hua hua you long novel

nope, that's the whole novel. i can actually kind of see jing falling in love with lu, like he was raping him to get over his uncle and then along the way fell in love. but i don't get why lu cang fell in love with jing, like he was constantly abused and humiliated in front of people, drugged and used as a replacement and he still fell in love with him, like how.
i still really loved the novel though haha :)

I was also confused when I got to that part. Sorry, I don't know the answer myself, but I'd also like to know. Actually, the abrupt change made me stop reading because it was a major plot hole. I honestly thought it reflected bad writing, like the author didn't know how to gradually transform their relationship and opted for the "months/years pass and everything's changed" thing. I didn't mind that their relationship got better (though have to admit that the uke's hardship appealed to me a little cause I'm a bit of a o.o sadist tbh), but I'd like to enjoy that part knowing how the #%$& they got there. I mean the the seme went from "when I find you I'm gonna skin you alive! " to "Oh darling, did they badmouth you? Here, let me make it all better (づ￣ ³￣)づ".

When I was still attached to the story, I made up some stuff trying to fill in the gaps, like maybe the uke successfully escapes and goes into hiding after he moves his bandits off the mountain and away from the capital. The seme angrily pours his resources into finding him, but his duties as emperor inhibit him from going all out. So years after, the seme finally finds him and drags him back to the palace where he resumes tormenting the uke. But seme's hatred had gradually dissipated, leaving him heartbroken and lonely. Grieving because the man he'd loved took his own life (you know, the old man that was his wife's father), he finds comfort in the uke. One thing leads to another and... wallah! A mushy, romantic relationship.
But yeah, that's what I like to think happened in that uncertain timespan.

So glad that u feel it too #highfive. Because of all the review about this novel was always good, so i wonder did i read the wrong novel, haha. Not that this novel was bad, but that 'major plot hole' that u mention before, made me feel unsatisfied after read it.

Exactly...but just like they say...when it comes to love, even poison taste like sweet (or something like that..i just made it up) bhahahahaha

if you liked it though you can check out 'fallen hero' from the same author. it's pretty similar but without physical abuse and rape. :)