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朝秦暮楚 Zhao Qin Mu Chu

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Question: What is it like being married to a scumbag?

Chu Yu: Every year I spend over three hundred days thinking about getting a divorce, every month I spend thirty days thinking about how to kill him, and every day I spend twenty-four hours thinking about boxing his ears.

CP: Just-and-honorable-as*hole gong x burnt-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside-Mary-Sue shou

383 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2017

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for ⋆ ࣪˖ ִֶָ   sel  ་༘࿐.
948 reviews21 followers
January 15, 2025
Oh dear, where do I start?! I'm so thrilled! First of all, I would like to commend the outstanding work of the translator to bring this wonderful work of ZHSSR into existence. I am someone who enjoys proses that are deeply and meticulously stringed together to form coherent and beautiful thoughts. I'm so jealous I can't read this one in its original language! I'm sure it's a lot better. There are language nuances you can never really get unless you consume it in its raw form. The attention to detail, and the research made for the translation I've read is so amazing, I can't help mutter under my breathe of how melting the words are as I was reading the book! But if you're not a fan of flowery words or the frequent detailed descriptions, and the deep literary pieces engraved in literally every chapter, you'll probably get a bit irritated.

Moving on to the story itself, I really really hated Qin Zheng (gong) from the bottom of my heart. He really is a scum gong! I've read a lot of scum gongs, but I nearly coughed blood on how indecisive and lacking of backbone he is especially in the earlier chapters (1-30). He doesn't deserve the slightest affection Chu Yu has bestowed upon him for those long years they've been wedded together. I don't give a fuck if Chu Yu "destroyed" his love story with Meng Hanyi. That will never happen if he's not a snot-nosed brat and a fucking dummy who knows nothing but to blame other people of his own shortcomings. This is why I really loved the succeeding parts where he was being beaten black and blue everyday. He deserves that, also his mother and sister. I was really aching for Chu Yu, he was the backbone of the Marquisate and no one from the Qin family acknowledges that! I was really seething.

Anyway, man I really love Chu Yu (shou). He was nothing but the best. But I get why his brother, Chu Ming, was mad at him for still loving Qin Zheng despite everything. Love should also come with respect, and Chu Yu wasn't getting it. And despite being a wonderful person, he's really always sacrificing himself for the bastard Qin Zheng. But he is a really strong character and I really really love him! If he told me to kill Qin Zheng, I would. In a heartbeat. This is why I love the second half of the book where Qin Zheng is really getting what he deserves. I was somehow satisfied, although I wanted more suffering to him. Qin Zheng needs to make up for his mistakes for the rest of his life. Chu Yu doesn't deserve anything but all the joys in life. He has gone through a lot, and Qin Zheng should be his dog.

Now, I also love the other side characters especially Qiu Yue and Zhen'er. Since Chu Yu is a very well respected and lovable person, it's a given that a lot of people loves him. That's what he deserves! I also want to know or at least read the story between the Emperor (Yan Chengqi) and Chu Ming (Chu Yu's elder brother) but it's hard to find the author's other works, huhu.

About some of the things I want to point out in the book, I feel like Qin Zheng deserves to suffer a lot more. There was a lot of his wrongdoings that wasn't properly addressed in the main story that I feel like still weighing down within Chu Yu's heart, and only natural to be like that. First, the truth about the one gift Qin Zheng gave to Zhen'er (the longevity lock from that player in some brothel). Next, about their second baby where Chu Yu literally begged for at least holding his child in his arms. Third, proper apologies from Qin Zheng's family. And a lot more bullshit Qin Zheng has done. Anyway, I remember that marriage isn't only about the feelings but also a lot of compromises. I guess, they'll eventually figure everything out.

Anyway, I genuinely like the story, and it was gratifying to see Qin Zheng groveling for Chu Yu. I found myself tearing up, physically aching, but also giggling at the last acts of the book. It's a very good read for me. Chu Yu really went through a lot, I don't even want to think about it. The tags and warnings are really on point, lmao. I would've given this a perfect score but there's a lot of things weighing on my mind that wants some answers, some plot holes here and there. But really, I just want it to not be perfect out of spite for Qin Zheng.
Profile Image for Ana K P.
240 reviews17 followers
January 29, 2022
To be quite honest, I'm not very sure what to feel about this book.

Qin Zheng and Chu Yu have a truly terrible start to their marital relationship because CY literally forced the other into a relationship by appealing to QZ's father, thus making QZ break his prior promise with his childhood sweetheart. Why does CY actually do this, how he behaves with his new family after his marriage – well, frankly it doesn't matter – the start itself is terrible for them, and thus it follows for nearly five years after.

At the beginning, when CY truly liked QZ, QZ wanted nothing to do with him. Then, when QZ started reciprocating because he wanted to try for a better relationship with his spouse, CY was already emotionally drained. In the midst of this, the old flame returns and the drama starts anew.

What kept me hooked to this dog-blood drama was it's beautifully lyrical writing style. There is very little overarching plot honestly; it's mainly about their life together all the sufferings they endured before becoming a happy couple. Though even at the end, I have no idea what exactly makes their relationship work; apart from their shared life as spouses, their child, and their now mutual attraction.

Having complained so much, I do have to agree that this is a very very gripping novel and I couldn't put it down at all, managing to read through it in about 5-6 odd hours. The writing is truly equisite with all its poetry references and metaphors. Also, reading about CY and QZ's chaotic marriage and relationship makes you very curious as to how it will end, and end happily at that.

With all that said, it is a complete rollercoaster ride of emotions while reading this story, so if you're in the mood for that, I do reccommend it. The translator has also done a tremendous job in translating this!

3½🌟
Profile Image for Tè Oolong di Mezzanotte.
69 reviews20 followers
August 30, 2023
[Sul blog TÈ OOLONG DI MEZZANOTTE la recensione completa~]

… il che lascia agevolmente intuire come la cifra stilistica dell’intero romanzo sia, senza mezzi termini, quella dell’angst più estremo concepibile.
A farla da padrone, almeno nella prima metà della storia, è l’atmosfera claustrofobica che Chu Yu è costretto a respirare nella casa che si è scelto (o, per meglio dire, che ha quasi preteso!, in cui ha perfino complottato per entrare, spinto dalla tenace infatuazione adolescenziale sviluppata per Qin Zheng), ma che non ha mai fatto nulla per ripagarlo dei sacrifici compiuti in suo nome o per donargli un po’ di calore domestico: circondato dal disprezzo di una suocera intimidita dalla sua autorità, dai capricci di una nuora istruita a considerarlo come un ostacolo all’ambita libertà e, beh, dai tradimenti di un compagno per nulla disposto ad ammettere di corrisponderne l’amore, Chu Yu non trova altro modo per proteggere se stesso e la preziosissima figlia che non sia l’inspessire la propria corazza – quella fatta di un’assenza di scrupoli nella gestione degli affari e di tatto nella tessitura dei rapporti umani che, in effetti, riesce a trarre in inganno il prossimo talmente bene da portargli in dote la fama di serpente velenoso acquattato all’ombra di un viso dalla bellezza impareggiabile.
Stando così le cose, la sua figura non può che risaltare come l’unica in grado non solo di accentrare su di sé le varie fila del racconto, tutte le emozioni e i conflitti sperimentati dal cast di comprimari (nella vita di chi, fra costoro, Chu Yu non ricopre un ruolo predominante?), ma anche di stuzzicare l’empatia di un lettore che difficilmente, già a poche pagine dall’inizio, resisterà dal desiderarne la felicità e dall’odiare qualsiasi personaggio gl’impedisca di raggiungerla, dall’ammirarne il sangue freddo e dallo sperare che Qin Zheng si sforzi di guardare al di là di esso… al punto che la riscossione, a suo nome, di una sorta di “giustizia divina” diviene presto una delle maggiori fonti di intrattenimento offerte dalla vicenda.

Corrisponde, però, quest’insistenza sulla rappresentazione della sofferenza, a una qualche forma di patetismo melodrammatico? No, per fortuna, sostanzialmente mai.
Aiuta, a tal scopo, la grande dignità intrinseca alla caratterizzazione psicologica di Chu Yu, tratteggiata in maniera così credibile da risultare impermeabile a qualunque sfogo lacrimevole e a qualunque cedimento all’autocommiserazione, anche nelle circostanze peggiori: sono l’ira, la frustrazione e l’istinto di ribellione ai soprusi i sentimenti che Zhonghua Shuoshu Ren mira a suscitare in chi legge, prima ancora di un banale pietismo. E aiuta, senza dubbio, anche l’utilizzo ottimale che viene fatto del legame padre/figlia intercorrente fra Chu Yu e quella sua Zhen’er che, caso raro (nonché utile a rendere più mansueto il mio approccio al Mpreg presente in questa novel), qui si guarda bene dal recitare la parte di “accessorio fluffoso” della coppia principale o di appendice della stessa, ritrovandosi a godere, invece, tanto di una personalità ben definita quanto di relazioni solide, seppur controverse, con entrambi i genitori – e come non riscontrare, in ciò, un concreto, coerente, ben contestualizzato barlume di speranza volto a bilanciare a dovere le più aspre vette di dramma?

Certo, in un’opera simile, potrebbe rivelarsi difficile individuare dei veri e propri difetti… e, infatti, almeno a mio avviso, per rintracciarli dobbiamo spostarci un po’ più in là, estraniarci dalla persona di Chu Yu e porre sotto la lente d’ingrandimento, semmai, colui che tale persona l’ha amata, a lungo, senza saperlo, senza accettarlo e senza riuscire a esternarlo: Qin Zheng, ovviamente.
E non è che il suo personaggio presenti dei “problemi” perché “problematico”, perché pessimo padre e pessimo sposo, anzi. Sono falle caratteriali, queste, comportamentali, descritte nel migliore dei modi, fluidamente integrate al profilo di un bambino troppo cresciuto che non riesce a capire se stesso, prima ancora che gli altri, e che perciò non riesce a badare a se stesso, prima ancora che agli altri – un ragazzo abituato a essere protetto e guidato da dietro le quinte (dal padre, da Chu Yu…), così bene da non aver mai avuto bisogno d’imparare ad assumersi la responsabilità di una scelta sbagliata o a chiedere scusa per un errore commesso, magari, a causa della sua tendenza a fissarsi su un’idea e a non rinunciarvi nemmeno di fronte all’evidenza della sua inconsistenza. E sono falle che, nella seconda metà della novel, avranno modo di essere sottoposte a una prova del fuoco tanto tremenda da rendere più che plausibile il loro superamento, lo slancio verso un’età adulta che di quella infantile conserverà l’indomito coraggio e perfino una sorta d’innocenza, ma che dimostrerà altresì di aver maturato autoconsapevolezza a sufficienza e una sana abilità a leggere le situazioni al di fuori dai binari del preconcetto.
Il vero problema, di conseguenza, sta piuttosto nella rapidità con cui avviene la prima delle evoluzioni a cui è soggetta la sua figura, cioè che finisce per assumere le fattezze di un buco narrativo bello e buono, di una macchia nel curriculum di un ritratto psicologico che, in sua assenza, anche in virtù delle proprie lacune, sarebbe apparso pressoché impeccabile.

Detto ciò, la relazione fra Chu Yu e Qin Zheng si propone comunque come una valida alternativa ai classici slow burn… perché, sì, in certo senso “brucia lentamente” anch’essa, ma a partire da una base un po’ più inconsueta, fatta di una routine quotidiana già collaudata e ingrigitasi ancor prima di sbocciare per davvero, in cui il sesso rappresenta l’unico strumento di comunicazione (non di rado fuorviante, oltretutto) e il vincolo del matrimonio, invece di consacrare un rapporto già vivo e vitale, strangola sul nascere ogni possibilità dei due amanti di esprimersi con qualcosa di più di occhiate fugaci e singulti di dolcezza velocemente accantonati. È una dinamica, questa, costretta a procedere in retromarcia, incalzata dall’urgenza di distruggere quasi tutto ciò che la identifica, convogliando le proprie luci tenui nel corpicino della figlia e salvaguardando solo lei, pur di riuscire poi
Profile Image for Agnieszka.
118 reviews
May 21, 2022
Great translation quality, beautiful language. As for everything else... This is misery porn and far too much hurt than comfort for my tastes in hurt/comfort. And very little of anything else.
Profile Image for Cali.
1,014 reviews14 followers
August 5, 2023
I loved the main character Chu Yu. He was smart and politically savvy while loving his daughter. However, I hated that he couldn't ever completely let go of his love for the scum ML, Qin Zheng. The redemption part was LACKING.

5/5 for the translation though, it was amazing!
Profile Image for Laura Leguizamo.
11 reviews7 followers
March 30, 2022
Beautifully written, beautifully translated. The story is full of exciting twists; the characters feel like real human beings, making you despise them, like them, worry about them, etc. It's super bittersweet at some parts, but that makes the story even more tender. I enjoyed it, for the author managed to write Chu Yu and Qin Zheng's hardships in a short story, yet it's full of life.
Profile Image for Laura.
19 reviews
October 4, 2022
Honestly, I enjoyed this novel. It's pretty hard core at times though.

Chu Yu x Qin Zheng

Qin Zheng is an ass wipe during 1/2 the novel and indirectly causes the death of their unborn child. (yes, its Mpreg). Due to certain events, Qin is demoted and sent to a labor camp. The rest of the novel is his redemption and the rekindling of their love.
Profile Image for rach.
429 reviews11 followers
June 6, 2022
i wanted angst and it delivered perfectly 🫶🏼
Profile Image for TofuBao.
483 reviews4 followers
May 6, 2023
Rating: 5/5- Definitely the best scum gong redemption novel I’ve read so far.

Agree with most of the comments that praise the translation. It is indeed magnificent. The story itself is really well written for its short length.

You do feel immensely invested in the characters grief and journey towards each other but you also respect the fact that they also understand why they ended up in those circumstances. There’s a very realistic portrayal of emotions and pain. I think chapter 28 left me in extreme tears.

Do I believe the couple should be together, in all honesty- no. I think they were ill fated and will probably remain so. But love is nonsensical in many ways so their ending is sort of fitting. I’m also still trying to figure out what happened with the Empress and Emperor? Are they together or what even happened?

I recommend this to those looking for a fresh perspective on angsty scum gong redemption stories. It’s well worth the read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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