This review may contain spoilers
"A beautiful beginning, ending in total ruin."
At the start, this series was a masterpiece. The cinematography, lighting, and the way it captured the essence of falling in love, being in love, and the bitterness of resentment were flawless. It stayed true to the Manhua, almost frame-for-frame, and the casting was spot on. Although Wang Ziwen is older than the 24-year-old Xiaoxi in the original story, her charm and acting prowess brought the character to life perfectly.
However, what happened after Episode 21 was a total train wreck. It was like watching a beautiful ice sculpture being smashed into pieces.
In the latter half, the writers butchered Xiaoxi’s character. She turned into a gullible person, easily manipulated by An Miao. She chose to believe lies over the man she supposedly loved, proving she never truly understood Xiaobei’s heart. Her character growth vanished. For someone portrayed as smart and an expert in "testing love," she became incredibly toxic and irrational, accusing Xiaobei of never loving her and seeing her only as a substitute for his ex. It was maddening to watch.
What the story should have been: The core should have been about their love blooming through trust. Xiaoxi should have been the one fighting to reconcile, building their trust to 100%. The ending should have featured the beautiful intercutting scenes from the Manhua: Xiaobei and Xiaoxi signing their marriage license, contrasted with Ah Qiu and Yu signing their divorce papers, and Da Shen chasing Ming Ming on the train. One couple blooming, one parting with understanding, and one reclaiming a long-lost love.
The "Soap Opera" Turn: From Episode 22 onwards, that artistic contrast vanished, replaced by a cliché, trashy soap opera. We got cold wars, repressed problems, and Xiaobei—who did nothing wrong—having to beg for forgiveness from a wife who was losing her mind.
The women around Xiaobei became a "Toxic Trio." The ex-girlfriend playing mind games, An Miao instigating a breakup to take her shot, and the wife (Xiaoxi) who—instead of protecting her man—joined them in emotionally crushing him. It felt like they were trying to drive Xiaobei to despair. To make it worse, they turned "Laogong"—the loyal friend—into a typical idol-drama home-wrecker who confesses to Xiaoxi the moment her heart is broken by her own stupidity.
What started as a brilliant psychological romantic thriller with deep insights into love devolved into a nonsensical, soapy mess.
My Final Verdict: If you haven't finished the show yet, take my advice: Stop at Episode 21. Right after Xiaobei asks Xiaoxi to register their marriage—turn it off. You'll feel much better, and it works as a beautiful, unofficial ending.
However, what happened after Episode 21 was a total train wreck. It was like watching a beautiful ice sculpture being smashed into pieces.
In the latter half, the writers butchered Xiaoxi’s character. She turned into a gullible person, easily manipulated by An Miao. She chose to believe lies over the man she supposedly loved, proving she never truly understood Xiaobei’s heart. Her character growth vanished. For someone portrayed as smart and an expert in "testing love," she became incredibly toxic and irrational, accusing Xiaobei of never loving her and seeing her only as a substitute for his ex. It was maddening to watch.
What the story should have been: The core should have been about their love blooming through trust. Xiaoxi should have been the one fighting to reconcile, building their trust to 100%. The ending should have featured the beautiful intercutting scenes from the Manhua: Xiaobei and Xiaoxi signing their marriage license, contrasted with Ah Qiu and Yu signing their divorce papers, and Da Shen chasing Ming Ming on the train. One couple blooming, one parting with understanding, and one reclaiming a long-lost love.
The "Soap Opera" Turn: From Episode 22 onwards, that artistic contrast vanished, replaced by a cliché, trashy soap opera. We got cold wars, repressed problems, and Xiaobei—who did nothing wrong—having to beg for forgiveness from a wife who was losing her mind.
The women around Xiaobei became a "Toxic Trio." The ex-girlfriend playing mind games, An Miao instigating a breakup to take her shot, and the wife (Xiaoxi) who—instead of protecting her man—joined them in emotionally crushing him. It felt like they were trying to drive Xiaobei to despair. To make it worse, they turned "Laogong"—the loyal friend—into a typical idol-drama home-wrecker who confesses to Xiaoxi the moment her heart is broken by her own stupidity.
What started as a brilliant psychological romantic thriller with deep insights into love devolved into a nonsensical, soapy mess.
My Final Verdict: If you haven't finished the show yet, take my advice: Stop at Episode 21. Right after Xiaobei asks Xiaoxi to register their marriage—turn it off. You'll feel much better, and it works as a beautiful, unofficial ending.
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