Best of the best of the best.

I don't really like reading family novels. But I was bored because of quarantine so I decided to read this novel.

It turns out. It was much better than I expected. The characters are easily like and their chemistry is awkward but slow.

I think this well be the next new novel I will be keeping tabs.

I hated that the FL had so many chances to come clean with ML on who she really was. But she won't. She's lying by omission, and that left a slimey feeling, like we're supposed to root for a scumbag.

Ew.

I really don't get the people who give this novel 5 stars. Warning could be spoilers below.

1. No reasonable explanation about transmigration. Like it's happened so just eat it.
2. FL it's kind of terrible. Almost every chapter - "Im so beautiful, everyone think that Im so beautiful, there is no one more beautiful than me, everyone should told me that Im beautuful, my body, eyes, nose, hair, toenails, my snot and etc" It's give me creeps.))
3. Irrational plot. How can someone you never know and meet for a first time to force you to commit su*cide? And after you just woke and ok I will get lost and be erased from here on.
4. Too omnipotent 4 year child! Like 60 years old.
5. Till chapter 288 there was some kind of development sometimes. But after it was impossible for me to read. Especially when a woman who never had children, no proper job, with nanny, with money and only care about her appereance are talking - "it's hard to have a child and blah blah blah" and ML - "yes, of course. You are perfect mother! It's hard on you!" But according to development she was a mother for a few months at most. Face palm. So only three stars for the author try and for ML.

Should I say the author has great ability to brainwash or should I say my thoughts match with the author's? Hmmm... Why don't you guys help me out? Yeah, it's your as usual transmigration story, but I liked it very much anyways. There is no sudden love blazing between protagonists. The plot is not hurried. Everything is, oh well, well paced. Ah, since the romance is slow burn, you might feel impatient. Apart from that, everything is good. Well, I have read the author's one more story before this so... more>> as to see whether it'd be good to say my opinions (I'll try author's other stories. If I don't feel my thoughts are correct, I'll be coming back to rewrite the review).

Well, fellow readers, I'll summarize my views on points below:

• The female lead is ordinary, smart, realistic, normal and carefree to limit. She saves male lead not out of kindness but out of selfishness to live a better life. This is clearly not good, but I find it particularly nice because her thoughts are clear and her selfishness is not hidden under the guise of kindness.
• She doesn't have any intention to take a role of mother. She says she'll be a quirky aunty to the child and that's plausible because no one can replace a mother, no matter if the mother is good or bad. But, she does feel more than an aunt later in the story.
• The male lead is real, calm, mature, sensible, hard-working, rational and is not overbearing. He is not your typical tyrannical CEO in every transmigrated story. This is the plus point of author. The story I read before this also had different from your typical CEO, which made me like both the stories.
• Next is our Little Wang. Beware people. If your standards on your child rises high, you guys can't blame me. I'm warning you. Our Little Wang is sensible, obedient child. He has got brains, yet he hasn't lost the innocence that every child has. This little cutie will simply melt your heart.
• The original Ruan Xia has many negative points and few positive points. The good points are: She has exceptional good judgement on people. You can she that her choice on men is particularly good. Her first husband as well as second husband (in original plot) are good. She has her own principle. As for her negative points, it's crystal clear and I don't have to point it out.
• The plot of original novel comes around. But, good thing is, they pass upcoming hurdle together and safely.
• Qin Yu.....I've mixed feeling about him. He is villain yet not the villain at the same time (not gonna disclose his identity). What I feel is author showed him up (not only him but other characters showed up as love interest) in order to make us realize types of love in different form. I like this villain because he feels very humane. No doubt villains are ruthless, but hey, they are human too. They also have good points in them and has places to change (Ya ya, I'm blabbering nonsense. Let's head to next point)
• I guess most of you might get a bit disappointed at the end since Ruan Xia doesn't want second child. Honestly, I was pretty sure there would be no second child. It was no surprise for me because my reasoning perfectly matched with her. And, I dare tell you, the reason why she didn't have second child is perfectly reasonable. There's no place to refute her reason. After all, no matter what, a mother will always be biased towards her child. Her child would always be the first and that would not have been good to our Little Wang.
• This story has no drama at all. No complicated relationships. No misunderstanding. No miscommunication. Ah... so refreshing.
• Ruan Xia doesn't reveal her secret. I was dissatisfied for few chapters, but it's good that she kept that to herself. Somethings are better off not being told no matter how close you are to someone. If she had told her secret, who knows, there might have been anxiety between the couple or her goodwill towards Little Wang might have been doubted. That would have definitely created misunderstanding and led to more complications. That'd be a headache.
• Another thing, this story (okay not only this but the story I read before this too) has changed my views on marriage. My thoughts were exactly like that of Song Tingshen. Since big boss himself has been proven wrong, I have nothing to say.

The reason why I gave this story full point is because this story has everything that I wanted in a story. The story is not full of sunshine yet not full of dark clouds. I've always felt that a story should be able to coincide with the views of real world so that we can ponder about it for a long time without being delusional (hmm... did that make sense?).

Anyways, you can read by yourself and add things I've missed or overlooked on your own review. Why don't you give it a try? <<less

Not bad. Fluffy but not much romance fluff, more on slice of life and little bun fluff. Nevertheless, I wasn’t bored at all. Like the MC and the O! Host.

I just finished reading this.

I'm really in love with this novel. It's the right kind of chill and sweetness for me. No drama. Problems easily solved. It's right in every way. It's funny and cute... The characters are very likable for me... But the MC is a bit too realistic, which is alright, but I wish she could be more... Hmmm... (I don't know what to call it) a bit more like an "mc"... I don't know if that made sense.... Anyway, the ending was just fine but I'm... more>> still thirsty for more and I find it a bit lacking..

Spoiler

I wish they had a second child. But I understand her reasoning so it's okay....

Also, this is weird but I made a fic in my head about that qin guy and his ex wife... Hihihi I i real am just a sucker for second chance stories and reincarnation stories sksksk....

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The ML for me is 100/10.

He's the best. He's kind, he's gentleman, he's smart and calm, he knows sh*t better than anyone, he's adorable and dreamy... Arghh I wish I had a man like him... Huhuhuhu

Well.. what I really wish for is a sequel or a Spin-off.. idk.. anything to satisfy me <<less

Since nearly all the chinese romance novels used to be about some oppressive CEO this and that and a whitelotus or badass mary sue, I had actually moved on to BLs. This might be my one of the few straight romance novel that I read and liked even after being on the BL side for a really long time.

I just love the opinions, thoughts and maturity this freakin couple has! I agree with most of their ideas a lot! Communication is the key! And I love the ML! He is... more>> not the too cold oppressive CEO but is really down to earth mature dude who actually likes sweets, is scared of horror movies, still has his old common people habits like haggling and is extremely respectful to his wife! Bro I need more MLs like this!

It was pretty cute and short read overall.i did cut a single star cause I would have actually loved a bit more on the romance and chemistry or maybe some more wholesome relationship development and drama between the family and so. Except that, its really good and unique overall. I really recommend it! <<less

Honestly, I read this novel prepared for a cliche and dog blood novel with a lot of plot holes, so I’m pleasantly surprised by it.
Perhaps because of my low expectations, The novel was really good. The ML is really likeable, and the small kid is cute, but maybe a little bit too smart. Kids around that age usually are self-centred (not in the negative meaning). There are some predictable parts, but I enjoyed reading a novel without a dense MC and a plot with logic. The MC and ML respect each other equally, and it’s something I really like. There’s this annoying repetition of ‘girls’ and ‘boys’. If it was only something like ‘since I’m a man, I’ll stand up for mum’, I’d be fine, but it’s all throughout the story, it’s not to the point where I find it sexist or misogynistic, but its definitely annoying.
All in all, it’s definitely a novel I recommend reading.

Even though I like this novel a lot, there is right amount of fluff, plot, mysteriousness, and character development which attracted me. There were several other reasons too, ML is very respectful and sincere, he knows his boundaries and isn't pushy or possessive. They have a really respectful and consensual relationship, and I fell in love with Tingshen's courteousness.

But the reason I gave it a four rather than a five, was because of the repeated emphasis that the author put on gender roles.

'since he is a boy, he can't lie.'

'girls... more>> lie, mom is lying too'

'since we are the only boys, we should protect mom since she is girl'

I feel that even though the relationship is shown to be mutually respectful, the dominant and toxic role of men are still highlighted. The misogyny would have cost more than one star, but I liked the plot anyways. <<less

I seriously recommend this novel to those realistic, mature people. If you are here for dog blood drama this is not probably your cup of tea. It's a very stable, mature and realistic light novel. There is respect and understanding between the MC and ML before love. I really fell in love with this novel.

This is a predictable novel but you still anticipate the next thing that is going to happen.

The one thing I was dissatisfied with was the lack of romance. There are small hints of it but that might as well be just 'getting along'. Also the ending was really abrupt.

I haven't finished reading the novel yet but this is the most realistic cnovel I've read until now, I like how the FL doesn't become so close and clingy with the ofl's kid, I haven't read anything like this before but it's true cause if we think it carefully that a random person can't be easily so close like a real mother after just watching a kid.. and the ML is also a reasonable kind of guy, I really like his personality till now... in my pov this is a... more>> really good novel! <<less

Stumbled upon it again after my initial read. Struggled to remember why I gave up on it. But then quickly remembered how forgettable and boring the story got. It doesn't help that the translator parses the chapter too much. The brevity of each piece of the chapter heightens the feeling that "much has happened but nothing was satisfying".

Bland. Boring. Not compelling. A kid that gets on your nerves for some reason. Two smart and boring main characters. This story has no conflict, no stakes. Everything is just a smooth, boring... more>> sail down a river of indifference. <<less

2nd read in Oct 2023: 4.5 stars

This was still a fun experience for me. The MC is very rational and it's not an issue that she changes her resolve often (I've seen a review that complained about this). She first wanted to be just an aunt-figure to her instant son, gradually she finds that she can no longer be as distant and started to treat him as her real son. Second, she planned to maintain a distant relationship with her instant husband. That gradually changed too as she gained feelings... more>> for ML. Who could blame her? ML is just the perfect husband and perfect father. I would fold immediately if I were her. The major antagonist was an interesting character. He was annoying and quite scary. It's just that he disappeared fast in the story. There was the right build-up and momentum leading up to the confrontation with the antagonist, but the moment the story gets there, the execution just fell flat. Plot involving the antagonist started great but the ending (with him) wasn't fulfilling.
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1st read: 5 stars

I like characters!! They were dynamic and would probably be relatable if ever I were that rich.

I think the fanwai or side stories deserve to be mentioned. I think they were very interesting and will let you feel emotions that you did not get from reading the main story. <<less

Not overly clichè, not too realistic. I love how the characters interact. I love how ML is not too cold and has good reasons as to why he is indifferent to MC. I like how MC is realistic too and not over reacting why the ML treats her so in earlier chapters. The child too, is adorable. Not overly cute but is fluffy enough. I think the baby here is top 1 among the babies I have encountered with this kind of genre. Thanking the author and translators for the... more>> efforts to have us readers read this gem. <<less

A decent read if you have nothing else to read. But nothing special or particularly good.

I did like that when MC transmigrated, she made plans for when she would go back to her original life. Like taking English classes and baking classes, so she would have skills when she goes back. Although this was only mentioned for a chapter or two before it was completely forgotten, but still, props to her for being unlike most other MCs who just settle down in their new life like a squatter on in... more>> an empty house.

I also appreciated that MC did not have any any feelings towards ML in the beginning, and he had none for her as well.

This ML, in addition to the one from The Former Wife of Invisible Wealthy Man, are the most decent ML's I've read about in modern novels. Most novels, even if the ML isn't an abusive yandere posessive stalker CEO who doesn't really respect MC, he still does somethings that are hurtful and childish. For plot reasons of course. And I'm not saying that I don't like it, I'm just saying that it's rare to read about MLs who are mature and will not take out their emotional frustrations on MC and think they have done nothing wrong.

ML is mature, thinks about his son first and wants the best for him, and even when he and MC were not getting along, he still never mistreated her. Good on him.

But besides that, the plot was actually quite boring and bland. The emotional development between MC and ML was quite abrupt, as MC clearly stated that she did not want to get involved with ML. Which is a nice change from MCs transmigrating into characters and then falling in love instantly. But then when their feelings do being to thaw out, their emotional development is... boring to say the least. There were no ups and down or emotionally heart wrenching moments when I actually felt they were in love. One day it just seemed like they were in "love" but this didn't really change how they acted. They were still as boring and emotionally bland as before.

Also, you would think that with the title being, The Villain's Mother, you would think that the so called villain would have more of a role in the story. Not that he turned out villainous this time. So maybe the title needs to be changed. <<less

I love how the mother doesn’t immediately fall in love with her ‘son’ because she doesn’t have to! She isn’t his real mother and she takes care of him like an aunt would because she isn’t actually his mother and that’s okay!!

I also love how the progress between the FL and ML are progressing steadily instead of how it’s always depicted - overbearing and possessive. It just doesn’t make sense!! So I love this novel for normalizing these things. The original girl was barely a decent person so it’s freaking... more>> normal for the ML to be skeptical about FL’s change.

PS Little Wang is just so cute!!! Sadly kids don’t act like him at his age in real life TT <<less

I like that the MC actually considers the possibility of returning to her world and makes use of her time. I also love that she doesn't try and replace the novel's character, instead living /her/ best life.

It's a decent story but I think that a lot of the points made get repeated a lot. The MC is also kind of detached from her husband and kid so they generally come across as bland.

Nonetheless, I binged this and had a good time.

I saw someone complaining about the slow romantic development of the novel, but I find out realistic. I mean, if you get yourself in a foreign body with a husband and a child, would you jump to involve with that strange man? And the original owner of said body had a very bussines-like relationship with said man, so even if you did want to pounce in him, he will be very bewildered and flat out reject you because of that.

Basically, and with no wanting to spoil any major events, the... more>> child (Shuyan) is the glue keeping them together.

Ah! Let's not forget that both of them (our MC and Song Tingshen) have no experience with relationships prior to they marriage... Tingshen to me is very cute for a man in his thirties ? the "oh no I don't know what I'm doing" type of cute in terms of love. And is a marvelous daddy!

I very much like the story but yes, to the current 73 chapter fragment (the translator does not upload the full length of them) the romantic development between our couple is barely siting in the friends stage, with the MC recognizing the ML as her roommate. So keep that in mind, we're gonna be here for a while lol <<less

A very realistic transmigrated novel. Ruan Xia (FL) doesn't feel excited about the fact she's a mom of a four year old cute boy and didn't fall in love at first sight of her handsome and rich husband. This get a nice points to the novel because I've always questioned on transmigrated novels why the MCs accepted so easy the fact that they're married and have children. Your lifestyle changed too much and you will not feel something?

It's true Ruan Xia doesn't accept the fact that she's a mother but... more>> she doesn't treat bad the child, she raised her son like a responsible adult not as the famale lead from The Male Lead's Villainess Stepmother (I recommend not reading it hoping it is similar to The Villain's Mother) <<less