Easily Set Aflame

Description

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

Jia He is a worker-bee screenwriter in China, a profession that really does not get much for recognition but suits her personality of not liking to be in the spotlight. One day, she gets a call and finds out who will be the leading actor of her latest script—Yi Wenze, her longtime idol since her teenage days. Jia He is the screenwriter on-location for this project. So, she is there, trying best to maintain her composure and contain her starstruck giddiness in front of her idol. In the process, she happily discovers, some time later, that she has become friends with her idol. Aaaah! Already a dream come true, right? Her time with this project comes to an end, and she bids farewell and returns home, thinking that if some day she runs into Yi Wenze again, they are acquainted enough that they can nod their heads in friendly greeting to one another. But then, soon after, she gets a phone call, and the name that shows up on her caller ID is… Yi Wenze.

And so, this is a story of how a little screenwriter is pursued by her idol, the one who had been in all her teenage dreams, how she goes from being idol’s diehard fan, to idol’s friend, to idol’s girlfriend, to idol’s fiancee, to idol’s… Hehehehe.

Associated Names
One entry per line
轻易放火
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Son, “Mom” Will Back You (5)
Really, Really Miss You (2)
Best to Have Met You (2)
My Darling (2)
Cloudside Café (2)
My Ears Say They Want to Know You (2)
Recommendation Lists
  1. ceaseless
  2. My favorite Chinese novels
  3. Entertainment Industry
  4. tooth decay from too much sweetness
  5. light romance | chill read

Latest Release

Date Group Release
12/05/23 Atlas Translates epilogue part3
12/05/23 Atlas Translates epilogue part2
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c58
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c57
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c56
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c55
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c54
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c53
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c52
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c51
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c50
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c49
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c48
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c47
12/05/23 Atlas Translates c46
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
39 Reviews sorted by


wethairdampskin
New wethairdampskin rated it
February 25, 2024
Status: Completed
Niceee, theres not much conflict in the story. The pace is good not too draggy for me. And the romance is quite sweet and warm. Recommended for a safe reading 👍🏻👍🏻
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Silver_Moon789
Silver_Moon789 rated it
December 13, 2019
Status: Completed
Honestly, the story was just average to me, despite me liking the premise a lot, in the end I couldn't get myself to rate it higher than this. The couple's whole relationship in the beginning was kind of ambiguous to me, because like it went from oh you can see hints of the ML showing interest in the FL even if nothing is really stated, and then BOOM they're kissing and officially dating without anyone ever asking each other out which kind of annoyed me. I also thought the story... more>> line went a bit fast with the pacing, then again as a novel with close to zero conflict I guess that only makes sense.

The characters themselves were kinda bland and there really isn't enough backstory, especially with how the ML supposedly got interest in the MC. Like in comparison with the FL who we know is a hardcore fan of the ML, so her initial crush makes sense, but with the ML I still can't wrap my head around how he started liking the FL because the novel's explanation was really weak
Spoiler

Seeing someone be a really big fan of you ten years ago when they're underage and then meeting them ten years later, somehow immediately recognizing them and being wow I wanna date her and then almost immediately marry her

[collapse]
. I feel that their relationship wasn't deep enough to go and get married just like that, and also the FL pretty much immediately goes off any and all protection during s*x which I mean, you do you but she barely knew the guy for two months and already the two were like lets get married and have kids and uhhhh what? I know that happens in real life but I still think that went by way too fast, especially considering that they didn't seem all that close with each other. Their relationship in the novel had near zero interesting points where you learned more about their relationship or where they learned more about each other... again, very bland

And the side characters too, like what the heck is with Qiao Qiao
Spoiler

getting married in a snap with some random dude who proposed without ever dating her over Weibo?? What was the thought process that made her be like this is exactly how I want to be married.

[collapse]
Everything combined made me really feel off about the series. It wasn't bad but it wasn't exactly good either. It was however pretty fluffy in a dull sort of way and a quick read so if you're into that knock yourself out. <<less
18 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
crprlnm
crprlnm rated it
March 7, 2019
Status: Completed
This is probably what every fangirls or fanboys dream. To be able to meet your idol, to talk to him, to work with him, to be friends with him and then to be together with him.

... more>>
Spoiler

“Wouldn’t be uncomfortable to have a boyfriend like me?”, he asked. As a celebrity, he gets no privacy, his work requires him to be away for weeks or months and he always have to watch his attitude in front of so many people. But for Jia He, all he wants to cherish and be with her.

“Wouldn’t be inconvenient to have a girlfriend like me?”, she answered. As a screenwriter, she works behind the scene, she’s not used on being the one who’s in the limelight. As a normal fan, she wondered if she’s enough for him. But for Yi Wenze, she’s willing to try and trust him.

[collapse]

Despite the difference of their job, where one is constantly in the limelight and other one is hidden, both of them are willing to support each other, to slowly get to know to each other and finally to trust each other.

When you read this novel, you’ll smile from the beginning to the end. ‪♡ <<less
14 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Flying Jade
Flying Jade rated it
May 20, 2020
Status: --
Average at best. The premise of the story is interesting but the very boring after awhile. The main force pushing the FL to the ML is her best friend, Qiao Qiao, whose intervention I find way too much. It gave of a feel fandom without ever evolving into love.

Many scenes were way too boring, needing annoying side characters like Qiao Qiao, to subtlely set them up or sometimes the universe just toss the leads together. It just wasn't enough
8 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
speracles
speracles rated it
January 5, 2019
Status: c2.1
So far, totally fun, sweet, and tastes like bubblegum. Well-written with believable characters, recommended for anyone who likes to squee at cute things.
8 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
sangmaharani
sangmaharani rated it
September 16, 2020
Status: Completed
The key point of this story is relationship between ML and MC. It is basically smooth sailing all the way, so I find this rather flat. It basically consists of sugar and saccharine.

The only conflict comes from that MC is so meek and won't take innitiative that ML needs to assure MC about his interest in her. Their past failed relationships don't give any additional dynamics. Just try to take them out, I bet you won't find big change in the plot.

The characters are dull as heck. Usually introvert person... more>> has rich inner world, but this MC is just boring inside out. She also doesn't have the 'it factor' that makes her worthy of being MC. Neither she carries the plot (she often needs push from supporting characters), nor she is an interesting narrator.

Meanwhile, ML is too 'in love' for someone who has just divorced for two months. He is too good to be true.

The story-telling is just okay. While it is not bad, there is no particular scene or dialogue that grabs my attention. There is no element that makes me think, 'this is unique to this novel' or such.

I wonder if 3 star is too high rating. <<less
7 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
tedy2004
tedy2004 rated it
October 9, 2020
Status: c15
I totally agree with sangmaharni. The author made this story with cliche plots which are okay, as many novels have some cliche plots and create something new with it, but in this novel honestly, the plots are really dull.

... more>>
Spoiler

The ML was in a marriage with Second FL but then divorced because they both had an agreement, which gave me a sour taste.

The plot of FL meeting her idol is.... so how should I say it... unwantable. Again the trend of fan/idol novel in this story for me the FL's attachment or love for me is really over-exaggerated in the story. I mean what do you the FL like so much about the ML just because of his face, dramas you fell in love with him, from the time you were a teenage girl? you even dated a guy, that's what it's written in the novel (that guy betrayed her), which yea showed that she didn't love him that much.

P.S. It's just... too unrealistic with the FL's feelings as love for the ML idol. For me it feels like the characters know that this is a story and they have done it so many times, that they don't have any emotion, I understand but I don't feel that much of the story.

[collapse]

I definitely don't recommend it.

P.S: 1 star for translation, 1 star for the jokes I guess <<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Goldeneyeddragon
Goldeneyeddragon rated it
December 30, 2019
Status: c9 part3
Perspective from ~ch9:The plot is cute, the ML very fluffy and doting, only the MC annoys me immensely... Seriously, there are shy girls but she is worse than a nun with a celibacy vow - why is she always scared/running away/backing out/denying everything when ML (whom she likes, and liked for a long time) tries to communicate, or just do anything together with her. Seriously, every time she's behaving as if she's one second away from fainting or changing her name and running away to another country (it's damn annoying).... more>> In conversation she's always silent, looking for a way to run away or can't even tie two words together, I can't really believe there can be healthy romance without an ounce of communication irl. I think I'll stop reading before the female lead annoys me to death. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
frostcrystal
frostcrystal rated it
December 23, 2019
Status: c10 part3
Bland is more or less how I would describe this story. There's nothing really wrong with it, and the translation is fantastic, but I just can't get into it. The FL, unfortunately, is my least favourite type of character - extremely shy, retiring, always flustered and running away and second guessing herself... the kind that makes you wonder why she was interesting to the ML.
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Njtrisha
Njtrisha rated it
April 6, 2021
Status: --
The story is pretty okay to me, like it's not the best because the relationship between MC and ML didn't seem matched to me! Some things were unclear like the divorce of mL, why he likes MC and all that, . I didn't like the friend of MC that much.. Story seemed quite bland to me but the translation was really good, they did a great job at translating this novel..
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
DOHere
DOHere rated it
September 23, 2019
Status: Completed
The main characters seemed a bit 2D to me, they were a bit boring and they didn't talk much. I didn't see much chemistry between them. Especially, with her being supposedly a hardcore fan, I expected to see more swooning and the like
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Nom de Plume
Nom de Plume rated it
July 1, 2023
Status: c59
The scene that stood out to me the most might be when Jia He calls her good friend Qiaoqiao to tease her about some nonsense being spun by gossip mongers about a potential affair between her friend and her husband. Jia He was kidding, but it put her friend directly into tears. This scene displayed that these characters have their own lives and concerns beyond the MC’s perspective.

The story does rely on some clichés, but it is overall a very relaxed read. The fans are not nearly as extreme as... more>> some other entertainment novels usually portray them, though part of this may be due to good fan management by Yi Wenzi (ML) considering how dramatic Tian Chu’s Weibo became after their divorce. Speaking of YW, he is the first New Zealender ML that isn’t secretly somehow foreign royalty. He comes from a very normal family, went to a good school, and worked hard as an actor after being scouted by his agent. I find that this story seems to reveal a character’s depth by exploring their insecurities and flaws. The story does not focus much on this, but a clear outline of most character’s personalities is completed by the story finale.

Some major spoilers regarding his backstory and the details of his relationship with Tian Chu that the other reviewers were missing:

Spoiler

Note: Some of this will be my subjective interpretation upon reading a rather short side chapter from YW’s perspective, especially once it comes to the divorce itself that I suspect the author left many details open to speculation. Such a thing is never clear or easy ‘reasons’ for separation even to the people involved let alone bystanders. I would recommend directly reading the actual chapter for better context, but it isn’t translated! Other reviewers kept mentioning not knowing the reason for divorce, so I decided to share details in depth. ^_^

The ML saw the MC before Tian Chu, but he did not fall romantically in love with a teenager at first sight. He was at a really low point struggling with depression and regarded this little fan as spiritual substance that led him over the hurdle. He simply felt extremely grateful to her (at that time).

His feelings for Tian Chu aren’t directly stated. The side chapter from his perspective does strongly imply at minimum feelings of empathy, gratitude, and even dependence. Their romance is rather normal and does not end nearly as dramatically as the media might hope. The other characters do not mention it often because there is not much to mention. Most people in real life also abstain from talking too much about their exes.

He saw a young artist struggling hard in career and had a strong feeling of substitution to the point that he started to assist her. He did not love her at this time, it was more like enjoyment from living voraciously. It made him happy to see this person he empathized with succeed at that time in his life. Tian Chu began to pursue him, which was not very effective at first, but her companionship over time finally moved him. She was there supporting him through difficult moments, including flying to NZ to help out when his mother fell gravely ill. His mother recovered and they got married.

Their divorce was just as natural a development as any marriage that falls apart. The couple focused hard on their careers and were not able to meet up often. The first sign this marriage was not going to work was when it became clear the two had completely different expectations for marriage. YW was considering when and how to out their relationship publically when TC revealed that she wanted to keep things on the downlow. The reveal would not impact him too much since he had successfully transitioned into a mature phase of his career, but hers was still in a stage of early development. Tian Chu (also saw her referred to as Chu Tian, unsure if this was a typo or if TC is a stage name) later began to ironically feel she was working too hard, perhaps feeling pressured by her husband’s expectations after he invested so many resources into her. She tells him somewhat unilaterally that she cannot do it anymore, she plans to stay home and take a break. YW is the type to spoil his wife and compromises on a major decision yet again. He mistakenly believes the issue (her exhaustion) is resolved, but he had missed the depth of the true problem (her insecurity).

Things really come to a head when they go to NZ again to visit family. YW’s mother not so subtly asks about their plans for children. This for some unknown reason makes TC panic and she leaves early. YW goes back home as well. At some point he is talking with his mom and ends the call with ‘I love you’ when TC enters the room and breaks his phone. He calmly tells her that the call was from NZ (ie fam) and she breaks down.

I don’t recall if things went directly into the next scene, but one day she again unilaterally informs him that she wants to start work again. However, the break has caused her to lose too much momentum and she plans to try her luck in Taiwan. This is when she proposes divorce. He is understandably a bit confused by this, so she clarifies in a very “its not you, its me!” fashion that YW has been too ‘perfect’ during their marriage. She has found the entire thing unreal and keeps expecting things to go wrong. She is aware that this is her own problem, but can’t continue living in suspense any longer. She wants to leave before he ever gets the chance to let her down, because any actual betrayal would break her. Tbh I was reading from raws so I was a bit confused on one point: whether there was any affair. Taiwan was mentioned many times in conjunction with that gossip, so I’m not sure if she meant the country or a person named after the country especially since there are reports later that she has found someone new. Her invite to get back together before her new beau makes me hope it was the country. (Spoiler: he refuses)

You are too perfect for me is literally the dumbest most realistic reason I’ve ever read in a CN Novel. It can be hard to be confident especially if you have overidealized your partner. It didn’t help that she was aware from the beginning that her feelings were a lot stronger than his. Perhaps the baby thing was really her accepting that she can’t give him what he wants: a normal family. She ultimately sacrifices their relationship THAT SHE INITIATED for her career.

He accepts the divorce. His final gentleness to her is giving her a lot of resources as compensation to help her achieve her dream. Imho, this method of not cutting things off completely was just as cruel as it was kind. It’s no wonder TC’s behavior towards the main couple ran hot and cold through the story. His kindness, likely the same thing that drew her to him in the first place, made it that much harder to let go and move on. He simultaneously led her to regret yet also cut off all paths to resume their previous relationship.

His easy and resolute withdrawal is what leads me to question that his originally faint feelings for his ex wife might have faded to responsibility by the end of their marriage. He did feel a lot of things for her and was hurt by the divorce, but there is no mention of him fighting to remain together. A man who loves a woman does want to make her happy even if it means separation, but will generally try out other options to make things work before accepting the terminal option of divorce. There were at least 3 warning signs before the divorce yet YW directly compromised without bothering to dig deeper into the real problem. I’m not saying it’s all his fault, but the woman clearly could use some therapy. The way she suddenly quit her job and her marriage was very self destructive. The chapter didn’t show the happy parts of their relationship, but her mood swings were somewhat obvious as a reader. YW took care of the surface of the relationship well, but I believe his lack of deep love caused him to neglect these important details. He liked her, but did he love her? Well, the author doesn’t say. Guess you will have to read it to make your own judgement. :P

[collapse]

To put things a little blatantly, YW wants a normal love with a normal woman. The actual divorce happened months before the media reveal (small but important detail if you didn’t read the big spoiler tag). He met JH again at the right time when he was strongly craving a gentle love. He knew what he wanted out of life and what kind of person he wanted to be with extremely clearly after a failed marriage. His feelings for JH skewed from the original ‘gratitude toward an old fan’ into romance. He found he liked the girl, so he pursued her with the intent of spending a lifetime together. Their feelings grew even deeper into love over time. That is the type of story this is, and the author handles it rather well with a slightly hazy slice of life feel over the entire book. Well worth a read. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
QingSe
QingSe rated it
January 3, 2022
Status: Completed
This is a true gem and I am so glad I found it. Full chapters are just a google away and it's definitely worth it, if you're looking for a mild romance to recover from dog blood drama with.

The male lead is respectful and empathetic, if a bit bland, while the female lead balances him out quite well but is still realistic. The book generally carries a lighthearted realism in its vibe - it's the perfect example of a slice-of-life novel. All the side characters are fleshed out and three-dimensional,... more>> with little to no cannon fodder or villainised 'antagonist' (the whole book is quite mild when you look back). If you're looking to be entertained, this is probably not it.

Looking back, I definitely liked it more while I was reading it, though. It's quite an uncontroversial and softhanded piece but I almost pulled an all-nighter trying to finish it - and then I just skipped to the epilogue anyway.

Summary: softhanded, uncontroversial, slice-of-life, peaceful realism, mild <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
rndmsmmrflng
rndmsmmrflng rated it
April 13, 2021
Status: Completed
Dropping @ ch11. MBFB's novels in general have always been above satisfactory. It's not like I'm dropping this bec it has a bad storyline or there was an issue with the translation. I'm dropping this bec it just doesn't interest me anymore. Like what hoju (the translator) mentioned before starting the translation, this novel was written back in 2011, MBFB's writing style back then was different. The trends of stories back then were also different. The novel's overall atmosphere is light. Nothing complicated (easy to predict if you've been hanging... more>> out in this site for so long). Another thing is that I have read Really, Really Miss You before this and I must say that this is inferior to it in my opinion. RRMY brought me laughter almost every chapter of it but this one was simpler and almost passive for my taste. So I recommend reading this first before RRMY. If you still don't feel like reading the whole thing then proceed to RRMY and you'll see what I mean. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
chande
chande rated it
October 3, 2020
Status: Completed
It's a sweet story about the fan and her idol. MC is a screenwriter while ML is a famous actor. They meet in the drama that she recently wrote where he become the lead actor.

... more>>
Spoiler

Unknown to her, he already met her when she's just 15 yo while he's in an early phase of his career.

[collapse]

During the filming, they slowly become closer, not just as a fan and an idol or a screenwriter and an actor, but also as a man and a woman.

Spoiler

I'm just a bit baffled about the reason why ML falls in love with MC. If it's because of the moment where she's just 15, why in the end he married someone else? (Although it's ended up with divorce).

Speaking about his previous marriage with Tian Chu (his ex's name), it's like it never existed in the first place. People around ML rather treat his divorce like it's just a simple break up between boyfriend and girlfriend, not between a married couple. ML's family are included. Marriage is not only about 2 people but also 2 families but ML's family treat Tian Chu like she's never been in their family. Even his mom mentioned that she never truly knew what's it like to be a mother in law to her daughter in law.

It's just not like ML's character at all who treat his relationship very seriously. Did he really marry Tian Chu for love?

[collapse]
<<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Aurora8888
September 4, 2020
Status: Completed
It was a good one time read.

The beginning was interesting but then it got boring (but still can be read) .

The main thing I wanted to know about after reading is the reason behind ML's divorce.

I even re read some chapters thinking I missed it, but no the author didn't mention anything about it at all.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
miccavergara
miccavergara rated it
June 26, 2020
Status: Completed
If you want fluff, then you've come at the right place! This novel was just magical. It was sweet, lighthearted, innocent, and yet so sexy at times. We have our Female Lead who has been a die-hard fan of one idol (the Male Lead) since she was young. She grew up and ended up being a screenwriter for the latest drama that he was working on. That was where we saw the two of them become acquaintances, friends, and then finally... something more.

This is just a wonderful story and the... more>> translation from Hui3r was top notch as always. Definitely recommend and definitely will be re-reading! <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Saphie
Saphie rated it
May 12, 2020
Status: Completed
It's a cute story with barely any problems other than MC's insecurity for dating her idol and little jealousy++ her reserved nature. But that's to be expected because this novel is realistic and frankly, if that was me, I wouldn't even talk lol.

ML is sweet and open with his actions, the only misgiving is the author not stating what happened for him to be divorced???

A good novel, slice of life. If I was one the realistic side of a reader I'd give this a five but im not and half... more>> way through I got bored and only willed myself to read it, I also skimmed some parts but meh.. :/ 3.5 / 5 <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
polangga
polangga
March 26, 2020
Status: prologue
it is really good and fluffy... but until the end.. I am still curious why did he had a failed marriage given how perfect he is..

and is there another novel for xiaoyou? she is interesting.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
cookieconquerer
cookieconquerer rated it
May 5, 2019
Status: Completed
This is adorable and sweet. I love their interactions and how she grows from seeing him as her idol to seeing him as a man as well. It takes a bit to get used to her shyness, but she has her moments where she stands out so it balances out her dumbfounded ones (in my opinion). Would highly recommend for those who like modern romance with a minimum of misunderstandings and a majority of fluff.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
bkwrmatk
bkwrmatk rated it
September 13, 2023
Status: c45
I MTL'd this novel, but I'm dropping at c45 because it's just so boring! —You know it's bad if you don't care if the MC stays together or breaks up! :/ I can't figure out why the MC got together; I almost got whiplash from how fast they start dating.
Spoiler

She's his die-hard fan. He got over his burnout by seeing her spend her last few ¥ to buy his poster 10 years earlier.

Like what?! Going after someone because she's your fan is already sketchy, but how did he even know that little girl was her??

[collapse]

Not to mention he clearly wants to go public while she's always trying to hide him away. If this were a real couple, how would he not be hurt by her insensitive behavior? With how shallow their romance is, I was expecting them to break up at any moment.

Plus the plot is painfully underdeveloped. Flashbacks are just tossed in without any effect on the story, transitions to help us move between scenes were totally absent, and plot devices are dropped without resolution.

Spoiler

How did his broken leg not have longer repercussions? Did they forget to go take out her wisdom teeth? These were clearly just used to get the MC together in the same place, but at least add a line or two to finish up.

[collapse]

Overall the idea could be cute, but it's poorly executed. It is obviously an older novel, but it also seems like the author was lacking real-life experience when she wrote it.

She has better novels; this one is a pass.
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.