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Rose and Renaissance #3
Rose and Renaissance#3
Please do not order before the publication date to avoid getting the wrong version of the book. Kids make choices, Adults make love. --Rose and Renaissance
Cool and alpha to his core, playboy Xia Xiqing has everyone fooled with that angelic face of his, but he just had to give the game away in front of his idol and reveal his true colors-and so Xia Xiqing's first encounter with his idol backfired on him and ruined his chances. Xia I like you a lot. Zhou stay-away-from-me.jpg However, Xia Xiqing beautiful face appearing for just three seconds in the audience of a press conference leads to his debut as Zhou Ziheng's foremost fan, and he, together with his idol, gets on the trending list, gets on a reality show, and gets on... That's right, it's exactly as you think. But it's not quite what Xia Xiqing thinks it to be. At first, he think he's hooked up with the unrivaled alpha of the entertainment industry, but it's only after he strips away the latter's public persona that he finds out that Zhou Ziheng is a naive and innocent tsundere. He thought he has gotten an "I bedded my idol" script, but in the end, it turns out to be a script of "my idol bedded me." How... stimulating. *lights up cigarette* Xia I thought you didn't like me at all. What's with all this hugging and clinging? Zhou Well, I take it back.
Xia Xiqing goes idol-chasing at a public event just once, and it results both in him going viral and also in everything immediately backfiring on him as his true colors get revealed to his idol, thus belying his angelic appearance. After his overnight explosion of fame, Xia Xiqing and his idol, Zhou Ziheng, end up on an escape room reality show together, going head-to-head in an intense game of wits and accepting each other's true selves as they go through this game within a game. Behind the push and pull of flirting and refusing to be seduced are the myriad warnings of changed minds and reluctant enjoyment. This story is set in the entertainment industry, and a big highlight of the narrative is the brain-melting script of the reality program, full of problem-solving and suspenseful challenges. Both protagonists hide behind many masks, wearing public personas that contradict their true selves, which results in satisfyingly tense interactions between the two of them. Family backgrounds and dependent personalities are explored in this novel, as well as the emotional relationship between the savior and the one who is saved. The narrative is immersed common knowledge from both academic STEM disciplines and fine arts disciplines, using ascetic physics principles to express emotions and displaying in full the unique romance that arises from the confluence of science and art.
Cool and alpha to his core, playboy Xia Xiqing has everyone fooled with that angelic face of his, but he just had to give the game away in front of his idol and reveal his true colors-and so Xia Xiqing's first encounter with his idol backfired on him and ruined his chances. Xia I like you a lot. Zhou stay-away-from-me.jpg However, Xia Xiqing beautiful face appearing for just three seconds in the audience of a press conference leads to his debut as Zhou Ziheng's foremost fan, and he, together with his idol, gets on the trending list, gets on a reality show, and gets on... That's right, it's exactly as you think. But it's not quite what Xia Xiqing thinks it to be. At first, he think he's hooked up with the unrivaled alpha of the entertainment industry, but it's only after he strips away the latter's public persona that he finds out that Zhou Ziheng is a naive and innocent tsundere. He thought he has gotten an "I bedded my idol" script, but in the end, it turns out to be a script of "my idol bedded me." How... stimulating. *lights up cigarette* Xia I thought you didn't like me at all. What's with all this hugging and clinging? Zhou Well, I take it back.
Xia Xiqing goes idol-chasing at a public event just once, and it results both in him going viral and also in everything immediately backfiring on him as his true colors get revealed to his idol, thus belying his angelic appearance. After his overnight explosion of fame, Xia Xiqing and his idol, Zhou Ziheng, end up on an escape room reality show together, going head-to-head in an intense game of wits and accepting each other's true selves as they go through this game within a game. Behind the push and pull of flirting and refusing to be seduced are the myriad warnings of changed minds and reluctant enjoyment. This story is set in the entertainment industry, and a big highlight of the narrative is the brain-melting script of the reality program, full of problem-solving and suspenseful challenges. Both protagonists hide behind many masks, wearing public personas that contradict their true selves, which results in satisfyingly tense interactions between the two of them. Family backgrounds and dependent personalities are explored in this novel, as well as the emotional relationship between the savior and the one who is saved. The narrative is immersed common knowledge from both academic STEM disciplines and fine arts disciplines, using ascetic physics principles to express emotions and displaying in full the unique romance that arises from the confluence of science and art.
352 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2023
7 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 17, 2025
Our main couple has finally gotten their happy ending, but it’s hard-earned. Our poor Zhou Ziheng is desperate to know his chance in this love, while knowing it’s possible Xia Xiqing would get spooked and leave when he notices Ziheng’s feelings.
I just want to know what I really am to you. I just want to know if it’s possible that you like me, even if just a little. I just want to know… if you’ve noticed my feelings and want to leave.
And Xia Xiqing, oh my goodness, his past is so tragic. He’s a thorny rose, but he is powerless in front of such love that Zhou Ziheng shows him.
He puts a thorn into Zhou Ziheng, but instead of feeling the expected resistance, he just feels a warmth surrounding the thorn in spite of the pain.
And the confession with Schrodinger’s cat really fits Zhou Ziheng’s character. It’s a moving essay that leads to a brave and somewhat resigned declaration of love.
Xia Xiqing, I love you. (…) I opened the box. See? It’s simple.
This book is full of beautiful parallels and allegories, and sweet moments that satisfy my soul.
I do have some minor complaints, like how the lack of reaction shown to certain events is quite jarring. For example, XXQ admits in public that he was abused in the past, but we see no fan react to that revelation. It happened in the previous book, too, when XXQ threw his tea to his stepmom, and no reaction from her nor his father is shown.
The movie and the werewolves reality show are also a bit too long. I’d rather see the space used for more depth in other areas.
That said, I still enjoyed this book very much. It’s a satisfying ending to the series.
I just want to know what I really am to you. I just want to know if it’s possible that you like me, even if just a little. I just want to know… if you’ve noticed my feelings and want to leave.
And Xia Xiqing, oh my goodness, his past is so tragic. He’s a thorny rose, but he is powerless in front of such love that Zhou Ziheng shows him.
He puts a thorn into Zhou Ziheng, but instead of feeling the expected resistance, he just feels a warmth surrounding the thorn in spite of the pain.
And the confession with Schrodinger’s cat really fits Zhou Ziheng’s character. It’s a moving essay that leads to a brave and somewhat resigned declaration of love.
Xia Xiqing, I love you. (…) I opened the box. See? It’s simple.
This book is full of beautiful parallels and allegories, and sweet moments that satisfy my soul.
I do have some minor complaints, like how the lack of reaction shown to certain events is quite jarring. For example, XXQ admits in public that he was abused in the past, but we see no fan react to that revelation. It happened in the previous book, too, when XXQ threw his tea to his stepmom, and no reaction from her nor his father is shown.
The movie and the werewolves reality show are also a bit too long. I’d rather see the space used for more depth in other areas.
That said, I still enjoyed this book very much. It’s a satisfying ending to the series.
January 22, 2025
Giving this a 5 stars because of how much I really really loved this volume and their love 😭😭 I have so many tabs from all the sweet moments I enjoyed 💞
I really love Ziheng’s confession scene and the build up to it, that was just 😭🤌 Plus all the other declarations of love 😩🥰 Especially when Xiqing says I love you, he says it with encouragement. He has come such a long way T^T
”I want this box to open right now” … “I opened the box. See? It’s simple.”
Fr, love doesn’t have to be complex 🥺
I loved it when they were filming Stalking. Throughout out filming the movie we learn more about Xiqing as a character!
There were a few funny moments with their dynamic too 😂
“We have all kinds of breakfast in Wuhan.”
“Then you have to treat me to all of them.” Zhou Ziheng gives him puppy eyes. “I won’t leave Wuhan until you do”
“Then don’t. Stay here”
Xiqing pls- 😂
They had so much lovey dovey scenes ofc fdhsjkfhsdkjafhdajk 😆
”They cuddle on the bed like two travellers on a tiny boat floating through a roiling sea”
Other moments I loved were the birthday gifts they got each other. They got kinky at one point too 😳
This also hit close to home
“Parental bickering is the first horror movie children will see in their lives”
Everyone has surely seen their parents argue at one point as a child (if you haven’t then good for you 🥺), or any sort of argument, and felt scared. Well I did and I still remember them to this day.
As much as I’d love to quote every moment I enjoyed, this review would be too long 💀 The main story ends in this volume so I wonder what volume 4 will have 👀
Was scared I wouldn't enjoy this story when i found out it was entertainment industry focused, since I've read too many novels in the same setting that have a lot of unnecessary drama and annoying misunderstandings. This series doesn't which I like 🙌
The plot mainly focuses on the development of characters, their love and the emotional aspect. So if you’re not looking for that or you want more from the plot, then this series isn’t for you :) I wouldn’t say it’s the best written series of all time, I think the emotional aspect could have been better / deeper. But I still had a lot of fun reading and was poetic at times. I want a man who will give me the same love that Ziheng gives 😭😭
I really love Ziheng’s confession scene and the build up to it, that was just 😭🤌 Plus all the other declarations of love 😩🥰 Especially when Xiqing says I love you, he says it with encouragement. He has come such a long way T^T
”I want this box to open right now” … “I opened the box. See? It’s simple.”
Fr, love doesn’t have to be complex 🥺
I loved it when they were filming Stalking. Throughout out filming the movie we learn more about Xiqing as a character!
There were a few funny moments with their dynamic too 😂
“We have all kinds of breakfast in Wuhan.”
“Then you have to treat me to all of them.” Zhou Ziheng gives him puppy eyes. “I won’t leave Wuhan until you do”
“Then don’t. Stay here”
Xiqing pls- 😂
They had so much lovey dovey scenes ofc fdhsjkfhsdkjafhdajk 😆
”They cuddle on the bed like two travellers on a tiny boat floating through a roiling sea”
Other moments I loved were the birthday gifts they got each other. They got kinky at one point too 😳
This also hit close to home
“Parental bickering is the first horror movie children will see in their lives”
Everyone has surely seen their parents argue at one point as a child (if you haven’t then good for you 🥺), or any sort of argument, and felt scared. Well I did and I still remember them to this day.
As much as I’d love to quote every moment I enjoyed, this review would be too long 💀 The main story ends in this volume so I wonder what volume 4 will have 👀
Was scared I wouldn't enjoy this story when i found out it was entertainment industry focused, since I've read too many novels in the same setting that have a lot of unnecessary drama and annoying misunderstandings. This series doesn't which I like 🙌
The plot mainly focuses on the development of characters, their love and the emotional aspect. So if you’re not looking for that or you want more from the plot, then this series isn’t for you :) I wouldn’t say it’s the best written series of all time, I think the emotional aspect could have been better / deeper. But I still had a lot of fun reading and was poetic at times. I want a man who will give me the same love that Ziheng gives 😭😭
April 20, 2025
4.8! The tears I shed in this volume! Spoiler warning! Not only do you get Xia Xiqing's traumatic back story, you get to read about these movie character POV that Xia Xiqing and Zhou Ziheng get to act out. And that story truly hurt my heart! Just a wonderful novel! I hope that makes sense lol
March 17, 2025
Buddy read with Bunny, Jasmine & thewhelmedlife!
The main story concludes in this third volume and, while I would pick the second volume as my favourite overall, I think all three have their highlights and focus points. In this volume, we finally find out more details about Xia Xiqing's past and what makes him the way he is. The plot around the fictional movie Stalking within this volume is used as a plot device to explore Xia Xiqing's past, but I confess that I found the filming scenes to be quite boring. I wasn't interested in the plot of Stalking and thus it felt a bit like reading a story within a story which I simply didn't care for. I also feel as though Xia Xiqing's past could have been explored without this sequence.
Nevertheless, I suppose it was still a necessary part of the plot as it also brings more focus again on Zhou Ziheng's career as well as bringing the main characters further into the spotlight. I really liked how Xia Xiqing developed over the course of this volume and the effects it had on their relationship. It was also interesting to see how both of them had quite similar fears without quite realising how the other party felt about it.
The main story wraps up nicely and this volume already includes two bonus stories. I usually have mixed feelings about additional short stories but the two included here felt like a direct continuation and part of the main story I actually felt the final scene down to the last line of the final bonus chapter was the perfect conclusion - it was so nicely done, I always want to say I'd rather there were no further stories in the fourth volume. I shall have to wait and see how the rest turns out.
September 8, 2025
Took me a while to get through this volume, I just don’t think I’m a fan of showbiz stories. The fans made me super uncomfortable in this volume with the way the speculated very invasively about the characters’ sex lives 😬 I’m aware that sort of fetishizing behavior towards celebrities happens in real life but it was pretty foul to read. Fortunately this volume wasn’t all bad, Xia Xiqing being vulnerable and opening up to Zhou Ziheng about his childhood was great and I loved all the sweet little moments of sincerity in the extra “Rhinoceros and You”
October 23, 2024
4.5/5☆
Zhichu’s writing>>> 🥰🫶🏾
Zhichu’s writing>>> 🥰🫶🏾
January 19, 2025
I feel like I'm being unfair to this series because I keep opening my reviews with stuff I had a problem with, but that's mostly just to get things out of the way:
- I didn't notice until now (so it's not a super big deal), but sometimes time passes and it's hard to know because the formatting doesn't tell you. Usually what happens when a new bit starts is the new paragraph isn't indented, but I feel like the formatting is the same for everything.
- Scenes with multiple people (like the one where Zhou Ziheng meets Xia Zhixu and Xu Qichen) gets so confusing 🥹 Everyone is talking and sometimes I don't understand what people are actually saying. Tbf though I'm watching a C-drama about voice actors for work and I have the same problem, so maybe it's because of a language thing.
- I feel like there's a lot more telling instead of showing in this one and some of the revelations about Xia Xiqing's past felt a bit more forced. I don't think it's too bad, especially since some of the longer scenes was him telling Zhou Ziheng about it, but I feel like this could have been done differently.
The scene in vol2 where Xiqing auditions for Jiang Tong's role felt so raw because Zhi Chu gives us more emotion than event. I wish the rest of the reveal could have been like this.
- Still cried though. Some of the scenes feel a bit heavyhanded to me (like the scene with Ziheng's parents), but it's comforting.
In the first place there's a lot about writing (and a lot about writing romance) that's very self indulgent. A world where your same-sex ship actually sails, where parents are actually fine with it and gets over their knee-jerk prejudice on their own, where baring your heart to the public is met with kindness is almost a dream world. And that's what falling in love with Ziheng feels like too: almost too good to be true.
There’s a balance between just the right amount of reality and also idealism to make the romance work. It's satisfying and I cried. And I'm happy as a SelfStudy shipper.
Xiqing mentions in his livestream that the Xiqing the public knows is a rhinoceros, a facade that he and the beholder had made together. It's an idealised version of him, but not the real him. But I think because he's happier and because he's surrounded by people who love him and is finally accepting them more, I feel like the gap between ideal and the reality is closing in.
But also I love a younger top because seeing Xiqing spoiling Ziheng is so cute
- I didn't notice until now (so it's not a super big deal), but sometimes time passes and it's hard to know because the formatting doesn't tell you. Usually what happens when a new bit starts is the new paragraph isn't indented, but I feel like the formatting is the same for everything.
- Scenes with multiple people (like the one where Zhou Ziheng meets Xia Zhixu and Xu Qichen) gets so confusing 🥹 Everyone is talking and sometimes I don't understand what people are actually saying. Tbf though I'm watching a C-drama about voice actors for work and I have the same problem, so maybe it's because of a language thing.
- I feel like there's a lot more telling instead of showing in this one and some of the revelations about Xia Xiqing's past felt a bit more forced. I don't think it's too bad, especially since some of the longer scenes was him telling Zhou Ziheng about it, but I feel like this could have been done differently.
The scene in vol2 where Xiqing auditions for Jiang Tong's role felt so raw because Zhi Chu gives us more emotion than event. I wish the rest of the reveal could have been like this.
- Still cried though. Some of the scenes feel a bit heavyhanded to me (like the scene with Ziheng's parents), but it's comforting.
In the first place there's a lot about writing (and a lot about writing romance) that's very self indulgent. A world where your same-sex ship actually sails, where parents are actually fine with it and gets over their knee-jerk prejudice on their own, where baring your heart to the public is met with kindness is almost a dream world. And that's what falling in love with Ziheng feels like too: almost too good to be true.
There’s a balance between just the right amount of reality and also idealism to make the romance work. It's satisfying and I cried. And I'm happy as a SelfStudy shipper.
Xiqing mentions in his livestream that the Xiqing the public knows is a rhinoceros, a facade that he and the beholder had made together. It's an idealised version of him, but not the real him. But I think because he's happier and because he's surrounded by people who love him and is finally accepting them more, I feel like the gap between ideal and the reality is closing in.
But also I love a younger top because seeing Xiqing spoiling Ziheng is so cute
September 8, 2024
เล่ม 3 มีพัฒนาการเยอะ ความสัมพันธ์ของเซี่ยสีชิงกับโจวจื้อเหิงไปถึงขั้นมีอะไรกันแล้ว
(ต่อจากเล่ม 2) ความรู้สึกก็เปลี่ยนไป แต่ตอนแรกยังไม่ถึงขั้นความรัก
เซี่ยสีชิงอ่อนลง ส่วนโจวจื้อเหิงพอมีอะไรกับเค้าแล้ว และยอมรับว่าตัวเองชอบเค้า
ก็เปิดความรู้สึกของตัวเองเต็มที่ ในขณะที่ในใจก็หวั่นไหวตลอด เพราะเซี่ยสีชิง
เคยประกาศมาก่อนว่าถ้าใครคิดชอบเค้าจริงๆ เค้าก็จะจากไป
โจวจื้อเหิงเล่มนี้ขี้หึงมาก หวงเค้ามาก แต่ไม่ได้ออกแนวลูกหมาน้อย
บ้าน (ห้องที่คอนโด) ก็อยู่ติดกันอีก ตอนนี้ก็เกือบจะเท่ากับอยู่ด้วยกันไปแล้ว 🥰
เล่มนี้เซี่ยสีชิงไปแสดงหนังกับโจวจื้อเหิงด้วย เป็นหนังเกี่ยวกับเอดส์
ต้องไปถ่ายที่อู่ฮั่น สองคนนี้เลยได้ใกล้ชิดกันมากระหว่างนั้น
แล้วอู่ฮั่นก็เป็นบ้านเกิดของเซี่ยสีชิงด้วย พอความสัมพันธ์คืบหน้าไป
เซี่ยสีชิงคิดจะเปิดใจให้โจวจื้อเหิงก็เลยยอมเปิดเผยอดีตของตัวเองให้อีกฝ่ายรู้
ถึงขนาดพาไปบ้านที่เคยอยู่ตอนเด็กๆ แล้วเล่าชีวิตตอนเด็กให้ฟัง
ชอบฉากนี้ ชีวิตเซี่ยสีชิงรันทดมากตอนเด็ก ตั้งแต่อายุประมาณ 5 ขวบ
ก็โดนแม่บีบคั้นเรื่องการเป็นศิลปินแล้ว ถึงขั้นทำร้ายร่างกายลู��
คนเป็นพ่อก็ไม่ได้เรื่องอะไรเลย สรุปทั้งสองคนก็รูู้แบ็คกราวน์อีกฝ่ายหมดแล้ว
ว่าทั้งสองฝ่ายต่างก็มีครอบครัวที่ไม่ธรรมดาทั���งคู่
เล่มนี้ปัญหานอกจากเรื่องคลายปมอดีตของเซี่ยสีชิงแล้ว
ยังมีข่าวลือของโจวจื้อเหิงกับนักแสดงผู้หญิงคนนึงที่ถ่ายหนังเรื่องนี้ด้วยกัน
(แต่ไม่ใช่ปัญหาใหญ่) กับตอนท้ายเล่มมีคนเอาเรื่องที่เซี่ยสีชิงเป็นเกย์
มาสร้างข่าวใหญ่หวังทำลายเค้า แต่เซี่ยสีชิงชิลๆ เพราะเค้าก็เปิดเผยเรื่องนี้มาตั้งแต่ไหนแต่ไร
สรุป เล่มนี้สนุกดี รายละเอียดเยอะ ความฟินก็เยอะ เพราะพอเซี่ยสีชิงเปิดใจ
เค้าก็ทำอะไรโรแมนติกๆ ให้โจวจื้อเหิงหลายอย่่าง NC ก็เยอะ
แต่เรื่องบนเตียง จนตอนนี้เซี่ยสีชิงก็ยังไม่มีโอกาสได้ "รุก" 😁
เมื่อก่อนไม่เคยยอมใคร ตอนนี้คือยอมทุกครั้ง โจวจื้อเหิงไม่ธรรมดาค่ะ 😅🤣
(ต่อจากเล่ม 2) ความรู้สึกก็เปลี่ยนไป แต่ตอนแรกยังไม่ถึงขั้นความรัก
เซี่ยสีชิงอ่อนลง ส่วนโจวจื้อเหิงพอมีอะไรกับเค้าแล้ว และยอมรับว่าตัวเองชอบเค้า
ก็เปิดความรู้สึกของตัวเองเต็มที่ ในขณะที่ในใจก็หวั่นไหวตลอด เพราะเซี่ยสีชิง
เคยประกาศมาก่อนว่าถ้าใครคิดชอบเค้าจริงๆ เค้าก็จะจากไป
โจวจื้อเหิงเล่มนี้ขี้หึงมาก หวงเค้ามาก แต่ไม่ได้ออกแนวลูกหมาน้อย
บ้าน (ห้องที่คอนโด) ก็อยู่ติดกันอีก ตอนนี้ก็เกือบจะเท่ากับอยู่ด้วยกันไปแล้ว 🥰
เล่มนี้เซี่ยสีชิงไปแสดงหนังกับโจวจื้อเหิงด้วย เป็นหนังเกี่ยวกับเอดส์
ต้องไปถ่ายที่อู่ฮั่น สองคนนี้เลยได้ใกล้ชิดกันมากระหว่างนั้น
แล้วอู่ฮั่นก็เป็นบ้านเกิดของเซี่ยสีชิงด้วย พอความสัมพันธ์คืบหน้าไป
เซี่ยสีชิงคิดจะเปิดใจให้โจวจื้อเหิงก็เลยยอมเปิดเผยอดีตของตัวเองให้อีกฝ่ายรู้
ถึงขนาดพาไปบ้านที่เคยอยู่ตอนเด็กๆ แล้วเล่าชีวิตตอนเด็กให้ฟัง
ชอบฉากนี้ ชีวิตเซี่ยสีชิงรันทดมากตอนเด็ก ตั้งแต่อายุประมาณ 5 ขวบ
ก็โดนแม่บีบคั้นเรื่องการเป็นศิลปินแล้ว ถึงขั้นทำร้ายร่างกายลู��
คนเป็นพ่อก็ไม่ได้เรื่องอะไรเลย สรุปทั้งสองคนก็รูู้แบ็คกราวน์อีกฝ่ายหมดแล้ว
ว่าทั้งสองฝ่ายต่างก็มีครอบครัวที่ไม่ธรรมดาทั���งคู่
เล่มนี้ปัญหานอกจากเรื่องคลายปมอดีตของเซี่ยสีชิงแล้ว
ยังมีข่าวลือของโจวจื้อเหิงกับนักแสดงผู้หญิงคนนึงที่ถ่ายหนังเรื่องนี้ด้วยกัน
(แต่ไม่ใช่ปัญหาใหญ่) กับตอนท้ายเล่มมีคนเอาเรื่องที่เซี่ยสีชิงเป็นเกย์
มาสร้างข่าวใหญ่หวังทำลายเค้า แต่เซี่ยสีชิงชิลๆ เพราะเค้าก็เปิดเผยเรื่องนี้มาตั้งแต่ไหนแต่ไร
สรุป เล่มนี้สนุกดี รายละเอียดเยอะ ความฟินก็เยอะ เพราะพอเซี่ยสีชิงเปิดใจ
เค้าก็ทำอะไรโรแมนติกๆ ให้โจวจื้อเหิงหลายอย่่าง NC ก็เยอะ
แต่เรื่องบนเตียง จนตอนนี้เซี่ยสีชิงก็ยังไม่มีโอกาสได้ "รุก" 😁
เมื่อก่อนไม่เคยยอมใคร ตอนนี้คือยอมทุกครั้ง โจวจื้อเหิงไม่ธรรมดาค่ะ 😅🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2025
Filming of the movie "Stalking" continues, drawing Xia Xiqing and Zhou Ziheng closer together. Additionally, by forcing himself to face his past, Xia Xiqing begins to heal and sees his artwork in a new light -- one he wants to share with others. But as the spotlight shines more brightly both on him and Zhou Ziheng, will the promising artist be brave enough to follow his heart?
While I feel the publishing company did this series a disservice by splitting it up where they did (the climax of the story comes pretty early on in this third volume), I still enjoyed the story, especially the progression of Zhou Ziheng and Xia Xiqing's relationship. It didn't feel rushed; on the contrary, I thought it was well paced, and seeing Xia Xiqing be vulnerable around Zhou Ziheng was all the more emotional thanks to the gradual buildup. I was a little worried about where the plot would go after the climax occurred pretty early on, but my fears were soon assuaged. Instead of trope-heavy drama, the pair faced a legitimate challenge that threatened both their careers, but they each handled it rationally, according to their personalities, and I was happy with the result. Although there are some pretty emotional moments in this book, there's also plenty of fluff that made me smile. As I said in my review of the first installment, don't let the vague description fool you; the series has a surprising amount of depth to it. On a scale between "light-hearted, easy read" and "heartbreaking," I'd put these books somewhere near the middle. They're not the first danmei novels I'd recommend to someone new to the genre, but they'd make it further down the list.
While I feel the publishing company did this series a disservice by splitting it up where they did (the climax of the story comes pretty early on in this third volume), I still enjoyed the story, especially the progression of Zhou Ziheng and Xia Xiqing's relationship. It didn't feel rushed; on the contrary, I thought it was well paced, and seeing Xia Xiqing be vulnerable around Zhou Ziheng was all the more emotional thanks to the gradual buildup. I was a little worried about where the plot would go after the climax occurred pretty early on, but my fears were soon assuaged. Instead of trope-heavy drama, the pair faced a legitimate challenge that threatened both their careers, but they each handled it rationally, according to their personalities, and I was happy with the result. Although there are some pretty emotional moments in this book, there's also plenty of fluff that made me smile. As I said in my review of the first installment, don't let the vague description fool you; the series has a surprising amount of depth to it. On a scale between "light-hearted, easy read" and "heartbreaking," I'd put these books somewhere near the middle. They're not the first danmei novels I'd recommend to someone new to the genre, but they'd make it further down the list.
July 12, 2024
Review: 5 ⭐️
The ship has saileddd!!
To be fair, their story is concluded in this book.
Book 4 is all extra chapters.
Honestly, the ending is HE wrapped in a nice bow - it’s such wonderful story
The ship has saileddd!!
To be fair, their story is concluded in this book.
Book 4 is all extra chapters.
Honestly, the ending is HE wrapped in a nice bow - it’s such wonderful story
October 31, 2025
“From day one of being with him; I knew what I would face in the future, and I’ve prepared myself for it. I’m not a coward. No matter what trouble lies ahead. I only want him by my side, fighting with me. I know we’ll conquer anything.”
Xia Xiqing truly comes into his own in this volume, and watching his emotional armor start to crack makes for some of the best scenes in the series so far. His defensiveness, his jealousy, and his quiet yearning all come through in sharp contrast to Zhou Ziheng’s steady presence. Their relationship isn’t built on perfect understanding—it’s full of missed signals and emotional push-and-pull—but that’s what makes it so magnetic. The writing captures the way two people can keep circling each other without losing the thread that holds them together.
The physical intimacy this time around feels more raw and revealing than ever. It’s not just about heat—it’s about power, surrender, and what each character is willing to risk emotionally. The tension between Xia Xiqing’s need for control and Zhou Ziheng’s instinct to give adds another layer to their connection. These scenes aren't there just to be provocative—they move the emotional arc forward. They feel earned, and they say something about how trust is built between two people who are still learning how to stop hiding.
I enjoyed the show segments too—the games were fun and gave the cast a chance to loosen up and interact outside the heavier emotional beats. But I couldn’t ignore how much space was eaten up by fan commentary and endless dialogue. The imbalance between narrative and chatter made it harder to stay immersed. I love these characters, but I found myself wishing the book gave them more space to simply exist without so much background noise. It’s a good story with great moments, but this volume didn’t hit as cleanly as the last.
Date Read: 2025.08.03
Xia Xiqing truly comes into his own in this volume, and watching his emotional armor start to crack makes for some of the best scenes in the series so far. His defensiveness, his jealousy, and his quiet yearning all come through in sharp contrast to Zhou Ziheng’s steady presence. Their relationship isn’t built on perfect understanding—it’s full of missed signals and emotional push-and-pull—but that’s what makes it so magnetic. The writing captures the way two people can keep circling each other without losing the thread that holds them together.
The physical intimacy this time around feels more raw and revealing than ever. It’s not just about heat—it’s about power, surrender, and what each character is willing to risk emotionally. The tension between Xia Xiqing’s need for control and Zhou Ziheng’s instinct to give adds another layer to their connection. These scenes aren't there just to be provocative—they move the emotional arc forward. They feel earned, and they say something about how trust is built between two people who are still learning how to stop hiding.
I enjoyed the show segments too—the games were fun and gave the cast a chance to loosen up and interact outside the heavier emotional beats. But I couldn’t ignore how much space was eaten up by fan commentary and endless dialogue. The imbalance between narrative and chatter made it harder to stay immersed. I love these characters, but I found myself wishing the book gave them more space to simply exist without so much background noise. It’s a good story with great moments, but this volume didn’t hit as cleanly as the last.
Date Read: 2025.08.03
November 4, 2024
"Zhou Ziheng finds his weakness and protects it with his heart. Every time. Always."
When I die, I want to be reincarnated as an in-universe Self-Study girl, seriously. The main story ended wonderfully, and the first extra kicked off our main couple's honeymoon era in such a heartwarming and humorous way too.
After the push-and-pull of the first two volumes, this third volume was really just smooth sailing for Xia Xiqing and Zhou Ziheng. Secrets get exposed, scummy people get their comeuppance, and our beloved couple get their happy ending - complete with adoring fangirls and fanboys! Xia Xiqing goes from someone who was hurt by the people who were meant to protect him and love him the most, to someone who is loved by Zhou Ziheng and adored by fangirls - who, by all rights, shouldn't care about a stranger - who want the best for him. It's a total inversion of who he was at the beginning of this series. Zhichu's strength is, undoubtedly, the way they write their characters. They just come alive, and you find yourself rooting so hard for them.
If I have to criticize anything about the main story, I would say it's the movie. This is just a minor complaint, all things considered, because I recognize that the movie was used simply as a way to not just address Xia Xiqing's trauma but to also bring our main characters closer together. Still, I would've loved it if the movie plot itself was fleshed out a bit more, and I'm still kind of scratching my head as to why the movie was called "Stalking" when it seems like it was really about Gao Kun and Jiang Tong's relationship. But these are just minor things! It was easy for me to just let these thoughts go.
I really have been craving for a series that's heavier on the romance, so I'm happy to see that the entire fourth volume is dedicated to extras. It's sad that my time with Self-Study is almost drawing to a close, but I'm also undoubtedly excited to see more of their happy lives together.
When I die, I want to be reincarnated as an in-universe Self-Study girl, seriously. The main story ended wonderfully, and the first extra kicked off our main couple's honeymoon era in such a heartwarming and humorous way too.
After the push-and-pull of the first two volumes, this third volume was really just smooth sailing for Xia Xiqing and Zhou Ziheng. Secrets get exposed, scummy people get their comeuppance, and our beloved couple get their happy ending - complete with adoring fangirls and fanboys! Xia Xiqing goes from someone who was hurt by the people who were meant to protect him and love him the most, to someone who is loved by Zhou Ziheng and adored by fangirls - who, by all rights, shouldn't care about a stranger - who want the best for him. It's a total inversion of who he was at the beginning of this series. Zhichu's strength is, undoubtedly, the way they write their characters. They just come alive, and you find yourself rooting so hard for them.
If I have to criticize anything about the main story, I would say it's the movie. This is just a minor complaint, all things considered, because I recognize that the movie was used simply as a way to not just address Xia Xiqing's trauma but to also bring our main characters closer together. Still, I would've loved it if the movie plot itself was fleshed out a bit more, and I'm still kind of scratching my head as to why the movie was called "Stalking" when it seems like it was really about Gao Kun and Jiang Tong's relationship. But these are just minor things! It was easy for me to just let these thoughts go.
I really have been craving for a series that's heavier on the romance, so I'm happy to see that the entire fourth volume is dedicated to extras. It's sad that my time with Self-Study is almost drawing to a close, but I'm also undoubtedly excited to see more of their happy lives together.
April 18, 2025
This story has been growing on me. It’s the first time that the main story ended and the extras just smoothly carry on more or less where we left. I highly appreciate that. Full review to come after the last volume.
January 11, 2024
This might be my favorite book of the series because we get so much of Xia Xiqing and Zhou Ziheng in their element and it's perfect ❤️ While I liked Xia Xiqing from the start even though he was "scandalous", by the end of this book I had fallen in love with his character. I feel protective of him and need him to have a happy ending.
I have adored this series so far and feel each book has gotten better but I could have done without the 30+ pages of the Reality TV show/game scene. I would say they have become one of my favorite couples but something about Zhou Ziheng only being 20 years old just kind of bothers me even though the age difference is just five years.
There are some editing errors in this series: typos, random tense changes, grammar mistakes, etc. IMO, not bad at all and certainly not enough to take me out of the story.
I have adored this series so far and feel each book has gotten better but I could have done without the 30+ pages of the Reality TV show/game scene. I would say they have become one of my favorite couples but something about Zhou Ziheng only being 20 years old just kind of bothers me even though the age difference is just five years.
There are some editing errors in this series: typos, random tense changes, grammar mistakes, etc. IMO, not bad at all and certainly not enough to take me out of the story.
September 3, 2025
Roses and Renaissance is a modern entertainment industry looking into the lives of Artist Playboy MC Xia Xiqing and Movie star/idol ML Zhou Ziheng. The story looks into the relationship between the two that develops after Xia Xiqing attends a press conference for an upcoming film starring Zhou Ziheng. This one off interaction quickly evolves as Xia Xiqing is invited to be a part of the same variety show set in an escape room with Zhou Ziheng as his fellow survivor. With perceptions of each other already made from their first meeting, and in a highly negative way, it dives into how Xia Xiqing can rebuild his image in the eyes of Zhou Ziheng and maybe even defrost his own frozen heart.
I feel like the ending of this series came around to quickly for me, and this one had me sighing with happiness throughout. The filming of the movie was an interesting way to break it up, however the indecisiveness in them started to grow thin by this point. Bringing in some weird mind games that Zhou Ziheng initiated but was not prepared for was also an interesting spin. The character of Song Nian was my least favourite in the whole series and every time she came back I was frustrated by her, thankfully she was introduced late and not a long term character. The love that was finally expressed was sweet and while the twist was a predictable one, was exactly what I needed from this one. I was also happy watching them achieve their goals and grow together.
Overall I give this one a 4/5. I would maybe reread it in the future if I was going through the series. This was a satisfying end with just the right amount of sweetness, emotion and beautiful completeness to their relationship. The extras included were good and felt more like a natural conclusion then just extras. The entertainment sections unfortunately were where this one came short, but as has been my thing for this whole series, after the amazing initial start the samesy was to strong. However if you enjoy Playboy Shou and overprotective but sweet gong, murder mystery puzzles, enemies to lover vibes, fake personalities and only their lover knowing the real them, then I highly recommend this one for you!
I feel like the ending of this series came around to quickly for me, and this one had me sighing with happiness throughout. The filming of the movie was an interesting way to break it up, however the indecisiveness in them started to grow thin by this point. Bringing in some weird mind games that Zhou Ziheng initiated but was not prepared for was also an interesting spin. The character of Song Nian was my least favourite in the whole series and every time she came back I was frustrated by her, thankfully she was introduced late and not a long term character. The love that was finally expressed was sweet and while the twist was a predictable one, was exactly what I needed from this one. I was also happy watching them achieve their goals and grow together.
Overall I give this one a 4/5. I would maybe reread it in the future if I was going through the series. This was a satisfying end with just the right amount of sweetness, emotion and beautiful completeness to their relationship. The extras included were good and felt more like a natural conclusion then just extras. The entertainment sections unfortunately were where this one came short, but as has been my thing for this whole series, after the amazing initial start the samesy was to strong. However if you enjoy Playboy Shou and overprotective but sweet gong, murder mystery puzzles, enemies to lover vibes, fake personalities and only their lover knowing the real them, then I highly recommend this one for you!
September 10, 2023
This story keeps getting better and better. I simply can't put this one down now. The first book, I hated Xia Xiqing and his character growth has been amazing to watch. Everything that happened has helped him face his past and open him up. I love him now. He and Zhou Ziheng are so great together.
I love this, we actually get to see the relationship and not all the ways people break them apart. It's been wonderful and the story is worth it. I love the game shows they are on. I can't believe how exciting it is to read that part. I also love the movie they are making. There are some amazing moments. I wish they would make this in Taiwan, you could never get a good adaptation in China, sadly.
The story is mostly conclude in this volume. There is a whole book of extras left. If we get to see more of the two leads relationships, then I'm all for it.
This is set in modern China and it's nice to see the modern culture. It's very similar to ours. They also deal with some real and difficult issues in this. I never thought they had some of the same issues we have here. It makes sense.
This was such a surprise story. I've just loved this romance. It's an enemies to Lovers type trope. The leads are both very smart. There it's STEM and here it would be MENSA. I would be sleeping or sitting the niblings and I was craving wanting to read this story, to read more. It was such a well told story and I love the characters.
I recommend this.
I love this, we actually get to see the relationship and not all the ways people break them apart. It's been wonderful and the story is worth it. I love the game shows they are on. I can't believe how exciting it is to read that part. I also love the movie they are making. There are some amazing moments. I wish they would make this in Taiwan, you could never get a good adaptation in China, sadly.
The story is mostly conclude in this volume. There is a whole book of extras left. If we get to see more of the two leads relationships, then I'm all for it.
This is set in modern China and it's nice to see the modern culture. It's very similar to ours. They also deal with some real and difficult issues in this. I never thought they had some of the same issues we have here. It makes sense.
This was such a surprise story. I've just loved this romance. It's an enemies to Lovers type trope. The leads are both very smart. There it's STEM and here it would be MENSA. I would be sleeping or sitting the niblings and I was craving wanting to read this story, to read more. It was such a well told story and I love the characters.
I recommend this.
February 6, 2025
เล่ม 3 น่ารักมาก ความรักเอ่อล้น โจวจื้อเหิงที่มีความรักกลายเป็นคนคลั่งรัก ไม่กลัวฟ้า ไม่กลัวดิน พอได้รักก็ทุ่มสุดตัว อิสระเสรี ปีกหัก ขนไหม้ก็พร้อมพุ่งชน จื้อเหิงแสนดีจริงๆ จนอยากจะตีพี่สีชิงที่มารังแกจื้อเหิงให้ร้องไห้
แปปๆขอจูบ แปปๆขอหอม เมาจูบสุดๆ จื้อเหิงน่ารักมาก 555 น่ารักตัวเท่าโลก พี่สีชิงใจอ่อนหน่อยสิ เล่ม 1-2 เราได้เห็นพี่สีชิงในมุมเจ้าเลห์ เจนต่อสนามรัก แต่ในเล่ม 3 เป็นตาของจื้อเหิงบ้างแล้วที่มาสั่นคลอนหัวใจของพี่สีชิง
จื้อเหิงแสนดี ดูแลเก่ง เทคแคร์ดี เหมือนเอาขนนกมาสะกิดหัวใจแข็งโป๊กของพี่สีชิงให้อ่อนลง ใช้ความรัก ความเข้าใจ ห่อหุ้มพี่สีชิงที่มีหนามแหลมเต็มตัวจนหลอมละลาย แต่พี่ก็ยังใจร้าย 555 ทั้งกับตัวเองแล้วก็จื้อเหิง มีความสุขกันดีๆกี่โมง (เล่มนี้แหละ)
แต่การที่พี่สีชิงเป็นคนแบบนี้ก็ไม่ใช่ว่าไม่มีเหตุผล เป็นปมลึกๆในใจที่เอามาเปิดอกในเล่มนี้ เรามองว่าพี่สีชิงเป็นผลงานศิลปะที่แตกสลาย เป็นดอกกุหลาบแดงกลิ่นหอมแต่ราดรดด้วยเลือด รอคอยวันที่มีคนมาค้นพบเสน่ห์ในความหยิ่งทนง เห็นคุ้นค่าของผลงานบิดเบี้ยวที่ไม่สมบูรณ์ รักเซี่ยสีชิงมากๆ
แต่การที่พี่สีชิงเป็นคนแบบนี้ก็ไม่ใช่ว่าไม่มีเหตุผล เป็นปมลึกๆในใจที่เอามาเปิดอกในเล่มนี้ เรามองว่าพี่สีชิงเป็นผลงานศิลปะที่แตกสลาย เป็นดอกกุหลาบแดงกลิ่นหอมแต่ราดรดด้วยเลือด รอคอยวันที่มีคนมาค้นพบเสน่ห์ในความหยิ่งทนง เห็นคุ้นค่าของผลงานบิดเบี้ยวที่ไม่สมบูรณ์ รักเซี่ยสีชิงมากๆ
Rose and Renaissance โรแมนติกมากจริงๆคุณ เขาเอาจิตกรกับหนุ่มสายวิทย์มาคู่กันได้ลงตัวมาก โรแมนติกสุดๆ เคมีเข้ากันสุดๆ แล้วนี่ชอบไทป์แบบพี่สีชิงกับจื้อเหิงมาก แพ้ทั้งคู่ คาร์ที่สร้างมาให้ฉันแพ้ทางทั้งคู่ แล้วจับเขามาคู่กัน 😭💖
แปปๆขอจูบ แปปๆขอหอม เมาจูบสุดๆ จื้อเหิงน่ารักมาก 555 น่ารักตัวเท่าโลก พี่สีชิงใจอ่อนหน่อยสิ เล่ม 1-2 เราได้เห็นพี่สีชิงในมุมเจ้าเลห์ เจนต่อสนามรัก แต่ในเล่ม 3 เป็นตาของจื้อเหิงบ้างแล้วที่มาสั่นคลอนหัวใจของพี่สีชิง
จื้อเหิงแสนดี ดูแลเก่ง เทคแคร์ดี เหมือนเอาขนนกมาสะกิดหัวใจแข็งโป๊กของพี่สีชิงให้อ่อนลง ใช้ความรัก ความเข้าใจ ห่อหุ้มพี่สีชิงที่มีหนามแหลมเต็มตัวจนหลอมละลาย แต่พี่ก็ยังใจร้าย 555 ทั้งกับตัวเองแล้วก็จื้อเหิง มีความสุขกันดีๆกี่โมง (เล่มนี้แหละ)
แต่การที่พี่สีชิงเป็นคนแบบนี้ก็ไม่ใช่ว่าไม่มีเหตุผล เป็นปมลึกๆในใจที่เอามาเปิดอกในเล่มนี้ เรามองว่าพี่สีชิงเป็นผลงานศิลปะที่แตกสลาย เป็นดอกกุหลาบแดงกลิ่นหอมแต่ราดรดด้วยเลือด รอคอยวันที่มีคนมาค้นพบเสน่ห์ในความหยิ่งทนง เห็นคุ้นค่าของผลงานบิดเบี้ยวที่ไม่สมบูรณ์ รักเซี่ยสีชิงมากๆ
แต่การที่พี่สีชิงเป็นคนแบบนี้ก็ไม่ใช่ว่าไม่มีเหตุผล เป็นปมลึกๆในใจที่เอามาเปิดอกในเล่มนี้ เรามองว่าพี่สีชิงเป็นผลงานศิลปะที่แตกสลาย เป็นดอกกุหลาบแดงกลิ่นหอมแต่ราดรดด้วยเลือด รอคอยวันที่มีคนมาค้นพบเสน่ห์ในความหยิ่งทนง เห็นคุ้นค่าของผลงานบิดเบี้ยวที่ไม่สมบูรณ์ รักเซี่ยสีชิงมากๆ
Rose and Renaissance โรแมนติกมากจริงๆคุณ เขาเอาจิตกรกับหนุ่มสายวิทย์มาคู่กันได้ลงตัวมาก โรแมนติกสุดๆ เคมีเข้ากันสุดๆ แล้วนี่ชอบไทป์แบบพี่สีชิงกับจื้อเหิงมาก แพ้ทั้งคู่ คาร์ที่สร้างมาให้ฉันแพ้ทางทั้งคู่ แล้วจับเขามาคู่กัน 😭💖
June 21, 2025
I can give you my loneliness, my darkness, the hunger of my heart: I am trying to bribe you with uncertainty, with danger, with defeat.
The author really said, 'I've been giving you smarts, tension, and fluff for the past 2 volumes, so now, here, have all the angst.' The 1st half of this volume was angst after angst after angst. First, we start with our two MCs figuring out their feelings for each other and having to finally communicate.
Once that was done, guess who pops up? None other than the snake that is Wei Min who goes and outs Xia Xiqing. Once Xia Xiqing deals with that - in a very epic way, I must say, - we dive head first into him dealing with the trauma that his parents inflicted on him.
In the previous volumes, he mostly spoke about the horrific physical abuse he endured at his father's hands. This volume largely focuses on the abuse at his mother's hands, and for some reason, that hurt worse than what his father did. Poor baby Xia Xiqing. Zhou Ziheng was really the universe's way of apologizing to that poor unloved, abandoned, and abused child.
From this beam of bright starlight called Zhou Ziheng, he wants to offer up everything of himself. His good and his bad, his darkest secrets and his every desire, his very soul.
The 2nd half is a mix of fluff, one of the hottest smut scenes ever, and angst (but this time, it's healing angst, not the cry into your pillow kind).
The author really said, 'I've been giving you smarts, tension, and fluff for the past 2 volumes, so now, here, have all the angst.' The 1st half of this volume was angst after angst after angst. First, we start with our two MCs figuring out their feelings for each other and having to finally communicate.
Once that was done, guess who pops up? None other than the snake that is Wei Min who goes and outs Xia Xiqing. Once Xia Xiqing deals with that - in a very epic way, I must say, - we dive head first into him dealing with the trauma that his parents inflicted on him.
In the previous volumes, he mostly spoke about the horrific physical abuse he endured at his father's hands. This volume largely focuses on the abuse at his mother's hands, and for some reason, that hurt worse than what his father did. Poor baby Xia Xiqing. Zhou Ziheng was really the universe's way of apologizing to that poor unloved, abandoned, and abused child.
From this beam of bright starlight called Zhou Ziheng, he wants to offer up everything of himself. His good and his bad, his darkest secrets and his every desire, his very soul.
The 2nd half is a mix of fluff, one of the hottest smut scenes ever, and angst (but this time, it's healing angst, not the cry into your pillow kind).
July 21, 2025
I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series and adore the MC and ML. However, this book really dragged for me. I thought that a lot of the story was unnecessary and didn't actually progress the plot. The language also seemed to get extremely extra/flowery with tons of metaphors and adjectives, it was honestly distracting. Additionally, IMO, the ML dealt with the MCs trauma in a manner that I felt was incredibly disrespectful and it didn't sit well with me. I'm going to finish the series but I'm hoping the 4th is better than the 3rd.
March 27, 2024
the ending was so damn sweet ❤️❤️❤️ what an evolution ! 😍
August 4, 2024
"Love yourself the way you love him, alright?"
Ahhhhhhh I love Mama Zhou so much. I can't even describe the way I feel about this volume. It's so sweet.
Ahhhhhhh I love Mama Zhou so much. I can't even describe the way I feel about this volume. It's so sweet.
September 3, 2024
Genuinely one of my favorite book series’s now. So fluffy im going to get a tooth ache <33
November 15, 2024
Im not crying
March 30, 2025
im just like the self-study girls
August 19, 2025
DNF'd at page 231.
Wow, talk about a nosedive in quality. It's gotten so bad, I'm not even going to finish the series, and I already own all the books.
I don't know what happened. The first volume was genuinely wonderful, and it felt smart. I give a lot of breaks to danmei writers: I know they rely on high drama and tropes to bring in initial audiences, and that pacing can suffer from serialized publication. But this is... terrible.
Who are these characters? They have almost no relation to the realistically flawed and funny people of the first volume. Xia Xiqing is a straight-up Iron Woobie who just needs to be loved Zhou Ziheng's personality has been reduced to a big ol' puppydog, except when he's asked to be a raging, accusatory jealous asshole for the sake of... comedy?
And don't get me started on the fandom meta. In my first review I talked about it that stuff can go so wrong so easily: that's just what happens, here, in the absolute worst and most stereotypical of ways.
And it's just a boring story at this point. No real conflict. All obstacles are overcome painlessly. The leads are faultless rich genius stunningly gorgeous and give long, poetic speeches about how much they love each other. It reads like fanfic for the real story, left unfinished.
Ugh. I hate it when series that start with so much promise become so BORING.
Wow, talk about a nosedive in quality. It's gotten so bad, I'm not even going to finish the series, and I already own all the books.
I don't know what happened. The first volume was genuinely wonderful, and it felt smart. I give a lot of breaks to danmei writers: I know they rely on high drama and tropes to bring in initial audiences, and that pacing can suffer from serialized publication. But this is... terrible.
Who are these characters? They have almost no relation to the realistically flawed and funny people of the first volume. Xia Xiqing is a straight-up Iron Woobie who just needs to be loved Zhou Ziheng's personality has been reduced to a big ol' puppydog, except when he's asked to be a raging, accusatory jealous asshole for the sake of... comedy?
And don't get me started on the fandom meta. In my first review I talked about it that stuff can go so wrong so easily: that's just what happens, here, in the absolute worst and most stereotypical of ways.
And it's just a boring story at this point. No real conflict. All obstacles are overcome painlessly. The leads are faultless rich genius stunningly gorgeous and give long, poetic speeches about how much they love each other. It reads like fanfic for the real story, left unfinished.
Ugh. I hate it when series that start with so much promise become so BORING.
October 3, 2025
His gift is the most beautiful rose in the universe, nourished by the stars and the milky way. It will never wither and die. It will be among the stars, blooming forever.
"The romance of the universe is what I want to give you."
What a gorgeous book, Zhichu is coming for my soul 🥹
July 31, 2023
The main story has ended. Almost half of this volume is extra stories. The ending is almost too good to be true xD idk, the fact that zzh is WAY too young (20 yrs old) always bothered me XD
June 25, 2025
4.5* I'm just smitten with Xia Xiqing & Zhou Ziheng. R&R is exactly what I wanted from the entertainment genre.
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