Black Lotus

“I can’t bear your hypocritical actions any longer!” After Wen Niannan married Gu Yansheng for three years, this is the sentence that he had heard the most. Ever since their wedding, the moment when Gu Yansheng poured wine on his head in front of everyone there, he realized that couldn’t ask for much more. “Sign the divorce agreement and be gone!” However, just months after they divorced, Gu Yansheng, along with some bodyguards, came rushing into his room. “Nian’nian, you are the best! Let’s not mess around and go home with me, alright?” “President Gu, have you forgot that we are already divorced?” “Then we can marry again! But this time, I’m the one after you.” Gu Yansheng, he thought, you are living a good life and getting what you wanted, but have you considered my feelings?

Original Publisher

shubl

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Black Lotus "Black Lotus"... where do I even begin? This novel is a rollercoaster, and not the fun kind. It's more like one of those rickety wooden coasters that looks like it's about to fall apart any second. With a dismal 2.2/5 rating based on hundreds of votes, I knew going in that I was likely in for a bumpy ride, and boy, was I right. ### First Impressions The tags alone – adult, psychological, tragedy, yaoi, abusive characters, adultery, betrayal – painted a dark picture. I braced myself for angst, but nothing could have fully prepared me for the sheer intensity of it. I went in expecting a dark romance, and what I found was something far more… complicated, and frankly, disturbing. ### What Works Well Honestly, finding positives in "Black Lotus" feels like searching for a diamond in a coal mine. Some readers praise the author's ability to evoke strong emotions, particularly hatred for the male lead. The writing is apparently effective enough to make you *really* despise this guy, which, I suppose, is a testament to the author's skill. A few readers who made it to the end even spoke of a satisfying character arc for the ML, with genuine remorse and attempts at redemption. They found the love story beautiful *eventually*. ### Areas of Concern This is where things get dicey. The overwhelming consensus is that "Black Lotus" normalizes and even glorifies domestic abuse. The male lead is repeatedly described as irredeemable, engaging in physical and emotional abuse, cheating, and manipulation. Many readers expressed disgust at the lack of consequences for his actions, with some feeling that the female lead's forgiveness was unrealistic and even harmful. I can definitely see where they're coming from. The idea that the MC ends up back with his abuser is deeply troubling. The normalization of such toxic behavior is a major red flag for me. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, here's where I have to be careful. Spoilers abound, so proceed at your own risk! Apparently, the ML does eventually seek therapy and shows remorse. However, many readers felt this wasn't enough to excuse his past actions, especially since the MC suffers lasting trauma. The fact that the MC ultimately forgives the ML and they remarry is a sticking point for many, who see it as a betrayal of abuse victims. ### Final Verdict "Black Lotus" is not a light read. It's a potentially triggering story that deals with very dark themes. While some may find the eventual redemption arc satisfying, the journey to get there is paved with abuse and questionable choices. Personally, I struggle to recommend a novel that seems to minimize the severity of domestic violence. If you're looking for a healthy romance, steer clear. If you're prepared for extreme angst and a potentially problematic narrative, proceed with extreme caution. For me, the concerns far outweigh any potential positives.