... So I've adopted another son yet again after reading this novel lol (why write pitiful MLs? My innate mother's instinct can't handle it...)

Anyways, since there's no review yet, let me drop one here to promote and share this masterpiece with you all, spoiler-free :)

------
Overview:

Pretty much the synopsis up above is accurate—until you read on and slowly get to know the two main protagonists, that is.

This is a mystery-solving story, revolving around solving a mu*der case being handled by policeman Meng Zhao (MC) together with his former high school classmate Lu Shichen (ML) — who unintentionally (intentionally?) got involved with the case.

Together, they slowly unravel the mystery surrounding a mu*der case. But as they dig deeper, more dark and sinister plots and crimes seem to be involved. Like a spider web being pulled, it seems this case is just the tip of the iceberg...

------

Managing Expectations:

- Meng Zhao (shou/uke) - a hot-tempered, handsome policeman with a strong sense of justice. This baby suffered so much, but despite all that, he remained positive. I admire his tenacity so much. If there's one word that's best describe his character, it's the word "admirable"

- Lu Shichen (gong/seme) - my self-proclaimed adopted son no. 254647—ahem, I mean, he's an 'emotionally impaired' financial consultant suffering from semi-amnesia, so what can I say. But despite all that, please don't be fooled. He's really the gong (lol). "Not vegetarian, wild, and sexy" — according to MC (not me, lol). His expression is so hard to read that's why he also ended up listed under MC's 'mystery to solve' down the line

- TRIGGER WARNINGS: mentions of s*xual abuse, su*cide, bullying, sex/child trafficking, violence, etc. Please mind the tags. I will update the tags after writing this review to serve as plot/story content reference and warnings

- although the plot touches serious and sad depressing themes, it's not too overwhelming to the point of suffocation unlike other heavy-plot stories because of the presence of heartwarming scenes and the scattering of sweet and fluffy bits and pieces here and there once in a while (uhh... should I also add hot and sexy stuffs as effective neutralizer as well? There's lots, lol)

- has heartwrenching moments and awesome action scenes

- prepare tissue for... uhh... various reasons (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

- 4 volumes (130 chapters + 3 extras). I wouldn't suggest skipping chapters nor do skim-reading because you might miss some important plot points. This is a detective story, after all. But you can skip disturbing/sad moments, though, to spare yourself from the heavy feeling it might cause. They are mostly lump up under specific chapters as explanation to what actually happened

- happy ending :)

------

Overall Thoughts:

What a fantastic read.

I was originally just curious how would a manly policeman and an emotionally-impaired amnesiac will get together lmao...

I mean, one was a veteran police officer, expert in reading micro-expressions, while the other was incapable of expressing emotions and expressions. How cool and intriguing would that combo be? Why/when/how on earth will they end up falling in love with each other in that character setting, given they used to be at odds with each other before their reunion?

I'd say this is a perfectly crafted piece of art. The author's writing style is 100% "show, don't tell". Instead of 'listening' to the author 'telling' you what's happening in a spoon-feeding fashion, the writing style feels like you are there 'witnessing' what's happening, like watching a movie. It's good at making you guess who's the real culprit along with the main characters. The exposition and transition between action and events feel so smooth and immersive all throughout. The characters, ambience, premise, and scenes feel so vivid and alive.

The case's closure was perfectly wrapped up. I commend the author for doing a great job of misleading an overthinking reader like me. Like, just when you think, "Ah, this is probably the culprit!"—the next chapters will prove you wrong. Also, I was laughing myself so hard for being utterly surprised and amused that it took me 128 chapters to get the answer to what's behind that certain wall, which I've been constantly thinking about the whole time lmao...

And about the romance...

Hah, did I mention that this was the part I'm more curious about? I think the author did a great job binding the main protagonists together without looking like they're acting out-of-character, especially on the ML's part. Like, how is he the gong??? I think the ML's personality and disposition design were complicated enough, and yet the author effectively managed to tie his... uhh.. 'feelings of affection' (?) to the MC's while remaining still in-line with his character. I liked how the author took us a tour to both characters' train of thought. I was pleasantly surprised (cuz I didn't expect much, to be honest). It's slow, yet convincing. So with that, I'm giving the author-nim a big CLAP-CLAP

After I finished reading, I thought I should remove the "yaoi" tag already placed there, but their intimate moments were so hot and sexy so I thought it's okay to leave it there. Not to mention I managed to locate the 'deleted' sexy part of Chapter 110 (for censorship reasons, I think), which was posted exclusively on the author's weibo... (curious? If you failed to find it yourself, come shoot me a message. I will share it with you lmao ;)

Prepare for a slight angst BUT it's a happy ending so...

So yeah, this story went straight to my "worth-rereading" drawer. I think the writing was impeccable (if you ignore the myth-buster featured stuffs in some scenes). Maybe my only complaint is: why is this the only 'pure love' story premise from the author's novel archive??? Like I've scanned all their other novels and the rest were just so seriously themed/non-first love I was literally lamenting that I couldn't enjoy and admire their writing more because the premise is not my style ; (No wonder this is the most popular one...

... Anyways! 5/5!

Highly recommended!