WL's Gay Manga, Anime, Webnovels Review - 11. The Daily Life of the Reborn Adopted Son of a Wealthy Family- Review

The Daily Life of the Reborn Adopted Son of a Wealthy Family (Modern, Second-Chance Romance, Rebirth, Family, Drama)

https://98novels.com/the-daily-life-of-the-reborn-adopted-son-of-a-wealthy-family/

First Impressions

I’ve been reading Danmei—the Chinese version of BL (gay fiction)—for a little over a year now and have developed quite a taste for it. Among all the titles I’ve tried, this novel stands out as one of the best and most emotionally fulfilling, especially from a gay reader’s perspective. Danmei can be an acquired taste, but it also offers insights into new cultural perspectives. In this story, for instance, readers get a glimpse of Chinese elite society and one of the more nuanced representations of homosexuality in that environment. The novel also belongs to the “rebirth” (or “Regression”) genre—similar to a character “quantum leaping” back in time at the moment of death.

I believe Western gay fiction readers will appreciate the mature, universal themes explored through the protagonist’s reflections on love, regret, trauma, depression, identity, and life. Unlike many other Chinese Danmei titles in this genre, there is no heavy emphasis on revenge or dramatic catharsis. Instead, it takes a practical, adult approach to second chances and delves into deeper psychological questions surrounding the main character’s longing for belonging.

Length

The story consists of 164 chapters, totaling around 437,570 words. Converting the English translation into standard MP3 audio files would yield roughly 47 hours of listening time. Since I made my own audiobook, I recommend readers pace themselves; it’s a long journey but well worth it for the depth of storylines presented.

Plot

The novel begins by introducing Chen Wengang, who suffers a difficult life. At nine years old, he was adopted by the wealthy Zheng family because his father sacrificed himself to save Zheng patriarch, Zheng Bingyi. Growing up, Chen Wengang fell in love with the family heir, Zheng Yucheng, but was ultimately abandoned when Zheng Yucheng chose to marry a woman out of convenience.

Later, amid financial fraud in the Zheng family business, Chen Wengang took the blame for Zheng Yucheng out of loyalty and ended up in prison. There, he was disfigured by a sulfuric acid attack, turning his once-beautiful face into a grotesque sight. Released and cast aside by the Zheng family, he lived in a shack near the docks, surviving by working at a convenience store. Flooding soon rendered him homeless, forcing him under a graffiti-covered bridge.

At his lowest point, Chen Wengang was discovered by Huo Niansheng—an heir from another wealthy family—who took him home, paid for his medical treatment, and even professed his love over the course of seven years. Traumatized by Zheng Yucheng’s betrayal and haunted by his disfigurement, Chen Wengang could never accept Huo Niansheng’s feelings. Tragically, Huo Niansheng died in a boating accident, leaving Chen Wengang his fortune. Filled with regret, Chen Wengang spent the rest of his life doing charity in Huo Niansheng’s name. At age forty, while visiting a school to explore donations, he sacrificed himself to save teachers and children from a dangerous situation.

In his final moments, Chen Wengang awakened to find himself back in his twenty-year-old body—before all the tragedy began. Specifically, it’s the day after he was “outed” by He Wanxin, the woman who would go on to marry Zheng Yucheng and be central to Chen Wengang’s eventual disfigurement in prison. Determined to change his fate, Chen Wengang vows to extricate himself from the toxic Zheng family and reconnect with the only person who ever truly cared for him: Huo Niansheng.

Review

Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster. If you’re the romantic type, keep tissues nearby; I ended up using two full boxes myself. It’s challenging to critique such an emotionally charged tale about personal growth, self-love, and forgiveness. Chen Wengang is the quintessential emotionally vulnerable gay man—abandoned after his father’s death and alienated as an adopted son. He clung to Zheng Yucheng for protection and love, but in the end, took the blame for financial crimes and went to prison. His betrayal hit hard, and many gay readers will relate to the heartbreak of being cast aside by a lover for sheer convenience.

One of the novel’s notable strengths is how openly Chen Wengang grapples with depression. The emotional and psychological scars from prison, disfigurement, and homelessness are portrayed with stark realism. The story also weaves anxiety attacks and flashbacks into a narrative that emphasizes mental health, providing a poignant glimpse of what happens when family and loved ones turn away.

From a cultural standpoint, Chinese attitudes toward same-sex relationships sometimes differ from Western norms. In elite circles, casual flings or secret affairs might be tolerated, but formal, lasting partnerships are far less common. That’s why Huo Niansheng’s sincere commitment to Chen Wengang is so striking—he offers genuine emotional support and wants a true partnership.

There are many characters with their own motivations, but four stand out:

• Chen Wengang: A deeply vulnerable gay man, orphaned and then adopted into a family that only offered conditional acceptance. Due to the Chinese practices of adopting sons into wealthy families, he was likely brainwashed into serving the Zheng family’s interests, subverting his own individual needs. Wengang mentioned that he supported Yucheng, got A’s in class, and wanted to perform at the Zheng’s shipping company to be acknowledged within the family as Zheng Bingyi desired. That’s not familial love; it’s a workplace relationship. His second chance is spent disentangling himself from that toxicity and learning to love himself.
• Huo Niansheng: He emerges as a second protagonist in the middle of the novel, especially when he begins experiencing dreams from the past timeline. Initially mistaken for a carefree playboy, he proves to be a committed romantic, offering everything—from wealth to emotional warmth—just to build a genuine future with Chen Wengang.
• Zheng Yucheng: A tragic figure who truly loves Chen Wengang but cannot break free from family duties. His story reflects the conflict many Chinese gay men face: the desire for a same-sex relationship pitted against the pressures of tradition and social acceptance.
• He Wanxin: The primary antagonist whose jealousy and vindictiveness set off Chen Wengang’s downfall. She orchestrates the academic scandal, false imprisonment, and disfigurement. As an illegitimate daughter from a wealthy family, she embodies the “green tea bitch” trope—a cunning individual who ruthlessly pursues position and wealth in a competitive environment.

Overall, The Daily Life of the Reborn Adopted Son of a Wealthy Family is an outstanding Chinese Danmei novel that I wholeheartedly recommend. Its themes of love, family, second chances, and personal growth should resonate with fans of gay fiction everywhere.

Rating: 5 out of 5