Been over a year since I read this now… I don’t think SVSSS was perfect but it was such a unique and intriguing danmei to me. I loved the parody aspect, the double transmigration of author & reader, and the redemption of Binghe (mostly..). But unfortunately, although I love the main pairing individually! I don’t Loveee them together! I would have preferred Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge…… and it’s not even the shizun/disciple dynamic that bothers me but just the way SQQ views LBH… his views were a little too fatherly and LBH’s advances were a little too violent.. they’re okay but they aren’t the selling point of the book for me. ... more>>

““The second he flipped open《Proud Immortal Demon Way》, the story officially began; the moment he closed 《Proud Immortal Demon Way》, the story still remained unfinished.

Or, in other words, the story that circulated among the people of the world has already come to an end. But, the story between you and me has only just begun.” <<less

Didn’t want this to end it took me nearly a month and a half to finish.. though now it’s been nearly a year since then. I probably wrote a more eloquent review when I did finish but I’ll forever praise how beautiful Qian Qiu is… it’s politically focused yet it serves as a thorough character study on Shen Qiao as he surveys the world while physically and figuratively opening his eyes again. The relationship is somewhat secondary, I loved seeing Shen Qiao’s growth with Yan Wushi’s influence, yet we also see him remain steadfast in his kindness and beliefs. He isn’t naive by the end, yet he still searches for the best in people. His... more>> fall from grace elevates his capabilities and he flourishes into a strong leader. And of course it’s fun to see him interact with YW.  

“His body shaking, he lowered his head, and slowly pressed his lips to the other’s cheek, forehead, then in a gentle caress, he buried his face into the other’s neck.

The fabric of the robe collar slowly became wet, Yan Wushi moved slightly.

Shen Qiao: “…”

He suspected that it had been a false sensation, he didn’t even have the courage to lift his head.

Then in the next moment, the other’s weak voice reached his ears: “Did you just say, you’ll do anything?”

Shen Qiao: …“ <<less

I thought this would never surpass Qian Qiu for me but the extremely compelling dynamic between the main characters completely won me over.. Rivals growing closer while investigating mu*ders.. Being the only ones to stir each other’s hearts yet remaining so dishonest on the surface.. I adored how the story progressed through actions first and words second. The ending was abrupt yet we know CB and FX would give everything to spend more days bickering together, so of course they’d live. It’s also heart warming to see how gentle FX is in the most perilous moments. T-T Read it in 4 days LOL... more>>

“After he’d lived through the most painful moments of his life, he didn’t feel so bad right now.

But he had no intention to confess so quickly.

If he could enjoy watching the Second Commander Feng confess and bend his knee, why not enjoy it a moment longer?

At the very least… Once they got out, he’ll pit him one time less and call it a day.” <<less

This novel takes a long while to get running… the first 3/5th of the book felt quite slow yet the years were passing randomly and suddenly the main characters were 20+. With that being said though, I did enjoy the build up even if I was confused throughout it. There were so many times where I didn’t agree with Beiyuan’s actions…. Wu Xi was a huge redeeming aspect of the novel for me. As the tler said, w/o the main pairing there was very little happiness by the end.. but I look back on it more fondly than I thought I would. I actually LOVE how the topic of fate was handled… Even now I’m... more>> not quite sure how Beiyuan and Helian Ye were bound together but I think it’s beautiful to think that they were fated soulmates that broke free from their destructive bond and that Beiyuan found something better and warmer with Wu Xi. I still don’t know how to view Helian Ye lol but I found his character to be very tragic especially with the first life extra from his pov.. Regardless, the rest of the extras tied the story up nicely and left a smile on my face - I felt it was a good, happy ending for the main character. Not the best novel ever but enjoyable!!

“Jing Qi laid back down with a plop, rolled his eyes still, and racked his brains for a new scheme.

In a place he couldn't see, the corner of Wu Xi's mouth slightly picked up — it had only been three months. Why so anxious?

Prince, you have a debt to pay. Your words are precious, and you still have a lifetime to say them.” <<less

Had absolutely no idea what to expect from this after QiYe and besides knowledge from that, I went in blind without even knowing the male lead’s name. I thought the option to focus on Zishu was so interesting! We knew he wasn’t a great person from QiYe so I loved following an established morally grey main character. Despite Zishu being on the brink of death the whole time, I laughed so so much and adored the banter between the characters. I was so heavily invested with the side characters and the comedic storytelling that the deaths in this book genuinely shocked me. It’s the first book on this list to make me cry, and the... more>> main characters weren’t even involved. The relationships forged were so raw and intimate and I loved getting multiple perspectives on each one. The plot itself was a little confusing and hard to follow at times, but If I assumed the position of an outsider like Zishu was then I find myself overlooking it lol. It was such a great read!! In my opinion this book surpasses its prequel. I don’t think it’s perfect but I would 100% reread it & recommend it to others. 

“Zhou Zishu was momentarily distracted, thinking of the events that had led to this point just as if they were from a lifetime ago.

In the end, however, he simply stared at their entwined hands for a while, smiling gently. Yesterday, he had died when he had gone to bed, then awoken as someone new the next. The years that had passed were for nothing other than awaiting someone like this, who could stay with him both morning and night, holding his hand.”

Or, alternatively:

“Captivated in such an instant, he thought, As long as he's willing to give me the tiniest bit of affection, from this point on, every day he lives, I will live with him. If he passes on, I will hold a bundle of dry grass, douse myself in kerosene, and burn up together with him, turning to ash, becoming one with the earth in the same spot.

As long as you're willing, as long as you want me...Can I make an extravagant request for a minute, to be with you until we grow the white hairs of age?” <<less

Went into this completely blind since I heard the synopsis spoils the whole thing (it does).. and I loved it SO much. All I saw was that the MC got married thrice: "once for superstitions, once for politics, and once for love". Of all the series on this list thus far, this one was the most romantic. There was still flowery language, but both characters were much more straightforward with their feelings and confessions. The plot actually revolved around them rather than court politics or some mystery. It was heart-wrenching, yet very sweet. I laughed and I teared up. The novel's main story ends, but you're left with 20+ extras of a modern AU and... more>> it is So wonderful... I adore this couple. It is also the first story I've seen where the ML, rather than the MC, is the one to have been transmigrated. Although, we do get plenty of chapters and moments from the ML's perspective.. maybe it's better to say there are two leads. The author's notes were oddly spoilery too... the only thing that would've improved my experience is if I hadn't read them. But they weren't too bad. I want all my friends to read this!!! Married strangers to friends to lovers, I'd say.

"He wanted Lin Qingyu to be willful and happy forever. 

For this reason, he was willing to be a salted fish that was not so idle." <<less