Slice-of-Life, Modern Day Danmei Review
📖 Name of the Book: Riverbay Road Men's Dormitory Volume 1
📄 Plot: Zhang Yuwen is a 27 year old movie director turned writer. After he has amassed a substantial wealth he decides to pursue another passion-writing. However, he is not good at writing. His editor tells him he lacks feeling and his writing is mundane. So to get inspiration he rents out his house to four tenants with the criteria that all of them shall be gay because he himself is gay.
📖 Genre: BL, Slice-of-Life, Modern
📄 My Favorite Quotes: "Gradually, he was coming to see them as friends and not model dummies-and even beginning to like them a bit"
💭 My Thoughts: There are sooo many characters and at first the story was pretty boring. Trying to set-up all the tenants and who they are while also giving that slice-of-life vibe. Like there isn't going to be much drama. But then it switches about half-way through when they all go on a hiking trip to the mountain. Get stuck on said mountain overnight and then we start to see a bit of the pairings.
Tenants:
1. Yan Jun : single father (actually uncle caring for his niece after her parents passed away suddenly. Yan Jun lies at first stating that his niece wouldn't stay long intending to sneak her in late at night and out of the house in early morning)
2. Zheng Weize : a streamer (was previously living with his crush-a straight man. He has made it his new goal to find someone rich to take care of him. He flirts a bit with everyone but personally, I want him to end up with Chang Jinxing)
3. Chang Jinxing : a freelance photographer, escort service, boyfriend for hire (he is the playboy. The flirtatious one, who even tries to use his charm to sway Yuwen into cheaper rent. But Yuwen is too experienced and turns him down quickly)
4. Chen Hong : a personal fitness trainer (his studio went bankrupt and he is very muscular, wanting to just live a fulfilling life)
We also have one more character that is met during a group outing when the guys go out to play laser tag. This character is Huo Sichen. He is a rich businessman who takes a liking to Yuwen and starts to pursue him. Even to the point of having Chen Hong setting him up on a blind date. He is very innocent, was straight and impotent until he met Yuwen.
The tenants all take their sweet time paying rent and deposits but Yuwen doesn't mind because he's already a multimillionaire and is only using these guys as his models for his writing endeavors.
It's actually kind of funny how we get a bit of the editors thoughts on hating Yuwen's writing not having any depth and I can't help but make the comparison to what I am actually reading. However, like I said before, once the characters are established we are getting the friendships blooming, romance on the horizon, and the camaraderie of not living life alone. Life is better together.
The characters are fun to see interact with each other and by the end of volume 1 you'll have a sense of who your favorites are and want to see where their lives end up.
#blsliceoflife #danmei #riverbayroadmensdormitory #moderndaydanmei #danmeirecommendations
Having just dived into "Riverbay Road Men's Dormitory Volume 1," I wanted to share a deeper look into what makes this modern danmei by Fei Tian Ye Xiang such a compelling read, especially for those who appreciate character-driven stories. While the original review touched upon the initial pace, I found that the true charm of this slice-of-life BL unfolds beautifully as you get to know the diverse cast. What truly kept me turning pages was the intricate development of the characters. Zhang Yuwen, our protagonist, starts by seeing his tenants as mere muses for his writing. But as the story progresses, you witness genuine connections forming. Take Zheng Weize, the streamer, for example. Initially, his goal to find a rich partner might seem superficial, but his interactions, especially with the playful Chang Jinxing, hint at a much deeper longing for connection and belonging. Similarly, Yan Jun, the quiet single 'father' (actually an uncle to his adorable niece), brings a layer of tenderness and responsibility that contrasts beautifully with the more free-spirited tenants. The way these individual backstories and personalities intertwine creates a rich tapestry of relationships, far beyond just surface-level interactions. The premise of a group of men living together in a dormitory, each with their own quirks and struggles, is inherently fascinating. The cover art, depicting several men in a living room, perfectly captures this communal living vibe. It's not just about romantic pairings, although the hints of romance are definitely a delightful slow burn! It's about the camaraderie, the small moments of shared meals, late-night talks, and unexpected support that blossom from their forced proximity. The pivotal hiking trip, as mentioned in the original review, is where the narrative truly shifts, pulling these disparate lives closer and allowing their vulnerabilities and strengths to shine. It’s in these shared experiences, like getting stuck on a mountain overnight, that the "found family" trope truly takes hold, making you root for every single resident of Riverbay Road Men's Dormitory. For anyone considering picking up this danmei, especially if you're a fan of Fei Tian Ye Xiang's work or simply looking for a story that combines everyday life with heartfelt relationships, I highly recommend giving it a chance beyond the initial chapters. It’s a rewarding journey that explores what it means to find your place, your people, and perhaps, even love, in the most unexpected of circumstances. The blend of humor, genuine emotion, and the anticipation of seeing where each character's life will lead makes it a truly memorable read.
where do you read your dannei/manwha?