NCloudY

Disclaimer: This review is based solely on the aired version of the drama—no behind-the-scenes tea included.

After weeks of following this show... it’s finally over. And if you ask me whether I’d recommend it to others—my honest answer is: yes... but also, not really. Because this drama? It had so much potential—but also made some frustrating choices that held it back.

Let’s start with the good stuff:
The premise? Solid. Friends to lovers? Childhood friends? Total comfort food for the soul. It had all the ingredients to be a warm, relatable, slice-of-life drama with depth. Heck, it could’ve even become a quiet exploration of mental health... if it had been handled better.

But here's the thing: what kept this drama afloat wasn’t the script, wasn’t the direction, wasn’t even the editing (we’ll get there in a second). It was the cast. Every single actor—yes, even the child actors—gave it their all and practically carried this drama on their backs.

Because the script? Felt choppy. Scenes jumped around. Focus was inconsistent. And at some point, I genuinely wondered if the producers themselves were confused about how to build the Qushan gang’s dynamics.

The friendship within the Qushan gang lacked emotional glue. Their bond didn’t feel lived-in. It felt… rotational. Like, okay—who’s gonna check in on Ying Tao this episode?

Early on, she was glued to Yu Qiao. Every. Single. Episode. The amount of screen time they took up together could’ve easily been used to deepen other plots. Then, mid-season, bam! suddenly Fang Yuan becomes her emotional anchor. He’s calling her, updating her, checking in like it’s his full-time job. Meanwhile, Dushang? Still missing in action.

And don’t get me started on Dushang’s storyline. They hinted at domestic violence in his family early on. It was serious. But fast forward, and suddenly his dad just shows up like nothing ever happened? Zero closure. Zero emotional follow-up. Just swept under the rug.

Then—plot twist—right near the end, Dushang finally gets more scenes... and becomes Ying Tao’s main contact out of nowhere. After being sidelined for the entire show, he’s suddenly relevant? It felt like a punchline.

The biggest tragedy? These characters had so much potential. The actors were more than capable. But the direction failed them. Their interactions didn’t flow naturally, and so much of the emotional weight felt unearned.

Now, let’s talk about the one thing that made me stay:
Ying Tao and Qiao Xi’s chemistry.
Thank god for them.

Despite limited scenes together and barely-there exposition, the emotional connection between them still hit. Zhao Jinmai and Zhang Linghe deserve serious credit. They fought for that chemistry, and it showed.

Jinmai brought every emotion to life—grief, frustration, hope, love—all so authentically. And Linghe? He portrayed Qiao Xi’s silent battles and quiet despair with heartbreaking nuance, even when the script gave him so little.

And honestly? Qiao Xi’s character could’ve been legendary with better writing. He’s the perfect embodiment of a kid growing up with an empty love tank. His parents were present physically, but never emotionally. The emotional neglect? Gut-wrenching. So when someone like Ying Tao loves him fully—without condition—it scares him. He runs. Because love feels foreign. Like danger.

That’s the core of his character. And it works. It’s raw, it’s real, and it speaks to so many people.

Meanwhile, Ying Tao grew up surrounded by love. Her emotional cup is full—and that’s why she has the capacity to love others deeply. The contrast between the two? Brilliant. And it makes you root for them so hard.

One of the most important truths this drama quietly delivers is:
Not every parent deserves the title of ‘parent.’
Qiao Xi’s parents? Prime example of that.

And I loved that in the end, his mom didn’t magically change or chase him down. She stayed the same. No guilt, no awareness. Just the same self-centered, emotionally unavailable woman who thinks the world revolves around her. People like that? Their ears are decorative. Period. 😂

You can shower them with kindness and understanding—but it’ll never be enough. Because they don’t see you. And honestly? The healthiest thing to do is to leave. Before they break you more than they already have.

Now. We need to talk about the elephant in the room:
THE EDITING.

It was… chaotic. Especially in the early episodes. Transitions were jarring. Scenes ended abruptly. Filters changed without warning. Like—remember the Hong Kong scenes? Suddenly the whole vibe turned cinematic, like we were watching a completely different show. The first and last episodes felt like they came from different universes. Not sure if the editor just leveled up halfway through… or if it was just pure inconsistency.

So yeah. This drama wasn’t perfect. Far from it.

But do I regret watching it? Not at all. The story had charm. The characters were endearing. And thank goodness the leads weren’t another comic artist or programmer (I am SO over those tropes, lmao). The roles felt fresh, the conflicts were compelling, and the ending? Surprisingly satisfying.

So yeah. A bumpy ride—but not a wasted one.