Wen Zhiqing is such a perfect sleazebag. The way he acts gentle and refined, but we get glimpses of his scheming mind—thinking about how he’ll get the job and later get revenge on Gu Yunzhou—it makes my skin crawl. And the whole scene where he gets beaten up twice in one day is darkly hilarious. First by Gu Yunzhou, then probably by Sheng Ze Xi. He’s so confused and angry, and his face is a mess. It’s so satisfying to see him suffer, even though he’ll definitely cause more trouble later. Zhao Weihong fawning over him is just infuriating.
The Director's immediate reaction to protect Ao Tian, a stranger, is wonderful. He doesn't know who this guy is, but his first instinct is to tell him to run away from the trouble. It proves instantly why Ao Tian loves this man. He is a genuinely good person. The story doesn't just tell us he is a saint; it shows him risking himself for others.
The writing style is straightforward and clean, which makes for easy reading. There aren't overly flowery descriptions or drawn-out internal monologues. Action scenes are described dynamically, with clear sequences: Beo dodging Tobio, the cannonball flight, Roger's slash. The dialogue feels natural and matches each character's voice: Roger's booming laugh interjections, Rayleigh's calm and teasing tones, Buggy's irritable outbursts, Shanks' concise remarks. The only thing that feels slightly off is the occasional modern-sounding phrase like "heaven sending food directly into his mouth" which is an idiom that might be translated from Chinese. But in English it still works as a vivid expression. Overall the prose is unpretentious and effective.
The scene where Xiao Yu kowtows to thank the clan leader and villagers shows she knows social etiquette— but she only bowed three times, not nine? But it’s fine.
The mint candy callback was brilliantly executed. Luo Xinglan's entire flashback made me emotional – from the happy childhood to the kidnapping, training, and the final battle royale. Then we cut to present and she has a whole bowl of spicy food and a Fanta. The growth from that dying child to a stoic protector sharing a meal with the same person who once gave her candy is beautiful. The tears in her eyes from the spice, and Miao asking if it's too spicy – that mirroring with her first taste of sweetness is poetic.
Having read a multitude of reviews concerning this novel, I initially found myself hesitating to pick it up. Many critics seemed to take issue with a significant twist in which the protagonist abruptly finds themselves in a servitude situation. Understandably, this can be quite frustrating for readers who perhaps favor a more heroic or consistent character arc. However, as I delved deeper into the narrative, I discovered that this twist, rather than being a detriment, actually propelled the story forward and contributed to the character's growth in unexpected ways. The author's ability to weave these challenging events into the plot really enhanced the development and complexity of the story, making it more engaging than I had anticipated. Ultimately, while I understand the criticisms, I believe the novel possesses redeeming qualities that merit a rating of at least 3.5 to 4 stars. It’s a testament to how sometimes our initial impressions, influenced by others, can cloud our judgment. I encourage readers to give this book a chance, as it may surprise you with its depth and storytelling.