Simply So

Description

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After his parents’ divorce, Zou Yang finds himself caught between two uneasy households. His father has a daughter he never knew about, a middle schooler born of an affair, while his mother seems dangerously entangled with a man who might be scamming her. Determined to uncover the truth, Zou Yang sets out to investigate this so-called Uncle Lü his mother seems enamoured by.

His search leads him to Fan Jun, a reclusive martial arts coach who never leaves the decaying neighbourhood of Nanzhouping. Haunted by a shadowed past, Fan Jun keeps to the martial art studio and crumbling streets of Nanzhouping, as though they were his only safe haven.

But as Zou Yang is drawn deeper into Nanzhouping’s bleak alleys, the ghosts of the past threaten to surface once more.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Fan Fan
泛泛
Related Series
Autumn Dryness (Shared Universe)
Recommendations
N/A
Recommendation Lists
  1. BLs Im reading once exams are over~(>.<)
  2. to be read
  3. want to read/ currently reading
  4. awaiting translation
  5. Danmei: Modern Pt. 1

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/22/26 DewdropTL c18
04/22/26 DewdropTL c17
04/22/26 DewdropTL c16
04/19/26 DewdropTL c15
04/19/26 DewdropTL c14
04/19/26 DewdropTL c13
04/19/26 DewdropTL c12
12/24/25 Levijiejie c11
12/14/25 Levijiejie c10
12/09/25 Levijiejie c9
12/04/25 Levijiejie c8
11/29/25 Levijiejie c7
11/24/25 Levijiejie c6
11/19/25 Levijiejie c5
11/14/25 Levijiejie c4
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2 Reviews sorted by


ghoststories
ghoststories rated it
November 24, 2025
Status: Completed
9.3 / 10

This novel was a hell of a journey. There are hilarious youthful shenanigans, cozy slice of life scenes, drama, danger, heartbreak, friendship, romance, overcoming trauma and fears; families that are toxic and broken, and families that aren’t quite whole but are supportive in the best way they can be.

All of Wu Zhe’s novels have a unique relationship dynamic, and each couple has their own take on what the basis of their relationship is. In this one, they bring up the topic of needing each other, being each other’s... more>> “person who needs me most in the whole world”, and the different reasons they need each other. Thought it was sweet and showed how they grow together, overcoming misunderstandings and helping each other through hardships.

All in all, really enjoyed this novel... The pacing feels non-traditional, where there’s a big climax in the middle of the book, so it might feel a little slow in the 2nd half, but it didn’t bother me—I was just having fun following along as their relationship developed.

In the last extra, they go on vacation and stay at the guesthouse featured in Autumn Dryness! It was fun to see the familiar characters again, from the POV of guests who don’t yet know anything about them. <<less
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ApolloAresZues
ApolloAresZues rated it
April 11, 2026
Status: Completed
This author is so talented at writing down to earth, daily interactions and the slow, gradual romance between two people. This is probably top 3 of my books from her. I felt very immersed in the characters and very concerned about their lives and love. The summary is quite accurate to what the story is about, but I'll go into more detail for those interested.

The book has two main characters. ZY, a college student whose parents have recently divorce and are both starting (or have already started) new lives independent... more>> from him. He struggles with grappling this change, while feeling longing for a complete family again and feeling alone and overlooked. I really liked the way the author portrayed his interactions with each parent differently based on their personality. With his dad especially, ZY behavior really made his character 3 dimensional to me.
Spoiler

His father is a sophistacated egoist that only rewards behaviour he likes and doesnt care for ZY outside of those expectations. In response, ZY takes advantage of his dads egotistical nature and cons money out of his time and again by "living up to that expectation" and behaving as his fathers perfect son. It affects him negatively emotionally to cater to his uncaring, two-faced dad, but the speed of earning money is indeed really fast lol.

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I also liked the fact that you could see the influence both parents had on ZY (even the negative influence of his father had positives). The author obviously really thought through his character and the reason he was the way he is. I also really loved his friend group, they were the comic relief from.

Then there is FJ, who is the adopted son of the man ZY mother is currently with. FJ didn't go to college and used his skills to continue being a coach/trainer at the family martial art gym. His character is very interesting to me. At first I thought he would be a tough guy, but his emotional sensitivity and tender emotions surprised me. His background is really rough and triggering.
Spoiler

He and his mom were physically ab*sed by his dad until his mom hanged herself, then he ran away from home under the threat that his dad would kill him when he came back. He has been essentially hiding in the old neighborhood near the gym since, even having a fear of leavng it.

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His newness to certain experiences despite his age is both sweet but heartwrenching. His trauma is subtle, but written in the details. His disability (he has hearing loss in one ear) isn't really treated too oddly aside from some harmless insensitive comments, but perhaps because his physical strength speaks for him, the disability is written about and paid attention too, but doesn't become the focus of this entire book and does not become his entire personality. Its just one part of his reality, not his entire life. Its handled well. Later he
Spoiler

gets a hand injury that affects him much more than his hearing loss did. For him, his strength was the only thing he had to support himself without burdening others. This affected his badly, but thankfully he recovered slowly.

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His character is a mix of many things and he is thr main reason I liked this book so much lol.

The romance between the two and their interpersonal relationships is the focus of this book. This part was so tastefully done. By the time you looked up, the characters were so naturally in love, but just hadn't broken the paper window. Later when they get together, their ages show lol (ZY is like 4-5 years younger). There is thoughtfulness, sympathy, comfort, and tenderness in every interaction.

As another commenter stated, the conflict unexpectedly peaked in the middle, and the second half is dealing with the fallout. But no worries, its only depressing for the short while and the rest is just life after. I enjoy slice of life romance books, so I didn't mind the pacing. But others who dont enjoy just reading interactions (even if they aren't the sugary sweet brain rot kind) then they might not enjoy this book. But for those who enjoy watching character not just fall in love, but handle life, conflicts, and meshing their two personalities together after becoming a couple, they will in enjoy this. It has plenty of "after" couple scenes that really show their relationship dynamic as it progresses. I love this type of thing, as it really makes me feel the couple will last longer then any fairytale perfect ending. I definitely recommend this book for those with that kind of taste. <<less
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