Dana7

I also thought YM and XK looked good together and the age difference wasn't obvious at all, especially when they are home and QS had a fresh face without the heavy office make-up.

I agree that the ending wasn't that bad because it was after all a happy ending. My problem was the writer/director should have dedicated at least a whole episode on QS wanting to have YH in her life. All we got was a bit when she missed him and did her house cleaning, and that was it. We really didn't get her process of truly wanting him in her life as a companion, and not just as excuse to fend off TJH's advances. Instead, we saw her moving on without YH (with the successful lawsuit, the partnership offer, ...). By the end, I can see that she would have been okay without YH, and she also seems to have accepted that fact. And then YH shows up 7 months later, and she runs into his arms. That was just weird to me. I would have at least asked what he was doing here and why since she thought he left with YY. It would have also been better if they had a conversation on starting a fresh relationship rather than continuing where they left off. Anyway, cdramas are famous for frustrating endings, so I'll settle for the ending we got because it's at least happy. I thought the drama was excellent overall because it had 2 mature leads with very relatable family and work problems.

ML's feelings for FL were not really obvious. Just some subtle details such as when ML's dad says that he's really possessive when he likes someone, and in that same episode, ML acted possessive toward FL (when facing 2ML after the attack in the garage). He was also protective of her at the convenience store after the attack when he pulled her to him to avoid contact with other customers. There are a few more, but I can't remember from the top of my head. Ha, maybe i'm pulling at straws, but I felt he has already fallen for her.

As for FL, I felt she really started to have feelings for him when he was drunk and confessed over the phone. I could see her heart melting when ML said that he wanted to give her everything. Again, i might be pulling at straws, but I really felt the change at these moments.

As for ML's ex, she comes in much later (maybe around ep 30, give or take). The FL did get jealous, but it was kind of frustrating and sad because by that time ML/FL have already broken up. I honestly felt really bad for her because she was heartbroken when she thought ML chose his ex over her.

ML develops feelings for FL pretty quick. FL was a bit slower but you can see that she starts to fall for him around ep18. There isn't much of a love triangle. 2ML has feelings for FL but she's not interested (although ML has some worries about it). There is a major breakup between ML/FL in ep 36 that is pretty frustrating. There isn't much skinship (a few kisses and some blurred out moments) but I thought there were some very sweet moments between the main leads. The ending is happy but kinda rushed. I wish writer/director saved the last episode for main leads to work out their problems properly.

FL left him, not because of his mom's disapproval, but because he hid their relationship from his mom for 7 years. She believed that, deep down, he was ashamed of her and her family situation (her dad being divorced twice) and he knew that his mom would disapprove of their relationship so that's why he never brought her home to his mom during their 7 year relationship.

SML will be pining for FL throughout the drama, but FL is over him and only consider him a friend and colleague. He's a pretty decent guy, and I feel a bit sad for him, not too much though because he sure got over his 7 year relationship quick. Within 2 years of the break-up, he got himself a rich fiancee that would meet his mom's approval. And he brought that one home to his mom as she got the right pedigree.

If you only consider the basic characteristic then It is true that YH fits into the mold of the typical ML in Cdrama in that he's totally dedicated to the FL and has no interest in other females. Romcoms are targeted for women, so writers typically give female audience what they deem the perfect partner (handsome, totally dedicated to FL, no wandering eyes...) and write from the perspective of the FL. I don't think any woman would be interested in watching a cheating/jerk ML and still root for the couple at the end (case in point, QS brother and sil who everyone despised). As a matter of fact, even the SML drops everything for FL, so you could really say he's the typical ML also. He runs to FL to protect her and is willing to leave the law firm for her.

Writers also show FL interacting more freely with other males because female audience identify with FL ,and which woman do not like to feel attractive and desired by other males (even though women do not necessarily want any actual romantic relationship with them)?

However, if you look beyond the basic characteristics, I think YH is different because he's thoughtful, more sensitive, and above all, fights with his brain whereas the typical ML in cdrama are more alpha males, ruthless, and love to use their fists to impress FL.

As for the issue with YH being angry with SML mother, I don't think he was angry at her but more at SML for making FL think that she was an unwanted pariah. Why do you think SML date a girl (FL) for a freaking 7 years without telling his mom? It's because deep down, he knew that his mom would disapprove and by hiding QS from his mother, SML is sending QS the message that he, himself, also saw something shameful about her family situation.

I'm the same way. Her dramas are really the only one that I watch while they're airing. They give me so much stress because I don't know how they would end, but I can't help myself and start them as soon as they air.

Hehe, I'm rewatching right now. I'm at ep 17, and main leads' marriage contract slowly turning into romance is really well done. It's very realistic: no bickering, no instant attraction, just 2 people trying to get along and make it work.

At least, we can agree on that...lol

An entertaining drama that brings out haters in droves? lol

I also find ML to be more interesting because he's not the typical ML one usually finds in Cdrama. He's sweet and thoughtful and fights with his brains rather than his fists. For example, to help QS avoid dealing with the sleazy Wang guy to get a contract with Hu Ping, YH contacted Hu Ping himself and convinced the guy of his worth and was offered a vice-president position in finance. On the other hand, SML feels like the typical alpha male ready to thump his chest to prove his worth. In dramaland, SML is a dime a dozen.

Someone with half a brain would at least consider the possibility that QS's child is TJH's. Like how QS is considering the possibility that YaoYao's son is YH's

Buying screen time is such a strange concept to me, Don't these producers or higher ups have any incentives for their dramas to do well? Why would they potentially jeopardize the quality and success of a drama just to make a quick buck?

That deleted scene was probably right before QS confronted YH's boss. He was wearing the same coat. Ugh, how i wish they would just release all the deleted scenes.

WF reasoning for revenge was that QS cheated on TJH by having an affair with YH since she has a 2.5 year old son while she only broke up with TJH 2 years ago. If I were WF, I would be more worried that the child was TJH's, but I guess she was either too naive or too dumb and would rather blame everything on someone else since she is determined to have the "perfect" fiance. Cdramas always make the SFL a jealous, raging lunatic...I thought at first that would be Li Dai, but boy was I wrong...😂

No wonder we all thought the writer was smoking weed. Like WTH did they waste time on brother/sister-in -law when there wasn't enough time for the main leads. So, were the scenes deleted before the actual filming or do the actors act all the scenes according to the original script and then the unwanted scenes get deleted post-production? Gosh, I wish I could have a copy of that script.

I remember reading on a XuKai fan site that his company doesn't fight for him and that's the reason why his screen time has always been less than others even though he's billed as ML.

That's so interesting! I didn't know it was a thing for actors and their company to pay for screen time. I think i read something to that regard a while ago but did not pay too much attention to it. May I ask how you know about the deleted scenes?

I also enjoyed the drama very much! One of my favorite this year! Main couple's relationship was so easy-going and not full of angst like many others. This made for a relaxing watch (except for a few episodes)

My favorite scene would have to be that night after the hot pot incident when QS tells YH that from now on he won't be alone and they'll tackle problems together and that's what people in a relationship do for one another. Sigh...I don't know how YH could still doubt her feelings for him after that talk.

My favorite funny scene was when YH mom found the condoms left by QS. The poor woman almost had a heart attack. Too bad we don't see much of her in the later episodes.

lol I've had my share of eyerolls at stupid FLs in C-drama. For some reason, QS didn't bother me as much. I still see her as an intelligent person. I got annoyed at her a couple of times for not smacking SML or for not telling him straight that she wasn't interested because she loved ML but I guess she got some issues with commitment and stuff.

MLs in C-drama are honestly what dreams are made of. You can't find them like this anywhere but in C-dramaland.😭

I also thought the chemistry was there. The relationship in SAHPH is very different from the relationship in L&P. Here, the relationship is more mature, realistic, and understated. There is no drama about family being against them as a couple (except really for comedic purpose - basically they don't lose sleep or cry over their family's objections). In L&P, everything is much more dramatic. The couple has a lot things going against them which makes for more angst and chemistry. I can't say one is better than the other; it's just different. For myself, I enjoyed the easy relationship in SAHPH. No drama, no angst (for the majority), just a couple getting to know each other and navigating life without having the weight of the world on their shoulder. It was refreshing to see their progression from strangers to lovers and to experience the exact moment when mutual respect for each other turned into love.