The female lead of this story, Mai Xiao Liang has a complex family background and rough love roads, yet her nature is like weed: strong and unbreakable, in the end she finds the warmth that belongs to her. The father that who kept his mistress while throws away his wife and abandons his child encounters the misfortune of going to prison, to save her father she looks in all directions for help, but repeatedly meets with a strong wall. Under helplessness, she can only go find her cowardly ex-boyfriend, in the process have unexpectantly met with male lead Zhao Yi Shan.
In the beginning, Zhao Yi Shan is full of misunderstandings about her, and even adding to her misfortune. In their time together, slowly learns about the good side of this strong girl, like a moist pearl is not dazzling, yet exceptionally attractive. A fierce pursuit, but having been wounded by love and the effects of her family background, Mai Xiao Liang becomes hesitant in front of this strong love….
A pretty unique novel. I found the premise pretty interesting because it talks alot about China’s corrupted government. We don’t have rich businessmen in this novel, we have government workers/office holders. haha It’s has a very dramatic plotline for a modern novel, but those dramatic moments work well in the story. Good ending.
I started this novel a while ago, but I stopped about halfway through. I have a major bone to pick with Zhao Yi Shan. He seems sort of like Mo Shao Qian, and I really hate novels about abusive male protagonists, no matter how much they love the girl, because we all know what it’s like in real life. Does he get any better, Chancy? If you say it gets better, I’ll pick it up and finish it!
Hey, hey let me catch my breathe:P What an influx of modern novels:) I need time, a lot more time to get to this but thanks anyway. Mo Shao Qian as in that guy in Fei Wo Si Cun’s novel? Haha, this is only a book so no need to get too work out abt him. I am ok with him as I like to explore diverse & interesting characters in books only, heehee…
lol He’s also happened to do the voice of Mo Shao Qian for the audiobook of that novel also.
I hated him at first too, can’t believe he raped her even though she allowed it to happen. He tries very hard in redeeming himself after realizing how much he needs to keep her in his life. Unlike Mo Shao Qian, he’s not that tortured a person. I haven’t read that novel, but I still don’t understand how the main girl could have fallen in love with Mo Shao Qian. With Zhao Yi Shan, Xiao Liang has a like and hate with him and it wasn’t as messed up as staying with him to be tortured. Mai Xiao Liang got entangled with him because he could help her with her dad’s case, she felt indebted to him and felt he controls her father’s fate so that’s why she sleep with him that first time. She saw it as an exchange so she couldn’t exactly hate him, but afterwards when he pursues her she couldn’t forget that they had that kind of exchange/relationship before and couldn’t fully accept him.
I would say by the end, all that he’s done has numbed what he had done in the beginning of the story making me be able to like him more and more. I also like how realistic her feeling for him at the end was. You’ve learned to start liking this guy and depending on him when your getting lost because the world around you is turning and changing, but you can’t forget that he took advantage of your weakness at your weakest time. It tugs at my heart each time she tells him that she still feels that she hates him.
Curiosity killed the cat:P Becos of atsu’s comment, I went to check out this novel. When I heard A’Shou’s voice, it reminds me of Jin mi & Ah Fu, my 2 fav characters. I like her very much so I continue to listen & I am hooked now, haha….That guy’s voice is ok but too mature & creepy for my taste:P No wonder he gets all the abnormal characters like Mo Shao Qian.
So far, so good, it is interesting & heart tugging. I like it, I like it. I’ve already finished one third of the book:) Some parts quite funny also. The part where she complained he is old & fat, haha…Also, the part where he bought the buy 4 get 1 free condom in the supermarket:P She is so naive & cute like Jin mi:) I didn’t read Sealed with a Kiss. Just saw the drama becos of Hawick. As far as I am concerned ZYS isn’t as bad as MSQ. Except the 1st time, otherwise he is quite considerate & practical. Not as scary as MSQ. This doesn’t mean I like ZYS but I can relate to him more than MSQ who is bend on getting revenge. Btw, you should recommend this book to JoleCole:P
I like his voice for Zhang Huai Zi though. Later his voice will sound more smooth and nice when his character is more calm.
It was pretty funny when she found out his age and was like wah ur already 36? (or 34? Don’t remember.) and he’s like how come u sound bu gan. I thought he’s pretty sweet and otherwise would have been a very good guy to depend on for the rest of ur life if not for that time in the beginning of the story.
Haha i like Chou Ming Hua, he’s funny.
Wahhh, A’Shou is the audiobook reader? Then I will read this after I finish Dream of the Silver Crucifix. 😀
Yup yup! It was my first modern novel and it was so dramatic that other modern novels seems too bland in comparison. It is cliche, but doesn’t feel cliche at same time. Dramatic, but well suited in the premise.
Revision: Oops, I missed all the juicy parts as I was skippng around & marathoning the book. Eeeeeee, no wonder atsu complained. I skipped a chapter when she went to take bath as I can guess what will happen, haha…Then when I listened properly last night, shocking. Later, I nearly fell off my bed listening to what happened in Chou Ming Hua’s home. I am still in recovery mode now:( Wah, this guy is 2 alpha for my taste so no wonder the girl hates him.
I nearly wanted to give up this book if not for my love for A’Shou as Mai Xiao Liang & your comments. I am waiting for him to redeem himself as I feel like kicking & beating him up now, hehe…Oh, A’Shou can cry so pitifully. I feel so bad for her, my poor heart. This book is bad for my heart but I’ve to admit I like the emotional response it evokes fr me:P
Quickly read it so you can discuss with us. A word of warning. You might lose some sleep over this either becos you’ll marathon the book or you are too shocked to continue or both. This book will pull your heart strings. I finished nearly half of the book in 1 day, hehe..
Really? I didn’t recognize it…. I’ll probably go back and finish it after Once Promised. I really like Mai Xiao Liang’s personality, and I’m still rooting for her and QIao Ming Liang, even though I know the story is going nowhere in that direction. Why doesn’t the happy, good-hearted guy ever get the girl? It always has to be the poor lonely tortured soul. Not that I dislike that though 🙂
You finished it in ONE DAY?! You go, Peanuts!! I got up to the part when ZYS went to OuTing to look for her, and Fang Hong thought that XL knew the secret behind her birth.
I don’t know – even when ZYS was very courteous to XL, I still wanted to smash his face for what he did to her when she needed help the most. 正人君子 my foot!
I thought Qiao Ming Hua was pretty good and thought it was funny when he revealed that back during college days, all the guys that pursued her all end up being her friend. The person I was most upset with is Zhang Huai Zi. I think in this novel, fate/luck plays alot as a factor to who she ends up with. Timing is so important, you’ll see why when you read on.
Wait for you to finish Once Promised too, I’m getting such opposite responses from readers here compared to the responses on Baidu bar. So strange.
His ending is sooooo deserved, he ends up with a empty shell. I wanted to stick my tongue out at him, but he’s in enough torture trying to redeem himself.
I think Old Jin is very funny. U got to his special service? He gives me the creeps though.
What are the responses of readers on Baidu bar?
They love Chi You, but here Xiao Yuer and Skyblue seem pretty lukewarm on him. haha
No, no, I only finished half the book in a day because I was too shocked to continue, haha…Who is Old Jin? So, ZYS didn’t end up with XL & she ended up with the QML?
I’m not gonna spoil you, she does end up with ZYS and she slowly loves him back. But can you really forget what he’s done no matter how good he has been to you recently? He tainted their relationship and that’s a fact that can’t be erased. This novel is realistic this way and in the end I still feel very happy and content. It’s not like 3rd Kind of Love where in the end they are just one of the unforgettable scenery in their life.
Old Jin is that Korean business man who offered to help Xiao Liang if she became his mistress.
正人君子 – I got the pinyin of these words from google. Hahaha, it is quite ironic in that I remembered ZYS told XL something like don’t believe anything guys tell you. They are all bad & are up to no good. I am surprised he said that. Sometime some of his actions/words do redeem himself a bit in my eye. Especially he went all the way to Jiangsu to see her. Even XL feels sorry for him when he appears weak.
I am only half way thru the book but quite conflict as to who she should end up with. I don’t totally ship either of the guy as there is something abt them that don’t sit well with me. I feel this is something like the Stockholm syndrome where you feel emphathy for your captor. Although he didn’t take her hostage, there might be traumatic bonding b/w them. Although they had a bad start, this should not be held against him if he subsequently redeem himself. Yet, realistically it is not that easy to forget or accept what he has done. Probably an open ending is more appropriate.
This is a novel about timing. The same situation happening during different times would receive different results. There are many reasons in the end as to why she must end up with Zhao Yi Shan and you’ll find it reasonable when the time comes.
I felt sad for what could have easily been a happy ending for her and Zhang Huai Zi had she lower her values, but at same time i applaud her for her firmness back than. So when she had the exchange with ZhaoYi Shan she laughed at her foolishness back than, but she believe if she could chose she would have dine the same thing. I like this girl alot and feel said for her misfortune because she could have continued living in her beliefs and upright lifestyle had her dad’s problem not occurred.
Hahaha, i m on episode 44 now where she is sick & he is looking after her. The interactions b/w them are really funny & heart warming especially in the hospital & supermarket. She is being mistaken as the niece & her real dad’s visit to ZYS’s hse. But I don’t like the plot that he is dating his sis-in-law:( This is just so weird.
Oh, I am starting to warm up to ZYS. A’Shou has got good taste in books. When you recommended me the book I wasn’t very keen because I’ve never heard abt this author or book b4. However I find this book rather good in that there is a right mixture of laughter & angst moments. The storyline is also more innovative, not the usual kind. I like books that are a bit unusual & captivating as I get bored easily & my attention span is very short. Thanks Chancy, I am enjoying this book very much:)
The family scenes will get more and more heart warming also. I teared up several times in this novel for those moments, something that rarely happens when i read modern novels.
I also like ah shou’s picks. That’s why i am waiting for her next book hat will go up beginning if next month. I actually like it when she choose not so well known books, i don’t have high expectations for them but they turn out very good and full of surprises. In the future u should read that Fragrance novel. Its pretty good also, but one of her earlier works. Many readers picked up that book but couldn’t finish it without her audiobook and than find out how great it was.
The plot is very fresh & Mai Xiao Liang is the only girl I can relate to so far when it comes to these kind of cliches where the guy is so horrible. It really makes me want to strangle the girl and ask her why she is still able to stay with him.
Just checked that I’ve listened to most of Ah Shou’s books except the 2 with many other readers. Wah that Fragrance book has 158 chapters. Oh, I am scare of long books. But I’ll give it a try later. Just tried this book but it didn’t get finished:( http://www.cxt8.com/static/chapter_1883/. Oh no, I think I just listened to an audiobook read by a guy only, trying to read like a girl?
I think the author should have tone down on the guy at the beginning of the novel for modern sensibility sake. Should have made the first few times less forceful but just cold only. The heavy handed first part makes the guy detestable & very hard for him to be redeemed in the eyes of modern & independent female readers.
I dunno but with he premise, its possible for a man like that. Its just his difference in the beginning and end is somewhat too big a difference almost as if its not him. If it was old Jin i would find it in character, but for the calm Zhao Yi Shan, its very unlike him.
haha yeah, the beginning traumatized me so bad. I hated ZYS so much. It’s amazing because the story never ignores the fact that he messed up. It brings the reader through the motions of hating his character so much and towards the end, somewhat able to accept him even with that big a scar, but never forgive him hehe. At least I can’t!! I don’t think Xiao Liang ever say she forgave him, did she? It makes me hurt very much when ZYS reflects and unable to control how Xiao Liang feels towards that incident. That’s why when he came back to her, she was in denial. If she thinks of it as a deal, she can just move on, but he is sincere now and meaning she has to constantly think about it facing him. It’s normal she wants nothing to do with ZYS. Can see how much he loves her by how persistent he was in being there for her and try to become something else in her life rather than an ugly memory.
The sex scenes are so graphic in here. O.O
I feel so terrible for Xiao Liang, but in my bian tai heart, I find Zhao Yi Shan’s jealousy rather hot. I like alpha male characters in books and dramas (like Mo Shao Qian and Murong Feng) but in real life, they would be terrible, terrible men to date. I really want MXL to beat ZYS up though. She’s the bronze medal martial artist of all of Asia. Surely she can take down ZYS if she tried…
I feel like I’m on a roller coaster ride. I’ll be laughing uproariously in one scene and then staring blankly in shock in the next… I loved that conversation where a jealous ZYS asked her why she was going back to the hotel and she said to sleep. He continued to ask “With whom? (He shei?)” and she confusedly responded “No, I don’t want to drink water. (He shui)”
Hahaha…. but in the next scene I was like O.O….
I wonder if Ah Shou filtered it. She seems to like these novels, Hua Xu Yin is the less ratey of the books.
Ahahaha! That dialogue was hilarious! What was his response after she said she didn’t want to drink water? 😀
Xiaoyuer is too busy reading this addictive book so she might not have time to answer you. The juicy bit is he did something naughty to her after this question & answer sessions. If you want details, pester xiaoyuer to translate for you as my Mandarin is bad:P
Hey xiaoyuer, you also fnished nearly half the book in a day like me:P
ZYS: “I asked, who are going to sleep with?”
MXL: “Is there an underlying meaning to what you just said?”
ZYS: “Did you just shower?”
MXL: “What?”
ZYS: “I asked, did you just shower? Is there something wrong with your ears?”
MXL: “Yes, I did shower. How did you know?”
ZYS: “Why?”
MXL: “Why what?”
ZYS: “Why did you shower?”
MXL: “You didn’t drink, why are you asking these unnecessary things?”
ZYS touches MXL’s neck: “Don’t move.”
MXL: “What are you doing?”
ZYS: “Let me look at it for a second.”
Okay, I’m not going to translate the R-rated scene, but you get the picture. ZYS knew that MXL had just showered because of the fresh scent from her skin and he jealously thought that MXL was planning to sleep with Qiao Ming Hua, so he got QMH completely drunk instead.
Men… maybe ZYS’s head is wired wrong? I don’t understand how he could have treated her like that when he was interested in her but then turns into a gentleman when he realizes that he actually likes her. If he had been more gentlemanly in the beginning, he would have to make up for all his mistakes…
Another thing that pissed me off was that he told her again and again that he wouldn’t force her, that he would make sure she came to him willingly, but he still forced her in the midst of his lust-driven frenzy. To steal words out of Jin Mi’s mouth: “你要是对我不人道, 那我就让你永生不得人道!” (If you do not treat me humanely, I will make sure you will not be able to be humane/have sex for the rest of your life!) Don’t ask me why ‘ren dao’ means both humane and to have sex.
Hahaha, yeah. These are my last two days of freedom. Classes are starting next week so I’ll be flying back to school this Saturday. T.T
This book is so strangely addicting. I should be wanting to beat ZYS up for what he did to MXL, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to hate him. And I actually like it when he is super jealous… Oh, my bian tai heart, my bian tai heart…
I’ve been reading along with the ebook, and A’Shou hasn’t censored any of the naughty scenes so far. I wonder if it’s awkward while she is recording this with the guy reader because it’s almost like they are reading verbal porn…
Hopefully there isn’t anyone underaged wandering around here. Wahhh, I feel so naughty reading this book. 😛
Yah its a frenzy because he was totally out of his mind to do such a thing. The first time i would think that xiao liang went was purposely weak. She didn’t realize until afterwards, but its the second time at that qiao ming hua’s place that i was more disappointed in him. I.think he’s naturally a gentleman, but what the neck went on his mind only he knows.
I know right? We should put ratings up for some of these books. I just found it awkward for them two because they both are married and the guy’s wife loves reading ah shou’s audiobooks. I suddenly feel like going back to read her comments. Haha
Im also wondering why this book isn’t banned by Chinese government. The writer basically showed the ugliness of how the Chinese government works.
Don’t pretend to be shy as you like naughty books like Heavy Sweetness, Phoenix & this book:P Haha, don’t feel bad as we are reading abt it only, not doing it:P
It might be banned secretly now bcos I can’t find it on douban & is not widely read as other books. Anyway, they let Sealed with a Kiss to be broadcasted on Hunan TV which is worse. The book has just words, nothing graphic.
I don’t think guidelines on novels are as strict as guidelines for dramas. The central government basically owns all of the big TV broadcasting stations, but they cannot monitor the internet like they do to TV. Most Chinese novels seem to be published on the internet first and then in print.
Oooh, who is MXL’s real dad? What is his governmental position? He sounds like he would be super important, like the president or something.
I think ah shou gets bolder and bolder.
Heavy Sweetness wasn’t as bad.
I can’t tell u that yet. Read on. Lol he came to see Zhao Yi Shan and Xiao Liang b4 at Zhao’s house.
I listened to that already. Haha, so funny. Heehee, for once I am ahead of you xiaoyuer:P
Ha, Men are from Mars & Women are from Venus. They don’t think with their brains but with something else, you get my drift, haha..ZYS has been lonely & single for a long time so he is probably very hungry, hehe…When you are in hunger, you don’t wait for your food, you ransack your fridge:P
O_O hungry? lol
Yah, when I was listening to that scene, I was thinking of a starving wolf gobbling up his prey, muahaha…
Oh, I’m not talking about the r-ratedness more about banning the book because of the way they show the chinese government to be. I remember they would ban books by famous people that write bad stuff about the Chinese government. That’s pretty well known, but maybe for non-fictions they don’t care or they didn’t think to check it. Famous figures they will always check their books especially if that person is known to bad mouth the Chinese government.
I’ve gotten to that part, but I still don’t know what his position is. He is ZYS’s big boss and is much more powerful than ZYS, QMH and ZHZ’s parents…
I find Lao Qin super creepy… Having people following XL… Perhaps he hasn’t ever pursued a girl before?
I was so shocked when I found out that he was only 26. I thought the he was in his mid-thirties.
It was very funny when she started calling them out because she knows that they are lurking out there somewhere.
At first I actually thought it was ZYS, but after a few times I knew it had to be that creepy Lao Jin.
I’m thinking he might be Prime Minister? or at least someone right under the Prime Minister. He’s someone that shows up on TV all the time so that’s why XL recognizes him.
Hehe, the euphemisms for a woman’s period are so funny. “Hao peng you”, no it should be “huai peng you.” 😛
Huh, now u only know? I always tell my friends my other friend has come & they’ll understand:P Have u finished this book? I put this on hold & has been marathoning the other book like mad:P I picked up this bad habit fr u & I look like a panda now:P
Isn’t there also a auntie phrase commonly used also? The ppl around me usually just use sayings like those stuff came. If said my best friend came would get ppl confused. Lol i think better term would be “wo yuan jia lai le.”
Haha, I’ve never heard that before. I always say “lai shi’er le” (I have a slight Shenyang accent) or “lai li jia le”
I’m almost done. I’m at the part where she finds out that she is pregnant with ZYS’s child. Oh, I’m so mad at him! How could he be so not careful? Did he do it on purpose? Now her dad is basically forcing her to marry him….
Wahhh, ZYS said that he’s only been with two women in his life, her and his previous wife. I was as incredulous as MXL was. He’s too smooth… And I think ZYS just likes being in control too much. Even after he and MXL became bf-gf, he is still really forceful with her, like the time before QMH interrupted them. She was trying to push him away and he get him to stop, but he was still about to. >:O
I almost feel like MXL is crack to ZYS. He’s addicted to her, so he tries all these ways to obtain her. At first he thought as long as he had her body, he would be fine, but then he got more greedy and wanted her entire person. Has anyone watched the k-drama What Happened in Bali? The vicious part of me wants him to lose her like Jae Min lost Soo Jung in the end. I want to see him cry.
Lol, marathoning is such a bad habit. Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure all of us have panda eyes with the speed that we’ve been reading these book. T.T
Haha, when i read it in Cantonese, it sounds like ‘red packet has come’ as in the Chinese New Year’s red packet money.Your family originated from Shenyang? I just bought a ticket for my dad to fly there on Friday.
The guy in Caught in my Own Trap is more likeable than ZYS but I still think he is a jerk. But a handsome & lovely jerk, lol. Yah, ZYS is always very hungry for MXL like he has to eat her for dinner everyday:P I am taking a break from audiobook now, watching my
Roy in Miss Rose. Nice & cute drama which I need to lift my spirit.
Yes, I watched What Happened in Bali? Although the ending is shocking & sad, I still like it. I’ll never forget it. I’ve the VCDs in front of me now, haha…This is one of my fav K-drama that I rewatch:)
I hated Bali’s ending. Made me think wth i don’t like those endings. I thought her talk with that neighbor was so funny and her visit to the pharmacy.
I think he did allow it to happen.He had bs reasoning for that. He’s desperate to keep her. I thought her days with her dad was so touching. Haha her mom wants to chew off Zhao Yi Shan’s head off.
I sort of skimmed around the chapters to get a gist of the story. So let me get this straight. The leading guy married both sisters?! I mean he married the younger sister first, then the older one? So essentially, he has been intimate with both… I don’t know. That sort of makes me go ewwww. If I had a sister, I wouldn’t want to sleep with a guy who has previously done the naughty deed with my very own sister. Ewwww. I don’t mind wearing hand me down clothes from a sibling, but I wouldn’t want a hand me down or “used” guy from my sister. Double ewww.
Haha, did you read my comment? I also feel weird & uneasy on this plot development. The saving grace is the 2 sisters didn’t grow up together & only know about each other existence in their 20s. There is no interaction at all between them. They are blood related sisters with the same mum only. When the older sis & the guy knew each other, they didn’t know she is the elder sis of his wife. In the book, the older sister also find it difficult to accept the guy bcos he is the ex-husband of her sis.
Peanut
Yea, I couldn’t figure out what your comment meant until I skimmed through the audiobook. Why did he and his first wife get divorced anyway? I think she has been away for 3 years? Why? But I still find it hard to accept and very awkward and icky, even if they didn’t grow up together. When did MXL find out about the fact that ZYS was her brother in law? I think I would stop hanging out with him the minute I find out. Ewwwwwwwwww! Doesn’t she ever wonder if the things he did with her in the bedroom have been tried out first with her sister?! That alone can ruin any kind of mood for sex and does not exactly foster a healthy relationship, in my opinion. I can’t stop saying ewwwwww!
She always thought and believed that she was her current parent’s daughters. MXL suspected that ZYS is a married man, but she didn’t know that the woman he was married to was her sister until her birth secret was revealed. They were divorced before she found out. It was also why her mother disapproved, she thought that ZYS had motives for getting close to MXL due to her father and also uncomfortable about the fact that ZYS had been married to MXL’s half sister. I wonder if ZYS ever had a real marriage with MXL’s sister. ZYS and MXL’s sister had a arranged marriage, but early on she’s already escaped to the US after her father got in trouble and she felt embarrassed and wanted to escape reality.
It’s the same question as is it ok to date your ex brother in law? Does the brother in law feel anything weird with dating the woman his brother was previously married to? I think it’s all personal, but you have to consider what other family members feel about it. In MXL’s case, she doesn’t need to think about her half sister because she doesn’t even know she exist. Her mother was not ok with it, but later she is ok with it. If she can get over that weird relation than I guess it’s alright. Your sister is like your closest best friend, so what’s the difference between dating your best friend’s ex husband? or your Cousin’s ex husband? I think it’s awkward to be intimate with the ex-husband of anyone I know. To an extent it’s even awkward to date your sister or friend’s ex boyfriend even.
Yup, I was born in Shenyang, but none of my family lives there anymore. They moved to various cities in Liaoning. If you don’t mind me asking, where do you live Peanuts? (Obviously not in the US :P)
I’ve totally given up on TW dramas. I haven’t found one that I’ve liked in several years. I used to only watch TW dramas, but I think I’ve matured and can’t sit through that cute fluff anymore.
I don’t want them both to end up dead, I just want to see ZYS cry. I finally finished and I think he had it wayyyyyyy too easy for what he put her through. It’s like MXL getting pregnant just solved all of their problems when it didn’t solve anything…
Also, I felt that the last scene showing how unhappy ZHZ was with his family was kind of unnecessary. But MXL, ZXM, and ZYS make such a cute family. If only I could have forgiven ZYS for what he did…
I loved several scenes from this book:
Buy 4 condoms get an umbrella free deal. (ZYS is so evil, hahaha)
When MXL bought birth control and ZYS took them away from her, saying that they weren’t good for her body, he’ll use protection instead. (Showing his considerate side)
That time when QMH invited ZYS and MXL to dinner and ZYS realized that MXL had just showered, which made him incredibly jealous. (Showing how much he noticed her, he even knows how she smells after she showers.)
When MXL and ZYS were at the supermarket and ZYS’s co-worker thought that MXL was ZYS’s niece. Hahaha, and of course ZYS tried to MXL that he wasn’t as old as she thought, but got interrupted by QMH.
Still, I find it hard to forgive ZYS for what he did to MXL. For some reason, I wasn’t too bothered while I was reading those scenes (maybe because I was warned by those your comments) but I was really angry that ZYS got everything he wanted while MXL was forced into each situation, seemingly against her will. I felt that the conclusion of the story was too rushed. And I still want to know who her father is!!!!
7/7
I sound like a stalker, but I know can guess where Peanuts is from because I check the google analytic every day. lol
I’ve also given up on TW drama, I always want to try it again, but non of them really was able to captivate me through the whole story. Even Autumn Concerto was not able to fully capture my attention. My modern diet is mainly made up of Kdramas (the 16-25 ep ones). Sometimes the special projects that are 30-60 are alright too. Sometimes I also find myself watching those long housewife dramas that I wonder if they put a subconscious message in it that says “watch me, continue watching me.” TW dramas can’t do that to me though.
But lately my drama watching are very half hearted, if you can find a drama that can capture your soul let me know. These audiobooks are too addicting that I think my ears will go bad. Now I dunno if my eyes going blind is worster or my ears going deaf. haha Peanuts should be more bothered by this since she marathons a whole lot more than I do. lol
That ZYS weaseled his way into the type of ending he wanted. He didn’t cry, but I thought that after MXL agreed to marry him unwillingly under the persuasion of her foster father, that night when he hugged her to sleep and she told him that she still felt that she hated him. I felt that he was hugging an empty shell. Kind of like that, you can have her body but not her heart kind of situation. It must have emotionally felt like holding a ice cube. He can manipulate situations to happen, but he still can’t change how she feels about him even though we know that eventually he will soften her heart towards him. I think this story is meant to make you feel unable to fully forgive him even in the end because that’s how MXL feels.
I was bothered and shocked by those scenes because I was the first to read it since A’Shou did the audiobook and I couldn’t pass by any books read by her.
I actually wasn’t too bothered by ZYS being with MXL who happened to be the half-sister of his ex-wife because MXL didn’t even know about her supposed half-sister. They didn’t even meet before and she doesn’t really see the girl as her sister. She sees her foster parents as her real parents, while her birth mother as merely an aunt. I can definitely see where you are coming from, but while reading the novel, it didn’t seem icky at all. Well, their relationship was icky because ZYS was married and raped MXL, while she stayed with him so he would agree to help her father, but not from the pseudo-incest perspective.
I think so too. If you knew all along that’s your brother in law and see him as your B-I-L than it’s awkward because the likely choice is you wouldn’t choose to be with this man out of the many out there to choose, but if you didn’t than he’s pretty much someone who just crashed into your life.
The mom, I feel bad for her birth mom because she really did want to keep her, but her grandfather made the decision without her consent and told her she died after birth. I thought it was so funny when MXL’s father sent all those ppl who played a part in her unhappiness into bad offices even though it wasn’t what MXL wanted. Each one came back begging her. Qiao Ming Hua was funniest, poor guy wasn’t exactly involved I think.
I have to put in a little comment about MXL’s best friend, she was my most liked character after MXL. I liked her alot for her support, she’s the best model of a best friend.
Hehe, I don’t mind disclosing where I live bcos I suspect Chancy has already found out:) I live in Sydney, Australia. Oh, I used to wish that I live in US when I was obssessed with US tv/movie:p But I am glad I live near Asia now as I get to fly there cheaply twice a year to stock up on my food, clothes & DVDs:)
I am also not tat into T-drama but I make an exception for Roy’s one, haha..I am also into modern K-drama. I can’t get into ancient K-drama because probably bcos of the cultural different. I dislike the guys’ pregnant looking costumes:P I eat HK dramas for dinner nightly so I am a TVB expert:)
Yes, I just marathon a new book last night:( Even after I stopped listening to the audiobook, I can’t sleep thinking of the book:( It is affecting me badly. I am so tired now, suffering from blue Monday:(
LOL at the men’s hanbok. I totally agree that it does make them look pregnant. 😛
I’m not exactly a fan of Roy, I’ve only seen him in the few episodes I watched of Invincible Shan Bao Mei and I never thought he was good looking. But then, in my eyes, everyone pales in comparison to Wallace Chung and Huang Xiao Ming. 😀
What book are you marathoning? I need recommendations for my next book, because I’ve finished the two I started last week.
I’ll recommend you either To Our Eventually Lost Youth which is more angsy but do have some humour & sweet moments or Caught in my Own Trap which is less angsy & more humourous. This is a matter of personal preference & depending on your mood. Lost Youth is a very good book on the process of growing up. You might not be able to get into the book immediately as it takes time to identify with the characters. But once I got in, I feel so much for them. You need to read this a bit heavy book slowly to savour & reflect on it. Whereas Trap is an easier book to read & marathon as it is a bit fluffy & you don’t need to use your brain much. There are many sweet moments also & the build up to the reveal of the secrets. My advice is read both books:)
I do agree with you that ZYS has it easy with MXL getting pregnant. But, I can see that he does regret what he has done & is remorseful. Plus he really cares for MXL & treats her well so I don’t mind MXL ending up with him. Since it is fated that they should be together with her pregnancy so MXL is making good of a bad situation. No point in staying in the past so better to accept your lot in life & move on & work towards a happy future.
I though it is buy 4, get 1 condom free? I wouldn’t want a free umbrella with the condom brand imprint on it:P I also love the scenes you love as I’ve commented on them:) I think the book concluded on chapter 41 or 42. The last few chapters are epilogues. I will like this book more if ZYS is younger, better looking & didn’t do what he has done, haha…Nevertheless I still like this book:)
Oh! I didn’t realize there were so many responses to this thread since the last time I was here.
Anyway, personally, I think that even though MXL didn’t grow up with her half sister and essentially didn’t “see” her as a half sister, it was still awkward shacking up with ZYS. She cannot deny her relationship to her half sister forever and there will be family gatherings in the future. Imagine how awkward and uncomfortable it would be knowing her sister used to sleep with her husband, knew exactly where her husband’s moles are on his body, etc, etc. You girls get my meaning… Maybe I’m too sensitive, but if I were MXL, I would feel totally grossed out.
However, if what chancy suspects is true and ZYS and the half sister never actually consummated their marriage, then it’s a different story. It doesn’t make him getting everything he wanted after raping MXL fine, but at least, that marrying your ex-brother-in-law factor is out of the equation. So DID ZYS and the half sister consummate their marriage? Does anyone know? Plus, what was the half sister’s reaction after finding out that she had a half sister (MXL) and that half sister was marrying her newly divorced husband? I find it weird that this whole situation was not addressed at all by MXL, ZYS, and the half sister. At least, the mother had the correct initial reaction – disapproval.
As for ZYS, I don’t really like the guy, and it’s not just because of the rape he committed. He hasn’t really convinced me that he loves MXL. It’s always about what HE wants. He lusts after her, so he rapes her. Then, he decides that he loves her, so he “accidentally” gets her pregnant so that he could tie her to him forever. If he truly loves her, he would have given her the chance to CHOOSE rather than force her into reluctantly marrying him. Did he ever stop to think that she might have been happier without him in her life?
Hey, by the way, does anyone think the voice actor for ZYS has a creepy voice? For some reason, his voice gives me goose bumps, and not in a good way.
Is ZYS not very handsome? I seem to remember Peanuts commenting on his un-hotness. 😀 I must have missed the characters’ physical descriptions in the audiobook. Is MXL beautiful? I care less about ZYS’s age, though. 37 is not that old, as there are plenty of couples with a 10 year age difference. I’m being biased, because Wallace Chung is 38 (?) and I think he looks incredibly hot. 😀
Hey, did you read my comment on his voice giving me the creep, lol? Chancy said he is the audio book voice for that creepy guy in Sealed with a Kiss, that drama with Hawick. Btw I am listening to another of his audio book called Crazy Love, you interested, haha?
I think I heard MXL commented that he is fat or something to that effect. Anyway ZYS’s colleague mistaken MXL as his niece, wahaha…Better get Chancy to confirm as my Mandarin is not any better than you.
Don’t really know for sure about the half sister’s marriage with him. For sure is there will very no family meetings. The half sister was kept from knowing about having another sister. Mai Xiao Liang’s real parents can not be publicly revealed even to immediate family members because it will conflict her father’s current position. Her mom is just referred to as an auntie and her father is just known to public as Zhao’s boss.
I agree that mxl should have a choice, but this novel is showing the shady side of society and humans so that’s why so and so happens.
Zhao Yi Shan is suppose to be very handsome. That was also why her half sister was so persistent in marrying him regardless of him only seeing her as a little sister. Xiao Liang only said he was heavy, but that’s normal because what man isn’t heavier than a woman. Heavy=fat that was zhao’s joke. Body mass can be composed of muscle too bot only fat. Lol
raspy voice was reader’s problem. He sounded much better towards the end. I think when he is undergoing extreme emotions his voice is like that. =P
Xiao Liang i don’t recall them saying she is beautiful. I think she’s alright only. Probably has a prideful air around her because she use to be rich before her dad had affair. I think the guys all like her because she is cool? In the beginning Zhao said why everyone was crazy about her as if they were on crack. Than he kissed her. Haha
Boo boo. Do actor matter very much? Maybe right? If a handsome actor plays a role might change our feels towards a character in more positive light. I actually think Wallace would fire up this role. Haha
Huh, you want Wallace to act as a rapist? No, way:( Anyway I agree with you. Not only handsome actor, it must be an actor that I like. As I said if HXM is Chen in Eventually Lost Youth, I’ll ship him instead of LJ:P
Ha! Of course, which actor plays the role of ZYS matters! Right now, Wallace Chung can do no wrong in my eyes, so if he’s ZYS, then suddenly I would be pushing MXL toward ZYS. What ZYS wants, ZYS should get! 😀 But if it were some other actor playing ZYS, especially if he’s someone I don’t find very hot, then ZYS should be whipped for what he did to MXL. I’m a totally impartial viewer, of course. :p
I skipped around this story so much that I’m unclear on how ZYS and MXL met. Can someone clue me in? Also, does anyone know about which episode they bumped into ZYS’s colleague and the colleague thought MXL was ZYS’s niece? I want to listen to that part; it must have been funny.
If ZYS were that handsome, why does he have to force himself on MXL? Can’t he have any woman he wants, as handsome men tend to get more attention from women?
Why did ZYS and MXL’s half sister get married in the first place anyway? If ZYS only saw her as a little sister, why did he agree to the marriage? And why did she run off to the US? So ZYS is saying that he has been faithful to the half sister during those 3 years she was gone, and then suddenly one day, he decided to rape MXL? This guy seriously sounds shady, unless if he’s played by Wallace Chung, of course. Then, he would be shining star. :p
I must have missed your comment about the voice actor’s creepy voice. Haha. I guess the same type of voices creep us both out.
You can’t tempt me to listen to audiobooks that easily. I’m completely loyal to the Jin Mi story that xia0yuer is translating right now. I’m steadfast, I’m unmovable. 😀
Man, Peanuts, you are so shallow. So shallow. You shouldn’t just judge a man by his handsome face. Don’t forget to make sure he has a hot, lean, muscular body also. 😀
Hey Mel, aren’t you the pot calling me the kettle black:P? FYI, I don’t fancy beefcake, lol. You are not steadfast & you are movable when it comes to Wallace:)
I don’t like beefcake, either. I like well-toned, leanly muscled men, not the ones with gross bulging veins and muscles.
I’m immovable, I’m steadfast. Totally and completely. 😀
I bet chancy means that Wallace can handle a controversial role and turn it to his favor. 😀
Ok ok, you are immovable & steadfast in your love for Wallace:P
How Wallace can turn a rapist role into his favour? Atsu dropped this book bcos of ZYS. I bet my last dollar he’ll never take on such role that will affect his clean cut image. Probably it will be tone down to become consensus:P As you said, he is so handsome, why need to rape?:P
It’s not that I am defending or like ZYS’s character (I think he’s slimy), but changing ZYS and MXL’s initial encounter to consensual would be sort of altering the whole dynamics between the two leads. Therefore, I think it’s a bad idea. But you’re right; Wallace would never agree to take such a role. The character is too controversial and I’m sure ZYS’s actions would offend a lot of female viewers. With that said, I kind of do NOT want him to only take goody goody roles.
Wow the comments on this thread are really awesome! I can’t say I like it in the end, although I thought it was well written with very clear character set ups and a very strong point of view from the author. Probably, the saddest happy ending I’ve ever read?
Oh decembi, you found your way to this controversial book. I’ve written all I wanted to say in the comments above so I don’t have much to say. Also, bcos I’ve forgotten most of the story. I don’t feel this is the saddest happy ending. It is not ideal but it could be worse. I guess one needs to forgive and forget to move on in life, no point crying over spilt milk. Also, her ex-bf is not someone I can ship. Btw, I listened to the audio book which sounded real enough to scare me, lol. Let Me Look at You, the novel I recommended you has a storyline that is a bit similar but with more depth.
Hey peanuts, I was browsing through SSB and decided to read it because of all the comments (fantastic discussion above). One of the comments from the forum I read it from that really struck me was that – ultimately, it was still unrealistic, because the male lead fell in love with her. In real life, the male lead won’t have fallen in love with her.
If this was a social satire, it failed. If this was a dramatic novel, it failed. If this was a love story trying to explore the concept of cinderellas in a corrupt society, then I suppose it gives me food for thought. And, it made me realise, that you can’t have a corrupted cinderella, and you can’t have a corrupted prince – a subverted cinderella gives one no pleasure at all. At the end of the day, you have a cinderella who could have fallen in love for her prince – if, he did not commit the act of violence. But, a corrupted cinderella is no cinderella at all. There was honesty at the end of the novel (which is rare for these kind of love stories), that there was always be hate, and you can’t erase what is done. But, I never felt the love from the prince, and still find it kind of horrifying that he used a baby to keep his cinderella with him. A stockholm syndrome love story.
This is a mixed bag, not your normal romance novel. Maybe it tried too hard to be too many so the msgs are confusing. I listened to the audiobook so my interpretation may be different. I feel the male lead may not love her but he does like her. He is just being selfish and impatient, thereby jumping the gun way too early. Ideally love should be giving and patient but not everyone think alike. In fact I feel he loves her in his possessive way.
Actually I feel this novel is rather realistic in that you may want to forgive & forget but it is impossible to do that unless you lose your memory. Whatever good impression she initially has of him vanished when he forced himself on her. Yet, she agreed to be with him bcos she is realistic. With the baby, her age, status & family condition, she decided to settle with him. In life, many ppl settle for 2nd best. As a detached observer, we can analyse & be rational but the victims cannot think or think differently as you would have read in the paper of some victims willing to marry the perpetrators.
I like what you said, peanuts :). I hope this will be the saddest happy ending I ever have to read. I need my fluff!
Come on, after so many fluff, you need to get back to reality:P Aren’t you checking out Su Su for your fluff? You want another boss & staff fluff, lol? Have you read my pickled fish?
More fluff! Heheh haven’t read the other Su you recommended. Read 2 of Su Su’s — her stuff is a mixed bag, really funny but also nonsensical haha. Yes, more! Oh I read your translation of pickled fish on your blog before (super awesome), and read the real thing, but dropped me after the boss confessed! It got dry afterwards I think. Haha.
I absolutely love these comments, they often prove more interesting than the novels themselves!
Such a shame I’m Chinese useless but hope that one day someone will be kind enough to translate and share these novels.
Hello thundergirl3,
I agree! Lots of these comments are why I read some of the c-novels on shusheng bar :). Check out the english translation page here if you want to read some english translations of c-novels. If you like modern ones, peanut’s blog has the wonderful Come Eat Shan Shan!
Hi decembi
Thank you for the recommendation. I have to confess I ‘devoured’ Come Eat Shan Shan (English Translation). I read it in one sitting. Fortunately, I happen to chance upon the novel toward its completion otherwise I would been searching high and low on the internet for more information and finally would have resorted to “Google Translation”.
I’m afraid I’m not very patient. I’m the first to put my hand up – guilty as charged as I’m one of those readers who like to skip to the end and check to see if it’s a happy ending. My favourite fairy tale is Cinderella so no introduction is needed to know that I’m a sucker for romantic and happy endings.
So right now I’m trying to listen to the audiobook in conjunction with Google Translation but my Mandarin is very limited *sigh*.
I commend the translators, they work so hard to share their interests and I’m very grateful, although a little envious because they get to read so many wonderful c-novels.
All right…back to my Google Translation
BTW: I’ve read some of Mz Koala’s novel translations and now eagerly await for her next instalment pf Lost You Forever
Hey thundergirl3,
I’m glad you love Come Eat Shan Shan! I devoured it too. Peanuts and lidge’s translations are very good :). Besides this translation, I think the only other completed english translation project I know of is hamster’s fantastic Three Worlds Three Lives, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms.
Shall await to hear your thoughts when you finish this! I still think this is a corrupted cinderella fairytale haha.
And, hi5! I love romantic fluff.
hey decembi
Really?! Three Worlds Three Lives, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms.
Okay I’ll give it a go during the weekend.
I don’t think I can handle too many late nights. No longer a spring chicken so some things just don’t bounce back as well as they use to
Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll let you know my thoughts after I finish reading the novel.
Cheers
I decide to check out this novel as someone compare Zhao Yi Shan to my beloved Mo Shao Qian……I think the only similarity is that both men have very unwilling bed partner initially and the 10 years age gap. ZYS is a very rational man without all the emotional baggage of MSQ. He thinks through, he analyses, he plans then executes. Hence I am fine with his 180 degree change in personality after he decided to pursue Xiao Liang sincerely. Before he first bed her, he already confessed his interest in them dating for real. And after he knew about his impending divorce, he even proposed marriage should XL becomes pregnant. That’s being responsible…He grew up with Zhang Huai Zhi and the Qiao siblings so it make sense for him to have poor impression of XL from those bad rumours cook up by the parents…I actually like the playboy Qiao Ming Hua. He is such a nice friend to XL and despite his incapability at work, he tries his best to help. I hope he never end up with that LiBiBo but instead the florist friend of XL. His sister, Ming Liang, however is a terrible women…her behaviour is just insane and I can foresee her loveless marriage…Xiao Liang birth parents are just so irresponsible and I am glad she never openly acknowledge them no matter how influential they are..How can any woman with sound morale give birth to a bastard fully aware that the biological father is already a married man! Her foster dad is so sweet to her except for his old fashioned idea about having a son. The author description of their intimate moments slowly gets more in depth after ZYS successfully court XL…I believe she is trying to reflect XL gradually forgiving ZYS and loving him. XL might never forgets their initial bad encounter or her sweet first love, but the book ends with HYS happily knowing she is making progress in their r/s. Marriage is a never ending learning process between husband and wife..I like this novel
Hey Snow, didn’t know you are the beast’s fan lol. Then I’ve a book for u, it is rather similar to Sealed With a Kiss but of course not exactly the same. I recommended bongsd to read it & she liked it enough to finish it & wrote me a long summary. Anyway, if you like it, pls post it as both of us are slackers lol. If u dun like it then no need to post it 😛 Name of book: 驯养. The author is 破脑袋, the one who also wrote Beijing Uni, Weak Student. You’ll be surprised at the change in her writing style.
Btw, I notice you’ve been depleting my book resources in astonishing pace, lol. But don’t worry, we still have plenty not posted yet, haha…..
Hi peanut….. Indeed the writing is so different…Our heroine is 30 but her charecter is so erratic, at times mature at times so plain dumb….”Beast” here also lacks the complexity of MSQ that attracts me. Unlike MSQ who have kept TongXue in his view all the years, “beast” just pick her up 7 years later and play ZERO role in her past sufferings…maybe I can’t appreciate the whole story since there are missing chapters from the link I am reading from. I wouldn’t be posting 驯养..the tone of the book just doesn’t flow……but thks for recommending.
Does anyone knows the other link for this ebook?
I try the link above but unfortunately i have to login first and when i try to register i can’t use my phone number.
@ Tita, if you’re looking for a new link, you can try the following:
http://91baby.mama.cn/thread-544061-1-1.html
http://www.sto2.cc/48308-1/
Hope it helps! 🙂
@dramabooksandtea thank you very much! 😉