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Four-Faced Buddha
A trama segue a história de Fan Xiao, o herdeiro de um conglomerado tailandês, e You Shulang, um executivo de uma empresa, cujos caminhos se cruzam após um acidente de carro.
A partir desse encontro, a dinâmica entre os dois evolui de uma provocação fria para uma atração crescente. A situação se complica quando Fan Xiao começa a se aproximar de Lu Zhen, que é o parceiro de Shulang.
A partir desse encontro, a dinâmica entre os dois evolui de uma provocação fria para uma atração crescente. A situação se complica quando Fan Xiao começa a se aproximar de Lu Zhen, que é o parceiro de Shulang.
674 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 3, 2026
4.25 stars. 5 stars for the main couple but, the novel as a whole isn’t 5 stars because of the lack of an overarching plot, the side couples, and some repetitiveness at the end.
originally wanted to read this because i heard the gong was extremely toxic but, minus any noncon which really intrigued me. i expected this to be way more toxic so, my expectations fell short in that aspect but, it was also very enjoyable (and perhaps the gong was more understandable with because he wasn’t as bad as he could’ve been). still a pretty interesting dynamic between the two main characters that was pretty toxic and unhealthy (it works out for them though…) but, had plenty of angst alongside that to really satisfy me. only slight problem would be that there was a certain repetitiveness at the end with continuous reveals for actions that the gong did for the shou to show he’s actually not-that-bad of a person.
the main characters were likeable. i liked that the gong was scum but, it all stems from something so you can understand why he’s the way he is. and he actually goes through good character development. the shou doesn’t take anyone’s shit but, also is a tender and loving person which i loved. the author wrote a short note at the end of the main story explaining that the two are the way they are because of one critical turning point in their lives which changed how they perceived love and i found that interesting - the author really did try to delve into the psychological explanation behind their characters and it was done well.
side characters exist but, not anything really huge. i really wasn’t a fan of two side couples which slightly ruined my experience though. there was one that started off with rape and it was quite disgusting for me. they appear for a few chapters but, it was way too much more for me. the other one had one of the characters in the couple be a minor with the other being his former brother-in-law and i found that distasteful.
i read this really quickly and didn’t expect anything huge but, still found myself ending up quite moved. a great read.
you shulang smiled, meeting fan xiao's eyes, and spoke slowly: "you said we shouldn't decide life and death for others. but i believe that as long as someone is still alive, there will always be some person who tells them that this world isn't so bad after all—that it's actually quite beautiful."
his voice was deep, calm, and gentle, softly winding its way into the heart.
"so," fan xiao turned his gaze back to you shulang, "you're that person?"
"the one who tells me this world isn't so bad?"
originally wanted to read this because i heard the gong was extremely toxic but, minus any noncon which really intrigued me. i expected this to be way more toxic so, my expectations fell short in that aspect but, it was also very enjoyable (and perhaps the gong was more understandable with because he wasn’t as bad as he could’ve been). still a pretty interesting dynamic between the two main characters that was pretty toxic and unhealthy (it works out for them though…) but, had plenty of angst alongside that to really satisfy me. only slight problem would be that there was a certain repetitiveness at the end with continuous reveals for actions that the gong did for the shou to show he’s actually not-that-bad of a person.
the main characters were likeable. i liked that the gong was scum but, it all stems from something so you can understand why he’s the way he is. and he actually goes through good character development. the shou doesn’t take anyone’s shit but, also is a tender and loving person which i loved. the author wrote a short note at the end of the main story explaining that the two are the way they are because of one critical turning point in their lives which changed how they perceived love and i found that interesting - the author really did try to delve into the psychological explanation behind their characters and it was done well.
side characters exist but, not anything really huge. i really wasn’t a fan of two side couples which slightly ruined my experience though. there was one that started off with rape and it was quite disgusting for me. they appear for a few chapters but, it was way too much more for me. the other one had one of the characters in the couple be a minor with the other being his former brother-in-law and i found that distasteful.
i read this really quickly and didn’t expect anything huge but, still found myself ending up quite moved. a great read.
you shulang smiled, meeting fan xiao's eyes, and spoke slowly: "you said we shouldn't decide life and death for others. but i believe that as long as someone is still alive, there will always be some person who tells them that this world isn't so bad after all—that it's actually quite beautiful."
his voice was deep, calm, and gentle, softly winding its way into the heart.
"so," fan xiao turned his gaze back to you shulang, "you're that person?"
"the one who tells me this world isn't so bad?"
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Want to Read
April 28, 2026note: adding this to my tbr bc i watched the bl drama adaptation a few days ago (to my shore) and Fan Xiao and You Shulang are EVERYTHING to me. the drama is currently a tie with bad buddy for my favorite bl drama by far (ironic how both are exact opposites in tone though 😂) but i'm literally so in love with Fan Xiao's type of possessiveness towards You Shulang. 😭
February 13, 2026
🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
Red Flag central. Author has warnings. Translator has more warnings. Don’t ignore it to petty rate it.
To My Shore - drama
Translator: White Lotus - not completed
on Ch 114 - waiting extras
I’m really enjoying all the little author notes being translated at some of the ends of chapters. Mostly the author scolding her own crazy character, which in turn means she’s scolding herself? 😅 Ok course there’s FX breaking the third wall to make sure he’ll be back after not being mentioned for 2 chapters.
Ok this isn’t just a red flag it’s a black flag 🏴🏴🏴!
If you like Taxian-jun and Chu Wanning combo you’ll like this. Gotta hit rock bottom before there’s redemption. Never taught how to love. Steep learning curve.
Red Flag central. Author has warnings. Translator has more warnings. Don’t ignore it to petty rate it.
To My Shore - drama
Translator: White Lotus - not completed
on Ch 114 - waiting extras
I’m really enjoying all the little author notes being translated at some of the ends of chapters. Mostly the author scolding her own crazy character, which in turn means she’s scolding herself? 😅 Ok course there’s FX breaking the third wall to make sure he’ll be back after not being mentioned for 2 chapters.
Ok this isn’t just a red flag it’s a black flag 🏴🏴🏴!
If you like Taxian-jun and Chu Wanning combo you’ll like this. Gotta hit rock bottom before there’s redemption. Never taught how to love. Steep learning curve.
April 22, 2026
This was a really engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you liked any of the 188 series, you’ll definitely enjoy this one too.
January 1, 2026
Started strong, fizzled out once Fan Xiao lost his edge.
Let me preface this by saying that wife-chasing crematorium isn't exactly my favorite trope and I generally don't like redemption arcs. Seeing men groveling is deeply off-putting to me - I prefer my fictional evil bastards unrepentant. There's a reason Thousand Autumns is my favorite danmei, after all. Consequently, I struggled to stay engaged during Fan Xiao's redemption arc and had to constantly remind myself that karma and atonement are very much the central themes here - and, tbf, these themes are executed relatively well.
Two things work in the story's favor:
1) Both Fan Xiao and You Shulang stay consistent and plausible. In Fan Xiao's case that's often frustrating to read, but clinging to manipulation, schemes and compulsive lying as long as he does fits his character, and with stories like these, the frustration is kind of the point. I did prefer Fan Xiao the smooth manipulator to Fan Xiao the anxious lapdog, though. If you take away the manipulation, the scheming, the lying, if you pull off his mask, what do you even have left? A scared child.
2) Shulang isn't a pushover. He sets his boundaries. He pays back grievances. He's driven to the brink of despair, but he has the strength to pull himself up again. He also has the strength to forgive and keep loving. In the end, it doesn't matter if Fan Xiao "deserves" Shulang; he is the first person Shulang allows himself to be vulnerable with, the first person to make him feel less alone, probably also the first person to ever fully slate his physical desire. Lust is a major driving force in their relationship: lust and repressed desires jumpstart Fan Xiao's obsession with Shulang, lust and newly awakened or acknowledged desires lead Shulang to take a risk, to be unreasonable for the first time in his life.
(Btw, the drama tones down Fan Xiao's internalized homophobia a lot. Probably couldn't have him say all that on camera. Shulang is also less stoic, when in the novel his expressionless face is one of his most prominent features. An understandable change, given the drama lacks his internal monologue, so we have to actually see his emotional turmoil and anguish. I just wish I didn't have to see people calling him "whiny" and "whimpy". Or "weak". If there's anything he's not, it's weak.
They still did a terrific job adapting the novel, and ultimately this is the kind of story where I enjoy watching it more than reading it. Can't explain why, sometimes that's just how it is.)
White Lotus' fantranslation is lovely and reads very well. I wish official translations were on this level 😔
There's still some extras left, but those are mostly dogfood and, well - I'm here for the drama.
Edit 01/01: After lengthy discussions on- and offline about Buddhist influences, and coming to the conclusion that this is another story where one character could've chosen Enlightenment but chose human desire and attachment instead , I've changed the rating to 4 stars. It's too thematically rich to stick with a middling rating. Happy New Year!
Let me preface this by saying that wife-chasing crematorium isn't exactly my favorite trope and I generally don't like redemption arcs. Seeing men groveling is deeply off-putting to me - I prefer my fictional evil bastards unrepentant. There's a reason Thousand Autumns is my favorite danmei, after all. Consequently, I struggled to stay engaged during Fan Xiao's redemption arc and had to constantly remind myself that karma and atonement are very much the central themes here - and, tbf, these themes are executed relatively well.
Two things work in the story's favor:
1) Both Fan Xiao and You Shulang stay consistent and plausible. In Fan Xiao's case that's often frustrating to read, but clinging to manipulation, schemes and compulsive lying as long as he does fits his character, and with stories like these, the frustration is kind of the point. I did prefer Fan Xiao the smooth manipulator to Fan Xiao the anxious lapdog, though. If you take away the manipulation, the scheming, the lying, if you pull off his mask, what do you even have left? A scared child.
2) Shulang isn't a pushover. He sets his boundaries. He pays back grievances. He's driven to the brink of despair, but he has the strength to pull himself up again. He also has the strength to forgive and keep loving. In the end, it doesn't matter if Fan Xiao "deserves" Shulang; he is the first person Shulang allows himself to be vulnerable with, the first person to make him feel less alone, probably also the first person to ever fully slate his physical desire. Lust is a major driving force in their relationship: lust and repressed desires jumpstart Fan Xiao's obsession with Shulang, lust and newly awakened or acknowledged desires lead Shulang to take a risk, to be unreasonable for the first time in his life.
(Btw, the drama tones down Fan Xiao's internalized homophobia a lot. Probably couldn't have him say all that on camera. Shulang is also less stoic, when in the novel his expressionless face is one of his most prominent features. An understandable change, given the drama lacks his internal monologue, so we have to actually see his emotional turmoil and anguish. I just wish I didn't have to see people calling him "whiny" and "whimpy". Or "weak". If there's anything he's not, it's weak.
They still did a terrific job adapting the novel, and ultimately this is the kind of story where I enjoy watching it more than reading it. Can't explain why, sometimes that's just how it is.)
White Lotus' fantranslation is lovely and reads very well. I wish official translations were on this level 😔
There's still some extras left, but those are mostly dogfood and, well - I'm here for the drama.
Edit 01/01: After lengthy discussions on- and offline about Buddhist influences, and coming to the conclusion that this is another story where one character could've chosen Enlightenment but chose human desire and attachment instead , I've changed the rating to 4 stars. It's too thematically rich to stick with a middling rating. Happy New Year!
April 9, 2026
Read this twice while the show was airing. Love Fan Xiao and You Shulang 💕.
December 16, 2025
Yes! 10/10. This book had me stressed out, pulling out my hair.
January 11, 2026
Maybe more of a 3.5 but I had high hopes and my expectations weren't fulfilled. I really liked You Shulang as the shou, he was calm and collected and knew what he wanted. I liked the intensity and manipulation of the gong, Fan Xiao. But then the second part kind of fell flat. I wanted more active wife chasing
April 15, 2026
La moraleja es: ten cuidado al manejar porque podrías chocar con un lunático.
Fan Xiao es un peligro al volante pero You Shulang lo mantendrá controlado.
por muchos momentos odié a Fan Xiao, pero entiendo su psicología y por qué actúa de esa manera, algo que me pareció interesante.
Al igual que YS, yo también me harté cuando salían y salían personajes nuevos que querían enamorarlo. Pobre hombre, apenas iba recuperándose de semejante ex y todos querían un trozo de su galleta.
Lu Zhen, la gran víctima del love bombing. Merecías algo mejor, rey.
Fan Xiao es un peligro al volante pero You Shulang lo mantendrá controlado.
por muchos momentos odié a Fan Xiao, pero entiendo su psicología y por qué actúa de esa manera, algo que me pareció interesante.
Al igual que YS, yo también me harté cuando salían y salían personajes nuevos que querían enamorarlo. Pobre hombre, apenas iba recuperándose de semejante ex y todos querían un trozo de su galleta.
Lu Zhen, la gran víctima del love bombing. Merecías algo mejor, rey.
January 20, 2026
The book started out very strong but the later chapters after breakup and eventual redemption were a bit meandering when I read the book. The show, however, makes it significantly more clear, and ultimately made me believe FanXiao and YouShouLang are star crossed lovers and partners in crime. The book and show ultimately enhance either other’s enjoyment and has become probably the most memorable piece of entertainment I’ve come across in the last year.
December 28, 2025
fan xiao apologist until i die idgaf เขาเป็นเด็กดี
January 19, 2026
5/5
Espectacular. Totalmente toxico y adictivo ajaja
Espectacular. Totalmente toxico y adictivo ajaja
December 17, 2025
4.5*
I love character-driven stories and this novel really peaked in that department! Excellent character studies of both the ML and MC, who were perhaps the most interesting characters I've read in a long time (especially Fan Xiao), alongside a well-paced plot, this novel had me so hooked that it took me only a few days to fly through the whole thing.
The redemption arc was extremely satisfying to read, and made me scream in frustration and excitement so many times. The writing was surprisingly good too, I bookmarked an embarassing amount of pages to reread later (i guess i like dramatic stuff).
Ignoring a couple of danmei-specific issues, and even though it was a heavy read, I really enjoyed this book! I do recommend checking the trigger warnings before you decide to pick it up though!
I love character-driven stories and this novel really peaked in that department! Excellent character studies of both the ML and MC, who were perhaps the most interesting characters I've read in a long time (especially Fan Xiao), alongside a well-paced plot, this novel had me so hooked that it took me only a few days to fly through the whole thing.
The redemption arc was extremely satisfying to read, and made me scream in frustration and excitement so many times. The writing was surprisingly good too, I bookmarked an embarassing amount of pages to reread later (i guess i like dramatic stuff).
Ignoring a couple of danmei-specific issues, and even though it was a heavy read, I really enjoyed this book! I do recommend checking the trigger warnings before you decide to pick it up though!
March 4, 2026
This book is a chef's kiss 💋
They followed almost 90% of the original storyline in the show and it turned out good but the book was still better for me.
Now I know it has toxic characters and questionable situations but still the writing, the way it was presented and handled, everything made sense as to why the characters are like that.
They followed almost 90% of the original storyline in the show and it turned out good but the book was still better for me.
Now I know it has toxic characters and questionable situations but still the writing, the way it was presented and handled, everything made sense as to why the characters are like that.
December 6, 2025
4.25
(Kinda mad that they broke up and only got back together in the last 2 chapters)
(Kinda mad that they broke up and only got back together in the last 2 chapters)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews