Feigned Pity

An ‘unwanted child’ appeared at Gu’s household; well-behaved, good-looking, and she looked weak and easy to bully. On the first day of her arrival, the notorious Young Master Gu knocked over the bowl she brought to him, leaving a faint red blemish on her hand. She whimpered with tears in her eyes looking very pitiful as Gu Jing Yuan pretended to be tough and aloof. Gu Jing Yuan skipped classes, missed examinations, and engaged in fights… He became the first person to repeat a grade in Fu Middle School. He was without scruples and no one could control him; except for Tao Yi Xi. Her red blemished slender hand delivered a set of test papers, “Ge-ge, your homework.” “Get lost.” “If you don’t accept it, the teacher will scold me,” she cried. Her tears were like raindrops on a pear blossom, so pitiful. “…” f*ck. His heart inexplicably softened. Later on, as long as Tao Yi Xi cried, he could not help but compromise. The impression of a weak baby chick was deeply engraved into his heart. Until one day, she took on five strong men alone. Covered in bruises and bleeding but she did not shed a single tear. She looked incredibly ferocious. Gu Jing Yuan, “…” Did he get cheated?! The first time they met: She tenderly called, “Ge-ge.” But he sneered, “I don’t have a sister.” Who would have expected that later on, he would trap her in his arms, bite her ear, and mutter, “call me Ge-ge.” Tao Yi Xi: Did she act so well that everything went out of her control?… When Tao Yi Xi just arrived, he chided in disgust: “Don’t touch me!” After that, when Tao Yi Xi wanted to leave, he hugged her tightly and begged her in a low voice, “please don’t go.” When they met again, he had already matured into a business big shot, donned in a western suit. When he saw her, his gaze just lightly swept over her, like the past events never happened. If he did not want to acknowledge her, then so be it! Yet, in the middle of the night, smelling of alcohol, he pressed her against the wall, with red-rimmed eyes. “I like you so much, why must you leave?”

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Feigned Pity "Feigned Pity" is a completed web novel that I found to be a mixed bag, landing somewhere in the 3.5-star range for me. It has moments of genuine charm and interesting character dynamics, especially in the early stages, but it also falls into some familiar traps that kept it from reaching its full potential. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the high school setting and the premise of a "poor but realistic girl" and an "arrogant young master." The early chapters promised a compelling story of teenage love and character growth amidst the pressures of school and family. I was intrigued by the complexities of the main characters and their evolving relationship. ### What Works Well The strength of "Feigned Pity" lies in its first half, particularly the high school arc. I found the depiction of the class environment and the tangled web of friendships to be quite engaging. The character growth of both leads during this time was also a highlight. The male lead's initial arrogance slowly melts away as he becomes completely devoted to the female lead, which is a trope I usually dislike but found well-executed here. The female lead's cunning and ability to navigate complex social situations also made her a compelling character to follow. ### Areas of Concern However, as the story progressed beyond the high school setting, I felt that it began to lose its way. The transition to the adult life and business world felt rushed and underdeveloped. The plot became more cliché-ridden, relying on familiar tropes like overbearing presidents and obligatory Westerners. The ending, in particular, felt abrupt and lacked the emotional impact I was hoping for. I also felt that some of the side characters, particularly the parents, were somewhat one-dimensional and didn't undergo any significant development. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Several readers mentioned specific plot points that I want to address. Some found the female lead's mother to be a particularly frustrating character, and others criticized the time-skip and the male lead's transformation into an "Overbearing President." While I can see why these elements might be appealing to some readers, I personally found them to be a bit jarring and out of sync with the more realistic tone of the earlier chapters. ### Final Verdict Overall, "Feigned Pity" is an okay read. It has moments of brilliance, particularly in its high school arc, but it ultimately suffers from a lack of development and an overreliance on clichés. If you're looking for a sweet romance with some interesting character dynamics, it might be worth checking out, but be prepared for a somewhat uneven experience.