The Story in 3 Sentences
A battle-hardened composer dies at the end of the apocalypse, only to awaken five centuries later in the body of a young, failed musician whose life was ruined by betrayal.
Armed with the grit of a war veteran and the soul of an artist, he navigates a dazzling, tech-driven future, using his past to compose a new legacy in music, gaming, and beyond, all while remaining chillingly unbothered by modern pettiness.
His journey crescendos not with personal glory, but with a poignant, unexpected focus on his super-intelligent dog, Curly Hair, hinting at a future where even the most loyal companions inherit the world he helped shape.
Why It Stands Out
1. The Unshakeable Grandpa MC
Forget the typical rage-fueled avenger. Fang Zhao is an ancient soul in a young body, a hundred-year-old veteran whose calm, almost grandfatherly demeanor in the face of modern drama is the novel’s beating heart. His “been there, killed that” attitude towards fame and slander, born from surviving literal hell, creates a uniquely serene yet powerful protagonist who solves problems with strategy, not screaming. He’s OP not because of magic, but because of hard-won wisdom, making his victories feel earned and his character deeply refreshing.
2. Symphony of Genres
This isn’t just a music novel or a face-smacking fest. It’s a masterful blend where haunting musical compositions share the stage with intense virtual reality battles and sharp industry satire. The author doesn’t just tell you the music is powerful; they make you feel its despair and triumph through vivid prose. The sci-fi elements, like virtual idols and advanced tech, are seamlessly woven into the narrative, serving the story rather than overwhelming it, creating a rich, believable future that’s as thrilling as it is thought-provoking.
3. World That Breathes
The future isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing entity with its own history, cultures, and rules. From the cutthroat politics of entertainment companies to the immersive mechanics of VR games, the world-building is meticulous and immersive. Supporting characters aren’t cardboard cutouts for the MC to overshadow; they have their own dreams, flaws, and agency, making every interaction feel real and every triumph or failure resonate with genuine weight.
Characters That Leave a Mark
There’s Curly Hair – Fang Zhao’s gaming-addict, super-intelligent dog whose journey from loyal pet to a famous, almost legendary figure becomes the emotional core of the story’s final act, symbolizing loyalty and an unexpected legacy.
You’ll meet Su Mu, who was Fang Zhao’s comrade-in-arms during the brutal apocalypse, a ghost from the past whose memory and shared trauma inform Fang Zhao’s stoic worldview and sense of duty.
And Fang Sheng? They’re the one who betrayed the original owner of Fang Zhao’s body, a pathetic figure whose downfall is so swift and complete that he becomes more of a cautionary footnote than a true villain, highlighting the MC’s indifference to petty revenge.
The Flaws Fans Debate
The ending feels abrupt to some readers, shifting focus dramatically to Curly Hair’s future in a way that can seem rushed after the long, detailed buildup of Fang Zhao’s career.
The story occasionally relies on the trope of portraying wealthy, spoiled youth as uniformly dumb and arrogant, which can feel like a lazy narrative shortcut.
While generally well-paced, a few sections, particularly in the middle, can meander slightly as the MC explores different facets of the entertainment industry, testing the reader’s patience before the next major plot thrust.
Must-Experience Arcs
Ch. 1–50: The Phoenix Rises – Fang Zhao, in a broken body with a ruined reputation, must scrape his way back from oblivion in a music competition, using his veteran’s composure and hidden talent to silence doubters and survive his first major hurdle in the new world.
Ch. 150–250: Virtual Stage, Real War – The MC dives deep into the world of virtual idols and gaming, composing groundbreaking music and leading teams in VR battles, where his military tactics and artistic genius collide, forcing the entire industry to take notice.
Ch. 450–507: The Dog’s Legacy – In a surprising and poignant final act, the narrative pivots to focus on Curly Hair, exploring the dog’s intelligence and role in society, leaving readers with a bittersweet, open-ended conclusion that contemplates legacy and the future Fang Zhao has built.
Killer Quotes
“Every time background music plays in my head, I feel like there is nothing to be afraid of.”
“My version, my rules.”
Cultural Impact
Fans passionately debate the abrupt, dog-centric ending, turning “Curly Hair” into a beloved meme and symbol of the novel’s unique heart.
The novel is frequently praised in online communities for its “chill grandpa” protagonist, a refreshing antidote to more volatile, revenge-driven MCs, spawning countless comparison threads.
It developed a cult following among readers who appreciate its detailed, non-romantic slice-of-life approach to a sci-fi setting, with fans often citing its immersive world and lack of stupid characters as major draws.
Final Verdict
Start Here If You Want:
A supremely chill, overpowered protagonist who wins with wisdom, not just wits.
A rich, genre-blending adventure that seamlessly mixes music, sci-fi, action, and comedy.
A story about legacy and finding peace, not just about climbing to the top.
Study If You Love:
Nuanced world-building that treats its futuristic setting with internal logic and cultural depth.
Protagonist psychology, exploring how trauma and age shape a character’s actions in a new world.
The subversion of common web novel tropes, particularly the “face-smacking” revenge plot, into something more mature and satisfying.
Avoid If You Prefer:
Fast-paced, non-stop action with no downtime for character or world exploration.
A traditional, romance-heavy or harem-focused plotline.
Stories with a neatly wrapped, conventional ending, as this one opts for a more ambiguous and thematically resonant finale.
