Falling Together

Description

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Before the age of 27, Ning Zhiyuan’s name was Cen Zhiyuan. His family was wealthy, and he possessed both capability and means. With ambitious aspirations, he single-mindedly aimed to compete with his elder brother, who was the designated successor of the family business. This continued until a paternity test overturned everything.

As it turned out, from the very beginning, he didn’t even have the qualifications to compete.

With this change in identity, the first person to extend a helping hand to him was none other than his elder brother, whom he had always found disagreeable and incompatible.

Cen Zhisen had always felt that, aside from having a good-looking face, his younger brother had no likable qualities. He was overly competitive, scheming, and frivolous. From childhood to adulthood, their relationship had always been at odds, deteriorating to the point of hostility over the family inheritance. However, when he saw the usually composed man, upon learning about his true parentage, suppress red eyes and briefly reveal a moment of confusion and helplessness, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy.

His s*xual orientation leaned towards men. The former Cen Zhiyuan was his unpleasant younger brother, and now Ning Zhiyuan… Having restrained those confrontations and sharp edges, he was surprisingly appealing.

—He became the object of his interest.

Cen Zhisen x Ning Zhiyuan
Mature rogue x Playful character
The receiver is a wealthy family’s fake young master, not blood-related to the aggressor
Tags: Mutual love, Pride of Heaven, Happy Ending

Associated Names
One entry per line
同坠
Related Series
True Color (Shared Universe)
Recommendations
Meshing Effect (1)
No Ghosting Allowed (1)
Tattoo (1)
Restricted Area (1)
Can’t Be Left Behind (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. BL Novel that I have read
  2. Next Reading List 8
  3. Want to read or re-read soon BL (complete translat...
  4. BL Smut, BUT Not Your Typical Cheap Smut
  5. finished reading danmei novels pt. 4!

Latest Release

Date Group Release
02/05/24 Shanghai Fantasy c78
02/05/24 Shanghai Fantasy c77
02/05/24 Shanghai Fantasy c76
02/05/24 Shanghai Fantasy c75
02/04/24 Shanghai Fantasy c74
02/04/24 Shanghai Fantasy c73
02/04/24 Shanghai Fantasy c72
02/04/24 Shanghai Fantasy c71
02/04/24 Shanghai Fantasy c70
02/04/24 Shanghai Fantasy c69
02/03/24 Shanghai Fantasy c68
02/03/24 Shanghai Fantasy c67
02/03/24 Shanghai Fantasy c66
02/03/24 Shanghai Fantasy c65
02/02/24 Shanghai Fantasy c64
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11 Reviews sorted by


NicolM
New NicolM rated it
April 25, 2024
Status: --
Loved this! The guys were interesting and fabulous together (and hot) . I would have liked a smidge more drama and angst but it was a good book nevertheless, surprisingly with quite a bit of depth.
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KaelynC
New KaelynC
April 20, 2024
Status: Completed
I was hesitant and thought I would be uncomfortable, but surprisingly liked it. No crazy drama about real/fake kids except for some annoying relatives, but the central characters are understandable if not generally likeable. Novel focuses on MC letting go of some of the past and resolving some misunderstandings w/ ML, and the MC learning what love is. Most of the side characters are very much on the side, and thus are quite 2D, but it fits very well since the focus is very much on the MC. A lot... more>> of the things I was concerned about ended up being perfectly fine because the author made them fit so well together XD. <<less
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PinaColada
PinaColada
February 6, 2024
Status: c31
Like this novel so far because the characters are really well written and the plot is great, but I do not like the style of the translation team as they should not be charging readers for fan translations of a published work. This act makes chapters 31-50 unreadable, which makes it impossible to read the story in its entirety. It was my fault for starting this story without checking the completion tag, but I did not notice the jump from 30 to 51 on the chapter list as I did... more>> not expect a translation group to require readers to pay for access.

Will wait for another translator to pick this up or for the chapters to become available to read. <<less
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damnmei
damnmei rated it
April 11, 2024
Status: Completed
// Edit: Since writing this review, looks like the fan translation group has unlocked all previously price-locked chapters, so you should be able to read the entire novel without MTL :)

The relationship between MC and his not-brother the ML is the primary focus of this novel, and there's not way too much plot outside of their reconciliation and romance. There's sooo much delicious s*xual tension, as well as some pretty raw conversations between the two of them, and they touched upon all the topics that I was concerned about... more>> while reading, especially the fact that they had been raised as brothers and that their relationship had been so fraught prior to the discovery that MC had been swapped at birth. MC had a lot more reservations than ML about the situation, and it took him a while to sort out his convoluted feelings about ML.

Both have had many prior short term relationships and flings, but have never truly committed themselves to another or dated at all, so they are in fact each others' first love even if not each others' first time. The evolution from distant brothers who were rivals at best to lovers was pretty natural, and I never felt any in*estuous vibes despite the two of them having spent 27 years as nominal siblings. There's about a 4 year age gap between them, but they're both equally experienced in love, which is to say not at all in the emotional aspect but very much in the physical.

My one gripe is that I wasn't very convinced by why their past relationship was so antagonistic as:
Spoiler

It was mostly just due to MC misunderstanding and acting out against his his good intentioned brother, and said brother eventually giving up on repairing the relationship? Felt a bit anticlimactic for them to just handwave their bad relationship as brothers away with a "it was just a misunderstanding".

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As their relationship deepens the smut also gets more descriptive, which I found to be a nice touch. The scenes started off just as vague descriptions and I was like ah how tasteful, but then after their mutual confession... the author really took it to the next level haha! They're very passionate lovers and their past experiences are only really mentioned in passing, so even those who don't like when characters have exes should feel safe to read this novel.

This is also maybe the first novel I've read where the less wealthy family is portrayed in a positive light, with a truly wholesome bond between them as well as a genuine desire to reconnect with their biological son. MC's swapped at birth counterpart is also a genuinely good person, and there's a surprising lack of dog blood between the families as they both just want to reconnect with their lost child. The reactions to MC and ML's relationship are also nothing unexpected, especially since the two of them are independent adults and not much can be done to stop them.

Overall it's a great romance story, with some deep introspection on what love is and how romantic and familial love differ. I feel like a lot happened and also nothing happened in this novel, but there were no open questions for me at the end so I'm satisfied. Morality wise, I feel like this is a transition piece into getting someone ready to read an actual in*est novel though, so take that as you will? Haha <<less
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ria.green
ria.green rated it
January 24, 2024
Status: c75
This was not an easy read for me. Definitely not a feel-good/face-slapping type of story, it's a mature, complex story.

... more>>
Spoiler

MC had a bad childhood, which later makes him incapable of love. His family favored the ML as his elder brother, blamed him for his mother's death, and would pit him against the ML. For example, no one in the family had ever even celebrated his birthday because it was also his mother's death day. His father didn't treat him badly but he also gave him no family affection when he was young, and wants to compensate him later on because he feels bad. After he finds out they are not blood-related, ML starts to feel attracted to the MC. The MC grew up obsessed with becoming or beating the ML and pushes the boat along.


It just really feels like it's not worth it for the MC. ML is very good to him later on but it feels too little too late. MC wasn't perfect, he stumbled the ML a lot of times, but he always had a bottom line, e.g. He found proof that the ML was gay but decided not to use it. Meanwhile, the ML was the one who revealed MC wasn't the biological son - even if he didn't do it with malicious intentions, he still is the one who overturned MC's life. The ML tells the children in the family not to call MC names, but no one in the family gets any retribution for how they treated the MC other than a "don't call him that" scolding. And I can't help but feel that the ML basically was the root of why MC grew up with a distorted mentality, even if it was not his fault. As MC says, meeting the ML was a "fated tragedy." MC is really mature though, he doesn't feel like he needs an apology or any compensation for how he was treated.
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This story is well-written and isn't over-exaggerated for a "switched at birth" novel. Neither MC nor ML was "good" people in the traditional sense and they're both strong. MC is a cunning, lonely, and paraniod. ML is gentle blackbellied scum. They're both a little crazy. It was a frustrating but good read. <<less
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aiji
aiji rated it
February 14, 2024
Status: Completed
First off, I'm sorry but isn't this considered smut???

I thought, "wow, nice s*xual tension writing we got here". And then it started to become explicit lmao... Bring back my innocence! (joke)

Anyways, I will add "smut" tag to it. I will add more because it's not as wholesome and 'mild' as I initially thought it would by looking at the current tags as of this review's writing. This is too sexy. Will update it later

... more>> ------

Story:

The story outline is pretty much as what was written in the description: non-real bros falling in love with each other

Pretty simple, right?

Not really. Although the focus of the story is revolving around their romance development from enemies to friends, friends to lovers, it also tackles psychological themes, especially on the MC's part.

Since I was hit by "expectation vs reality" meme, I'm gonna throw some precautions for readers who are very picky like me when choosing story premise and main protagonist character setting:

    • both main protagonists had past relationships --- a physical one (sorry if you are looking for a pure one. I was a little disappointed too after learning lmao)
    • steamy and very sensual (and they don't care about the place lol)
    • excellent translation but chapter 31-50 is paid content. Ready your MTL prowess if you don't want to spend money (the author's writing style is very clean tho, so don't worry and MTL away! :)
Personally, for me, I think the highlights of the romance part is not really about how they would solve the issue of coming out from being "brothers" but the fact that both of them are attracted to each other --- but only physically, because they don't know what is love, and haven't been in love before. Then top it off by unresolved unexpressed past grievances and misunderstandings... perfect.

The ML (Cen Zhisen) is vulgar and doesn't have filter when expressing his pe*verted desires, and is mainly pulled by physical attraction and lust towards the MC (not accounting his 'bro complex'). While the MC (Ning Zhiyuan) is competitive and sensible, but very cunning and possesses a destructive deep 'obsession' towards the ML, with the latter as equally obsessive in a different way.

------

Overall Thoughts:

Unlike the previous novels I've read and liked, this is the first time that instead of falling in love with the couple's love because of how beautiful it is, or liking either one of the protagonists after reading, this time, I think I fell in love with the author lmao...

No, seriously, I liked the writing very much. I thought it's been a while since I've read a proper novel. Perhaps it's because it's so immersive that it feels so realistic you couldn't help but be engaged. The author is not stingy with descriptions and details. Despite the 'expected' image of the MC slowly came crumbling before my eyes chapter every chapter (he's an 'onion'), I couldn't help but continue.

About the overall satisfaction, I'm just glad that these two psychopathic brothers finally cleared out their misunderstandings and reconciled and got their happy ending, especially the MC. He's a hopeless case --- but surprisingly well-aware of it --- and sensibly faced his feelings and mindset about the ML very well. Their relationship turned out cute and sweet, like two teenage couples doing corny stuffs for the first time (lol). The romance development is natural and gradual.

So yeah, if you are tired of pure fluff and doesn't mind a love story with a serious tone sprinkled with steamy stuffs, this one is for you. <<less
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Asatakaba
Asatakaba rated it
February 6, 2024
Status: c78
Surprisingly fluffier than I thought it would be.

I like the fact that both sets of parent/ (s) accept the child as their, there wasn't any dismay once they found out about the switching

MC and ML are obsess with each other, and their relationship sailed pretty smoothly.

There wasn't any unnecessary dramas or brothers fighting for inheritance, which is kinda of a breather

Overall it's a cute story and I highly recommend it
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
magic101
magic101 rated it
January 24, 2024
Status: c30
As of now, it's pretty interesting with both the MC and the ML being obsessed with each other in different ways. Ngl based what I've seen so far this is one of the most healthy mature relationships I've seen in a while and they haven't even gotten together yet! The MC is still playing a pull and push game with the ML which is actually funny at times bc the ML knows what the MC is doing. Honestly the one thing that may turn people off is the pseudo-insest between... more>> them but if they get over that, it's still a pretty fun novel. To read so far. <<less
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Karamel Makkiato
Karamel Makkiato rated it
February 25, 2024
Status: c76
I thought I would feel uncomfortable since they were growing up as brothers prior to the revelation that they are not blood-related but it's actually not awkward. Their relationship as brothers was not like real brothers but more of like stepbrothers who compete against each other.

I like how the author set the story--it's very similar to the way MC is. It does not make me want to bawl my eyes out but tug my heartstrings enough to shed a couple of tears.

I like MC and ML's relationship and how they... more>> treat each other. <<less
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MeimeiXgreetsXNiangniang
It was surprisingly good. I also didn't expect a lot of explicit content. I thought "Mature" refer to some dark themes, I was wrong.

I do wish for an extra that can show their life in their old age.

9.5/10
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HiddenHermit
HiddenHermit rated it
February 8, 2024
Status: Completed
I liked this novel. At first I wasn't sure about reading it since MC, Ning Zhiyuan, sounded a bit jerkish but I'm glad I gave it a chance. The novel has a slight melancholic flavor as MC's and ML's, Cen Zhisen, relationship changes from familial to romantic. The past is remembered, with the hurts and at times the good things that MC had forgotten.

MC and ML did care for each other but a wedge had grown between them over time. MC misunderstood ML's actions and motives as the years went... more>> by. In summary, it was a good that MC's true parentage was discovered since it allowed MC to retract his protective spikes and let ML care for him.

Spoiler

MC never hated ML nor wanted to destroy him. He just wanted ML to pay attention to him. He was obsessed with ML since they were children, even wanting to be ML's wife when he was a naive child.

But when he realized that one day ML would have his own life and family, MC pushed him away. He was jealous of everyone around ML and wanted ML only for himself. When he found out that ML was gay, he was happy cause he wouldn't have to fight with ML's future children for his attention. Yep, truly obsessed.

So although ML was the one who persistently pursued MC at first. ML was actually pursued by MC from the very beginning.

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