Secretary Song Departs, President Shen Restless

At work, she was his private secretary, meticulously managing his daily life and silently serving as the backup support for his comatose lover. She was the model of compliance—obedient to a fault, following every instruction without question. If he directed her east, she would never even consider heading west, and she endured constant belittlement from the household staff. In their private world, she existed as his voiceless wife, his unspoken remedy for sleeplessness. Rumors circulated about his extreme germaphobia. People knew the story of the last person who dared to kiss him—swiftly thrown into a river. Yet, behind closed doors, he would slam her against the wall. *Give me a child, and I’ll set you free!* His response was a cold, cutting rejection: “You don’t deserve it.”

Original Publisher

Unknown

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Secretary Song Departs, President Shen Restless This novel certainly evoked some strong feelings in me, and it seems like I'm not alone. "Secretary Song Departs, President Shen Restless" promises a rollercoaster of mature themes, romance, and a touch of the forbidden, but the execution seems to have left me feeling a bit conflicted. ### First Impressions Going in, I was intrigued by the premise of an arranged marriage and potential amnesia plot. The tags warned of arrogant and cruel characters, which can be a fun dynamic if done well. I steeled myself for some angst, hoping for a satisfying payoff. ### What Works Well Despite my reservations, the core storyline does have a certain pull. The underlying mystery surrounding past events and the female lead's family drama is genuinely engaging. There's a clear setup for some dramatic reveals and potential for character growth, especially for the male lead if he ever realizes the extent of his actions. The background trauma and potential dastardly deeds kept me reading, wanting to know more. ### Areas of Concern However, it's hard to ignore the significant issues that plague this novel. The portrayal of the male lead is deeply problematic. His treatment of the female lead borders on abusive, both emotionally and potentially physically, and it's difficult to reconcile his actions with any semblance of a romantic lead. The female lead's acceptance of this behavior is also troubling, as it perpetuates harmful tropes. I found it hard to believe that a character could endure such consistent abuse and still harbor feelings of love. The lack of agency given to the female lead is a major drawback, and I was left wanting her to develop some self-worth and stand up for herself. I also felt that external characters, like the grandma and cousin, should have encouraged the female lead to leave the abusive situation. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some specific plot points, like the male lead's supposed reasons for mistreating the female lead (blaming her family for a past event) and the female lead's childhood trauma rendering her mute, felt like weak justifications for his behavior. The fact that the male lead regains his memories without experiencing any internal conflict or regret was also a major disappointment, as it robbed the story of a potentially powerful emotional arc. ### Final Verdict Ultimately, "Secretary Song Departs, President Shen Restless" is a mixed bag. While the underlying plot has potential, the problematic portrayal of abuse and the lack of character development make it a difficult read. I was left with a sense of disappointment, hoping for a more nuanced and empowering story.