10/10 ♡  objectively its not the best novel in this list, but it is without a doubt my favorite. if i had to choose 1... more>> novel to read for the rest of my life, it would be this. how did musuli turn YH of chapter 1 into such a gentle lover while still making it in character. romance might not be the main focus but it is my favorite part about this, the way they fell in love again and again (sobs) <<less

9/10 ♡ the kind of novel where everything is weaved with so much love and care that you can only gasp in appreciation when it all comes together at the end. ... more>>

fr, the ending stuck its landing so well I read the last 2 chapters a few more times to appreciate it. this one made me cry, made me laugh and made me cheer for the couple so fiercely. the characters really feel like they're real breathing people who's actions and personalities are defined by their experience, and it huuurts .

(vague spoilers) lost a point (-1) because of personal preference: 1. some of the middle parts is really stretched out 2. i wish an long had a better closure, and 3. while the ending was perfect amazing spectacular never been done before, wish we had a little bit more after their reunion.  <<less

10/10 ♡  UNHINGED ENEMIES TO LOVERS. these two are insane, both as a couple and individually, both as enemies and as lovers. what a fantastic... more>> read, the mutual support the understanding, together with the poetic writing style, its just so Good. there are so many things i could criticise but at the end of the day its one of the best danmei ive ever read and deserves full rating for that alone. politics, romance, side characters, friendships, it feels like a retelling of an epic. <<less

8/10 ♡ Listen i know NOTHING about LOL, this made me watch more faker videos on youtube than ever before. a very sweet story but leaves a mark solely bc of the chemistry between the couple. ... more>>

I was endeared with Soft along with LBY.. You'll come out of this with a new son after having joined a fictional fanbase. We are all Soft's dads here ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡ <<less

9/10 ♡  im generally not a crime/mystery/thriller reader, and some parts of this novel made me sick to my stomach (which is a praise btw).... more>> Priest writing evokes every emotion she wants you to feel. also the audio drama is so so good and enhances the already amazing story  <<less

9/10 ♡ CHI XIAOCHI, YOU SWEET MAD MAN.... more>>

The MC is a scene stealer, he's so intelligent and his decisions makes me laugh but also despite everything he's so compassionate and cares so deeply about everything. Best QT, Best Protagonist. <<less

10/10 ♡ Head, spinning. Despite this being seemingly complicated, priest walks you through it step by step making you aware of everything, and by the... more>> time you're at the end all you can do is be in awe at this PERFECTION (pun intended). Probably my favorite part is how the MC and ML change so much throughout the story, but still feel so inherently true to their characters, what a charm.  <<less

9/10 ♡ shen qiao really won me over he's the proof that you don't have to be domineering, arrogant or op to be considered a... more>> strong character. i love him so much, probably one of my favorite characters ever. and yws, grandpa is proof that you can also love a morally bad character.  <<less

9/10 ♡ ENEMIES/RIVALS TO LOVERS.... more>>

despite the excellent romance, its not the main focus. however, the interactions between the two of them will draw u in and will still be the highlight between the plot and mysteries. fx (with his bottom energy) and cbq (the tsundere) plotting against and with each other, the novel.  <<less

10/10 ♡ there are novels that you know you will instantly love and then there are those that slowly creeps up on you, and this... more>> one is the latter. MC has so much chemistry with practically everyone, not just in a romantic sense, everyone he meets falls in the category of "possible love interest" or "father figure" hh.  <<less

9/10 ♡  Priest delivers in every way with SPL, I don't even know what I loved most about it. EVERYTHING?? The plot, the writing, the political intrigue, the character, THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, THE ROMANCE.. THE LOVE LETTERS... more>>

personally didn't like the whole witchcrafty plot but it was well woven into the story that i can't even complain. <<less

10/10 ♡  AH, YOUTH. The author put so much love and care into the characters and their stories, it was incredibly realistic and moving, so... more>> sweet and tender, but also heart-rending and beautiful. the relationship between the 3 main characters make me weep  <<less

10/10  ♡ a story that will stay with me for a long time. ... more>>

a story rooted in reality where it felt like i personally knew and befriended all the characters. there is so much to love about this story i dont even know where to begin, of all the things i enjoyed the mc is my favorite part.. so so gentle both by nature and nurture by experience by the way life treated him, he made me cry he loves and cares for the few people in his life so devastatingly noticing every little detail about them,, all the characters are so well written, the ml whos so different from first impression, the kids, mc's mother and brother, dudong, came out of this feeling a lot for everyone. esp the CP, their relationship with each other and their kids. their love was so sincere yet bc of their age, so mature and understanding.. how they had responsibilities and yet were accomodating to each other so they could preserve their love for a long time. life happened to them before the start of the novel, and it will continue to happen... the last letter i need to have it printed <<less <<less

9/10 ♡ reads like arthouse movie with constant jumps between the timeline for each of their relationship landmarks which also explores characters so wonderfully. its... more>> all about the ~yearning~  <<less

9/10 ♡ Huacheng, sexy. ... more>>

My favorite MXTX novel, that made me get into danmei as a whole. <<less

8/10 ♡  isnt this practically everyone's first love?? ... more>>

the only reason it's not up there as my fav is because of the unnecessary "smut" it leaves a bad taste, and LWJ isn't to my personal taste, but otherwise, what's not to love. honestly, my favorite part about this (beside wei wuxian) is the familial love (whether by blood or otherwise). also thankyou mdzs fandom for so many amazing fics <<less

9/10 ♡ where they are genuine friends before lovers. where the (more) batsh*t insane person in the relationship is not the wild assassin lmao

9.5/10 ♡ introspective with stunning world building w so much humanity and cruelty

8/10 ♡ I loved the 90's setting, a rags to riches story with found family aspect. Despite the economic stuff not being realistic, its so... more>> well-written, I'd believe everything the author writes. its easy to mtl, but the translation is so slowwww, it will probably be bumped to a full score by the time its completely tl'd.  <<less

8/10 ♡ people will probably either really enjoy this danmei or possibly get very annoyed by it bc jfc the amount of emotional whiplash where... more>> it goes from heartwrenching tears to comedy within a second, and the confusing switch between the past and the present. in the beginning i was yelling just stick with one tone whether it was comedy or drama but after getting used to it, i truly began to enjoy this for what it was, a truly unique danmei that could distinguish itself from hundreds of other historical ones. i enjoyed everything about it, esp the love and loyalty the cp had for each other.  <<less

7/10 ♡ its a solid slice of life josei, the worldbuilding around 70's china was fantastic.... more>>

BUT!! the (spoiler) forced separation thing was the s*upidest plot point it drove me nuts. the extras, however, from ML pov made it worth it, i love how it comes full circle in the end and icb the extras hurt more than the actual novel itself :( MC </3  <<less

8/10 ♡ might not be accurate when it comes to the illness itself but the way MC supports ML throughout his pain and suffering, and... more>> not necessarily helps him "heal through the power of love" but shows him the light through the tunnel and gives him meaning was beautiful to read. THE COMMUNICATION esp, like i hate the possessive trope but the way its handled here was fr making me squeal. <<less

8/10 ♡ the first half overall is a solid 9, it felt so realistic and the slow changes (from ML) was delightful. and despite the... more>> serious plot points, the MC is HILARIOUS. the second half is 7-ish, but still a good read.  <<less

10/10 ♡ FOUND FAMILY FOUND FAMILY... more>>

Whan an epic. The meta, the characters and their relationships with each other, it left me in tears, confused, warm and in love. i have so MANY different emotions for kdj, i cant even-- he's an idiot (sobs) i love him with every fibre of my being.  <<less

8/10 ♡ CALE MAKES ME LAUGH hes so contradictory and somehow ends up going back on his words everytime like broo how you gonna accidentally... more>> be OP and save everything. also ALBERU BEST CHARACTER i love him so much.  <<less