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The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish: Canji Baojun De Zhangxin Yu Chong (Novel) #1
The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish: Canji Baojun De Zhangxin Yu Chong (Novel), Vol. 1
After Li Yu stays up all night to read an engrossing webnovel, he finally falls asleep–only to wake up in the world of the novel itself. And not as himself, but as a helpless fish! Shocked and dismayed, Li Yu quickly realizes that he must live in a tank owned by Mu Tianchi, the tyrant of the novel who never speaks. Whatever force brought Li Yu into this world warns him that there’s only one way to become human again: to win over the cold Mu Tianchi and change his harsh ways. But Li Yu has no idea how to do that, especially as a powerless, palm-sized carp. Can a little fish really swim its way into a tyrant’s heart?
436 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2024
467 people are currently reading
5293 people want to read
About the author
Xue Shan Fei Hu
11 books118 followersAssociated Names:
* 雪山肥狐 (Chinese)
* Xue Shan Fei Hu (English)
* เสวี่ยซานเฝยหู (Thai)
* 雪山肥狐 (Chinese)
* Xue Shan Fei Hu (English)
* เสวี่ยซานเฝยหู (Thai)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 890 reviews
April 13, 2024
imagine you're a male carp fish owned by a tyrant and this owner of yours got you impregnated not once but six times, what would u do
September 5, 2025
It's so absurd and stupid and I love it so much.
April 11, 2024
this was the stupidest thing ive ever read but i enjoyed it
June 28, 2025
What did I just read?
I found this book to be far from funny or entertaining; in fact, it struck me as downright absurd. As I approached the story, I had hoped for an engaging narrative featuring a protagonist who was a fish. However, I did not anticipate that I would have to endure 382 pages delving into the mundane existence of that very fish. Seriously?
I expected that halfway through, Li Yu, the fish protagonist, would undergo a dramatic transformation that would allow him to become human, igniting the true essence of the narrative. Instead, I was completely mistaken. Yes, he does transform into a human for about two hours, but during that fleeting time, all he does is eat. Yes, you read that right—he spends those precious moments consumed by his hunger. Both Li Yu and Prince Jing, who is pivotal to the story, come across as remarkably foolish, completely lacking any form of self-awareness or depth of character.
When bizarre occurrences unfold in your room, with only you and your pet present, it’s only natural to contemplate the possibility that your pet might possess a hidden identity or bear a deeper significance. Even if that notion seems outlandish, it would undeniably cross anyone's mind. Yet, Prince Jing remains astonishingly oblivious, ignoring the obvious signs that suggest his pet is anything but ordinary, which is frustrating.
As for the romance element of the story, it was equally baffling. I truly struggled to engage with the premise of a prince developing romantic feelings for a fish—let’s be real here. The chemistry between them was virtually non-existent, leaving their relationship feeling forced and unconvincing. It’s challenging to comment further on that dynamic when the protagonist is confined to being a fish for the entirety of the volume, making any emotional connection feel superficial at best.
To be blunt, reading about the so-called adventures of a fish felt incredibly tedious and monotonous. The pacing dragged on, and the scenes often felt repetitive.
In conclusion, I have zero interest in delving into the second volume at this point. This book has left me feeling so irritated.
I found this book to be far from funny or entertaining; in fact, it struck me as downright absurd. As I approached the story, I had hoped for an engaging narrative featuring a protagonist who was a fish. However, I did not anticipate that I would have to endure 382 pages delving into the mundane existence of that very fish. Seriously?
I expected that halfway through, Li Yu, the fish protagonist, would undergo a dramatic transformation that would allow him to become human, igniting the true essence of the narrative. Instead, I was completely mistaken. Yes, he does transform into a human for about two hours, but during that fleeting time, all he does is eat. Yes, you read that right—he spends those precious moments consumed by his hunger. Both Li Yu and Prince Jing, who is pivotal to the story, come across as remarkably foolish, completely lacking any form of self-awareness or depth of character.
When bizarre occurrences unfold in your room, with only you and your pet present, it’s only natural to contemplate the possibility that your pet might possess a hidden identity or bear a deeper significance. Even if that notion seems outlandish, it would undeniably cross anyone's mind. Yet, Prince Jing remains astonishingly oblivious, ignoring the obvious signs that suggest his pet is anything but ordinary, which is frustrating.
As for the romance element of the story, it was equally baffling. I truly struggled to engage with the premise of a prince developing romantic feelings for a fish—let’s be real here. The chemistry between them was virtually non-existent, leaving their relationship feeling forced and unconvincing. It’s challenging to comment further on that dynamic when the protagonist is confined to being a fish for the entirety of the volume, making any emotional connection feel superficial at best.
To be blunt, reading about the so-called adventures of a fish felt incredibly tedious and monotonous. The pacing dragged on, and the scenes often felt repetitive.
In conclusion, I have zero interest in delving into the second volume at this point. This book has left me feeling so irritated.
March 5, 2025
“…The little fish’s cuteness disrupted his train of thought.”
⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎︎ ｡ ✧ ⋆ ★ ★ ★ four stars 🍓｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡ ⋆
unironically kicked my feet and giggled my whole way through this volume
you can pry this fish (eventual mpreg) danmei from my cold dark hands. what can i say the cringe and second hand embarrassment makes it all the more entertaining
hats off to wang xi though. that man will deserve a decades long vacation by the end of the last volume 💔
April 22, 2025
i can definitely see some shit like this happening to me
May 24, 2025
Me reading typical danmei:
Taking notes, learning names, studying factions and politics and sects, writing down titles, researching meanings, looking up characters and places on the internet.
Me reading The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish: head is empty, mind is fish, blub blub blub 🐟
Post Vol. 1 note: Did I enjoy this? Yes. Am I overwhelmed with the desire to continue the series? Not really, but I might in the future.
Taking notes, learning names, studying factions and politics and sects, writing down titles, researching meanings, looking up characters and places on the internet.
Me reading The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish: head is empty, mind is fish, blub blub blub 🐟
Post Vol. 1 note: Did I enjoy this? Yes. Am I overwhelmed with the desire to continue the series? Not really, but I might in the future.
April 22, 2024
This was sooo cute. It’s super slow and very slice of life (at least volume one is.) But it was a palate cleanser from the super serious novels I typically read. I enjoyed the absurdness of it all and the mc was very cute and clever.
It wasn’t a five star but my criteria for five star danmei falls with mxtx’s work which is harder to live up to. But I still loved it a lot. I’m looking forward to the next volume because I know the development between the mc and ml will start to blossom!
It wasn’t a five star but my criteria for five star danmei falls with mxtx’s work which is harder to live up to. But I still loved it a lot. I’m looking forward to the next volume because I know the development between the mc and ml will start to blossom!
November 7, 2025
4 'sob, sob, sob' stars
This book was such a nice surprise. At first I didn't even mean to read it but I remembered I was also hesitant with SVSSS and ended up loving it. And I loved this one too!! It's true that so far it hasn't been as memorable and epic as other danmei I've read but honestly, it's nice to read something light and fluffy for a change. I can't remember when was the last time I laughed out loud so much.
Both main charachters are really great. Li Yu is such a fun narrator. I was a little in doubt how the plot will work with him being a literal fish but everything is very hilarious. Also, I thought Mu Tianchi is so different that I thought he would be. He's already half in love with his fish and it was really funny how he was totally prepared to dual cultivate with him. You know, totally a normal thing to do for your fish, lol
Fanart by Rauch
Looking forward to start next vol!
4 'sob, sob, sob' stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4,5 'Fishy boyfriends' stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐
4 'Fish babies' stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
tbr
This book was such a nice surprise. At first I didn't even mean to read it but I remembered I was also hesitant with SVSSS and ended up loving it. And I loved this one too!! It's true that so far it hasn't been as memorable and epic as other danmei I've read but honestly, it's nice to read something light and fluffy for a change. I can't remember when was the last time I laughed out loud so much.
Both main charachters are really great. Li Yu is such a fun narrator. I was a little in doubt how the plot will work with him being a literal fish but everything is very hilarious. Also, I thought Mu Tianchi is so different that I thought he would be. He's already half in love with his fish and it was really funny how he was totally prepared to dual cultivate with him. You know, totally a normal thing to do for your fish, lol
Fanart by Rauch
Li Yu wrapped his tail around Prince Jing's finger, seeking a sense of security.
Prince Jing normally loved this kind of touch, but now he was starting to have wild thoughts. if this was a tail on the fish... what was it on the carp spirit? The fish head must be a person's face, so the tail should be his feet.
A pair of delicate ankles flashed across Prince Jing's mind. For a moment, he just sat there.
If the drunken carp spirit wanted to suck "essence" from him, he thought, he would definitely cooperate.
The carp spirit stuck his lips out, moved to either side, and plopped his lips lightly against Prince Jing's throat.
Taken completely by surprise, Prince Jing suddenly found himself being nibbled on.
When the fish had nibbled on Prince Jing's throat last night, Prince Jing had struggled to hold himself back from nibbling the drunk fish back.
Looking forward to start next vol!
4 'sob, sob, sob' stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4,5 'Fishy boyfriends' stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐
4 'Fish babies' stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
tbr
August 17, 2024
oh, just read this one! 🤣🤣🤣 your jaw’s gonna hurt from too much grinning LOLLLL funny, ridiculous, and goofy all over
my favourite moments:
🐟 tyrant playing with him in the tank
🐟 rescue his ass
🐟 the clear, bright pearl
🐟 drawing the pet fish 🥹🥹
🐟 reading together!!
🐟peach blossom pastry
🐟 treat his wounds
🐟 “nibble” 🤭
🐟 them reading books again LMAO
now i want some peach blossom pastry!
my favourite moments:
🐟 tyrant playing with him in the tank
🐟 rescue his ass
🐟 the clear, bright pearl
🐟 drawing the pet fish 🥹🥹
🐟 reading together!!
🐟peach blossom pastry
🐟 treat his wounds
🐟 “nibble” 🤭
🐟 them reading books again LMAO
now i want some peach blossom pastry!
May 3, 2024
I liked it so much???? I went into it that this will be just silly little reading time, goofy good time but omg???? It is so good. I mean, it is still silly a little goofy, but I just snorted it. The plot! The characters! Transmigration and the system!
I can only recommend reading it as fast as possible, I have a dark feeling that if you take your time with it, you will find it too silly goofy to read it at all ahahaha. I was also in the mood for it.
Prince Jing search history
> can fish eat like person?
> is my fish pregnant?
> naked ankles NSFW
> yokai
> yokai yaoi
I can only recommend reading it as fast as possible, I have a dark feeling that if you take your time with it, you will find it too silly goofy to read it at all ahahaha. I was also in the mood for it.
Prince Jing search history
> can fish eat like person?
> is my fish pregnant?
> naked ankles NSFW
> yokai
> yokai yaoi
May 10, 2024
Cute fish and handsome prince are the two elements that make this book work. It is not deep or existential but it is light-hearted fun. This series makes a lovely change of pace since it is a danmei novel that allows itself to dwell on some ridiculous details just for the fun of it. There is a particularly memorial scene with a luminous pearl in chapter 11 that springs to mind but also the scene in chapter 34 where Li Yu is drunk and therefore manages to nibble on Prince Jing’s neck leaving a tell-tale mark.
Essentially, the premise is that the protagonist, Li Yu, is transformed into a little, black carp who ends up as the pet fish of Prince Jing. The disability mentioned in the title is that he is unable to speak, but he has a eunuch called Wang Xi, who is able to understand what Prince Jing wants to say and then communicate it to everyone else. This is a touching relationship with a deep level of trust so it is a lovely portrayal of a rather unusual situation that allows Prince Jing to overcome his inability to speak. If anything, it is sad that the lack of speech disqualifies him from the throne and isolates him from the rest of his family. However, considering the scheming nature of some of his closest relatives, perhaps this is a blessing in disguise?
The main plot revolves around Li Yu, the little carp, fulfilling missions that are planned out by a very unhelpful computer system. He has transmigrated from real life into the plot of a web novel that he was reading and now is integrated as part of the plot, while being forced to complete missions so that he can earn rewards such as increased strength of his fish tail or the ability to turn into a human for several hours a day. As he proceeds to complete these missions, his relationship with Prince Jing grows closer and at the end of the book it seems as if they may be ready to take their relationship to the next level…
Even though this book is mainly light fare intended as a quick, fun read, there is also the sense that this ridiculous fish-scamming system has trapped the main couple in a series of situations that are created, because the people around them are plotting their way to power. Despite their difficulties communicating and the fish-human aspect of their relationship, they are able to build a degree of trust and intimacy that helps them overcome the traps laid out for them in the imperial court.
Essentially, the premise is that the protagonist, Li Yu, is transformed into a little, black carp who ends up as the pet fish of Prince Jing. The disability mentioned in the title is that he is unable to speak, but he has a eunuch called Wang Xi, who is able to understand what Prince Jing wants to say and then communicate it to everyone else. This is a touching relationship with a deep level of trust so it is a lovely portrayal of a rather unusual situation that allows Prince Jing to overcome his inability to speak. If anything, it is sad that the lack of speech disqualifies him from the throne and isolates him from the rest of his family. However, considering the scheming nature of some of his closest relatives, perhaps this is a blessing in disguise?
The main plot revolves around Li Yu, the little carp, fulfilling missions that are planned out by a very unhelpful computer system. He has transmigrated from real life into the plot of a web novel that he was reading and now is integrated as part of the plot, while being forced to complete missions so that he can earn rewards such as increased strength of his fish tail or the ability to turn into a human for several hours a day. As he proceeds to complete these missions, his relationship with Prince Jing grows closer and at the end of the book it seems as if they may be ready to take their relationship to the next level…
Even though this book is mainly light fare intended as a quick, fun read, there is also the sense that this ridiculous fish-scamming system has trapped the main couple in a series of situations that are created, because the people around them are plotting their way to power. Despite their difficulties communicating and the fish-human aspect of their relationship, they are able to build a degree of trust and intimacy that helps them overcome the traps laid out for them in the imperial court.
December 18, 2024
Oh god, the gay fish brainrot is taking over. This book was so fun I need more. I too wish I were a little fish.
April 14, 2024
This book was absolutely amazing and I need the next volume immediately! I have never laughed so hard at a book, and I think this has beat out Scum Villain for me in terms of favorite transmigration novel.
Li Yu is turned into a fish with the most unhelpful system I have seen to date, and in order to stop himself from being turned into fish bone and fish ash he needs to help change the tyrant for the better. But he has to go about it in some of the most convoluted ways. My personal favorite is when he has to become more 'intimate' with said tyrant and ends up nibbling on his neck.
And Prince Jing is wickedly smart. He was able to distinguish so much so quickly, all while falling in love.
This was the perfect pallet cleanser I needed after the last book I finished. I can't wait to keep going with this story!
Li Yu is turned into a fish with the most unhelpful system I have seen to date, and in order to stop himself from being turned into fish bone and fish ash he needs to help change the tyrant for the better. But he has to go about it in some of the most convoluted ways. My personal favorite is when he has to become more 'intimate' with said tyrant and ends up nibbling on his neck.
And Prince Jing is wickedly smart. He was able to distinguish so much so quickly, all while falling in love.
This was the perfect pallet cleanser I needed after the last book I finished. I can't wait to keep going with this story!
May 14, 2024
This isn't Mo Dao Zu Shi. But I don't care because this book is so much fun in its own way. It deserves to be judged by its own merits.
Rarely does a book make me smile. Rarely does a book make me laugh out loud. This book made me do both over and over. Yes, it's silly, but it's also genuinely funny. The premise is truly original, the main characters are likeable and there's just an indefinable charm that will make you long for Volume II.
It might also make you want a pet fish.
Rarely does a book make me smile. Rarely does a book make me laugh out loud. This book made me do both over and over. Yes, it's silly, but it's also genuinely funny. The premise is truly original, the main characters are likeable and there's just an indefinable charm that will make you long for Volume II.
It might also make you want a pet fish.
July 28, 2024
My first danmei ever
Spectacular! Gimme 14 of them right now.
I literally couldn't stop reading it,
It was ridiculous but it was good this has that fairy tale aspect that folklore aspect with like a sci-fi twist i didn't know I was craving for and our main characters are just so perfect,
Li yu our pet fish is Quirky and relatable
I mean he's a main character material all the way he totally was,
This was so easy to read a literal page turner
Okay the system and the mission was like a clever choice because things like that did not make me get bored it makes me curious.
Spectacular! Gimme 14 of them right now.
I literally couldn't stop reading it,
It was ridiculous but it was good this has that fairy tale aspect that folklore aspect with like a sci-fi twist i didn't know I was craving for and our main characters are just so perfect,
Li yu our pet fish is Quirky and relatable
I mean he's a main character material all the way he totally was,
This was so easy to read a literal page turner
Okay the system and the mission was like a clever choice because things like that did not make me get bored it makes me curious.
April 26, 2024
Literary masterpiece Shakespeare could never
May 13, 2024
Not sure why it took me so long to write this review, but this is really funny and wholesome! Li Yu is a delight, and I absolutely did not imagine that a fish would have so much agency!
Can't wait to read the next volume!
Can't wait to read the next volume!
October 16, 2024
3.5/5stars
this was so dumb but so adorable and fun. I love li yu he's just so cute :(
this was so dumb but so adorable and fun. I love li yu he's just so cute :(
April 7, 2025
Yeah whatever the fish-fucking book was actually really good don't even look at me right now
June 15, 2025
maybe i’m just recovering from the politic-heavy book that is qiang jin jiu but this book was the biggest breath of fresh air ever. i haven’t read SVSSS, and this is my first transmigration novel, but i quickly fell in love with it.
i genuinely don’t think i’ve ever fallen in love with a book as quickly as i did with this one. it does have mainly slice of life elements with a dash of court politics, which i found to be the perfect balance. the characters themselves were amazing, and li yu as a main character is so lovable!! hes just a silly little fish guy trying to complete his tasks while trying (and failing) not to expose himself!! and prince jing is so much smarter than he is given credit for, and surprisingly chill about the fact that his fish is also a human. even ye qinghuan and wang xi and xiongfeng were great characters despite not being the center focus.
overall, i definitely get why many people consider this to be a comfort novel. compared to the likes of yuwu, erha, and qjj (all great but very heavy!) this one is such a relief to read. this book is quite literally the first book that ive read in 2025 that has made me genuinely excited to read. when i tell you i could not put this book down—the fact that this series singlehandedly brought me out of my reading slump truly makes it a 6-star read. alas, goodreads only goes up to 5, but it will be a 6-star book in my heart. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
i genuinely don’t think i’ve ever fallen in love with a book as quickly as i did with this one. it does have mainly slice of life elements with a dash of court politics, which i found to be the perfect balance. the characters themselves were amazing, and li yu as a main character is so lovable!! hes just a silly little fish guy trying to complete his tasks while trying (and failing) not to expose himself!! and prince jing is so much smarter than he is given credit for, and surprisingly chill about the fact that his fish is also a human. even ye qinghuan and wang xi and xiongfeng were great characters despite not being the center focus.
overall, i definitely get why many people consider this to be a comfort novel. compared to the likes of yuwu, erha, and qjj (all great but very heavy!) this one is such a relief to read. this book is quite literally the first book that ive read in 2025 that has made me genuinely excited to read. when i tell you i could not put this book down—the fact that this series singlehandedly brought me out of my reading slump truly makes it a 6-star read. alas, goodreads only goes up to 5, but it will be a 6-star book in my heart. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 18, 2024
4.75 stars
This was a wonderfully hilarious novel. It was the start of Li Yu’s transmigration story as the pet fish of prince Jing. Prince Jing is the fifth but only di son (aka son of the main wife) of the emperor. Weren’t he mute he’d be heir to the throne in this historical political story. In the original story he becomes a cold and merciless tyrant.
Li Yu was a reader but somehow transmigrates into this novel and ends up in fish form. His main task, regarding to his system, is to change prince Jing’s fate as a tyrant. That’s why he’s supposed to be his pet fish. In the beginning Li Yu is an ordinary black carp but with getting missions accomplished he gets bigger and becomes something closer to a black and gold koi fish.
It’s superbly and funnily written and I really enjoyed the light tone of this novel. Li Yu’s pov as a fish was such fun to read but I also loved the povs of prince Jing and Wang Xi. There are more and I also liked that we got to see some villains’ povs too.
I’m very much looking forward to reading the next volume in the series. My only complaint is that the cast is small for a historical danmei. It’s not a real problem but I found it noticeable and caught myself waiting for more people to turn up. 😆
This was a wonderfully hilarious novel. It was the start of Li Yu’s transmigration story as the pet fish of prince Jing. Prince Jing is the fifth but only di son (aka son of the main wife) of the emperor. Weren’t he mute he’d be heir to the throne in this historical political story. In the original story he becomes a cold and merciless tyrant.
Li Yu was a reader but somehow transmigrates into this novel and ends up in fish form. His main task, regarding to his system, is to change prince Jing’s fate as a tyrant. That’s why he’s supposed to be his pet fish. In the beginning Li Yu is an ordinary black carp but with getting missions accomplished he gets bigger and becomes something closer to a black and gold koi fish.
It’s superbly and funnily written and I really enjoyed the light tone of this novel. Li Yu’s pov as a fish was such fun to read but I also loved the povs of prince Jing and Wang Xi. There are more and I also liked that we got to see some villains’ povs too.
I’m very much looking forward to reading the next volume in the series. My only complaint is that the cast is small for a historical danmei. It’s not a real problem but I found it noticeable and caught myself waiting for more people to turn up. 😆
June 10, 2024
4.5 stars ...may round up
This was delightful. The premise is absurd-a man reincarnates as the pet fish of a future tyrant and must try to change the fate of that prince into a less destructive one. Romance and shenanigans ensue.
This could have gone in so many directions, and it would have been easy for this to go wrong, but instead it's fantastic.
Li Yu, the fish, is adorable, clever, and so protective of his master, Prince Jing.
Prince Jing, our future tyrant, may be feared and sometimes misunderstood, but he is so soft for his little fish. He spoils him beyond belief, and it's the sweetest relationship that is forming between them.
This danmei was just so much fun; it was genuinely hilarious and unique, and it left me wanting more.
This was delightful. The premise is absurd-a man reincarnates as the pet fish of a future tyrant and must try to change the fate of that prince into a less destructive one. Romance and shenanigans ensue.
This could have gone in so many directions, and it would have been easy for this to go wrong, but instead it's fantastic.
Li Yu, the fish, is adorable, clever, and so protective of his master, Prince Jing.
Prince Jing, our future tyrant, may be feared and sometimes misunderstood, but he is so soft for his little fish. He spoils him beyond belief, and it's the sweetest relationship that is forming between them.
This danmei was just so much fun; it was genuinely hilarious and unique, and it left me wanting more.
November 3, 2025
this is so wholesome sob sob sob 🫧🐟
April 13, 2024
I bought this book solely on the title, The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish. I had to find out how that could possibly be a romance. I hoped for a bonkers story. What I got was rather sweet.
Li Yu is an 18-year-old man from modern China who has been reading a historical novel about a tyrant who butchers his way on the throne. Next thing he knows, he wakes up in the book’s world as a humble carp who is about to be eaten, first as a soup and then by a cat. Only a chance in the form of the fifth prince Mu Tianchi, also called Prince Jing, saves him from that fate. And that’s not all. Li Yu is part of a computer game where the system gives him tasks. His main task is to stop Prince Jing from becoming a tyrant. If he succeeds, he can become a human again.
Prince Jing is twenty and the only surviving son by the empress and therefore of higher birth than the other princes, but he’s mute and so isn’t considered a successor for the throne. But he is the tyrant who will take the throne by force. Armed with his knowledge of the story from the book and his cute antics as a fish, Li Yu sets out to complete the tasks given to him. As a reward, he gets all sorts of useful things. One of them is the ability to turn into a human for an hour each day.
The story is mostly about palace intrigue. The second and third princes compete for the throne and they’re not above treachery and tricks. But thanks to Li Yu, their plans go wrong one after another. He ends up changing Prince Jing too, who spends more and more time with his fish. The prince is also hunting for a mysterious young man who shows up in his room at oddest times, only to disappear without a trace. The first volume ends when he finally figures out who the mystery man is.
Li Yu was a fun character—and a very odd fish. He can survive out of water amazingly long times, and jump out of his tank whenever he wants. Prince Jing came across rather lonely, which is mostly his own making, as he drives everyone away. His muteness isn’t a gimmick that is overcome in convenient places. He has a eunuch who speaks for him.
The man and the fish form a friendship of sorts, and the prince might even be having romantic feelings for the young man visiting his rooms. They’re vague and innocent though, and nothing more than a drunken kiss takes place. But was it the boy or the fish who did the kissing, Li Yu would very much like to know.
This was a funny, coherent, and well written story, which isn’t always the case with web novels. There are no repetitions or inconsistencies, and the pace was good. It ends with a small cliff-hanger in the middle of a scene, and I absolutely have to read more.
Li Yu is an 18-year-old man from modern China who has been reading a historical novel about a tyrant who butchers his way on the throne. Next thing he knows, he wakes up in the book’s world as a humble carp who is about to be eaten, first as a soup and then by a cat. Only a chance in the form of the fifth prince Mu Tianchi, also called Prince Jing, saves him from that fate. And that’s not all. Li Yu is part of a computer game where the system gives him tasks. His main task is to stop Prince Jing from becoming a tyrant. If he succeeds, he can become a human again.
Prince Jing is twenty and the only surviving son by the empress and therefore of higher birth than the other princes, but he’s mute and so isn’t considered a successor for the throne. But he is the tyrant who will take the throne by force. Armed with his knowledge of the story from the book and his cute antics as a fish, Li Yu sets out to complete the tasks given to him. As a reward, he gets all sorts of useful things. One of them is the ability to turn into a human for an hour each day.
The story is mostly about palace intrigue. The second and third princes compete for the throne and they’re not above treachery and tricks. But thanks to Li Yu, their plans go wrong one after another. He ends up changing Prince Jing too, who spends more and more time with his fish. The prince is also hunting for a mysterious young man who shows up in his room at oddest times, only to disappear without a trace. The first volume ends when he finally figures out who the mystery man is.
Li Yu was a fun character—and a very odd fish. He can survive out of water amazingly long times, and jump out of his tank whenever he wants. Prince Jing came across rather lonely, which is mostly his own making, as he drives everyone away. His muteness isn’t a gimmick that is overcome in convenient places. He has a eunuch who speaks for him.
The man and the fish form a friendship of sorts, and the prince might even be having romantic feelings for the young man visiting his rooms. They’re vague and innocent though, and nothing more than a drunken kiss takes place. But was it the boy or the fish who did the kissing, Li Yu would very much like to know.
This was a funny, coherent, and well written story, which isn’t always the case with web novels. There are no repetitions or inconsistencies, and the pace was good. It ends with a small cliff-hanger in the middle of a scene, and I absolutely have to read more.
May 1, 2024
women fear me fish want me
September 2, 2024
4.5☆
this was so ridiculous 😭😭 i loved it
this was so ridiculous 😭😭 i loved it
August 9, 2024
One couldn’t have everything they wanted in life…but as long as someone held him sincerely in their heart, he would take care of them, even if it was just a fish.
june 10, 2024- re-read update: this book made me so happy; i’ve been wanting to read it again the moment i had first finished it and i finally gave in. it’s all i’ve been able to talk about at my bookseller job and my coworkers simply cannot make me shut up about it.
there’s been many stories i’ve connected to and loved, but something about this title feels so special in how i haven’t been able to stop praising it to anyone who’s willing to listen.
this will not be the last time i read it again :’)
mu tianchi & li yu/xiaoyu, one of my biggest comfort pairings to date 🧡 their master/pet relationship is so endearing and already full of unspoken trust. i can’t wait to see how it develops in the rest of this series.
original review (slightly edited):
i adore this story. so much.
it really is just so funny and doesn’t have much angst to it at all. and yet, the growing bond between prince jing/mu tianchi and his pet fish (who we know as li yu/xiaoyu) made me feel emotional, because it was just all so endearing. i love how much the author was able to convey the emotions behind prince jing’s character through his interactions with li yu. it was all so new for him to be taking care of a pet, and yet he's so earnest in his actions, no matter how cold and silent he appears. wang xi as not just his servant, but his closest confidante, being there to decipher what’s going through his head and put his feelings into action made their dynamic yet another i absolutely love.
li yu’s pov is so silly & charming, adding a refreshing touch on this historical tale with intense court politics. being told through the perspective of a strange fish, a lot of scenes turn out more chaotic and ridiculous, but you still get to know the large cast of characters well, gleaning a few good references of the original story they all hail from. it was interesting the way li yu perceived them as his acclimation to becoming a fish happens very quickly, surprisingly. this might seem as if it must require you to suspend your disbelief, but it actually makes the story even more immersive.
as li yu is immersing himself in this new body and new timeline, he's figuring thing out as he goes, and he has this little system to somewhat guide him. his vast knowledge of the story helps to get certain missions done, but what i find more fascinating is that just as easily as he steps into becoming a fish, he also easily looks at characters like prince jing and ye xinghuan as the complex humans they are. he doesn't look at them as caricatures who are puppets of the original story. throughout the course of the book, he makes observations that show how he doesn't see himself as a reader among a fictional cast. rather simply, he as a noble fish in his own right has to steer away his owner from his own self-destruction and help his peers as well.
this owner, prince jing/mu tianchi has his own ways of observation that make the scenes they have together feel like they're playing on an even field. both are making slight retouches to change the scene for their own separate agendas and it’s all so fun. this makes me really curious for what the rest of the series has in store because of how light, and yet still calculating at times, it feels. there's still more that happens in the original story, and now with li yu's presence, he fundamentally changes the course of events, so he doesn't even know himself what to expect.
it all works so well, and from the first page, i just couldn’t stop reading so i had a truly memorable time. i already feel fond for this series and it’s just the start :’)
june 10, 2024- re-read update: this book made me so happy; i’ve been wanting to read it again the moment i had first finished it and i finally gave in. it’s all i’ve been able to talk about at my bookseller job and my coworkers simply cannot make me shut up about it.
there’s been many stories i’ve connected to and loved, but something about this title feels so special in how i haven’t been able to stop praising it to anyone who’s willing to listen.
this will not be the last time i read it again :’)
mu tianchi & li yu/xiaoyu, one of my biggest comfort pairings to date 🧡 their master/pet relationship is so endearing and already full of unspoken trust. i can’t wait to see how it develops in the rest of this series.
original review (slightly edited):
i adore this story. so much.
it really is just so funny and doesn’t have much angst to it at all. and yet, the growing bond between prince jing/mu tianchi and his pet fish (who we know as li yu/xiaoyu) made me feel emotional, because it was just all so endearing. i love how much the author was able to convey the emotions behind prince jing’s character through his interactions with li yu. it was all so new for him to be taking care of a pet, and yet he's so earnest in his actions, no matter how cold and silent he appears. wang xi as not just his servant, but his closest confidante, being there to decipher what’s going through his head and put his feelings into action made their dynamic yet another i absolutely love.
li yu’s pov is so silly & charming, adding a refreshing touch on this historical tale with intense court politics. being told through the perspective of a strange fish, a lot of scenes turn out more chaotic and ridiculous, but you still get to know the large cast of characters well, gleaning a few good references of the original story they all hail from. it was interesting the way li yu perceived them as his acclimation to becoming a fish happens very quickly, surprisingly. this might seem as if it must require you to suspend your disbelief, but it actually makes the story even more immersive.
as li yu is immersing himself in this new body and new timeline, he's figuring thing out as he goes, and he has this little system to somewhat guide him. his vast knowledge of the story helps to get certain missions done, but what i find more fascinating is that just as easily as he steps into becoming a fish, he also easily looks at characters like prince jing and ye xinghuan as the complex humans they are. he doesn't look at them as caricatures who are puppets of the original story. throughout the course of the book, he makes observations that show how he doesn't see himself as a reader among a fictional cast. rather simply, he as a noble fish in his own right has to steer away his owner from his own self-destruction and help his peers as well.
this owner, prince jing/mu tianchi has his own ways of observation that make the scenes they have together feel like they're playing on an even field. both are making slight retouches to change the scene for their own separate agendas and it’s all so fun. this makes me really curious for what the rest of the series has in store because of how light, and yet still calculating at times, it feels. there's still more that happens in the original story, and now with li yu's presence, he fundamentally changes the course of events, so he doesn't even know himself what to expect.
it all works so well, and from the first page, i just couldn’t stop reading so i had a truly memorable time. i already feel fond for this series and it’s just the start :’)
Want to read
March 9, 2024someone needs to inform kat from paperbackdreams about this asap & i need to make 'mc fucks a fish' shelf on goodreads! LITERATURE!
April 21, 2025
Best love story between a man and a fish ever
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