Don’t Pick Up Boyfriends From the T*ash Bin Chapter 113 Discussion

Overall: 5/5

This review was especially hard to write because I wanted to write just enough to entice people to want to read it but not enough to spoil its plot twists and thus diminish the surprise/joy felt on experiencing its sheer cleverness. If you're willing to heed my advice, stop reading this review right now and just start reading the novel!

Story: Be prepared to have all expectations blown away. The premise sounds mundane enough: MC pairs with system number 061, transmigrates to a world (one world is one story arc) where a pitiful shou offered up his body as host at time of death, travels back in time to before the shou's death, and takes revenge on the scum gong; once the gong's regret level reaches 100, the mission counts as complete, and MC can leave the world and take on another mission. Rinse and repeat for a total of 10 times, and then the MC can return to his original world (or stay permanently in a world of his choosing).

There is the expected--and satisfying--ass kicking. However, this novel is far more than just a gratuitous revenge story on repeat. Each arc is a story in its own right spanning 20-some chapters--with satisfying world-building, characters, conflict, climax, and resolution. The setting of each world varies: most so far have been modern (as the system explains it, the first few missions are similar to MC's original world in order to allow him to adapt quicker as a host) but started to diversify starting from the ABO setting in arc 4, which showcased the author's unique spin of this well-known genre.

And woven into each arc is the slow revelation of the transmigration/host/system process's true purposes, consequences of a host's actions on the original shou, and the MC's dedication to return to his own world. At chapter 113 (the most recent translated chapter as of 6/23/20), I'm constantly surprised by plot twists and just good, clever writing.

MC: Presumably the shou (not sure yet as of chapter 113). He is a beautifully compelling character: clever, resourceful, charismatic, seemingly shameless yet compassionate. His schemes to raise the gong's regret level are clever yet realistic. His antics (e.g. grinding regret points to buy special ability cards from the system's shop instead of just trying to hit 100 asap to complete the mission) are sure to give the system grief and cause you to laugh.

ML: Presumably the gong. A huge surprise when introduced as the likely ML, but the eyebrow raising quickly turns into cheering for the couple as their backstory is revealed. He is undoubtedly OP but kind rather than the cold/arrogant archetype. He is also very indulgent towards the MC but without stifling MC--a very hard balance to achieve.

Relationship development: The heart-warming and mature slow-burn between MC and ML acts as a foil against the relationships held between each gong and their original shou in the various worlds. Possessive behavior, dependent/borderline personality, and emotional/physical ab*se are often romanticized in online--and especially BL--novels but would be red flags for a toxic relationship in real life. It was refreshing to see the MC reject these tropes. MC and ML are equals/partners in their relationship. It is also interesting (ongoing as of chapter 113) to witness the MC's hesitance to overstep boundaries with the ML while in a shou's body as MC respects the original shou as an individual person.

One final shout out to villain characterization. Without a doubt, each gong is a scum. However, the villains are as well fleshed out as the MC and ML (scratch that, even many of the side characters have backstories--kudos to the author), with their own motivations, and not all villains are the same level of scum. Although the MC must reach the regret level of 100, there are different flavors of regret, and not all of the gong push themselves into a "bad ending."

Critiques: Honestly, none. So, so good. I will be eagerly awaiting each new chapter. I wish I could read Chinese so I didn't have to wait for translators.

Actually, one final shout out... to the translators. Translation to English is superb but two things are the icing on the cake: embedded explanations on Chinese idioms (so don't have to scroll to the bottom and thus breaking flow of story) and embedded pictures of Chinese food described in the story! This extra effort is greatly appreciated!