First of all, this book is THICK thick. Like, I stared at the page count and had a brief existential crisis before even starting, but thankfully it was worth reading.
This book feels like it has a lot going on. There’s depth, build-up, and layers to the story that keep you invested. But at the same, time some things move a little too fast. It’s this mix of slow-and-detailed and wait-why-did-that-escalate-so-quickly. So the pacing felt a bit inconsistent to me. Not terrible, just slightly confusing at times.
I liked Ni Shang and Yan Chi. They’re not exactly opposites-attract, but they fit. They complement each other in a way that feels natural and satisfying.
Ni Shang especially, I loved her. She’s passionate, elegant, and so dedicated to what she does. You can feel the way she cares about teaching and preserving qipaos through the page. She’s strong without being loud about it, and I really appreciated that.
And Yan Chi really went from bad boy rebel energy to pathetic softie the second it comes to Ni Shang. The switch-up was INSANE. He’s a total shameless flirt with absolutely no self-control, like I was genuinely worried he’d give my poor girl Ni Shang a cardiac arrest. Also, HE HAS A CAT. That alone adds +10 points, I don’t make the rules.
This is my third Chinese romance novel, and I’m starting to notice a pattern with the extra chapters. They’re not bad, these little glimpses into their happily-ever-after are actually sweet and domestic. But also, respectfully, why do they feel unnecessary? The main story already ends on a satisfying, happy note, then the extra chapters come in like “here’s MORE happiness” and I’m just sitting there already feeling super full. Somehow these extra chapters feel a bit similar across different books, which makes it feel slightly repetitive. Like, I get the intention and I’m sure a lot of people love that bonus content. But for me, the story was already complete without it.
Overall, this is a long read that can feel a bit uneven in pacing, but still engaging with strong character dynamics and a romance that’s easy to root for.
It's been awhile since I read modern c-novels. This is a really nice read. This is very good pick if you like the 'he fell first and fell harder' and 'opposites attract' trope. Yan Chi and Ni Shang are my babies.
The chemistry between the two is easy, and undeniable. Though I'd say the romance is not slow burn, it's also not instant. Yan Chi's effort to woo Ni Shang is sweet, and I also love reading how Ni Shang's heart gradually opened and accepted Yan Chi.
Besides the love story between the two main leads, the way that Ni Shang and Yan Chi is written as their own individuals with jobs and passions are very refreshing. Most romance books sometimes only focuses on the love story between the two leads. Here, the two leads' daily activities and passions are woven beautifully into the story, making the characters feels like they're real person. Ni Shang's passion for her qipao making, and Yan Chi's love for racing. Picturing such an elegant lady and rough racer feels like an impossible picture to paint, but Ni Shang and Yan Chi fit each other so well.
The pacing sometimes feel a bit draggy, but also could escalate that fast. Which feels like a roller coaster to me. The extra chapters are quite long, and I also feel that it's more like a fan-service for the readers.
Overall, it's a nice, refreshing read that got me gushing and giggling. A deserved 3.75 stars from me⭐️