Doing It Over Again

• Author: Yue Xia Die Ying
• Genres: Trọng Sinh, Đam Mỹ, Urban
• Status: Completed
• Chapters: 85
• Rating: ★ 3.8 / 5
• Published: 2026-10-03

An Opportunity to Fix Past Mistakes

The novel kicks off with a familiar setup in the urban rebirth genre, sending the protagonist back in time to personally fix his past mistakes. In his previous life, Shen Shao carried a deep regret over missing out on the prestigious university he had always dreamed of attending. Looking back as an adult, he realizes his adolescent worries were largely trivial, providing a strong driving force for a promising fresh start in doing it all over again.

This second chance doesn't grant the protagonist overpowered cheat abilities or a magical system. Instead, the author focuses heavily on his hard work at school and how he shifts his mindset through the smallest details of daily life. This grounded approach makes the early arc feel incredibly authentic and deeply relatable.

Character Setup

In his second life, protagonist Shen Shao fits the classic web novel trope of a Gary Stu. He boasts stunning looks, top-tier intelligence, and a sweet demeanor, excelling effortlessly through sheer hard work in every field he tackles. This flawlessness quickly makes him the center of attention, earning him unanimous affection from those around him.

Romantically, Shen Shao takes on the role of the uke in the dynamic. However, crafting such an impeccably perfect lead leaves his inner journey lacking the friction required for real depth. Meticulous readers might find him a bit flat, missing the raw, vibrant emotional range expected of a grounded human character.

Notable Strengths

• An excellent starting premise that grants the protagonist a chance to resolve realistic academic regrets rather than defaulting to power struggles.
• A low-key romance line that doesn't overshadow the core narrative, maintaining a nice balance between slice-of-life progression and romance.
• A unique portrayal of the male lead dealing with a communication disorder, providing a refreshing twist to the narrative.
• A concise length of 85 chapters, making it easy to breeze through without worrying about bloated pacing.

Key Drawbacks

• The wedding and conflict scenes in the final stages unfold extremely hastily, creating a sense of anticlimax for readers.
• The author unintentionally neglects or abandons several supporting characters and plot points introduced in earlier stages without a satisfactory explanation.
• The emotional development of the protagonist is sometimes still flat, failing to create emotional peaks strong enough to resonate with readers.

Pacing and Structure

At a manageable word count, the novel keeps a steady rhythm throughout its first half while exploring school life. Focusing closely on rectifying personal regrets keeps the plot on track without getting diluted by irrelevant side elements. Readers can clearly trace the protagonist's daily progress through his pragmatic, smart choices.

That said, the climax stumbles as the author ties up conflict threads far too abruptly. Wrapping up major confrontations so hurriedly undercuts the satisfaction built up during his earlier journey. As a result, readers expecting a grand, polished resolution may find the ending somewhat underwhelming.

Community Ratings

• Novel Updates: 4.2/5 (9 ratings, checked October 3, 2026). Readers praise the strong opening and realistic regret-fixing motivation, though many criticize the rushed ending and somewhat bland protagonist.
• WTR-LAB: 3.0/5 (2 readers, checked October 3, 2026). An average score reflecting divided reader opinion regarding the overly perfect lead.
• WuxiaWorldEU: 4.6/5 (8.41K views, checked October 3, 2026). Garnered positive interest from international readers thanks to its accessible writing style.
• Reddit (r/noveltranslations): Featured on some members' lists of disliked novels due to the lead character lacking realistic emotional depth.

Final Verdict

Overall, this is a well-rounded urban rebirth web novel ideal for readers seeking a relaxing, lighthearted read after a long day. Despite stumbles near the finish line and an overly flawless protagonist, it successfully delivers a heartwarming, positive message. It stands as a solid choice for a quick, low-stress read.

In short: A comfortable rebirth story centered on Shen Shao fixing past regrets and focusing on his studies. Despite a rushed ending, it remains a cozy pick for fans of low-drama urban boys love fiction.

Tags: rebirth, boys love, school life