we got to understand hua cheng character once we got the backstory but at the beginning a lot of people had opinions similar to what you think of this ml, in fact, some side character's fans still think of him like that to this day
so i dont think it's ok to compare a finished story with a new one lol and a novel vs a manhua at that, the storytelling is a lot better in novels than in manhua
tbh I don't like to compare characters either, but I see someone compared them in the comment so it stuck with me. but, since the beginning they're different anyway. maybe because the MC feels different? I feel like XL can take care of himself but this manga MC is worrisome when paired with someone like ML. Also I don't understand your stance, is it ok to think that you support the ML?
I don't really have a stance in this that's why, i respect your thoughts on him, if i were to have one it would be that is too soon to judge him for me i guess? he's being obsessive and that made me a little uncomfortable at first, but i like the story so far
and idk if another person did too but the comment you read was probably mine lol they just seemed similar to me (ml made me remember about how hua cheng acted towards mu qing and feng xin so that's where the feel mostly came from) then i started to think back and the whole lying identity, knowing everything about mc, acting like a noob gamer (when he's actually a pro) so mc will teach him... was so similar to san lang but i didn't commented those and just keep it to myself, they're different characters at the core anyway im not saying they're the same
oooh it's you wwwwww. that's why I think I probably only said he didn't left good first impression and let's just watch him from now on. I think the recent chapter made me give him a cookie so that's that.
also I was traumatized with another story. there ML started sweet, helping MC with studying irl while hiding his identity. but later he became very overbearing, using trickc and guilt trip MC to stay in relationships with him. There are also a lot of other stories like that.
i dont remember the past but I don't hate the yellow haired guy.
he wanted to talk to mc about it but ml always stopped him. at least let them talk how would he know anything if he was never given the chance. sure he could mess up and bring trouble to mc, but it would be unintentional. meanwhile, ml has no right to stop mc from meeting people, it's red flag.
moreover ml did it mostly for his own selfishness at least it seems that way to me -- he's full of vinegar. ml even lied a lot to mc. i understand that it's almost a staple to hide or lie about one's identity in online game setting... but it doesn't always have to be. i love online game setting but it always come to this sigh
anyway whatever ml do, it only complicates things. sure it's mc idea at first, but ml totally enabling him just bc he wanted to get close to mc... he really didn't leave good impression on me. i am looking forward how he will be redeemed
if ml isn't the male lead but a side character who has crush towards mc, i know everyone will not defend him like this. you can't do stuff like this and say it's cute because it's for love nah
i think hua cheng is more likeable. he allowed xie lian to experience and witness things by himself to make his own judgement. he also enabled xie lian to do bad things sure but everytime it's xie lian own decisions. he mostly lied when he already close to xie lian like that kiss to exchange spiritual power, and xie lian didn't mind it, that's what i call cute
end of my rant. i wont accept different opinion if you're being rude