For a vertical short drama, this one I considered excellent. Love both actings of ML and FL. I have not watched…
I also agree with you. I really loved this, and consider it one of the best verticals. π
I did happen to see a somewhat similar 2024 drama last month on 4/21/2025. It was different enough for this not to be an adaptation but it also had way too many similarities to ignore. In this other one, the leads USED to be in love, got married by choice, and THEN a massive 7-year neglect takes place, so the husband is a less forgiveable character (but it has a healing arc and happy ending). The FL seeks divorce in the first 20 minutes and is more angry-unhinged at the ML's abusive family. The cancer is a misdiagnosis. The overall vibe is more karma-based, quirky with dark humor mixed into a melodrama. I did like it and both leads but NOT as much as this version here. I rated it 6.5β in my notes, but I tend to rate 1-1.5 stars lower than the average viewer rating (its not on MDL or ChineseMov.com).
Good review and you made some great points! I also felt like the drama had slight missed potential and just needed more time for the ML to become boss-like at the family business. It felt like it ended too early. And yesss... I also loved how Wang Nan's eyes were red and so emotional! ππ
I watched it this morning 5/2/2025, and rated it 8 as well. Then I read your review and its 100% spot on (at least for me).
The FL has a good personality, so I was bummed she did something shady, like faking DNA results. That crap always comes back to bite, plus it was unnecessary. Also, I didn't think about it till you mentioned it here, but its a good point that the ML's parents storyline was underdeveloped. I liked them and would've enjoyed them having more story.
I'm not against age gaps at all (in any direction), but I'm the opposite in that I like the older ML / younger FL trope more and I'm not *usually* intrigued by the older FL / younger ML, however... Wang Nan did well in this submissive puppy role and was freaking hot π₯΅. Lol. The FL's dominant personality matched well, too, because she was a likeable character and treated him well.
"UNCLE, TAKE IT EASY" YT Date: 4/28/2025 YT Title: "At 18, she confessed, was rejected, slept with a stranger, got pregnant and was dragged to marry." (Description is misleading, she is 21 and she did not get pregnant).
This drama is also known as "The Gift Baby" or "Left a Baby at the CEO's Door"Further info can be found here https://2025.chinesemov.com/tv/2025/Mr-Huos-Little-Ancestor-Is-Sweet-and-BeautifulNot…
I accidentally ran across a full version on YouTube today, with yet another title: "99 Steps to Win Her Heart". I like the ChineseMov.com title you provided and also, "The Gift Baby". :)
When the FL screamed at the guy holding her hostage, so she could answer her phone, I lol'd so hard π. Anyway, this is a pretty funny drama. The ML is a jerk at first but not abusive. The ending is happy but blah. It feels a little unfinished.
I watched this last 8/2024 and reviewed it on RakutenViki, but I'm not even going to bother pasting it here because your witty review is PERFECT. (I love the headline π).
ReelShort SYNOPSIS: "She died in the year he loved her most. With a billion-dollar fortune, he threw it all away, choosing to follow her in death. When she opens her eyes again, she's back to the years when she despised him. With a bitter smile, he says, "Want a divorce? Over my dead body."
I noticed this drama had been added so I'm just copy/pasting my tiny review that I had posted on YouTube back in the day.
2/3/2025 "WHAT.in.the.world.WAS.this?! This extra-mini-short-drama was obnoxious, ridiculous, and witty, with absurd humor (sometimes a little vulgar) and quirky CGI. For some reason, I loved it π. The main leads are unique, adorable and wonderful. Their chemistry is decent, too. The grandma is awesome."
Missing tags: Infidelity, Betrayal by Significant other, divorce, temporary blindness, death of main character,…
This review is VERY helpful. And yet... I'm still going to watch it for the same reason you said... to check it off my "watch all of Zhang Beixi's dramas" list. Haha! π€ͺ
Update 5/3/2025: Well, I watched it just now, reread your comment, and concur with all that you said.
I watched this on 2/3/2025, when I was a newbie with verticals so my gauge for what I think is 'good' has possibly morphed over the last few months. I remember really liking this drama. Besides the abrupt ending, I thought it was adorable, sweet and romantic with the most awesome, cutest, shortest grandma EVER. I liked the Buddhist πΏ theme, too.
Great work in the The Uncanny Destiny!! I really enjoyed her role and her laugh.
Her laugh was SO cute in that! Back before I added vertical dramas to my life, I specifically remembered her character in "My Uncanny Destiny" BECAUSE of her laugh. I didn't realize she was the same actress until I read your comment. So cool!
2 
I did happen to see a somewhat similar 2024 drama last month on 4/21/2025. It was different enough for this not to be an adaptation but it also had way too many similarities to ignore. In this other one, the leads USED to be in love, got married by choice, and THEN a massive 7-year neglect takes place, so the husband is a less forgiveable character (but it has a healing arc and happy ending). The FL seeks divorce in the first 20 minutes and is more angry-unhinged at the ML's abusive family. The cancer is a misdiagnosis. The overall vibe is more karma-based, quirky with dark humor mixed into a melodrama. I did like it and both leads but NOT as much as this version here. I rated it 6.5β in my notes, but I tend to rate 1-1.5 stars lower than the average viewer rating (its not on MDL or ChineseMov.com).
Just in case, here is the info:
YT: https://youtu.be/UlBAB6P7BDg?si=NalyoFv-KxPjtadP
ML: Song Chen
FL: Ma Lejia
2ML: Li Shengjie
The FL has a good personality, so I was bummed she did something shady, like faking DNA results. That crap always comes back to bite, plus it was unnecessary. Also, I didn't think about it till you mentioned it here, but its a good point that the ML's parents storyline was underdeveloped. I liked them and would've enjoyed them having more story.
I'm not against age gaps at all (in any direction), but I'm the opposite in that I like the older ML / younger FL trope more and I'm not *usually* intrigued by the older FL / younger ML, however... Wang Nan did well in this submissive puppy role and was freaking hot π₯΅. Lol. The FL's dominant personality matched well, too, because she was a likeable character and treated him well.
YT Date: 4/28/2025
YT Title: "At 18, she confessed, was rejected, slept with a stranger, got pregnant and was dragged to marry." (Description is misleading, she is 21 and she did not get pregnant).
ML: Liu Chenglin
FL: Chen Junhong
YT π: https://youtu.be/Wl8LOx2J1pg?si=DbuvGyyitQHmyRlL
"99 Steps to Win Her Heart". I like the ChineseMov.com title you provided and also, "The Gift Baby". :)
https://youtu.be/N9Fn1Yha9Y0?si=AQA17H6rJXZMBWGZ
On iQIYI as, "On the Brink of Death"
https://www.iq.com/share-short/224185igc0c?isShort=1&lang=en_us&sh_pltf=4
https://kisskh.at/790038-sweet-love
ML: Huang Bo/James Huang (as Ye Mohan)
FL: ? (as Mu Wanwan /Xia Wanan)
RS: https://w2a.reelshort.com/reelshort/shareBookPage/?book_id=659cdf16655e0719990b00a2&title=reelshort
MY tiny REVIEW: The production quality is so-so. The acting is good. The storyline is intriguing but has frustrating, gaping plot holes. The leads' misunderstanding lasts waaay too long. Their chemistry sucks and their kisses are 100% implied fakery π©.
https://kisskh.at/786542-shuang-tai-xiao-yun-qi-chao-nan-hong
https://w2a.reelshort.com/reelshort/shareBookPage/?book_id=6721a36a274732e5520493d4&title=reelshort
ReelShort SYNOPSIS: "She died in the year he loved her most. With a billion-dollar fortune, he threw it all away, choosing to follow her in death. When she opens her eyes again, she's back to the years when she despised him. With a bitter smile, he says, "Want a divorce? Over my dead body."
2/3/2025
"WHAT.in.the.world.WAS.this?! This extra-mini-short-drama was obnoxious, ridiculous, and witty, with absurd humor (sometimes a little vulgar) and quirky CGI. For some reason, I loved it π. The main leads are unique, adorable and wonderful. Their chemistry is decent, too. The grandma is awesome."
(I know, I have odd tastes in dramas π).
Update 5/3/2025:
Well, I watched it just now, reread your comment, and concur with all that you said.
That drama is:
DAYTIME FIREWORKS
Aired: 3/28/2025
ML: Li Hao
FL: Zhang Shan
MDL: https://kisskh.at/789484-daytime-fireworks