Professional Body Double

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

ZhouXiang didn’t know if God was giving him a second chance to live because he wanted to give him extra loving care or was it because he hasn’t messed with him enough.

Otherwise, how could it be that both in and out of his entertainment career, whether it was in his past life or his current life, YanMingXiu would consider him as the substitute for the same person.

He also didn’t know, between him and Young Master Yan, who was actually more pitiful; the one who could only be treated as a substitute or the one could only find a substitute.

In his past life, ZhouXiang was the stuntman for the big star WangYudong.

But not just as his martial art stuntman…..

Even within his deeply ill-fated relationship with YanMingXiu, he was also undeniably a complete substitute.

Disheartened, ZhouXiang went with a group of documentary film crew into the deep valleys of the treacherous mountains. Unexpectedly, he lost his footing and fell off a cliff .

When he awakened again, it was already two years later. Nevertheless, he awakened in another person’s body.

What is even more tragic is that he still couldn’t escape the fate of being a substitute…

T/N: 替身: Tishen is a person who replaces another; a substitute, in filming the tishen is a stuntman/body-double.

Associated Names
One entry per line
PBD
The Professional Substitute
Zhiye Tishen
职业替身
職業替身
Related Series
Years of Intoxication (Shared Universe)
In Love with an Idiot (Shared Universe)
Beloved Enemy (Shared Universe)
My Little Poplar (Shared Universe)
Winner Takes All (Shared Universe)
Sissy (Shared Universe)
Additional Inheritance (Shared Universe)
Blazing Armour (Shared Universe)
Alpha Predator (Shared Universe)
Grey Uncle and the Mixed-blood Prince (Shared Universe)
Recommendations
Reborn as a Substitute (6)
Ti Shen (5)
Love Late (4)
Flying Ash (4)
Years of Intoxication (4)
Kill the Lights (4)
Recommendation Lists
  1. BL novels that I ReRead
  2. TBR BL that i believe hold the potential to make i...
  3. Completed Novels
  4. to read 3
  5. tbr [completed] bl (6)

Latest Release

Date Group Release
09/08/19 RosySpell epilogue (end)
09/07/19 RosySpell c121
09/06/19 RosySpell c120
09/05/19 RosySpell c119
09/04/19 RosySpell c118
09/03/19 RosySpell c117
09/02/19 RosySpell c116
09/01/19 RosySpell c115
08/31/19 RosySpell c114
08/30/19 RosySpell c113
08/29/19 RosySpell c112
08/28/19 RosySpell c111
08/27/19 RosySpell c110
08/26/19 RosySpell c109
08/25/19 RosySpell c108
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
107 Reviews sorted by


CrossMyHeart
CrossMyHeart rated it
January 13, 2023
Status: Completed
I guess this is a 3.5-4/5 for me? I am a little conflicted on it because I can't help but compare this story to her others in the 188 series (and as the masochist I am, Years of Intoxication is my favorite)

Summary: MC is a martial arts stunt double for a famous actor as he has a similar back to him. He meets the ML who is a bit younger than him (~10 years) when he comes to visit the famous actor (the ML's white moonlight) and they hit... more>> it off. MC decides to pursue a relationship with him and they move in together, however because of tensions between the white moonlight and the director, MC's career takes a sharp turn and everyone turns their back on him. He ends up going to film a documentary and dies in an earthquake. 2 years later, he wakes up in the body of someone with the same name as him who also has a similar back and ends up becoming a stunt double to the white moonlight once more. Meanwhile, the ML realized his feelings the moment the MC died and tries to pursue him

MC: Zhou Xiang is a stunt double who is honestly the whole reason why the white moonlight became famous, but because of entertainment industry stuff, no one knows it. He dies around 30 years old and awakens in the body of someone with the same name as him who is 27 (there is a whole thing of rebirth in this which was interesting). He was orphaned at a young age so when he discovers that this body's mother is still alive and cares for him, he does his best to care for her. Honestly, I appreciate how he held his ground in not taking back the ML so easily. It was clear that he loved the ML but he didn't trust the ML's feelings. He's a pretty straightforward person but a little careless because he always left hints that caused the other characters to figure out his identity. I feel like the plot just happens to him in this story and he wasn't really control of anything. He tries his best to fight his fate, but it was pretty devastating for him to realize that he was someone's substitute not just as a stunt double for love as well. And that also happened in his second life where he was once again a stunt double and then thought himself to be a substitute for himself. I'm glad that throughout the story he is given the opportunity to grow as an actor in his own right (with the help of the ML though)

ML: Yan Mingxiu is the son of an influential family and a rich businessman in his own right (which is a bit odd because he's in his early 20's by the time MC is reborn). He fell in love with his white moonlight when he saw his back in a film and essentially had his gay awakening. Unfortunately the white moonlight became his sister's boyfriend then fiance and then husband so he always kept his feelings to himself. When he meets MC, he decides that since they look similar from the back he can at least imagine being with the white moonlight (they always doggy style). So yeah, he uses him hard and strings the MC along even though MC was very clear that he loved him. However, he realizes that he actually loved the MC once he dies and becomes obsessed over their memories, making sure to keep the condo they lived in together clean and in tact and thinking that the MC would come back to him. After the MC 'died' he has trouble sleeping and doesn't have a good night's sleep until he's sleeping next to the MC again. In addition, even though he was a businessman, he enters the entertainment industry so that if the MC returns, he would see ML's face and go find him.

Honestly, out of the 4 MLs from the 188 series that I've read so far, Yan Mingxiu is the most forgivable. I had to suspend my disbelief that he seriously fell in love with someone's back, but he is true to the MC from the moment they are together. He does his best for the MC, even taking care of the new body's mother (paying for her treatments and taking her to the hospital) because he respects the MC's wishes in that regard though he doesn't understand. Also, I like how much he stands up to his family to be with the MC in the end.

Spoiler

When the MC's original body was found, I could feel how devastated the ML was. He was already aware that the MC was in front of him, but only in that moment did he reveal that the ML knew it was the MC.

Also if it wasn't obvious, the back that made him fall in love with the white moonlight was the MC's but it was only after everything happened that the ML discovers this. So the ML really shot himself in the foot, but I think it showed that he had grown to love the MC for who he was!

[collapse]

In terms of story telling, the story starts with MC waking up in the new body and almost immediately goes into the flashback of his previous life. To some extent I liked that, but it was a long flashback so I think it would have been interesting to see it dispersed throughout the narrative to seem more like a mystery. In the end, most of the plot points were guessable and nothing was a surprise. Most of the conflict in the story was with the ML's family not accepting them being together which is pretty typical. I think if you like contained angst, this would be a pretty good story for you. I keep comparing this story to Years of Intoxication and the angst is not nearly as bad, but that also means I find the ML more likeable. The only character I truly hated was the white moonlight. He's insanely arrogant and egotistic. But my fave character in the end were the MC's new mother, ML's grandfather and ML's elder brother!

This story is very middle of the road for me, but it was just enough angst to be enjoyable for me! I also like the author branching out into rebirth in this story since that really drove home the pain of being a substitute <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
aovel
aovel rated it
May 5, 2022
Status: Completed
this was a very good read. I would have rated it 5 stars if not for the fact that I couldn't get over the mc's death before rebirth was caused by the ml. Yes, it is true that he was not the direct cause but still his actions were what led the MC to take drastic measures which led to his untimely demise. I could have overlooked this if not for the bit of them finding his original body. It was an emotional turning point but the story could have... more>> done better without it or it could have been under different circumstance, I don't know it just felt bad to me. And it became worse because aside from lacking gesture from the ML there wasn't really that much closure on that score. The MC just figured out everything on his own and accepted everything on his own, I felt that was a bit unfair. I wasn't looking for grand gesture or anything but still, it felt lacking to me that's why I felt that bit should have been excluded.

all in all, this was a very good story, I couldn't put it down once I started. It was a bit frustrating but most good stories are.",) <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ZeyFletcher
ZeyFletcher rated it
February 19, 2023
Status: c117
4 ot 4.5 to be honest, not that good, but it is good.

... more>>
Spoiler

To be completely honest, I do believe Yan Mingxiu was kinda really wronged here, he's definitely a redeemable ML, ZhouXiang just suddenly died, which stopped their story so suddenly, this can be a totally normal angst novel, no need for the transmigration to another body, cause almost all the things are the same about ZhouXiang, he just looked better I guess? And had a mother, and had a trauma (which wasn't given much importance, gurl, he should at least be a bit afraid of heights with how he explained how he died, he wasn't at peace when he died, he was really scared then), it was realistic when he transmigrated, he took the time to get used to his body and not just magically adjusted to his new identity. Yan MingSu should have been the ML, JUST KIDDING HAAHHAH, he's just cool.

This might be the first novel I chose for the angst? And I have to say, , it wasn't much, hehe, I expected more. It was really just wrong timing, and bad luck. The hear wrenching scenes were compiled on the end scenes of the flashback and the beginning of the new life, but I don't really feel that much angst in the new life cause, we know YMX's POV, and we know it was literally all a bad trick.

Also, I always kept in mind that YMX was 20 years old at that time and ZX was 30 yrs old. I think YMX was too young and he was focusing on the wrong thing. I really feel bad for him, and also the fact that it only all happened for 1 year. Totally unnecessary death of ZX, I also feel real bad for him, it's like, his first break down got him killed lol, cause he kept on saying the his life was good before YMX, so imagine having a problem and distancing for a while and then it got you killed 💀. Seriously, their relationship felt like a joke to someone from above. I'm happy they got their second chance (which again, second life wasn't really that needed), also grateful fo Cai Wei, literally such a good friend. Lan XiRong probably just looked a bit bad than YMX. Lol to be completely honest again, I feel YMX's love for ZX more, than the other way around, although it's probably cause those feelings fermented for 3 yrs, lol. ANW, it is good, but could be better/sadder

[collapse]

Reread? Hmm nah, it's actually quite simple <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Sandy galavich
Sandy galavich
January 29, 2022
Status: --
Well, after reading I thought that this novel would also gonna be filled with passion but no....

This novel might seem normal from outside but it is one of the sickest novel

ML is a arrogant bastard who always approach MC becoz MC looks like his sister's husband whom he loved. So he never loved MC at the 1st place. He always behaves in a rude way with MC but MC always indure him because he loves him. But this ML bastard never care his feelings.

There is no passion in smut scenes... more>> at all. *cough* I don't know how to explain this but in short they do nothing like lovers. It was like stockholm syndrome.

If you guys think this novel like beloved enemy, then you are wrong. Beloved enemy is 10 times better than this.

But the author is quite talented though. He has put every words every scene every plot very carefully. So if you like lovers without any passion, you can read it. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Mianna
Mianna rated it
November 20, 2021
Status: Completed
To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the book. It was interesting and engaging to read but at the same time, there was way too much angst throughout plus the resolution was very underwhelming to me.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Ainslee
Ainslee
February 26, 2021
Status: --
For the first time, I felt lucky that I've read spoiler < ( ̄︶ ̄) >

Such tr*shy ML, need a good bashing.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
karoshiSama
karoshiSama rated it
February 9, 2021
Status: Completed
The quality of the translation is very great. I read "Addicted" on this website and I am so happy to read it without to pour blood from my eyes.

The story is a little complicated but if it isn't complicated, it isn't interesting right ?

They love each other without knowing that the partner they look for is right in front of them. It's cute and very frustrating. I often wanted to scream " you s*upid, don't you see that he is right in front of your face ? ". Ah lala. I... more>> had good and bad times with the MC and ML but it's okay, I forgave them. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
dee_ism
dee_ism rated it
October 12, 2020
Status: Completed
An angsty story.

Many will find ML annoying, but actually he's not such a bad lover, if not for his obsession toward his 'supposed crush', but our ML got punished enough and prove that he's worthy.

The ML also not have it easy

It's good that they finally can works their relationship well, at the end
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
SayMrrp
SayMrrp rated it
February 11, 2020
Status: Completed
Read this if you want angst and for the couple to suffer. :D

It's one of the best novels I've read in terms of angst. The characters are pretty interesting, and the plot moves along well. Fun stuff happens, and I like the way the author arranged the events to not be chronological. It made it feel even more emotional. I cried multiple times, but I'm weak.

Warnings: dubious consent and r*pe as listed in the tags. Don't expect a fluffy novel.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
madcat74
madcat74 rated it
February 15, 2024
Status: c121
This was an emotionally taxing read.

Going into this novel, I did read some negative reviews about how disappointed the readers were with the male lead pre and post the time skip, and yet I still had some leftover hope that he would amount to something more than what others here have summarized him to be. I wonder what it is with these authors and the lack of characterisation for either the male lead (here) or main character or sometimes both of them. The ML here is a bag of all... more>> the red flags the author could muster; abusive, controlling, manipulative POS but, above all, a user whose eventual redemption I did not buy. Most insultingly, he talks the talk but never walks the walk. His love did not convince me nearly as much as his grief, which was surprisingly written much better. In fact, the first part of the story and the second one read like they were written by two different people. Perhaps the author got bored? I don't know, but it was so promising at the start.

Spoiler

Case in point, there is a remarkably emotional scene in later part of the story, where we witness the harrowing moment of MC making a decision to put himself to rest by looking at what is left of his corpse. His anger and the joint grief of both him and ML are raw and difficult to read, but in the process he does confront a fear that would be difficult for majority of people. Meanwhile, in the next few chapters we have a third-rate generic drama because ML's sister is a mean girl and a shield for her villainous husband who gets away with everything, and I kid you not, I felt like I have read that mean girl scene in every second BL. Okay, sister is a spoiled homophobic brat, big surprise.

[collapse]

But why is the POS that messed around with both main characters allowed to roam free like a c*ckroach? Everything bad in this story gets glossed over as if the reader didn't chew through agony and grief chapter after chapter just for it to culminate in barely any repercussions. It's so lazy and so are the few chapters near the ending
Spoiler

(h*mophobia, family abuse, ML lying AGAIN).

[collapse]

Comparatively to the ML, MC in the beginning was a shockingly real character, reading about him felt like the author has lifted some personality from their surroundings and he had both flaws and positive sides, eventually going through proper character development to some degree. Even when he should have known better than to trust the ML, the thinking pattern and his emotions didn't feel grating to read, they had sense considering his past and what kind of a person he grew up to be. Or should I say that I am much more forgiving towards his line of thinking because this author really really hated their own MC?

Overall, there should have been the stages of grief, the stages of forgiveness and acceptance and then some smaller plots. Not like this. MC deserved a better lover, more mundane job and a loving family. Since the author decided to give him a new chance at life, they could have treated him with a kinder hand instead of the face slapping (that's what you do with the evil guys, author, shocking, I know!) he got. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
qirong
qirong rated it
April 23, 2022
Status: --
I really liked the story, but I constantly felt like the translator thought I was the dumbest person alive. The names between parenthesis to specify who the pronouns refered to, the translator notes stating why the characters were doing things... Have some trust in the readers!

If the ML out of nowhere turns to the director of a movie the MC is participating in and goes "can you find a role for me?" in the middle of the set, I am not going to think he just had his schedule... more>> really free that day. Why put a note going "He is asking this because the MC is in the movie"

Whenever people go "they are so similar... How could this be..." to the MC, it also does not need to be specified that they mean the MC before and after rebirth... I am reading a rebirth novel, I will not forget the MAIN PLOT from one paragraph to the next.

The translation is good and these notes are not on every chapter. It is mostly the first two chapters and then much later on they start showing up again. The story is also great for everyone who loves dog blooded dramas and scum men, so I am giving it 5 stars.

For the TLer: I have TLd a few things before and I get the stress of having the readers misunderstand the story and the characters, specially if I really care for them... But just trust that what you can understand from the over all context, others can too. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
saphire8626
saphire8626 rated it
March 27, 2022
Status: Completed
3.5 stars. Shui Qian Cheng is THE best at writing angst, melodrama and toxic but very compelling relationships. The pair is very similar to Impermanence Calamity. As with her other two books, she really excels at writing the feelings, motivations and emotional states of the two main characters so that even when the tragedy starts and they act in toxic and possessive ways with each other, it makes sense. I really enjoyed reading the drama that happens between these two characters. I did feel that the crazy plot twists kind... more>> of stretch the limit of believability for a contemporary novel. The angst worked better with Impermanence Calamity and Blood Crown. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
cas_ciel21
cas_ciel21 rated it
January 20, 2022
Status: Completed
You know what. the tags did not lie, the author did not stray from what they set out to write and Im not mad about it.

FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE TRANSLATOR FOR THEIR HARDWORK, I TRULY APPRECIATE IT, AND IM SO SORRY I COULD NOT LIKE THIS NOVEL EVEN A LITTLE BIT BUT TRANSLATION AND EDITS WERE CLEAN AND I ADORE ALL THE EFFORT YOU GUYS HAVE PUT IN. HOPE YOU HAVE A NICE DAY SO DON'T READ PAST THIS ANYMORE.

spoilers ahead I guess I didn't bother to... more>> censor myself.

If you want to be more depressed and have worst angst with toxic ML mentality and let all past mistakes and current mistakes be forgiven without the right way of making up to it, then this is for you. I really want to make this 1 star just for the hatred I have for ML this type of person is someone isn't mentally stable, toxic, selfish and will never learn from their mistakes, but you are forced to accept all their unforgivable flaws cause of fate. I hated the flashbacks as well as the MC going through it again. its all not worth it. He didn't get anything from his rebirth, nothing at all, his career, his social life, his reputation and his freedom all gone. He deserved so much better just because he's a normal person, he doesn't have to be something so great for him to deserve to be treated with respect. IM really mad at commenters saying oh.... he's gonna break and let ML in after all the things he's done? THIS ML IS the worst human being. all the drama he has cause he hasn't received the same amount of pain the MC had. looks like I lied, im pretty mad that I finished this and the anger hasn't subsided

i only love the sensible older brother and Cai Wei, everybody else are s*upid, hormonal, childish, reckless and wishy washy.

this novel is all about drama and worthless pain. I WISH TO RATE THIS 1 STAR FOR BEING SUCH A MESSY STORY BUT THE TAGS DID NOT LIE, I DON'T WANT TO READ THIS EVER AGAIN, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO LET THE ML ACTIONS GO. this toxic behaviour is destructive and not okay.

THE ML shouldve bottom. he shouldve received some kind of humilation, he shouldve destroyed Wadong wtf he's name was. HE SHOULDVE AT LEAST LET ZHOUXIANG BREATHE AND HAVE A NORMAL LIFE FOR A MOMENT. this psycho is gonna get more people hurt

the s*x also s**ked. im just embarrassed for them, this is not how you create an erotica. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
pimni
pimni rated it
November 22, 2021
Status: epilogue
Among the various books of this author, this one is my fav. I have maybe read it at least 4 times and each time can't help but cry for the MC in his first life. He was such a sunshine boy and met with a temperamental kid. True our MC is young and everything as one user points out, but he was a jerk. And even misbehaved with the MC because he realized he was slowly falling in love with him instead of his white moonlight. And that was before... more>> the MC died!

Each character in this novel is well scripted, even the smaller ones. I loved the friends of the MC and how much they missed him when he died and so tried to help our reincarnated MC as much as possible. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
btsdynamiteAUG21
btsdynamiteAUG21 rated it
March 25, 2021
Status: Completed
This novel gave me the feeling of true pain, regret, sadness, understanding, love, and reality. The whole story was full of ups and downs on MC and ML's love that was rooted to a not really misunderstandings of being a 'rebound' or a 'substitute lover' of someone. I really loved the concept of this novel from the start. I though it was a love story of a stuntman and the real actor but it was not. Chapters 1 - 40 I think are flashback chapters (MC before rebirth) then it... more>> continues on. Many people wanted to skip these flashback chapters but I don't recommend to skip it. If you would read the present chapters (MC after rebirth), you can see, think, and feel more because of those flashbacks. There were many plot twists that even I could feel being ruthlessly played by destiny...

Spoiler
    1. ML used MC as a substitute to the Male Cannon Fodder ML liked in the start, thinking that MC and male CF have same back proportions. ML used MC to vent his s*xual frustrations and urges. Not to the point it became abusive though.
    1. They kind of hit it off being lowkey "s*x friends" and they mutually consented that they should not interfere with each other's lives and personal social matters.
    1. MC fell in love with ML that he even pursued him. ML did not literally answered him with a clear answer but somewhat consented to it because he though that being with MC with that situation was fine as MC is attending to his needs and he even said that MC has a good temperament and felt comfortable with him. ML's expressions and way of communication in this parts (before MC's rebirth)
      of the novel was kind of awkward and too overbearing. He was so selfish and immature to his and other's feelings. He basically controls MC's social life and being overly jealous to MC's past relationships to the point of being unreasonable considering him and MC's current relationship - basically ML misunderstanding some events on his own and blows his anger to MC on his own.
    1. MC accidentally heard drunk ML saying male CF's name intimately then BOOM this was the main trigger for ML and MC's problem.
    1. Because of some events, MC died then rebirth again into another body that has similar proportions to his past body and male CF's.
    1. The next events are just full of rollercoaster of puss and pull of emotions from both the characters...
    1. Ironic as it is, in MC's rebirth, he also became a substitute..... not male CF but with his past self because ML's feelings for him (old MC).
      [collapse]
I can't stop myself from reading more chapters to reveal the next coming of events.... WYD is such a douche. ML's sister is so dumb as hell. Besides the main couple, the side characters also made the story a bit more exciting and thrilling. I'm glad LXR did not end up with MC in anyway...I don't like people like him who still refuses himself having a potential to be bis**ual... he may like MC wholeheartedly but I think he feels too much reliance to MC to the point it became that 'love' he talking about....

This novel deserves a 5 stars from me and really recommended for people looking for hot and fiery romance with angst (with smut scenes ofcourse) filled with emotions and drama. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Fluffy From Flufferland
Fluffy From Flufferland rated it
January 20, 2021
Status: --
One of the most realistic rebirth novels I've read. I have to say this is one of the best books I've read.

Wonderful translation, wonderful writing.

The MC isn't OP after rebirth and he's honestly very likeable except for his taste in men. Although the author really has her way with words lol, usually I would have despised such ML and found him really annoying but the skills of this author is really something to make me soft hearted lol.

I definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a taste of something... more>> realistic other than those with little time to spare Cuz you'll be like me with an exam tomorrow and unable to put the book down lol. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Keisotsuna
Keisotsuna rated it
February 4, 2020
Status: Completed
Highly recommended!

I believe this novel is a treasure. In fact, I was originally discouraged in reading this because of some reviews about how the ML is just, well, hateful and angsty, yada yada. But then again, I really love the concept of the story so I gave it a chance. And I'm so happy that I did it!! The whole novel itself is very well-written, with a nice flow of events, smooth plugging of flashbacks, and the characterization— I love how the characters are written. Especially the MC! He is... more>> just soooo difereent from most MCs I've ever read about. He is mature yet empathetic, gentle and patient, and he is such a smooth talker (〃∀〃)

Don't be scared off by the angst (because if you've read the synopsis, you'd understand that it's inevitable considering the whole concept of the story itself). Also, about the r*pe. Yes, yes, it exists. But I do advise anyone who's reading this that just because a novel has r*pe in it doesn't automatically make it a bad novel. Because I've been noticing lately that many novels are tr*shed in reviews just because they mentioned or depicted r*pe in some way or another. Don't judge a story just because you don't like that one part of it. If you really feel uncomfortable, stop reading and don't be masochistic. There's even a r*pe tag in here, so there goes your warning.

Anyway, since the beginning, the story will show you that the two main characters have a toxic relationship shattered by misunderstandings, misplaced pride (mostly the ML), and miscommunication. The characters change as they gain more experience (and pain) and we get to see then grow. The two main characters both have their flaws, evidently, and along the way, they learn to deal with it and survive against whatever fate throws at them... at the expense of a lot of pain.

Please do give this a chance. It'll make you laugh and cry, and cry some more after you thought the tear-jerking parts are done. But it's a great story that deserves more recognition. ♡ <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
holachica
holachica rated it
January 12, 2020
Status: Completed
DISCLAIMER: As is my method with most... controversial novels, I read them leisurely. I don't invest too much and skip around the chapters, going forwards and backwards, and that sort of thing. In doing that, I have less... negative feelings that would otherwise rise up, and I enjoy it more. Sometimes it's better not to get too deeply into it.

A tentative 4.5-5 stars. I put it at 4 because there's something I can't quite put my finger on, so I'm gonna leave it at that rating.

give it a read.... more>> it's not that bad, really.

Spoiler

While I disliked the ML for a while, I also felt sorry for him. Fate really did him a big bad one, and the one he treated as a substitute was actually the one he loved all along, but he was too immature and impulsive and stuck in his ways to realize it. The day he finally came to terms with it, ready to turn over a new leaf, was the day he lost his love. Of course, that's his just dessert; treating the MC like shit, taking him for granted, immaturity can be one part of the blame, but the other was his selfishness and his arrogance. He didn't know what he wanted and took extreme measures in terms of possessiveness, not reacting rationally nor thinking as such.

[collapse]

Spoiler

I mean, while this isn't always the case for me, I really think the ML earned his redemption. My bottom line is cheating bastards, and at least he wasn't a cheating bastard. Plus, the ML did go through immense pain and had to work hard to regain the MC's affections, or rather, dispel his disillusionment (cos MC still loved him, just wasn't willing to go through the pain again). And he did. The immense pain the ML had to go through for 3 years, to wake up crying in the middle of the night, to starve oneself and all that, it's quite punishing. Half of why I find the ML endearing, though not really because the only reason I don't hate him is that he suffered so much in due punishment.

[collapse]

While he did treat the MC's 'new body' as a substitute, and quite terribly at that, I justified it as, he didn't know that it was the MC. To him, this was just some small-time star who signed a contract with him for money. While he's morally in the wrong, he's... emotionally... exempt? Meh.

ANYWAYS. Don't take my word for it, though. I probably missed/skipped upwards of 30 chapters? I read a bit of the beginning, a little bit of when they first got together, then fast-forwarded to their small fight (over Lan XiRong) and then the big fight (over that Dong dude + a little bit Lan XiRong), which lead to MC's death and subsequent revival in the 'new body'. From then on, it's kinda murky, and I fast-forwarded through most of it, only really reading the parts that ML is involved. Kinda skipped through the 'Using 'MC 'as substitute for MC' part, and read really carefully through the chapters that lead up to his 'identity' reveal. Then I read decently till the end, skipping a few of the last few chapters. So maybe I'm not clear on everything, but I figure that's better for me. I'm less invested so I can feel less too--by which I mean, not avoiding the angst, but avoiding the rage that would usually rise in one's chest.

Another plus? The ML was genuinely remorseful. So many of these "ML seeks redemption" novels, have the ML claiming to be 'remorseful' and 'regret', yet they are still selfish and when the MC is still mad at them, they always go like "why can't we return to how we were before?" "I'm always trying my best!" "Why are you so angry all the time?". To my knowledge, the ML wasn't like this. Especially the reunion chapter. The ML cries. CRIES. It made my heart soft... ngl. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Staringatastar
Staringatastar rated it
September 22, 2019
Status: Completed
As the translator mentions, this book is similar to others by the same author, with similar theme of misunderstandings, side love interests used to invite jealousy, and awful characters that do 180 after realizing their emotions too late.

I enjoyed the story and the angst, but I can see how it might not be for everyone.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Suibian_bc
Suibian_bc rated it
December 6, 2022
Status: --
I like this story.. It's all about 'misunderstanding' from ML side. He was infatuated with his bro in law since a long time back when he was still a teenager, just because of his sexy broad shoulder and back in the film he starred (never knowing it wasn't really his brother in law but our MC) It revealed later on, after our MC transmigrates in another body. In short, he was actually infatuated with MC long before he even realized he likes the wrong person. I love how the... more>> relationship growth, MC isn't that weak and a crybaby. The only thing that dissapoint me is the 'transmigration'. Hmmm... I much prefer to read one without this transmigration thing, it will be a beautiful story. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.