medusa_

(Disclaimer: I didn't use spoiler tag because the drama and novel are too different from each other)

Usually I don't give any reviews but now I just couldn't resist myself. I watched till ep 20 and stopped to read the novel. In the beginning, I couldn't stand Chen Yi and thought thank god the drama version of him is so much better. But I persisted, I was curious how will they both end up together after such irreversible damage done to each other.

I maybe right or wrong but after ep 20, I stopped watching any reels or edits of the later episodes so I woudn't know how its going on. Initially, while reading I imagined SWL and ZJY but later it struck me how different the drama version made them.
Chen Yi is crude, swores frequently, Tu Li was his actual gf AND lived with him. She found out that he lusts for the girl whom he claims to everyone around as 'younger sister'.

Miao Jing is too cold and berated him at any chance. She is more aloof than the drama version, offered herself to him at 18.
So as you can see there is a lot going, too many mistakes and impulsive decisions which can make one think if these 2 are really the perfect match?

but in the latter half of the novel they prove how compatible and made for each other they are. All the hardships that they faced strengthened their bond, 2 kids abandoned by their parents, braving storms amidst misunderstanding but at the end of the day support each other. They are too different from the traditional relationships we are accustomed to. Because they were forced to grow and mature fast, rely on themselves for food(yup literally food, they were scavenging because there was no adult to provide for them). Chen Yi was Miao Jing's father, mother, brother AND lover; and Miao Jing was Chen Yi's mother, father, sister AND lover. Sounds too unusual right? but hey, who are we to judge? With such circumstances, I don't think any of us could have even survived. If I were in MJ or CY's place, I would have unalived myself. I am not joking.

[And thank god this is just a novel, I am not someone who really likes the idea of marriage and children BUT after reading I made a vow that if I ever have a child I would treat them with the utmost care and make them feel loved.]
I just wanted to give a hug to both of them


I still don't get why the drama changed MJ's job to auditing. 90% of the novel is pure angst and tension and all about their relationship so I think they wanted to add some more extra in the crime genre side to make up for the screentime. But with the release of chinese BLs like Revenged Love and ABO: Desire, I thought they will be more open-mided to such scenes but ig we are still have a long way to go.
My fav part: Them going to Columbia and the novel covering those years is the peak amount of love and affection. You could feel it as if you were right near them third-wheeling. (Kudos to the author for such immersive storytelling)

I just absolutely loved and devoured those chapters. MJ and CY gets married, has a cute baby girl, and return to Tengcheng. You could see them living such fulfilling lives as if compensating for their lost carefree childhood. Ahhhhh gosh, they moved me to tears. I just love them soooo muchhhh.
I wish the drama version gives justice to their relationship.

Guysss please give the novel a try.