A MOMENT ON THE LIPSSince that night of revelry with charming slacker Gu Fei and their unexpected kiss, Jiang Cheng has been spiraling. Was it the spark of something real or a drunken mistake? After all, in this nothing town, Jiang Cheng cherishes the bonds he's formed with Gu Fei and his curious sister Gu Miao. But that kiss... If--or when--Gu Fei finds out how much it meant to Jiang Cheng, would everything he's built unravel? Thankfully, between modeling for Gu Fei's risque photoshoots and gearing up for the upcoming basketball showdown with Class Five, Jiang Cheng has plenty to busy himself with. Yet the more time he spends laughing with Gu Fei, the harder it becomes to deny his feelings. When push comes to shove and tensions reach a boiling point, will Gu Fei rise to the occasion or will Jiang Cheng be left out in the cold?
This second volume was absolutely incredible, pushing the emotional depth of the story to new heights and leaving me feeling even more heartbroken than before. The author possesses a remarkable talent for crafting an atmosphere that is both intensely angsty and starkly bleak, yet simultaneously infused with glimmers of hope and warmth—it's a wonderful juxtaposition.
The angst in this installment was palpable, and I shed a few tears for these precious, lonely boys who are navigating their complex feelings and struggles. Jiang Cheng truly solidified his place as one of my all-time favorite protagonists. It feels as if he were written specifically for me; every aspect of his character resonates deeply with my emotions. His unique blend of strength, shyness, brashness, and ego creates the perfect protagonist tailored to my preferences.
In this volume, Gu Fei began to unveil more layers of his emotional landscape, providing insights into his backstory that made me want to reach through the pages and give him a big comforting hug. His chance meeting with Jiang Cheng was, without question, the best thing that could have happened to him—and he recognizes that significant turning point in his life. Their relationship has evolved tremendously since the first volume; we witness the deepening of their feelings for each other and the profound comfort they find in one another's presence.
I was genuinely surprised by the extent to which their relationship developed, but I can't say I'm disappointed! I absolutely adored how the author masterfully transitioned them from friends to lovers, a narrative arc that is one of my absolute favorite tropes. The way they continually care for and worry about each other is so sweet and makes my heart flutter. I can’t wait to see how their bond will evolve even further in the anticipated third volume.
In conclusion, this volume not only lived up to the high standards set by the first but also managed to surpass them in many ways. It met all my expectations and left me eager for more.
This volume had me kicking my feet and giggling like an absolute crazy person the whole time.
I loved how this volume built on the relationship that volume one established between Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei and we got to see how that trust and friendship laid down initially, now paves the way for attraction, intimacy and attachment to build between them.
This book managed to really evoke how blindsided your first infatuation with someone can make you feel when you are young; how sitting next to the person you have a crush on just lights your whole body up and how the smallest touch or glance holds so much weight. The tension between Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei was simultaneously wound up so tightly, whilst also being so wholesome. I dont tend to gravitate to friends to lovers trope all that often but in this case it's just *chefs kiss*
And the comfort seeking hugs between them just had me burying my face in my hands and screaming. It scratched the hurt/comfort itch so good.
Both of these boys just deserve the world, but my heart hurt for them so many times whilst reading this.
The biggest challenge I continue to grapple with is not just obsessively diving into the fan translation to finished this off and to be good and pace myself but I am a simple woman and their dynamic has me UTTERLY DESPERATE FOR MORE.
(Can I just say how OBSESSED I am that their body language gets closer and more intimate with each volume cover, reflecting how their relationship itself is getting closer and more intimate. COMPLETELY OBSESSED!)
Was this worth getting up at 6am on a Saturday morning to finish? Hell yes.
I loved this so much more than vol 1 for the following reasons:
- More humour - More romance - More character development - Less of the horrible parents
I forgot how good the banter was between Jiang Cheng (MC) and Gu Fei (ML). The beginning of this volume is hilarious. I found the chapters of them playing basketball a bit boring but that's just a personal preference.
Vol 1 had me worried for Jiang Cheng. Vol 2 now has me worried for Gu Fei thanks to the cliffhanger ending. Future volumes better not have me worry for Gu Miao (ML's sister).
I waited WEEKS for its arrival after ordering (intl shipping is freaking unpredictable) but the second I got my hands on this book, I cracked it open - and that’s how I knew I’ve been utterly ensnared.
The story follows on from the first book right away, and honestly? I’m tempted just to write down phonetically all the noises I made while reading instead of a proper review/word vomit, because those would express my feelings way more accurately. I would like to say that it made me giggle but that’s a dirty lie; the noises couldn’t have possibly been human, more suited for dolphins 🐬
But I digress! I was in awe of the relationship progress between Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei! I loved all the little ways in which Jiang Cheng stole Gu Fei’s breath away, to see Jiang Cheng come out of his shell more and more. Most of all, I enjoyed seeing these two down-on-their-luck boys grow close both emotionally and physically, opening up to each other, having conversations and sharing secrets.
Jiang Cheng remains a great character to follow, and it warmed my heart to see this otherwise standoffish and touch-averse guy get comfortable in Gu Fei’s presence, leaning into a hug, letting the other boy rest his head on Cheng’s shoulder...and more. Holy shit and more because I genuinely didn’t anticipate the slow burn to start burning so hot already?? And I’m not complaining! ❤️🔥 (Those tipsy moments in the dark sure gave me butterflies in my stomach - a mild way to say I was left wheezing and clutching my non-existent pearls in delight 😳)
The atmosphere isn’t as bleak, it’s practically care-free at some points, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Jiang Cheng’s loneliness isn’t as profound thanks to his growing bonds not just with Gu Fei, but other people in his new class. That’s not to say shit isn’t happening. Every time the boys’ home life crashes down on them, I’m left anxious and angry, and I can only imagine what more they have to endure to earn a quiet peaceful future they deserve.
And there’s also basketball. I truly didn’t mind the slight focus here because it was another way for Jiang Cheng to be in his element and put all his worries away for a while, and than can only be a good thing.
AND I still can’t get over how little Gu Miao, Gu Fei’s baby sister, who doesn’t pay attention to people, latched onto Jiang Cheng the second they met, and their scenes continue to melt my heart into a puddle of goo 🥰 I need more of them!
October can’t come soon enough, and if the rest of the books aren’t out by the end of next year, I’m gonna either riot, or curl up in a ball of misery and weep. Probably both.
"Maybe it was because they'd been spending more time around each other than anyone else. Maybe it was because they knew more of each other's secrets. Maybe it was their mirrored sentiments the day before that. Getting to know you was an accident, but a happy one..."
There’s something about this story that makes it live rent-free in my mind every single day. The author has done an amazing job of giving each character their own personality and bringing them to life. I feel like they truly exist — in a small town full of poverty, abusive and neglectful parents, the constant anxiety of being on edge with dangerous people lurking around, people who wish to hurt you out of pride and ego.
Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei have become each other’s person — each other’s comfort. Without the other, life feels unbearably cold. Even without a confession, there is a connection between them that only they understand, one full of warmth and light. However, there is also a distance between them. Despite living in the same town and neighborhood, Jiang Cheng is different; he is able to leave and move on, unlike Gu Fei, who is chained to that place. Because of this, Gu Fei tries to push Jiang Cheng away, not wanting to drag him into the hell he himself lives in.
Jiang Cheng is stubborn and angry. He is his own person, and at least for now, he just wants to be present with Gu Fei — because without Gu Fei, he has no one.
Jiang Cheng’s father is a piece of shit, and only made things worse — and perhaps, in a strange way, better — for his son in this volume. Jiang Cheng has finally used this opportunity to break free of him.
There was a lot of basketball talk and matches in this volume. The beginning dragged a bit because of it, but the rest was interesting. The romance seriously flourished this time, and I’m so ready for more!
Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei’s fits of giggles and laughter is so freaking endearing. The comfort they feel in each other’s presence as they start experiencing lots of new firsts together and the way they handle the awkwardness adorable 🥰
My emotional baby, Jiang Cheng who has big feelings- I cry every time you do 😭😭😭
My heart hurts for Gu Fei being a caretaker at such a young age, knowing it will most likely limit his future. But seeing the hope and potential JC has and supporting/protecting him to he can get out of that town- Gu Fei you are an the “most un-delinquent like delinquent” 🥰
Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei's relationship develops more in this book, and I love it. Their care for each other is genuine and wholesome, and their banter made me laugh. The humor is delightful and often shows how comfortable the boys feel around each other. The author's writing feels authentic and nostalgic, bringing the story and characters to life. Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei feel like two teenagers falling in love, not quite knowing what to do or what to call their relationship.
The best part about this book is undoubtedly the relationship between the main leads. This book is full of their interactions. Gu Fei starts opening up. We learn more about his past, the way he navigates the world, and his insecurities. We also see how much he cares about Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng is also changing. Despite some lingering worries and ongoing familial issues, he's noticeably happier in this book. He's rarely alone, which makes it feel like he's less lonely.
This book had a few moments that made me feel very sympathetic, but the humor does a good job of bringing the mood up again. The feeling of this book is overall warmer than the last— more comfortable. It's start of something new and beautiful. I enjoyed this book a lot more than vol.1 and I'm so excited for the next one.
“The reason I didn’t let you come to the match wasn’t because I want to take anything on for you,” Gu Fei added. “I just don’t want you to get trapped here. If it had been anyone else, I wouldn’t have bothered. But no one else has ever said something like ‘I won’t rot here’ to me—only you. You’ve got to live by your words. Don’t act like I did you a favor or anything. And don’t think you have to reciprocate just because we’re friends.”
5/5 ⭐ OMG???? if i just liked the first volume, i really loved this one! the relationship between Gu Fei and Jiang Cheng that goes from strength to strength, them laughing, making fun of each other but they are there for each other during difficult times AAAAA DJDJEJE i love this kind of dynamics!! the ending left me with many doubts and I hope Gu Fei doesn't screw up but AAAA i can't wait to read the next one (the revelation of Gu Fei's past was painful but at the same time so in line with the character and the environment they live in.. I love this kind of stories I swear)
4.75 ⭐️ because I particularly don’t like basketball. Thankfully there wasn’t much, but there still was enough.
And to leave us with that cliffhanger… DIABOLICAL. Smart. But still diabolical.
What it is about rough kids from the streets, that when they break, makes me want to scorch the earth if anyone hurts them again. And if anything happens to Miao… hell hath no fury. Don’t tempt me book III.
"Even if I'm meant to rot here my whole life, I want to at least stand on solid ground. I don't want to live with violence constantly hanging around my head."
The story continues to explore the complicated, slow-burn relationship between its two leads in a way that feels emotionally honest and layered. What stands out is how the story captures the tension between what’s said and what’s felt—how much is communicated in silence, side glances, or offhand gestures. Jiang Cheng’s guarded, angry exterior clashes beautifully with Gu Fei’s quiet, steady presence, and watching them circle each other—sometimes awkward, sometimes deeply moving—makes for an absorbing read. The emotional tone is subtle but powerful, and even the small moments hit hard when they land.
The supporting cast adds personality and realism, even if not every side character sticks. There’s a natural sense of life in the school setting—nicknames, cliques, shared jokes, all woven in with just enough detail to feel grounded. A few basketball scenes felt a little too long for a non-sports story and pulled away from the emotional focus. But there are some standout scenes of humor and intimacy that remind you why you're here: for these two complicated people slowly figuring each other out. The moral ambiguity in how some situations are handled might not sit well with every reader, but it feels honest to the world the author has built.
Visually, the book's cover is as warm as the story’s emotional core—it really sets the tone. And I appreciated the character balance: Gu Fei looks like the brooding, hot-headed one at first glance, but the more you read, the more you realize Jiang Cheng is the one wrestling with deeper anger. As someone who’s also read the manhua, I’m a bit ahead in the story, so it was a bit of a letdown to hit pause right when things were getting really good. But that just makes me more excited for the next volume!
Vol. 2 picks up right where the first volume left off, and somehow manages to deepen the emotional resonance while raising the stakes—both on and off the basketball court. It’s a compelling continuation that offers richer backstory, stronger character development, and an even more powerful emotional punch.
What really sets this volume apart is the relationship between Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei. Watching Gu Fei begin to open up—honestly and vulnerably—was both surprising and deeply rewarding. The spark between the two is undeniable, and getting a glimpse into Gu Fei’s inner world only strengthens the emotional weight of their bond. Their relationship continues to blur the lines between friendship and love in a way that feels raw, honest, and incredibly tender.
The book also balances its emotional moments with gripping sequences—particularly the basketball tournament and the modeling/photography storyline, both of which add momentum and variety to the narrative. These scenes were not only entertaining but also revealed more about the characters’ motivations and inner worlds.
Thematically, this volume leans heavily into growth, identity, and healing. Jiang Cheng is still trying to find solid ground amid personal upheaval, and Gu Fei is slowly unpacking a traumatic past. Wu Zhe handles these themes with subtlety and care, showing how the two boys begin to find solace in each other. It's a story of resilience, connection, and the quiet power of being seen by someone who understands you.
The writing remains compelling and easy to follow, with a narrative voice that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The pacing feels just right, and the blend of slice-of-life moments with emotionally intense scenes makes for an addictive read.
There’s little to criticize in this volume—it’s emotionally satisfying, well-written, and full of promise for what’s to come. With the final game looming, Gu Fei and Monkey’s contest still ahead, and the relationship between Gu Fei and Jiang Cheng continuing to grow, Volume 3 can't come soon enough. Bonus points for Gu Miao, who remains one of the most intriguing side characters—quiet, unique, hella cool, and full of untapped potential.
Whether you're here for the slow-burn romance, the emotional depth, or the sports drama, Volume 2 delivers.
“Aren’t you tired of taking pictures?” “Not if they’re of you”
This is genuinely one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read.
The transition from friends to lovers is so smooth and beautifully done. Seeing them slowly and quietly pining for each other as they realize their feelings for one another is so amazing. It’s really cute to watch because they’re both so young and they’ve never felt that way about anyone before. Seeing them navigate through that was remarkably done. It’s feels so raw and real.
I can’t get over their reliance on each other for emotional support. It’s not an overpowering reliance but a subtle one that only they understand. It seems as if they don’t even need words to understand when something is wrong. They just know.
Gu Fei trying to protect Jiang Cheng from the hostile underbelly of the city really warms my heart. They find a solace in each other in that dark lonely place they call ‘home’ and I think they really needed each other.
I’m such a sucker for slice of life and this series has been heaven for me to read because of that. The found-family aspect of this and the slice of life made it extremely hard for me to put the book down. I could have read this faster if I didn’t need to get up for work.
There are quite a few funny moments here where I was cracking up also. The illustrations are wonderful and it felt like a reward being able to see them after reading for so long.
This series feels like such a treat for me to read. And it’s one of my favorite Danmei series I’ve read thus far. These boys and their story fill my heart with so much warmth and I’m desperately waiting for volume 3 to come out in October. I tried to put off reading volume 2 as long as possible (cause I hate waiting) and I gave in. I waited 7 months to read volume 2 and I couldn’t wait a second longer.
I feel like this author really captures that special type of teenage angst when you are a queer teenager ug I'm just obsessed with this story in these characters they're so endearing and I love them
From the beginning of the first book i could feel that this series could easily become one of my all time favorites and this volume didn’t disappoint either.
While the fist volume focused more on Jiang Cheng adapting to a new, less forgiving environment and establishing the characters and setting, this one focuses a lot on the relationship between him and Gu Fei. I think it did a fantastic job at depicting their progression as well as each of their struggles.
The novel continues to have a really bittersweet feeling and the way it portrays emotions is fantastic and i can’t wait to read more. I can already tell that once i’ll finish the entire story it will leave me in a slump
Oh how I adore Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei relationship development. There's something so beautiful about how they increasingly grow comfortable and find solace (somehow in each other). Also that last bit at the end of the book about Gu Fei's past hit me hard.
i love this series it’s so cute. and hilarious. in this one the romance is a lot more prevalent, the first one was a good build up to it. jc is so cute when he interacts with gm, he’s such a good “older brother” to her. and the way gf and jc interact is just *chefs kiss*
I'm not sure what to rate this rate. On the one hand, I loved Gu Fei and Jiang Cheng's relationship. They have such great chemistry together. It was great seeing them grow to trust each other and more and more as the story progressed. It's also sweet how much Gu Fei likes Jiang Cheng. The way he protects Jiang Cheng, the way he always wants to brag about Jiang Cheng, I just loved it so much. We also get a lot more emotional scenes in this volume. Some of these are romantic scenes between Gu Fei and Jiang Cheng. But we also learn more about Gu Fei's past and Jiang Cheng starts to confront his feelings of abandonment. However, there were also a ton of basketball scenes in this volume and they kind of dragged a bit. I kind of had to force myself to read in order to get through some of them. I don't think the problem was just that the basketball scenes were long, but because a lot of the scenes were just describing basketball without much else going on. I didn't mind it as much when there would be touches of Gu Fei or Jiang Cheng's internal dialogue, but it just grew a bit tedious over time. That said though, I think I'm still going to give it 5 stars, because I loved the emotional beats in this volume. Can't wait to read the next one!
I loved this so much! I found the first volume a bit boring but i enjoyed this one better, there's more humor, more romance and we explore Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei's feelings more as well. I loved seeing them become each other's "perfect partner". Their scenes were so cute i grew to love them a lot. Their characters feel like real people with real problems I think the author did really well with that. I can't wait to see more of both of them and the other guys, as well as Gu Miao ♡
I love this series so much. volume 2 gave me angsty heartstopper vibes. and I appreciate how Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei are just stupid teenagers who act like stupid teenagers
absorbed the whole vol in one day cause…holy crap. despite a lot of things happening the author takes care to give some time to breathe using those mundane, daily moments which gives a realistic feel that i really appreciate - similarly as the struggles characters face that are capable to hit very close to home. reading how intimacy and true concern for one another became second nature to mc and ml has been my favourite thing though, and very addictive at that
I love this volume even more than the first one—there were a lot more shy-screaming-while-kicking-feet moments. One of my favourite scenes is when they ride the bike together with Gu Miao, and everything after that just makes me go dbsjkncls iykyk.
Honestly, I can’t believe how bold Jiang Cheng is. He’s awkward most of the time, but when he’s with Gu Fei? AAAAA. This volume also explores more of Gu Fei’s past, which is sad and traumatic. It hit hard.
Can’t wait for the next volume. I just hope everything will be okay.
I think this novel has become one of my favorites. I’m unsure if I’ll be able to wait until October to read volume 3, though. I might have to mtl it. In the mean time, I’m thinking about reading erha. I just hope it isn’t too much angst for me to handle…