If Only Time Stopped at the Moment We First Met

Description

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The story of a seemingly one sided love between a school trouble maker and the class president.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Rénshēng Ruò Zhǐ Rú Chū Jiàn
人生若只如初见
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Gaze at the Scenes of Debauchery (2)
Social Outcast (1)
Friends with Benefits (1)
The Decade of Deep Love (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Novels I Love
  2. 2025 novels
  3. To Read in 2025
  4. Please bear with my mediocre review #1
  5. Danmei Short Tragedy

Latest Release

Date Group Release
10/30/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c12 (end)
10/29/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c11
10/28/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c10
10/27/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c9
10/26/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c8
10/25/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c7
10/24/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c6
10/23/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c5
10/21/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c4
10/20/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c3
10/19/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c2
10/19/17 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c1
Write a Review
40 Reviews sorted by


Shorng
Shorng rated it
December 16, 2019
Status: Completed
I hate the ‘tragedy’ tag, but this one is an exception. To me, both the main characters are coward who live in their fantasy world, creating their own understanding towards the other without asking straight out for an answer.

Is it worth reading? Of course! It’s a short story, but it describes the unrequited love out there to those who don’t have the courage to confess to their crush or apologize for their wrong doing that no one can live forever. When you don’t understand their feelings or actions, try to... more>> ask. Try not to runaway from reality because you’re living in reality, you can’t live in fantasy forever, it’s a place where it will crumble after the time comes.

The story said; please do cherish your beloveds. <<less
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Otwentyfirst
Otwentyfirst rated it
December 18, 2017
Status: Completed
There were parts where I had butterflies filled with expectations. Unfortunately the MC was too cool for his own good so my expectations were never met. This is mostly a narrative piece with very few lines of dialogue. Usually I don't like stories presented in this fashion but for this story it worked out. I expected the ending but because the execution was well done it still hit in the gut and made me feel for the MC. I wouldn't say it's a tearjerker despite the "tragedy" tag but it... more>> did leave a lingering feeling.

The piece had some good points for consideration like autism, r*pe, victim mentality, coping, and regret. Those points make it sound like a depressing story doesn't it? Haha. No it's OK. But there is defo r*pe though so if you are sensitive you may want to skip chapter 4.

If there was a parallel story with the love interest POV it would have a similar vibe as this other story about a man who every morning would calculate the odds of him killing his wife and successfully getting away with it. Forgot the title. <<less
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AnuBis28
AnuBis28 rated it
September 29, 2020
Status: Completed
Spoiler

MC committed su*cide, right??? An autistic person and also a r*pe victim with unrequited homos*xual love - the depression must be unimaginable.. And yet can't help but think, "Why ??? Why did it have to be him ???" It's always the victims..


Till the end, I couldn't sympathize with the ML.. I even felt "serves him right".. A rapist, a coward, a liar.. Why making girlfriends when you can't even love them for real ??? He even asked the MC to forget the past.. He had it coming.. Now live in regret for the rest of your life..
I remember the saying once again - "Three things that never come back.. The spent arrow, the spoken word and the lost opportunity."
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15 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
cherryblossomsinsummer
cherryblossomsinsummer rated it
April 29, 2020
Status: Completed
"For him, I lived through many years of life being out of my mind." Probably my favorite line in this entire book, to be able to love somebody to the point of hurting yourself and the other person, it is really out of one's mind.

A good short read full of angst when you wanna take a break from HE stories. Will ab*se and make you curse, make you wondering nonstop about how everything would've been different if only one of them chose to talk. But none of them did,... more>> losing the chance for eternity. <<less
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Accismus
Accismus rated it
May 16, 2022
Status: Completed
Someone said upstairs that pres fell in love after r*pe. I do not condone it or say it was right. It was a crime. It was wrong.

But I believe that he loved him from the beginning. He blushed and cared.

This book is flawed but it is oh so real. It's more of a diary from a broken soul than a imagination from someone's mind. It was an confession of his crimes and woeful song of his feelings. He loved and loved and loved. Yet he was a coward. And who... more>> isn't in face of love. And a love that we believe to never bear fruit. A love that is scorned and cursed for simply existing. What he did was wrong and for that he was punished for a lifetime.

Many might belive how can you love someone so deeply and yet not know of it. But in places where homosexuality is not well known, love gets hidden inside other emotions.

I have been on a tragedy binge read and none of them made me wish for a different ending. Made me wish for a happy closure. Made me wish for my heart to stop hurting.

It felt real. From first word to last every single emotion is like a poisoned arrow meant to cripple you and make your heart bleed.

In the middle I wished to stop reading because I had an inkling of how it would end and yet I kept on reading and hoping that contrary to my beliefs the book would have a sweet end and yet it is a tragedy that has wrecked my heart.

After this review I will off to reading it once more. I wonder how many more will ? <<less
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k24_isavid
k24_isavid rated it
March 17, 2021
Status: Completed
If you are looking for a story with perfect characters, fluff, this is not for you.

I remembered when I read this, it was night back then and I was looking through many short stories to read. I eventually decided to read this webnovel. It was a long time ago and I remembered every moment, every scene throughout this short story. That's how impactful it is. The MC is flawed, flawed, flawed (important stuff needs to be mentioned thrice). They have misjudgements and their courage to confess their love have... more>> been drained due to their current circumstances.

A bully and a class rep are usually cute tropes. This story shows what could happen because of an impulse, teenage hormones, and immaturity.

highly recommended, read other reviews lol.

DO NOT r*pe ANOTHER HUMAN, IT IS 100% VIOLENCE AND SHOULD NOT BE ROMANTICIZED. <<less
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Mimosa
Mimosa rated it
November 21, 2017
Status: c12
Maybe it was the mood I was in while reading, but the voice in my head that read line by line till the end felt dull throughout the whole book, yet I don't felt the boredom that should be accompanying it. Maybe it was my mood, or maybe the early premonition that the characters won't achieve their happy ending.

The story was so-so; I've read better in wattpad or in some other sites, but the attachment to the characters that you'll only feel in good books will be felt here, albeit... more>> temporary, it was there, hanging by a thread.

The story could be branded as a "breathe of fresh air" amidst the translated yaoi novels here in NU, although the characters designs are bland, their reaction to the events they're involved in are somewhat realistic, unlike most novels here where some characters personality makes you want to pull your hair because of how unprobable (comparing to how a normal person acts) their responses to stimulis (/events) are.

Spoiler

Hey, if you took time to read reviews, then read the story itself won't you? Maybe just this one because it's only 12 chapters. So yeah, go click on that chapter 1 link.

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Analayne
Analayne rated it
March 10, 2018
Status: c12
I read this knowing how it would end but what suprised me was how much it still hurt. Once you sheath your swords and if you stick it out till the end you'll get what I mean.

This is from a person who runs from that tag with full speed.
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
EUGEO SYNTHESIS
EUGEO SYNTHESIS rated it
May 25, 2021
Status: --
And here I am, still waiting for the author to continue this story, or maybe someone that want to make a fanfic from this story...

Whether it's being reborn or transmigrating, I just hope they have a happy ending... Because it feels so unfair, seeing two people who love each other can't be united to death just because they don't know each other's feelings.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ike_00000
ike_00000 rated it
June 23, 2019
Status: Completed
Honestly, I really don't understand the class president, I don't like this way he fell in love with him. But seriously this made my heart hurt at the end.

The problem here is, on top of how I don't like how the pres fell in love, is that the story was set up to be tragic. Like from one perspective this MC was just moping the entire time lol. Idk, someone who is a fan of the following tags would probably enjoy the story:

Yaoi, tragedy, r*pe, r*pe-to-love, misunderstanding. Frankly,

... more>>
Spoiler

r*pe that ruined a bright young man's life (because somehow he feel in love).

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To be honest I was hoping for better based on the title and the synopsis (DAMN I love that title). Even with the theme of this story, I think it could've been much more enjoyable if they explored the other MC's character more. It's not a long read so in that sense not much to lose?

I just think every aspect of this story was amped to be more melodramatic than it had to. Like from the beginning there was *NO* reason for either of them to fall in love imo. I still think MC is a huge scum, not only scummy but also a coward.

I do think there's some elements to appreciate in this story, particularly the loser portrayal of the MC. Too often we can competent characters, so someone like this who hardly has the courage to own up to their wrongdoings & take responsibility for their actions is kinda fresh? Other than the unique theme & premise, idk if there's all that much else to praise... <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
PotatoCakes
PotatoCakes rated it
January 15, 2019
Status: Completed
This novel will either be a hit or miss. I got anxiety while reading it, and felt like sh*t after completing it. Which is why I would highly recommend it.

The characters aren't meant to be sympathetic, but they're both relatable in a way. Societal pressure, pride, and immaturity oftentimes manifest themselves in real life in similar ways. This novel explores what happens when all of that is mixed together with a series of unfortunate events.

Novels rarely incite so many emotions in me. Maybe it's because I rarely read novels with... more>> "Bad Ending" tags, but this one stood out due to the frustration both the characters and readers feel throughout the story. I wouldn't recommend reading it, unless you're not prepared for a whole lot of angst. <<less
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amruta
amruta rated it
December 22, 2019
Status: Completed
Great translation.

The tragedy tag says it all. If only the MC and ML had spoken with each other. They could have had a happy life. Alas, keeping silent only hurt them in the end.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
KongKwong
KongKwong rated it
February 21, 2019
Status: Completed
Okay, it's my fault for not checking the tags before reading. Gosh, I hate tragedies! I end up crying every time, I wish I wasn't too involved in characters...

The narrative was quite unusual but not dull or boring, it felt somehow similar to my experience with 'Flowers for Algernon' where we got to see the story thought the eyes of the main character. It might be a cliché but for me it's a new and quite enjoyable experience, which makes the story and characters even more alive. And hence makes... more>> me cry even harder...

Spoiler

I can't quite understand our ML. His life was a tough one without a doubt, but he hasn't tried his best. He's quite similar to the MC in this sense, they both just gave up on themselves. It doesn't sound right to me, aren't we all greedy people who can only care about satisfying our own desires? How come there are two of them who just let it all go and didn't try to chase after their own happiness. I wish they could go back in time and do it all right. Now I completely understand what the author meant by the title of this novel full of sorrow and grief.

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I'm going to give it all 5 stars because it's beautiful even if I can't completely relate.

And now I need a short and fluffy story to sooth my broken heart! <<less
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Alelean78
Alelean78 rated it
April 29, 2025
Status: Completed
Ah this makes me wanna do a sin confession. When I was in elementary school, I also did something I regret my whole life. Back then I was so neglected, none of my family was ever home before night, and I was left tending for myself.

I was a bad child, since my family always screams to each other, I also do that to all my friends and they grow to fear me. And ever since the 3rd grade, there was a certain kid that I was jealous of because she... more>> was liked by everyone and seemingly happy all the time. She gets all the love so effortlessly while I need to work hard for the least bit of attention from my parents.

The resentment only grows and in the 5th grade, my other friend said that we should just exclude her if I hated her that much. I did, and since I'm the 'boss' everyone naturally do the same. No one befriend her, for a whole year. No one talked to her unless necessary. And this only stopped once the teacher notice something weird and told us to befriend her unless we want our grades to drop. And we all did befriend her again, but I'm still awkward.

We live in the same neighborhood so we went to the same junior high school again. She was very kind, she acted like nothing happened. And I, the horrible person I am, too ashamed to ask for forgiveness. I also act like nothing happened and just treat her better.

Even now that I'm 20, I can't forget that one year of my life, it must've been so hard for her. I always thought that she would've lived a better life had I not done that.

Spoiler

Throughout the story, I hope the #su*cide was for the MC. And even though I know that wouldn't be the case, I was hoping I could get some regret lifted off my chest by reading this if that was the case. I've changed, but the past couldn't. I could only hope she truly lived her best life just like what she always said in her social.

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iamblair
iamblair rated it
June 15, 2022
Status: Completed
It felt like I was reading a true-to-life story written in the diary of an infatuated, broken-hearted r*pist. It was saddening as we all know that no matter the intention and no matter the remorse and regret the perpetrator felt, once the deed was done, the trauma and despair that the victim has will never be washed away. Time heals all wounds, but what if it can't?

I feel like, the ML must have felt something for the MC from the start and that made him more miserable when the MC... more>> r*ped him then tried to act indifferent when they talked again. I kind of expected the ending because I can't see them being together. I don't think that the ab*sed will truly and genuinely be happy with their ab*ser if ever they end up together. <<less
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Lara Night
Lara Night rated it
October 2, 2021
Status: Completed
read this for the second time. The novel is short but eventful. I finish it within one hour, but it teaches us a lot.

-Love, do not regret your hesitation.

-Your ending could be better.

-Speak out.

I know this is just something written by the author, but it could be someone's real story. Or it could be someone's new story. I have a lot of things I regretted too. I wish I can stop hesitate now.
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nctzen
nctzen rated it
November 20, 2020
Status: Completed
It's the first time that I read a story that I hope for a bad ending. I felt complicated because a happy ending means that the MC will feel happy at the end but at the same time I keep on feeling that the ML do not deserves it after what he did. This is a short but heartful story that makes me tear up in the middle of the night. "If you love someone, you should said it as soon as possible bcs if you wait perhaps the god... more>> wouldn't give you the chance to do so" Sometimes an apology is not what everything you need. <<less
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yxyx
yxyx rated it
September 20, 2020
Status: Completed
This is really a depressing novel. It's well written, and realistically portrayed. Like the other reviewer said, this novel is a hit or a miss with no in between- you'll like it or you'll hate it but we'll all agree this is painful.

... more>>
Spoiler

I'm happy that they didn't get together. I just don't think that their relationship will work out given on how they started and the series of actions MC made after what happened. Either way, getting together or not, the MC will always be filled with guilt for what he's done while the ML remains in a depressive state - that somehow also turns into some kind of guilt.

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Achiless
Achiless rated it
March 12, 2020
Status: Completed
The MC is that guy who you should hate, and if you met him irl you'd push him from a building, but the story just makes you sympathise with him so much. Cause the drama. The drama. So much drama. *Squeel*

It's heartbreaking because you see the MC make mistakes over and over, and you know that everything is his fault but he can't turn back time. He's reaping what he sows, and he knows that. A short 12 chapters to cry about.

I think our lack of understanding of ML's (class... more>> pres') actions adds to the tragedy. We don't understand, so the MC would've never understood him either, which is why there are misunderstandings/unsaid words.
Spoiler

The mystery and (prob) lack of control that the ML has over his feelings made me sad.

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Also yes, r*pe. No, romantisation. <<less
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AKookieForYou
AKookieForYou rated it
October 21, 2019
Status: Completed
"Love once begun, will never end."

This was quite a dark story, and it isn't suitable for everyone. I have conflicting feelings about everything, and I can't really say that I enjoyed the story per se, but there were a lot of things I really related to. Especially the depression some of the characters went through.
Spoiler

I'm also not the biggest fan of bad endings, and this one was particularly depressing.

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And that last paragraph was quite powerful. Overall this was just a strange experience. I think I'm going to go read something lighter to lift me up now.
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