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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?
352 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2025
5 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Jiang Zi Bei
47 books81 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 - 13 of 13 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!
March 11, 2026
IDK BOYS. FOR TWO GUYS WHO KEEP INSISTING HOW NOT GAY YOU ARE, YOU'RE ACTING PRETTY FUCKING GAY.
(okay on a more serious note: this volume is much more low-key than the first, in line with what I know of JZB's low-stakes storytelling from Limerence. humor is still there, twists and complications are still keeping my attention, but it's all so... believable and ordinary, in its own way. I am consistently impressed by JZB's ability to make slice-of-life narratives engaging. reading about gameplay and ordinary conversations is somehow fun, and deeply nostalgic (to me). although I loved the first volume more, I appreciate the dominoes that are being assembled in this one, and I have to admit I was genuinely moved by the revelations/reveals by the end; again, revelations/reveals that I believe in the hands of a lesser author would have read as cheap or even trite. but JZB does the work, every time, skillfully building up small incidents into larger ones and creating a truly organic progression of mild interest to jealousy to actual interest to... something more, maybe.
take the "we're both straight!" insistence -- my LEAST favorite trope in danmei, but I persevered here because 1. who does Xiang Huaizhi, of all people, think he is kidding and 2. I've read enough of JZB's other work or heard enough about it to have hope that this was more of a comphet situation for two men who are still fairly young and figuring things out, and it does seem to be playing according to that tune. fingers crossed the remaining two volumes continue with the grace and self-awareness I'm looking for in this scenario; it'll be a while, though, since I had to preorder the third and the fourth doesn't come out until fall. (｡T ω T｡), as Sweet Little Jing might say.)
(okay on a more serious note: this volume is much more low-key than the first, in line with what I know of JZB's low-stakes storytelling from Limerence. humor is still there, twists and complications are still keeping my attention, but it's all so... believable and ordinary, in its own way. I am consistently impressed by JZB's ability to make slice-of-life narratives engaging. reading about gameplay and ordinary conversations is somehow fun, and deeply nostalgic (to me). although I loved the first volume more, I appreciate the dominoes that are being assembled in this one, and I have to admit I was genuinely moved by the revelations/reveals by the end; again, revelations/reveals that I believe in the hands of a lesser author would have read as cheap or even trite. but JZB does the work, every time, skillfully building up small incidents into larger ones and creating a truly organic progression of mild interest to jealousy to actual interest to... something more, maybe.
take the "we're both straight!" insistence -- my LEAST favorite trope in danmei, but I persevered here because 1. who does Xiang Huaizhi, of all people, think he is kidding and 2. I've read enough of JZB's other work or heard enough about it to have hope that this was more of a comphet situation for two men who are still fairly young and figuring things out, and it does seem to be playing according to that tune. fingers crossed the remaining two volumes continue with the grace and self-awareness I'm looking for in this scenario; it'll be a while, though, since I had to preorder the third and the fourth doesn't come out until fall. (｡T ω T｡), as Sweet Little Jing might say.)
April 26, 2026
I just finished Guide on How to Fail at Online Dating Vol. 2 and I really enjoy this series. It’s such an easy and fun read for me, but the progression is what’s really keeping me hooked.
Seeing Xiang Huazhi finally start to realize his feelings for Jing Huan, especially with how this volume ended, felt really satisfying. That in game marriage moment definitely got me.
I also feel like Jing Huan is slowly starting to shift too. Even though he still has that revenge mindset, it doesn’t feel as strong anymore, and you can tell something is changing. His dynamic with Xiang Huazhi, especially with that upperclassman respect still there, feels like it’s building into something more.
Overall, this is just a fun and enjoyable read. It leans a bit YA, but it still kept me entertained the whole time.
I can’t wait for volume 3.
Seeing Xiang Huazhi finally start to realize his feelings for Jing Huan, especially with how this volume ended, felt really satisfying. That in game marriage moment definitely got me.
I also feel like Jing Huan is slowly starting to shift too. Even though he still has that revenge mindset, it doesn’t feel as strong anymore, and you can tell something is changing. His dynamic with Xiang Huazhi, especially with that upperclassman respect still there, feels like it’s building into something more.
Overall, this is just a fun and enjoyable read. It leans a bit YA, but it still kept me entertained the whole time.
I can’t wait for volume 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2026
I loveeee a good slow burn danmei and as a gamer I am really enjoying this series. But unfortunately I was often taken out of the flow of the story by the grammatical errors, typos and formatting errors in this book.
Very early on in the book it states that “Lu Wenhao ogled the back of Lu Wenhao’s car as it drove out of the parking lot.” Lu Wenhao is not a clone, it was in fact Lu Hang’s car. I don’t see how mistakes like that are left unnoticed.
I’ve noticed that coming across many mistakes like this seems to be a trend with translated works that have been published more recently which is disappointing.
Errors aside I loved that we got more development of Xiang Huaizhi’s character in this volume and will definitely be continuing the series with the hopes that the next book will be edited with more care.
Very early on in the book it states that “Lu Wenhao ogled the back of Lu Wenhao’s car as it drove out of the parking lot.” Lu Wenhao is not a clone, it was in fact Lu Hang’s car. I don’t see how mistakes like that are left unnoticed.
I’ve noticed that coming across many mistakes like this seems to be a trend with translated works that have been published more recently which is disappointing.
Errors aside I loved that we got more development of Xiang Huaizhi’s character in this volume and will definitely be continuing the series with the hopes that the next book will be edited with more care.
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.
April 13, 2026
I enjoyed the content of the book and seeing the relationship between Xiang Huaizhi and Jing Huan slowly blossom. Felt butterflies towards the end of the book.
However, I felt like there were a few typos in this book, which disrupted the flow.
Regardless, this was a good read and I look forward to reading the 3rd and 4th volumes in this series. :)
However, I felt like there were a few typos in this book, which disrupted the flow.
Regardless, this was a good read and I look forward to reading the 3rd and 4th volumes in this series. :)
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.
March 6, 2026
Why are some scenes kinda realistic? The chemistry is chemistry-ing!
May 10, 2026
besides the chapters being so long, I’m really enjoying this. their relationship development has been cute
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews