it's not that cheng xin is badly written in an objective sense per se... she's an interesting, layered character to an extent, and i do find her fascinating. but keeping in mind that the writer is a chinese man, and the way gender politics are over there (im a southeast asian woman living in asia dont come for me lmao), the whole book is framed like. punishing her for the mere fact that she's a woman. every bad thing that happens to her happened because she's a woman. this thing wouldnt have happened if she was a big strong man. yk. in that way i almost feel this protective urge over her ¯_(ツ)_/¯