A beautiful novel by a great writer. Sadly, the author has retired from the circle and is no longer writing danmei. A great loss to all danmei readers.

This wasn't bad and I don't regret reading it but..... it's just not as good as I expected it to be.

To me, this was incredibly mediocre. I knew what this story was going for and before I read it, I expected it to somehow achieve it but its execution is just not there.

It felt shallow and pretentious.

... more>> It wasn't really satisfying as a romance.

I know I'm being very vague but I read this a few weeks ago- and honestly this story is kind of as vague as my review so it's fitting. <<less

Gao Tai Shu Se does it again. How this author continues to create adoringly lovable characters and tug at readers' hearts time and time again is beyond me. I came here after An Accident in Broad Daylight, and my heart feels so bittersweet. Sweet because I found another gem, bitter because I tried MTLing the second half and had to put the novel down as my two brain cells could not perform the mental acrobats to continue. Hoping to see this novel get a complete translation. Only 15 chapters in,... more>> and I am in love with the MC (MXT) and ML (SZY). I can already feel the way the MC dotes on the ML, paying attention to his every movement (a flicker of an eyebrow, a curve of the lip), and the way he adoringly and respectfully pursues the ML. <<less

[Reading chapter 1-8]

I don't think I've ever felt... something like this before while reading a webnovel. The relationships, characters, dynamics, and conversations felt so realistic, yet so dreamy to me. I think this is what it would be like to love? This is the first time I've read "love at first sight" that's realistic and utilised well. I've read the other story, "Crush On Me" by the same author, and I have to say that this author really has a talent for writing realistic yet heart-warming stories.

Each character has their... more>> own personality that is three dimensional to me. I loved their interactions. Sensible and mature people are my favourite to read about. I love the characters' perspectives.

I recommend you read this if you want a romance that's woven in with daily life situations and great familial relationships.

P.S. Props to the translation team supertingg! You conveyed the story well! <<less

This is such a lovely danmei. The author does an incredible job in writing mature characters.

ps. If you enjoyed this i’d recommend you read “four o’clock flower”. I think it has a similar feel.

The dialogues are somewhat profound to me. The main characters have a lot of introspective moments which are brought to light through the dialogues. There’s discussions about moral beliefs, their careers and how much they are willing to sacrifice for them, familial relationships and how they shaped who they are. There’s happiness and there is grief. And... more>> the author has great music taste.

Meng Xingtian and Shen Shiyan fall in love in quite a gentle way. Their love doesn’t have that éclat you’d witness in younger more passionately aggressive couples. There’s a semblance of pragmatism with the way they enter their relationship. I think this comes from the certainty in their own persons. They know who they are and what they are able to give. They understand each other to the point I can’t imagine them ever having severe contentions in their relationship. Quite mature. It’s enjoyable to see them love each other.

Spoiler

I think my favourite part is when Shen Shiyan asked why Meng Xingtan works in weapon development. This brought out more nuance in Meng Xingtan’s character. From his initial staunch anti-war sentiments to how he perceives war and its consequences now that he has an intimate professional experience with making weapons of mass destruction. Seeing what those weapons can do and never wanting to use them in any circumstance because regardless of the outcome, war always leave destruction and death.

[collapse]

Despite enjoying dog-blood cliche danmei, I still tend to prefer danmei novels with mature and older characters when it comes to slice of life. Just normal people doing normal people things and thinking about life. You really glimpse the beautiful mundaneness of humanity in that. <<less

This was a good read but short : ( (but it’s alright tho since MC and ML are refreshing. A relationship between mature men, just as the review above the pace is either fast or slow, its at the right pace.

Doctor (Plays Pipa) Shou x Engineer Gong

It is also easy to MTL so I finished reading this in one day and will still be waiting until it is fully translated. ❤️❤️

I loved this very very very much. The story is so good and I like how the author paced their romance, not too fast nor was it too slow because along the way we get to know who the characters are and how their attitudes came to be. I am literally obsessed with the characters that I dont even know if I want to be them or be with them, I can't even pick between Meng Xintang or Shen Zhiyan. I lovd them both so much

Edit: Reread this almost... more>> 2 years later and I can definetely say that this is one of those stories that won't make u say "y the heck did I like this" when u somehow 'grow up.' In fact, I think that this is one of the stories that influenced me on my way of life. A life changer story if I say so myself.... or I'm just still too young but anyway u should read it :))) <<less

It was beautiful novel with mature characters with mutual respect, understanding and 0 conflicts. But I can't help but feel something is terribly missing. Technically they fell for each other the same time but I don't see much pinning and yearning from ML side. Its always MC expressing his feelings and affections, more devoted to ML as ML is to him. May be this is the author's way of writing, I do feel the same with the his/her another novel BRSG.

Must read! Mature characters with healthy relationship. Written beautifully, focusing on emotional aspect more than physical... truly one of a kind... love this!