I Lived with the Villain in the ’70s

I began reading this a few days ago and managed to finish it quickly. The novel had a light-hearted tone for the most part, except for instances where the main character sought revenge against the male lead's family members. However, there was one aspect I didn't particularly like, which was the FL's frequent desire to suppress her third personality. It seemed unfair. While I understand the portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) might not have been entirely accurate, it was still tolerable. Overall, the book was an average read, neither exceptional nor terrible.

This novel was right up my alley! Although I felt the climax was a bit hurried, the main character's (ML)反击所有欺凌者的过程, which led to his split personality into three distinct identities, was satisfying. Here's a brief summary of each personality:

1. The first personality, a 6-year-old Yan Yang, was known as "the fool" in ShanYan Village. He was innocent and well-behaved but faced constant bullying. His transformation began when his wife joined the family.

2. The second, the dominant one, was introverted and depressed. Struggling with communication, he preferred solitude and books. He started integrating with the other traits after accepting his wife's support as part of his personal growth.

3. The third, who received much affection from the female lead (FL), was fierce, hot-tempered, decisive, practical, and a business genius. My heartstrings tugged when this one merged with the second, but later realized it was a predestined fusion.

Thanks to Lin XiaoYue's acceptance of Yan Yang's three personalities, their tragic beginning transformed into a loving marriage and successful career story. It was refreshing to see the original female lead, Bai XiaoChun, not being idolized by either XiaoYue or XiaoYang. She was more suited for Lu XiaoMing, an overly righteous duo whose actions bordered on foolishness. The novel was a delightful read, with a touching relationship between the main couple.

I really can't comprehend the thought process of the female lead! It's truly baffling! When encountering someone for the first time who's bullying her husband and making inappropriate sexual advances, she stands frozen, seemingly unsure whether this character is from the novel or how to react. How can this be? It's frustrating!

Despite enjoying the story overall, there are certain aspects that bother me. Throughout the novel, women consistently hold all the power, with no exceptions. Men are portrayed as mere backgrounds, voiceless and unable to express their opinions or assert themselves against their wives or daughters. Women are expected to shoulder all household responsibilities, including tasks typically done by men, while their male counterparts merely sit idle.

It's not as if women are solely responsible for domestic duties while men work outside; both genders work together and contribute equally. However, upon returning home, women still take on the lion's share of the chores and decision-making. The author's portrayal of men feels one-dimensional, with their thoughts, reactions, and dialogues being minimal.

As for the translation, it's not particularly strong, but it gets the job done.

The themes of this novel are quite grim, and I don't believe the author intended it to be so. Poor Xiao Yue had a tough time; she deserved better. It's shocking to see human trafficking treated so casually. The female lead doesn't seem to care, and Xiao Yue's character was unjustly portrayed as wicked for simply not accepting her fate as the ML's wife. The author tries to excuse the ML by saying he's foolish, but it's hard to overlook the dehumanizing nature of the situation.

The FL, despite claiming intelligence, comes across as rather naive and immature. Her supposedly witty remarks sound more like high school-level banter. But perhaps that's balanced by the one-dimensional villainy of the family antagonist, who are evil for the sake of it, lacking any complexity or depth in their thoughts and actions.

Even the ML's family, despite having a "special" child, are reprehensible. How could they ever consider such a horrifying idea? This story sometimes leaves me bewildered, especially with the handling of mental health issues – it's simply not handled well.

Reading this novel has been quite a strain on my cognitive abilities.

I've read the Machine-Translated version, but I truly adore this story! The main character is both likable and humorous. I particularly enjoy how she interacts with her three husbands' personalities, especially the violent one. My main thoughts are about the MC and ML.

The concept of the three personalities in the ML is intriguing. It reminds me of the K-dramas "Kill Me, Heal Me" and "Hyde, Jekyll, Me," where the ML had a traumatic childhood experience. At six years old, he was falsely accused of stealing 10 yuan, which led to a fever and the development of a personality with a six-year-old IQ. The family dynamics were harsh, and he was locked away, eventually forming the second and third personalities to cope.

The third personality, a protector, emerged due to the abuse he faced in the Wang family. Initially, it appeared sparingly, but as he learned to retaliate, it became more prominent. The MC, who had a unique connection to the study space where time stood still, bonded most with the third personality because he provided her security.

As events unfolded, the child personality left without warning, causing the MC to fear losing the third one. They embarked on illegal ventures together, and the third personality sought revenge against those who wronged them. Eventually, only the depressed master remained, pretending to be the third one to please the MC.

The master observed the third personality closely, integrating its traits while gaining confidence. The MC accepted all three aspects of her husband, revealing the true identity of the remaining one. Together, they built a happy family with their children, and even the original ML and FL supported him in his success.

While the ending felt rushed, I hope for more content. Despite the author's confusion between DID and schizophrenia, it's a captivating story. The MC's relationship with her MIL was heartwarming, and the MIL's character development was well-done. Overall, a delightful read!

Initially, I hesitated to read due to the negative remarks about the main character's (MC) personality. However, my fascination with 1970s reincarnation novels compelled me to give it a chance, and I'm glad I did. It's true that the MC has her flaws – she's not perfect, quite self-centered, and sometimes displays immaturity when handling the protagonist's (ML) mental health issues. Remember, she's an 18-year-old high school graduate preparing for national exams, with limited experience in the adult world. Given her background, I believe she did the best she could under the circumstances.

Furthermore, it's understandable that the MC might be biased towards ML's third personality, given the vulnerability she faced upon sudden reincarnation and the cultural shock. Seeking stability for her own mental well-being is human nature.

While the MC's imperfections are evident, I appreciate her authenticity. However, I feel that a deeper understanding of dissociative disorders by the author would have added more depth to the story's context.

The content is reminiscent of other works from the 60s and 70s, providing a nostalgic pastime. However, there are superior alternatives available. Although the Shanghai Fantasy Translator edits some online novels, it still contains numerous errors, such as incorrect gender pronouns, and the overall quality leaves something to be desired.

I devoured the content in one sitting. As the previous reviewer mentioned, the author employs forceful language to criticize ML, and they exhibit a hint of superstition. However, if one overlooks those aspects, it still provides an engaging read.

It's understandable to overlook the portrayal of Multiple Personality Disorder initially, considering the characters from the past are迷信且性格有缺陷. However, the main character's behavior is disappointing. Not only does she mistreat the love interest as if he were a fictional character, but she also openly favors the third, villainous personality due to personal preference and perceived benefits.

The protagonist's flaws are understandable, as humans often gravitate towards those who alleviate their burdens. However, the execution of these dynamics feels shallow and one-dimensional. The second personality offers some redeeming qualities, but if the MC consistently behaves in a disrespectful manner, it becomes difficult for me to continue reading.

Moreover, the translation quality has deteriorated over time. It starts off tolerable but steadily worsens, resembling machine-translated text.

Update: My review underwent significant changes due to plot developments that dramatically altered the story.

Before diving in, it's important to note that the story revolves around a male lead (ML) with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), not schizophrenia. The narrative can be harsh, given the treatment he receives from others during that era, with instances of derogatory names like "fool" and "stupid." Characters, including family members, display disrespect. However, the female lead (FL) treats the ML with care, despite her lack of professional knowledge about his condition.

Some readers criticize the FL for not researching more about DID, given her modern background. It's understandable, but considering the limitations of the time and her personal circumstances, it's unrealistic to expect her to be an expert. It's unfair to judge the story harshly based on this aspect.

Now, focusing on the story itself, the protagonist finds herself in her favorite book as a character, aiming to change events and support the ML. The MC is driven, seeking a comfortable life, and uses her future knowledge to navigate their journey. She's cunning, determined, and humorous at times.

My enjoyment of the MC and ML waned after a particular turning point related to the ML's DID and his three personalities. The FL spends most of her time with the rough, gangster-like third personality, while the others receive less attention. It would have been better if the MC engaged more with the other personalities before they fade away, showcasing her growth.

The portrayal of the family members, particularly their role in the ML's trauma, is distressing. The revelation that they contributed to the ML's condition and even sold him for abuse adds to the somber tone.

Despite the intense drama and the MC's cunning, the story doesn't rely solely on her powers, which is refreshing. She does rely on others, which is a redeeming quality. Other characters are more peripheral as the focus remains on the ML's DID and its impact.

While I'd rate the story 3 or 3.5 stars, I won't change my overall rating. It's not uninteresting, but the emotional downturn as the story progressed left me feeling somewhat disappointed.

In summary, the story explores complex themes, but its execution could have delved deeper into the development of other characters, particularly those surrounding the ML. Despite its flaws, it offers a unique perspective with a cunning protagonist.

I genuinely enjoyed the novel and intended to give it 5 stars, but as the story unfolded, my admiration dwindled due to the main character's selfishness and her extreme favoritism towards the third personality. It felt like having three separate individuals within her. Her self-centered nature made me root for the main personality to regain control and distance himself from her. Despite being more than halfway through, she continued to excessively favor the third persona, expecting affection without reciprocating.

The main character's efforts to improve, such as stepping out more and socializing, were seemingly motivated by his desire to make her happy, yet she complained about his lack of sweetness and attentiveness compared to the charming third personality. Additionally, while claiming to want to help, she failed to provide any tangible support.

It's frustrating how others seem to overlook these issues, but if this were a female character in another story, the reaction would likely be very different – harsh criticism and low ratings.

Despite my disappointment with the main character, I must admit that I held on for the plot and the development of the main personality. The book ended on a positive note, with a satisfying conclusion for him. As for the protagonist herself, I still didn't particularly like her, but I could tolerate her a bit more by the end. 😊 Heartwarming ending for our hero! ❤️

While the narrative was engaging, there were a few aspects that left me uneasy. I feel compelled to express my concerns. Initially, the protagonist's multiple personalities seemed like an intriguing dynamic, with the focus on the third, assertive, and somewhat rebellious side. However, the author constantly emphasized FL's bias towards this particular personality from the beginning, which reached an uncomfortable level. It was disappointing to see this character trait persist without any clear resolution or growth. Furthermore, one of the personalities disappeared abruptly, feeling abrupt and unsatisfactory. The ending chapter appeared rushed, lacking the care and polish that the rest of the story deserved.