Difficult to Complete

• Author: Wujia Gege
• Genres: Đam Mỹ, Đời Thường, Drama
• Status: Ongoing
• Rating: ★ 3.8 / 5
• Published: 2026-10-04

A Brutal Beginning

You’d think seven years of history and a pair of custom rings designed by Gu Yan would buy you a "happily ever after." Instead, the very night he picks up the rings, the entire relationship goes up in smoke.

Shen Qi suddenly drops a breakup bomb with the most cliché excuse: he’s actually straight. This sudden pivot drags both the reader and the protagonist into a suffocating emotional tragedy.

Setting the story at the seven-year mark makes the failed proposal a sharp dramatic conflict. It strips away the comfort of long-term promises, turning every sweet memory into a bitter sentence.

Dual perspective Storytelling

The author uses alternating perspectives to peel back the layers of these two. We aren't just stuck watching Gu Yan's world collapse; we also get a front-row seat to Shen Qi's internal mess and hesitation.

This approach makes their thoughts feel incredibly authentic. It keeps the story from being a one-sided blame game and forces you to see the cracks from both sides.

However, the constant jumping back and forth makes the pacing feel sluggish. Dwelling on the same broken relationship over and over can kill the momentum real fast.

The Agony of Self-Discovery

The transition from straight to gay is handled with some actual psychological depth here. It’s not just a cheap plot device; the author digs into the fear, the denial of self, and the weight of social expectations.

These two infatuated leads trying to handle reacquainting after such a messy breakup is a painful, uphill battle. They have to drop their guards and finally stop running from how they really feel.

The long journey of pursuing love is basically a test of the reader's patience. The invisible mental barriers keep the mood constantly tense and heavy.

What Works

• The Dramatic conflict hits hard early on thanks to that disastrous proposal.
• Dual perspectives give Gu Yan and Shen Qi some genuine psychological weight.
• An authentic and gritty look at the internal shift from straight to gay.
• Solid portrayal of two infatuated people trying to salvage love from a breakup.

The Flaws

• The pacing gets way too melancholic and drags while the characters wallow in their hurt.
• The initial reason for the breakup is aggravating enough to cause serious frustration for impatient readers.
• The world-building and supporting characters are basically invisible, making the story feel a bit empty.
• The constant moping between the leads can lead to major weariness if you binge it.

Reader Consensus

• Novel Updates: 4.0/5.0 (23 reviews, checked on 10/04/2026).

Most readers on the platform dig the psychological depth and the agonizing slow-burn of their romantic affection. They appreciate that the author makes the breakup pain feel so authentic without sugarcoating the wounds.

On the flip side, some complain the middle section is a total drag. Watching the characters circle their emotional wound for too long makes the initial excitement fizzle out.

The Final Verdict

This isn't a light read. If you’re looking for something sweet, fluffy, or fast-paced, turn around and walk away now.

Ngũ Gia Ca Ca has crafted a bitter tale of wreckage and repair. The characters pay a high price in years of trauma just to find each other again on new terms.

For those who live for heavy psychological drama, this is worth a look—just make sure you’ve got the stamina for it.

Bottom line: A gut-wrenching story of pain and rebirth that demands serious patience to actually care about the characters.

Tags: danmei, slice of life, drama