Master is Pretending to Love Me

After being tortured to death by Kan Wenxiao, Jian Xiuyun realizes that he has been living in a novel called 《The Supreme Path of Immortality》. In this book, his most hated disciple, Kan Wenxiao, is the male protagonist. He is the cannon fodder villain who scolds and beats up the male protagonist. Making things difficult for him and ending up miserably. After being reborn and recalling the ending of his previous life. Jian Xiuyun decided to make a fresh start, he planned to resist the disgust in his heart and he will treat Kan Wenxiao like his own son. As soon as he opened his eyes, he found that Kan Wenxiao was tied to the furnace cauldron by him, and he was holding a dagger in his hand. Facing such a scene, Jian Xiuyun calmly cut the rope on Kan Wenxiao’s body with the dagger, then stretched out his hand at him and said, “Be good, come here, Shizun will hug you.” Kan Wenxiao had always known that Jian Xiuyun didn’t like him because he had an ugly face. Although later he didn’t know why Jian Xiuyun suddenly changed his attitude, he could still feel his pretense and reluctance. Kan Wenxiao felt that there was an unspeakable anger burning in his heart, but there was something else under this anger. He didn’t know what it was until he held Jian Xiuyun in his arms and sprayed uncontrolled words in his master’s ears. “Shizun, can I exchange my sincerity for your sincerity?” 1. Gong’s face was burned by fire. He’s disfigured in the early chapters and will recover later. 2. Shou is a beauty-addict. He disliked Gong at first because of his disfigurement.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Master is Pretending to Love Me "Master is Pretending to Love Me" promised a darkly comedic take on the "villain reborn" trope, and while it certainly had moments that hooked me, the overall experience left me with mixed feelings. This xianxia novel dives into some morally gray territory, and how well you tolerate that will likely determine your enjoyment. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a reborn villain, Jian Xiuyun, who doesn't suddenly become a saint. He starts out as a pretty awful character, and I found that refreshing. The early chapters had a certain charm, reminding me a bit of "Scum Villain's Self-Saving System" with its self-aware humor. I was curious to see how the relationship between the MC and his disciple, the ML, would develop, especially given the initial disdain based on appearance. ### What Works Well The author does a decent job of creating complex characters with tragic backstories. I appreciated that the MC wasn't immediately sympathetic and that his past traumas influenced his present actions. The exploration of his shallow nature and slow, reluctant change was intriguing. The world-building, while not groundbreaking, was sufficient to keep me engaged. For some, the short chapter lengths kept the story moving at a satisfying pace. ### Areas of Concern However, my enthusiasm waned as the story progressed. The pacing felt rushed, especially towards the end, and the "happy ending" seemed unearned considering the dark events that preceded it. The ML's actions, particularly his treatment of other characters, raised serious questions about his redemption. The ending felt disconnected, leaving certain plot threads unresolved and some characters with undeserved fates. I also felt that some plot devices were not properly addressed by the author. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Several key plot points drew criticism. The ML's massacre of an entire family, the family of another disciple, Ling Liaoting, felt particularly jarring. The fact that Lin Liaoting was later only given a dream where he can fix his mistakes before waking up to his reality was a poor ending. The ML's whoring ways as a means of getting over the MC was a point of contention for many readers. This and other actions did not sit well with me, and made it difficult to accept the HE. ### Final Verdict Overall, "Master is Pretending to Love Me" is a mixed bag. It has moments of brilliance, intriguing characters, and a dark sense of humor that I enjoyed. However, the rushed ending, questionable character motivations, and unresolved plot threads left me feeling ultimately unsatisfied. If you're looking for a lighthearted romance, this isn't it. But if you're willing to delve into morally ambiguous characters and a plot with some serious flaws, you might find something to appreciate here. I'd recommend proceeding with caution and tempered expectations.