
I saw some comments that whoever recommended the novel before to people set them up. If you do not like this kind of agressive, push-pull, cruel love-like romances, then do not read it of course, but otherwise, I also do recommend reading it.
SPOILER-ish
I really loved the novel, and their dynamic as well - at the end, of course.
I have to agree with the previous comment before me that Zhenya didn't change that much - it wasn't like that BIG change, but in some way, I think he STARTED to develop some kind of human sense and decency. Developing boundaries, as Strawb.milkshake said. It's a good word for it.
Considering how he was raised, and no one cared or worried about him up until Taekjoo appeared in his life, he did have growth. I really found his relationship with Taekjoo's mom cute.
In the end I think, in their own way, they truly fell in love with each other. Taekjoo isn't a relationship material either, he even says it several times through the novel. But he found someone who would wait for him, even chase him - and Zhenya found someone who will go back to him, no matter what. I think it's beautiful. They really tamed each other, but never totally surrendered to one another.
That said Zhenya, as you mentioned, stayed mysterious and the same monster as he was - he is just accepted the way he is by Taekjoo.
This is to people who have already read the novel.
What do y'all think about Zhenya's character development in the end? I saw many people on TikTok saying he had the biggest change in the BL history. But I don't really think so, I still feel that mysterious vibe whenever he's mentioned.