A Youthful Rom-Com That Leaves You Laughing and Crying

Come back and take a look [sfem:3:312]

I remember putting it on my bookshelf quite a while ago. I read a bit of it at the beginning, but because I saw a bit of myself in Zi Shen, I temporarily avoided it, leaving it on the shelf and putting it off. The reason I'm revisiting it now is probably because I'm completely hooked on the author's new book, *Cherishing the Morning Flowers, May Youth Remain Bright as Yesterday*. I finished it casually, flipped through it, and accidentally discovered it was by the same author, so I decided to go for it. It took me about a week to finish the whole thing, and it really is... Hilarious and absurd. "Hilarious and absurd"—that's certainly true. At least for the past few days, I've been completely captivated by the story, by the characters...

I've been following Pineapple Bun for a long time and I really didn't expect to find a book like this. In my memory, Pineapple Bun has always focused on gender-swap, reverse marriage, yuri, pursuing a husband, or yandere themes. Realistic stories like the one the author writes about are relatively rare. Perhaps it's because realistic stories don't resonate with Pineapple Bun; many receive only lukewarm responses. But this author's book struck a chord with me. Not everyone is Zi Shen, but everyone will encounter their own "Single Kindness."

I'm truly moved. This is the first time in so long I've seen a work like this—unique and beyond praise. This is a true coming-of-age novel. Fat Chai, I love you! It's hard to describe my feelings right now. After being put off by Tian Jingyi's plot a few years ago, I persevered and finished it in one go. This book accompanied my youth and gave me much to think about. Thank you so much, thank you Lin Zishen, thank you Shan Shan. May I, after half a lifetime of wandering, return still a youth at heart.

It's been over two years since I first discovered this novel. I remember finding it during a sports meet and reading it all day long without being able to stop. Now, thinking back to how I finished it in one night, I feel a sense of loss.

Seeing the social section made me a little angry. In high school and college, I was hoping to see lovers get together (Shan Shan and Zi Shen). I wasn't surprised that she didn't end up with Ai Guo. After reading the social section, I felt that the author couldn't escape the clichés in the end. There were always unexpected events at the most crucial moments (Ling Ling and Zi Shen's confrontation), which gave me the illusion that Zi Shen would have a wonderful life with anyone except Shan Shan.

After finishing the college chapter, I was deeply moved. I always felt that the protagonist was living in the suffering created by the author. The conversation before the college entrance examination, the departure of his best friend in college, and his grandfather's illness made the protagonist's efforts seem like a joke. I don't think that growth must be achieved through suffering.

The author has moved to Qidian; his new name is Fei Chai Chai. Go check it out, there's a new book there.

Honestly, "Crying and Laughing in Spring" and "South City, North Wind" are indeed two of the best realistic novels in the Pineapple Bun collection. "Picking Up Flowers at Dusk" is about rebirth, so I didn't include it.

The book is readable; the writing is excellent, the style is great, and the early plot is also very good, except that the beginning is too melodramatic and angsty. If you're looking for a normal romance, you can check the comments; someone has posted the chapters with beautiful romance without the angst. Don't read the social arc; it's a complete mess, really bad. This arc is all plot-driven deaths; the author's intention is to just look at the sweet moments with 33. Now let's talk about the "if" Aiguo arc. While it's true that the "if" Aiguo arc isn't as compelling as the 33 route, it still blows the later parts of the social arc out of the water. Honestly, the only readable part of the social arc is when 33 returns. I didn't find the "if" arc particularly bad. As a reader, I've already felt somewhat satisfied, despite the angst...