- #1
This is essentially the story of 2 gay virg*ns trying to have a purely physical f*ckbuddies relationship, which turns into a "fake dating to deal with unwanted suitors" trope on both sides. Fortunately for us (and them), they're both very bad at the "no romance relationship" thing and they're even more sticky and affectionate than a real couple. Eventually, it turns into actual true love. Both the MC and ML are enjoyable characters with a healthy and funny relationship. MC (the shou) is proactive and confident but ocassionally a scumbag since he's not used to being with someone. ML at first seems like the usual "2nd generation" playboy CEO's son, but he's actually a little silly and warmhearted.
Their reasons for being good to each other is heartwarming - MC is grateful to ML for being his sole support and safe space in this new world and wants him to be happy, and ML has a very long "falling for" period which starts with enjoying how cute and fun MC is and turns into appreciating his efforts and himself as a person. They're a couple who both enjoy acting, and it's a delight reading the parts where they work together to act out dramatic scenes. They have a very sweet, very understanding, mutually spoiling relationship that really makes you think "relationship goals".
The transmigration aspect of the story isn't too invasive but isn't forgotten about. The setup is very good at introducing the MC and setting and hooking you in, the MC's memories of his (happier) pre-transmigration life help set the mood (making some things seem sweeter or sadder). MC's determination to follow the plot makes sense for his character motivation ('make ML happy'), and when he realizes ML probably won't actually be happy, he doesn't waste time and actively pursues him again. It does get weird when ML gets a dream about the original story and easily believes that it was his original destiny, and even figures out on his own that MC might not be from this world, but I can suspend my disbelief enough to appreciate that ML wants to let MC be happy and more attached to this world by being good to him.
Them aside, the rest of the world is pretty fun too. I love the relationship between ML and his family, which is almost the complete opposite of MC's transmigrated family. The side characters have intriguing side plots which unfortunately doesn't really get elaborated on, but makes me think I could read 300 more chapters just to expand on everyone else's story. The villains of the story are all annoying but thankfully don't overstay their welcome, and are dealt with well.
I really love this story, I feel like this is the kind of plot where Lin Ang Si really shines as a writer. It feels like a more lighthearted version of Villain President's Lover, with an expanded "what happens after they confess" section, including a "coming out to the family" arc. The characters and scenes feel like a parody of showbiz/business danmei tropes. It's like the author wanted to write dogblood but without any real drama. I'm going to finish MTLing, but after that I will continue to watch out for TLs since this novel is one worth rereading.
[collapse]c154 spoiler for possible trigger warningSpoilerThere's a pseudo in*est subplot between a reccuring minor character and his older step-brother, it's not really a focus but it did make me go "wait what the f*ck" since I wasn't prepared for it. It could possibly also be considered an age gap/underage ship? The character in question has just turned legal at the time, but the older brother mentions starting to have romantic leanings when he was just 15, can't figure out how old the brother actually is tho due to the bad MTL.
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