Upon my second perusal of this book, I find myself still unable to overcome the poignant beauty with which the narrative of Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian unfolds. It immerses us in their world, wherein they confront manifold hardships in pursuit of their happiness. Their resolute belief in each other, a virtue so rare to encounter, garners respect on my part.
During my second reading, a sense of sorrow emerged for Jiang Tian, who, from the outset, was compelled to shoulder the burdens of adulthood within his family. While Ji Huanyu bears the brunt of the blame for the familial tribulations, we can not disregard Ji Ou's culpability. Admittedly, people respond to circumstances differently, and we should be more open in our assessments of them. Nevertheless, I found myself incapable of mustering any compassion for her. Although she may have eventually come into terms with Sheng Wang, it was the somewhat transformative growth exhibited by Sheng Mingyuang that truly resonated, whereas Ji Ou appeared to remain ensnared in a perpetual cycle of animosity and scapegoating.
Credit is certainly due to the Class A cohort. Their unwavering support throughout the story is truly commendable and shows how they truly accepted the two as they are in a society which clearly has no idea to even move forward. Yet, alas! All things good must inexorably reach their end, and having read over 112 chapters once more, I find myself echoing my earlier sentiments, fervently hoping for an official English translation of this masterpiece (ideally by the PeachFlower House group, given their commendable work in the danmei field compared to other publishing houses). Such a remarkable work merits a broader readership, as it bestows upon its audience a truly enchanting and captivating experience.
"He had lost many things over the course of twenty or more years of his life- he had experienced 'loss' over and over, but it was the first time he experienced 'losing something and gaining t back' for himself. Turns out, it tasted like saltiness; it was damp, it was turbulent and bitter too."
"Etched it my bones, it says: I still love you."
"It was December 29th yesterday; he stood on the enormous stage in the hall in Fuzhong, wearing a shirt with another name, playing 'Childhood' on the guitar that he learned at the last minute. Today was December 31st; he switched off the lights and lay on the bed as usual, and the person he liked was mere inches away. New Year was arriving soon. HE closes his eyes in the last few seconds, and grasped Sheng Wang's fingers, murmuring, 'Wang-zai, happy new year.' I missed you a lot, I missed you every single day."
" I will spend every birthday with you from now onwards, I will always be by your side, I love you."
"For that one split second, it almost gave him the illusion that they were still in Fuzhong; they only had a long, drawn-out holiday, that's all. Road #3 was still so lengthy that there was no end to it, the luxurious branches and the leaves atop the parasol trees still flourished. In this human world, the blazing sun was just right. The wind soared last the tips of tree branches; at this moment, they are at the height of their youth."
This was a beautiful story of reminiscing youth, the bittersweet feelings of first love, loss, growth and at the end, simply human nature.
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What a beautiful yet at the same time painful journey this was. But do I regret reading this? No, not now, not ever. In my heart, I would always have a soft spot Tian-ge and Wangzai. They showed how love can withstand time and any hurdle. Their journey was relatable, human in many forms. They made me laugh, they made me cry, they made me sit back and think about life. More importantly, they made me believe once again in love. Love does not always have to be passionate and full of fire, sometimes it happens without us even noticing. The story flowed so beautifully, there was not a second that I did not love it. It wasn't just their love story but also their life journey. We watched them grow in front of us and they grew into whom they were envisioning to be. The journey was full of sadness but in the end, they reached the destination they were aiming for. In my mind, they will forever be in their house, with their new cat, happily.
I have never wished more, that I took my Mandarin classes more seriously. As someone whose mother tongue is not English, I know how much nuance and meaning is lost in translation because English is simply inadequate. This storyline was perfect even in it's English form. The subtle intimacy, the fact that they did not play about one another. The little full circle moments that happen throughout. Every note, every loose end gets tied up quite neatly by the end. I also love that side characters and storylines feel part of the story without overwhelming the story, it's a balance that's easy to mess up, but they did it so well. You're also able to empathize with a lot of characters and the questionable decisions they make. I'm just happy I read this when the frontal lobe has kicked in and I'm more intentional about deeply appreciating all the media I engage with.
What sets 某某 [A Certain Someone] apart from other BL novels is its exploration of the complexities and nuances of same-sex relationships in contemporary Chinese society. Mu Su Li masterfully portrays the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in a culture that places great emphasis on tradition and conformity. The novel's themes of family, duty, and societal expectations are explored with great depth and nuance, making for a deeply emotional and thought-provoking reading experience.
The novel's pacing is spot-on, with tension building throughout the story and culminating in a satisfying and emotionally charged conclusion. Mu Su Li's writing is elegant and evocative, drawing readers into the story and making them feel deeply invested in the lives of the characters. The protagonist's story of their youth, friendship and love is the focus. Jiang Tian and Sheng Wang, the two single-parent families united due to their parents, the two boys were not pleasing to the eye when they met at the beginning and became good friends who talked about everything in the end. Life in high school is bittersweet, and life in key high schools is especially bittersweet. The bitterness comes from the heavy academic work, and the sweetness comes from the company of friends.
What I connect to the most is the struggle of youth. With the coming of age, all those pressures that once felt far and beyond our responsibility now pile upon us. Love, friendship, future plans, and academic validation are all essential elements that both worry us but also lead us to the road to adulthood. On the way, there are countless conflicts with what we want, what our family want, what our loved ones want and what the world wants. Nevertheless, that can't stop me from having a full youth that I enjoy and will be proud to look back on: "I am 17 years old, and the whole world belongs to me. No hesitation or trade-offs are required. I am indestructible and omnipotent."
"The applause from the audience was warm and prolonged, like a grand blessing. No one knew they were together, but everyone had seen them together."