i think this story has a good redemption arc, bc the story establishes a legit reason why ml would feel angry and resentment and hurt mc (not that it excuses his actions). and it makes sense that the mc couldn't completely hate him (despite claiming he does) bc the story also established their relationship and that ml and mc genuinely loved each other before the misunderstand/imprisonment arc. in the novel, the arc takes 30+ chapters, and the redemption arc was 40+ chapters, in which the ml didnt exactly beg for forgiveness (bc he knows he doesnt deserve it) but gives mc a means to kill him if ml wrongs him again and a space to live with the old woman comfortably. he distances himself from mc bc mc hates him, and even when suffering from insomnia (a nosebleed from stress and lack of sleep), he doesnt ask mc to sleep with him. a major part of the reason why mc starts to forgive him is bc after the old woman died, he didnt have anyone else in the world who would love him, besides ml, and with his limp leg, it would be difficult to take care of himself. ml gave him a comfortable life, and he liked that, so mc sleeps with him again (not sex. they dont have sex again in this life). after they both die from kang's scheme again, this granted an opportunity for ml to wipe his ledger clean. his problem, as claimed by one of the co-conspirators, was that he loved too many things (his friends, his business, and mc) and if he had chosen to believe mc, it wouldnt have led to this tragedy. so in the new life, ml chose not to be greedy, forgoing friends, family, and ambitions, to dedicate his life to serving mc and never overstepped any boundaries or dared ask for affection. for 10+ years even when mc didnt remember his past life, bc he still felt guilt and thinks he doesnt deserve mc. as for mc, he loved the ml who adored him so despite hating him he also still liked him. he enjoy ml's misery and guilt but simultaneously feel jealous and angry if ml looked at another woman. the ml was soley his to inflict hurt. this ambivalence is conveyed well in the novel. and given this new life opportunity, he took advantage of reincarnated ml's clean slate to love him freely (but spoiler alert: ml knew his past life when he was 20 yo). yet mc begins subconsciously searching for past life ml in new life ml. he is happy to be in a clean slate relationship without the baggage, but he couldnt be 100% happy bc he still missed past life ml, and only with him can he truly heal from his trauma. i think what makes this story's angst arc particularly good, is that it's written as a tragedy they were both victim to (yes, even ml) that irrevocably changed their otherwise loving relationship and life's trajectory, instead of... a minor hiccup in their relationship or an abusive power play fetish for masochists. it forever scarred mc and he is justified to never forgive him, but at the same time, it is his perogative to forgive and judged that ml paid enough to mc. the heart wants what the heart wants. (personally, im still a little dissatisfied, but overall they deserve to be happy)
i think this story has a good redemption arc, bc the story establishes a legit reason why ml would feel angry and resentment and hurt mc (not that it excuses his actions). and it makes sense that the mc couldn't completely hate him (despite claiming he does) bc the story also established their relationship and that ml and mc genuinely loved each other before the misunderstand/imprisonment arc. in the novel, the arc takes 30+ chapters, and the redemption arc was 40+ chapters, in which the ml didnt exactly beg for forgiveness (bc he knows he doesnt deserve it) but gives mc a means to kill him if ml wrongs him again and a space to live with the old woman comfortably. he distances himself from mc bc mc hates him, and even when suffering from insomnia (a nosebleed from stress and lack of sleep), he doesnt ask mc to sleep with him. a major part of the reason why mc starts to forgive him is bc after the old woman died, he didnt have anyone else in the world who would love him, besides ml, and with his limp leg, it would be difficult to take care of himself. ml gave him a comfortable life, and he liked that, so mc sleeps with him again (not sex. they dont have sex again in this life). after they both die from kang's scheme again, this granted an opportunity for ml to wipe his ledger clean. his problem, as claimed by one of the co-conspirators, was that he loved too many things (his friends, his business, and mc) and if he had chosen to believe mc, it wouldnt have led to this tragedy. so in the new life, ml chose not to be greedy, forgoing friends, family, and ambitions, to dedicate his life to serving mc and never overstepped any boundaries or dared ask for affection. for 10+ years even when mc didnt remember his past life, bc he still felt guilt and thinks he doesnt deserve mc. as for mc, he loved the ml who adored him so despite hating him he also still liked him. he enjoy ml's misery and guilt but simultaneously feel jealous and angry if ml looked at another woman. the ml was soley his to inflict hurt. this ambivalence is conveyed well in the novel. and given this new life opportunity, he took advantage of reincarnated ml's clean slate to love him freely (but spoiler alert: ml knew his past life when he was 20 yo). yet mc begins subconsciously searching for past life ml in new life ml. he is happy to be in a clean slate relationship without the baggage, but he couldnt be 100% happy bc he still missed past life ml, and only with him can he truly heal from his trauma. i think what makes this story's angst arc particularly good, is that it's written as a tragedy they were both victim to (yes, even ml) that irrevocably changed their otherwise loving relationship and life's trajectory, instead of... a minor hiccup in their relationship or an abusive power play fetish for masochists. it forever scarred mc and he is justified to never forgive him, but at the same time, it is his perogative to forgive and judged that ml paid enough to mc. the heart wants what the heart wants. (personally, im still a little dissatisfied, but overall they deserve to be happy)