#in some ways the novels are a direct critique of stallion novels and general web content that's pumped out for money first and foremost

[rascheln]

tbh I can totally see why Shen Yuan would be so invested in original LBH. there's something irresistible about a character with a tragic backstory that gets to exact revenge on everyone who wronged them. At the same time, the thing that Shen Yuan hated about the original novel is also what turns Bing-ge into a character not just doomed by the narrative, but doomed by the genre he's trapped in: there's no room for interesting plot or for long term changes, there's no space for character growth or emotional fulfillment.

There were kernels of interesting world building buried in between the bad smut and there were still aspects of LBH that made him dear to SY, but the nature of the genre itself wouldn't allow the story and the character to reach a happy end.

This is something SQ as Airplane likely knew, but couldn't really change. He had to write what sold and he also knew that the course he had set the story on was on a long but steady track towards leaving Bing-ge both immensely accomplished while also forever stuck in a state where he wouldn't grow as a person and would be so emotionally unfulfilled it would lead to his own and his massive harem's ruin.

I can see how that would be infuriating and heartbreaking to witness. You have the author, whose hands are tied by the genre and his personal circumstances. You have the reader, whose hands are tied by being not the actual author and in charge of the story.