u/leahwilde

So after finishing Erha, QJJ and Thousand Autumns, I'm really into very beautiful shou - and I also love when they have non-human or supernatural origins of any sort (divine, fae, demon, spirits, trees, whatever lol).

I'm starting Copper Coins, as apparently the shou is a dragon ! Would you have any recommendation for this soul in need ? 🙏

So a few weeks ago, I made a post asking if Mo Ran was ever getting less awful as a character - I was still at the start of Volume 2 and it was so hard to read.

Well, thank you all for telling me to hang in there ! I've started volume 8 and I've gotten obsessed in a way I never thought I would.

I don't know exactly how Meatbun does it, because I never thought I could become so invested in Ranwan in the first place - I understand the flower now, but still, Mo Ran (Taxian Jun) still did all this stuff and I should want Chu Wanning as far away as possible for him - just for him to be able to start completely anew without the weight of these awful acts that were inflicted upon him. But I truly don't, because I've seen how much passion, devotion and love Mo Ran has for him, how sincere he is, how he has changed (even without taking the flower's influence into account) by sheer force of will, love, and emotional intelligence.

It's hard to put it into words, but their relationship, and the soft redemption arc of Mo Ran, is very profound and touching. It's not in your face, it's a slow path, but the way Mo Ran keeps evaluating his past actions, realising how badly he f**** up, while not always vocally saying it, is nothing short of masterful because it is so very realistic. It is not a single act that suddenly changes all his views and make him into an altogether different character - it's so much more subtle and well done (and I think it's why some readers thought there was no redemption arc for him, when in reality, the entire 8 first volumes at least are literally his redemption arc).

The flower also makes sense to me and doesn't change the importance of this redemption of Mo Ran, all on his own. Because yes, Mo Ran was definitely a victim and he would have never done any of this horrific stuff without its influence - but still, he wanted these things to happen in some way or another in the first place, and he did these acts, so I feel like it's important for him as a character to still have his own little redemption arc before realising a lot of it was out of his control in the first place. It's so meaningful that he did all these change on his own, and thus regained his complete autonomy and the control of his life, before even knowing about the flower.

Also, I must say, I think I've never loved a character as much as Chu Wanning. I think he's so, so human (ironic, given his origins), so beautiful in and out, with his flaws and his incredible qualities. He struck a chord in me, he really resonated in some way - I feel so protective of him, and I feel like he's a character that is quite unique and peculiar (when he could just have been your typical cold-but-loving inside tsundere).

Anyway, just a little rambling to share my thoughts and thank you all for motivating me to keep going ! I'm having so much fun (and pain) here haha

I've been reading The Husky and His White Cat Shizun and I do love the story, dialogues, writing, and the character of Chu Wanning in particular - I feel like I've rarely read a character like him, he's truly quite unique and endearing.

However, and bear in mind that I'm only at the start of tome 2, it is VERY painful to read with regards to Mo Ran. First, he does imply (well, not very imply but outright says) he abused Chu Wanning in horrific ways, including sexually, and so far he doesn't seem to have any regret about it, like, zero guilt. Also, he really does seem persuaded he is utterly in love with Shi Mei, which makes it hard to read lmao.

My question is, at the point in my reading, I'm having difficulty seeing these two ever together in the near future. Does Mo Ran gets "better", on a moral scale? Does he end up sincerely loving Chu Wanning ? I do not want specific or spoilers, I just need to know this to keep on reading and keep on having hope 😭 i do not mind if they are dark or if they have done horrible things to each other in the past (as long as he does end up regretting it), but I do want sincere love at the end of the day 😭

I've just started reading Hui Tian on 98novels and it's very, very good - I don't usually like sci-fi, but the worldbuilding is top notch, and the dynamic between the shou (cold, beautiful, has a hidden past) and the gong (teasing, protective, appears more open but has quite a bit of darkness inside too) is one I particularly enjoy.

I've seen Ronsmei apparently has the rights, but I can't seem to find a physical version yet to buy? Do we have any idea of when they will publish it? Would love to read the official translation and to have it as a book !

Hi ! I'm starting Thousand Autumns and so far, I really love the writing and the way the story is unfolding (currently only at volume 1).

I know the relationship between Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao is supposed to be a slow-burn, kind of enemies-to-lovers dynamic, which I really love.

What I wanted to know though is, more specifically, if you'd consider Yan Wushi as being abusive ? Note that it's not a red flag for me at all, I'll still read it (otherwise I would never enjoy most enemies to lovers lol), but I wanted to know in advance (without being too spoilery), and I was curious about your own opinions as readers !

I've been devouring Ballad of Sword and Wine and dear lord, their relationship is crazy good. I don't think I've ever read anything close to it (I'm on book 5).

I'm also really surprised because I was told the sex scenes were really tame but they're actually quite descriptive lmao - and dear lord, I find Xiao Chiye's behavior in bed so sexy and unlike anything I've read before? He's clearly a dom and rough in his physicality, but at the same time so loving and careful? I feel like it's such a careful balance that could easily have been leaning to far into one thing or the other, but it never does. It's so unique.

Also, his dominance is really restrained to the bedroom - he never seeks to "dominate" Zechuan politically or in any other sphere really, quite the contrary - He's happy to push him above and above, even himself and his own family.

All that to say that I've fallen in love with their dynamic in a way I very rarely does ! Would be happy to hear any of your own views on their dynamic and personalities, if you also enjoy that couple !

What did Laurent mean when he said Govart always wanted to be "behind the door" when he was trapped with him in that jail and trying to bide time in King Rising ?

In your opinion, has Laurent's beauty been more of an asset or a liability in his life?

I personally feel like there are arguments for both, but I would say his appearance has overall probably made his life way more difficult

I was re-reading for the second time A Captive Prince right from the beginning, and oh boy is that second read interesting.

One of the things that particularly struck me is that Laurent was not just a victim of CSA from his uncle - he was sexually harassed by the whole court in a way that is crazy to think about, since a super young age.

It's so prevalent even his own men, who respect him and know how cold/ruthless and skilled at fighting he is, can't keep themselves from making constant sexual comments about him. It's also shocking because 1) he was the literal Crown Prince, soon to be King ; 2) he definitely did not encourage this, in any way, shape or form.

I think the Regent was also responsible for the extent it took. First, in an indirect way, because of the culture he instaured in the Court, with pets and sexual acts becoming even more lewd, open, going from mere suggestions to clear constant orgies. And secondly, because I assume it served his purposes to make everyone see Laurent in a sexual way, in a way that was demeaning to him- a bit like a Pet. It made him look "unfit" for the role of King, because "too pretty", too tied for everyone to a sex object on legs ; and it shook Laurent, because of his own past and disgust for that, and destabilizing him/alienating him from the Court was also another objective of the Regent.

I think it had a HUGE impact on his development, which just get overlooked in analysis about him compared to what happened with his uncle. It really makes you feel for him - he had an incredible mental fortitude to survive like he did in these kinds of circumstances.