I Cried, I Was Pretending

President Xu kept a pampered little troublemaker who bore a striking resemblance to his first love. Relying on his good looks, this little ancestor had a terrible temper—throwing a tantrum at the slightest displeasure and threatening to run away at any moment. At first, President Xu indulged him, merely attracted to the resemblance. He was half-hearted and permissive, never expecting that over time, doting on him would become second nature, turning the other party into a true little ancestor. Just when President Xu was so captivated he nearly forgot about his first love, that very person returned. Upon hearing the news, the little ancestor immediately demanded a breakup. President Xu was furious. He decided to give the brat the cold shoulder for a few days to remind him of his place. But then, one revelation after another surfaced— The little ancestor was bad at academics?—He faked it. The little ancestor had no serious career?—Also fake. The little ancestor came from a poor background?—Still fake. Turns out, the little ancestor was not only good-looking and wealthy but also young and capable. Even their so-called “coincidental” first meeting had been carefully orchestrated by him. President Xu thought he was keeping a caged canary. In reality, he had been played like a fool. President Xu: ? Not getting married really isn’t an option now.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on *I Cried, I Was Pretending* ### First Impressions *I Cried, I Was Pretending* definitely grabbed my attention with its intriguing premise of a transmigration story featuring a system administrator and a domineering CEO. The "bickering couple" and "shameless protagonist" tags also piqued my interest, suggesting a potentially fun and unconventional romance. However, after diving in, my feelings are...complicated. ### What Works Well There's a undeniable appeal to the character of Kang Yao, the main character. He's portrayed as intelligent, strong, and unashamedly himself, a refreshing change from the often submissive protagonists you find in similar genres. The dynamic where he seemingly has the ML, Xu Yao, wrapped around his finger is initially entertaining. It's always fun to see a bottom character who can fight back and hold their own against a powerful top. The earlier parts of the story, where Kang Yao is navigating his new reality and dealing with Xu Yao's infatuation, have a certain charm. ### Areas of Concern Unfortunately, the power dynamic takes a turn that left me feeling uneasy. While the initial premise of a "shameless protagonist" is appealing, Kang Yao's actions often veer into cruelty. The story appears to hinge on Kang Yao exploiting Xu Yao's vulnerabilities and past traumas for his own amusement. The line between playful teasing and genuine emotional abuse becomes blurred, and that's where I started to struggle with the narrative. I found myself sympathizing with Xu Yao, even though his initial actions weren't justifiable, and becoming increasingly uncomfortable with Kang Yao's manipulative behavior. The lack of genuine remorse or growth from Kang Yao is a significant sticking point for me. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Specific instances of Kang Yao deliberately triggering Xu Yao's past trauma are particularly troubling. The system, initially presented as a driving force, fades into the background, leaving Kang Yao's actions feeling less like fulfilling a task and more like personal vendettas. The ending, where Xu Yao essentially loses himself and becomes a "licking dog" to Kang Yao, is deeply unsatisfying. ### Final Verdict *I Cried, I Was Pretending* presents an interesting concept with a strong protagonist, but the execution ultimately falls short. While the initial dynamic is intriguing, the relationship becomes increasingly toxic and unbalanced. I struggled to find any genuine affection or respect in their interactions, and the lack of accountability for Kang Yao's actions left me with a sour taste. While some might enjoy the power imbalance and the "taming" aspect, I found it to be more disturbing than entertaining. Proceed with caution; this one is definitely not for everyone.