A Break in the Clouds Vol. 1

A Break in the Clouds #1

by Huai Shang

In a city shrouded by secrets, the past begins to stir—like a break in the clouds.

Three years ago, a drug raid in Gongzhou went catastrophically wrong. The explosion killed the entire task force and buried the case under blood and rubble, leaving every lead incinerated, every witness dead.

Now in Jianning, Senior Sergeant Yan Xie investigates a chilling new case: a young man found frozen to death in an industrial freezer. What should’ve been routine quickly brings more questions to the surface—especially when a composed, soft-spoken man named Lu Chengjiang inserts himself into the investigation. Interactions with the mysterious Mr Lu sets off alarm bells. Something doesn’t add up. He is too calm under pressure, too precise in his insights—and far too familiar.

As Yan Xie digs deeper, he uncovers a forgotten case file from Gongzhou.

The name on the report? Jiang Ting.
The photo? Unmistakable.
The man who supposedly died three years ago… is very much alive.

But why did he disappear? What is he hiding? And what really happened three years ago?

A gripping detective mystery about the past you can’t outrun—and the truth that won’t stay buried.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, LGBT

377 pages, Paperback

Published July 10, 2025

About the author

Associated Names:
* Huai Shang (English)
* 淮上 (Chinese)
* หวายซ่าง (Thai)

Reviews

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Po Yun 💙 Police/detective/crime/thriller mystery that’s a labyrinth full of plot twists, betrayals, and conspiracies. I love when the MC and ML meet almost immediately and continue to interact throughout the entire book 🥰. This is a very slow burn but you will definitely see some sparks in this volume. Already knowing the plot twists and reveals is actually making this more enjoyable to second time (also, this translation is so much better than the one I read).

**I feel like some of the misogynistic comments I was annoyed with in the FTL/MTL were toned down a little in this translation (buy maybe it comes later in the novel, I can’t remember)

MC Yan Xie: young, shameless, arrogant, “straight”, popular but can be a little intimidating , rich, makes friends easily, charismatic. I’m still not sure why so many people don’t like Yan Xie. He does not come off as a “jerk” to me. Maybe a little brash and bratty at times but not insufferable.
ML Jiang Tiang: smart, calm, aloof, little bit of a mystery, I love him

🚔Gripping with lots of plot and action
🚔Slow burn and mostly wholesome romance
🚔Cute banter/picking/quarreling
🚔Funny misunderstandings- but not plot hindering.
🚔 A fujoshi that doesn’t interfere 🙌
🚔Older cast of characters (30 +)

I chuckled at some of the terms and spellings which I am assuming are British but IDK: constable, lorry, manouevre, traumatise, and a few “mates” were even in there 😂

There were a few characters that I felt like were mentioned as if we already knew who they were which had me flipping back and forth trying to find if I missed something.

If you liked Silent Reading or In the Dark, this book would be perfect for you.

[Queens Love Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Love is a tornado; there’s no standing in its way and you can’t escape it.”



This book surprised me in the best way. I went in curious since crime danmei isn’t usually what I read, but it grabbed me from the start. The tone is moody, the pacing is tight, and the tension between Jiang Ting and Yan Xie is constant. One is calm and calculated, the other all fire and instinct. Their back-and-forth has real pull. There’s no full romance yet, but the attraction is clear—especially in the way they watch and challenge each other. It’s the kind of slow burn that keeps you hooked without needing anything over the top.

The supporting cast really adds to the story. Everyone feels like they belong, whether they’re bringing humor, conflict, or another angle on the leads. No one fades into the background, and that makes the world feel lived-in. The setting isn’t flashy, but it’s grounded and consistent. It gives the story weight and tension without slowing it down. Even the quieter moments carry a sense that something could shift at any time.

I usually go for cultivation or historical danmei, but I was fully into this from beginning to end. I’ll definitely be reading the next volume, no question. And the dust cover deserves a mention too—it fits the tone of the book perfectly. Clean, dark, and just the right kind of dramatic.

Date Read: 2025.08.18

[Helen]

Can someone who has a physical copy of this book tell me how many pages is this book so that I can edit as a librarian? Thanks in advance.

I've heard so much about this book but I think I'll wait until more volumes come out before I try it.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhh I forgot how good this novel is!!! Yanjiang interactions are so funny, I love them so much! The storyline is so interesting as well, I love them way Huai Shang writes crime and mystery stories!!

Yan Xie is so silly! The part where he’s coercing Jiang Ting not to leave by threatening to spill who he is just to form a hand heart in his direction while walking towards the bathroom, like he is so unserious!!

I also love how Yan Xie constantly gets distracted by Jiang Ting. Like commenting on his pretty hands when Jiang Ting was trying to show him something on the phone and being in a near trance after being kissed by him trying to refocus his thoughts on the mission. It’s so funny to see how oblivious he is despite being down so bad haha.

Yan Xie being disappointed after Jiang Ting said Han Xiaomei was the one to drink the wife tea hahah he only wanted to use it to lock Jiang Ting as his wife! Poor Han Xiaomei being reprimanded for it after though!

Han Xiaomei!!! I love her so much she is so funny, the way she immediately starts fujoshing out when she sees Jiang Ting and Yan Xie together, like she is actually so real!!

I noticed some british slang which I am not sure if it was what the translators thought would be a good fit based on the language used in the novel, but some made me laugh. I thought it was cool that the translator made the play on Gou Li’s name Ghoulie rather than dog(Gou狗). I mean it could have also been explained but I thought it was cool that they put the effort into showing how Yan Xie makes a play on his name.

Anyways, I am so excited to be able to read the rest of the series as I previously read it in the past before there was any complete fan translation. Even when I mtled the novel it was one of my favourites, so I can’t wait to be able to finish this novel with coherent translations from the translators!!

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of true crime and very competent main leads and this had both! The ending had a very weird cut off but I’m looking forward to the second volume.

[Mies · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read fan-translations of this author before and did not like them. Thought the problem lied with the translation but reading the offical translation I've decided that Huai Shang doesn't know how to write. The writing is shallow, filled with overexplaining dialogue. And instead of showing, the author just tells the reader pointblank.

I hated Yan Xie. He was immature, sexist and just really unlikeable as a character.

Also hate the cover. Thankfully the dust jacket is so much nicer.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

not sure how to feel about this one. The main couples relationship is neither loving nor antagonistic but just sort of there? considering they barely know eachother they jump straight into a married couple sort of partnership which I don't think is strictly in keeping with police procedures. Interesting enough I'll read the next one...