A Lucky Coin Chapter Completed Discussion

Rating: 4.6

This story is a cream of the crop example of the slice-of-life genre. I mean yeah there's a slight mystery element and drama at the start, but in the end the majority of the novel is about maturing to adulthood and finding a place to call home.

The writing of the characters and realism was phenomenal. Of course, if it was only 'we're going to highschool and then working a part-time job', you know, the daily routine, I would still be bored, but there is just enough sadness and tension in the plot, especially in the first part, that it kept me hooked to read through their entire journey. The mystery aspect isn't the main focus of the story either (even if it's listed in the genres), but after I finished the first arc I pretty much had to get to the end because of it, even if the middle did drag at times in excitement. Spoiler

The MC's father, who is actually a very interesting and likeable character, goes missing

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There was only one instance that lacked any sense of realism -- Spoiler

when the ML was stabbed because he was talking on the phone with the MC, who happened to choose that moment to confess to the ML, which made the ML distracted. lol but I mean it wasn't so cringe that I'm gonna dock star ratings for it.

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The mood and conversations between the MC, ML, and side characters in this novel just flows so casually with tons of humorous dialogue. MC has a stutter and lived through domestic ab*se, and the ML has insomnia and depression. Neither is perfect. The MC and ML's fathers are both interesting characters on their own as well. It was nice to see family relationships included and rather complex Spoiler

These two fathers both had very different reactions to the MC and ML 'coming out'. It was bittersweet.

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One complaint I have is that the mystery portion never comes into big play, don't expect these two to go around fighting baddies and solving crimes. They don't have the resources or ability to investigate the main 'mystery'. It's more like they just occasionally dragged into the conflict or another character gives them a clue/updates them about said mystery status, until it is neatly resolved within the last 20 chapters. This does help keep the realism aspect going, but it felt like the middle half of the novel got a bit boring... because at that point the MC had already matured as a person and the ML had also collected his emotions, so there really was little going on besides normal stuff.

What I enjoyed most was the banter and interactions between the MC and the ML. The MC is like a clumsy and lovable dog. He is extremely loyal and dedicated to the MC for reasons that are understandable, but grows into a stronger character as the story progresses, to the point that he's almost unrecognizable from the sad mess of a human he was as the start of the story. The ML is rather sarcastic and humour, but has a very gentle side towards the MC. Their relationship just feels equal and harmonious, and the novel never gets too caught up in the plot that this romance seems side-tracked. They are a switch couple.

Read if you want a story with a very equal relationship and entertaining dialogue, along with the melancholy of growing up under pressing (but realistic) circumstances, such as poverty or depression.

Wu Zhe is probably my favorite BL author. Their writing always seems to keep a realistic atmosphere, delving into certain serious topics like poor family upbringing or mental ailments, while also incorporating enough drama for entertainment. Among their novels, I do think I like Saye and Antidote a bit more than this one, but this story definitely ranks up there. You can read this story as a manhua, as well.