The Dead Cycle

Yin Yin was a female side character in 《All Splendor Fades》. She embodied every deranged trait a villainess should have and relentlessly sabotaged the protagonists’ relationship with clumsy and ridiculous schemes. In the end, the male protagonist blocked her without hesitation. Lin Xin’er’s review: Severely lacking in intelligence. And so, Lin Xin’er transmigrated into the story. Du Qianqian was the female protagonist of 《All Splendor Fades》. A sanctimonious white lotus with a brain even more fragile than the villainess’s. In the end, driven to despair by the female side character’s torment, she jumped off a cliff. Lin Xin’er’s review: She deserved to die. But Du Qianqian was reborn. Lin Xin’er was a reader of 《All Splendor Fades》 and a leftover woman from the 21st century whose biggest hobby— and profession— was scamming people. Unfortunately, she transmigrated into the novel and became Yin Yin. ——Perhaps life was nothing more than a meticulously arranged chess game, and the real player…… was someone else entirely.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on The Dead Cycle "The Dead Cycle" proved to be a mixed bag for me, ultimately landing as a decent, albeit flawed, read. With a blend of comedy, josei, and romance, it certainly had the potential to be something special, and in some ways, it delivered. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the promise of a clever female protagonist and a lighthearted story. The transmigrated MC, a swindler in her past life, seemed like an interesting starting point, and the initial mysteries surrounding her arrival in this new world were intriguing. However, as I delved deeper, I found myself agreeing with some of the common criticisms. ### What Works Well The humor is definitely a strong point. The female lead's antics and the male lead's reactions create some genuinely funny moments. I found myself chuckling at their interactions and the general absurdity of some situations. The romance, while perhaps a bit random for some, is undeniably sweet, with the male lead showering the female lead with affection in his own understated way. The mystery-solving aspect also kept me engaged, even if the overall plot felt a bit underdeveloped. The translation quality, especially from Pocket Bunny, was also consistently praised, which certainly enhanced my reading experience. ### Areas of Concern While the story had its strengths, I couldn't ignore some of the recurring issues. The plot, while creative, felt a bit nonsensical at times. I also found myself underwhelmed by the ending, particularly the extra chapter focusing on the main couple's daughter. The daughter's disrespectful behavior towards her mother felt jarring and out of place, leaving a sour taste in my mouth after what was otherwise a relatively sweet story. The sci-fi elements, while interesting in concept, felt forced and didn't quite mesh with the rest of the narrative. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Several reviewers have mentioned dissatisfaction with the ending and plot reveals. Proceed with caution if you want to avoid spoilers! Specific criticisms include the unresolved mystery of the MC's true identity and the aforementioned issue with the daughter's characterization. Some readers also felt the "twist" ending was poorly executed. ### Final Verdict "The Dead Cycle" is an enjoyable read if you're looking for something lighthearted and don't mind overlooking some plot holes and questionable character choices. The humor and romance are definitely its strongest assets, but the ending and certain plot elements left me feeling a bit disappointed. I'd recommend it as a casual read to pass the time, but don't expect a deeply intricate or meaningful story. I would give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.