Okay so let me just say this: the amnesia plot device is usually my least favorite trope. I'm talking groan-worthy, eye-roll territory. But here? It actually works. Like, genuinely. Because it's not just a convenient way to make the female lead start fresh — it's what allows the entire power dynamic to flip overnight. The old Liang Yan would never have told Lu Lincheng to go f*** himself after he said he had no feelings. The new Liang Yan? Absolutely did. And that's what makes this chapter sequence so satisfying to read. The structure is also smart. We open with her already in crisis — no roles, no gigs, a marriage that feels worse than being single — and then the amnesia reveal drops like a bomb at the breakfast table. Before that, we're getting little breadcrumbs: her scrolling through Weibo, trying to piece together three years of her life, finding a million followers but barely a hundred likes per post. The author is building this portrait of a woman who's technically "made it" but is actually at rock bottom. And then the lighting rig accident explanation ties it all together neatly. What I loved most was the pivot at the end — when she decides to go with the "heartbroken ex-wife" persona. That's not just a career move, that's a plot turning point. She's taking control of her narrative for the first time. The story has been about her being defined by everyone else (Lu Lincheng's wife, the clingy third-rate actress, the fan who wouldn't let go) and suddenly she's writing her own script. I'm hooked.
The gloves are such a loaded symbol and I keep coming back to them. They're ugly—messy, crooked stitches, homely and lumpy. But they're also an act of love so specific and practical that it transcends romance. Lu Zhanye can't do anything delicate, but he can protect her from having to touch other people's skin. It's jealousy and care wrapped in cotton. Su Qing pressing them to her cheek and calling him a "jealous, stubborn fool"—she sees through the rough exterior to the tenderness underneath. Then there's Lu Zhanye's scar. The author describes it as "a pale old scar curving like a silver centipede across his skin." A centipede—many legs, creeping, ancient. It's on his face, visible to everyone, a permanent mark of whatever he's survived. And yet Su Qing only looks at his collarbone for 0.3 seconds before darting her gaze away. She notices everything about him but pretends not to. The scar is his history written on his body; the gloves are his present-tense devotion. And of course the title metaphor itself—"the mantis stalks the cicada"—carries the whole theme of hidden predators and underestimated victims. Su Zhirou thinks she's the hunter, but Su Qing is the sparrow waiting behind everything. The story keeps flipping who has the power, who sees clearly, who's actually in control.
I literally could not stop reading this section. The pacing is masterful. It starts with Xu Zhongyi at a banquet, exchanging knowing smiles with Wei Changhong's men — subtle, almost casual political maneuvering. Then it cuts to the domestic scene: Madame Lü wiping his face, the wind outside, the drunk husband recalling hints. The author takes us from the public sphere back to the private, and that transition alone tells us everything about where real power lives in this world. Then the argument erupts. Xu Zhongyi slams the table. Yuyan kneels and wails. Madame Lü counters with her 'solution.' And just when you think the scene is reaching its peak drama — Sun Mama knocking at Xu Zhihe's door. The pacing here is like a slow car crash. You know it's coming, you can see it happening, and there's nothing you can do to look away. The author deliberately slows down when Xu Zhihe is getting dressed. Fang Li helping her, the quiet exchange between them, the line 'if it's a blessing, it's not a disaster; if it's a disaster, it cannot be avoided.' That moment of calm before the storm is so well-placed. Then — 'Then making her a concubine is not impossible either!' — right before she even reaches the main hall. The author lets us hear the worst part before she walks in. It's cruel and brilliant. The chapter ends with Madame Lü smiling and saying 'Mother has a wonderful marriage prospect here' — and you just know this is the calm before the real storm. Every beat is deliberate. There's no filler, no dragging. The author knows exactly when to speed up (the argument) and when to slow down (Xu Zhihe's quiet preparation). I stayed up way too late reading this.
Wow! This novel hooked me from the first chapter. The mix of romance, action, and mystery is just perfect.I love how the romance is intertwined with the action scenes. It keeps the tension high and emotions deep
I’ve read up to where it is currently, but from what I can tell so far, it’s very good. The world is genuinely thought out and the characters show real emotion. Of course there are some tropes, however that seems to a major plot point the story will revolve around. There are very minor grammar errors around the story but nothing large enough to justify a lower than 5 star rating. The only glaring I see right now is the update schedule. Creativity is hard to come by sometimes though so I have that a 3 for now. No issues anywhere else though. If you’re similar to me and you like reading reviews before starting a story, you should definitely give this story a try. There aren’t many chapters currently, but I’m sure you might enjoy it.I hope this review will give the author a little motivation through this story. :))
Dropped?………….or a break, why did you stop releasing chapters in all your novels all of a sudden
I look forward to reading more of your work...
The story is interesting, I must admit that. I see that you're trying to portray the MC as a through and through villain who also has his humane side, its intresting read
woah, this is new a Pinoy mc and he's a summoner will this is gonna be fun!
Just started reading webnovels, already falling in love with it :u2060-u2060D
Story is all good up till now its a great one not some gibberish novel so update more!!!
The characters here are pretty interesting. The story and how it's progressing so far is great. It was well written too. Hope u finish this author san.