Case File Compendium: Bing An Ben (Novel) Vol. 3

Case File Compendium: Bing An Ben (Novel) #3

by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou, Artist (illustrator)

SECRETS AND LIESIn the wake of their intoxicated tryst, He Yu's relationship with his erstwhile physician Xie Qingcheng is more fraught than ever. One taste has left He Yu addicted, and not even his pride can stop him from coming back for more; yet the taciturn Xie Qingcheng is determined to ward off his advances at all costs.
More than lust drives He Yu's relentless he knows Xie Qingcheng is still keeping secrets from him. What was the real reason he stopped being He Yu's doctor? What's the truth behind the scandal that cost Xie Qingcheng his reputation? As He Yu searches for answers, malevolent forces move in the shadows, drawing him and Xie Qingcheng into a deadly, inescapable trap. 

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Mystery, Contemporary, Fiction, Queer, Fantasy

455 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

Associated Names:
* Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou
* 肉包不吃肉 (Chinese Profile)
* โร่วเปาปู้ชือโร่ว (Thai Profile)
* Meatbun Doesn't Eat Meat (English Profile)

Reviews

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

No content spoilers but emotional spoilers 😬. Zero happiness. Absolute brutal novel for me to read. I know hurt people hurt people but damn, He Yu.

91% mark- the plot started back and I am all in again. But this is by far my least enjoyable volume solely because there was no relief from the harshness between He Yu and Xie Qingcheng.

I know I don't have to tell anyone who's read this far to check the TW because you probably already know Meatbun as an author 😬.

SPOILERS
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I still am not okay with the SA that happened at the end of vol 2 and multiple times in this book as well. I know XQ technically "aquiesced/compromised" but it still feels ick. I will definitely continue reading to see what happens or is revealed that hopefully makes me feel better about them as a couple. Seven more volumes to go and I'm told chapter 102 will change my feelings so 🤞🏻.

The last chapter had me crying but I'm infuriated at how SS ended it on a cliffhanger. So little reward after such a negative feeling evoking volume.

**I'm in my feelings right now and might edit this review later**

[shei · Rating 3 out of 5]

—— 3.5.✰ stars.

“Did you know? To you, those words were just a handful of trivial lies. But for the last ten years, they were all I could rely on.”

ex - fucking - cuse me??? what in the homophobia was that ending???? the cliffhanger should be punishable.

when I started this book I said ”yay more gay”, let me tell you not a single happy gay thing happened, all angst, pain and anger. The final 5-7 chapters were excellent, I was missing the mystery plot in the middle of so much confused homosexuals drama.

honestly I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone so far LOL. Only if you like dark and twisted “romance” and you enjoy danmei writing style, DO NOT PICK THIS AS YOUR FIRST DANMEI for the love of god.

i know these story is 10!!! volumes so we are in for a fucking wild ride, but I’m honestly enjoying it enough so far to continue and after the final chapter!!!?? HELLO I need ANSWERS.

“Someone once said that the truth is never meaningless. The truth can determine whether what’s laid to rest is regret or closure.”

[kaylina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 / 5: “All this time, there’s never been anyone who loved me for real. At least in the future, there’ll be someone who hates me passionately. That would be good too.”

never will i be able to recommend this story to anyone because this really feels like it’s meant for a very very very niche audience…….and i can make peace with that :’)

bc even then, this is a really special title to me. there’s the complexity of he yu’s character, and how rare it feels to see such a compelling dynamic that is very unhealthy—and both of them are very well aware of it—but it’s soooo….well-written?? there’s still so much chemistry?? it feels so painful to read but also may leave you overwhelmed because of how much he yu feels in regards to xie qingcheng, and yet so little for everything & everyone else.

it’s like a moving train wreck, but premeditated—as if both the author and her characters have much more control than the story seems. there’s so many times he yu is led to believe he finally gained some control over xie qingcheng, but then the story pulls it all in reverse. he’s driven so far in this volume that it was painful to read, but it made his character more interesting, than annoying…..

anyways, he yu & xie qingcheng are one of my top favorite pairings this year—truly can’t imagine them being with anyone else; they’re just too much. there’s a comedic factor to their dynamic that feels so surreal, it could leave you with whiplash, because then you’re falling into yet another intense & passionate scene between them.

This stupid production was really dumb as fuck—absolutely no foresight to speak of! Young Master He the capitalist wanted to fuck this man, yet they went ahead and reimbursed his room fees so he could live somewhere else!

and then…?

“You have no idea how much of my courage to live came from the fundamental principles you once taught me… But then you tore that courage right out of me.”

like???

and the way the overall plot still lingers behind them and all that tension has me hooked, so now i’m aching for the next volume :’)

content warnings:

major: very dubious consent, sexual content, descriptions of blood & violence, and depiction of mental illness & breakdowns
moderate: homophobia, death, self-harm, and suicidal ideation
minor: pregnancy, and parental neglect

[lyss · Rating 5 out of 5]

the scene on the cover omg maybe i do need to kms... how could you meatbun... MY HE YU i will always love and defend you

[vi ☽ .☆ﾟ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Did you know? To you, those words were just a handful of trivial lies. But for the last ten years, they were all I could rely on.” ❤️‍🩹

4.5/5 ⭐️

!! as usual, major disclaimer to check trigger warnings if you are ever starting this book series as it deals with lots and lots of stuff that you probably wouldn’t wanna read. it has major dark themes and problematic tropes/plotlines/behavior as well !!

okay now, coming to this volume, i actually loved it more than the previous 2 volumes. although there was more angst, pain, and misunderstandings between he yu and xqc, it was not really boring. also, loved the last few chapters. they really made me feel like this is a 5-star read.

AND THE SCENE IN THE COVER PIC!!!! oh my goddd i loved it so muchh!! i will think about it always :”) i think its one of my favorite scenes ever now.

i didn’t expect them to end this volume with such a cliffhanger!!! but im so so excited to see some real emotions in xie qingcheng and im sooo looking forward to know more about him <3

keeping aside the problematic stuffs, it was a really fun read. I LOVE XIE QINGCHENG SO MUCH!!!

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ♥*♡∞
pre-read: i think i started bab solely because of this cover and cover alone. im so in love with it. this is the first time i've ever started reading a book because of a cover lol. this cover art looks so sweet and comforting, the expression on he yu's face looks too sweet and genuine, and can't ignore the 'hy♡xqc' on his shirt haha. anyways, im kinda excited to see what this cover is about.

[kiara ✾ ·˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All this time, there’s never been anyone who loved me for real. At least in the future, there’ll be someone who hates me passionately. That would be good too.”

hexie match each other's freak to a degree that is dangerous to the public

[hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's your heart. You're sick in the heart."

can this series stop hurting me PLEASE 😭 i did not get the chance to have one single normal breath during this whole volume. scratch that, THIS WHOLE SERIES. the hold this couple has on my heart AND throat......😭💔😭

"Xie Qingcheng was right by his side. He only had to reach out a hand, and he would feel a hint of another person's warmth. It was a warmth that wouldn't leave...a warmth that could only be taken by death."

what the actual fuck!!!!!! 💔 i felt like i got stabbed in the heart. the devastation i was experiencing i can't even describe.

this series has utterly surprised me especially after my experience with volume one. this was basically five stars but the middle felt a little boring and dragged a bit but i loved everything else. i swear i'm going through the five stages of grief. my poor baby he yu, he's done some awful things but i cannot find it in myself to hate him. xie qingcheng is still being a major asshole and pissing me off, but i know he's falling for our boy he yu 🥺

the toxic love between them is just going to be so good, I NEED THEM TOGETHER ALREADY LIKE FMLLLLLL 🫠🤕😔😭

THAT FUCKING ENDING WHAT THE FUCKKKKK. i'm sorry it's like the only words in my vocabulary when it comes to this series is "what the fuck" SO YOU'RE TELLING ME I HAVE TO WAIT FOR VOLUME FOUR. thank god it comes out on february 11th

(my head hurts i read this in one sitting)

pre-read: i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready i'm not ready

[Rose ✧⁎⁺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5☆

A CLIFFHANGER??? ☹️

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no idea why I'm rooting for He Yu and Xie Qingcheng. None at all. Thank goodness volume 4 showed up on time.

[Natasha]

There is high chance I will give this 5 stars, the scene portrayed by the cover is one of my favourites (I read the fan translation and it was heartbreaking).

Do not read if you haven’t checked all the trigger warnings first.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

This volume picks up right where volume two left off, and continues to be almost relentlessly miserable throughout. That's not a criticism by any means, as the heaviness within is perfectly reflective of these two incredibly broken people who do not view themselves as human.

He Yu believes he is nothing but the animal he feared becoming, and doesn't hesitate to act on his primal instincts, no matter how abhorrent. He doesn't have anyone who cares about him, so why does anything matter?

Xie Qingcheng is a tool, and as such feels he is meant only to be used. He doesn't care what happens to himself, or to anyone except a very select few, whom he is growing to believe don't even need him anymore.

Both characters feel utterly alone, and I'd argue are passively suicidal throughout. This informs all of their toxic behaviors, and makes the ending of this volume all the more emotional.

The two of these characters are so similar, and I cannot help but want them together despite all the messiness, for it is obvious to me how much their needs mirror each other.

The author continues to write beautifully, managing to balance both her own disapproval of these two and her empathy for them.

The overall plot takes several steps forward here as well, and feels integrated much better than in previous volumes.

While I can't pretend this series will be for everyone, I was greatly moved by it, and am here for the long haul.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure why I’m reading this but kinda curious to see how she makes it work out in the end?? A lot of filler, most of it deeply unpleasant. Again cannot recommend this one lightly (if at all) check TWs

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5, this story continues to cement itself as one for the freaks, and I love it. Is He Yu wrong for a lot of what he does? Certainly, but none of it makes me like him any less. That cliffhanger would've hit me like a fright train if I didn't have the next volume ready to go.

It is truly the best example of the opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference, and neither He Yu nor Xie Qingcheng are indifferent to the other. I'm curious to see what XQ tells HY about what happened 5 years before and for them to get to know more about the organization behind so much of the underhanded situations they have both found in the middle of.

I also really liked the little bonus story with He Yu as a dragonpuppy! Adorable! I would've adopted him as well.

[K.C. ·:¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨:· · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m so over this bullshit. Now I remember why I stopped reading it before. It’s so fucking repetitive and BORING. You’ve made up a fake illness as some excuse to write your weird gay rape fetish porn and I’m OVER IT. The plot is barely plotting because meatbun is too busy trying to get her fucking rocks off to whatever the fuck this is! Get a diary lady!

[Mariam, · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT IN FRESH HELL WAS THAT ENDING?????

-

im solemnly back to write the review for this godforsaken book and this lord have mercy on me series.

Like…..

How does one begin to explain THAT I-MEEEE- took a two day break was from this book in the middle AND STILL CAME BACK TO MORE SUFFERING AND PAIN??????

Like, you know He Yu’s crazy laugh? THATS WHAT CAME OUT OF ME AT THAT MOMENT.

Alas, i only took a break because i was bone tired from my never ending work.

Alas, this book……

I am torn between HATING IT HE YU STYLE or PRAISING THE GROUNF RU BAO-LAOSHI WALKS ON BECAUSE THE CREATIVITY! THE INTELLECT! THE BACKHANDED HUMOR! The sheer wisdom of the foreshadowing this book has truly leaves me in awe. Like the enacted sex scene that heyu had? it sounds wrong wo the context of the novel but BOY WAS THAT JUST LIGHTING IN A BOTTLE KINDA THING.

And nobody couldve told me that after all the speculation of what this volumes cover means, IT WAS THAT OF WHAT IT WAS AND HONESTLY WHAT IN HELLS SPAWN WAS THAT ENDING??? (The neck grab though ✋✋✋✋👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻)

Alas this book was insufferable. Insufferably captivating. Incredibly annoying. Absolutely devastating. And it still left me wanting for more.

THE NEXT INSTALLMENTS BETTER BE GOOD I SWEAT TO GOD

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 3 of Case File Compendium is about the aftermath of the sexual assault in the previous volume. If the reader is hoping for soul-searching, deep conversations, healing and understanding, they will be sorely disappointed.

He Yu plunges deep into his psychopathy, living in a reality of his own, where his actions aren’t his fault, and pushing himself in Xie Qingcheng’s company—and into the older man’s bed. He’s still demanding answers for what took place when Xie Qingcheng resigned as his doctor. The latter isn’t willing to tell him anything, and only gives in to He Yu’s forceful demands to get rid of him faster.

Xie Qingcheng wants nothing to do with He Yu. He’s deeply traumatised by what took place, and he hates He Yu with passion. However, since he bottles everything in, he simply goes on as if nothing has happened, his rage surfacing only on occasion with He Yu. Reader feels both annoyance and sympathy for him, as it turns out he’s coped with hardships this way all his life.

Life keeps throwing the two together, and they end up on the set of a same movie production. Things get so bad that the reader starts believing this will end with either of them killing the other. But before their hatred peaks, a serial killer shows up and the two are caught in his web.

This was a difficult, heavy book. On one hand, I’m happy that the events of the previous book aren’t glossed over here, but there was nothing light to give the reader even a breather. Even the revelation of the source of He Yu’s madness didn’t ease things, as it’s a tragic story too.

We mostly follow He Yu as he descends into his madness. The brief lucid moments are always followed by worse delusions and violence. And Xie Qingcheng’s suffering isn’t any easier to witness. There aren’t even any side stories and plots that would take attention away from the two even briefly. And just as the plot changes a new gear, the book ends in a double cliffhanger, with Xie Qingcheng ready to reveal one of his secrets, and the pair in a mortal peril.

Nevertheless, this was a good book. He Yu’s mental illness is believable and Xie Qingcheng’s suffering relatable. It’ll be an agony to wait for the next book, but I’m invested in the story now. It’ll definitely need all the remaining several volumes before any sort of HEA can be achieved.

[elise✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite so far honestly. The SA content is really not for me and though towards the very end this seems to be resolving it just doesn’t quite get there enough. The apologies aren’t flushed out enough given the circumstances and I definitely need more of that going forward. Overall, I want less aggressive sex and WAY MORE of the crazy mafia narrative! Like what is up with this organization and what does He Yu and Xie Qingcheng have to do with it??? The cliffhanger were left with here is just so rude because this is literally exactly what I want more of and now I have to wait for a whole other book 😤

[sydney ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

playing celine dion at a moment like that….he yu i know what you are even if you don’t

[noelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

rose y jack DESEARÍAN ser como estos dos (los amo por siempre)

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn I am sad.

[somnus &#x1fab4; · Rating 4 out of 5]

the final chapters are SO good omg

[anmol · Rating 4 out of 5]

meatbun’s ability to make me absolutely detest a character but still make me get attached to them is crazy what does she put in her books 😩

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me reenamoré de He Yu 😩🤌

[彡 · Rating 4 out of 5]

im stuck between wanting to cry for he yu, pull him into a hug and gently stroke his head and wanting to slap him hard across the face

[Chloe ⋆·˚ ༘ * · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He was lying in the cold water, but he knew that right now, he wasn't alone. Xie Qingcheng was right by his side. He only had to reach out a hand, and he would feel a hint of another person's warmth. It was a warmth that wouldn't leave...a warmth that could only be taken away by death."

Mandatory warning to read the TWs before reading this series!

3.5 stars - again I'm so conflicted because I do genuinely enjoy reading this series so much but He Yu man...he's a sad, tragic character who does terrible things. If only He Yu would communicate with Xie Qingcheng better maybe we wouldn't get development only when they're on the brink of death. Following He Yu was actually quite fun until most of his actions across this volume started TvT. But he had a few redeemable moments which leave me with a bit of hope for his future character development. This tore at me though:

"I don't care what you think of me. After all, there's never been anyone who sincerely loved me, who regarded me as an equal [...] I'm used to all of it."

His voice was calm, but he sounded like a complete madman, lonely and paranoid beyond belief, his response born of despair. It was as if he had gone mad, but also as if he was begging."

Xie Qingcheng seemingly has less focus in this volume since we follow more of He Yu's struggle as he's coming to terms with his feelings (can't believe the amount of mental gymnastics he's doing to avoid admitting he's gay💀) but his little moments were still heartbreaking to read:

"In other words, there was no one in the world who couldn't live without him. And so Xie Qingcheng tore himself into countless pieces so that he could use his own flesh and bones to deal with any feral dogs or wicked dragons he encountered on the road."

Like He Yu is the one who can't live without him please TvT. One particularly section that was the most upsetting was probably when He Yu falls from the balcony and has his dream about Xie Qingcheng, yet wakes up and has no response from the man to his messages about relapsing into another episode.

So it turned out that, in the end, He Yu was the wretched one. He had lost sight of himself, while Xie Qingcheng had not."

Really I'm just holding out for their relationship to improve because I can't support it as much as I want to when it consists of He Yu blackmailing Xie Qingcheng TvT.

One of my favourite moments was the fact Seven Seas included the mini theatre! The art for that was so sweet I thought I was going to cry at the contrast between it and the rest of the novel. The little exchange between puppydragon He Yu and Xie Qingcheng was adorable:

"Are you really very cheap?"
"Mm-hm!"
"How much?"
The puppydragon wagged his tail and piped up in a childish voice, "1.68 million!"
"...I'm broke."
The puppydragon grew anxious, his tail wagging more furiously as he jumped up and clung to his waist. "Free of charge! Free of charge!"

Just praying that we get better development in the next volume since we should be reaching the halfway point soon TvT.

[Fudanshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

These two need help. Professional. Help.

I came real close to DNF’n this series due to the toxicity between ZQ & HY. Esp after Vol. 2. However, I kind of want to see how this motley crew of the insane plays out. 🫣

[Mehak Garg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried, okay? I really did. And I understand He Yu is not "normal" but I can't do this. You can't just overlook r*pe, you just can't, especially when you read Xie Qingcheng's POV & know his mental condition

[Michelle Easton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story gets more fucked up the more I read it!

He Yu becomes so unstable that he self-harms and almost ends his life by falling out a window all because Xie Qingcheng is ignoring him after a fight they had in the beginning of the book. As the story progresses we see He Yu go back to his baseline until he encounters the man who rocked his world on a film set.

He loses it again and is determined to get his man. He Yu uses all of the advantages of his mother's status to get the director to consistently make sure he and Xie Qingcheng are in the same place, and this becomes sick and twisted when he uses details from their relationship in a scene he needs to film for the movie.

After a nuisance to the younger man's plans leaves he and Xie Qingcheng end up escorting two production assistants to a set for the next day where they become trapped in a flooding room. The pair of them continue to bicker until it becomes clear that they are about to die. It is only then that Xie Qingcheng decides that he will tell the truth as to why he left He Yu alone all those years ago.

As messed up as this story is I am determined to finish it. If you are I urge you to look up the trigger warning and know that this is not for everyone. Happy Reading!

[liz ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up

once again, as much as i liked the book, i think i can’t give it a 4 star rating due to the events that happen in the book. i really, really enjoyed the end. the whole entire book so far is heartbreaking and miserable, and i praise meatbun for knowing how to write that, how to write miscommunication between her main characters. it’s so well written, and that is why i continue to read the book. i know the book will get better in terms of hexie’s relationship from book 4, from what ive read. but who knows, im really hoping it starts to go up from here :3

[maggie♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

definitely better than the second volume