Lovely Allergen

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Song Yu has three requirements for Yue Zhishi:

– You cannot call me gege in public.

– We won’t do anything together in public.

– You cannot let other people know you live with me.

Yue Zhishi has always been obediently following these rules. They were practically strangers at school. At the opening ceremony, he suddenly collapsed due to an allergy-related asthma attack, sending everything into chaos. At this moment, the student representative Song Yu suddenly stopped speaking…….

That night, a hot post appeared on the school forum.

【Shock!! Our junior high school department male idol and our senior high school department male idol are actually ‘brothers’!】

—————

Ever since his father brought back a mixed-race baby when he was six years old, Song Yu’s life has been completely entangled by this clingy little guy who couldn’t speak Chinese well.

Le Le who was in kindergarten: Xiao Yu gege, my classmate said today that he has a beautiful sister-in-law. What is a sister in law?
Song Yu: His older brother’s wife.
Le Le: No! I don’t want a sister-in-law!
Song Yu: ……
Le Le: I’ll be your sister-in-law! (Something isn’t quite right…….)
Song Yu: Please study up on Chinese familial relationships.
Le Le: Wait, wait. I’ll be my sister-in-law!
Song Yu: ……

Mouth says one thing but body does another, cat-like gong x mixed-race, obedient and straightforward puppy-like shou.

1. Childhood sweethearts with older gong. Slice of life (with some twists and turns), with a lot of scenes involving eating. Those who like fast-paced stories, be cautious.
2. Shou is in third year of junior high at the start of the story. There is no blood or legal relationship between the shou and the gong. Remember, they’re not under the same household registration book.
3. Gong spoils and dotes on shou. Very strong double sided arrow, essentially younger brother complex x older brother complex.
4. Cute shou, not strong shou.
5. There is a wlw side couple, not much scenes.
6. Please don’t read if you can’t take even a little bit of unexpected events. This is not solely a sweet fluffy novel.

CWs: light PTSD, talk of su*cide/self-harm, talk of death/dying, h*mophobia (from side characters). Please do not read if these make you uncomfortable.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Chất Dị Ứng Đáng Yêu
ke ai guo min yuan
kě aì guò mǐn yuán
可愛過敏原
可爱过敏原
Related Series
Fanservice Paradox (Shared Universe)
I Only Like Your Made-up Persona (Shared Universe)
BE Crazy Demon Survival System (Shared Universe)
Manhattanhenge (Shared Universe)
Recommendations
A Certain Someone (6)
Mint-Stained Shirt (4)
Green Plum Island (3)
Withdrawal (3)
Fake Slackers (2)
Cāi Cāi (2)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Completed
  2. All BL Novels I've Read part (2)
  3. Have Read Pt. 1
  4. To read 2
  5. danmei

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98 Reviews sorted by


LeaVIII
New LeaVIII rated it
March 26, 2024
Status: Completed
3.5/5

I liked it a lot at first, but the writing started dragging after the main couple got together (around 60 chapters in). After the confession, the pacing is excruciatingly slow with lots of odd side-plots thrown in and repetitive jealousy episodes. Example of jarring filler plots: Yue Zhishi is a law student, but for some reason, there's a clothes designing and modeling competition that is about 15 chapters long which, uhhh, where did that even come from. The writing also became more childish near the end, and I have no... more>> clue why. The last 20ish chapters feel very juvenile, with the dialogue between characters and the drama being reminiscent of an overdramatic soap opera.

The novel was maybe 400k words long but it would have been much more interesting and palatable if it had cut the length in half considering most of it is filler.

I also wasn't a big fan of all the s*x scenes having BD*M but that didn't influence my score much. The ML becomes a sad*st during intimacy and I prefer MLs who stay caring the whole way through <<less
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amytranslations
amytranslations rated it
February 20, 2021
Status: Completed
Hello! Translator here :)

Lovely Allergen is, imo, very different from many other BLs currently out there. It's a shame that Zhichu is fairly unknown in the English BL community. This novel is very much slice of life, very soft and (relatively) drama-free. It follows Yue Zhishi and Song Yu through their journey of being "brothers" to a well established, strong couple. The character growth in both of them were a complete joy to read -- Zhichu explores both of their minds so deeply that you get why they think... more>> they do. By the end of it, I was sad to let these two boys go, but at the same time, I was safe in the knowledge they would be happy together no matter what they did.

The two basic character archetypes are this: the strong, ice-cold gong x silly, fluffy shou. But Zhichu draws you in and then expands their personalities far beyond that. It's a rare BL that explores both the MC and ML so well, where you finish the novel and feel like both characters are fully realised people. You follow their hopes and dreams and fears. There are chapters in this that I literally just sat there and cried while I read, because the moments were so painful and yet relatable and true to their personalities. There is no dog blood in this. Everything happens in a very realistic manner.

Don't let the very cute English name mislead you. It is a very soft, very cute (at times) novel, but I would describe this novel more of a character exploration with romance than just a campus romance. It does take a little while to really get started (since Yue Zhishi and Song Yu's initial relationship with each other needs to be established first), but Zhichu makes it worth your while.

s*x scenes were fantastically written and were v hot. Even the kinks relate back to their personalities and anxieties.
Spoiler

There are some light dom/sub elements + gege kink, touched starved, separation anxiety.

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There are some possible TW:
Spoiler

light PTSD, talk of su*cide/self-harm, talk of death/dying.

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The leads from Zhichu's BE Crazy Demon Survival System also cameo in this, and their timelines intertwine with Yue Zhishi and Song Yu's. There are some slight spoilers for that novel in this, but not serious ones.

And FYI -- the best parents in the world can be found in this novel. <<less
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BanniNotBunny
BanniNotBunny rated it
June 13, 2021
Status: c104
I MTLed after chapter 58. Understandable

It's a good novel.

MC and ML are not real brothers, MC is living with ML's family since he was 3years old.

MC is a cute, adorable baby. Everyone loves him. He has a serious brother complex. He is allergic and becomes sick easily.

ML has long been in love with the MC. MC is his allergen.

Confession : ... more>>
Spoiler

Chp 55
Even though YZ was the first one to say He liked him (SY) but it was not one sided at all.
SY is not a typical tsundre ML, he told Le Le honestly about his feelings that He (SY) had liked him for long long time right after YZ's confession. Even though ML has cat like personality but he expresses his feelings to the MC.

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The focal point of the novel is
Spoiler

the complexity of their relationship. Both MC and ML are raised as brothers and everyone around them consider them as such. But they fell in love with each-other and are afraid of disappointing their parents mainly.

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One of the most supportive parents of BL novel.

The novel has no angst, just slice of life. One of the most emotional moment was
Spoiler

when they came out to their parents and the draft letter by the ML. The letter is so touching. It is around 90th chapter

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The smex scenes are explicit. But MTL *sigh*
Spoiler

ML has serious 'bullying during sex' kink not that the MC minds, his speech is cold even during sex

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A good amount of written content about food.

◆◆The author focused too much on their brotherly relationship that I couldn't bring myself to feel so much passionate when they become lovers.◆◆

The novel doesn't live a deep impression but it's a good one.

Note : Author has explained the reason of MC and ML's insecurities and behaviour which is reasonable. Very understandable. <<less
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Ainslee
Ainslee rated it
July 5, 2021
Status: c59
The story was quite good but somehow I felt tired while reading it.

Their relationship was moving at turtle pace - slow. It kinda depressing for me to second guessing what road they'd chose. The slice of life tag in this novel was melancholic. Not even the protagonist cheery personality able to lift up my mood while reading.

(´∩。• ᵕ •。∩`)
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Ritsuka
Ritsuka rated it
September 15, 2021
Status: extra 1
Before I say anything, I need to clarify that this novel does not contain in*est. MC and ML are not blood related. For people like me, who still dislike the grew up together as family but then sudden romance wham plot a lot (like usagi drop), not only were both of our leads knew they were not brothers but also the romance was gradual when they were growing up. So there's nothing to make you uncomfortable and uneasy while reading this!

Moving on to the actual story, this is gonna be... more>> a long review so I hope you'll stick with me:

-So I started reading this thinking it might be highschool romance, but colour me surprised, this was more of a progressive BL going through the junior high to university, mostly about the growing up and lives of our leads. It was about their growing up, becoming mature and struggling through difficulties while coming in terms with the way of the world and their own selves.I honestly quite liked this type of story progression as it showed how the MC felt seeing how the world really works and as he slowly became mature. It wasn't truly a slow progression but in bits and pieces through flashbacks and timeskips telling us what we needed so it didn't make me bored too. The plot can be said to be romance based too, as it focused on the two leads and their love and interactions more too.

-When you think about modern romance, you think of light, cute, pasionate with a dash of angst romance but this romance? It was really quite serious or heavy I dare say! Like ngl I could actually feel their love and pain across the screen. And the author did an awesome work of using the dialogues and atmosphere to make us understand their feelings for each other! So if you are fan of that, I recommend this.

-As usual, this novel too was in 3rd person perspective, but as you know the 3rd person perspective too follows only a single person in other novels like the MC. Only some thoughts of ML are divulged occasionally. But this novel followed both the ML and MC and we delved deep into their mind and heart. Thats why the romance felt deep and natural and I didn't dislike it at all because I could delve into their feelings right from the start and see their thoughts!

-The character setting, deconstruction, development and exploration of the two leads were done really right! The MC was not just a kind cutie. There were reasons why he acted like so which were revealed as the story progressed and I loved how the author slowly solved them, slowly developing his character over the course.
Spoiler

The reason why YZ acted kind to everyone was because he felt like he should payback everyone for being kind to him as he was an orphan and thus he was always trying to please people and never wanting to say no

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The ML is literally one of the best MLs i've seen and I respect the author for that a lot. From the start, he knew he shouldn't have those feelings and then instead of baiting the MC into falling in love with him. He acted with restraint for years to come!Tbh I thought he would the typical cold indifferent ML but damn when I figured that he wanted to distance himself from the MC so he could be an older brother, that the MC loved, for him by deliberately acting cold even tho he didn't want to, I can't say I wasn't moved! And yet he was always weak and helpless to the MC, listening to whatever he wanted and dotting on him. He sometimes wished to be a stranger to MC so he didn't have such burden and could date MC normally but then he was never willing to give up his memories of growing up with him!The author did a great job writing his struggles and even I think he suffered a lot. Like please take notes here! Love is not about total possession and imprisonment! Its about that if you love the other person, you can't bear to see them unhappy even if it means cutting into your flesh! He tried to be the best older brother MC wanted even tho he didn't want to be! Even after he got together with the MC he left him countless ways out telling him if he ever wanted out, he'd still act as his older brother! Wanting to take all the painful stuff to himself! And even when they were dating, he taught the MC that its ok to refuse! That its ok to not please people but be happy himself! Its ok to not take initiative! This man right here is worthy of all my respect! Thats how you love a person! The MC did a great job in healing him too! By always being open about his affections, by being with him in tough times, by telling him to rely on him more, by agreeing with whatever the ML wanted and soothing him! These boys really tug at your heartstrings when you read the novel! You can literally feel that their love is so true and pure!

-The smut *cough cough* is literally sooo good in this one! Like finally!!! After so long I'm able to read real smut, not fade into background!!! And the smut is so kinky! Like they did it all! (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) From handjob, bl**jobs, phone smex to vanilla, spanking, blindfold and even some outdoor activities!!!! TOTAL SATISFACTION!!!! Song Yu was such a dom!! I actually had such fifty shade vibes while reading! But he was always respectful of what Yue Zhishi wanted! Their smut was not based on what truly felt good for both parties and I love that!

-Now lets talk about the side characters and family! For the side characters, each of them felt real and had their own lives instead of just being there for the leads! They were extremely nice people! Jiang Yufan and Qin Yan were such good and loyal friends of MC and ML that they even made me a lil jealous! Ofc there were side characters that were in love with the leads (not gonna spoil who) but they weren't shown to be villains who would lose morals just for love but instead they were highly respectful people who helped the leads in their relationship a lot and moved on with their lives. The uni students were really nice too! I only wish they got more screentime! Since they were so well written! The parents are literally the best parents i've seen in any novel. Period! Not only did they never discriminate between YZ and SY in raising them but they were so affectionate and loving to them like it just melts your heart!!!! And the coming out chapters are reallly heartwarming one that will melt you into a puddle!
Spoiler

Ofc they were hurt and worried but The reason they were worried was not because they were disgusted or anything but because they didn't want their children to be hurt while facing the society and hurt because they didn't even know what their children were going through all those years. They didn't yell at them. Took their time and then completely accepted them showing their support! How effin wholesome is that!!! I look at the parents in 'a certain someone' and then and these wholesome parents! Like just wow! Best parents ever!!!

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-The ending was great! With them going a full circle and overcoming their past traumas and getting motivation to keep moving forward to realise their dreams. They became such a wholesome, fulfilling couole surrounded by their family and friends!

It was a great novel and I recommend it to you all! I did cut one star because the story actually dragged like in the latter half, I mean ok you got the message across that they love each other a lot! I get it! Like I'm the person who likes passionate love stories and wouldn't mind it being mentioned a lot of times. But even to me, it felt really redundant and draggy sometimes when the author just kept and kept mentioning it! So I cut that one star!

Anyway, great story! Please read it! I'm sure you'll fall in love with it and it's wholesome characters!Thank you all for sticking my loooong review lol! Thank you to the author for this story and the translator for enabling me to read this gem! <<less
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secondthots
secondthots rated it
September 26, 2021
Status: Completed
Falling for my bro who's not my bro... properly

AYO LOOK AT THAT COVER ITS SO CUTE!!

If that's not enough bait then let me just tell you there's smut

... more>> Hooked? Niceeee

Not the first time I've read a novel with this kind of premise. I don't gravitate towards the "falling in love with my non-blood related sibling" or the alluded forbidden atmosphere of "in*est" but I read them anyways ;w;

This story lacks the usual manipulative ML that tends to plague these type of plots. In other words, THIS NOVEL IS REALLY GOOD.

Both MC & ML were fleshed out pretty well & I can definitely sense the slowburn tag. There's good depth, a lot of love & longing, a healthy familial relationship, & IT'S ANGST FREE YES! No dog-blood plots, no irrational characters, no nonsensical situations. I really got to empathize with both characters & I love how the author builds their relationship.

Currently contemplating on buying a physical copy later when it launches later <<less
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mYboiS
mYboiS rated it
June 13, 2021
Status: Completed
YOU. HAVE. GOT. TO. READ. THIS. NOVEL!

It's just cute, cute, cute, cute!! You will see why when you read it! And No, it is NOT those cheesy cute novel where they fall in love fast and just spread their sweet love everywhere, nope!

:: Cute, loving, stubborn, naive, one tract mind MC X Cold, but caring fake brother ML ❤

... more>> About an orphan MC. Both parents died when he was 3 so ML's parents took him in.

ok.... the author did such a great job with writing about the feelings of every characters. Like..."how" and "why" the characters act and feel the way they are, are all explained clearly. Especially on MC and ML's part. I don't even know how to explain it, when you read it, you will know. Bravo to the translator too!! 👏👏

Great chemistry and relationship development between our MC and ML. Plot is lovely!

........ If you have read the high rating novel "A Certain Someone, " then Lovely Allergen is somewhat similar to it, but for now, I think I might like Lovely Allergen more. Lol. <<less
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JackieChu
JackieChu rated it
January 5, 2021
Status: Completed
One of the best novels I've ever read.
I won't explain in detail but I strongly think it's worth the read. It's soft, sweet, and fluffy. It also maked me cried a lot.

Their parents are good and considerate....

Something I really like about this novel's that there's no s*upid villains or huge face slapping moments. I mean this's about two ordinary boys that grow up under the same roof together, so there weren't many eventful every single character.

The difficulty they have to face because of their feeling for each other,... more>> and the decisions they have to make through out the journey of growing up. The situations they're in before and after becoming lovers... over all the authors handled it very well.

The MC is sooo cuteeee!! He's nice but not a weakling. As for the ML, he had my full respect! Salute.

Oh yeah, the s*x scenes.....

Spoiler

videocall....

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<<less
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jellyfishies
jellyfishies rated it
April 13, 2022
Status: Completed
Note: I read this in Chinese

It's been a while since I've finished a novel and been left feeling... unwilling. As someone who's read dozens of webnovels, I've gotten used to the whole process of a story's end. Either I bask in a satisfied afterglow, or I cry myself to sleep, or I sigh in relief because I only forced myself to finish out of some sort of self-imposed obligation. Either way, regardless of how good a story is, I've grown out of the early phases where I grew too attached... more>> to let go. At least, I thought I did.

Lovely Allergens doesn't take place in an extraordinary world, and neither does it experiment with any peculiar plot points. It's just a well-written piece of text, telling a well-rounded story, with well-built characters. It doesn't need to rely on attention-grabbing gimmicks because it wins through the quality. On the surface, it's a fluffy light-hearted modern school-setting-ish story about two (NOT BLOOD-RELAtED) brothers who are in love with each other. But in reality, it's a coming-of-age story of Yue Zhishi, and a coming-to-terms story for Song Yu. It's about how one steps out from his childhood trauma, faces his insecurities, and learns that he deserves all the love in the world. And it's about how the other struggles with the despair of his seemingly hopeless love, and slowly start to understand that he does not need to alone shoulder what should be a two-person burden. Yue Zhishi is weak, in many senses, but his weakness which seemed to just be an adorable and taken-for-granted trope at the start eventually made too much sense as more and more of his inner world is revealed. A bright and sunny exterior drapes over his insecure inner world, plagued by the thought that in the end, he's an orphan living under someone else's roof. But after he gets together with Song Yu, the latter loves him, loves him so well that all of his insecurities are slowly erased one by one. Until eventually, he has the courage to even step out of the trauma that haunted him his entire life (in that sense, he's incredibly strong). Unlike Yue Zhishi who only realized his feelings in the first year of uni, Song Yu has long been aware of his own feelings way before the canonical start of the storyline. One of my favorite tropes in these novels has always been a... modified version of mutual pining. A form of mutual pining where only one person is actually aware that he's pining, while the other hasn't realized his own feelings yet. This novel fit right into this trope, and in the beginning I enjoyed the same giddiness that I expected myself to have through how Song Yu undeniably loves Yue Zishi but resorts to every tactic to hide it. Yet, here as well, as we understand more and more of Song Yu, especially after they get together and the author retrospectively reveals some of his point of view during those long years, it kinda just... hurts. His love was strong, yet it was so weak against all the forces of the world. All the cards were stacked against him. Including his own set of morals. And every innocent, admiring, reliant gesture that Yue Zishi made towards him was just all the more torturous. He loves Yue Zishi, yet he could do nothing about it, and neither could he even justifiably start to hope for something out of it. He just sat through all those years caged in those thoughts, plagued by frustration, by depression, by self-hatred, by fury. The author wrote that the most appealing thing about an older lover's characterization is that of restraint. And I truly, truly felt that. The restraint that Song Yu must have had to hold himself together, to keep himself away from Yue Zishi, and even after they first got together, when he was still fearful of crushing Yue Zishi with his too-heavy feelings. There was just so much that Song Yu did for Yue Zishi, silently, hidden, selflessly. Because he loves him too much so he wants to watch over him, yet he loves him too much to let him potentially get hurt. When the two of them came out of the closet to their parents (and by that I mean Song Yu's parents) I was just a total mess. Song Yu's parents were in no way the stereotypical shitty parents that seem to be everywhere in this genre. Instead, the two of them are so loving, so gentle, so respectful (possibly the most loving yet realistic parents I've ever read of). Yet despite how loving they are they were nonetheless bewildered and upset when the two boys they've been raising as brothers revealed they were dating. It was such a painful few chapters. When you can feel that there is so much love in this family, and so they can't bear to hurt each other, but then how much hurt they were directing in towards their individual selves instead. And during that Yue Zishi revealed a lot of things that betrayed his insecurities, that even though he loves this family, and knows that this family loves him, he was still ready to have to leave at any moment. And Song Yu had planned to take full responsibility for their relationship, accept any punishment from his parents, painting Yue Zishi as a victim of his advances. They love each other so much, and because of that they are willing to do so much for each other. But it takes them time to have faith in the strength of the other's feelings, to finally feel secure. It's just, so much. The author is so good at... romantic writing. Not necessarily in the conventional way where it needs to be related to love. She just, takes such an ordinary world and makes it extraordinary. And she pries open these two boy's bond, and displays them in the most delicately-phrased yet potently-felt way possible. And when everything finally seems to resolve, and they're out, and together, and secure, and happy, the story has drawn close to an end. The author uses the chapters fully, and planned out a coherent plot where every single chapter has meaning and impact. I almost wished that she would have dragged it on just a bit more. The love between Song Yu and Yue Zishi was so beautiful, so gentle yet passionate, so pious yet paranoid, so freeing yet controlling. They were two imperfect people who desperately needed each other, and together they painted an alluring picture that I am so unwilling to look away from. But it ended, and I'm so bittersweet. The story flowed softly into an ending, so softly that it doesn't feel like an ending, but as if I have simply blinked, but in that fraction of a second, their little universe has disguised itself from my eyes. Their stories continue on, and I am just no longer an observer. Therefore I'm left with the inability to cry because there was nothing to cry over, but the inability to simply pick myself up and go on, because I know that little universe still exists somewhere.

PS: the s*x is very good :)

PSS: the author is a god pls 楚楚 marry me <<less
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Lea168
Lea168 rated it
October 23, 2021
Status: Completed
3.5/5* - Super sweet romance, but writing was slow and boring!

This is the first time that I really loved the couple, they were the best, yet I was quite bored with the story due to the writing style.

LOVED

... more>> 1. Super great couple! They are so cute together and both very hot. So caring and trusting. Truly the best you can come across in a BL novel.

2. Real characters and realistic setting (ok, if you ignore that both are super looking) !! Upper middle class family. ML chooses a field of study that I haven't heard of before in Chinese novels and I'm glad! MC studies Law. Their family and friends all sound normal and realistic too. No dumb, villainous characters. No dog blood or face slapping.

3. Great smut!!! Explicit and hot :)

SO... WHY ONLY 3.5*?

Really disliked this author's writing style!

    • Soooo slowwwww... Long chapters + lots of details + lots of filler dialogues. Sometimes 1 scene could take up 3 long chapters or so. As if I was reading a film script including all the lines of each and everyone. Some readers like it, I HATED IT
    • Slow romance + slow pacing + long chapters + too many details + too many dialogues = frustration. Really, imo this story would have been perfect if author managed to shorten it to 50 chapters or so instead of 109 chapters.
Keep the smut, the confession and the last 10 chapters & Extras (so, from the moment they confessed to their parents) and shorten the rest of the chapters.

    • Author notes.... So many and so long!!!! I truly dislike author notes. Small theatres etc are still somewhat fun and occasionally an author note is still OK. But I prefer no author notes at all. More than the occasional few means the author writing skills fails as she needs author notes to explain the reasoning and actions of her characters. This author did that A LOT. So many times she wrote long notes like an essay. It really pulls you out of a story that you are immersed in. Also, the author notes contained spoilers. It was as if I was watching a movie, but every other scene the director chips in to explain what is going on in this scene, reassuring me that all characters are good people, and what this scene tries to explain. BLEH!!
Too bad!! This story could be so perfect. It need an editor to get rid of all the lengthy parts. But as no other readers had this problem I guess this is an unpopular opinion... <<less
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thecrivens
thecrivens rated it
March 17, 2021
Status: c104
It's very good and quite realistic in my opinion. Not all fluffy, there were also internal conflicts and sad moments even after they were together, but the overall tone is warm. There was secret relationship, but not with minor which is a huge plus. There was no mind games, both of them were quite sincere and tried to be good influence to each other. The supporting characters were not brainless or cannon fodders. No vicious love rivals to get the plot going, betrayal, etc. Easy to MTL with several explicit... more>> smutty scenes that made me blush. <<less
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earlgreyt
earlgreyt rated it
December 26, 2021
Status: Completed
I had a few people ask me "what are you reading?" when I was slowly making my way through this novel.

My honest reply was, "nothing I'd recommend anyone else."

Truthfully, it's an excruciatingly slow book. There's a lot of completely unnecessary filler. The few golden moments where the characters lept off the page, throwing off their 2d wrappings, only happened in the last quarter of the novel.

... more>> I found the ending fantastic and deeply regretful that the only character development for the MC happened in the last few chapters.

If you're willing to wait that long, definitely a good reward.

Otherwise, I highly recommend skimming.

It's a very classic university/school novel, with a very cheerful pampered main character. He's bubbly, friendly to everyone, warm and sweet. His only weakness is that he has an allergy to gluten. The ML is excruciatingly cookie-cutter. Cold, emotionless, iceberg, good at everything under the sun, not just basketball, but also number one student, who softens only for the MC.

Spoiler

ML fell in love with MC first and nursed that love for a million years, suffering in silence. Classic.

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There are a few turns breaking the cliche

Spoiler

ML doesn't go to one of the top #1 schools, and doesn't choose to become a CEO. Its ok tho, MC and ML's dad is a CEO. They have a shitton of money. As always.

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But other than those moments far and few in-between, this book was very good at putting me to sleep.

Translation is super good. I'm very sure the only reason I endured this novel was due to the excellent translation. <<less
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CandyApples
CandyApples rated it
December 9, 2021
Status: c86
I loved this. Now, for those who find in*est disgusting, this is borderline bc although they are technically in no way related, they did grow up raised as brothers. But this is done very well- they don't really act like biological siblings do either. They are much more sweet but they also have distance as one feels uncomfortable living in the other's home while the other distances himself due to his feelings. Despite this, the younger can't bear to be apart from the older, and the older can't refuse the... more>> sweetness of the younger.

What I love the most though, is the author's opinion on older love interests. The older love interest should never abuse their power in a relationship and should never try to influence the younger down a particular path- they should let the younger make their own decisions. It's so charming that the older tries to keep his distance and minimise his influence but always secretly spoils the other, caring in silence not expecting anything in return.
Spoiler

He probably wouldn't have said anything of his feelings if the younger sibling hadn't confessed first- he would have just suffered in silence knowing that if he confessed, the younger might agree out of kindness or smth.

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Also the smut in this story is the definition of enthusiastic consent.
Spoiler

The gong never does anything without full consent and the shou always asks for kisses during s*x as to reaffirm their feelings, and is never hesitatant to say he likes it when asked by the gong. He loves anything the gong does to him because he absolutely trusts him and knows how gentle and caring he is. The gong has a lot of restraint and would never hurt him or push him if he said no. The shou oftentimes takes intiative too. He is so clingy, possessive and obsessed (he's polite about it though and respects the older's boundaries) and has been so from a young age.

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dee_ism
dee_ism rated it
October 31, 2021
Status: --
It's a quite good story, sweet and fluff.

But then, it's so painfully slow.

No character growth on MC from junior high till university.

And while I love fluff, this story fall on fluff-cringey type which is happen so much after they got together. Also, the way ML changed when they're intimate is such a turn off.

I would like to recommend Mint Stained Shirt instead.
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Nana24
Nana24 rated it
May 17, 2021
Status: Completed
This is one of the best heartwarming novels I've ever read! MC is such a cinnamon bun!

I love the author in writing notes at the end of some chapters to explain why MC and ML are like that. Moreover, there are also notes at the beginning to give a warning for some explicit...
It allows us to have a better understanding of their personality and justify their actions in doing so.
This is quite realistic to describe ML's actions as his older brother (not blood-related) but was treated as one... more>> for many years. It's difficult for someone in that position to act between MC's older brother and his love towards MC.
Spoiler

There was a chapter that ML's mother found out about the letter ML wrote when he was young. It was so touching when ML revise the letter 11 times to give to the future MC's lover. - from this, u can already see how much ML loves him, to try to not show his love for MC and try to be a proper older brother.
Tbh, most Chinese families are still quite conservative and are respectful to our elders currently, so it's more difficult to express a BL's relationship, especially when u are raised in a family together. So, for their parents to give their approval makes it even more touching.

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Spoiler

in Chp96, the kiss makes by MC & ML under the Christmas tree was exposed in the school, but they handled it by calling the police and find evidence about Wang Zhi.
This exposure resulted in them coming out of the closet. Yet, many ppl accepted it.

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Overall, 10/10, totally recommend! <<less
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ApolloAresZues
ApolloAresZues rated it
April 19, 2021
Status: Completed
I read up to the translation and then continued with the mtl, which is very easy and readable. Theres a lot to like about this novel, it's very cute.

It's about childhood friends that eventually develop into lovers... more>>
Spoiler

with the ML ofc being in unrequited love for years

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. I would say this is way less angsty then most childhood friend novels that have a lot of dog blood misunderstanding. This one ofc has that but its focused on being sweet and further cultivating the relationship as they attend school.

MC is a cheerful character with some sadness in his background but he absolutely loves and adores the ML, his "brother" who grew up with him. He thinks ML is the best and can do no wrong. ML in turn pampers and spoils him, while consciously restraining himself and never interfering with MCs decisions. Even when
Spoiler

they get together, it's all MC initiative, MC confessing, and MC pushing for the relationship. ML in fact was very scared that he affected MC way of thinking as ML is all he knows, so he makes sure to never influence MCs thinking and leave it up to him. This addressed any possible power imbalances that could've come from their "older bro/younger bro" relationship. It was handled well

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To sum, nothing felt dubious to me consent wise and the MC was very very willing. The relationship felt two way rather than one person putting all their energy in. The backdrop of the school setting and watching them both grow up was a bonus. I liked their relationship dynamic alot in this one. MC was so spoiled and ML was so indulgent.

Probably the best part ofc was the...
Spoiler

SEX. s*x SCENES. This author does great s*x scenes that feel tempting and nose bleed inducing without seeming vulgar or tasteless. Because of their dynamic, its lowkey SM play going on (not bondage, more humiliation kink and power play) which I surprisingly enjoyed as it fit their personalities. MC is very obedient in bed and ML makes his demands based on MC pleasure. Really sexy! Trust me, you'll enjoy these scenes. Theres a good amount of them too not like alot alot, but you'll be well satisfied lol.

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When I think about it this novel kinda reminded me of Slow Witted if you guys have read that, but had a much better ending.
Spoiler

The ending is HE and if your like me theres no weird time skips or forced separation to make the parents accept them. At first the parents dislike the fact that they were raised together (not nessecary the gay part) but they both stand up for their love, esp the MC who in this case had more reason to feel guilty (he was raised by ML parents and felt indebted to them but technically ended up snatching their son) but he stuck by ML and they never broke up.

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This is a feel well written feel good novel with good smut. Read it if you like childhood friends turned lovers with a slight slow burn. <<less
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damnmei
damnmei rated it
February 4, 2022
Status: Completed
Song Yu is very attractive, but I do get a little weirded out by siblings getting together even if they aren't blood related. To grow up together and get raised as siblings to then form a romantic relationship, it's just a little icky to me.

However! This story does not shy away from fully acknowledging the relationship between the two of them as brothers first, and makes sure to have both characters discuss the consequences of getting together and the impact that they will have on ML's parents, having raised the... more>> two of them as sons. I found myself rooting for them despite the initial feeling of rejection, not to mention the three year age gap that was very evident at the beginning.

Having one character in their senior year of junior high and the other in their last year of high school really made me question what was going to happen between the two, as it was clearly a minor and an adult at the time. The ML though oh my god. He really struggled with his feelings, while also staying entirely respectful and never trying to even suggest that he wanted to cross the brotherly relationship. He convinced me with his gentleness and patience, that the relationship could work without any questionable morals.

This novel had many ways that it could have gone wrong (which is also a choice, and it could have been a great psychological story ok!!), but the ML really is one of the best and he didn't ever make a move before the MC was of age.

The ML in this also really suits my taste... I have a soft spot for cold MLs who are only sweet to their love interest (and also domineering in bed haha...) Besides being a bit of a sadist, the ML is otherwise so gentle, a little teasing, and just the best older ML. He really understands that he's in a position of power over the MC, and never takes advantage of MC.

Spoiler

The reveal in the extras that ML liked MC since ML was in his last year of junior high school really surprised me, and made the whole three rules from the main story make sense! It was a nice way to wrap that particular plot point up, although I definitely thought ML was a bit strange for developing s*xual feelings for his 12 year old little brother... as someone with both older and younger blood siblings it really does concern me haha

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Overall, despite the ML struggling through his feelings, the story was mostly drama-free and sweet. The female characters were all more than just men chasing caricatures, and though their primary purpose was to push the main couple's relationship development along, it was still nice to not hate female characters in a BL novel. <<less
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aceuna
aceuna rated it
June 6, 2021
Status: c57
I can't recommend this novel enough. The relationship of the main couple develops at a perfect pace, and the author really handles all of their characters with so much care, attention, and thoughtful realism that this novel is easily one of my favorites of all time. The writing style is beautiful and immersive with frequent comedic beats, and the translator does an incredible job at conveying that beauty and humor.

(Also Nan Jia, queen, if you're reading this please marry me.)

Note: Don't read this on an empty stomach. The... more>> author has a talent for describing food in the most appetizing, mouth-watering way possible, and our lovely MC is a foodie. The translator also provides links to photos of all the dishes mentioned, which is very helpful in terms of story-immersion but also a special kind of torture to someone who can only stare greedily at the screen <3

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Devrai
Devrai rated it
October 23, 2021
Status: extra 7
It's a lot better than "A certain someone" but still nothing I need to read a second time. I saw people comparing these two novels so I felt like doing it too. While acs was too much focused on the learning environment and scramming, this novel goes the way of focusing on the relationship, what I like better.

Though I like reading slice of life this was a bit too slow for me. It often went on in some "brain rambling " where I got bored. Too name one, the... more>> writer explained that only MC is able to perceive the minor face movements and soft side of ML... and they explained it a hundred times in a thousand different words. I think we got it after the first few times.

The flow between MC and ML was mostly good but became somewhat strange at times. The story itself started when ML was 18 and MC 15, then there came a time jump of 3 years but there was basically no change in MCs personality. Still behaving like his 15 years old self. Also there was a little instant where MC "reacted" to male on male relations and started to realize his own preference but after the time jump there was no follow up. It was as if he never thought it through to the end and is still not clear about it himself. Sorry but no male teenager wouldn't have any reactions at that age and ponder about it.

Also I really was alienated by the smut. Yes smut, if you look for smut you will find lots of whole chapters about it. I wasn't alienated because there was smut, I was disturbed by the 180 degree turns. The whole story long the day to day interactions and flow between MC and ML are somewhat sweet but as soon the intimate actions started it turned a 180 degree to SM. This really killed somewhat the mood for me. I have no problems with light SM but it felt too abrupt for me, it didn't fit the whole baseline. At some point I just skipped the whole smut chapters.

So... in the end it's ok read but I can't muster up enough enthusiasm to want to read it again. <<less
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Common_people
Common_people rated it
July 5, 2021
Status: Completed
It's good! Sweet and fluffy~. The plot is actually pretty light, but complex in emotion. the story is quite realistic. the problem is quite common, but the author develops it with a more interesting side closer to reality. especially with the conflict of feelings when it comes to choosing love or family. tbh, when you really love someone who is very close to you like family, it will be harder for you to decide what direction the relationship will take. there is a fear of ruining an existing relationship.

About the... more>> Charachter setting... MC has a gentle personality, quite innocent, but can be very stubborn when he decides. for ML, it can be said that he is a cold person, hard on himself, coward, unable to express his feelings directly. maybe because he matured and became independent earlier. when I read the smut section, I was a little surprised that the gentle ML for MC was actually quite bullied in bed. he has a tendency to have complete control over his partner. I Can't say it's sadistic, but he has that tendency.

For all, this one is good. This author always give some quote and philosophy. I like it. But still it's pretty lower than the other book that the author write. Sweet, fluffy, a Lil bit bitter and no dog-blood. I enjoy the taste. <<less
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Roro97
Roro97 rated it
May 24, 2021
Status: Completed
Ughhhh my heart is on 9 clouds guys.. This novel is wholesome. So cute and heartwarming. I'm soft all over. I love both MC & ML. They're amazing and the story is great even tho this kind of plot not new, I still love it. So beautiful!!
I'm not going to dive into much cause the other Good reviewers said everything you need to know. Just like LeLe who likes to share his favorite stuffs to Song Yu, I recommend heavily especially if you're on a mood for a... more>> fluffy, cute, heartwarming, sweet novel. Oupsss forgot "Smutty" as well. And you're in for a treat. Ahahah Love it! Good luck!!! <<less
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