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Guide on How to Fail at Online Dating #2
Guide on How to Fail at Online Dating Vol. 2
On a trip to a hot springs resort, Xiang Huaizhi figures out that flirty female Sweet Little Jing is actually in real life his snarky, cheerful, and decidedly male underclassman Jing Huan. After struggling with this revelation, Xiang Huaizhi decides that this is fine; even if he’s not attracted to guys, better that Jing Huan direct his furtive gay longing toward him than anyone else who might react badly to this catfishing. Whenever Jing Huan finds a man who can truly love him, Xiang Huaizhi will-
He’ll figure things out when the time comes.
Except Jing Huan definitely can’t pick Bishop Wood;Xiang Huaizhi isn’t jealous, he just doesn’t like Sweet Little Jing throwing away the arena points they earned together. And it’s fine if their entire university forum is busy shipping the two of them in real life. And when Jing Huan says he’s tired of chasing after his online crush because he isn’t getting anywhere with them…
Well, obviously Xiang Huaizhi has to do something big to keep him, right?
He’ll figure things out when the time comes.
Except Jing Huan definitely can’t pick Bishop Wood;Xiang Huaizhi isn’t jealous, he just doesn’t like Sweet Little Jing throwing away the arena points they earned together. And it’s fine if their entire university forum is busy shipping the two of them in real life. And when Jing Huan says he’s tired of chasing after his online crush because he isn’t getting anywhere with them…
Well, obviously Xiang Huaizhi has to do something big to keep him, right?
- GenresContemporary
Paperback
Published July 21, 2025
3 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Jiang Zi Bei
46 books79 followersAssociated Names:
* Jiang Zi Bei (English)
* 酱子贝 / 醬子貝 (Chinese)
* เจี้ยงจื่อเป้ย (Thai)
* Jiang Zi Bei (English)
* 酱子贝 / 醬子貝 (Chinese)
* เจี้ยงจื่อเป้ย (Thai)
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 13, 2026
“How many online relationships ever worked out? The internet was virtual; what you saw was only what others wanted you to see.”
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I had a genuinely nice time reading this. It’s fun and cute in a way that doesn’t demand much from you. A lot of the book is told through chats and messages, which kept me from ever feeling bored or mentally tired. I liked that there’s a decent amount of interaction both in game and in real life, because it gives the story some variety and makes the relationship feel lived in. This was the kind of read I could breeze through without stopping to overthink anything, and honestly, that was part of the appeal. It felt light, casual, and easy to stay engaged with.
What stuck with me most were the characters and how they bounce off each other. Jing Huan feels very alive on the page. He’s emotionally open, playful, and quick to act, but there’s always this insecurity underneath that makes his reactions feel real. He wants to be understood so badly, and you can feel that in how fast he reaches out. Xiang Huaizhi is quieter and more restrained, and it feels intentional. He pays attention, remembers small things, and shows care through consistency and quiet presence. Watching their connection build through timing and response was honestly really satisfying. One of them reaches forward instinctively, the other answers with care, and that rhythm creates a lot of intimacy without spelling anything out.
At the same time, I did feel a little worn down by how long the uncertainty hangs around. The tension often comes from missed timing, delayed communication, and uneven emotional awareness, and sometimes I just wanted things to move more clearly. Progress happens in tiny steps, and it’s rarely obvious when something shifts. I can see why some readers would enjoy that slow burn approach, but for me it occasionally dragged. Still, the attention to routine, shared space, and small behavioral changes made the relationship feel believable. The humor popping up in awkward moments helped a lot, and when things do inch forward, it feels earned. I walked away appreciating the consistency and emotional realism, even if it didn’t quite land as a favorite for me.
Date Read: 2026.02.10
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I had a genuinely nice time reading this. It’s fun and cute in a way that doesn’t demand much from you. A lot of the book is told through chats and messages, which kept me from ever feeling bored or mentally tired. I liked that there’s a decent amount of interaction both in game and in real life, because it gives the story some variety and makes the relationship feel lived in. This was the kind of read I could breeze through without stopping to overthink anything, and honestly, that was part of the appeal. It felt light, casual, and easy to stay engaged with.
What stuck with me most were the characters and how they bounce off each other. Jing Huan feels very alive on the page. He’s emotionally open, playful, and quick to act, but there’s always this insecurity underneath that makes his reactions feel real. He wants to be understood so badly, and you can feel that in how fast he reaches out. Xiang Huaizhi is quieter and more restrained, and it feels intentional. He pays attention, remembers small things, and shows care through consistency and quiet presence. Watching their connection build through timing and response was honestly really satisfying. One of them reaches forward instinctively, the other answers with care, and that rhythm creates a lot of intimacy without spelling anything out.
At the same time, I did feel a little worn down by how long the uncertainty hangs around. The tension often comes from missed timing, delayed communication, and uneven emotional awareness, and sometimes I just wanted things to move more clearly. Progress happens in tiny steps, and it’s rarely obvious when something shifts. I can see why some readers would enjoy that slow burn approach, but for me it occasionally dragged. Still, the attention to routine, shared space, and small behavioral changes made the relationship feel believable. The humor popping up in awkward moments helped a lot, and when things do inch forward, it feels earned. I walked away appreciating the consistency and emotional realism, even if it didn’t quite land as a favorite for me.
Date Read: 2026.02.10
November 30, 2025
UGH the development is soooo good and the balance of in-game & rl interactions is even better this volume 🤌✨️
still really funny (+ a few second-hand embarrassment moments that I actually REALLY enjoyed) and ofc the romantic plot is thickeningggg~~
can't wait to read volume 3 🤭
still really funny (+ a few second-hand embarrassment moments that I actually REALLY enjoyed) and ofc the romantic plot is thickeningggg~~
can't wait to read volume 3 🤭
January 4, 2026
I need the next volume immediately! I'm so scared of what will happen when the truth comes out now that Xiang Huaizhi is INVESTED. Jing Huan, please don't break gege's heart!
January 10, 2026
3.5 Stars for how cute the majority of the book was. I love gamer settings.
The score was brought down because of how much I was thrown off by the casual racism/colorism within the first chapter of this second volume.
I'm sorry the author had a character send a "joke" picture of a dark-skinned man (basically calling them ugly) and then described their skin tone as the color of "cooked beef". (pgs 16-17)
Left a bad taste in my mouth, and reminded me that this author has frequently referenced how pale everyone's skin is, as to highlight how beautiful they are because of it.
It kind of clouded how I felt about the whole book after that.
The score was brought down because of how much I was thrown off by the casual racism/colorism within the first chapter of this second volume.
I'm sorry the author had a character send a "joke" picture of a dark-skinned man (basically calling them ugly) and then described their skin tone as the color of "cooked beef". (pgs 16-17)
Left a bad taste in my mouth, and reminded me that this author has frequently referenced how pale everyone's skin is, as to highlight how beautiful they are because of it.
It kind of clouded how I felt about the whole book after that.
December 31, 2025
I liked volume 1 a lot so I immediately read volume 2 and it did not disappoint. I liked a lot too and decided to read the ftl 🙈 so anyway, I've ordered volume 3. Not sure when I'll receive it tho. 🥲
December 19, 2025
So fun I can't wait to see how it all unravels
January 20, 2026
This series is a bit of fun. The overall plot is very slow paced but it's relaxing with no angst, no stress. This was a cute, fast, easy read. Looking forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews