Having read online review that it was an underground "queer/gay" novel, I decided to read to see for myself. A male-to-male relationship novel infused with Chinese norms and values is an attractive point for Chinese online readers as this was where it originally appeared. With Danmei tropes, it has male-to-male relationship and graphic details of their intimate activities. The latter, particularly when they weren't portrayed realistically and responsibly, isn't to my liking, but it has to appeal to the audience who consume this on online media. The author could have added more social group support for gay people so that the curious gay readers can learn and benefit from. Hence, I surmise that the intention was to entertain and appeal to non-gay readers. Moreover, Yu attended a university, and I find it hard to believe that there aren't any gay support group on campus or the metropolis. This novel can appeal to gay readers who have watched the movie adaptation as it provides more nuances and details about the characters involved, although non-gay readers who are into "BL" fantasy could also find it interesting, not for the turbulent "romance" trope, but for other tropes that it faithfully renders. It is said that increasingly teens and young adults read YA literature to learn about their sexualities, and while this isn't the novel's purpose, but for entertainment, it excels.