After the Stand-in Shou Faked His Death

Xu ChengYan had been together with the eldest young master of the He family for five years, always on call and he yielded to everything. Even though He Yang always treated him with a cold face, Xu ChengYan was willing, thinking that as long as he was the most special one to He Yang, one day he would be able to melt the iceberg. Until one day, He Yang’s white moonlight returned to China. Xu ChengYan saw with his own eyes that the man who was always cold and indifferent in front of him was extremely gentle in front of the white moonlight. It was also at this time that Xu ChengYan realized that he was just a substitute. Icebergs will melt, but the person who melted this iceberg was not him. The exhausted Xu ChengYan finally woke up. He chose to let go, packed his luggage and left by himself. And when He Yang came back and saw the empty apartment, he just smiled and made a bet with the group of good-for-nothing friends: within five days, Xu ChengYan will come back. On the first day, Xu ChengYan did not come back. The next day, Xu ChengYan still didn’t come back. On the fifth day, Xu ChengYan finally returned. It was just that what was waiting for He Yang was Xu ChengYan’s icy cold corpse, which could no longer be recovered. Three years later, He Yang was still the aloof and indifferent eldest young master of the He family. At a banquet, He Yang suddenly saw a familiar figure. He Yang lost his self-control, rushed forward like a madman, and stood in front of the black-haired young man. “Yanyan.” The eldest young master of the He family, who had always been indifferent, was holding the young man’s hand tightly at this time, his eyes were slightly red. “Go back with me, okay?” The dazzling black-haired youth just smiled and moved the man’s hand away. “Sorry Sir, you have mistaken the wrong person.”

Original Publisher

shubl

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on *After the Stand-in Shou Faked His Death* This novel is quite the ride, a rollercoaster of angst, questionable decisions, and a whole lot of dog blood drama. I went in expecting a straightforward redemption arc, but what I got was far more complicated, and at times, frustrating. While there are moments that shine, the overall experience left me with mixed feelings. ### First Impressions The initial chapters definitely grabbed my attention. The setup is classic: a neglected shou, a cold gong, and a white moonlight looming in the background. I immediately felt sympathy for Xu Chengyan, the MC, and his unrequited love. The story pulled me in with the promise of a satisfying wife-chasing crematorium plot, but the execution didn't quite live up to my expectations. ### What Works Well The exploration of grief and emotional turmoil is a definite strength. The ML's reaction to the MC's supposed death felt raw and believable, a highlight that many readers seem to agree with. I also appreciated the character growth, particularly in the later arcs. Both the MC and ML mature and learn from their mistakes, even if the path to get there is bumpy. The author's attempt to provide backstories and explanations for the characters' behaviors, while sometimes convoluted, added a layer of depth to the story. ### Areas of Concern The biggest issue I encountered was the inconsistency in character development and the somewhat contrived plot. The MC's personality shifts felt jarring at times, and certain plot points, like the ease with which the MC assumed a new identity, strained my suspension of disbelief. The ML's actions also raised eyebrows, especially his initial treatment of the MC and the strange dynamic with the white moonlight. The justifications offered for his behavior often felt like convenient excuses rather than genuine character development. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, let's dive into some spoiler territory. A major sticking point for me, and many others, was the ML's relationship with the white moonlight. The explanations for his actions – the clothes being from his mother's company, the blindfolding being a kink – felt like flimsy attempts to excuse his past behavior. It's hard to shake the feeling that the MC was, at least initially, a substitute. Also, the power dynamics in their relationship are questionable, especially the constant push and pull and the reliance on sex to resolve conflicts. ### Final Verdict *After the Stand-in Shou Faked His Death* is a flawed but ultimately engaging novel. While the plot can be messy and the characters make questionable choices, there's a certain charm to the story's over-the-top drama and emotional depth. If you're a fan of angst, wife-chasing crematoriums, and don't mind a healthy dose of dog blood, this might be worth a read. Just be prepared to suspend your disbelief and brace yourself for some frustrating moments along the way. I'd give it a tentative 3 out of 5 stars.