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活受罪 [Living to Suffer]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 18, 2025
porn and tragedy don't really correlate in my head, and what I mean by that is when it's 70% sex and 30% plot (which is barely understandable)
so, let’s start with the plot I guess, for it would be the most boring and short section. the story follows Ch’in Ching, a doctor who, through sheer coincidence (or cruel fate), becomes the catalyst for everything good and bad that follows. Shen Liangsheng, a man by whose hands the said doctor is going to die. why? one can only hope to discover. the plot was so scattered and all over the place, with dialogues meant to clarify things only adding to the confusion. and if you think you’re lost, don’t worry - the author is too. at one point, they can’t seem to decide whether Huisheng is dead or just making an unexpected comeback, leaving us to wonder whether chapter 15 contradicts chapter 4 or if we’ve simply entered an alternate dimension.
now the characters. Shen Liangsheng was raised in his sect under the delightful motto: the sect is everything, you are nothing. leaving equals death, orders are to be followed without question, and free will is a myth he’s never been introduced to. Ch’in Ching, on the other hand, grew up with the comforting thought that his sole purpose in life was to eventually die for some grand cause. a match made in existential dread, truly. personally, I have not been able to find the reason why our doctor fell in love with Shen Liangsheng. perhaps he was looking for phantom protection and solace in him? wanted to let go of himself and his feelings? wanted to just forget himself in these feelings and get distracted? the possibilities are endless, but the reasoning remains elusive. I am aware that I am spoiled by slow burns and complex characters, but this was rather… flat. Ch’in Ching is suddenly in love with SL, which he never forgets to remind us multiple times per chapter. Shen Liangsheng is still an enigma to me, and not because he’s so charismatic or mysterious, but rather because I don’t know what the hell did the author want him to be. perhaps he’s meant to transcend human understanding.
if you exclude all the sex scenes, you'll barely scrape together enough plot for 5 chapters, generously. smut kicks in by chapter 3 and then never takes a break. I wish I were exaggerating, but no, some chapters are exclusively smut. and considering the novel only has 20 chapters total, that’s quite the ratio. however, if you squint and view this as a short prequel to the second part, I suppose it’s not the worst.
for the sake of everyone who got lost in the narrative as I, in fact, did myself, I gathered the most pressing questions regarding the plot. for you to answer, of course. please explain to me the moment with Ch’in Ching’s death. he must die in any case, regardless of whether he saves the world or becomes the end of it, awakening the demon. but if, being in the sect, he knows that after his death, a series of terrible events will follow, why doesn't he kill himself? what was the point of his teacher's efforts? and if his death brought peace, then what should it look like and what would the ritual look like in this case? what I gathered, poor Shen eventually realizes that Ch’in Ching had been leading him in circles from the start. in the end, Shen himself becomes the cause of his beloved’s death, something Ch’in Ching was actively orchestrating, despite supposedly loving life. Shen thinks that if he turned back time and died at the very beginning, Ch’in Ching would live.
ultimately in my opinion, this is very, very weak for a novel. more like a fanfic. not at all on par with other danmei that I read. I do hope the second part is way better. this is a one time story for me.
pre-read:
this is me before reading Living to Suffer!!🥰😊😇
so, let’s start with the plot I guess, for it would be the most boring and short section. the story follows Ch’in Ching, a doctor who, through sheer coincidence (or cruel fate), becomes the catalyst for everything good and bad that follows. Shen Liangsheng, a man by whose hands the said doctor is going to die. why? one can only hope to discover. the plot was so scattered and all over the place, with dialogues meant to clarify things only adding to the confusion. and if you think you’re lost, don’t worry - the author is too. at one point, they can’t seem to decide whether Huisheng is dead or just making an unexpected comeback, leaving us to wonder whether chapter 15 contradicts chapter 4 or if we’ve simply entered an alternate dimension.
now the characters. Shen Liangsheng was raised in his sect under the delightful motto: the sect is everything, you are nothing. leaving equals death, orders are to be followed without question, and free will is a myth he’s never been introduced to. Ch’in Ching, on the other hand, grew up with the comforting thought that his sole purpose in life was to eventually die for some grand cause. a match made in existential dread, truly. personally, I have not been able to find the reason why our doctor fell in love with Shen Liangsheng. perhaps he was looking for phantom protection and solace in him? wanted to let go of himself and his feelings? wanted to just forget himself in these feelings and get distracted? the possibilities are endless, but the reasoning remains elusive. I am aware that I am spoiled by slow burns and complex characters, but this was rather… flat. Ch’in Ching is suddenly in love with SL, which he never forgets to remind us multiple times per chapter. Shen Liangsheng is still an enigma to me, and not because he’s so charismatic or mysterious, but rather because I don’t know what the hell did the author want him to be. perhaps he’s meant to transcend human understanding.
if you exclude all the sex scenes, you'll barely scrape together enough plot for 5 chapters, generously. smut kicks in by chapter 3 and then never takes a break. I wish I were exaggerating, but no, some chapters are exclusively smut. and considering the novel only has 20 chapters total, that’s quite the ratio. however, if you squint and view this as a short prequel to the second part, I suppose it’s not the worst.
for the sake of everyone who got lost in the narrative as I, in fact, did myself, I gathered the most pressing questions regarding the plot. for you to answer, of course. please explain to me the moment with Ch’in Ching’s death. he must die in any case, regardless of whether he saves the world or becomes the end of it, awakening the demon. but if, being in the sect, he knows that after his death, a series of terrible events will follow, why doesn't he kill himself? what was the point of his teacher's efforts? and if his death brought peace, then what should it look like and what would the ritual look like in this case? what I gathered, poor Shen eventually realizes that Ch’in Ching had been leading him in circles from the start. in the end, Shen himself becomes the cause of his beloved’s death, something Ch’in Ching was actively orchestrating, despite supposedly loving life. Shen thinks that if he turned back time and died at the very beginning, Ch’in Ching would live.
ultimately in my opinion, this is very, very weak for a novel. more like a fanfic. not at all on par with other danmei that I read. I do hope the second part is way better. this is a one time story for me.
pre-read:
this is me before reading Living to Suffer!!🥰😊😇
April 9, 2021
Was I expecting a happy ending for this? This had "TRAGEDY" written in bold letters from its first sentence. The story itself was beautiful (albeit I felt some scenes were considerably long winded and too descriptive to my tastes but we did get a warning from the start after all.) and painted vivid picture in your imagination while reading it, some times a little too vivid. It is a relatively on the shorter side when it comes to the length of the novel so it can be read in a one or two sittings and you can easily breeze through.
In a way I was also expecting Shen-hufa to maybe have a change of heart in the end but still he stayed true to his martial practices till the end. He paid the price in his own way and the ending did bring a tear or two to my eyes.
Historical novels in my eyes are always beautiful. There is a bitter sweetness in all. The reminiscence of a time gone by, a look at the what-ifs, the touch of a maybes. They are all beautiful yet bitter sweet. A friend of mine recently said 'Love is just the sweetness of your emotion. You can use another person to stimulate that within you or you can just be loving on your own nature'. Those words really resonated with me while reading this novel. Also I know the person who said might read this review too so I hope you won't hold it against me for using your words here XD
As Chi'ching said in the end, who really said love and lust are of the same coin? For me it never was.
In a way I was also expecting Shen-hufa to maybe have a change of heart in the end but still he stayed true to his martial practices till the end. He paid the price in his own way and the ending did bring a tear or two to my eyes.
Historical novels in my eyes are always beautiful. There is a bitter sweetness in all. The reminiscence of a time gone by, a look at the what-ifs, the touch of a maybes. They are all beautiful yet bitter sweet. A friend of mine recently said 'Love is just the sweetness of your emotion. You can use another person to stimulate that within you or you can just be loving on your own nature'. Those words really resonated with me while reading this novel. Also I know the person who said might read this review too so I hope you won't hold it against me for using your words here XD
As Chi'ching said in the end, who really said love and lust are of the same coin? For me it never was.
September 11, 2025
4.0/5 🌟
Well, that was flippin sad—mean, in fact. Going into this, I knew that it was going to be an unhappy ending.
To me, this read like a poem. A story that could be told in a monologue. Poetic and beautiful filled with tragedy and tears. (With the exception of excessive smut smeared across the poetic canvas, lol)
The plot was very simple.
The story had an undertone of sadness because you could feel the impending doom.
You feel that no matter what, Qin Jing would not get the happy ending he so wanted. He felt fear of pain, he loved so hard, and with every fiber of his being, used his last wish to be satisfied with what he had; the little time he had left with Shen Liangsheng.
He reached enlightenment in his final moments.
And in his final moments, he breathed one last time the words, "I love you."
An Easter egg was placed in the beginning of the story, saying he won't be able to reincarnate, but because his enlightenment and because of Shen Liangsheng's actions of betraying his sect, whatever it was that the sect wanted, didn't come true.
Ashes were recovered; thus, hope was recovered.
I hope the sequel answers questions clearer. The plot was a bit confusing, and I still don't know what the sect wanted to do with the blood vessel. What was their roll? There was a demon at the end being blood letted on, but no true explanations were specified.
This last bit summarizes this story very well. The last three chapters made me cry. Despite the excessive use of smut, the physical intimacy was the way these two communicated their longing for one another. No words needed to be said by one because his attention and affection spoke louder than words, while he get showered by the other man's sweet nothings during love making. (or should I say baby making because goddamn... It was a lot lol)
Enjoy this beautiful quote from the end. Something about it just is ugh! Heart wrenching:
" 'I love you…Ah-Liang…I love you…'
'Do you really?'
Everything came to a standstill when he heard his own question. The sense of frustration dissipated with his words and was replaced by an inchoate fear.
He finally remembered. This was but a dream.
It was summertime in the dream. They had just met and were already converging in naked honesty.
Time had been reversed. Space had been altered. It was but a delusion.
And what was on his mind was merely the question:
'Do you really love me?'
'I love you, Shen Liangsheng.' Sure enough, the man gave him the one answer that he wanted.
.
.
.
Slowly but surely, dawn broke. Shen Liangsheng rose, dressed, did his hair, and opened his door to the final battle of his life.
'Forgive me, Ch’in Ching, for I cannot keep the promise I made.'
By the end of the battle, the Hsing Sect had mostly perished or surrendered. Perhaps there were a few who escaped, but they would not post a threat.
The two elders and four t’angchu had all died, leaving only Shen Liangsheng. Perhaps he could still escape, but he had no wish to do so.
'Not because I hate you, but because I found out after trying that I cannot.'
♡The radiant sun hung high in the sky, casting rays of heavenly principle. The mounting debt of blood and murder must be repaid.
Covered with wounds, Shen Liangsheng gripped his sword as skilled warriors surrounded him in a momentary deadlock.
As though sensing its owner’s intentions, the sword emitted a long, high-pitched shriek.
Not in protest but in heartbreak.
The sword was still crying with sorrow, but its owner smiled.♡
'You leave me with three words of ambiguity, but I will return three of sincerity.'
♡The summer shower had long ceased. The umbrella painted with inky reeds had long succumbed to the mud. Everything truly from the start had long been predestined.
But had he the power to reverse time, to return to that tiny cosmos, to look into those eyes once again, to hear the man ask him that question…
He would surely smile and tell him:♡
'Grant me death.' "
Well, that was flippin sad—mean, in fact. Going into this, I knew that it was going to be an unhappy ending.
To me, this read like a poem. A story that could be told in a monologue. Poetic and beautiful filled with tragedy and tears. (With the exception of excessive smut smeared across the poetic canvas, lol)
The plot was very simple.
The story had an undertone of sadness because you could feel the impending doom.
You feel that no matter what, Qin Jing would not get the happy ending he so wanted. He felt fear of pain, he loved so hard, and with every fiber of his being, used his last wish to be satisfied with what he had; the little time he had left with Shen Liangsheng.
He reached enlightenment in his final moments.
And in his final moments, he breathed one last time the words, "I love you."
An Easter egg was placed in the beginning of the story, saying he won't be able to reincarnate, but because his enlightenment and because of Shen Liangsheng's actions of betraying his sect, whatever it was that the sect wanted, didn't come true.
Ashes were recovered; thus, hope was recovered.
I hope the sequel answers questions clearer. The plot was a bit confusing, and I still don't know what the sect wanted to do with the blood vessel. What was their roll? There was a demon at the end being blood letted on, but no true explanations were specified.
This last bit summarizes this story very well. The last three chapters made me cry. Despite the excessive use of smut, the physical intimacy was the way these two communicated their longing for one another. No words needed to be said by one because his attention and affection spoke louder than words, while he get showered by the other man's sweet nothings during love making. (or should I say baby making because goddamn... It was a lot lol)
Enjoy this beautiful quote from the end. Something about it just is ugh! Heart wrenching:
" 'I love you…Ah-Liang…I love you…'
'Do you really?'
Everything came to a standstill when he heard his own question. The sense of frustration dissipated with his words and was replaced by an inchoate fear.
He finally remembered. This was but a dream.
It was summertime in the dream. They had just met and were already converging in naked honesty.
Time had been reversed. Space had been altered. It was but a delusion.
And what was on his mind was merely the question:
'Do you really love me?'
'I love you, Shen Liangsheng.' Sure enough, the man gave him the one answer that he wanted.
.
.
.
Slowly but surely, dawn broke. Shen Liangsheng rose, dressed, did his hair, and opened his door to the final battle of his life.
'Forgive me, Ch’in Ching, for I cannot keep the promise I made.'
By the end of the battle, the Hsing Sect had mostly perished or surrendered. Perhaps there were a few who escaped, but they would not post a threat.
The two elders and four t’angchu had all died, leaving only Shen Liangsheng. Perhaps he could still escape, but he had no wish to do so.
'Not because I hate you, but because I found out after trying that I cannot.'
♡The radiant sun hung high in the sky, casting rays of heavenly principle. The mounting debt of blood and murder must be repaid.
Covered with wounds, Shen Liangsheng gripped his sword as skilled warriors surrounded him in a momentary deadlock.
As though sensing its owner’s intentions, the sword emitted a long, high-pitched shriek.
Not in protest but in heartbreak.
The sword was still crying with sorrow, but its owner smiled.♡
'You leave me with three words of ambiguity, but I will return three of sincerity.'
♡The summer shower had long ceased. The umbrella painted with inky reeds had long succumbed to the mud. Everything truly from the start had long been predestined.
But had he the power to reverse time, to return to that tiny cosmos, to look into those eyes once again, to hear the man ask him that question…
He would surely smile and tell him:♡
'Grant me death.' "
September 22, 2025
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
This was really beautiful.... tragic but beautiful. 🥹 I didn't have a clear impression of the time and setting... but I felt a lot for Ch'in Ching and Shen Liangsheng - an ill-fated romance that was predestined for a tragic ending. What could be more unfortunate to save the hufa of the demonic sect and then fall in love with the very person you were preordained to be the catalyst of his destruction? Your very existence molded to be the eventual vessel of a demonic spirit with no other meaning to your life than Living to Suffer? 💔💔
Every encounter, every interaction, every exchange carried an air of wistful yearning. One where I visibly ached with how intent and somehow pure Chi'in Ching's feelings were for that hardened and closed-off Shen Liangsheng, even though he knew his earnest confessions were futile, he still could not resist the temptation of expressing 'since I love you so, I wonder if you also love me, too. 🥺🥺 How they both fed upon their desires as if it was their one and only chance to be together, not knowing that fate's wheels were already in motion that perhaps set the stage that their souls would be reunited once more.
“Like what?”
“Holding a torch against the wind.”
“How so?”
“The flame burns my hand, yet I cannot let go.”
Their physical intimacy had this veneer of sadness and repressed longing - on both parts; one where it felt they were both unable to express how their intentions and feelings were now one - one where it hurt to know how they could be together. Not rejecting him meant silent permission. Not killing him meant he wanted the man to live. 😢 And yet, could not; it's something more heartbreaking than star-crossed lovers, rather a love doomed right from the start.
But trust me, their chemistry was not at all that pure! 😅 I mean, phew, that Shen Liangsheng did not hold back getting down and dirty. Not that Chi'in Ching had anything to complain about. 😏 It never felt lustful or distasteful, though; or gratuitous. It was passionate, but still at times so earnest, gentle; as if they knew they were living on borrowed time, and trying desperately to make the most of it, in the most creative of ways, that is.❤️🔥❤️🔥
“Desire is illusion; if you cannot let it go, you must suffer.
How true.
But Shen Liangsheng, what do you think it is I truly desire?”
I struggled a bit with understanding the plot; it was a bit ambiguous and certain aspects didn't quite seem fleshed out and left me confused and wanting to understand it better. But, I think that had to do with my own naïveté and inexperience with danmei that I was unable to get a real handle on the blood vessel reincarnation aspect, where it was taking place, time period, etc. A quick Google search helped me out with that, but it definitely made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself into the story. 🙎🏻♀️
Still, the fan translator did a lovely job with the writing. 🤌🏻 Writing that carried a touch of lyrical poetry in this gentle cadence in which the two of them danced around their feelings, somehow refusing to acknowledge that this passion was fleeting - not by their own choice, but being together was. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 Only the hearts of those who love you wholeheartedly would ache for you. There was a fluidity to it that evoked so many feelings, one where I desperately hoped Chi'in Ching got the happy ending he so very deserved.
“You and I will end only when death parts us.”
Those final chapters leading up to their eventual 'stand-off' was an emotional build-up that quietly captured the sorrowful angst of when they inevitably would have to part in the most destructive and painful of ways and for the wheels of destiny to fall into place. We get that rare glimpse into the soul that Shen Liangsheng refused to show; one that captured that what they had was never one-sided, that he had the power to reverse time, that Chi'in Ching's love had not been in vain. ⏳💘
“Do you know that every time I see you, it’s like seeing the end to my life, but I don’t want to let go exactly because of that.”
This was really beautiful.... tragic but beautiful. 🥹 I didn't have a clear impression of the time and setting... but I felt a lot for Ch'in Ching and Shen Liangsheng - an ill-fated romance that was predestined for a tragic ending. What could be more unfortunate to save the hufa of the demonic sect and then fall in love with the very person you were preordained to be the catalyst of his destruction? Your very existence molded to be the eventual vessel of a demonic spirit with no other meaning to your life than Living to Suffer? 💔💔
Every encounter, every interaction, every exchange carried an air of wistful yearning. One where I visibly ached with how intent and somehow pure Chi'in Ching's feelings were for that hardened and closed-off Shen Liangsheng, even though he knew his earnest confessions were futile, he still could not resist the temptation of expressing 'since I love you so, I wonder if you also love me, too. 🥺🥺 How they both fed upon their desires as if it was their one and only chance to be together, not knowing that fate's wheels were already in motion that perhaps set the stage that their souls would be reunited once more.
“Like what?”
“Holding a torch against the wind.”
“How so?”
“The flame burns my hand, yet I cannot let go.”
Their physical intimacy had this veneer of sadness and repressed longing - on both parts; one where it felt they were both unable to express how their intentions and feelings were now one - one where it hurt to know how they could be together. Not rejecting him meant silent permission. Not killing him meant he wanted the man to live. 😢 And yet, could not; it's something more heartbreaking than star-crossed lovers, rather a love doomed right from the start.
But trust me, their chemistry was not at all that pure! 😅 I mean, phew, that Shen Liangsheng did not hold back getting down and dirty. Not that Chi'in Ching had anything to complain about. 😏 It never felt lustful or distasteful, though; or gratuitous. It was passionate, but still at times so earnest, gentle; as if they knew they were living on borrowed time, and trying desperately to make the most of it, in the most creative of ways, that is.❤️🔥❤️🔥
“Desire is illusion; if you cannot let it go, you must suffer.
How true.
But Shen Liangsheng, what do you think it is I truly desire?”
I struggled a bit with understanding the plot; it was a bit ambiguous and certain aspects didn't quite seem fleshed out and left me confused and wanting to understand it better. But, I think that had to do with my own naïveté and inexperience with danmei that I was unable to get a real handle on the blood vessel reincarnation aspect, where it was taking place, time period, etc. A quick Google search helped me out with that, but it definitely made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself into the story. 🙎🏻♀️
Still, the fan translator did a lovely job with the writing. 🤌🏻 Writing that carried a touch of lyrical poetry in this gentle cadence in which the two of them danced around their feelings, somehow refusing to acknowledge that this passion was fleeting - not by their own choice, but being together was. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 Only the hearts of those who love you wholeheartedly would ache for you. There was a fluidity to it that evoked so many feelings, one where I desperately hoped Chi'in Ching got the happy ending he so very deserved.
“You and I will end only when death parts us.”
Those final chapters leading up to their eventual 'stand-off' was an emotional build-up that quietly captured the sorrowful angst of when they inevitably would have to part in the most destructive and painful of ways and for the wheels of destiny to fall into place. We get that rare glimpse into the soul that Shen Liangsheng refused to show; one that captured that what they had was never one-sided, that he had the power to reverse time, that Chi'in Ching's love had not been in vain. ⏳💘
October 18, 2025
I started to lose interest around 40% (and it’s a short book, so that’s not even far in) because it felt like I was watching a series but had somehow missed an entire season. Yes, I witnessed the main characters’ first meeting, but everything happened so fast.
Either something was painfully obvious and I just missed it, or… I don’t know, I’m simply not feeling this book. Person A meets Person B, and two chapters later they’re already sleeping together. Instead of endless sex scenes, how about a little nervous sweating from a glance first? Let me live their love! Build it up, make me ache for it then, sure, spam the book with intimacy, I won’t complain.
But I didn’t sign up for written porn with no emotional buildup. I pushed myself to keep reading because it’s short, but honestly, after 40%, I started skimming. The emotional connection just never landed.
Either something was painfully obvious and I just missed it, or… I don’t know, I’m simply not feeling this book. Person A meets Person B, and two chapters later they’re already sleeping together. Instead of endless sex scenes, how about a little nervous sweating from a glance first? Let me live their love! Build it up, make me ache for it then, sure, spam the book with intimacy, I won’t complain.
But I didn’t sign up for written porn with no emotional buildup. I pushed myself to keep reading because it’s short, but honestly, after 40%, I started skimming. The emotional connection just never landed.
September 5, 2025
The writing is certainly beautiful, draws you in with the intense chemistry and tension. But the characterization is rushed, it doesn't allow you to trust the characters and their actions nor does it have a gradual development of the plot. I enjoyed the purple prose but the actual plot barely makes up 5 chapters.
3/5 🌟
3/5 🌟
January 24, 2024
4.5⭐️ - A beautifully tragic story.
I love Shen Liangsheng’s character development so much! You can watch this ice statue slowly thawing and warming up, finally even bantering along with Ch’in Ching.
And I applaud the author’s ability to write so many “car” scenes. (Is it me, or has the winter suddenly become too hot? 🥵🔥)
A minor complaint is that CC’s process of falling in love was too abrupt for my liking, and his continuously saying ‘I love you’ in the beginning made it seem cheesy (although I came to appreciate the meaning towards the ending).
I love Shen Liangsheng’s character development so much! You can watch this ice statue slowly thawing and warming up, finally even bantering along with Ch’in Ching.
And I applaud the author’s ability to write so many “car” scenes. (Is it me, or has the winter suddenly become too hot? 🥵🔥)
A minor complaint is that CC’s process of falling in love was too abrupt for my liking, and his continuously saying ‘I love you’ in the beginning made it seem cheesy (although I came to appreciate the meaning towards the ending).
December 23, 2022
DNF at 45%
(this review contains spoilers)
i think i’m on a cycle with no apparent end. every single time i read something that i like, the follow up is just awful? if any of you have any tips on how to stop finding bad books, please send them in. i’m desperate..
this novel was bad. really really bad. i literally hate the way the characters were fetishized. there were so many messed up tropes here and i hated it. so much. there’s also no plot. nothing happens. i’m not exaggerating. what i gathered is the following: A meets B, A falls in love with B instantly, the two meet a second time, they fuck, A says to B that he loves him, they fuck again. this is what happens in the first half of the novel. i’m not making this up, i swear. these characters meet once (1), talk once (1), and they are already in love?? they have no depth at all. it’s as if they are props in the hands of the author.
i also had issues with the writing (i don’t know if that has to do with me, the author, or the translation. i guess we’ll never know). i do not enjoy this particular way of writing. it’s confusing and it feels scattered. not only was i unable to enjoy this novel, but i found the writing to be absolutely ridiculous at points. what are these characters trying to say? it’s so confusing that even in the notes of the translations, the translator themselves had to explain to some readers what the author was trying to say..
i think i wanted something else from this book, that’s why i’m so fucking disappointed. i thought this was going to be a great short novel thats ends with a tragedy (that’s the summary), but it’s basically only smut. there’s no story, no character growth, no emotion can be felt between the two main characters. i think it’s really difficult to find web novels where lgbtq+ characters aren’t fetishized & treated like absolute shit. i think i’m just gonna start reading more lgbtq+ positive books / own voices stories and give up on web novels for a while. i want to see more positive rep! if you have any recs send them in!! (even non-fiction).
i felt so uncomfortable reading this. definitely a skip. wouldn’t recommend it to anyone..
content warnings: explicit sexual content!! also bad lgbtq+ rep. from what i gathered after reading a few reviews one of the main characters dies. there’s also a lot of sexual violence. that’s all i know !
(this review contains spoilers)
i think i’m on a cycle with no apparent end. every single time i read something that i like, the follow up is just awful? if any of you have any tips on how to stop finding bad books, please send them in. i’m desperate..
this novel was bad. really really bad. i literally hate the way the characters were fetishized. there were so many messed up tropes here and i hated it. so much. there’s also no plot. nothing happens. i’m not exaggerating. what i gathered is the following: A meets B, A falls in love with B instantly, the two meet a second time, they fuck, A says to B that he loves him, they fuck again. this is what happens in the first half of the novel. i’m not making this up, i swear. these characters meet once (1), talk once (1), and they are already in love?? they have no depth at all. it’s as if they are props in the hands of the author.
i also had issues with the writing (i don’t know if that has to do with me, the author, or the translation. i guess we’ll never know). i do not enjoy this particular way of writing. it’s confusing and it feels scattered. not only was i unable to enjoy this novel, but i found the writing to be absolutely ridiculous at points. what are these characters trying to say? it’s so confusing that even in the notes of the translations, the translator themselves had to explain to some readers what the author was trying to say..
i think i wanted something else from this book, that’s why i’m so fucking disappointed. i thought this was going to be a great short novel thats ends with a tragedy (that’s the summary), but it’s basically only smut. there’s no story, no character growth, no emotion can be felt between the two main characters. i think it’s really difficult to find web novels where lgbtq+ characters aren’t fetishized & treated like absolute shit. i think i’m just gonna start reading more lgbtq+ positive books / own voices stories and give up on web novels for a while. i want to see more positive rep! if you have any recs send them in!! (even non-fiction).
i felt so uncomfortable reading this. definitely a skip. wouldn’t recommend it to anyone..
content warnings: explicit sexual content!! also bad lgbtq+ rep. from what i gathered after reading a few reviews one of the main characters dies. there’s also a lot of sexual violence. that’s all i know !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2020
Also knows as "Living to Suffer", this novel is absolutely beautifully written, and the translators did an amazing job of presenting it (I believe they even have a pdf you can download!) for English readers.
This is a very short novel and please beware, it is tagged a Tragedy (on Novel Updates) for a reason.
The author, Tangstory is brilliant at weaving characters who you want to love and ultimately can feel the doom gathering on their horizons, and it hurts man!
This story also pairs well with its "sequel" of sorts, "Till Death do Us Part" who features the "same" couple reincarnated. So check that out if you have a chance!
This is a very short novel and please beware, it is tagged a Tragedy (on Novel Updates) for a reason.
The author, Tangstory is brilliant at weaving characters who you want to love and ultimately can feel the doom gathering on their horizons, and it hurts man!
This story also pairs well with its "sequel" of sorts, "Till Death do Us Part" who features the "same" couple reincarnated. So check that out if you have a chance!
May 27, 2022
… Man.
So I didn’t feel very sad and I didn’t cry, but the writing was beautiful and left a melancholy ache. I actually didn’t expect to rate this five stars, because it’s way more explicit than my usual taste, but the tone, subtlety, and length were all just right and the combination felt too exquisite to rate only four stars.
So I didn’t feel very sad and I didn’t cry, but the writing was beautiful and left a melancholy ache. I actually didn’t expect to rate this five stars, because it’s way more explicit than my usual taste, but the tone, subtlety, and length were all just right and the combination felt too exquisite to rate only four stars.
August 12, 2021
Actual rating: 4/5
“Someone once said that a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.”
My personal worst but accurate way to summarise this book:
A gambling addict with a heart condition falls in love with an emotionless killer, who is little more but a weapon to his clan.
But in all seriousness now, this story is dark, tragic and somehow bittersweet.
Objectively speaking, this book has a lot of flaws, not just content wise but also execution wise. The plot was intriguing but could have been laid out more elegantly, the relationship and feelings from Qin Ching’s perspective could have been given better justification and more detail and so on but despite all its problems I somehow enjoyed it a lot regardless. (And I promise it is not just the sex scenes, they weren’t even that spectacular if frequently present).
Since it’s a very short book (compared to the 1000 page average that you usually see for Danmei novels), I was frequently wishing for it to be longer. I wanted more, more world building, more information, more detail but the story is very much zoomed in on our two protagonists. While this was odd and a bit unsatisfying at first, probably because I am used to these excessively long books, I got used to it and started appreciating it rather quickly.
This is not a complex story that spawns decades, our characters know everything already and we are left to figure it out. In fact, it is so vague at times that it leaves a lot open for interpretation (assuming this is not just a translation issue, which btw is surprisingly well done for such an unknown story). At times, I can appreciate this and at times I don’t. I did appreciate it here.
What I liked most was the most central part of the book and hence the high rating despite all the flaws. I loved the characters. They are flawed in a way that makes them feel human and unique. It is all too often I find characters in romance novels (or novels in general) to be just too perfect or they will become perfect by the end of the book. Not those two. I really enjoyed the short time we got to know them here and I will be moving on to the sequel next.
So, if you don’t like painful books, sad books, questionable smut and vague world-building, give this a miss. But as I said when I started it: I have not found a book with a title that seems to describe my reading tastes better than this title. And if you like something like, let’s say 2ha, then what are you waiting for.
“Someone once said that a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.”
My personal worst but accurate way to summarise this book:
A gambling addict with a heart condition falls in love with an emotionless killer, who is little more but a weapon to his clan.
But in all seriousness now, this story is dark, tragic and somehow bittersweet.
Objectively speaking, this book has a lot of flaws, not just content wise but also execution wise. The plot was intriguing but could have been laid out more elegantly, the relationship and feelings from Qin Ching’s perspective could have been given better justification and more detail and so on but despite all its problems I somehow enjoyed it a lot regardless. (And I promise it is not just the sex scenes, they weren’t even that spectacular if frequently present).
Since it’s a very short book (compared to the 1000 page average that you usually see for Danmei novels), I was frequently wishing for it to be longer. I wanted more, more world building, more information, more detail but the story is very much zoomed in on our two protagonists. While this was odd and a bit unsatisfying at first, probably because I am used to these excessively long books, I got used to it and started appreciating it rather quickly.
This is not a complex story that spawns decades, our characters know everything already and we are left to figure it out. In fact, it is so vague at times that it leaves a lot open for interpretation (assuming this is not just a translation issue, which btw is surprisingly well done for such an unknown story). At times, I can appreciate this and at times I don’t. I did appreciate it here.
What I liked most was the most central part of the book and hence the high rating despite all the flaws. I loved the characters. They are flawed in a way that makes them feel human and unique. It is all too often I find characters in romance novels (or novels in general) to be just too perfect or they will become perfect by the end of the book. Not those two. I really enjoyed the short time we got to know them here and I will be moving on to the sequel next.
So, if you don’t like painful books, sad books, questionable smut and vague world-building, give this a miss. But as I said when I started it: I have not found a book with a title that seems to describe my reading tastes better than this title. And if you like something like, let’s say 2ha, then what are you waiting for.
April 8, 2024
1.5 - this is the horniest book I've ever read, bc that's really all that happens. the mcs are as flat as cardboard, lifeless and dry. like if you just wanna fuck each other then do it. don't add constant "I love you"s in between to make it seem like there was actually some development that made them feel this way.
that one translation note saying how the author mixed up the names of the character they killed before tells me they really didn't care about the story and really wanted to write smut.
the writing was also so choppy and some dialogues and conversations were so incoherent. I felt like I was in a fever dream sometimes.
that one translation note saying how the author mixed up the names of the character they killed before tells me they really didn't care about the story and really wanted to write smut.
the writing was also so choppy and some dialogues and conversations were so incoherent. I felt like I was in a fever dream sometimes.
September 29, 2022
It started off as a fast-paced romance with a lot of bed scenes written with perverted details. The novel was written so nicely. I can feel their love for each other as I read through their bed scenes. So sweet yet so torturous. And the conversations that took place between the ML and MC were so funny I couldn’t stop laughing. But it suddenly plunge your emotions from the top of the mountain, slowly down the cliff and in the end reaching the bottom of the abyss. I was in tears for three chapters straight. My heart is in so much pain, I just want to hurry up and read the sequel, Till Death Do Us Part. Despite the angst, Living To Suffer is a BE danmei that I approve of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2021
3.5
Al principio no entendía nada de lo que estaba pasando (sobre la trama, que novedad jajajaj), pero no quise buscar reseñas por miedo a spoilearme aunque ya sabía como iba a terminar todo.
Fue una historia triste, ya estaba todo decidido desde el inicio, uno de ellos lo sabía y el otro lo tuvo que averiguar al final. No intentaron cambiar nada, sólo siguieron adelante.
"Rest assured, Shen Liangsheng…You and I will end only when death parts us."
Al principio no entendía nada de lo que estaba pasando (sobre la trama, que novedad jajajaj), pero no quise buscar reseñas por miedo a spoilearme aunque ya sabía como iba a terminar todo.
Fue una historia triste, ya estaba todo decidido desde el inicio, uno de ellos lo sabía y el otro lo tuvo que averiguar al final. No intentaron cambiar nada, sólo siguieron adelante.
"Rest assured, Shen Liangsheng…You and I will end only when death parts us."
February 12, 2022
honestly i was not expecting what i read i couldn't even get through the whole novel it was confusing and plot-less lmao
July 27, 2025
Beautiful prose and very mature storytelling. Frankly, I think a lot of the low reviews are people who just can't read in between the lines and interpret motive/emotions based off of context. This isn't a self-insert romance. Tangstory is a very deliberate writer and wants you to empathize with two characters in violent circumstances you cannot relate to.
There is a lot of sex--not usually my thing but it makes sense in this story and doesn't feel inorganic or too gratuitous, imo.
There is a lot of sex--not usually my thing but it makes sense in this story and doesn't feel inorganic or too gratuitous, imo.
March 30, 2021
༼;´༎ຶ ༎ຶ༽
La novela debería llamarse "Reading to suffer" ;)))
Nah, en realidad no ha sido uno de los libros más tristes que haya leído.
"After the night is over, when the water lowers and the rocks appear, I pray that you will recall your every word today.
And I pray you will remember forever what you feel in that moment"
En un principio no entendía nada. Sin embargo, en cada capítulo se va revelando cosas, por muy pequeñas que sean. Por eso, prestar atención a lo que piensen y digan los personajes es muy importante.
Lo anterior es una de las cosas que me encantó, así como me impresionó que Tangstory haya logrado en los pocos 20 capítulos de la novela: desarrollar con buen ritmo la historia y manejar muy bien las interrogantes.
Además, la manera en la que está escrita es atrapante, concisa, intrincada, con una prosa hermosa, llena de metáforas y alusiones a poemas.
Ahora, Ching y Shen...ಥ‿ಥ
Me gustó mucho la complejidad, sus dinámicas y personalidad de cada uno.
✩Mención especial al desarrollo de Shen👌
Por otro lado, sabía que era una tragedia, por lo que ya estaba medio preparada mentalmente. Aún así 🤡
La mayoría de las veces, luego de terminar un capítulo, sentía una sensación agridulce. Feliz de los momentos entre la pareja, como triste por el inminente final que sabes que ocurrirá (otra cosa que me encantó) También, los comentarios de Ching... mi kokoro se agrietaba cada vez.
El final!!!!! El indicado. Para mí, el clímax de lo triste de toda la novela (el sueño de Shen y su realización de que no puede cumplir la promesa de Ching, todo ಥ‿ಥ )
"It should have been the meeting between hatred and resentment, but now it turned into a parting between lovers"
La novela debería llamarse "Reading to suffer" ;)))
Nah, en realidad no ha sido uno de los libros más tristes que haya leído.
"After the night is over, when the water lowers and the rocks appear, I pray that you will recall your every word today.
And I pray you will remember forever what you feel in that moment"
En un principio no entendía nada. Sin embargo, en cada capítulo se va revelando cosas, por muy pequeñas que sean. Por eso, prestar atención a lo que piensen y digan los personajes es muy importante.
Lo anterior es una de las cosas que me encantó, así como me impresionó que Tangstory haya logrado en los pocos 20 capítulos de la novela: desarrollar con buen ritmo la historia y manejar muy bien las interrogantes.
Además, la manera en la que está escrita es atrapante, concisa, intrincada, con una prosa hermosa, llena de metáforas y alusiones a poemas.
Ahora, Ching y Shen...ಥ‿ಥ
Me gustó mucho la complejidad, sus dinámicas y personalidad de cada uno.
✩Mención especial al desarrollo de Shen👌
Por otro lado, sabía que era una tragedia, por lo que ya estaba medio preparada mentalmente. Aún así 🤡
La mayoría de las veces, luego de terminar un capítulo, sentía una sensación agridulce. Feliz de los momentos entre la pareja, como triste por el inminente final que sabes que ocurrirá (otra cosa que me encantó) También, los comentarios de Ching... mi kokoro se agrietaba cada vez.
El final!!!!! El indicado. Para mí, el clímax de lo triste de toda la novela (el sueño de Shen y su realización de que no puede cumplir la promesa de Ching, todo ಥ‿ಥ )
"It should have been the meeting between hatred and resentment, but now it turned into a parting between lovers"
August 5, 2025
i dont think i understood 70% of the plot
August 3, 2020
WOW that was sad
-i was pretty unfamiliar with the setting/context so the plot definitely went a little over my head so i need to re-read at some point, but that's fine bc it was enjoyable anyway
-more tragic than i was expecting. i actually teared up, which is a rarity
-i don't usually enjoy tragedies, but i hear the sequel has a happy ending so i'm holding out hope. in any case, this was quite well done and took me through the full range of emotions that a tragedy should
-good smut. 10/10.
i think i'm still trying to process this overall but i very much enjoyed it and it has not left my head, so. 4/5 stars.
-i was pretty unfamiliar with the setting/context so the plot definitely went a little over my head so i need to re-read at some point, but that's fine bc it was enjoyable anyway
-more tragic than i was expecting. i actually teared up, which is a rarity
-i don't usually enjoy tragedies, but i hear the sequel has a happy ending so i'm holding out hope. in any case, this was quite well done and took me through the full range of emotions that a tragedy should
-good smut. 10/10.
i think i'm still trying to process this overall but i very much enjoyed it and it has not left my head, so. 4/5 stars.
December 28, 2022
Damn!
Did I cry? you bet I did.
This is the kind of book that, albeit being far from perfect, has made dents in my heart. Did I miss the grandiose plot settings common to most serialised Danmei novels? Yes. The intricacies of tales like Erha, YuWu, QJJ, TGCF, MDZS help give the characters layer after layer of development - though this isn't necessary, there are many other ways to make a character whole and well-rounded even without the use of many words, just read Agatha Christie's The Hollow for the perfect example. Those long tales also add interest to the main story with their side characters and events, and some are full of historical pearls of knowledge that will make them all the more interesting. For me, that is paramount with Danmei - long stories with intricate plots and a whole lot of things going on, most of them rather political, with a study of human nature weaved into the chapters. Living to Suffer does not give you that density of writing and that thick, heavy plot. The study of human nature is still there, but it's not blatant or in your face - it rests on the outskirts of your perception, and you imbibe it along with the romance, which seems (albeit uncorrectly) to be the sole driving force of this tale. It is not so. I don't even think there's much romance in those pages. It's a tale of lust and sexual discovery, arousal and obsession. Some bits read like erotica, and I was taken back to my days of reading Anaïs Nïn, the feeling was the same. If you dislike explicit sex scenes and smut, give this one a wide berth - there's a lot of it. If you dislike relationships that are based on carnality, sensuality, physical attraction and pleasure, please, don't waste your time reading this.
And yet, in between the two MCs passionate bed antics, there is so much to be found, so much that is given away in such subtle manners. Who is the weak one, who is the strong? You'll face this question when you get to the end. The usual - very annoying, imo - Danmei narrative where one of the MCs is the weaker of the two, the subsmissive in bed, the one whose pleasure must be always, always connected and dependant of pain, gets subervet here, in such a way that it was only when I finished and paused to think about it that I suddenly had a bit of an AHA moment. Obviously one reader's interpretation of this tale will differ from the next reader - I chose to see it this way.
It's not an epic, like the Danmei I mentioned earlier, but it's beautifully written and it was a really beautiful tale.
Did I cry? you bet I did.
This is the kind of book that, albeit being far from perfect, has made dents in my heart. Did I miss the grandiose plot settings common to most serialised Danmei novels? Yes. The intricacies of tales like Erha, YuWu, QJJ, TGCF, MDZS help give the characters layer after layer of development - though this isn't necessary, there are many other ways to make a character whole and well-rounded even without the use of many words, just read Agatha Christie's The Hollow for the perfect example. Those long tales also add interest to the main story with their side characters and events, and some are full of historical pearls of knowledge that will make them all the more interesting. For me, that is paramount with Danmei - long stories with intricate plots and a whole lot of things going on, most of them rather political, with a study of human nature weaved into the chapters. Living to Suffer does not give you that density of writing and that thick, heavy plot. The study of human nature is still there, but it's not blatant or in your face - it rests on the outskirts of your perception, and you imbibe it along with the romance, which seems (albeit uncorrectly) to be the sole driving force of this tale. It is not so. I don't even think there's much romance in those pages. It's a tale of lust and sexual discovery, arousal and obsession. Some bits read like erotica, and I was taken back to my days of reading Anaïs Nïn, the feeling was the same. If you dislike explicit sex scenes and smut, give this one a wide berth - there's a lot of it. If you dislike relationships that are based on carnality, sensuality, physical attraction and pleasure, please, don't waste your time reading this.
And yet, in between the two MCs passionate bed antics, there is so much to be found, so much that is given away in such subtle manners. Who is the weak one, who is the strong? You'll face this question when you get to the end. The usual - very annoying, imo - Danmei narrative where one of the MCs is the weaker of the two, the subsmissive in bed, the one whose pleasure must be always, always connected and dependant of pain, gets subervet here, in such a way that it was only when I finished and paused to think about it that I suddenly had a bit of an AHA moment. Obviously one reader's interpretation of this tale will differ from the next reader - I chose to see it this way.
It's not an epic, like the Danmei I mentioned earlier, but it's beautifully written and it was a really beautiful tale.
October 11, 2024
The meeting of Ch’in Ching (MC) and Shen Liangsheng (ML) had been predetermined by fate - one was to die by the other’s hands. Going in, I knew that this would be a BE but the unexpected sweetness that bloomed between the characters made the angst hurt so good. CC was more honest about his feelings for SLS because he had nothing to lose, he had known since he was a child that he was born to die and that he was living to suffer before his end. And it was his earnestness that moved SLS, although neither of them could change his destiny.
To be honest I found the development of their relationship a little confusing at first but in hindsight it made more sense to me. CC had never deprived himself from his pursuit of beauty and lust, and although it started out this way with SLS, it evolved into something more as they spent more time together and even got into an intimate relationship. SLS on the other hand was the complete opposite, his heart had always been steady, not once was it stirred by emotions, but interestingly, he was always seeking CC out and it was too late when he realised how he truly felt about CC. It was quite sad and even though they couldn’t be together in the end and CC never learned of SLS’s feelings, it was also a fitting ending.
The below is one of my favourite lines in the novel because it comes full circle from the moment they met until their ends:
"You leave me with three words of ambiguity, but I will return three of sincerity."
The summer shower had long ceased. The umbrella painted with inky reeds had long succumbed to the mud. Everything truly from the start had long been predestined.
But had he the power to reverse time, to return to that tiny cosmos, to look into those eyes once again, to hear the man ask him that question...
He would surely smile and tell him:
"Grant me death."
To be honest I found the development of their relationship a little confusing at first but in hindsight it made more sense to me. CC had never deprived himself from his pursuit of beauty and lust, and although it started out this way with SLS, it evolved into something more as they spent more time together and even got into an intimate relationship. SLS on the other hand was the complete opposite, his heart had always been steady, not once was it stirred by emotions, but interestingly, he was always seeking CC out and it was too late when he realised how he truly felt about CC. It was quite sad and even though they couldn’t be together in the end and CC never learned of SLS’s feelings, it was also a fitting ending.
The below is one of my favourite lines in the novel because it comes full circle from the moment they met until their ends:
"You leave me with three words of ambiguity, but I will return three of sincerity."
The summer shower had long ceased. The umbrella painted with inky reeds had long succumbed to the mud. Everything truly from the start had long been predestined.
But had he the power to reverse time, to return to that tiny cosmos, to look into those eyes once again, to hear the man ask him that question...
He would surely smile and tell him:
"Grant me death."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2021
Synopsis: Physician Ch'in Ching rescues Shen Liangshen, a heavily injured official of a demonic martial arts sect, and it turns out that their purposes for existing are heavily intertwined. One is the vessel for the destruction of evil, while the other is the weapon needed for the revival of a demon lord.
I only picked this up because I've already read the sequel, Till Death Do Us Part, wherein the two lovers in this story get reincarnated during World War II. Living to Suffer was set in Wuxia World and it wasn't as gripping as the sequel when it began, but I did get chest pains halfway through. It also gave quite a good explanation as to why Shen Liangshen had been inexplicably drawn to Ch'in Ching when they first met in the 20th century. Their souls were bound to wait hundreds of years to be reunited. To be honest, even though I was happy with how Till Death Do Us Part ended, I cried over that novel more. And that's completely understandable because earlier works of artists and authors are usually very rough compared to their later masterpieces.
But I want another reincarnation story: put them in 21st century Taiwan please. My boys deserve a relationship that isn't in the middle of the battle between Buddha and Mara, Japan and China, the Kuomintang and the Communist party.
Forgot to mention it in my mini-review of the sequel, but the author is generous with the...um. Papapa. But in this? She really went to town with the kink. 😂 (I've actually skipped some because I'm not into inflicting pain on your loved ones.)
I only picked this up because I've already read the sequel, Till Death Do Us Part, wherein the two lovers in this story get reincarnated during World War II. Living to Suffer was set in Wuxia World and it wasn't as gripping as the sequel when it began, but I did get chest pains halfway through. It also gave quite a good explanation as to why Shen Liangshen had been inexplicably drawn to Ch'in Ching when they first met in the 20th century. Their souls were bound to wait hundreds of years to be reunited. To be honest, even though I was happy with how Till Death Do Us Part ended, I cried over that novel more. And that's completely understandable because earlier works of artists and authors are usually very rough compared to their later masterpieces.
But I want another reincarnation story: put them in 21st century Taiwan please. My boys deserve a relationship that isn't in the middle of the battle between Buddha and Mara, Japan and China, the Kuomintang and the Communist party.
Forgot to mention it in my mini-review of the sequel, but the author is generous with the...um. Papapa. But in this? She really went to town with the kink. 😂 (I've actually skipped some because I'm not into inflicting pain on your loved ones.)
February 8, 2025
Siento que muchas personas en las reseñas están juzgando muy mal este libro, si, hay demasiado smut, más del que realmente a mi me gusta leer, pero en efecto tiene una razón. Hay desarrollo de personajes, de relación y mucha tragedia, Viviendo para sufrir, pero realmente fue Leyendo para sufrir, no me quejo, lo disfruté bastante.
Creo que la cuestión es que los primeros 5 o 6 capítulos se sienten un poco acelerados por la cantidad de sexo y la "poca" trama, pero desde el primer momento Ch'in Ching te está dando pistas de lo que va a pasar y de como él simplemente quiere disfrutar, y él otro parece solo hacerlo más por lujuria y por callarle la boca que por nada más, aunque ambos terminan bien enamorados.
La traducción fue terrible y eso me hizo desconectar de la historia en algún punto, pero en general me gustaron muchísimo como personajes y la historia me pareció muy linda, el final me hizo llorar mal, aunque fue totalmente el acertado. No se dejen llevar por la cantidad de smut, realmente es una buena historia.
Al principio estaba entre 3 o 3.5 pero ese final fue tan dolorosamente acertado que tuve que subir a 4. Lo recomiendo si les gusta la tragedia y no tienen problemas con dos personajes cogiendo como conejos.
Creo que la cuestión es que los primeros 5 o 6 capítulos se sienten un poco acelerados por la cantidad de sexo y la "poca" trama, pero desde el primer momento Ch'in Ching te está dando pistas de lo que va a pasar y de como él simplemente quiere disfrutar, y él otro parece solo hacerlo más por lujuria y por callarle la boca que por nada más, aunque ambos terminan bien enamorados.
La traducción fue terrible y eso me hizo desconectar de la historia en algún punto, pero en general me gustaron muchísimo como personajes y la historia me pareció muy linda, el final me hizo llorar mal, aunque fue totalmente el acertado. No se dejen llevar por la cantidad de smut, realmente es una buena historia.
Al principio estaba entre 3 o 3.5 pero ese final fue tan dolorosamente acertado que tuve que subir a 4. Lo recomiendo si les gusta la tragedia y no tienen problemas con dos personajes cogiendo como conejos.
January 24, 2023
Read it only because it’s a prequel to TDDUP .
First of all Wtf was even this ?? Lots of sexual scenes which I skipped through , felt it was so unnecessary?? I’m more into the plot and drama than them going at it again and again . I wanted them to have a conversation, talk to each other , tell each other what they were thinking , what they were feeling not eat each others tongue every time they met . I wanted to know their inner thoughts and feelings especially shen ! This bitch didn’t say or speak anything from starting to end . I feel like in the whole book he spoke for only 4 sentences that too in the end . Well the author did mention at the beginning that they wanted to write smut . But anyways , I’m a softie so I still teared up a little bit when Ch’in was coming to terms with his death . He wears his heart in his sleeves , he’s a cutie and have a sharp tongue lol . Kinda wished somehow he didn’t have to die but what can I do if he was born to die ❤️🩹 anyways !!! Can’t wait to meet them in tddup!!! Hope their reincarnation give justice to their love !( my friend cried for 2 straight days so I’m gonna go at it with a tissue box beside me )
First of all Wtf was even this ?? Lots of sexual scenes which I skipped through , felt it was so unnecessary?? I’m more into the plot and drama than them going at it again and again . I wanted them to have a conversation, talk to each other , tell each other what they were thinking , what they were feeling not eat each others tongue every time they met . I wanted to know their inner thoughts and feelings especially shen ! This bitch didn’t say or speak anything from starting to end . I feel like in the whole book he spoke for only 4 sentences that too in the end . Well the author did mention at the beginning that they wanted to write smut . But anyways , I’m a softie so I still teared up a little bit when Ch’in was coming to terms with his death . He wears his heart in his sleeves , he’s a cutie and have a sharp tongue lol . Kinda wished somehow he didn’t have to die but what can I do if he was born to die ❤️🩹 anyways !!! Can’t wait to meet them in tddup!!! Hope their reincarnation give justice to their love !( my friend cried for 2 straight days so I’m gonna go at it with a tissue box beside me )
February 21, 2022
it has a tragic ending…tang story absolutely adores writing sex scenes so there is an abundance. it’s xianxia so there’s some element of confusion when it comes to the narrative and the plot. or maybe it’s just the translation i read (i doubt). the characterization is good in the case of ch’in ching. shen liansheng’s character could be more multidimensional but there’s only so much you can give with a 20 chapter story. i will say i love the tragicness. i love sad angsty stories. i also indulged myself in the raunchy sex scenes because tbh not many danmei authors write intricate and vivid sex scenes. and i have reread this novel.
June 18, 2024
oh yeah, it's got some kick to it! but what did I expect from a book called "Living to Suffer"?
The most remarkable thing in this story is Shen Liangsheng's character development. The novel grapples with the themes of life, death, and pain. I found these themes most successful when portrayed through Shen Liangsheng. Even though I didn't fully understand everything about the novel's worldbuilding (which might be due to me reading half of the story 6 months ago), I didn't especially care nor did it hinder my enjoyment. I understood the core of it, and that was enough for me. I was here for the relationship/character development that was both satisfying and heartbreaking.
The most remarkable thing in this story is Shen Liangsheng's character development. The novel grapples with the themes of life, death, and pain. I found these themes most successful when portrayed through Shen Liangsheng. Even though I didn't fully understand everything about the novel's worldbuilding (which might be due to me reading half of the story 6 months ago), I didn't especially care nor did it hinder my enjoyment. I understood the core of it, and that was enough for me. I was here for the relationship/character development that was both satisfying and heartbreaking.
March 31, 2025
I loved the plot even though there’s like 5 full chapters of smut, even a little scene in the last chapter when the full tragedy already happened… I feel like it had potential for more so hopefully the sequel will bring me some satisfaction
“As for you, you are the only one of all those who want me dead who said he would care for me.”
“As for you, you are the only one of all those who want me dead who said he would care for me.”
May 29, 2021
I live for this. There is pain but bearable. I have one question that I still cant figure out since the first time I read this 3 years ago.
What does Chng Ching want from Sheng LianSheng?
He said it is not love. Then what. Please someone enlighten me.
What does Chng Ching want from Sheng LianSheng?
He said it is not love. Then what. Please someone enlighten me.
December 30, 2023
Maybe I'm prejudice, but I just don't think anyone can do trauma like the Asians can. Chinese, South Korean, Japanese -- they know how to pack a punch of angst like nobody else.
Don't get me wrong -- I like it.
It hurts so good.
Don't get me wrong -- I like it.
It hurts so good.
March 12, 2024
This novel is amazing and beautiful story if you complete the prequel of this novel with just this part it is really really sad and tragic story so don't forget to read prequel prequel names.till death do us part, happy reading 🙂
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