Don’t Pretend to be Poor with Me

The first day Song Yan transferred to his new school, he met his new roommate being blocked by gangsters in an alley asking to pay up a debt. The stick in the new roommate’s hands fell, and the little gangster fled in defeat, but didn’t forget to yell in anger while running: “Look at your little white face, if you find a wealthy woman and get rich, how can you still be afraid to pay up!” The new roommate looked on in approval, and seemed to have realized the light: “Makes sense.” Song Yan: “……” What kind of nonsense. So to block his new roommate from going astray, Song Yan began the road to ruin of targeted poverty alleviation for pure and beautiful male high school students. No money to buy dinner, so he treated him. No money for book expenses, so he sponsored it. No money for a scarf, so he took advantage of the buy one get one promotion from the store in front of the school to send him a scarf. The eldest young master Song who already had his expenses cut off by his family had no choice but to learn to be thrifty and hardworking. Later, his dad brought him to attend a dinner banquet: “Come, Xiao Yan, let me introduce you to grandpa Xia’s grandson, Xia Zhiye.” Song Yan looked at the boy in front of him wearing a custom-made suit, with the worn out scarf that he dredged out from the buy one get one promotion in front of the school wrapped around his neck, and expressionlessly raised up a knife. That night, in some male high school’s dorm room came the yell of domestic violence: “f*ck off, don’t pretend to be poor with me!” However the target of the domestic violence patiently coaxed him: “I didn’t pretend to be poor, I’m really poor. But later on I’ll be very rich, and I’ll even give it to my boyfriend to manage, so how about you consider it again?”

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Don’t Pretend to be Poor with Me "Don’t Pretend to be Poor with Me" is a rollercoaster of emotions disguised as a fluffy school-life romance, and I found myself surprisingly invested in its characters despite some of the issues that popped up along the way. It’s a story about healing, acceptance, and the unexpected places you find love. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a cold, seemingly uncaring MC and a relentlessly cheerful ML. The early chapters promised a sweet, comedic story, and I was eager to see how their relationship would unfold. The setup is classic: Song Yan, burdened by a difficult past and a prickly exterior, meets Xia Zhiye, a seemingly poor student with a heart of gold and an endless supply of patience. ### What Works Well The core of this novel lies in its characters. Song Yan, despite his flaws, is a compelling protagonist. I enjoyed watching him slowly shed his defenses and open up to Xia Zhiye. The author does a good job of portraying his internal struggles and insecurities, making his eventual growth feel earned, even if some found the growth incomplete. Xia Zhiye, on the other hand, is the ultimate green flag. His unwavering devotion and ability to see past Song Yan's rough exterior are truly endearing. Many will find his unwavering support and teasing nature to be irresistible, and their dynamic is the heart of the story. The side characters also add depth and humor to the narrative, especially Song Yan's stepmother, who defies the usual evil stepmother trope. The novel also shines in its ability to blend comedy with heavier themes like depression and trauma. The humor is often derived from the characters' interactions and Song Yan's constant misunderstandings, providing a welcome balance to the more serious elements. ### Areas of Concern However, I did find some aspects of the novel problematic. A recurring criticism is the repetitive nature of the plot, driven by constant misunderstandings and reconciliations. Some found that Song Yan's character development stagnated, and his reliance on Xia Zhiye bordered on unhealthy. The physical violence in their relationship, with Song Yan often hitting Xia Zhiye, also made me uncomfortable. While some readers may find this dynamic amusing, I found it to be a point of concern that wasn't adequately addressed. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers were disappointed with the extras, feeling that they regressed the characters' development and leaned too heavily into comedic fluff. The handling of Song Yan's trauma, with others revealing his past without his consent, was also a point of criticism. ### Final Verdict Overall, "Don’t Pretend to be Poor with Me" is an enjoyable read with a heartwarming romance and well-developed characters. While the plot can be repetitive and the relationship dynamics aren't always the healthiest, the novel's strengths outweigh its weaknesses. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy school-life romances with a touch of angst and a devoted ML. Just be aware of the potential triggers and problematic elements before diving in.