The Selfish Gene
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一念之私
Original Chinese Title
Also known as: Nhất Niệm Chi Tư, YNZS, Yīniàn zhī sī, 一念之私
By hui nan que, 回南雀
chinese Web Novel
Genres
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I forcibly occupied everything belonging to Ji Chenfeng, his status, family origins, and relatives…… Despite being completely aware that I am just a counterfeit, I nevertheless seized the magpie’s nest as a turtledove myself without any remorse.
I was born with selfish genes flowing through my bones: greedy and shameless to the extreme; desiring to obtain everything for myself. Furthermore……I don’t intend to change.
A notion of goodwill is accompanied by ulterior motives; a notion of greed is accompanied by repentance.
When a s*umbag is capable of loving someone, it’s perhaps the greatest retribution that god has bestowed upon them.
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absent parentsadapted to drama cdadapted to manhuabisexual protagonistchild abusecruel charactersdeath of loved onesdifferent social statusdisabilitiesfamily conflicthandsome male leadkind love interestsmodern daypast plays a big rolepossessive characterssecond chanceselfish protagoniststraight ukeunreliable narrator
Publication Information
Review Notes
## My Thoughts on *The Selfish Gene*
*The Selfish Gene* is a wild ride. It's the kind of story that grabs you from the start and refuses to let go, even when you're questioning the characters' choices. It's definitely not a fluffy romance; prepare for dog blood, angst, and a whole lot of drama.
### First Impressions
Right off the bat, I was intrigued by the premise: a switched-at-birth scenario leading to a "s*um shou" MC trying to manipulate his way into keeping his privileged life. The MC, Sang Nian, isn't exactly likeable. He's selfish, greedy, and makes some truly questionable decisions. But honestly, I find that kind of flawed character fascinating. It's a refreshing change from perfect protagonists.
### What Works Well
The author, Hui Nanque, excels at creating emotionally charged narratives. The exploration of childhood trauma and its impact on the MC's actions is compelling. The novel raises interesting questions about nature versus nurture, and what truly constitutes a "good" life. Is it wealth and privilege, or love and genuine connection?
The ML, Ji Chengfeng, is a quiet, kind character, especially with animals. He's a vet with a hearing disability, and his sweetness shines through despite the MC's initial deceit. The "husband crematorium" aspect is definitely present, and watching the MC grovel to win back the ML's forgiveness is both satisfying and heartbreaking. I also appreciated that the metaphorical love scenes allowed my imagination to run wild, which is always a plus.
### Areas of Concern
While I enjoyed the drama, it can be a bit much at times. The side couple's story, revealed mostly in the extras, felt somewhat disconnected from the main plot. Additionally, some readers might find the ML's forgiveness a little too easy, considering the MC's actions. And, of course, there's the MC's less-than-stellar personality, which might be a turn-off for some.
### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Okay, let's talk spoilers for a second. The MC's initial plan to seduce the ML to prevent him from claiming his birthright is pretty messed up. He even uses the ML's ear surgery as leverage against his biological mother. The MC's father is also a terrible human being, abandoning him after an overdose and favoring the ML simply to inherit the family firm. The extras also contain noncon content.
### Final Verdict
Despite its flaws, *The Selfish Gene* is a captivating and thought-provoking read. If you enjoy angst, flawed characters, and a good redemption arc, I highly recommend it. Just be prepared for some emotional turmoil along the way. I'm giving it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.