The story bordering torture for anyone with patiance as slim as paper (it’s me). But realistic enough with ambitious ML and reincarnated FL who didn’t want to repeat her mistake in the past. I dont mind jerk ML and stubborn FL but the prolonged drama is too much for me.

It’s a tragedy with a somewhat happy ending. But I think I might have preferred a bad ending instead. Nonetheless the story was really interesting even though the ML is a bit scummy and selfish. Taking in consideration the period, I found him really open minded and flexible, redeeming qualities that made him likable. The FL shines with the way she handles things though it’s not always brilliant. The romance is skewed since the start and stays skewed till the end.

This novel bears a lot of similar elements to the author’s earlier work, The Marquis is Innocent / Prisoner of Beauty.

And while TMII may have its issues, I find that a better read than this. Both have MLs who are warlords and are not that appealing at first and need room for growth.

Pihanjin, however, is simply an unnecessarily tortuous read. It doesn’t have a unique premise too (FL is wronged by ML and she cuts off ties with him in their second life).

If you prefer cold-hearted females who do not... more>> forgive, this novel might be for you. The ML just never wins, my heart felt tired just reading it.

The silver lining:

It’s not as sexually explicit as TMII. And the novel is relatively short at 102 chapters (though it felt loooong). <<less

Rating 4/5

I couldn't refute any of the characters' actions.

They simply had a different goal.

I found myself admiring the FL for her breath of mind. She was truly noble in spirit.

9.5/10 is another amazing book from this author, unlike the "marquis is innocent" where with sad scenes it still kind of lighthearted and happy-ish at the same time. But this book really wrenches my heart through some scenes, like I feel frustration for the FL as she is the only one knowing what's going to happen or what has happened while people misunderstand her. At the same time, I feel sad for ML cause indeed in this life he has not done anything wrong but kept being pushed away from... more>> FL and not knowing why. Having a child character Xi'er made a difference between this book and others. The child can be both the bridge or the gap between their relationship <<less

This book is intense. If you like wife chasing crematorium books, you will enjoy this novel. I happen to like this type of novel, but you will hate this novel if you don't like this trope.

If you are at all interested in the ML's POV, it's in chapter 79.

I think you should read this to the end before deciding if the ML deserves to be forgiven. He's pretty bad, but I have seen worse. I have a really hard time believing the ML in the second life is the same... more>> scummy guy in the first life. It's like they are completely different people.

Spoiler

In the first life, ML is a ruthless, ambitious bastard. In the second, ML has no idea why FL hates him. Several times, he debases and humiliates himself. He literally begs her for her affection. This is the same person?

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At the end

Spoiler

The FL decides that since she's a completely different person in the second life, the ML is capable of changing too. That's why she decides to forgive him.

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As for the son

Spoiler

he's reborn too. He's probably the sanest one of the three, TBH, because he doesn't want to to forgive his dad. He also thinks his mom is nuts for forgiving his dad-- at least at first.

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