Don’t You Like Me

你是不是关注我 (PN title) / 你是不是喜欢我 / 你是不是喜歡我 · Original Chinese title

Also known as: Có Phải Cậu Thích Tôi Không, DYLM, Ngươi có phải hay không thích ta, Nǐ shì bùshì xǐhuān wǒ, ตกลงนายชอบฉันใช่มั้ย

By lu tianyi, 吕天逸

★★★★★ 4.5 982 ratings

Completed chinese Web Novel

Our review

Reviewed by Kana

Who it's for, and whether it holds up.

Author profile

My Thoughts on Don’t You Like Me

"Don't You Like Me" promised a fluffy, supernatural romance, and for the most part, it delivered. I went in expecting a lighthearted read, and that's precisely what I got, though with a few caveats along the way. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience, but not without its imperfections.

First Impressions

The premise is certainly unique: a somewhat arrogant young man, Lin Feiran, suddenly gains the ability to see ghosts after his grandfather's death. Terrified, he discovers that physical contact with his academically and socially superior roommate, Gu Kaifeng, makes the ghosts disappear. This sets the stage for a series of adorable, often humorous, interactions as Lin Feiran, initially quite dense, navigates his newfound abilities and growing feelings. I found the initial rivalry between the two leads quite amusing, even if Lin Feiran's competitive streak bordered on petty at times.

What Works Well

The strongest aspect of "Don't You Like Me" is undoubtedly the relationship between Lin Feiran and Gu Kaifeng. Their dynamic is genuinely sweet, with Gu Kaifeng being a particularly doting and patient love interest. Many readers, including myself, found their interactions to be consistently smile-inducing. The humor is well-placed, and the pacing keeps the story moving at a comfortable clip. I also appreciated the way the ghost element was integrated into the narrative; while not overly scary, it added a unique layer to the story and provided a catalyst for the central romance. The translation quality is also top-notch, making the reading experience even more pleasurable.

Areas of Concern

While I enjoyed the novel, there were a few aspects that gave me pause. Lin Feiran's initial motivations for clinging to Gu Kaifeng, solely for his ability to ward off ghosts, felt a bit selfish. While his feelings eventually evolved, the initial imbalance in the relationship dynamic was a slight turn-off. Also, the plot isn't particularly complex, and the story can feel a bit slow-paced at times, especially in the middle.

Final Verdict

"Don't You Like Me" is a charming and fluffy BL novel that's perfect for readers looking for a lighthearted and feel-good story. While it may not be groundbreaking in terms of plot or character development, the sweet romance and humorous interactions make it a worthwhile read. Just be prepared for a bit of second-hand embarrassment early on and a relatively simple storyline. I'd recommend it for those seeking a delightful and easy read within the yaoi genre.

Synopsis

Short, rich, and handsome, Lin Feiran was always the center of attention. But after transferring schools in his second year of high school, he discovered that his limelight was snatched by his Adonis classmate, Gu Kaifeng. Lin Feiran was very resentful, and he and Gu Kaifeng became archnemesis (one-sidedly). Although the two lived together, they were like strangers. When Lin Feiran went back home to attend his grandfather’s funeral, he accidentally inherited the Yin-Yang eyes that had been passed down from generation to generation. After gaining the ability to see ghosts, the timid Lin Feiran discovered that his two-person dormitory was actually a sixteen-person (ghost) room. Every day, he was scared to the point of collapsing. The more aggravating thing is that because of Gu Kaifeng’s innate body constitution, he possessed an abundant amount of Yang energy. Lin Feiran found out that whenever he touched Gu Kaifeng, Gu Kaifeng’s Yang energy could temporarily disable his Yin-Yang eyes. A light touch would disable it for five minutes, a kiss for an hour, and so on… Lin Feiran had no choice but to throw himself into his archnemesis’s embrace. This complete reversal in attitude to being intimate with Gu Kaifeng persisted every day from morning till night. When sleeping, he must squeeze in the same bed as Gu Kaifeng. Going to the toilet? He must drag Gu Kaifeng with him. Homework? It must be done hand-in-hand with Gu Kaifeng… He also had to try his best to persuade the teacher to make him Gu Kaifeng’s deskmate. Every day in class, he would rub Gu Kaifeng’s calf with his foot beneath the desks… Following the clingy little bastard’s sudden change in personality, the initially shocked Gu Kaifeng gradually became smitten. Every day he would chase Lin Feiran to flirt with him, make crazy confessions, and even routinely push him against the wall and kiss him… Gu Kaifeng: “Don’t you like me? I like you, so let’s be together.” Lin Feiran: “I don’t like you! Don’t come over!” Gu Kaifeng: “……” Five minutes later, to avoid seeing ghosts, Lin Feiran sneakily came to touch Gu Kaifeng. Gu Kaifeng turned around, stopping his hand: “After you just rejected me, you come back to flirt with me!?” Lin Feiran: “Who’s flirting with you! I was careless and touched you; don’t imagine that I like you back.” Oh, that’s it.

Don’t You Like Me