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I'm just going to have to reimagine the ending, but not for the reasons you think. Any ideas?
1. Yang Hua. Enough said.But actually, he's like so progressive, but like in a, well duh, kind of way, better yet, he's progressive in such a way that he makes progressive the new standard and anything else antiquated and regressive. And it results in the (obvious) tolerance, love, devotion, forward-thing, accepting, respecting, and intelligent person he is. I mean, he defends and defines the entire concept of feminism while just discussing the topic for one of her cases. (I am going to save his words until the end of time). I mean, he's simply using his unassailable intelligence and logical reasoning to lay out succinctly why the patriarchy exists and why it is created out of man's fear of losing power and control of human capital, i.e. that the patriarchy is stupid, and that women are biologically and societally more valuable than men, and that men are the lucky ones to be allowed around women, and unconsciously adds that he is especially lucky because he's with her. And the female audience is like, wait wut? and plays the scene another twenty times.
2. progressive relationships
2.a. that the woman is the breadwinner and the man is the homemaker.
I find this especially progressive for China, and yes, at the end, they imply that he's become a HUGE name in his field, but what's important is he clearly expressed throughout the show that he didn't need that. That her being the breadwinner was something that he loved about her and respected in her and promoted for her. Uh, I'm fangirling so much right now. That scene where she totally schools the top lawyers at that party where all the men are around the table smoking and drinking whiskey and they try to make her agree with their sexist comments about women belonging in the house and being best kept in the house rather than working... ok so after that, they try to turn it back on her and ask how her husband would feel/feels and he comes up behind her and puts his arms behind her and defends her, saying he's happiest when she is doing this, and happy keeping home so she can do this. We were all like SNAAAAAAP. Gah his character was the best. I have seen that actor in other shows and I thought he was extremely talented in those and I will admit, I came here to see good acting from him again, and while I wasn't blown away, it wasn't by bad acting, it was simply the character he was playing had subtler emotions, but when they came out ooooo, it was nice to see. like when SPOILER=======he asks her for the divorce and his eyes... I could feel his pain so close to my heart. And his reasoning for the divorce, I know some viewers didn't like it, but I thought it was beautiful and it showed such a close understanding of her thoughts and fears and her character. He knew what she was using the marriage to hide from, he understood, from her families context, and how she cared for her family her views on marriage and where her feelings and fears and insecurities stemmed from, and he gave her just what she needed.... and then the plot fell apart. I think I understand why he didn't "choose" between her and Yao Yao, or at least the second time, it felt like he was sad that she didn't understand the depths of his feelings for her and that she could even think that of him. But then, the showing up at the restaurant to pick up Yao Yao. and then at the airport when he saw Yao Yao and her son (omg what a great actor/character) off what he said around, "I've got it, I've got a plan, I'll take it from here" after pretty much tricking her into thinking he went to Australia with him? As other reviews pointed out, it shows a manipulative side that was very not in character. I'd like to think that his plan was just to give her time to reach the decision that allowed her to balance her morals and her career (i.e. not going back to that toxic law firm and staying independent), before she could move on to deal with other things like figuring out her feelings on marriage and if and how she wanted him in her life. So wft, what was with him just moving in across the hall. Him thinking, "Psych, I've decided it's been enough becuase now I'm acting like a stuck-up know-it-all (he was just a plain, carefree know-it-all before) now that he a CEO of one of the biggest organizations in China?" Like did anyone else feel like he was almost conceited?
2.b open/non-standard relationship
When he was talking with the parents he said he was fine with however she wanted him in her life, and given her experience with the marriages around her, family members as well as a divorce lawyer, he explicitly said they didn't need to be married. It's just a label afterall, and if their relationship wasn't pressured into a particular mold or expectation if the word marriage was attached to it, then that was what he wanted for them.
I couldn't tell from the ending what kind of relationship they were going to form, but knowing Chinese censorship, I'm almost positive it didn't end up as an open relationship (though it looks like they wouldn't be living in the same house, which is already one step of the normative relationship ladder).
So back to creating our own ending. How can we make one where he doesn't appear to be manipulative, scheming, or pretentious? How can we make it where she reaches an equilibrium with her ideas around marriage and what she wants in a relationship, and then *she goes out and FINDS HIM?* I don't like that he just moved in across from her. Consent?? Hello? Also, what about waiting for The Character growth you were working on so hard for her to complete? I mean I guess we can as omniscient readers make him omniscient and say, tada! he knows she finally took that step in her career that put her values and justice at the front, but that still showed nothing about her coming to terms with her feelings for him (THIS IS A G-DAMN ROMANCE SHOW) She never said I love you.
Ok, so circling back. Ideal ending: an ending where
1 he stays true to his nature,
2 they have a relationship that is different enough from the norm such that how they define it, whether as marriage or not, allows her to feel comfort and safety, but most importantly one free/unconstricted/unconstrained by the trappings that the word marriage brings to a relationship,
3 it allows for the non-standard gender roles to be played out in whatever way the characters needed, and
4 She reconciles where she wants to stand with her career (the only thing that actually happened) and with him, and then goes out and does something about it herself. Not him, like wtf.
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Cute Love Yang Mi
Love this drama and i can rewatch it again after sometime as it's cute in many ways. Ambitious lawyervand pure hearted genius who's lost self-esteem due to a setback.There is just one thing disturbing in this series to me , that is Tan Jin Hui, the ex-boyfried. He is the worst man ever. Either it's intentional by director to mke his character this way or they screwed up the story timeline. Tan Jin hui would have still been dating QinShi when her supposingly 2.5 yo son was born. So how could this guy actually didn't straight away know that it is a lie?!!!! In fact the jerk Wang JieSen figured it out before him. So, so wrong! The quirky yet sweet Yang Hua is way way better, he's so cute with his drunk poetry and adoration for Qin Shi ❤️
Spot on the office politics, it's all about whom you know and money you get in! It's hard being a single career women in this society. Both lawyers Qin and Li , very cool 😎 happy ending to our FL n ML but i wished they give better ending to Li as she's also a beautiful character, wish that she'd found her partner..
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great chemistry, excellent storyline and family drama
enjoyed the storyline and actors chemistry and the every character really played they part well.the storyline of lawyers and office drama was really good
also seeing how the ML have such a good character development as in career wise and in his relationship with the FL.
he was like if you can say you love me I'm done. I loved that for him.
loved all episodes from 1-36 then I was annoyed at the FM like really after 36 episodes she still can't admit and commit to the ML after everything. the ending could of been better
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Not Just Romance – A Meaningful and Heartwarming Drama
This drama is not your usual fluffy rom-com. It’s a mature, realistic, and beautifully written story about relationships, personal growth, and second chances. If you are looking for something light and silly, this might not be for you. But if you enjoy character-driven stories with meaningful conversations and believable emotions, this drama is definitely worth watching.The best thing about this drama is the strong writing and well-developed characters. Every action and decision makes sense once you understand the characters’ personalities and pasts. It’s about more than just romance – it explores values, trust, ambition, and learning to heal from past mistakes.
The chemistry between the leads is fantastic. Their relationship grows slowly and naturally, moving from respect and admiration to genuine love. Both leads feel like real adults – the female lead is confident, smart, and independent, while the male lead is calm, supportive, and deeply understanding. They complement each other perfectly, and watching them grow together is heartwarming.
The acting is top-notch. Xu Kai and Yang Mi bring their characters to life perfectly, and even the supporting characters add depth to the story. The production quality is high, and the OST fits the emotional tone beautifully.
This drama is not perfect – some viewers might find the last few episodes slower compared to the beginning, and there are a few moments where you might wish for more romance on screen. But the emotional depth and meaningful storytelling make up for these small flaws.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a mature, thoughtful romance with strong characters and great chemistry, you should definitely give this a try. It’s a healing and heartwarming drama that stays with you even after it ends.
My Rating: 9.0/10
- Strong acting and beautiful chemistry
- Deep, meaningful story
- Mature writing with life lessons
- A bit slow towards the end
Highly recommended for those seeking romance with depth and a story that feels authentic.
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yang mi really looked like a goddess
I think what made me gravitate towards this drama is because it contains a lot of things I've been dreaming to watch; a perfectly balanced cool-but-not-overwhelmingly-cold, just the right amount of loser kinda malewife and a domineering, but still sweet in particular time wife. Even though the marriage contract trope is stale at best, but I kinda like the dynamic between the two leads. this is my first chinese drama that I followed thru until 40 episodes, ngl it's kinda hard, but the pacing of the story and how the conlicts are peppering right is what made me continue on.i saw a lot of people complain about "unnecessary conflict" at the last 6 episodes but I think it's inevitable. their entire brand relationship is based and fundamentally build on lie, so it made sense to rework the building into trust if they actually want it to work. But i really dont understand the male lead's wishy washy attitude. all in all, not a fan, but i could understand it a little bit.
I watched xukai's performance in falling into your smile, and i could say i did not really see a different acting her and there? but it's still good, because Yang Hua's character is just the right amount of aloof and caring. Yang Mi though, it;s my first time watching her in cdrama, and I could honestly say she embodied Qin Shi very well. the actress and actor are being saved by the characters i guess?
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Why disappoint at the end
Is best they had extended it for a next four episode than to ruin a good show like that. I just started cussing from when they missed each other at the airport total cliche with all airport scenes but then I saw seven months later what happen between that seven months am like what the hell where are they going with this show and if that wasn’t enough to piss you off boom here comes she running into his arms let’s get back together show done like bruhhhhhhhhh whyyy y’all does give me so much high blood pressure don’t try cram everything in one episode after having a good flow throughout the series.Was this review helpful to you?
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Promising Build-Up, Disappointing Farewell
The drama started strong. The pacing was just right, the characters were compelling, and the emotional connection between Qin Shi and Yang Hua was engaging. That is why the ending feels so frustrating. It undercuts much of what the series did well.The final episodes felt forced. The divorce subplot came out of nowhere, the airport scenes felt contrived, and the time jump created a disconnect. Then, for closure, we get only a hug, a kiss, and a quiet “I missed you.” No heartfelt confession. No acknowledgment of their emotional journey. It feels empty and abrupt.
One viewer on Reddit captured it perfectly:
“How did they ruin the last five episodes after such a great run? All we get is a shallow final scene that does not justify the emotional investment of the previous episodes.” (source: r/CDrama)
Another comment put it bluntly:
“I loved everything until they completely failed at the ending.” (source: r/CDrama)
The lack of clear communication in those last episodes weakens Qin Shi’s character. Her emotional growth is overshadowed by unresolved tension. Yang Hua even pointed out her lack of confidence in their marriage. That could have been a meaningful moment, but it was never addressed, making the breakup feel unjustified.
That is what makes the end so disappointing. The drama addressed workplace bias with a strong female lead, offered social commentary, and delivered real chemistry. Yet the finale sidestepped all of that to wander into confusion.
In summary, what could have been a memorable and emotionally resonant conclusion turned into an unsatisfying and vague finale. The emotional clarity I craved never arrived, leaving me with frustration and what-ifs instead of closure.
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A perfect contract marriage drama
Been waiting for this drama for a long time. One for the two main characters YM and XK, two eyes candies, no need to explain more. I thought it going to be a pluffy love story, but the storyline is very intriguing and refreshing! The surprise and fast pace of each case make me anticipate the next episodes. Waiting for the next day is torturing. Love QS strong women character and YH perfect husband chemistry! The only annoying part is the ex’s annoy fiancée that really need a life. Overall it is funny, heart warming and refreshing.And for those who are complaining about last episode but in my opinion this is the best way for female lead to understand the meaning of marriage .
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Good chemistry. Things look natural and believable
I think this drama deserves a higher rating - at least 8,5 according to MDL standards.Chemistry between the leads is very good.
Leads bahave regional and there is no obviously stupid plot moves.
All characters are relevant and play their role.
All characters are complex and have understandable motives. I felt involved.
This is one of the very few dramas which I watched two times.
Recommend it to all romance lovers.
And here I am adding some irrelevant text because MDL has a stupid rule of 500 chars in review
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Watch this of course for my Xu Kai & Yang Mi. Although I quite like the dynamic between this couple but the plot itself more & more uninterested toward the end. All the case related to them is kinda doesn't make sense & I kinda doesn't really understand what that's all about.... It seem what Qin Shi (QS) did in her lawfirm kinda over her scoop as an attorney, like when they defense He Dong Na, or when they want to make pre-martial agreement, all the things they did I don't know is it lawyer supposed to do...? And also all the chaos related to Yang Hua previous job very confusing....
What I really like from this couple (QS & Yang Hua) is how mature they are. They always talk about their feeling and honest with each other. But their feeling is so sudden & quite unclear when it's even started. The other thing that I really like is the friendship between Li Dai & QS. The healthy rivalry that in the end make friendship out of it...
What I really don't like is how childish Wu Fei is. Yeah I know jealousy is a b*tch and very hard to control. But at first she's the one that arrange the job for Tao Jun Hui & yet she's also the one that did all the stupid things in the end.
And don't let me started with QS's brother & his wife. How messy their marriage is. One of the most toxic relationship that I've ever watch in the drama....
Well in the end this just another drama to watch.
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Really depends on what you're into
If you like business focused dramas (and don't mind lies and constant plotting) then you'll probably enjoy this. If you're a fan of the leads then might love it (great chemistry)! Xu Kai seems to excel in period dramas, while modern romcom dramas (e.g. Falling Into Your Smile, or As Beautiful As You) don't always showcase depth or range. Take FIYS for example, it's a super lovable drama, but his character didn't really have many layers. So my guess is he chose this drama because his character is really well written and a great opportunity for him to show real vulnerability and growth. It's not a perfect script, but good bones, as they say. Others have remarked on his voice bringing more to his character and I agree, it definitely added authenticity for him. Dubbing can make characters feel disjointed, so I prefer the actual actor's voice. *Side note on XK: when I first saw him on a poster/title card, I was not impressed and didn't think he was at all good looking...but chalk it up to stage presence and screen chemistry, that boy brings it!!! Now I think he is in the top 3 most attractive of C-Drama stars.I generally have low or no tolerance for dramas that are heavy on deception and misunderstandings. The first 10 episodes were really hard to get through because of the web of lies and nonsense. I was able to endure by using the FF button liberally and really just focused on the scenes with the leads together. As a result, I was not as agitated as others were by the excess law stuff and lack of scenes between the leads. Actually, when you compare the 40 episodes to a 24, 26, 32, etc. ep drama, than they probably have the same amount of scenes together. It might even add up to more, and I felt that they wrote their time together wisely, at least for the middle 10. They were bonding in a mature manner and as I was using FF it was really nice to watch all their scenes in succession. I saw all the warnings about the last 5 episodes, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Sure it was messy and out of step, but I kind of felt like it didn't have many good alternatives. Basically, the FL lead needed to jump off of the diving board into the deep end of the pool, and this is how the "powers that be" thought it would be best accomplish that.
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