Blueberries

That's one good review. You outlined the important themes, analyzed main characters' motivations and their relationships in an objective way. This will be helpful to would be watchers. I agree with you that Yang Zi has a great chemistry with all of them. Anyone can ship her with any of the MLs. I also have my own favorite, Ye Shiqi/Tushan Jing. Yes, the first season left many things unresolved, and I hope the second season wraps it up nicely.

I've just recently read this chapter from the novel. This is after Jing's murder attempt, orchestrated by Xuan. XY thought Jing was dead. I'll quote: "Xiao Yao stared at the sky and didn't feel any rage at being lied to, or fear at imminent death. Only the sadness of having her hopes dashed. Since childhood she had lived a hard life, her heart always drifting, feeling like she would be abandoned at any time. After her engagement to Jing did her heart settle down, thinking that things would finally change. Who knew Jing left her, even if it was just like her parents when a reason that couldn't be helped. But she was still abandoned again, and she didn't want to keep being strong anymore to face a long life ahead. If Jing slept in this ocean then she would rather be here with him." => TSJ is not just a safe choice

Her experiences would not have made her like A'Nian. She has a different character from A'Nian. Even when she was still a young kid, she was already wiser and more determined than Xuan. In my opinion, she would have married Xuan, and Xuan would not have taken any concubines.

I borrowed your purple heart btw 💜

That's sweet 💜

Yes, there is no doubt that Xiao Yao is a smart cookie, and she picked the right man for her.

🍃 🥰

Yes it is. It's also a place where Wen Xiaoliu first met and saved Ye Shiqi, and from then on they are destined to be bound together.

Oh I'm sure they are! https://media.tenor.com/dY-4c4C00M8AAAAC/deng-wei-yang-zi.gif

Jia you Deng Wei!! Looking forward to his performance as Su Yishui

Yes!! so happy for him!!

Yes, hoping that we get to see this TSJ-XY proposal scene in the midst of thousands of peach blossoms falling. I can already visualize this lovely scene in my head. Btw, I find it frustrating that season 2 has already been filmed, but we have to wait months for the episode to air!!

Yes, that's true, for viewers who haven't read the novel, some elements in the drama can be confusing. I have yet to finish reading the novel; there is still a long way to go. But that's why I come to MDL. I always enjoy reading your posts btw; they are well-reasoned, and I consider them reliable. Thanks AH!!

It seems like that in the beginning, but later on, when XL falls for XY, he will do everything in his power to ensure that she lives a happy and safe life,
even if not with him. XY and TSJ/17 love story reminded me of that sweet feeling you get when you fall in love for the first time.

I replayed that scene many times last night (1700seconds into ep 34), following your link, the drama did not show him noticing that Jing is there, it's just like you said: 'it really just looks like he's collecting his emotions'. I agree with you that there is a lot of foreshadowing in this scene. I don't think the production team missed that, perhaps that was the intention (It will dawn on viewers when the epilogue/XL's point view is aired in S2, that it was all his plan all along, pushing XY away when he feels that she gets too close to him). XL is really cruel to himself in this regard.

Thanks for the explanation, AH! I remember this scene, and had my doubts about why XL's behavior changed abruptly.

I'm loving this drama. The story is strong and very sweet, no twisted plot. Great acting and chemistry between the leads.

I'm leaning towards shipping them 😅🥰

Nath and I agreed that we both are wrong. He's THE DUDE https://media.tenor.com/0gz-YqVCqrQAAAAC/dude-abides-the-big-lebowski.gif

LOL 😅 I'm dead. Although I disagree on which Dude is THE DUDE, that's the most vivid description of the drama 👍