Salted Fish Stutterer, Both Reckless and Timid

Overwhelmed by pain, the submissive character ultimately takes his own life. Chi Ya accidentally transverses into this world, becoming the scheming character with the same name. Touching his empty pockets and looking at the wealthy and handsome scoundrel who avoids him, he realizes: he’s stuck in a script meant for a resigned, aimless life. From then on, Chi Ya is genuinely kind to his true friends, deceitfully amicable with the scoundrel, making sure to keep him at a distance. He lives each day wildly, waiting for the moment his rival appears to graciously step aside. Yet, he fails to notice the changing gaze of the eldest of the Gu family. Gu Huai Zhang, a man of pure heart and few desires, has scorned the notion of “love” for thirty years, becoming known in the elite circles of City A as a formidable figure. —Until his younger brother brought a handsome young man before him. Gu Huai Zhang knows his brother doesn’t love the young man, but the young man is deeply infatuated with him, trying every day to seduce him. He watches coldly as the young man secretly smells clothes his brother wore, stealthily brushes his brother’s leg under the table, and quietly sneaks to his brother’s bed at night. But… The clothes were his, the legs under the table were his, and as for the bed… Gu Huai Zhang falls silent as he watches the young man climb into his bed. The effort is genuine, yet so naively executed. So naive and yet so brazen, his brother probably couldn’t handle him. Gu Huai Zhang thinks sternly. —It seems he must take matters into his own hands.

Original Publisher

Unknown

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on *Salted Fish Stutterer, Both Reckless and Timid* This novel is a bit of a mixed bag, and my overall impression is one of intriguing potential that doesn't quite reach its full realization. I came in expecting a lighthearted read, but found myself navigating a more complex narrative than anticipated. ### First Impressions The premise is certainly unique. Our MC transmigrates into the body of someone in a forced relationship with the ML's brother. This setup immediately piqued my interest. I was curious to see how the author would navigate the dynamics of a fake relationship and the eventual emergence of true feelings. I was definitely intrigued by the "salted fish" personality of the MC, which promised a refreshing change from the typical overly enthusiastic protagonist. ### What Works Well The characters are where this novel shines. The author has crafted surprisingly dimensional characters, each with their own flaws and motivations. I found the MC to be particularly endearing, a "salted fish" who, despite his seemingly apathetic nature, possesses a hidden strength and resilience. The slow burn romance between the MC and ML, while taking a while to develop, felt rewarding as I watched their relationship organically grow. The author does a good job of portraying the ML's gradual realization that the MC isn't with his brother for money, which is a turning point in their relationship. I also appreciated that the MC, while often emotional, wasn't portrayed as an annoying crybaby. The dog-blood elements add a layer of drama that kept me engaged, even when the plot meandered. ### Areas of Concern While I enjoyed many aspects of the story, there were some areas that left me wanting more. The pacing felt uneven at times, with the romance taking a very long time to truly blossom. I also felt that some plot threads were left unresolved. For example, the MC's musical talent with the violin seemed to fade into the background, which was disappointing. I also felt that the relationships the MC had with his brother and the circumstances around the transmigration were left hanging. The ending felt somewhat rushed, and I felt the relationship needed more development. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers have mentioned a plot point where the MC attempts to disgust the ML's brother by climbing into bed with him. This event apparently leads to a confession and creates drama between the MC and ML. ### Final Verdict *Salted Fish Stutterer, Both Reckless and Timid* is an entertaining read with unique characters and an intriguing premise. However, the slow pacing and unresolved plot threads prevent it from reaching its full potential. If you're looking for a novel with dimensional characters and don't mind a slow-burn romance with some dog-blood elements, this might be worth checking out. Just be prepared for some loose ends. I'd give it a tentative 3 out of 5 stars.