cute and fluffy. The pace is okay for me (some reviews mention it's slow - well, I have read other novels that is slower than this ^^). The novel is light, I finished reading it in a day! I really love the author. I have also read her two famous and high rated novels but her short stories and this novel are my favorite!

Anyway, I recommend this novel for anyone who want to read light plot and easy reading novel. Also, it's short. Most important, completed... more>> chapters! <<less

Well, I got frustated in the middle, the ML and FL are great, strong and loving, but the plot, damn the plot, the story is so fluffy, but I almost stop after 20 chapter, because it's just so slooooowwwww, I have read a lot of slow burn romance kinda story, but this one frustated me, if you have great patience, this is for u, but if you aren't, then lets frustated together

Having read the author's Ancient China novels, my review will be biased as all three heroines are fundamentally very similar, believing in practicality over love and all being very emotionally strong woman.

Su Le feels like the weakest between her, Hua Xi Wan and Qu Qing Ju. She doesnt quite have the mesmerizing charisma of Qing ju or the indolent charm of Xi wan, although considering how normal she's meant to be that's fair enough. The problem is I could never quite get invested in her and thus her relationship with... more>> wei chu. I sort of liked her but she just didn't hold enough charisma to keep me captivated throughout.

Having read this after TBAVW and 8TT, modern times doesnt quite have the appeal without the signature ancient double speak and sinister underbelly of royalty, nor does it ring with a subtle poignancy about how fleeting life can be. It's just a very ordinary modern times love story and while the lack of overt drama is refreshing, it also weakens the pacing.

All in all, if you havent read her ancient china novels, it's a decent read but if you have, it's rather boring. <<less

I just love this novel, honestly I am fed up of novel having extremely weak MC as well as extremely indifferent MC who could be just as cruel. But the MC here is really nice, brave, courageous. She didn't hold any grudge but she did not forgive the ex this shows how mature she is. And her relationship with ML is also very nice. Trust matters the most in a relationship and I can feel the trust there. To be frank ML is too good to be true, but if... more>> I anyone asks me about ideal love interest it would be the ml. <<less

Very nice story, you won’t be disappointed for sure. I like the positive attitude of FL, and how she is handling the break up in the beginning. Lovely story so I give 5 stars

First, I'd like to thank the translator for doing an amazing job, then I'd like to thank the author for taking their time to write this novel.

I give this author props for delving into a mostly unchartered territory that is not seen much on web novels. But, there's a fine line between strength (and s*upidity). Even if the author was trying to portray a logical and more real MC, I feel like they failed to merge the character settings with the logic.

There's no way a man can show you his... more>> heart and provide for you in every possible way and not be moved by him. This MC failed to deliver reciprocity in the way the ML doted on and pampered her. Keeping in mind this is not a s*um man, but, a good man, honestly the MC did not deserve him.

I've dropped this since, there's no plot and there's no basis of love to keep me reading this. It might be for someone else but clearly not for me. <<less