- #1
I'm rating this 5* not so much for originality but mostly because the dynamic between MC and ML is really fun and refreshing. Both ML and MC are OP, but MC is always at the forefront of the story, as MC should be. Too often, MLs in quickwear novels become a crutch to the story because they're so OP and they take care of everything that the MC becomes a window-dressing type of s*x puppet there to entice the hyper-masculine alpha beast into love/boinking. Also, where the MC's opinion or bodily autonomy isn't really respected and the ML basically forcing interc**rse is somehow seen as romantic or par for the course, which is both an expected and, IMO, tired and creepy trope for the genre. But that's not how it is here at all. I think in the first world, the MC basically physically trains ML on the meaning of "No." Like, if he doesn't want to be touched and is, he punches ML in the stomach. That doesn't happen again in later arcs, but the ML is for the most part very respectful of MC's wishes and the MC is never shy about refusing when he feels like it. He also takes initiative if the situation calls for it. Here's a small excerpt to illustrate this:Spoiler
Context: ML has been rehearsing reasonable lines to move MC to become his lover, ends up messing it up and upsetting MC. This is slightly guesswork edited from MTL.
"Without a shred of patience, Qing Yun got up and walked to the desk in two strides, glaring at the head of Ningda's president. He (QY) then pressed his (ML) handsome face into the keyboard and rolled it.
"Hey!"
"Bang!" sounded the door closing as Qing Yun left, without any guilt on his conscience towards his boss.
Ning Qianyuan quietly rested on the keyboard, and full of grievances, read the second half of the sentence: "You can try to rely on me..."
However, no one was there to hear his soft concession."
[collapse]Characterization wise, both of them are very likable. MC isn't mean-spirited or evil, even if he's cast as a villain. If anything, more like an anti-hero... he doesn't go out of his way to harm people, but he does want to exact revenge on the Will of Heaven (and the protagonists, who work for it) and escape his fate. I think his life philosophy would probably be "Live, and let live" if the protagonists weren't all such a-holes and constantly trying to harm him. ML is typically very powerful, stoic, and has anger issues according to everybody around him but is very soft towards MC. I think I don't see him as the typical OP ML because a lot of the text is not really dedicated to him being powerful (though there are some cases, like him tearing off somebody's arm in a fight) but more about him pursuing, protecting, or trying to please MC for whatever reason.I'm only on the 4th or 5th arc so I don't know if I will get tired of their dynamic or if the story will degrade in quality, but for now, it has been a thoroughly enjoyable read. The MTL is... manageable but not great if you're looking to go that route. Hope this helps!