Try Again

After rejecting his childhood friend due to h*mophobia, he ends up bending himself to pursue love. On the eve of graduation, Jiang Lin received a confession from his childhood friend, Ji Minglun, on his birthday. At that time, everyone in the private room was drunk, and only he and Ji Minglun were somewhat sober. Jiang Lin, who was homophobic, took Ji Minglun’s confession as a boring joke from a game of Truth or Dare. However, he didn’t expect that later, back in their hotel room, Ji Minglun cornered him against the wall and gave him a hot, wet kiss that awakened unfamiliar desires. The friendship that had lasted for sixteen years was completely overturned. That night, he fled in embarrassment and even advanced his date to study abroad, flying to Los Angeles with his luggage. For the entire year that followed, he disappeared, making it impossible for Ji Minglun to find him. Until the next summer came, he could no longer suppress his longing and decided to return home to test if Ji Minglun still liked him. However, he discovered Ji Minglun embracing someone else, looking at him coldly as if they didn’t know each other. The somewhat clumsy bottom (Jiang Lin) who is proud and aloof on the outside x The hard-mouthed yet honest in his physical reactions top (Ji Minglun) The top has not changed his heart and has not had ambiguous relationships with anyone else. The bottom starts off as homophobic but later bends himself and returns to pursue the top. There is a slight age difference; the bottom is a few months younger than the top. Tags: Childhood friends – Pursuing love – Sweet and sour – First love for both.

Original Publisher

chang pei (gongzicp)

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Try Again "Try Again" promised a second chance romance, and for the most part, it delivered. This yaoi slice-of-life story follows childhood friends reconnecting after a misunderstanding, and while it wasn't perfect, I found myself invested in their journey. ### First Impressions The premise is simple: the MC returns after a year abroad, determined to make amends and pursue the ML. The initial chapters hooked me with the awkward tension and unresolved feelings between the two leads. I was eager to see how they would navigate their complicated past and find their way back to each other. ### What Works Well The core strength of this novel lies in its exploration of the characters' emotions. I appreciated the slow-burn approach, as the MC and ML needed to rebuild trust and understanding. The story delves into the MC's initial confusion about his sexuality, which I felt was handled with nuance and sensitivity. It's not a case of homophobia, but rather a character coming to terms with feelings he's never considered before. The gradual reveal of their feelings and the effort they put into reconnecting felt genuine and rewarding. Also, the novel doesn't drag on with only 53 chapters. ### Areas of Concern While the story is labeled as "not angst," I found that to be a bit misleading. There are definitely moments of angst and misunderstandings that drive the plot, and at times it felt like the characters were deliberately withholding information from each other. Also, a female character's persistence in pursuing the ML despite his clear disinterest felt uncomfortable. These elements detracted slightly from the overall enjoyment of the story. ### Final Verdict Despite some minor flaws, "Try Again" is an enjoyable read for those who appreciate a sweet and heartfelt romance with a touch of drama. The characters are relatable, and their journey towards reconciliation is ultimately satisfying. If you're looking for a quick and engaging yaoi novel, this one is worth checking out.