#gui luan

But in this moment, he thought, why was he illiterate?

She had told him her name, yet he didn't know it.

The distance between them was as vast as that between clouds and mud.

She’s a princess so normally I’d say it’s true but you look like this and are played by Zhang Linghelen of Troy so:

Also, a reeeaallly slow burn. Slow burn which is moree like the male lead is ready with 5 ltr of kerosene and a lighter but the female lead has the responsibility of the world on her shoulders and is head to toe covered in asbestos.

Yesterday evening, I gave in and started Gui Luan and proceeded to stay up until 6 am (!!!) reading until my body just couldn't stay awake anymore. At least it's weekend.

Anyway, the novel is what I was promised and then some.

I'm basing this on the translation, of course, but I think the writing is better than Chasing Jade, and there is less humor, or maybe I perceived it that way because it doesn't shy away from the darkness of the world from the very beginning.

Either way, I already have a character whose death was devastating enough I almost cried (I probably would have actually cried if my eyes hadn't been too dry from staying up all night).

I like the FL a lot. She's comes off as very strong person, without having the slightest martial ability, and even though she does always have a solution for any problem (so far), it's not always the best solution, rather it seems she's making the best of her limited options. In any case, I can see why the ML falls for her and I enjoy her POV and find her actually likeable despite her privileged upbringing.

Now the ML. Wow. I was made promises but damn this exceeded all my expectations. We get hints of his complexity from the start, but the backstory is revealed little by little in the most delicious way, very show not tell. And even if by chapter 36, it's clear this is a very dangerous man whose life has been so horrible and who has only managed to function and live a semblance of a normal life because he was so stubbornly filial and loyal and loving.

He is a very quiet person with amazing self restraint, but incredibly intense feelings. When I started the novel he had about 5-6 hinges, and with every one of his loved ones killed, he gets progressively more dangerous and it's as painful to read about as it is delicious (because I'm me).

I cannot wait until the stage where he just let's go of his last bit of restraint and goes full unhinged. I have read some spoilers. I am half tempted to pull another all nighter to get there but my body isn't what it used to be 😭. Sucks getting old.

I think Zhang Linghe is perfectly cast for this.

I'm not sure about the actress for the FL. I don't remember watching anything with her in it but she does sort of look the part.

In conclusion: the director and writer(s?) for the cdrama adaptation of this novel had better not fuck it up or they'll have to sleep with one eye open.