Serenade

I heard that this year there aren’t enough dorm rooms for the girls at school, so a few of them have had to move into the boys’ dorms. A group of testosterone-fueled guys suddenly become quiet. They no longer hang their underwear and socks out to dry in the hallway, walk softly, and speak in hushed tones. Everyone is on edge, afraid of scaring off the new girls in their dorm. One night, Bo Yan just finished showering and walked out of the communal bathroom. He carried a basin in his left hand and wore CK boxers that showed off his six-pack abs. At the entrance to his dorm room, he saw a girl in a lace nightgown. Jin Xi stared at his abs and nervously asked, “Excuse me, I’m from the dormitory across the hall. Could you help us set up the router?” “Sure,” Bo Yan said, quietly moving the basin from his side to the front. A carefree, silly story about a playboy and an energetic, lovely fairy. I’ll conquer new territories for you and draw boundaries to keep you safe.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Serenade "Serenade" promised a sweet slice-of-life college romance, and for the most part, it delivered. I dove in expecting a light and fluffy read, and while it had its bumps, I ultimately found it a heartwarming story. ### First Impressions The initial setup is classic: a cute, petite freshman, Jin Xi, ends up in a male dormitory due to a housing shortage and catches the eye of the aloof, handsome upperclassman, Bo Yan, from the National Defense Academy. It's a familiar trope, but I was eager to see how the author would put their own spin on it. ### What Works Well The strength of "Serenade" lies in its character relationships. Many readers, including myself, adored the dynamic between Jin Xi and her doting older brother, Shen Ping Chuan. Their sibling bond felt genuine and added an extra layer of warmth to the story. I also appreciated the fleshed-out side character storylines, particularly Chu Zhao and Jing Chi's romance, which many found even more captivating than the main couple. The story does a good job of portraying the journey from youthful innocence to maturity, and I found the characters to be more than just cardboard cutouts. ### Areas of Concern Sadly, a significant issue that kept cropping up was the quality of the translation. Several readers, and I must agree, found it incredibly frustrating. Names getting mixed up—the ML and MC, the MC and side characters—made it difficult to follow the plot at times. It's a real shame because it detracted from what could have been a truly enjoyable experience. Also, while the first half of the story was intended to be character-building, I felt the slow pacing and overly descriptive writing made it drag a little, and I found myself wanting the main leads to get together already! ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, let's talk about the ending. Some readers expressed disappointment with the inclusion of Alzheimer's in the FL's later years and the death of the brother. While I appreciate that life isn't always sunshine and rainbows, and I respect the author's decision to explore these themes, I can understand why some felt it was an unnecessary downer in an otherwise lighthearted story. The brother's character also seemed to fluctuate quite a bit, leaving me confused about his role and significance. ### Final Verdict Despite the translation issues and some debatable plot choices towards the end, "Serenade" ultimately won me over with its sweet romance, endearing characters, and heartwarming family dynamics. If you're looking for a laid-back, coming-of-age college romance and can power through some translation hiccups, it's worth a read. I'd give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. Hopefully, a revised translation can elevate this story to its full potential.