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难哄 #1-2

First Frost

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It was by pure chance that Wen Yifan became housemates with Sang Yan, whom she had rejected during high school.

Normally, they lived their lives separately, as if they were two strangers living under the same roof.

But the peace was disrupted one morning.

The night before, Wen Yifan was still sleeping in her room, but she found herself waking in Sang Yan’s bed the next day.

Aware that she sleepwalked from time to time, Wen Yifan could only apologize and put it away as her fault. However, when the situation repeated again and again, she tried to suggest locking his door before he heads to sleep…

Sang Yan dismissed the idea, saying, “You’d just pick the lock.”

Wen Yifan tried her best to keep her composure. “Why in the world would I be able to do that?”

“Well…” Sang Yan lifted his eyes and drawled, “is there anything you wouldn’t do to climb onto my bed?”

After an awkward pause, Wen Yifan smiled. “OK, then go ahead and try.”

Now that caught Sang Yan by surprise.

1209 pages, ebook

101 people are currently reading
1333 people want to read

About the author

Zhu Yi

41 books242 followers
Associated Names:
* Zhu Yi (English)
* 竹已 (Chinese)
* จู๋อี่ (Thai)

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5 stars
175 (66%)
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60 (22%)
3 stars
25 (9%)
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2 (<1%)
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3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for buket.
1,006 reviews1,549 followers
August 16, 2025
the show wasn’t enough i need to read the book too🥹
Profile Image for ⋆˚࿔Rosaᥫ᭡..
104 reviews
March 24, 2025
♾️/⭐

I will never find a novel better than the First Frost✋🏼☹️
The way I sobbed while reading it—my eyes turned red, and yet, I couldn’t STOP. Every word, every moment between them shattered me, but I kept going because it was just that beautiful.
You will never, find a man like Sang Yan. I mean NEVER
The way he treats Wen Yifan. He put her feelings and priorities above everything and never, not even once, got mad at her. This man isn’t just a green flag he’s the whole damn forest.🥹🫶🏼

The chemistry, the way their relationship develops—it’s just perfection.Nothing hits harder than a second-chance romance—but only when it’s written right. Take notes!

Every moment between them was filled with depth and emotion, and Sang Yan? He is the standard.👌🏼

This man loved her for years, waited for her all that time, and kept visiting her secretly in Yihe
—even though she left him. And when he finally got her back, he made sure not a single wish of hers went unfulfilled.😔💕

If you haven’t read this novel yet, you’re missing out on one of the most touching love stories ever written.✋🏼
Profile Image for ishika.
64 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2025
i honesty spent all of this wanting to die /pos they’re literally everything to me and they make me cry real tears. they love each other so bad and it makes me sick. like i feel sick. something abt their relationship literally cut me so deep in ways i cannot even explain esp after they got together like. like the initial awkwardness after confirming feelings to just Existing Together. sangyifan like encompass that feeling of You Are My Person because they ARE!!! nobody knows them better than the other bc nobody could have and nobody tried. and i want to die. they love each other so much and i want to die
Profile Image for alana ☁️.
1,159 reviews1,338 followers
March 7, 2025
green flag? sangyan is the whole damn green FOREST🍃😭
Profile Image for Jiewei Li.
207 reviews4 followers
March 3, 2025
I’m hooked on the show. Needed to know what happened.
Profile Image for avriti.
180 reviews
March 10, 2025
this just replaced 'When I fly towards you' as my favourite drama so for the novel that's got so much more than the show y'all can imagine how much I loved reading it.

I will just always have a special place in my heart for characters who stay kind and good regardless of how life treated them, something about the characters not letting their pieces hurt those around them makes me so sentimental. Wen shuangjiang, you will always have a special place in my heart.

The plot, the chemistry, the slowww burn angst (with happy ending), the forced proximity, the second chance romance being done right this ajd EVERYTHING!!!! I loved how the characters had time to fully evolve and the progression was so beautifully handled too, both the characters were written with much thought and there wasn't a single incident where the author drifted away from it.

THE ROMANCE OHH MYY GOD. They SERVED girl who thinks she's hard to/unworthy of love and guy who loves her like it's breathing!!! Sang Yan THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!

Songs that are FOR THEM: Afterglow & Midnight rain by Taylor Swift, The only exception by Paramore. I cannot stress this enough these songs are literally them!!
1 review
March 13, 2025
I really wanted to be head over heels for this book, especially with all the hype on Douyin, but aside from the latter part of the second book, everything else felt just… decent to me. Don’t get me wrong—it was still a great read, but it didn’t give me that *earth-shattering, mind-blowing* feeling that I was hoping for.

What truly stood out to me, though, was how both of them gave their all to shield and cherish each other, striving to become deserving of the love they received. She stopped running away and, for the first time, took a step toward him. And instead of questioning her change of heart, he simply opened his arms, ready to embrace her without hesitation.

I never imagined someone like Sang Yan could love with such unwavering devotion. To think that he had feelings for her since high school and still held on, even after being cruelly rejected as an adult—it’s almost impossible to believe. He remained that same boy who once vowed to always be there for her, standing quietly by her side through every high and low, even when she had no idea. He saved every newspaper article she ever wrote, collected every round-trip ticket he bought just to see her, tucking them away as if locking away his feelings—choosing to love her from afar rather than risk making her unhappy. He felt almost too extraordinary to be real.

Wen Yifan, on the other hand, was a character I deeply related to. After losing her father, it was as if no one truly cared for her. She spent her life making herself small, never wanting to inconvenience anyone, refusing to depend on others. She even let go of her dream of dancing simply because her mother never fought for her. Raised in a home devoid of warmth, she built walls around her heart. But thankfully, she found her guiding light—**him**—and this time, she reached for it before it slipped away. Watching her finally break free from the shadows of her past and embrace happiness was incredibly moving.

The pacing of the story was perfect—not too fast, not too slow. And Sang Yan? *Absolutely swoon-worthy.* ALSO, THE SANG ZHI AND DUAN JIAXU CAMEOS??? I COMPLETELY LOST IT.

And that love confession—**one of the most heartfelt ones ever.** It felt raw, genuine, and deeply emotional. Sang Yan was like an endless forest—steady, enduring, full of life. And after wandering in the dark for so long, Wen Yifan finally found her home in him. She no longer hesitated—she *wanted* to belong to him, just as he had always belonged to her. 🌿💙
Profile Image for Marija.
698 reviews45 followers
August 22, 2025
📖 Book Review: First Frost by Zhu Yi Genre: Contemporary Romance / Slice of Life Mood: Tender • Witty • Soulful

I didn’t just read First Frost—I lived it. All 1209 pages of it. I laughed, I cried, I paused to breathe through the ache. And when I reached the final chapter, I wasn’t ready to let go. So I watched the drama adaptation, and the phenomenal performances brought everything rushing back.

At its heart, First Frost is a story about timing, memory, and the quiet kind of love that lingers even when life pulls you apart. Wen Yifan and Sang Yan aren’t perfect—they’re messy, guarded, and deeply human. But their connection? It’s the kind that sneaks up on you and stays.

💬 Favorite quotes that still echo in my chest:

“Sang Yan bent forwards slightly, closing the gap between them. The man in front of her was no different compared to all those years ago. ‘After all these years,’ his words hammered down along with the pouring rain. ‘—you’re still the only I like.’” (Still not over this scene.)

“Wen Yifan faced him, half-leaning on the wall. In the quiet atmosphere, she didn’t know why, but she wanted to flirt with him all of a sudden. ‘Sang Yan, say, did my dad send you over to be good to me?’ Sang Yan raised his eyelashes, admitting very quickly, ‘No.’ …After two seconds. He added casually, ‘I came of my own will.’” (That line? Instant heart melt.)

✨ What I loved:

The banter—dry, sharp, and so real

The emotional pacing—slow burn with depth

The way Zhu Yi writes longing like it’s a language

🎬 Watching the drama after reading the book felt like seeing the story breathe. While some parts were slightly different—streamlined scenes, added moments, a few character tweaks—the emotional core remained intact. The actors captured every nuance, every hesitation, every unspoken word. It’s rare for a book and its adaptation to both feel so complete.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. But only if you’re ready to feel everything.
Profile Image for Prodriptaaaaa.
23 reviews
September 20, 2025
The plot of The First Frost may seem simple at first glance, but it’s deceptively heartwarming. It’s one of those slow-burning romance stories that pulls you in quietly, then leaves a deep, lasting impact. I found myself completely lost in the story, caught up in the emotions of the characters, even though it moves at a measured pace. It’s not about grand gestures but the quiet, steady moments that build over time.

The characters are developed slowly but surely, and there was never a moment where I felt like skipping pages. Both Wen Yifan and Sang Yan grow on you with each chapter, and their relationship feels so natural. I also enjoyed how the drama adaptation added some extra moments, giving a new layer to their connection, but the book stands strong on its own.

The writing is simple and easygoing, but it's the depth of the story and the emotional pull that really shine. Honestly, the author made me jealous of Wen Yifan for getting Sang Yan, haha! The tender moments between these two left me misty-eyed more than once.

There are so many beautiful, heart-wrenching quotes throughout the book that stayed with me long after I finished reading. One line that particularly hit me was when Wen Yifan asked, ““Sang Yan, do you think you might have been sent by my dad to be good to me?” and Sang Yan responded, “No, I volunteered.” Another unforgettable moment was when Sang Yan says, “You think I bought things in this house randomly? Everything was chosen for you .With your taste in choosing a partner,You should have only the best of everything, understand?” These lines, and many more, perfectly capture the deep, mature love they share.
It’s not just a love story; it’s about a deep, mature connection between two people who truly understand each other. The First Frost left me feeling so much—joy, sorrow, warmth. A perfect read for anyone who appreciates slow-burn romances with a lot of heart.
Profile Image for Morton Grove Public Library.
169 reviews28 followers
April 29, 2025
Review by Taha Siddiqui

The first frost is a Chinese novel. the female main characters name is Wen Yifan and the male main character's name is Sang Yan. the story follows those two characters throughout their High School lives till their post College adult lives. Wen Yifan and Sang Yan first met in their first year of high school and during that year Wen Yifan’s dad died and because of this her whole world was shaken as her mom already remarried and left her at her grandma's house but then her grandma died and then the only person she really had a close relationship with was Sang Yan. But then people in the school thought they were dating and that isn't allowed in Chinese culture so when Wen Yifan parents found out, they got very mad and sent her away to a different school so that she doesn't communicate with Sang Yan anymore. Despite this, the two still managed to hang out and talk to each other. But then Wen Yifan aunt's brother abuses her and she injures her foot and is not able to do ballet anymore. After this her whole world is shaken she doesn't talk to Sang anymore and she goes to a different High School away from him and the rest of the story follows how the two reunite again later on in life. I really enjoyed the story because it touched issues that aren't really openly talked about and it showed a really deep meaning through all of it and my favorite character was Sang Yan because he was funny. He's very sarcastic and he has a good personality.
Profile Image for riri readz ౨ৎ.
11 reviews
December 23, 2025
this book will literally be my entire personality for as long as i live.

it was written so well… i swear i felt actually empty inside when i finished both the book and the drama. i just… cant. everything about their relationship is so beautiful, they are just meant for each other. i was shedding actual tears when they explained wen yifan’s backstory, what her uncle did to her, and how it really took a toll on her mental health. it hurt so much but it made their eventual happiness feel even more deserved.

“Sang Yan, say, did my dad send you over to be good to me?”
Sang Yan raised his eyelashes, admitting very quickly, “No.”
“…“
After two seconds.
He added casually, “I came of my own will.”

damn. this line is dangerous. sang yan in general is dangerous. i completely understand why he was the high school “heartthrob” or whatever they call it. every word he says hits differently.

this book is truly a masterpiece. i honestly love all the small details, and the author clearly knew exactly what she was doing while writing sang yan’s character. he is so loving, understanding, and compassionate, and his love for wen yifan is unmatched. (+ the drama adaptation was SO GOOD.) sang yan is honestly the greenest of green flags.

i adore second chance romances THIS ONE SPECIFICALLY, and this is honestly the best example i’ve ever read. this book is def in my top 10. i’ll never get over it. every wen yifan NEEDS their sang yan fs. i’ll never be able to move on.
Profile Image for Myriam.
3 reviews
March 14, 2025
Such a depressing story and it got me hooked!

Zhu Yi does an excellent job of weaving together themes of trauma and redemption with a slow-burn romance that keeps you invested in the characters' journey. The chemistry between Wen Yifan and Sang Yan is palpable, and the author does a fantastic job of portraying their emotional growth. The development of their relationship is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, which is what made this book so powerful.

Sang Yan??? This man is the ultimate green flag wrapped in quiet strength and unconditional love. Not a single toxic trait to be found—he’s patient, kind, protective. If there’s such a thing as a perfect love, it’s him

-The way he gently pushes Wen Yifan to face her fears, yet lets her do it at her own pace?
-His unwavering loyalty and the subtle little ways he shows he cares—just like when he’s always there to make her feel safe and loved?

10/10, would happily let this book ruin my life and my sleep schedule again. If you haven't read this yet, do yourself a favor and dive into this love story—you won’t regret it.
Profile Image for Sanna.
462 reviews
March 18, 2025
i would’ve eaten this up back in my wattpad days, in a good way. as it is, the drama does a better job at balancing the emotions of their high school days with the subsequent yearning, as it doesn’t feel as believable here.

it was nice to see wen yifan’s thoughts more in depth to understand her actions, and i loved all their cute scenes together - it makes me love the drama couple even more. sang yan was a little different here (both before and after) and i find him more endearing in the drama, but i did warm up to him as soon as he and yifan get naturally closer.
Profile Image for cee dc.
3 reviews
March 12, 2025
I wasn't ready for Sang Yan. I knew his character from the adaptation of Hidden Love is goofy-like but my goodness! Both ml and fl made me swoon. I just want to read a little spoiler because I can't watch yet I finished the novel in one sitting. I don't even like the first love trope but here I am scouring the net for recommendations for something like this and even posting here just to yap about this.
Profile Image for MK Morgan.
150 reviews
August 4, 2025
This book! So sweet though honestly should come with a trigger warning because some super heavy issues are talked about. | Wen Yifan and Sang Yan are precious and Sang Yan’s arrogant beginnings cracked me up. He was genuinely so cocky I couldn’t help but laugh. But like any good, annoying male love interest he softens with time and he actually doesn’t suck he just needed the right person to bring it out of him!
Profile Image for Janelle.
42 reviews
July 12, 2025
The main story line is not for me, despite the fact that I like the setting of Wen Yifan. I find the main story unrealistic and unrelatable. It makes me wonder if the mass’ standard for romance is really this low. However, I quite like the story between Wen and her mother.
Profile Image for ren.
69 reviews11 followers
February 18, 2025
3.5 it's so good but i just know im gonna like the drama better bc i already love it sm
Profile Image for Rukky Shonubi.
390 reviews
March 2, 2025
"Will you marry me?"
"Yeah, I only want to marry you"

I'm not crying! You are crying. Wen Yifan🥺🥺🥺 Sang Yan. Go have your happy ending! Go have fun you little kids❤️
12 reviews
March 6, 2025
An amazing story of deep love and understanding between 2 strong and bold characters who aren't scared to overcome their trauma and sufferings and walk with their head held high....a strong female lead who has a befitting supportive male lead. A gripping romantic suspense from start to finish
Profile Image for Rhea.
23 reviews
March 14, 2025
I aspire to be Sang Yan to my own Wei Yifan.

The adaptation brought me to this novel and I'm just satisfied by both the drama and the novel. A rare combination.
Profile Image for den.
25 reviews
March 24, 2025
sangyifan you are so special to me
1 review
August 30, 2025
One of the best books, A story explaining how both males and females should love each other with love, respect and care..
Must read...
Excellent story...
Profile Image for Mauhritz Claire.
22 reviews
September 24, 2025
Out of all the fictional men I've read in my entire life, Sang Yan was the greenest. Like Amazon Rainforest. He's just too fictional it hurts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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