The Youthful You Who Was So Beautiful

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Is there a possibility, that love doesn’t exist in the world?

Adapted into a movie, Better Days with Jackson Yi and Zhou DongYu.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Better Days
In His Youth, In Her Beauty
YYSB
少年的你,如此美丽
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Mulberry Song (1)
One Life, One Incarnation – Beautiful Bones (1)
The Probability I Can Kill My Wife Without Being Found Out (1)
Please Give Me Love (1)
NPC Town-building Game (1)
I Dedicated the Dimension to the Country (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. tragedy
  2. Memorable Reads
  3. Modern Romance
  4. Because of drama
  5. c novel

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/21/20 Dramas, Books & Tea epilogue 2
04/14/20 Dramas, Books & Tea epilogue 1
04/08/20 Dramas, Books & Tea c29
03/31/20 Dramas, Books & Tea c28 part3
11/08/19 Dramas, Books & Tea c28 part2
10/31/19 Dramas, Books & Tea c28 part1
10/23/19 Dramas, Books & Tea c27
07/27/19 Dramas, Books & Tea c26
06/05/19 Dramas, Books & Tea c25
05/21/19 Dramas, Books & Tea c24
05/15/19 Dramas, Books & Tea c23
05/17/16 Dramas, Books & Tea c22
05/01/16 Dramas, Books & Tea c21
04/24/16 Dramas, Books & Tea c20
04/16/16 Dramas, Books & Tea c19
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45 Reviews sorted by


makenai89
makenai89 rated it
April 16, 2016
Status: --
Reviewed at 18, rated 5.

This novel told the story of a girl and a boy who coincidentally met at a crossing point of their life. Due to some circumstances, the girl was heavily bullied by her (ex) classmates. It was seriously bloody bullying, but nobody can help her; her mother was absent, her teacher could only offer words of comfort, even police’s protection was unable to sufficiently cover her. When everything seemed bleak, the boy who was a local gangster became the only one who could provide for her. However,... more>> the threat of bullying continued hanging over their heads. Additionally, the two of them since the beginning had aimed at different direction; how would it be possible for their story to end happily?

The Youthful You Who Was So Beautiful is another beautifully poignant novel that was maligned by unreasonable one-star rater here. So far, it’s actually a good one with solid plot and steady pace. The emotions invoked by the story are so real; the helplessness that the character faced, the dilemmas which the characters as children were unable to solve, the desperation and struggles... it’s all narrated very well by the author. The novel’s hooks are also carefully placed here and there... you won’t be able to resist not coming back once you started reading it. <<less
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jennamt4
jennamt4 rated it
October 2, 2019
Status: Completed
I read up to Ch 26 and then MTL the rest. Give this novel a try, I promise you won't regret it. I cried in many scenes and still cry when I re-read certain parts again. It's a gritty, angsty novel in a high school setting with dark subject matters like extreme bullying and r*pe. The love and devotion between the main leads is so deep and quite profound.

The ML, Bei Ye was such a well-written character and this story still resonates with me even after all this time.

... more>>
Spoiler

Our MC is a young girl who lives alone in the city for school since her mother lives in the country to make ends meet. She ends up witnessing the death of a classmate. The instigator bullies the MC to keep her mouth shut. One afternoon, on her way home, she encounters a gang beating up a boy. She normally minds her own business but as she walks pass them, she takes her phone out to call the police. When the gang sees this, they attack her too. They force the MC and the boy to kiss. Later they see each other. The boy is a member of another gang and on that particular day, he was sick so he let them beat him up. She asked the boy for protection from her bullies. He would walk behind her every day to and from school. She becomes deeply dependent on him and they start to fall in love. He will make sacrifices for her after a big incident that happens towards the end. The ending isn't conclusive.

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The book has been adapted into a movie called Better Days. <<less
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littleshisenki
littleshisenki rated it
February 24, 2017
Status: --
Although the summary above is a little bit peculiar—does not contain a bit of background and curiously just a simple question in matters about love—it actually gives justice about this novel's substance as a story. It wasn't just about a silly encounter of a boy and a girl where eventually love would bloom between these young youths (or so how usual romance would go). The plot didn't stopped only to that setting field. It was even bigger than anyone would expect. It was not all about just loving someone but... more>> it was all about growing up into a capable adult or wishing to grow up becoming a better person. It's that development that attracted me the most about their connection with each other. Aside from that, kneelex on the side is highly recommendable while reading this story. <<less
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qnl.010997
qnl.010997 rated it
November 27, 2019
Status: Completed
I actually came across this novel when I checked out the information about Better Days (2019). I thought of checking out what is the movie about before actually watching it and not just watch it because of the cast... (Btw, Bei Ye is played by Jackson Yee and Chen Nian is played by Zhou Dongyu) The movie is wonderful and touching so I thought of reading the novel. Since the movie is adapted from this novel, the novel can't be that bad right?

The novel impressed me even more and the... more>> story line is slightly different from the movie but still the main point is still there. I never regret giving this novel a try and I finished it in one day since I can't stop reading the chapters one after another. The story line is realistic and some scenes made me cried. Bei Ye is so sweet towards Chen Nian!

You should really read the novel even though the summary is a bit... and watch the movie too (if you want) because both novel and the movie's ending is different so it depends on your own's preference. Give both of it a try and I bet you never regret it~ <<less
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Y.HL
Y.HL rated it
June 8, 2020
Status: epilogue 2
A raw, harsh and realistic portrayal of high school bullying where friends, parents, teachers and the police have failed to care, nurture and protect.

Amidst the violence, a chance encounter forever changes the lives of two seemingly very different people: a studious stutterer with a bright future, and a delinquent without any future prospects. One trusts and the other protects as they struggle to live under harsh conditions, where sacrifice isn't noble idiocy, but a thoughtful and selfless gift of kindness, hope, acceptance and love.

It's nuanced, poignant, contemplative and beautiful, and... more>> asks difficult and thought-provoking questions about the paradoxes of life. <<less
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eatasalad
eatasalad rated it
November 3, 2019
Status: Completed
This story gave me the feels. The deep, deep feels. For anyone who's looking for quality writing/translated novels with a plot that pertains to the realities of life, then this is for you.
7 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Novelmaster19
Novelmaster19 rated it
June 9, 2019
Status: Completed
Looking at the summary, I was hesitant to start reading this, but I'm glad I did.

The characters are wonderfully depicted and their personality is not without flaws and that's what makes them even more realistic and loveable.

The storyline is very realistic and tackles issues that are not often talked about or just brushed over in other novels. This story had me crying several times and usually, I hate re-reading stories since I would already know how everything works out in the end, but the words and the atmosphere the author... more>> uses made me read some chapters over and over again countless times. <<less
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znukhsoc
znukhsoc rated it
March 11, 2022
Status: Completed
I couldn't feel anything for the characters in this story, it was a good one alright for a while but even before that point, there was something missing that I couldn't quite describe... Maybe it was the characters who take themselves serious all the time, maybe it was the coldness this story is giving me, maybe it was the FL's unlogical actions in her panic state. (which is quite natural, right, it is supposed to not annoy me) It was told like a romance but actually a mystery... Then...
... more>>
Spoiler

The ML's absurd false confession happened. That was just too much self-sacrifice. It was not necessary. Just before FL's exams on top of that. Clean bullsh*t just to create more tragedy. Don't like it. Interrogations were so annoying that it made me drop one more stars.

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Out of story writing, it is a 3 but out of enjoyment, and because of the unsatisfying end it's a 1 star for me. Since it's definitely not going into the bad writing category I involuntarily have to give it a 2. <<less
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whitespade
whitespade rated it
April 8, 2020
Status: c29
If you don't cry at least three times in this novel you are a monster. The bullying here is so heartwrenching and the uselessness of the school and the apatheticness of society is even more disgusting than the bullies themselves.

Their love reminds me of the manga Mars. A good child and a rebellious kid uniting together as one soul, its very moving and you will feel sad you will never have the same great love as them.

The mystery and the investigation is very interesting, actually you will never know in... more>> the end what is the real truth of the case.

The end is bittersweet, but I think its a happy ending as they will always have each other. <<less
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SuckerForHEs
SuckerForHEs rated it
November 18, 2020
Status: Completed
I don't think I'd ever come across something so beautifully horrifying. This book is art, the translator is my god.

Both the main leads and the cop, are human. I know it's a very random thing to say. But when you read and go through what happens and how they think about every issue and situation, you will come to realise that they aren't just some characters you can love, they are real people, who have gone through unbearable pain and somehow found it in them to persevere and become better.

Chen... more>> Nian- you are a goddess. To go through what you did, to move forward knowing that you had to accept the injustice done to you and be the better person, I don't think anyone could have done it but you.

Bei Yi- the only reason I believe that there will be light after darkness. The only reason Chen Nian is a goddess and will remain to be one. The amount of love I felt for him is unspeakable.

Honestly, if your happy endings are that the main couple end up together, when you even start to read this masterpiece, you know, no matter what they will be together till the end of times. Because that's just what they symbolise to me- true, utterly pure, unadulterated love.

This book is so thought provoking. It's enough to make you cry at 4 am in the morning and continue to think about what would have happened if Chen Nian hadn't met her Bei Yi. Something I shudder thinking about.

Below are just some of the words that left a deep impression on me, since everything about this book leaves an impression-

Spoiler

Forgiving the crimes committed by children and youths, and granting them an opportunity to turn over a new leaf, was a form of kindness extended by adult society to children and youths. But, when children hurt children, and youths hurt youths, what should adults in those instances?

What can the adults do for the children and youths who have been hurt? Why did the pain and suffering endured by such children and youths only serve as stepping stones, to help other children and youths grow and mature into responsible citizens? Why did the pain and suffering endured by such children and youths serve as the symbol of the transformation of wayward children and youths into prodigal sons and daughters?

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The last epilogue- the letter Chen Nian writes is perhaps the most beautiful and most painful thing I've read. She knows that all she got in return of her brutal encounter was injustice- but she still understands why the law works the way it does, Why it is more rehabilitative than retributive, and what more, she even understands the beauty of it. <<less
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amruta
amruta rated it
January 9, 2020
Status: Completed
This was a roller coaster ride of emotions.

All the characters are so human. Hated the bullying students. Despicable. I pray that these horrible students exist only on paper and not in real life. That would be tragic.

The FL and ML are so strong. Their love is pure and beautiful. The ending is bitter sweet. Zheng Yi is that one person we wish we had in our corner.

The translation is excellent and special thanks to Asada for finishing the last chapters. Thank you.

Don't miss this.
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tedy2004
tedy2004 rated it
October 27, 2020
Status: Completed
Honestly, the fact that r*pe tag was there I didn't try to read this novel for many days as I do to many. But I gave it a try, altough the r*pe was there, but it wasn't detailed, meaning it was just told, not the writing experience by the victim's narration in the process... of it.

... more>>
Spoiler

It tells at police station, about the victims.

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Spoiler

The novel is good, with it's dark theme about reality, which exists because... bullying exists even now, and at least, now many people, in the present, realise that bullying is not a funny joke at all, it's a serious bad deed.

Chen Nian (1 friend and another friend after some time I think) and Bei Ye (friend? no, this guy isn't a friend after what he did, ? and another +1 friend) - two teenagers who both had broken hearts by the fact that they were alone even with their circle of friends and no support emotionally from their family's, because most people don't tell everything to their friends, so both Chen Nian and Bei Ye formed a connection of dependence with trust from Chen Nian and protection from Bei Ye, and then fell in love. Overall, with the plot of a case being prolonged a little bit in the late chapters, you will meet Zhang Yi an police officer who intends to resolve a case related to Chen Nian and Bei Ye, honestly for me it wasn't that mysterious, because my guess was right. What shocked me first, at this story, was of how intentionally the author described the world, the school, so dark with barely some flicker of light in it, (and I can even relate to it, maybe you too. (Yes school is like a prison, but a prison where you have to learn for your own sake, where it matures you too, too observe, learn, communicate, etc.).

[collapse]

I recommend the novel if you are in for a Dark Novel, just... the sinful r*pe tag, it gives me an awful taste of how Law is gray too...., really don't want to give it 5 stars for this.

P.S No bed scenes.
Spoiler

Does the FL get r*ped?.... I think so.., I don't think I processed the information well at that moment from the shock I had when I read those events.........

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<<less
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cutecatpawn
cutecatpawn rated it
February 20, 2020
Status: --
Beautiful love story.. You must read it..

Actually, I hope there is more chapter that can give them happy ending.. Maybe, in the movie I will get it? Let's try..
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
OctoberGrey
OctoberGrey rated it
December 30, 2019
Status: c1
This is an absolute gem! Loved the story, characters, the prose - everything was so beautiful and heart wrenching. No wonder it was made into a movie!
Spoiler

And I'm so glad that the novel has a reasonably happy ending

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moonlight22335544
moonlight22335544 rated it
January 8, 2022
Status: Completed
This is the first time I write a review, but this story was truly so beautiful.

I love the whole story, it is very true and very emotional. The portrayal of law and how not everything can be prevented and not all victims are given what they deserve is accurate yet also very sad. However, I do not hate the characters, the story only makes you question how differing opinions can be and that wrong and right cannot be differentiated into black and white either.

More so, I especially love the connection... more>> between Chen Nian and Bei Ye. There love is so innocent and simple but at the same time life is difficult and harsh on both of them.

As a minor myself, I feel like many of the emotions and thoughts brought across in this short novel are very realistic and they cut straight through to my heart. Many themes are written about in this novel, focusing on youth and the hardships during this time.

This review isn't meant to spoil and this novel isn't supposed to be focused on some overpowered protagonist. It's a lovely story which explores the sorrows and yet happiness life brings at the same time and is definitely worth reading. Writing quality is simple and very good for a short novel.

Go read it 😊👍 <<less
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hpae
hpae rated it
September 24, 2021
Status: c1
Wow! Great translation of a wonderfully poignant and rather gritty depiction of slice of life.
I enjoyed the movie but the story was so much ‘more’. I cried +++. Thank you translator. I hoped you do see more of your work in the future.
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Seshiru99
Seshiru99 rated it
August 21, 2021
Status: c1
I've read this three times but the feeling is still there. It still made me cry a river. Also, if Bei Ye isn't the best male lead out there, then I don't think no one is. Because he's the bestest! I've read so many novels, mangas, manhwas and manhuas but Bei Ye is truly... I have no words for him. He's just... he... he made me love his character so much (Xie Jing Xing, I'm sorry, my love) And Chen Nian... she's so strong.. and beautiful... She's magnificent in every... more>> way.

This story had blown my mind and I cried for days. Even when I told my boyfriend about this story, I was crying like crazy. <<less
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Nyaa.23
Nyaa.23 rated it
June 5, 2021
Status: Completed
Pros:

It's so beautiful. I feel like reading an antique book about human beings. The outer looks nice but inner was phenomenal.

Slice of life. It really is an eye opener about how you could write a bullying story. Many times when I read this, feelings just swept me off my feet.

... more>> MC and ML relationship is to die for. They are immature teenagers yet mature at the same time. They are just relatable.

Cons:

The feelings you got could be overwhelming. Remeber to read a heartwarming one after this one. It was like drinking a bitter coffee. You might enjoy the taste, others might not like the taste. But once you tasted it, you got addicted. <<less
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xione
xione rated it
January 2, 2021
Status: Completed
I dont know how I managed to survive this novel🤧🤧 its so heart wrenching, yet, so beautiful at the same time😭
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
acetylcoa
acetylcoa rated it
December 20, 2020
Status: c1
Did not expect so much of the plot to be centered around crime and mystery. I didn't really feel the angst unlike other readers, but the translation was excellent so kudos to DBT!
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