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Mint-Stained Shirt
Type
Web Novel (CN)
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Rating(4.6 / 5.0, 246 votes)
5    77% (189 votes)
4    15% (36 votes)
3    4% (11 votes)
2    1% (3 votes)
1    3% (7 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
Author(s)
One entry per line
Artist(s)
One entry per line
N/A
Year
Example: 2012
2020
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
82 chapters (Completed)
Licensed
No
Completely Translated
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
N/A
Release Frequency
Every 101.9 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #1326
Monthly Rank: #4191
All Time Rank: #4189
Reading List
[Graph]
On 4076 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #4946
All Time Rank: #2163

Description

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When he was young, Xiao Yu’an wore a white shirt and rescued a child from a tree.

The child’s hands were sticky with sugar water from the melted peppermint popsicle he’d been eating, and he left a five-fingered imprint on the front of Xiao Yu’an’s shirt.

“This is a stamp,” the child declared. “It means you’re my gege now.”

When he was young, Ming Shu had to climb up and up and up in a tall tree in order to see the gege in the neighbors’ yard.

He wanted to quickly grow big and tall, so he wouldn’t need to climb any more trees. So he would be able to turn around, at any time, and see the gege from the Xiao family.

“You don’t need to wait for me,” he said. “Let me chase you. Let me make you my guiding light.”

Associated Names
One entry per line
Bò He Chèn Yī
薄荷衬衣
Related Series
Madness of the Heart (Sequel)
Poison of the Heart (Shared Universe)
Recommendations
Lovely Allergen (5)
A Certain Someone (2)
Give Me A Hug (2)
Through The Strait Gates (2)
Do You Remember My Name? (1)
Zi Fei Yu (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. BL - Modern Times
  2. danmei reads 2021
  3. TBR (GL/BL) 13
  4. Books Ive read part 2
  5. Pretty / Feminine / Shou-like Gong Seme

Latest Release

Date Group Release
05/26/21 78zaoTL c82
05/26/21 78zaoTL c81
05/26/21 78zaoTL c80
05/26/21 78zaoTL c79
05/26/21 78zaoTL c78
05/23/21 78zaoTL c72
05/23/21 78zaoTL c77
05/23/21 78zaoTL c76
05/23/21 78zaoTL c75
05/23/21 78zaoTL c74
05/23/21 78zaoTL c73
05/18/21 78zaoTL c65
05/18/21 78zaoTL c71
05/18/21 78zaoTL c70
05/18/21 78zaoTL c69
123…6
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Review
50 Reviews


en_en
en_en
Jul 01, 2021
Status: Completed
This is a gem of a novel. So well written and the characters feel real as does their growth. Finally we have a novel there kids actually behave like kids and not mini adults.

My heart constantly broke for Ming Shu, and I legit shed tears while reading this.

I would definitely recommend this, it's a beautiful and realistic story that will pull at all your heartstrings.

The translator has done a wonderful job with the translation as well!
16 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Michelle-08
Michelle-08
Sep 06, 2021
Status: Completed
NSFW!!!!! Wait, wait... not "that" kind of NSFW thingy! It's a snot and tears kinda thing. Well, unless you want people to see your "ugly crying" face + snot bubbles.. then be my guest!🤣

I cried bucket of tears!!!😭😭😭 The "seashell gun" and the "pink and mint pearl gift" while Ming Shu's in the hospital, part killed me (I need someone to bury me... anyone?), I used 3 BOXES of kleenex..3!!!!! There's a lot of parts that you'll shed tears (bawl), poor little Ming Shu, he suffered a lot as a... more>> child. Don't get me wrong there's a lot of funny moments as well. Thank goodness that our ML, Xiao Yu'an was a doting gege and was always there to protect and guide Ming Shu.

Their relationship unfolds beautifully. Others may find it a little weird but from the very start these two loves each other unconditionally, from childhood to adulthood.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! <<less
13 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
SirTuna
SirTuna
Apr 14, 2021
Status: Completed
First of all, Ming Shu is so cute! His childhood progression is both realistic and nostalgic inducing.

... more>>
Spoiler

At first glance Ming Shu was shown to the readers as a weak baby. He and his bad habit of whimpering (the sad reason was to fill the silence of being alone). But don't worry! After the influence of the Xiao family, Ming Shu turned into a little tyrant XD. I felt proud of him for bullying back the bullies.

[collapse]

Ming Shu's family is
Spoiler

really a mess. It's not like they ab*se him or anything too dogblooded, but a simple thing like neglection and indiffrence really does take a toll on a how a child's emotional response, impacting them to a great extend.

[collapse]

As for Xiao Yu'an... he is a strong gege (not blood related, just that china has this thing where strangers address each other as family, well Xiao Yu'an and Ming Shu is basically family anyways hoho).

I do like the side characters are so fun to read and how children are described as children. None of the children behaving as if they're 30+ year old adults nonsense. Despite some shortcomings here and there and there are some parts that could be more in-depth, I can overlook them since it doesn't influence the story as a whole.

The translation quality is excellent and I'm really urging people to read this. Give this piece a go. Even though I'm not finished with this, I guarantee you a great story!

Edit: I finished the story... frick I didn't expect it to be so sweet with a tinge of bitterness

Spoiler

"I'll find you, I'll come to you, to be with you, " Xiao Yu'an murmured to himself as he turned. "You've already chased me for so long." -- obviously Xiao Yu'an, Slice of Life ML of the year

[collapse]
<<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
periperi
periperi
Apr 19, 2021
Status: Completed
5 stars

A growing up story of childhood friends with an age gap (that plays a part!) of 6 years. It was more emotional than I expected because Ming Shu was such a precious child but his childhood was so sad (I think I teared up), thank goodness for his gege that in many ways was able to help (because of the age gap).

The side characters were good too, especially the Xiao family. But really disliked the Ming family.

Romance wise: ... more>>
Spoiler

Ming Shu falls first! And while cliche, due to the age gap and the whole growing up with brotherly feels thing, I thought it was rather well done. There was lot of tears and angst but nothing happens until Ming Shu's an adult at least. And Yu An really had the best interest for him. Big spoiler but at the very end, the way he shouldered the pot for both of them in front of his father (because he didn't want Ming Shu to have to suffer any more), just dang, now this is a good partner.

[collapse]

Side characters with spoilers:
Spoiler

I especially loved Xiao Jin Cheng because of his antics, Ming Shu's good friend at school for being the most supporting bro and special mention to Yu An's cat loving colleague. I especially love the running gag where the colleague thought that Yu An was keeping a cat at home (he was not). It was never revealed if he found out that he wasn't actually keeping a cat. One gripe I had was that the Xiao family siblings faded in the latter half of the story, understandably because everyone grew up and moved off but I wished there was more interaction with everyone as adults.

[collapse]

Lastly, the story ended a bit fast but then again, I suppose there is a sequel. Overall, this is a really nice childhood progression to lovers story to add to the list. <<less
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Moldy Bread Kills Worm
Moldy Bread
Jan 19, 2024
Status: Completed
As I kneel on the ground, I would like to express my humble opinion. This needs a tragedy tag. The amount of water that leaked from my two eyeballs is concerning.

But read it ^^
7 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
dee_ism
dee_ism
Jun 25, 2021
Status: Completed
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL! Such a gem.

I thought it would be fluffy but turned out I'm left with puffed eyes due to crying so much.

An coming of age story but we get to know the journey since our precious MC, Ming Shu, only 5 years old.

... more>> We watch him grown up from a timid whimpering kid, to a bona fide amazing young man. I'm so proud of him!

The writer beautifully and realistically written all the inner turmoil and the whole process of him growing up.

People who is a crybaby like me would definitely shred a lot of tears and distressed a lot to Ming Shu.

Fortunately he able to met such a warm Xiao family, where he met his beloved gege, the ML, Xiao Yu'an.

I adore Xiao family so much, everyone of them. And special appreciation to best friend ever, Du Hao.

Also thanks to translator who did all the hard work to translate this gem to us. <<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
pinkpeonies
pinkpeonies
Sep 04, 2021
Status: Completed
I absolutely love this novel!! I was worried that it would be cliche or bland because of a lot of common tropes, but it was written extremely well. Every chapter left me wanting to read the next one right away. There are so many emotional scenes. I cried a lot during the heartbreaking parts and also the heartwarming parts. It left such an impact on me.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
shuulys
shuulys
Jul 31, 2021
Status: Completed
Really cute and sweet. You just can't hate the MC because he is such a sweetheart.

The only small problem was that they had a such fantastic gege and didi relationship that when it went into a romantic relationship it felt a little weird? But then all in all it wasn't that bad at all so it was worth reading. This novel is focussed more on the past so basically there wasn't a lot of scenes where they were grown ups. But there is a sequel to it called Madness to... more>> the Heart so I'm currently planning on reading it. <<less
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izayaYY
izayaYY
Jul 28, 2021
Status: Completed
Serious, realistic, modern and grounded type of danmei that everyone is asking for, except for me. It's not the style that I like but I am still rating this high because it is a well-written, well-translated novel and really worth reading.

Delving into the mind of a child MC, from a weak 5 year old to a strong adult, there are many heartbreaking moments and angst coming from MC's emotional neglect, depression and loneliness. MC's shitty parents inevitably got me spitting and foaming at the mouth with rage and anger. The... more>> angst is balanced by ML's brotherly care but towards the end, when I expected the romance to pick up, I was a little disappointed... I mean, it is obvious that MC loves ML but it's not obvious that ML loves MC in return. Through nearly the whole novel, it was only MC's unrequited love and single-minded pursuit of ML. On ML's side, nothing except brotherly love. ML's sudden realisation of his s*xual desires came out of nowhere. The author did show ML's POV many times but there was nothing about his feelings for MC being anything but familial. It feels like ML just gave in after being harassed to death by MC lmao...

There is a sequel to this, 'Madness of the Heart', which was written before 'Mint-stained shirt'. I have yet to read the sequel. <<less
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ebryetas
ebryetas
Jun 23, 2021
Status: Completed
5 STARS✨✨✨✨✨

This was so beautiful!!! I don't have time to write a proper review right now but this was absolutely phenomenal. No major angst or drama or whatnot, mixed with such realistic and vivid characters. Can't believe this is a prequel (and the sequel isn't finished being translated yet ;-;)
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Empathatic
Empathatic
Sep 20, 2024
Status: Completed
I don't normally have mixed feelings about a story, but this one...

There's nothing I hate, and there's a lot of good things about this, but there's some things that just... didn't sit right with me personally.

What did I find good about this story?

First, this is a realistic story about two kids growing up. It's not about any adult trapped in a child's body (no transmigration/reincarnation), nor is it about two kids who are supposed to be kids but who act like adults. No, both kids in this story start as... more>> kids, grow, mature, and eventually become adults. Well, one of them acts like an adult most of the time, while the other is an actual adult. As such, when they're in their childhood, they act exactly like you'd expect two kids to act. This gives their growth more depth and meaning, and makes their later choices more impactful and important.

Second, despite how I thought the age gap might really bother me, there is an excellent transition from brothers, to one sided love, to possible reciprocation, and finally to lovers. There's real struggle and inner turmoil from Xiao Yu'an about treating someone he's raised like a little brother with a significant age gap as a lover. And I didn't feel uncomfortable with it. One of the contributing reasons is because it's made clear that neither of them is blood related with each having a distinctive "family", though I still feel like Ming Shu's family didn't deserve to be called that. Another is because of Ming Shu's persistence later about...

Spoiler

Not recognizing Xiao Yu'an as his "gege" anymore, and drawing a clear line about how he views him in a romantic light

[collapse]

All of this lends itself to the idea of "childhood sweethearts", which in any other context would actually be fine.

Third, there's a lot of emotional nuance buried between the relationships of the families and children. I found myself invested in seeing a resolution, and sometimes even feeling hopelessness and fear for the future of the characters. Some characters had surprising changes later in the story, while others were completely predictable but still satisfying to read. The resolutions to conflict are excellently done.

Finally, I found childhood Ming Shu relatable. I won't say why, just that his character had some things that happened to him that struck a chord with me.

You might wonder why I said childhood Ming Shu was relatable. Well, that's because I don't think he really matured enough and that his character was allowed to stagnate at a certain point. He clearly had mental health issues, and he even...

Spoiler

deliberately attempted to severely hurt someone only to try to stop at the last moment, resulting in severe injuries for himself and minor injuries for his target. He eventually gets sent to a psychologist, but this is blown off like there's nothing wrong with him and that psychologists are useless for him.

[collapse]

His poor behavior is constantly indulged, excused, tolerated, and sometimes even encouraged simply because he's the youngest of the boys and has had a rough childhood. Too many times I thought someone was going to try to correct his poor behavior while explaining why, but no one did. They all just took it as okay because he's had a hard life. This results in a very spoiled and still slightly immature adult version of Ming Shu. One that makes me uncomfortable sometimes. Ming Shu clearly has some problems that need professional help, including severe co-dependence.

This immaturity is exacerbated by Xiao Yu'an's perpetual indulgence of him. At one point Xiao Yu'an

Spoiler

justifies falling in love with Ming Shu because he's a perfectly molded lover that he made himself. He internally argues that no one else could be as suitable for him as partner because he made him to be a suitable partner, though not deliberately. It's spelled out that him being a perfect romantic partner is just a byproduct and not the intent. But still

[collapse]

This point in the story is the only point where I felt uncomfortable about their relationship.

There are other flaws in the story, but ultimately I still want to rate this incredibly highly because of how well it's crafted and how emotional the story is.

I recommend you read it for yourself and find out if you like it. Maybe the things I had issues with won't bother you as much as they did me. <<less
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LH_12
LH_12
Feb 15, 2022
Status: Completed
The novel is about a young boy and his gege. They are not blood related; they were just neighbors, but fortunately for MC, ML decided to take care of the little, timid, sticky, and neglected neighbor's child. The story begins when both of them are children. We see how they are growing up and how their relationship develops. How ML took care of MC was so touching and beautiful. But the most important thing is that the story is realistic; it's not a typical BL novel, and the main accent... more>> is on a family relationship, growing up, and psychological problems. The story is heartbreaking. Sometimes I really wanted to kill Ming Shu's parents, who neglected their child, but fortunately his gege was there to help him. There might be too little romance, but the story is lovely as it is. It is definitely worth reading. The story itself is good, and the writing style and pace of story telling are good too. The story was sad but heartwarming, and it's HE, so I recommend it freely.

P.S. The name of the novel is chosen very well. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Sonofasun
Sonofasun
Dec 07, 2021
Status: c82
Jesus the difference between the beginning and the end of this novel is too much. I'm not gonna lie, lowkey g*ooming tier. If this was real life it would be sus af. I can't... : ^) stop reading!!!

Hehe very good very good especially when the ML finally loses control.

4.5/5 from me
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EUGEO SYNTHESIS
EUGEO SYNTHE
Dec 03, 2021
Status: --
Ming Shu parents are the most accurate definition of the phrase "Unrecyclable garbage..." they can't even realize the mistake they made until the end of the story.

As for Ming Shu's grandfather, I actually had guessed that he was "hard-tempered but soft-hearted" type since the incident where ML was late to pick up the MC at the kindergarten. ... more>>
Spoiler

That time his grandfather only stayed waiting with Ming Shu. Even though he snapped Ming Shu, but still he never violently pushes or hits Ming Shu

[collapse]

For ML himself, he was the type of person who has a calm nature.
Spoiler

Actually, this nature has misled me about their position (Gong or Shou), because I haven't read the first book so I'm really blind to their position.

[collapse]

FYI: This book is a prequel to the Madness Of Heart story. But if we talk about timeline, then this story is the one that happened first, because it tells the story of their youth, and this was the reason why I read this novel first, because I'm not the type of person who likes to read backwards especially if it's a prequel, sequel and etc.

Last, the only thing that confuses me in this story is where did Ming Shu's grandmother go??? I remember at the beginning of the story that Ming Shu's grandfather raised him with his grandmother, his grandmother even appeared in the first few episodes, but somehow his grandmother suddenly disappeared without a trace. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Cloudy_hills
Cloudy_hills
Jun 15, 2021
Status: Completed
A coming of age story about two neighbours who after years of protecting and being protected by the other find themselves to have fallen in love, with each other. The beginning chapters that showcase their childhood, made me shed a lot of tears. The MC would have led a disturbing life had it not been for the ML who always remained around as the sun shining on him. Making sure there is light reaching, always.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
EverlastingYearning
EverlastingY
May 06, 2025
Status: Completed
OMG I FREAKING LOVED IT!!! Wow hella emotional and soooo well written. Through out the whole story I was so invested and the feels were overwhelming. I wish it kept going I super highly recommend this read and I'm going to miss the Xiao family and our main characters 💜💜💜. Thank you so much for translating such a beautiful story.💕
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
rnoshi
rnoshi
Jul 19, 2023
Status: Completed
The pacing of this was a little frustrating but the story was beautiful. Many tears were shed, our poor boy went through so much but I’m so glad he’s happy.

I would’ve probably given this a lower score if I didn’t find out towards the end that there is a sequel...
Spoiler

I wish they had more time as an established couple.

[collapse]
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Shotoxoxokawai
Shotoxoxokaw
Mar 05, 2023
Status: --
Omgggg I feel so GOD DAMN SAD FOR OUR MC MINGGGG HE'S SOO PITIFUL

I cannot TAT I wish the ML gives him lots of love n affection HE'S TOO PRECIOUS

He's a cinnamon roll.. Jst wanna squeeze her cheeks n tell him tht everything's alryt.. His childhood was sooo miserable tht u jst can't help but feel the Urge to pamper n spoiled him LOTS

I want a adorable brother like him as well >///<
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
moon17lover
moon17lover
Aug 19, 2022
Status: c1
The writing is pretty good, but I disliked ming shu being raised by xiao yuan, soo well behaved and meek to him too dependent while yuan is not dependent on him and even got annoyed by him, his parents are really jerks, I havent completed the book yet, but soo what if both of them are divorced dont they have a sense of responisbilty how can they throw their child for other family to raise and be this selfish and inhuman, and his grand parents dont they want a confident... more>> upright kid to inherit the family how could they raise of him to feel like an outsider in his own family and let him depend on others, ML and MC should be independwnt from each other not like this MC here doesnt have a safe base to retreat to, he regard ML as a commanding parental figure, which should never be mixed up in relationships even if he started it, it should have been curbed and let him drift into his own path <<less
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DewDropsOnMellons
DewDropsOnMe
Mar 06, 2022
Status: --
I absolutely loved this story and I don't usually like this sort of slow coming of age story since they usually feel bitter sweet. This did too but I really liked it and it was so heart warming (particularly their early childhood).

There were bits in the middle that made me cry and I was so invested in their relationship and it was so healthy! Despite having the potential for being unequal, it wasn't and I'm really glad. The chemistry was there and I cared about the characters.

The side characters were... more>> lovable too and I particularly like the Xiao family's youngest child. They don't come up much when the characters grow up since they move and have jobs and all that but they still show up occasionally and once again, I'm glad that the author didn't forget that they exist and handled things in a realistic way.

The story, the relationship and the characters were all great and I would definitely recommend this.

There weren't many issues. Just a few small ones like the tiny bit of colourism that I dislike and tend to be sensitive to. It may pass a lot of people by and not bother them since it didn't come up much and wasn't overt (stuff like mistaking tan skin as dirty, implying the dark skin is ugly, and I'm not sure about this but I think the insult "crow" might have something to do with dark skin too because the MC said his new classmate had tan skin and looked a bit like those crows in his primary school). It wasn't jarring compared to plenty of other stuff and dark skin wasn't shown as a purely negative feature (honestly, the bar is pretty low with Chinese novels) but still a heads up for people who are sensitive about that stuff. <<less
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