Don’t Pick Up Boyfriends From the T*ash Bin Chapter 159 Discussion

I love this novel a whole lot. Usually in novels like these, you get MCs with a high IQ who are able to puzzle their way through and out of problems. It's not very often that you get an MC with a very high EQ like Chi Xiaochi - and that's probably the main selling point of this novel. Chi Xiaochi knows how people work, and he treats everyone whose lives he touches with care, respect, and quiet empathy. It's a refreshing departure from trying to keep up with the reasoning of self-proclaimed 200 IQ protagonists and their improbable conclusions (looking at you, The Earth is Online).

Now, I would give this book 5 stars if I could - the characters are very lovable and their growth feels fleshed out, the worlds are sturdy and (for the most part) well-built, and the progression of the relationship between the MC and ML feels natural right now. But I do have to deduct 1 star for one highly, highly improbable world setting focused around cancer cells which made me simultaneously laugh and cringe so hard every time I tried to get through the increasingly ridiculous explanation that I had to put it down for a couple of weeks. It also didn't help that I was learning about cancer at the time too. But, credit where credit's due - even in those 2 weeks I couldn't get it out of my head, so I s**ked it up, got past the initial explanation chapter and then summarily ignored it for the rest of that particular setting.

I have seen complaints where the MC feels too OP, but honestly? To me, it doesn't feel that way. I think Chi Xiaochi's resolve is reasonable and understandable, and this strength of resolve is what allows him to succeed where others before him failed. His emotional intelligence is also a big part of what gets him through, and it's also a major part of his character - he is able to understand people and their actions fundamentally. He also has many fears and flaws, and I admire that a lot about him for being able to acknowledge and grow past them.

All in all - if you like any or all of the following: devoted love interests, emotional intelligence, a well-fleshed out cast of characters who each grow and mature, revenge, and insubordination against oppression, then I think you'll like this novel very much, so please do give it a shot.