Xiao Qi, Wait!

Song Liang Zhuo is a young and poor county magistrate. Qian Xiao Qi’s father is a rich man. Qian Xiao Qi falls in love with Song Liang Zhuo the moment she sees him. Each day she waits outside the court’s gates to see him, hoping he will glance her way once. She patiently waits for him to notice her for two years, but he ignores her. She realises it is futile to wait for someone who does not know she exists and she gives up pursuing Song Liang Zhuo. Song Liang Zhuo despises the shallow young girls who pursue him, but his heart softens seeing Qian Xiao Qi waiting for him to look at her for two years. He relents and he asks for her father’s permission to marry her. Song Liang Zhuo marries Qian Xiao Qi , but she loses her memory. Qian Xiao Qi’s maid tells her how much Qian Xiao Qi loves Song Liang Zhuo. Qian Xiao Qi not remember why her old self loves someone who despises her. She asks Song Liang Zhuo to divorce her. But he tells her that her father will not give her wedding dowry to him to help poor villagers living in provinces which are affected by floods… until her father is holding a grandchild so he refuses to divorce her. She promises him she will find a way to get her father to give him the wedding dowry without her being pregnant, and she will find him a new wife if he promises to divorce her. Song Liang Zhuo slowly falls in love with his wife. But he is too slow, because his wife secretly regains her memories… she remembers her pathetic old self for loving the heartless Song Liang Zhuo and she makes secret plans to run away.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Xiao Qi, Wait! "Xiao Qi, Wait!" promised a lighthearted historical romance, and while it delivered on some fronts, it also left me with mixed feelings. It's the kind of story where you either find the characters endearing or utterly frustrating, and I bounced between the two. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a pampered young woman, Xiao Qi, navigating marriage. The reversed roles aspect, where she's the pursuer, seemed like a fun twist. However, I quickly found myself questioning the intelligence of both the leads. The early chapters felt a bit like wading through a swamp of misunderstandings and dense behavior. ### What Works Well The side characters are a definite highlight. I found myself more invested in their stories and interactions than in the main couple's early antics. Many readers praised the author's ability to craft interesting supporting roles, and I agree that they added much-needed depth to the narrative. The later parts of the story, especially the emotional ending, did manage to pull at my heartstrings. There are moments of genuine sweetness and tenderness that shine through, showcasing the potential the story held. I could see how some readers found the simplicity and straightforward romance charming, especially if they weren't looking for complex plots or morally upright characters. ### Areas of Concern Honestly, Xiao Qi's childishness grated on me after a while. While some found her naivete endearing, I often felt like I was reading about a toddler in a marital setting. This lack of maturity made it difficult to connect with her as a character, even when the story tried to tug at my emotions. The male lead's actions are also problematic. While he does eventually atone for his mistakes, I found it hard to completely forgive him for his earlier behavior. The power imbalance in their relationship is definitely a sticking point. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Several reviewers mentioned a specific incident where the male lead hits Xiao Qi, leading to amnesia. This event is a major turning point and, for many, a significant red flag. The way this event is handled, and the subsequent attempts to justify or downplay it, left me feeling uneasy. Another spoiler is how Xiao Qi "runs away" near the end which is just her trying to get the male lead to come find her. ### Final Verdict "Xiao Qi, Wait!" is a flawed but potentially enjoyable read, depending on your tolerance for childish protagonists and morally gray male leads. If you're looking for a light, fluffy romance with minimal depth, you might find it charming. However, if you prefer well-developed characters and nuanced relationships, you might want to steer clear. I'd give it a cautious 3 out of 5 stars.