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Limerence
Pei Ran recently noticed two things. First, his boyfriend of 3 years seems to be cheating on him. Second, the way his boyfriend's flatmate looks at him, something is not quite right there.
378 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2023
11 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Jiang Zi Bei
45 books77 followersAssociated Names:
* Jiang Zi Bei (English)
* 酱子贝 / 醬子貝 (Chinese)
* เจี้ยงจื่อเป้ย (Thai)
* Jiang Zi Bei (English)
* 酱子贝 / 醬子貝 (Chinese)
* เจี้ยงจื่อเป้ย (Thai)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 24, 2025
I had so much fun reading this story. It was the kind of slice-of-life narrative that consistently manages to bring a smile to my face and keeps me engaged without feeling boring. The plot is fairly straightforward, revolving around themes of school life, gaming, and romance.
Pei Ran was such a cool and compelling protagonist. I really appreciated that he thought things through carefully before acting or speaking, always ensuring to approach situations rationally rather than letting his emotions control him. This thoughtful demeanor made him stand out as a character.
Yan Zhun represented a green flag. I loved how he patiently waited for his chance to be with Pei Ran, never pressuring him to respond to his confession. Instead, he simply wanted to let Pei Ran know he was there for him, which I found incredibly sweet and considerate. I also admired Yan Zhun’s skills in gaming and his composed, calm attitude during these moments, which added to his overall badass image.
Their relationship was genuinely adorable and filled with mutual respect. I enjoyed the way both characters made sure no misunderstandings developed between them, taking care to communicate openly and honestly. Their openness and clear communication made me giggle and feel a warm sense of happiness. It was refreshing to see such a sincere representation of a caring relationship.
Additionally, I appreciated how the author handled the ex-drama subplot, ensuring it didn’t become overly dramatic or overwhelming, which kept the story light and enjoyable.
However, I do have a few criticisms. The gaming elements were sometimes excessive, which started to annoy me a little. Through this, I learned that gaming is taken very seriously in China, which was an interesting insight. Another issue I had was with Lin Xuhuan; his character was quite irritating, and since he received so much page time, I started to feel a strong desire to slap him out of frustration.
In conclusion, this was a lighthearted read and I had a good time with it.
Pei Ran was such a cool and compelling protagonist. I really appreciated that he thought things through carefully before acting or speaking, always ensuring to approach situations rationally rather than letting his emotions control him. This thoughtful demeanor made him stand out as a character.
Yan Zhun represented a green flag. I loved how he patiently waited for his chance to be with Pei Ran, never pressuring him to respond to his confession. Instead, he simply wanted to let Pei Ran know he was there for him, which I found incredibly sweet and considerate. I also admired Yan Zhun’s skills in gaming and his composed, calm attitude during these moments, which added to his overall badass image.
Their relationship was genuinely adorable and filled with mutual respect. I enjoyed the way both characters made sure no misunderstandings developed between them, taking care to communicate openly and honestly. Their openness and clear communication made me giggle and feel a warm sense of happiness. It was refreshing to see such a sincere representation of a caring relationship.
Additionally, I appreciated how the author handled the ex-drama subplot, ensuring it didn’t become overly dramatic or overwhelming, which kept the story light and enjoyable.
However, I do have a few criticisms. The gaming elements were sometimes excessive, which started to annoy me a little. Through this, I learned that gaming is taken very seriously in China, which was an interesting insight. Another issue I had was with Lin Xuhuan; his character was quite irritating, and since he received so much page time, I started to feel a strong desire to slap him out of frustration.
In conclusion, this was a lighthearted read and I had a good time with it.
January 13, 2024
⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎︎ ｡ ✧ ⋆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 🍓｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡ ⋆
i swear i think jiang zi bei slips illicit substances into her novels because HOW are they always soooo good and addicting???
i’ve liked your boyfriend for a long time/limerence is such a feel good danmei that had me grinning ear to ear the whole time. just when i thought pei ran (MC) and yan zhun (ML) couldn’t get any cuter they do
i devoured this novel in a single day because i didn’t want to put it down at all. the only reason i’m not giving it 5 stars is because the short length meant that things felt rushed at times and there were a handful of plotlines i wanted to be explore
but that’s honestly i loved the romance and writing so much that i don’t mind those minor cons of the novel
if you like light & fluffy romances with gaming and endearing characters please give this a try!!! the novel brought me so much comfort & joy <3
i swear i think jiang zi bei slips illicit substances into her novels because HOW are they always soooo good and addicting???
i’ve liked your boyfriend for a long time/limerence is such a feel good danmei that had me grinning ear to ear the whole time. just when i thought pei ran (MC) and yan zhun (ML) couldn’t get any cuter they do
i devoured this novel in a single day because i didn’t want to put it down at all. the only reason i’m not giving it 5 stars is because the short length meant that things felt rushed at times and there were a handful of plotlines i wanted to be explore
but that’s honestly i loved the romance and writing so much that i don’t mind those minor cons of the novel
if you like light & fluffy romances with gaming and endearing characters please give this a try!!! the novel brought me so much comfort & joy <3
November 17, 2024
3.5⭐️
After reading ICDI and WFMAS by the same author, this book left me underwhelmed. It’s cute and short, but that’s about it. The plot is predictable, the characters lack depth, and the worldbuilding feels half-hearted.
Now, let’s talk about Via Lactea’s quality. The book’s interior is a disaster. The sheer number of typos and missing words makes me seriously question how they justify charging money when fan translations offer far better quality for free. My only consolation is knowing that part of my money goes to supporting the author.
After reading ICDI and WFMAS by the same author, this book left me underwhelmed. It’s cute and short, but that’s about it. The plot is predictable, the characters lack depth, and the worldbuilding feels half-hearted.
Now, let’s talk about Via Lactea’s quality. The book’s interior is a disaster. The sheer number of typos and missing words makes me seriously question how they justify charging money when fan translations offer far better quality for free. My only consolation is knowing that part of my money goes to supporting the author.
December 30, 2025
this is a really cute and sweet short story!! i loved the developing relationship between pei ran and yan zhun, and the supporting characters (aka lin xuhuan) were lovable idiots. there was a lot of gaming tho; i probably should have expected it from the author's other books 😔
March 16, 2025
2.6 ⭐️
This isn't an awful novel, my dislike for this is purely preferential 😭 Whilst I really didn’t enjoy reading this, I don't think it was worth giving 2 stars.
Another standard / generic modern Danmei. Has the characters you find in modern BL: ML is cold and aloof but ofc not to the MC, our MC is beautiful, and MC ex-boyfriend cheats but regrets it because they know they're an idiot, etc. There isn’t much development in characters or plot either.
I'm not hating, there's nothing wrong with generic stories. They make for a great entertaining read when you want to relax and chill, especially from heavier Danmei.
Our ML is a gamer so there are a lot of gaming scenes. Now I don't mind gaming, I like to watch streams myself. However when it comes to reading, I don't know what it is, but I just lose interest so quickly that it never entertains me 😭😭😭 It's not badly written, but I just couldn't stay invested. This is just my issue since gaming genre is my least favourite sub-genre T_T
Romance again is pretty standard for this type of thing: ML has eyes only for our MC and will do anything for him. I don’t have much to say x_x Think of it as reading a modern BL Manhua that has the drama, it’s the same experience.
Finally, it is not a Via Lactea book without their grammar errors and typos. Sighhhhhh….. it doesn't make up for most of the book (probably 1%) but they are noticeable, easy to pass by, but not forget. Really is a shame and disappointing. Since I'm not digging their stories and their quality being sad, I'm probably going to put VL on the side for now and focus my money on other publishers.
This isn't an awful novel, my dislike for this is purely preferential 😭 Whilst I really didn’t enjoy reading this, I don't think it was worth giving 2 stars.
Another standard / generic modern Danmei. Has the characters you find in modern BL: ML is cold and aloof but ofc not to the MC, our MC is beautiful, and MC ex-boyfriend cheats but regrets it because they know they're an idiot, etc. There isn’t much development in characters or plot either.
I'm not hating, there's nothing wrong with generic stories. They make for a great entertaining read when you want to relax and chill, especially from heavier Danmei.
Our ML is a gamer so there are a lot of gaming scenes. Now I don't mind gaming, I like to watch streams myself. However when it comes to reading, I don't know what it is, but I just lose interest so quickly that it never entertains me 😭😭😭 It's not badly written, but I just couldn't stay invested. This is just my issue since gaming genre is my least favourite sub-genre T_T
Romance again is pretty standard for this type of thing: ML has eyes only for our MC and will do anything for him. I don’t have much to say x_x Think of it as reading a modern BL Manhua that has the drama, it’s the same experience.
Finally, it is not a Via Lactea book without their grammar errors and typos. Sighhhhhh….. it doesn't make up for most of the book (probably 1%) but they are noticeable, easy to pass by, but not forget. Really is a shame and disappointing. Since I'm not digging their stories and their quality being sad, I'm probably going to put VL on the side for now and focus my money on other publishers.
March 12, 2024
This is a review of the final published official printing of the novel. This review is in two parts - Review of the actual story and review of Via Lactea (the licenser/publisher/translation company).
The story - Limerence or I've Like Your Boyfriend for a Long Time...is fine. Out of the 4 I've now read by Jiang Zi Bei I found this one the weakest. There was a LOT of drama around the ex-boyfriend. So much so that it pulled away from the romance. There was a lot of focus on Yan Zhun's gaming career and it felt like Pei Ran's life was put to the side and not important. Near the end there was a few hints of what he did outside of being pulled into his ex's drama and following Yan Zhun around. I would have liked to have seen more of his art career and some sort of resolution to the art (competetion?) his teacher tried to recruit him to.
Via Lactea - First let me explain why they need a review. This novel was originally being translated and posted for free online until Via Lactea bought the english publishing rights. Due to this the translator was forced to stop and take down their translations. You can tell where the original translation ends at around 40% and the Via Lactea person starts. There are multiple grammar, spelling and other types of mistakes (like missing "." on the end of paragraphs, names being spelled wrong, or other typos). Some sentences the grammar was so bad I had to reread it to understand what was being said.
If Via Lactea is going to buy licensing for webnovels then they should at least run their trashy translation through Grammarly or even Microsoft Word before releasing it OR hire the translator that was already working on it to finish it instead of just taking the first part and thinking they can translate the second half with the same accuracy and writing style.
The story - Limerence or I've Like Your Boyfriend for a Long Time...is fine. Out of the 4 I've now read by Jiang Zi Bei I found this one the weakest. There was a LOT of drama around the ex-boyfriend. So much so that it pulled away from the romance. There was a lot of focus on Yan Zhun's gaming career and it felt like Pei Ran's life was put to the side and not important. Near the end there was a few hints of what he did outside of being pulled into his ex's drama and following Yan Zhun around. I would have liked to have seen more of his art career and some sort of resolution to the art (competetion?) his teacher tried to recruit him to.
Via Lactea - First let me explain why they need a review. This novel was originally being translated and posted for free online until Via Lactea bought the english publishing rights. Due to this the translator was forced to stop and take down their translations. You can tell where the original translation ends at around 40% and the Via Lactea person starts. There are multiple grammar, spelling and other types of mistakes (like missing "." on the end of paragraphs, names being spelled wrong, or other typos). Some sentences the grammar was so bad I had to reread it to understand what was being said.
If Via Lactea is going to buy licensing for webnovels then they should at least run their trashy translation through Grammarly or even Microsoft Word before releasing it OR hire the translator that was already working on it to finish it instead of just taking the first part and thinking they can translate the second half with the same accuracy and writing style.
Read
March 11, 2024This book was a cute, light read that was easy to follow and enjoyable. I loved the MC but Luo Qingshan is annoying AF. Ending was very satisfying! Recommend if you want a low stakes modern BL
June 16, 2025
"No, I just like playing with you. To be exact, I like doing anything with you. What I mean is, I like you. Do you understand? I has nothing to do with whether you're a newbie or not."
There were moments in Limerence where the story would abruptly switch to a completely different scene, which made things a bit confusing. The pacing felt uneven at times, pulling me out of the flow just when things were getting interesting. On top of that, typos and grammatical errors during some critical scenes were distracting and made it harder to stay immersed. Still, I found myself looking forward to the extra chapters despite not being entirely satisfied with the ending.
One thing that stood out to me was how Pei Ran’s dynamic with Luo Qingshan unfolded. At first, it seemed like Pei Ran was just waiting for a convenient excuse—like LQS slipping up—to end their relationship, which came off as unfair. Luo Qingshan might have been careless and oblivious, but he was also devoted and genuinely proud of being with Pei Ran, even bragging about their relationship despite having previously identified as straight. However, as the flashbacks filled in the gaps, I started to see that Pei Ran’s feelings for LQS were rooted more in guilt than in love. It felt more like the care you'd have for a close friend, brother, or even a hero rather than a romantic partner.
I couldn't help but feel bad for Luo Qingshan. He wasn’t perfect, but he tried to change for someone he truly loved. The fact that Pei Ran couldn’t reciprocate those feelings out of obligation was heartbreaking yet realistic. What I appreciated most was how this story didn’t fall into the typical trope of vilifying the ex-boyfriend. LQS wasn’t treated as a villain but rather as a flawed, deeply human character caught in a painful situation. It made the story feel raw and relatable in a way that hit harder than I expected.
Date Read: 2025.02.03
There were moments in Limerence where the story would abruptly switch to a completely different scene, which made things a bit confusing. The pacing felt uneven at times, pulling me out of the flow just when things were getting interesting. On top of that, typos and grammatical errors during some critical scenes were distracting and made it harder to stay immersed. Still, I found myself looking forward to the extra chapters despite not being entirely satisfied with the ending.
One thing that stood out to me was how Pei Ran’s dynamic with Luo Qingshan unfolded. At first, it seemed like Pei Ran was just waiting for a convenient excuse—like LQS slipping up—to end their relationship, which came off as unfair. Luo Qingshan might have been careless and oblivious, but he was also devoted and genuinely proud of being with Pei Ran, even bragging about their relationship despite having previously identified as straight. However, as the flashbacks filled in the gaps, I started to see that Pei Ran’s feelings for LQS were rooted more in guilt than in love. It felt more like the care you'd have for a close friend, brother, or even a hero rather than a romantic partner.
I couldn't help but feel bad for Luo Qingshan. He wasn’t perfect, but he tried to change for someone he truly loved. The fact that Pei Ran couldn’t reciprocate those feelings out of obligation was heartbreaking yet realistic. What I appreciated most was how this story didn’t fall into the typical trope of vilifying the ex-boyfriend. LQS wasn’t treated as a villain but rather as a flawed, deeply human character caught in a painful situation. It made the story feel raw and relatable in a way that hit harder than I expected.
Date Read: 2025.02.03
April 23, 2025
God I loved this so much!! It was so sweet and fluffy and definitely what I needed rn, so happy I decided spur of the moment to pick this up this afternoon!!
June 9, 2023
The idea in general is very entertaining, but I personally found the two main characters bland, both of them are very calm and composed most of the time, which isn't bad, but I would have found it more fun to read if at least one of them had a different personality :/
As for the translation I thought it was good, found some minor mistakes here and there but they weren't bad enough to bother me.
As for the translation I thought it was good, found some minor mistakes here and there but they weren't bad enough to bother me.
August 25, 2024
Between some issues I faced in real life and also the lack of investment I felt for Pei Ran and Yan Zhun, I lost a lot of motivation reading this and basically crawled through the last sixty pages of the book.
For one, Pei Ran felt too prim and proper even in the wake of his breakup with Luo Qingshan. You could explain it as him realizing he actually doesn't have any deep affections for Luo Qingshan himself, but I wasn't particularly impressed with his "maturity" in handling the situation. It felt like the author wrote him that way to highlight his perfect and reserved nature but it didn't seem realistic at all to me. And Yan Zhun didn't stand out much either; he came across as the typical aloof male love interest who is talented and rich but doesn't care for anything except the person he likes.
Luo Qingshan and Su Nian were basically cockroaches: filthy things you want to crush beneath your shoes but somehow refuse to just die. Su Nian eventually gets his comeuppance (though we regretfully don't find out much of the details), but I was left unsatisfied with how Luo Qingshan's behavior was handled.
We don't get a lot of standalone danmei titles being licensed, so I suppose one positive thing about this work is that it's short enough to read and not really think much about afterwards. At one point I really did quite enjoy reading this work; I think I was waiting with bated breath to see how shameless Luo Qingshan and Su Nian can get, and how forward Yan Zhun would have to be. Lin Xuhuan was also quite a good side character. But this book is otherwise not really anything special, which is a shame because I'm quite an avid eSports follower myself and was looking forward to a story more in line with my personal interests.
Lastly, I was lucky enough to secure both a market version (a copy produced by Amazon) and a publisher version (a copy produced and shipped out by Via Lactea itself) of this work. There are very clear differences between the two versions, not just in the physical form of the book but in the translation as well. Of course, I read the publisher version and it is indeed of higher quality, but the proofreading still leaves much to be desired. I can't imagine how much worse the reading experience would be if I read the market version instead.
For one, Pei Ran felt too prim and proper even in the wake of his breakup with Luo Qingshan. You could explain it as him realizing he actually doesn't have any deep affections for Luo Qingshan himself, but I wasn't particularly impressed with his "maturity" in handling the situation. It felt like the author wrote him that way to highlight his perfect and reserved nature but it didn't seem realistic at all to me. And Yan Zhun didn't stand out much either; he came across as the typical aloof male love interest who is talented and rich but doesn't care for anything except the person he likes.
Luo Qingshan and Su Nian were basically cockroaches: filthy things you want to crush beneath your shoes but somehow refuse to just die. Su Nian eventually gets his comeuppance (though we regretfully don't find out much of the details), but I was left unsatisfied with how Luo Qingshan's behavior was handled.
We don't get a lot of standalone danmei titles being licensed, so I suppose one positive thing about this work is that it's short enough to read and not really think much about afterwards. At one point I really did quite enjoy reading this work; I think I was waiting with bated breath to see how shameless Luo Qingshan and Su Nian can get, and how forward Yan Zhun would have to be. Lin Xuhuan was also quite a good side character. But this book is otherwise not really anything special, which is a shame because I'm quite an avid eSports follower myself and was looking forward to a story more in line with my personal interests.
Lastly, I was lucky enough to secure both a market version (a copy produced by Amazon) and a publisher version (a copy produced and shipped out by Via Lactea itself) of this work. There are very clear differences between the two versions, not just in the physical form of the book but in the translation as well. Of course, I read the publisher version and it is indeed of higher quality, but the proofreading still leaves much to be desired. I can't imagine how much worse the reading experience would be if I read the market version instead.
July 13, 2025
Probably my 4th or 5th reread now but definitely the 1st time reading this with translated version!>.<
This has been my favorite danmei for a while now, and it was just because the characters & plot were mundane enough to follow and yet they were able to be heartfluttering at the same time.
I liked how seemingly 'cold' our MC & ML are to others, and how they only served these special attitude of being in love with each other. That was honestly the biggest reason why I couldn't help but loving this so much. Both of them rather seemed like characters who you'd find hard to fall in love with, but the fact they did (with each other on the top was that!!) was just soo sweet. In this story, you'd find a love story rather less dramatic despite having a cheating trope (not with each other fyi!), but I guess the progress of love story just made complete sense.
You'd get the feeling both of MC & ML has never experienced true love before, and seeing that true love unfolding between them was pure lovely to read. Both of them are just so good with each other, and the subtle tension & flirting simply ends it all for me.
I also liked the length wasn't too long enough, nor too short enough. It was just right. It was heavily focused on MC & ML's relationship so if you ain't looking for a sweet modern romance danmei, you'd probably better looking for something else rather than this. But for me, this was everything and better. Jiang Zi Bei also has some works that for most people would be infinitely better than this, but for me this one is the absolute winner. I just love it to bits that I just had to have the translated version.
If there's anything to note from the translation is how it'd be better with footnotes, I think?Some chinese idiom and game setting would probably be easier to follow if they had provided explanations in forms of footnotes. There were also plenty typos & weird sentences here and there. But everything else was good!
This has been my favorite danmei for a while now, and it was just because the characters & plot were mundane enough to follow and yet they were able to be heartfluttering at the same time.
I liked how seemingly 'cold' our MC & ML are to others, and how they only served these special attitude of being in love with each other. That was honestly the biggest reason why I couldn't help but loving this so much. Both of them rather seemed like characters who you'd find hard to fall in love with, but the fact they did (with each other on the top was that!!) was just soo sweet. In this story, you'd find a love story rather less dramatic despite having a cheating trope (not with each other fyi!), but I guess the progress of love story just made complete sense.
You'd get the feeling both of MC & ML has never experienced true love before, and seeing that true love unfolding between them was pure lovely to read. Both of them are just so good with each other, and the subtle tension & flirting simply ends it all for me.
I also liked the length wasn't too long enough, nor too short enough. It was just right. It was heavily focused on MC & ML's relationship so if you ain't looking for a sweet modern romance danmei, you'd probably better looking for something else rather than this. But for me, this was everything and better. Jiang Zi Bei also has some works that for most people would be infinitely better than this, but for me this one is the absolute winner. I just love it to bits that I just had to have the translated version.
If there's anything to note from the translation is how it'd be better with footnotes, I think?Some chinese idiom and game setting would probably be easier to follow if they had provided explanations in forms of footnotes. There were also plenty typos & weird sentences here and there. But everything else was good!
August 22, 2024
rounded up from 2.5 stars
i have mixed feelings about this. at the start, i was very intrigued about how the love interest would fit into the whole relationship since mc was dating someone else. i would have enjoyed this more if the mc had a little more of a distinct personality, aside from just being very reserved, particular about hygiene and smells etc. there were times i got the "blank slate" feel from him.
i didnt find ml very interesting either, aside from being a better fit for the mc vs the ex-boyfriend and giving off that 'cool badass' guy vibe.
i know jiang zi bei's niche is writing danmei around esports, but as a non-gamer myself, it was kinda hard for me to care about all the scenes where mc and ml played together. i knew it's through gaming that they bonded, but given that mc doesnt play games often/wasnt very good about it, and that ml practically carried him thru their sessions, on top of my lack of knowledge abt gaming itself, i found it really hard to be emotionally invested in their relationship.
anyway, this book was really halfway between 'shouldve read another book' and 'just a read' for me. im also aware that this is jiang zi bei's weaker works so im willing to give this book some grace by not rating it lower lol. really indifferent to this book tbh
my only regret about this book is that it was an impulse purchase lol.
i have mixed feelings about this. at the start, i was very intrigued about how the love interest would fit into the whole relationship since mc was dating someone else. i would have enjoyed this more if the mc had a little more of a distinct personality, aside from just being very reserved, particular about hygiene and smells etc. there were times i got the "blank slate" feel from him.
i didnt find ml very interesting either, aside from being a better fit for the mc vs the ex-boyfriend and giving off that 'cool badass' guy vibe.
i know jiang zi bei's niche is writing danmei around esports, but as a non-gamer myself, it was kinda hard for me to care about all the scenes where mc and ml played together. i knew it's through gaming that they bonded, but given that mc doesnt play games often/wasnt very good about it, and that ml practically carried him thru their sessions, on top of my lack of knowledge abt gaming itself, i found it really hard to be emotionally invested in their relationship.
anyway, this book was really halfway between 'shouldve read another book' and 'just a read' for me. im also aware that this is jiang zi bei's weaker works so im willing to give this book some grace by not rating it lower lol. really indifferent to this book tbh
my only regret about this book is that it was an impulse purchase lol.
August 6, 2025
I Can Do It is one of my favs so I was excited to read more by this author. Limerence wasn't quite as good but still an enjoyable read. It made me smile.
January 20, 2026
this was such a fun read! this definitely made me nostalgic for gaming and watching my favorite streamers. I also really loved the writing and characters. Pei ran is me :)
September 24, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
May 5, 2025
creo que el mojón de traducción de via lactea ha hecho que el libro luzca más malo de lo que realmente es... la historia es bastante bland, pero cada vez que pienso en los niños me parecen más y más lindos, mi silly little book 😿
September 18, 2024
It’s so sweet. I’ll definitely reread it again because I didn’t skip a single page. I miss reading a book that will keep me interested from cover to cover. I very much recommend giving this a chance. Sadly there is no ebook version of it so you will have to get the paperbacks. The paperback comes with a cute transparent dust jacket btw.
December 23, 2023
I just adore this book
- gamer x artist
- he falls first (long-time crush)
The feeeelssss
Beware though as there are some spelling errors and grammar ish errors in the later half of the book. Need more proof reading.
- gamer x artist
- he falls first (long-time crush)
The feeeelssss
Beware though as there are some spelling errors and grammar ish errors in the later half of the book. Need more proof reading.
January 12, 2025
I really liked this book but I can see why the ratings are kinda low. Pei Ran is very passive and just kinda like a blank canvas. Very calm and even tempered. Despite that, I really liked the book a lot. It had a lot of tropes I enjoy. I can see myself rereading it in the future ♡
November 18, 2023
highly recommend if you're looking for a light, fun read with an engaging plot, and a couple with a fun dynamic.
February 19, 2024
3,5/5 actually good but not a masterpiece still I recommend
April 30, 2024
Very cute!!! Feels very real and slice of life and domestic and I really enjoyed watching the relationship unfold. A great cozy read 🩷
May 4, 2024
Love the story, but they need to hire better editors because what was this?!
January 28, 2026
There is not much to say about this work since it is relatively short and fairly straightforward. This is very light novel. The characters are likable, although they lack depth, and while the premise is appealing, it does not explore its ideas in a particularly complex way. That said, the story is still interesting and enjoyable.
The plot centers on Yan Zhun, who has had a long-standing crush on Pei Ran, his roommate’s boyfriend—hence the title "I’ve Liked Your Boyfriend for a Very Long Time". Yan Zhun has liked Pei Ran since high school. However, it does not take long before Pei Ran and Luo Qingshan break up after Luo Qingshan is cheated on. The story also makes it clear that Pei Ran never truly loved Luo Qingshan; rather, he agreed to the relationship due to Luo Qingshan’s persistence.
When Pei Ran was bullied in school and his books and bag were torn, someone secretly placed a new textbook and a white bag on his desk. For Pei Ran, this act of kindness meant everything, as it was the only warmth he experienced at that time. He mistakenly believed it was Luo Qingshan who helped him, which led him to think he liked him. In reality, it was Yan Zhun who provided the textbook, bag, and even rabbit candy. Yan Zhun also spent time watching Pei Ran’s gymnastics practice instead of attending his own classes. His admiration for Pei Ran is obvious—especially his fondness for Pei Ran’s legs, which he once commented should not have scars.
The pursuit arc, where Yan Zhun becomes Pei Ran’s in-game companion at the company, is particularly cute and fun. Even in the game, Yan Zhun is gentle, flirtatious, and very much the leading type, while Pei Ran is frequently flustered by his actions. The gaming scenes were enjoyable, and I appreciated that the author stopped them before they became repetitive.
Pei Ran is a clean freak and a germaphobe. He dislikes smoking and drinking, and Yan Zhun is very respectful of these boundaries. He tries to smoke and drink less and always makes sure he is clean before touching Pei Ran. When Pei Ran cleans his chopsticks three times, Yan Zhun lets him be. When Pei Ran washes his hat, Yan Zhun asks him to hold it first because he is sweaty. He consistently ensures that Pei Ran feels comfortable and respected.
Pei Ran, in turn, is caring and attentive. He encourages Yan Zhun to smoke and drink less, buys him milk because of his stomach problems (which Yan Zhun drinks even though he dislikes milk), and even buys him a massager. As the story suggests, they are willing to be “controlled” by each other because they are boyfriends. From my perspective, when two people truly love each other, respect comes naturally, and they willingly make compromises to create a win-win situation where neither feels uncomfortable or hurt.
Overall, this is a short, fun, and sweet read. It is fairly average, but nothing angered or disturbed me while reading. That said, one thing did bother me: Luo Qingshan appears far too often and seems to lack any sense of shame. Both he and Su Nian come across as shameless. I also wish there had been more exploration of Yan Zhun’s unrequited love. I enjoyed the jealousy he felt toward Pei Ran and Luo Qingshan and found myself wanting more of that emotional tension. There is one side-story chapter, but it feels like a missed opportunity, especially since everything happened too late because of Luo Qingshan.
In the end, I was glad that Yan Zhun joined the professional gaming scene. He is a genuinely talented player, and I fully support his e-sports career.
The plot centers on Yan Zhun, who has had a long-standing crush on Pei Ran, his roommate’s boyfriend—hence the title "I’ve Liked Your Boyfriend for a Very Long Time". Yan Zhun has liked Pei Ran since high school. However, it does not take long before Pei Ran and Luo Qingshan break up after Luo Qingshan is cheated on. The story also makes it clear that Pei Ran never truly loved Luo Qingshan; rather, he agreed to the relationship due to Luo Qingshan’s persistence.
When Pei Ran was bullied in school and his books and bag were torn, someone secretly placed a new textbook and a white bag on his desk. For Pei Ran, this act of kindness meant everything, as it was the only warmth he experienced at that time. He mistakenly believed it was Luo Qingshan who helped him, which led him to think he liked him. In reality, it was Yan Zhun who provided the textbook, bag, and even rabbit candy. Yan Zhun also spent time watching Pei Ran’s gymnastics practice instead of attending his own classes. His admiration for Pei Ran is obvious—especially his fondness for Pei Ran’s legs, which he once commented should not have scars.
The pursuit arc, where Yan Zhun becomes Pei Ran’s in-game companion at the company, is particularly cute and fun. Even in the game, Yan Zhun is gentle, flirtatious, and very much the leading type, while Pei Ran is frequently flustered by his actions. The gaming scenes were enjoyable, and I appreciated that the author stopped them before they became repetitive.
Pei Ran is a clean freak and a germaphobe. He dislikes smoking and drinking, and Yan Zhun is very respectful of these boundaries. He tries to smoke and drink less and always makes sure he is clean before touching Pei Ran. When Pei Ran cleans his chopsticks three times, Yan Zhun lets him be. When Pei Ran washes his hat, Yan Zhun asks him to hold it first because he is sweaty. He consistently ensures that Pei Ran feels comfortable and respected.
Pei Ran, in turn, is caring and attentive. He encourages Yan Zhun to smoke and drink less, buys him milk because of his stomach problems (which Yan Zhun drinks even though he dislikes milk), and even buys him a massager. As the story suggests, they are willing to be “controlled” by each other because they are boyfriends. From my perspective, when two people truly love each other, respect comes naturally, and they willingly make compromises to create a win-win situation where neither feels uncomfortable or hurt.
Overall, this is a short, fun, and sweet read. It is fairly average, but nothing angered or disturbed me while reading. That said, one thing did bother me: Luo Qingshan appears far too often and seems to lack any sense of shame. Both he and Su Nian come across as shameless. I also wish there had been more exploration of Yan Zhun’s unrequited love. I enjoyed the jealousy he felt toward Pei Ran and Luo Qingshan and found myself wanting more of that emotional tension. There is one side-story chapter, but it feels like a missed opportunity, especially since everything happened too late because of Luo Qingshan.
In the end, I was glad that Yan Zhun joined the professional gaming scene. He is a genuinely talented player, and I fully support his e-sports career.
January 3, 2026
I honestly didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would — maybe I was just hoping too much.
Now that I’m familiar with Jiang Zi Bei’s writing style and the kinds of scenes they love to include, a lot of moments here felt repetitive rather than swoony. Some of the “sweet” parts didn’t really hit for me because they reminded me too much of things I’ve already seen (and enjoyed more) in ICDI. I’m not even sure which was written first, but either way, this one felt less fresh.
The plot itself was quite predictable, and the story focused far more on the romance than on the game or overall plot. Because of that, I didn’t find it very exciting or fun — once you know where it’s going, there isn’t much else to keep you hooked.
My biggest issue, though, was how perfect the MC and his boyfriend were (I know this is very much JZB’s style). Like… please 😭 I really couldn’t stand it. I genuinely cringed at how perfectly pretty the MC was portrayed, and how his boyfriend was constantly described as super hot, insanely good at the game, and basically flawless. They felt unrealistically perfect, and because of that, I had a hard time connecting with them emotionally. I prefer characters with more flaws and not OH SO PRETTY LIKE AN ANGEL, so this just didn’t work for me. I also think the lack of a second couple made the romance feel even more meh compared to ICDI, where the side dynamics added a lot.
I also have to mention the publication quality. The typos were seriously hurting my eyes — I know mistakes happen, but there were way too many, and it completely broke my immersion. I’m also still confused about what “TGC” on the cover is supposed to mean when the team is called TZG?? That was… not great.
That said, I didn’t hate this book. I still liked Yan Zhun a lot — his patience and how sabar he was waiting genuinely carried the story for me. Even with all my complaints, I still enjoyed some parts. Because of that, I’m giving this 3 stars.
Overall, not a bad read — just not for me, and definitely not what I was hoping for.
Now that I’m familiar with Jiang Zi Bei’s writing style and the kinds of scenes they love to include, a lot of moments here felt repetitive rather than swoony. Some of the “sweet” parts didn’t really hit for me because they reminded me too much of things I’ve already seen (and enjoyed more) in ICDI. I’m not even sure which was written first, but either way, this one felt less fresh.
The plot itself was quite predictable, and the story focused far more on the romance than on the game or overall plot. Because of that, I didn’t find it very exciting or fun — once you know where it’s going, there isn’t much else to keep you hooked.
My biggest issue, though, was how perfect the MC and his boyfriend were (I know this is very much JZB’s style). Like… please 😭 I really couldn’t stand it. I genuinely cringed at how perfectly pretty the MC was portrayed, and how his boyfriend was constantly described as super hot, insanely good at the game, and basically flawless. They felt unrealistically perfect, and because of that, I had a hard time connecting with them emotionally. I prefer characters with more flaws and not OH SO PRETTY LIKE AN ANGEL, so this just didn’t work for me. I also think the lack of a second couple made the romance feel even more meh compared to ICDI, where the side dynamics added a lot.
I also have to mention the publication quality. The typos were seriously hurting my eyes — I know mistakes happen, but there were way too many, and it completely broke my immersion. I’m also still confused about what “TGC” on the cover is supposed to mean when the team is called TZG?? That was… not great.
That said, I didn’t hate this book. I still liked Yan Zhun a lot — his patience and how sabar he was waiting genuinely carried the story for me. Even with all my complaints, I still enjoyed some parts. Because of that, I’m giving this 3 stars.
Overall, not a bad read — just not for me, and definitely not what I was hoping for.
July 19, 2025
Here's another modern Danmei Chinese story set at college. This is all around the gaming world. Everyone is addicted to video games in this thing and there is also a professional team of e-sports.
The video game stuff I find rather boring, but the characters have individual characteristics and they have their own motivations. Our main character is Pei Ran. He is very unforgiving. He catches his boyfriend kissing another guy at a party, cheating. Instead of trying to figure it out. It's completely over. Probably a very healthy way to deal with it. He has good boundaries. I'm not used to that in Danmei. You rarely get a healthy mentality in these things.
Pai Ran had started suspecting something was up in the video game. But, there is another guy on the team who was looking after him. Yan Zhun quickly swoops in to take the boyfriends place. He has been waiting and he doesn't let the door close at all. He walks in as the other guy is walking out.
Another refreshing aspect of this story is it's short and it's 360 pages and done. It's refreshing after 7 to 11 volumes has become the norm.
I also noticed that at the beginning the editing was great, no issues. toward the half-way mark, the typos began to creep up and by the end of the book names are being spelled wrong and the editing became so sloppy. It's translated from the Chinese.
The story is sweet. The spice level is off screen and low spice here. References are made and that's about it.
I'm glad I read this modern story, but the gaming world is not my favorite and I don't plan on reading this again.
The video game stuff I find rather boring, but the characters have individual characteristics and they have their own motivations. Our main character is Pei Ran. He is very unforgiving. He catches his boyfriend kissing another guy at a party, cheating. Instead of trying to figure it out. It's completely over. Probably a very healthy way to deal with it. He has good boundaries. I'm not used to that in Danmei. You rarely get a healthy mentality in these things.
Pai Ran had started suspecting something was up in the video game. But, there is another guy on the team who was looking after him. Yan Zhun quickly swoops in to take the boyfriends place. He has been waiting and he doesn't let the door close at all. He walks in as the other guy is walking out.
Another refreshing aspect of this story is it's short and it's 360 pages and done. It's refreshing after 7 to 11 volumes has become the norm.
I also noticed that at the beginning the editing was great, no issues. toward the half-way mark, the typos began to creep up and by the end of the book names are being spelled wrong and the editing became so sloppy. It's translated from the Chinese.
The story is sweet. The spice level is off screen and low spice here. References are made and that's about it.
I'm glad I read this modern story, but the gaming world is not my favorite and I don't plan on reading this again.
August 15, 2025
Limerence is a sweet gaming danmei set around the world of competitive PUBG. With Pei Ran taking the role of the MC and Yan Zhun as his puppy dog ML. Both of our main leads are university students who find love after Pei Ran is cheated on by his boyfriend.
This has been my favorite danmei to read so far and hit many of the tropes that I love in a story. As someone who played PUBG a lot when it first came out, I found the style of telling stories through the gameplay a fun an interesting premise. But understand that those who may not have played games previously could find it hard to follow at times. The use of gearing and carrying as a means of flirting and showing devotion for ones significant other had me squealing and waving my feet like a little girl. I was happy with the speed that the cheating was dealt with, as it is not a trope I enjoy. I also enjoyed the healthy communication and the lack of difficulty for the pair to begin and remain in a relationship. Most of the stress or drama came from outside sources, and their relationship was used as a method of growing and getting past that rather then a source of additional angst. Going into this I was looking for a light story and this is what I got.
Overall this was a 6/5 story for me. When I am stuck in a reading slump, this will definitely be a reread that will bring me happiness again and again. As mentioned if you enjoy a more toxic or red flag couple, or are not familiar with the PUBG game play style, you may struggle with this story! However if you are looking for some wholesome fluff to restore your faith in humanity, this is 100% a recommended pickup!
This has been my favorite danmei to read so far and hit many of the tropes that I love in a story. As someone who played PUBG a lot when it first came out, I found the style of telling stories through the gameplay a fun an interesting premise. But understand that those who may not have played games previously could find it hard to follow at times. The use of gearing and carrying as a means of flirting and showing devotion for ones significant other had me squealing and waving my feet like a little girl. I was happy with the speed that the cheating was dealt with, as it is not a trope I enjoy. I also enjoyed the healthy communication and the lack of difficulty for the pair to begin and remain in a relationship. Most of the stress or drama came from outside sources, and their relationship was used as a method of growing and getting past that rather then a source of additional angst. Going into this I was looking for a light story and this is what I got.
Overall this was a 6/5 story for me. When I am stuck in a reading slump, this will definitely be a reread that will bring me happiness again and again. As mentioned if you enjoy a more toxic or red flag couple, or are not familiar with the PUBG game play style, you may struggle with this story! However if you are looking for some wholesome fluff to restore your faith in humanity, this is 100% a recommended pickup!
March 11, 2025
4⭐️
Well I know next to nothing about pro gaming, so I’m going to just go ahead and take this at face value as reasonably close to reality. One of the MCs is reluctantly joining a pro team, and I actually really enjoyed just how in depth the author went about the team and the training and the competitions. I liked Pei Ran and Yan Zhun quite a bit but I found them a little bit too derivative? The couple gave me Ten Count vibes but also a little bit Hualian. Just not quite fleshed out into themselves. Still good, and I quite enjoyed a one shot danmei, I spend far too much time reading those Seven Seas 8+ volume epics 😂 (that slow burn is my kryptonite).
It’s my pet peeve, but I sincerely wish they’d stop translating “sensei”. (Or I guess, xiansheng since this is from Chinese) Leave it be. The meaning is too much for English. At least they went with “teacher” here and not “master”. *cringes in colonialism*
Well I know next to nothing about pro gaming, so I’m going to just go ahead and take this at face value as reasonably close to reality. One of the MCs is reluctantly joining a pro team, and I actually really enjoyed just how in depth the author went about the team and the training and the competitions. I liked Pei Ran and Yan Zhun quite a bit but I found them a little bit too derivative? The couple gave me Ten Count vibes but also a little bit Hualian. Just not quite fleshed out into themselves. Still good, and I quite enjoyed a one shot danmei, I spend far too much time reading those Seven Seas 8+ volume epics 😂 (that slow burn is my kryptonite).
It’s my pet peeve, but I sincerely wish they’d stop translating “sensei”. (Or I guess, xiansheng since this is from Chinese) Leave it be. The meaning is too much for English. At least they went with “teacher” here and not “master”. *cringes in colonialism*
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