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Have You Ever Met Such a Cold Author

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Tang Cu, the godly author with a severe social anxiety disorder, gathered his courage to meet with the Tai Tai who has been writing fanfiction for his novels.

However… the Tai Tai turned out to be a man.

(novelupdates.com)

Webnovel

Published January 1, 2018

7 people are currently reading
87 people want to read

About the author

Shou Chu

4 books2 followers

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5 stars
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41 (44%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for yel ᰔ.
635 reviews199 followers
August 30, 2025
4.5/5🌟

This is such a sweet and heartfelt story with a healing aspect. For all the pain and misery the MC experienced from his own family in the past, he was compensated by meeting the ML, the only person he was able to get close to in his life. A person who is very considerate and always has his best interest at heart. Someone who would love, cherish and protect him, things that he never experienced from his own parents.

I loved that even though this has an angst from a childhood trauma, it is mostly a pure love story, the build up of the relationship between the MC and ML and the road to healing and happiness. I appreciate how straightforward the story is. No unnecessary misunderstanding just for the sake of drama.

Some might say that MC and ML fell in love quickly right after they met for the first time but understand that they already have an established friendship for 7 years, albeit online. Having a relationship connection online might not amount to anything for some people, but for people like MC and ML, one avoiding any social relationship because of his trauma and the other being critical of the people he chose to associate with, being each other's special online friend for years only shows how much they treasure the relationship that they have built. So for them to fall in love with each other almost instantly after meeting each other and being together for days is not an insta-love for me. Their adoration and feelings for each other are already there, it's just that meeting each other only helped them become aware of it. I loved how the author paced it so naturally and smoothly so that it didn't felt forced.

Also, there are multiple trigger warnings here like homophobia, child endangerment and mention of attempted suicide so be warned. There's also this appalling and horrible family dynamic. Very awful but I think it mirrors some family dynamic in real life. I appreciate that the author didn't promote forced forgiveness and filial piety, which is a common theme on some Chinese media.

Despite the MC's terrible family relationship, it's not the focus of the story. This is mostly wholesome and I very much recommend this.
Profile Image for Tiana Marius.
34 reviews
June 21, 2023
The Story:
This one was extremely adorable, fluffy and sweet, with a side of angst.
Our MC, Tang Cu is someone with social anxiety disorder, due to trauma encountered at the hands of a family member. He is also a shut in/recluse web novel author under the pen name Zhu Congsheng who's obtained 'literary God' status (his nickname is literally "Zhu Shen" 🤣 [bamboo god]). He also has a dedicated fan of 7 years, our ML, Pian Yu (real name, Lu Lianguang), who he keeps in contact with. originally he believes this Pian Yu is a female due to her online nickname of Tai Tai (which means older madam) so when he agrees to meet 'her' he is surprised that she's actually a male. From this a tale of cuteness, fluff, self discovery, and Chinese literary company politics commences.

The Pros:
I liked this story, it was easy to read and had it's heartwarming moments that I won't forget easily. I liked the dynamics between the the main couple. There was little miscommunications that happened and their relationship felt natural and not forced. I felt that Tang Cu's social anxiety was very real and clearly the author did some research.

The writing was really good, and I give my commendations to the translator for their hard work in transferring over this novel into English. The author evidently has good Chinese literary knowledge because almost all the internet alias" was based on some Chinese poem or novel. This definitely would've been difficult to translate.

I liked seeing the inclusion of fan culture in this novel, and how we get to view fan communities and how idols are often "close" to their fans, especially the well known ones. That was well written.

The Cons:
However, because of the short length of the novel (60 chapters) something that I felt was lacking was how there are some loose ends that weren't tied up, nor tied up well enough that after reading the novel, whilst satisfied with the conclusions I'm still left wanting for more. For one, what about Tang Cu's family, his brother more specifically, how is he after the revelation that his older brother was abused the entire time he was under their roof?

After the death of the mother we don't really get to see whether or not Tang Cu completely makes peace with that, and we don't see any growth in that matter. Social Anxiety can never completely disappear and his trauma will never leave too, I was found wanting to see how he progressed with his condition and felt that his character growth was kind of lacking. He opened up to someone and found love, but that doesn't fix everything? despite him not being a one dimensional character, he definitely wasn't three dimensional either.

Another issue I had with the novel is that scenes were ended, way to abruptly that I got whiplash a few times. In one scene Lu Lianguang was talking to his roommate Hu Miao about his relationship and then it switches in one paragraph to him talking his mother and father and then in the paragraph after that, switches to him and Tang Cu tying ties for a wedding. I was so confused and didn't understand what was going on. Scene changes were too fast that it ruined the immersion into the story.

Another thing that I was upset about was the characterisation of Tang Cu, in the novel we get to see a slight pettiness and anger over some situations and that he had been planning revenge towards his mother which resulted in a confrontation, and then another time for the plagiarism incident with Zhu Jian. I would've like to see this developed more. But sadly, this didn't occur.

Another was the characterisation and development of Lu Lianguang. He was a very one-dimensional character. In reading, I realised very early on that he was just there to serve as plot device for Tang Cu. it was good to see his thoughts, and adoration for Tang Cu but I would've like to see how meeting him caused some, any, even a little bit of character development, growth or progression.

Concluding thoughts:
Overall, I still liked this novel and it was really nice and it was a nice filler for me. I just wish there was more. More development for the characters, more cohesion in the scene changes and just more to fill in some of the plot holes.

Will I read this again? probably not tbh. but it was still good.
Profile Image for noorii.
218 reviews8 followers
December 20, 2025
Dropped at 62% (chapter 40) because the obstacles are basically over now thankfully. I’ll mark it as read not DNF since I’ve already gone through most of the book and can clearly see where the ending is headed.

Overall I enjoyed it a lot. At one point I genuinely thought it might end up being one of my best reads of 2025. Sadly it wasn’t .. not because it’s bad, but because while it’s very enjoyable and fun to read it just didn’t hit deep enough for my personal taste.

That said I absolutely recommend checking it out.

It’s older shou / younger gong with a small age gap (only 3 years). The dynamic gives black cat & golden retriever energy but more accurately it’s shy golden retriever × shameless golden retriever. Both main characters are writers. There’s mutual pining though the MC leans more tsundere.

There are some TW nothing major but it’s best to look them up beforehand just to be safe.

That’s all.

P.S. Notice how there isn’t much here about how this book made me feel? That’s exactly why it’s not a 5 star read for me. I’ve realized that when I truly love a book my reviews focus far more on the emotional impact and this one while good didn’t quite get there.
Profile Image for ✨Meli the bookworm✨.
188 reviews22 followers
April 15, 2022
There are two things I REALLY liked about this book. First: the concept of severe social anxiety and how after a person is "isolated" from having contact with people for a considerable amount of time it absolutely cripples any sense of adequacy when interacting with others; every little detail about this and how to handle these types of situations (aside of obviously needing therapy for it) was spot on.

Second: there are heavy themes that are related to the MC's family and their past actions, and I really liked how the author showed that not "everything should be forgiven because they are blood"; sometimes people don't change, sometimes it is not even worth it to look for a redeemable quality in them, whether they are family or not, sometimes the best thing we can do is just walk away from them.

Some plot twists were rather predictable, nevertheless it is a very worthy and enjoyable read. The main couple is simply adorable.
Profile Image for eileen.
17 reviews3 followers
December 7, 2024
Me faltaría por terminar los extras pero eso prefiero ir leyéndolo poco a poco, si hay algo que me faltaba por conocer editaré esta reseña

Es una historia que ayuda bastante a lidiar con un bloqueo lector, corta de leer y que te muestra las injusticias que se presentan con las compañías y editoriales hacia los autores

A pesar que no se dice directamente que es lo que tiene el protagonista uno se da cuenta que sufre por ansiedad social, al principio pensé que la historia iría a un rumbo en que el shou terminaría siendo muy dependiente del gong pero no es para nada así

Ambos son muy independientes con sus propias carreras y tienen el mismo poder, se apoyan mutuamente en el otro como se entienden a la perfección

Es una muy buena pareja en la que siempre apoyaran las decisiones del otro o estarán ahí para él, a pesar de no tener ninguna crítica negativa a la historia tampoco hubo algo que me llamara la atención o me encariñara con los personajes para subirle la calificación

Pero si la recomiendo si buscas leer algo corto y muy dulce, es ese tipo de novelas que necesitas cuando no quieres leer algo amargo o triste
Profile Image for Ruika13.
38 reviews16 followers
May 25, 2023
4.5/5
Really liked it!
Their relationship and character growth were so good
The setting was really interesting too, with online authors!!
Profile Image for  nela .
158 reviews51 followers
January 3, 2024
couldn't sleep so i finished this and woah it's been a while since i got so immersed in reading, wish it was longer bc some parts felt quite rushed but it touched my feels so !!
Profile Image for Meghana.
126 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2022
What a heartwarming book this is...
Despite all the warnings of it being an intense read, I found it relatively light, although a bit deep. It was perfect for a simple love story without too much plot, but just enough to keep one hooked.
A definite recommendation.
Profile Image for juuree.
325 reviews21 followers
April 1, 2022
ahhhhh, this was so much better than i thought it would be!

the overall rating on NU was really good but i didn't think i would have agreed to that extent.

it's such a great story, and i thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming, albeit short, journey.
Profile Image for DEE.
254 reviews3 followers
May 28, 2022
The story mainly focused on these two (young) writers in China’s webnovel industry. In my opinion, this novel provided us readers in-depth knowledge about what was and still is happening in the industry.

What about the romance? Fairly enough, I can say that I’m hooked up. I mean, I just started reading this yesterday and now I’m already finished reading it with total 60 chapters of the story? Can’t say that this novel had perfect plot, characters, and many other great things because in fact, as I recall my reading experience, the plots weren’t heavy, quite simple actually.

"It's just that every time I get to know you a little more, I like you even more." Can you not fall in love with this simplest most romantic lines I’ve ever heard? YOU GUYS, JUST GET MARRIED ALREADY!!!!!!!

I recommend this story for you who like to read modern danmei and a quick read. OH WAIT, I almost forgot. The fan translations were amazing, like amazing, real smooth and there wasn’t time I was confused with the chosen words and sentences. Good job, translators!
Profile Image for Bunnyb.
587 reviews19 followers
May 9, 2022
เรื่องนี้อ่านเวอร์ชั่นแปลภาษาอังกฤษ ชื่อจีนคือ "你可曾見過如此高冷的作者"
เป็นนิยายขนาดสั้นประมาณ 60 ตอน

ตัวเอกทั้งสองคนเป็นนักเขียนนิยาย MC ชื่อ Tang Cu อายุ 25 เป็นคนจีน
แต่ไปอยู่อเมริกาหลายปีแล้วเพราะมีปัญหากับครอบครัว เค้ามีอาการต่อต้านสังคมด้วย
คือไม่ชอบพูดคุยกับคนอื่น สนทนาพื้นฐานยังไม่ค่อยอยากพูด และบางครั้งรู้สึกว่า
ตัวเองด้อยกว่าคนอื่น ไม่มีใครอยากคบ ปัญหาพวกนี้มีที่มาจากครอบครัว โดยเฉพาะแม่
แม่ของ Tang Cu นี่บอกเลยว่ามีอาการทางจิตแน่ๆ และไม่มี EQ โหดร้ายกับลูกมาก
(โดยเฉพาะลูกสองคนแรก) สงสาร Tang Cu มากตอนรู้ว่าแม่ทำอะไรกับเค้า
ปิดโอกาสดีๆ ที่เค้าควรได้รับ อย่างเข้ามหาวิทยาลัยที่คนเก่งๆ อยากจะเข้ากัน
แถมตอนนั้นยังเก่งขนาดจะได้อยู่หอพักพิเศษของเด็กหัวกะทิมหาวิทยาลัยเลยด้วย 😭

ส่วน ML ในเรื่องเรียกหลายชื่อสลับไปมา เพราะเค้าเป็นนักเขียนที่มีมากกว่าหนึ่งนามปากกา
จริงๆ ชื่อ Lu Liangguang แต่เรียกว่า Pian Yu ละกัน เพราะ Tang Cu รู้จักพระเอก
ในชื่อนี้เป็นชื่อแรก และนึกว่าเป็นผู้หญิงมาตลอด 🤣 (รู้จักจากการคุยออนไลน์)
พระเอกเรียนมหาวิทยาลัยปีสุดท้าย พ่อแม่เป็นหมอ ครอบครัวดี ดีคือหมายความว่า
พ่อแม่เข้าใจลูก เป็นเหมือนเพื่อน ลูกอยากไปทางไหนก็ให้อิสระ ลูกชอบคนเพศเดียวกัน
พ่อแม่ก็ไม่ว่าอะไร บุคลิก Pian Yu ภายนอกดูสบายๆ เข้าสังคมง่าย แต่จริงๆ เป็นคนช่างเลือก
ไม่ใช่ต้องเลือกของแพงมีระดับเท่านั้น แต่คืออะไรที่ไม่ชอบก็ไม่เอาเลย แต่ถ้าชอบ
เป็นของถูกๆ ติดดินก็ได้หมด

Pian Yu เป็นแฟนคลับของ Tang Cu ชอบทักไปคุย เป็นคนเดียวที่ Tang Cu ยอมคุยออนไลน์ด้วย
(แต่ก็สไตล์ท่าน คือคุยแบบถามสิบคำอาจจะตอบสองคำ 😂) ได้มาเจอตัวจริงกันตอน Tang Cu
กลับมาทำธุระที่จีน แล้วก็คลิกเลย อิอิอิ คือคุยกันได้ เข้ากันได้ แต่ต่างฝ่ายต่างพยายามเก็บความรู้สึก
นึกว่าอีกฝ่ายไม่ได้ชอบผู้ชาย

เรื่องนี้ไม่ได้เป็นนิยายแนวหวานซะทีเดียว มันมีความหวาน ความเข้าใจกัน ใส่ใจ เอาใจกัน
ระหว่างตัวเอกสองคน แต่ระหว่างนั้นจะมีพูดถึงปัญหาของ Tang Cu เรื่องอาการของเค้า
เรื่องพ่อแม่ แล้วก็มีปัญหาของ Pian Yu เกี่ยวกับงานคือการเขียนนิยายออนไลน์
เพราะแพลทฟอร์มที่สองคนนี้มีสัญญาอยู่ หัวหน้าบก.ไม่โอเคอ่ะ ก่อปัญหาหลายครั้ง

Pian Yu อายุน้อยกว่า แต่เทคแคร์ Tang Cu ค่อนข้างเยอะ แต่ Tang Cu ก็พยายามปรับตัว
และช่วย Pian Yu แก้ปัญหาได้เหมือนกัน สองคนนี้อยู่ด้วยกันแล้วน่ารักมากกกกก 😍
เป็นนิยายสะท้อนปัญหาครอบครัวที่ชอบ และตอนจบก็ไม่ได้โลกสวยว่าแล้วครอบครัว
ก็กลับมาคืนดีกัน ทำผิดแล้วก็แล้วไป ชอบความใจแข็งและการตัดสินใจของ Tang Cu
สรุปคือ ชอบมากค่ะ เดี๋ยวจะกลับไปอ่านละเอียดอีกรอบ

ป.ล. มีคู่รองนิดหน่อยในเรื่อง เป็นรูมเมทในหอของ Pian Yu กับรุ่นพี่ที่จบไปแล้ว
คู่นี้ดูจะโหด มัน ฮาดี
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Agnessa Contti.
97 reviews8 followers
January 31, 2022
Me gustó mucho cómo se retrató el tema de la ansiedad social en la novela; incluso aunque no te lo dijeran explícitamente, tú sabías que el protagonista la tenía.
También la novela reveló una verdad que muchos de los que leemos novelas chinas ya conocíamos: a muchas compañías solo les importa las ganancias que un autor pueda generarle y no es nada raro que les den malos tratos al no seguir sus reglas.
La dinámica de la pareja es muy tierna. Me hacía muy feliz leerlos juntos. ♡
Con respecto a la familia de Tang Cu, tengo que decir hasta me provocaba lástima ver cómo no aceptaban todo el daño que le habían causado, inclusive hasta el final.
En fin: 4.5 estrellas. ☆
Profile Image for Zaiba.
209 reviews16 followers
May 22, 2025
This was such a cute novel! Tang Cu's character really pulled at your heartstrings. He really had such a tragic past and I am a little upset we could not get a deeper look into it. Lu Lianguang was truly so good, just as Tang Cu says throughout the novel. I loved him dearly and the way he treated Tang Cu. Overall, the adorableness of this novel won me over, I really gushed and melted at anything the two main characters did together. I most likely will be rereading this!
Profile Image for lulu.
330 reviews3 followers
July 26, 2022
4.5

FLUFF
SO MUCH FLUFF

my heart is full, my skin is clear, my crops are flourishing
Profile Image for marcia.
1,266 reviews57 followers
September 11, 2022
Not what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it! I thought the story would focus more on the characters' interactions in real life, but it's also a deep dive into the inner workings of Chinese webnovels. Due to his past, the main character has severe anxiety and it really affects his day-to-day life. I was worried about whether his condition would be made the butt of the joke, but the author treats him with a lot of compassion which I appreciate. Also, I can't stand it in stories when the abuser gets forgiven even when they've done nothing to earn it so I'm glad the main character sticks to his guns until the very end. The romance is really sweet. The way their relationship develops feels organic and believable; I love how much the ML adores and dotes on the MC. My one complaint is that the two leads are way too overpowered. They're always the hottest and most talented people in the room. Whenever there's conflict, there are no stakes because you know they'll win in the end.
Profile Image for Ar.
83 reviews
October 16, 2022
3.5/5
This was really cute. It's a story about healing from a traumatic past through friendship and then love.
The antagonists, Zhu Jian and chief editor Sun were a bit too exaggerated, which was ridiculous but also fun to read (it's not a novel that takes itself that seriously).
I also love how, unlike in many novels, the abusive parents were unapologetically not forgiven even until the end!! Go Zhu Shen!!

Quote:
"Tang Cu's attention was still entirely fixed on Lu
Lianguang. It was as if there was light on his body,
making him unable to divert his gaze.
Lu Lianguang greeted him, and Tang Cu opened
his arms to hug the light of his life."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for TofuBao.
483 reviews5 followers
March 16, 2025
Rating: 3.5/5 - Really sweet! I started and finished it in a day.
Profile Image for atomic.
84 reviews
January 26, 2025
Sweet and healing. I enjoyed the story overall, but I didn't like the tensions on the book at all. Like others said, they were quite ridiculous lol. Their relationship is so cute!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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