The Medicine Jar is Loved but Not Abused

Is this a stand alone book or part of a series?

This was an,incredible story. it is full,of twists and turns. The depth of characters and their complicated relationships are well thought out. I really want. more!

Great book. Needs more chapters though

I absolutely loved this! I can't find the MTL translation for the extras, but I adored the main story! The "love" between the main character (MC) and male lead (ML) is really unique to me and incredibly refreshing compared to other danmei novels. I definitely want to read this again once the translations are complete, and I hope I can read the extras too because I'm so curious about what happens next for our main couple! Definitely give this a read! 😍

The storytelling isn’t groundbreaking, but I really enjoyed it. I completed the main story in MTL. They officially get together in the extras (I think), but I haven’t read that part yet.

I gave this a 5-star rating because I think this story is something I’ll remember. While the story isn’t entirely fleshed out, it’s really good. The plot elements and secret reveals, though not entirely original, stand out in the current flood of cliché drama stories.

The main character (MC) is very simple and cute. The male lead (ML) is actually quite sweet. Together, they form a pretty funny team. The MC serves as the ML’s deterrent to unwanted romantic gestures, which is a cute dynamic.

There’s a scene where the MC is watching the ML, trying to gauge when and if he needs to step in as a “lover.” He observes the ML’s expressions, noting, “Oh, he seems upset,” then, “Oh, wait, he seems to be in a good mood,” and finally, “He’s mad again. It’s been 30 seconds.” Then he goes down to cause trouble. A guy next to the MC is like, “WTF? How can you tell?”

The ML constantly takes care of the MC. It’s because he doesn’t want to deal with the MC’s health issues. During a date, the MC suggests getting a hotel room. I was like, “WTF? Why? To sleep?” Yes, it was for him to rest. The MC was too tired after walking around, and the ML was used to taking care of him.

**Plot Reveal for the ML:**

The ML and MC are contracted lovers. Hints are dropped throughout the story, and it’s revealed towards the end that the ML’s older brother was gay. The ML’s nephew, seen at the beginning, is the older brother’s son. The differences in the attitudes of the ML’s parents toward the MC become clearer when you meet the nephew’s mother, who can’t be with her son. There’s a scene where the ML takes the MC to follow a random guy. At that point, as a reader, I was like, “Ain’t no f*cking way.” If it’s true, it’s pretty messed up.

The backstory is that the ML’s older brother was gay and introduced his boyfriend to his parents. The parents, being homophobic and wealthy, hired people to drug (if I remember correctly) their son and rape him. This is why the nephew exists. Shortly after, the brother got into a car accident and died. His mental state at the time was not great.

The ML knew his brother was gay but was studying abroad and unaware of what his brother was going through until after his death. So, the ML has contracted male lovers to spite his parents (though the ML is or was straight).

This backstory adds depth to the ML’s cold personality. He has the responsibility of handling his brother’s affairs, takes care of his parents (whom he doesn’t like), and looks after his nephew. He’s surrounded by people who care only about wealth, status, and reputation. Years after his brother’s death, the ML is still grieving.

Honestly, thinking back, the ML didn’t have much going on throughout the story. He has one friend but nothing else. He didn’t have career ambitions. He just did everything methodically and correctly, likely taking care of his brother’s unfinished business. It’s a good thing the MC showed up.

**Plot Reveal for the MC:**

The MC is dying. When he transmigrates, he has a healthy body, but his allergies come with him, indicating his illness will return. He lives life to the fullest before it happens. He eats and does whatever he wants, goes to school, and writes in a notebook about things he wants to do.

I’m a little sad that this notebook didn’t have a greater purpose. It would’ve been heartbreaking if the ML found it. He writes things like “I want to be in a relationship” and crosses it out, writing underneath, “I don’t want to be in a relationship if it’s not going to last.” The last thing he wrote is “I want to make Xie Yin (ML) happy.” This is after he found out the ML was sad and he was getting sicker. The author could’ve used this to enhance the story.

As with many terminally ill characters, the MC tries to leave to avoid making the ML sad with his sickness and eventual death. He proposes a breakup, and the ML agrees, needing a time buffer to set up a full medical checkup for the MC. The ML is upset that the MC would rather leave than tell him about his illness.

The ML takes the MC for a checkup. The MC is scared (he had treatment in his previous life, which was painful). The ML discovers a lot is wrong with the MC’s body. Later, they have a sad scene at home. The MC cries and says the ML is his best friend and he doesn’t want to make him sad. The ML responds that he is his best friend and can accept everything.

They undergo treatment, and the ML tries his best to boost the MC’s will to live and get better.

**Additional Thoughts:**

I’m still processing the fact that the ML wasn’t gay. This means he agreed to have sex with the MC before realizing his feelings, or maybe he did realize but I didn’t as a reader?

The reason they started having sex is due to the MC. The MC was straight or believed he was. The ML always warned him not to get close or have inappropriate thoughts. The MC would yell that he was straight, so the ML needed to calm down.

Later, the MC started having sexual fantasies about the ML, masturbated to him, and had a wet dream. He discussed with his roommates whether sex felt good and with a man. He then gets excited and starts messaging the ML to have sex. The ML, confused, eventually gives in (angrily) after the MC ends up in the hospital for other reasons. He then learns from the MC’s roommate that the MC has been curious about sex lately.

They have sex, and the ML is gentle throughout. I found it cute, and learning the ML wasn’t gay to begin with makes it even cuter. It shows how much he indulges the MC.

I generally dislike the trope of the top saying, “I don’t like men, but I like you.” It feels heteronormative, as if the bottom is special enough to be noticed regardless of gender. For the bottom, it’s like, “Even if I were a girl or boy, this person would notice and like me.” Most readers are female, so it’s a fantasy for women to be recognized by the male character even if they aren’t in a female body. It also raises questions about what the top finds sexually attractive and whether he subconsciously views the bottom as female. It’s not a very sincere or likable trope for me.

However, in this story, the ML doesn’t make a big deal about it. He simply accepts that he likes the MC and moves on with the relationship. It’s not a big issue. When the MC acts cute and silly, the ML indulges him, even if it means having sex. It feels natural and genuine. Despite the author stating the ML was originally straight, it seems more like he was sexually indifferent (ace).

Romantically, it was very sweet. The MC isn’t romantically aware throughout the main text, but you can tell he cares and loves the ML (sometimes). The ML, frustrated with the single-minded and heartless MC, can only spoil him.

The ML often complains to himself about the MC only caring about money and sex, but he still indulges him. The main reason the MC doesn’t “love” the ML is that he doesn’t see a future for himself. So, he’s just enjoying life.