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Lip and Sword #3
Lip and Sword: Vol. 3
Ambition leads to sophistication, desire leads to advancement, both are good qualities for people.
This world is neither that good nor that bad, still worth a fight for it.
Marry me, will you?
This world is neither that good nor that bad, still worth a fight for it.
Marry me, will you?
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2022
9 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 21, 2023
Volume 1 & 2 was great but volume 3 was meh. The start was intriguing and angsty; however, it ended up rushed with not much excitement. Suddenly, everything turned out smoothly. In a metaphorical sense, I hiked up mountain with all my strength only to find out I am climbing a small hill. :/ But the ending definitely took me by surprise. I didn’t expect the gong would make such a decision and the sacrifices they both made for each other was priceless.
Quite satisfied with the extras. The extras were longer than I expected and I honestly enjoyed it more than when I read the ending of the main story. My secret fantasy scenes were all fulfilled by the extras!! That surprised me. Haha. Honestly, I love the extras, it showed a different side of them as a family and as a couple. It wasn’t all fluff though, there was also angst but it is the angst before realization, so all is well afterward.
Trigger warnings similar to volumes 1 & 2. Read at your discretion. There are mentions of rape, kidnapping, abduction, violence, self-harm, sexual harassment, suicide, and homophobia.
Now for the writing, volume 3 got a lot more typos. Main character’s name was written wrong. There are words repeated on the same line. Sentences missing commas & periods. Run-on sentences that seem never-ending. Occasionally, a word would suddenly appear in the middle of the sentence that’s completely unrelated to the sentence itself. Some terms used don’t seem right either for the sentences.
I could ignore the errors for volume 1 and 2, but volume 3 got too much for me to turn a blind eye to it.
//edit
I added one more star to this because for some reason. The story is still stuck in my head despite reading so many novels after this. I’m still not over it.
Quite satisfied with the extras. The extras were longer than I expected and I honestly enjoyed it more than when I read the ending of the main story. My secret fantasy scenes were all fulfilled by the extras!! That surprised me. Haha. Honestly, I love the extras, it showed a different side of them as a family and as a couple. It wasn’t all fluff though, there was also angst but it is the angst before realization, so all is well afterward.
Trigger warnings similar to volumes 1 & 2. Read at your discretion. There are mentions of rape, kidnapping, abduction, violence, self-harm, sexual harassment, suicide, and homophobia.
Now for the writing, volume 3 got a lot more typos. Main character’s name was written wrong. There are words repeated on the same line. Sentences missing commas & periods. Run-on sentences that seem never-ending. Occasionally, a word would suddenly appear in the middle of the sentence that’s completely unrelated to the sentence itself. Some terms used don’t seem right either for the sentences.
I could ignore the errors for volume 1 and 2, but volume 3 got too much for me to turn a blind eye to it.
//edit
I added one more star to this because for some reason. The story is still stuck in my head despite reading so many novels after this. I’m still not over it.
November 7, 2023
So. Much. Angst. I was not ready! Trigger warning (there are others I am not listing) for violence, close non-consent, multiple VERY dominant scenes between top/bottom, and just pure pain from miscommunication or lack of communication. If you’ve read this far, it actually has a very satisfying and happy ending that **almost** helps me overlook a few things YZ did. I don’t typically enjoy this kind of relationship but I ended up really loving this couple and am learning every relationship is different and that there’s no standard or norm to compare to. I am very glad I gave this story a second chance but it’s not something I’d recommend for everyone. Please read all the trigger warnings before reading!
April 20, 2025
They are SO insane for each other!!!! This series is so much fun.
December 31, 2023
“Old Fox, I miss you.”
and with that, my 2023 reading year has finally come to an end :’)
i feel very satisfied to have this series be my final read of the year because it was one of the best emotional rollercoasters i’ve ever had.
as much as i talked about how dark & tense this story was in the first two volumes, i really want to stress how comforting it actually became. xing ming’s persistent attitude to put himself and Oriental TV Line on the mark with the most eye-catching news as possible, even if it put him in danger, has always been about his father. that cold & calculating personality was hiding a deep & bitter grief over what happened to the man who got sniped for trying to unveil the root of a corrupted entity. and this grief, it was something that washed over him in one of these bonus stories, but actually, it’s always been there from the beginning. moments where he stared at himself in the mirror and felt like he couldn’t see him, like he felt so detached; were all indicative of how much he was willing to go down this long path of making up for what his father lost, even if it meant possibly losing himself. but there had to be an end to it at some point.
After walking a long road, he finally felt tired.
the presence of yu zhongye as a love interest made the story seem exciting and dangerous sometimes, it really did! but it wasn’t always like that. this “test” i had been thinking to describe the nature of their relationship really was mostly yu zhongye becoming the firm and strong lighthouse that xing ming needed to stay grounded, or else he would just drown himself. this statement is very ironic for me to make because he literally does drown because of yu zhongye, but afterwards, it really felt like that close call rebooted everything and made the story even more reflective. the fact that yu zhongye also saved him immediately from drowning is a significant factor of that entire chapter. yu zhongye pitting xing ming against the world and treating him very coldly in public, while sending mixed signals, it’s those actions that i think make him someone not every reader would necessarily like for xing ming. but….as xing ming himself describes, that “cunning old fox” pushes him like no one else has and stops him from falling off the edge before anyone else could push him off. he makes him feel and stay alive.
there’s a warmth in their relationship that was only seen in very small details in the first two volumes, but we get to see more often in the bonus stories, and that’s because we were at the end. both these characters made it out of the tunnel after that huge root of corruption xing ming’s father wanted to dig out finally revealed itself (in the most interesting series of events as possible). and through that, i got to see them at their softest and even yu zhongye become more affectionate & open about the feelings he grew for xing ming than i was before. there was still this teasing atmosphere between them where they both frustrate each other to no end, but i don’t think they would have it any other way. as the author says herself in the q&a interview, even if these two didn’t cross paths the way they did in canon, there was always going to be a point where they connect and change everything.
He was willing to be outwitted by this man for a lifetime.
in this story, all eyes were surrounding them working in the center of China’s most popular news outlet, and they shake it up in some of the best & worst ways. to get to see them happy together after, and with yu zhongye’s son, yu shao’ai, with them, it brought such a huge smile to my face. yu shao’ai had more of a presence in these last volumes than i could’ve hoped for, and he continues to have that in the bonus shorts. his own ambitions and complicated relationship with his distant father gave him a well-rounded arc, and i loved seeing how he got to be challenged through the interesting dynamic he builds with xing ming. he even challenges himself when it came to how far he would go in helping unmask the many lies that even fabricated his own life, even if it meant losing the people he thought he knew.
his relationship with yu zhongye doesn’t get really soft, as that’s not how they are, but it becomes very clear how much yu zhongye does care for him in his own twisted way. what i appreciate most is seeing xing ming be part of this little family and the fact yu shao’ai even refers to him as his step-mom :’) it’s probably more of a joke than anything, but it’s said often enough that i can’t help but tell how fast it sticks.
this series was so ambitious and incredibly informative when it came to unpacking the many different issues that plague not simply the world, but China itself. having a character like xing ming who got to learn so much and be able to uncover that truth when he likely wouldn’t have if for his father’s demise, it spinned the story on its head very often and made it even more compelling. his arc was absolutely brilliant and im happy he got to have his happy ending; this is sincerely one of my most favorite characters ever. and this story, with all its drama and dark themes, deserves a lot better. i hope it can find its niche with many more readers, and not feel like it’s just me 🧡
and with that, my 2023 reading year has finally come to an end :’)
i feel very satisfied to have this series be my final read of the year because it was one of the best emotional rollercoasters i’ve ever had.
as much as i talked about how dark & tense this story was in the first two volumes, i really want to stress how comforting it actually became. xing ming’s persistent attitude to put himself and Oriental TV Line on the mark with the most eye-catching news as possible, even if it put him in danger, has always been about his father. that cold & calculating personality was hiding a deep & bitter grief over what happened to the man who got sniped for trying to unveil the root of a corrupted entity. and this grief, it was something that washed over him in one of these bonus stories, but actually, it’s always been there from the beginning. moments where he stared at himself in the mirror and felt like he couldn’t see him, like he felt so detached; were all indicative of how much he was willing to go down this long path of making up for what his father lost, even if it meant possibly losing himself. but there had to be an end to it at some point.
After walking a long road, he finally felt tired.
the presence of yu zhongye as a love interest made the story seem exciting and dangerous sometimes, it really did! but it wasn’t always like that. this “test” i had been thinking to describe the nature of their relationship really was mostly yu zhongye becoming the firm and strong lighthouse that xing ming needed to stay grounded, or else he would just drown himself. this statement is very ironic for me to make because he literally does drown because of yu zhongye, but afterwards, it really felt like that close call rebooted everything and made the story even more reflective. the fact that yu zhongye also saved him immediately from drowning is a significant factor of that entire chapter. yu zhongye pitting xing ming against the world and treating him very coldly in public, while sending mixed signals, it’s those actions that i think make him someone not every reader would necessarily like for xing ming. but….as xing ming himself describes, that “cunning old fox” pushes him like no one else has and stops him from falling off the edge before anyone else could push him off. he makes him feel and stay alive.
there’s a warmth in their relationship that was only seen in very small details in the first two volumes, but we get to see more often in the bonus stories, and that’s because we were at the end. both these characters made it out of the tunnel after that huge root of corruption xing ming’s father wanted to dig out finally revealed itself (in the most interesting series of events as possible). and through that, i got to see them at their softest and even yu zhongye become more affectionate & open about the feelings he grew for xing ming than i was before. there was still this teasing atmosphere between them where they both frustrate each other to no end, but i don’t think they would have it any other way. as the author says herself in the q&a interview, even if these two didn’t cross paths the way they did in canon, there was always going to be a point where they connect and change everything.
He was willing to be outwitted by this man for a lifetime.
in this story, all eyes were surrounding them working in the center of China’s most popular news outlet, and they shake it up in some of the best & worst ways. to get to see them happy together after, and with yu zhongye’s son, yu shao’ai, with them, it brought such a huge smile to my face. yu shao’ai had more of a presence in these last volumes than i could’ve hoped for, and he continues to have that in the bonus shorts. his own ambitions and complicated relationship with his distant father gave him a well-rounded arc, and i loved seeing how he got to be challenged through the interesting dynamic he builds with xing ming. he even challenges himself when it came to how far he would go in helping unmask the many lies that even fabricated his own life, even if it meant losing the people he thought he knew.
his relationship with yu zhongye doesn’t get really soft, as that’s not how they are, but it becomes very clear how much yu zhongye does care for him in his own twisted way. what i appreciate most is seeing xing ming be part of this little family and the fact yu shao’ai even refers to him as his step-mom :’) it’s probably more of a joke than anything, but it’s said often enough that i can’t help but tell how fast it sticks.
this series was so ambitious and incredibly informative when it came to unpacking the many different issues that plague not simply the world, but China itself. having a character like xing ming who got to learn so much and be able to uncover that truth when he likely wouldn’t have if for his father’s demise, it spinned the story on its head very often and made it even more compelling. his arc was absolutely brilliant and im happy he got to have his happy ending; this is sincerely one of my most favorite characters ever. and this story, with all its drama and dark themes, deserves a lot better. i hope it can find its niche with many more readers, and not feel like it’s just me 🧡
October 10, 2024
3 stars
Even though it took me a very long time to get through the final novel (mostly because I was very worried about Xing Ming and his pursuit for the truth and how that would hurt him), I finally pushed through and finished the series. Someone else mentioned that they thought things wrapped up very quickly and neatly and in a sense, I agree. However, the main reason for the higher rating on this volume is due to the extras. I thought they were really cute and fluffy especially with how the old fox realizing that he no longer wants to hurt Xing Ming. They've really come a long way from the first volume.
Even though it took me a very long time to get through the final novel (mostly because I was very worried about Xing Ming and his pursuit for the truth and how that would hurt him), I finally pushed through and finished the series. Someone else mentioned that they thought things wrapped up very quickly and neatly and in a sense, I agree. However, the main reason for the higher rating on this volume is due to the extras. I thought they were really cute and fluffy especially with how the old fox realizing that he no longer wants to hurt Xing Ming. They've really come a long way from the first volume.
October 31, 2024
Ok, let's get the nuts and bolts out of the way first. The first volume, the translation was pretty good. The English read pretty well. As the story has gone on, it has gotten worse and worse. Vol. 2 was not a edited as Volume 1 and Volume three was pretty bad. Words were in the wrong order and many preposition and pronouns were just left out. Word endings didn't match. This editing was a hot mess.
The story was still there. I'm still not sure these two really love each other. Well, I take that back. I think Xing Ming really loved Yu Zhongye in his way. He's an impulsive kid. I'm still not sure Yu Zhongye loves Xing Ming as much as he wants to possess him. I think Yu Zhongye enjoys that chaos.
Anyway, I enjoy how this volume they slowly begin sharing their relationship with their friend circle and family. By the end of the book, they are kissing in front of Yu's son and other people as well. Everyone knows they are a couple.
I know everyone doesn't love weddings, but I do and I especially love a BL wedding and we rarely get them. Yu Zhongye told Xing Ming's mother, he was going to take him to the states and marry him proper. It never happened. We see them wearing rings and being a couple, and we don't get a wedding. I'm bummed. Oh well.
There were also two times when Xing Ming tried to top and that was very funny how that ended up. That relationship is set in stone.
There are six extras in here and some of them were pretty successful and some of them were just so so. We do learn alot and I'm glad they were there.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. I think it ends up in love story territory, but I'm still not convinced it's a love story. It was an entertaining read set in modern China. I enjoyed it. I do feel like the author used the news anchor job as a way to deal with some actual issues going on in China. Some were covered better than others. I'm glad I read this and I'm glad it was only three books.
The story was still there. I'm still not sure these two really love each other. Well, I take that back. I think Xing Ming really loved Yu Zhongye in his way. He's an impulsive kid. I'm still not sure Yu Zhongye loves Xing Ming as much as he wants to possess him. I think Yu Zhongye enjoys that chaos.
Anyway, I enjoy how this volume they slowly begin sharing their relationship with their friend circle and family. By the end of the book, they are kissing in front of Yu's son and other people as well. Everyone knows they are a couple.
I know everyone doesn't love weddings, but I do and I especially love a BL wedding and we rarely get them. Yu Zhongye told Xing Ming's mother, he was going to take him to the states and marry him proper. It never happened. We see them wearing rings and being a couple, and we don't get a wedding. I'm bummed. Oh well.
There were also two times when Xing Ming tried to top and that was very funny how that ended up. That relationship is set in stone.
There are six extras in here and some of them were pretty successful and some of them were just so so. We do learn alot and I'm glad they were there.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. I think it ends up in love story territory, but I'm still not convinced it's a love story. It was an entertaining read set in modern China. I enjoyed it. I do feel like the author used the news anchor job as a way to deal with some actual issues going on in China. Some were covered better than others. I'm glad I read this and I'm glad it was only three books.
May 28, 2025
I felt like the main plot was concluded in haste, it read like a wikipedia summary. It felt like the high-stakes tension that gripped me in the first 2 books was missing. Still, I absolutely love and adore Xing Ming, and I loved the extras, and Yu Shao'ai.
June 8, 2022
Consolidating my review for volume 2 and 3 since I can't seem to find volume 2 listed on here at all??
TBC.
TBC.
June 29, 2024
les extras ❤️❤️❤️
July 6, 2024
When I started reading this book I was already tired of the main characters.
September 1, 2024
loved this series,
Perfect mix of story and spice! Red all three books in less than 2weeks, while at work and busy vacay. Picked it up every chance I got!
Perfect mix of story and spice! Red all three books in less than 2weeks, while at work and busy vacay. Picked it up every chance I got!
November 3, 2025
“You are free to make your own choice which is neither noble nor base. And you don’t have to be bound by moral coercion. But you make me think of a phrase, ‘the darkest hour is just before dawn.’ You are a flame of hope under a wet blanket. We are looking forward to seeing a future where it burns on, enlightening the world.”
In Lip and Sword: Vol. 3, we continue the journey of Xing Ming as he digs deeper into the truth behind his father's wrongful death. His determination and commitment to journalism are evident as he navigates the complexities of the news industry, earning the nickname "Ice Prince." However, while his dedication is commendable, the weight of his sacrifices becomes increasingly apparent.
The relationship between Xing Ming and Yu Zhongye remains a central focus in this volume. Their dynamic is fraught with tension, especially as Xing Ming grapples with his disdain for Yu's perceived selfishness while still relying on his guidance. This push-and-pull adds a layer of complexity to their interactions, making for some compelling moments. It’s interesting to see how Xing Ming grows as a journalist under Yu's mentorship, but the emotional baggage of their relationship can sometimes overshadow the narrative.
While the pacing in this volume is more even, there are times when the plot feels drawn out. The gradual revelation of truths about Xing Ming's father's case keeps the tension alive, but it occasionally lacks the urgency I was hoping for. I found myself wanting more clarity in some of the plot developments, as they felt somewhat muddled.
This book serves as an engaging conclusion to Xing Ming's story, but it doesn't quite hit the mark for me. The character development is solid, and the themes of integrity in journalism are still relevant, but the pacing and emotional complexity can feel overwhelming at times. I'm glad I finished the series, but this final volume left me with mixed feelings.
In Lip and Sword: Vol. 3, we continue the journey of Xing Ming as he digs deeper into the truth behind his father's wrongful death. His determination and commitment to journalism are evident as he navigates the complexities of the news industry, earning the nickname "Ice Prince." However, while his dedication is commendable, the weight of his sacrifices becomes increasingly apparent.
The relationship between Xing Ming and Yu Zhongye remains a central focus in this volume. Their dynamic is fraught with tension, especially as Xing Ming grapples with his disdain for Yu's perceived selfishness while still relying on his guidance. This push-and-pull adds a layer of complexity to their interactions, making for some compelling moments. It’s interesting to see how Xing Ming grows as a journalist under Yu's mentorship, but the emotional baggage of their relationship can sometimes overshadow the narrative.
While the pacing in this volume is more even, there are times when the plot feels drawn out. The gradual revelation of truths about Xing Ming's father's case keeps the tension alive, but it occasionally lacks the urgency I was hoping for. I found myself wanting more clarity in some of the plot developments, as they felt somewhat muddled.
This book serves as an engaging conclusion to Xing Ming's story, but it doesn't quite hit the mark for me. The character development is solid, and the themes of integrity in journalism are still relevant, but the pacing and emotional complexity can feel overwhelming at times. I'm glad I finished the series, but this final volume left me with mixed feelings.
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June 29, 2024Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews