Freespirit1221

This drama was really funny in the first half, but went down in the second half. I enjoyed its early episodes, but didn't enjoy it later on, maybe starting from episode 18.

First of all, this show definitely shouldn't be labeled as romance, as the romance parts don't even account for one third of the plot, and the leads have no chemistry at all. Just pick any random second, third or fourth female lead, she would have more chemistry with the male lead than the female lead.

Second, the male lead's plot armor is too strong and illogical. Ning Yi is too smart and perfect at anything he does. He never fails at any of his strategies. He invents and makes everything by himself, even a gun! It's not something a normal modern person can make easily. Otherwise, the world would be in chaos. Ning Yi just cannot die or even get injured for just a little bit under any circumstances, thanks to his 'smart brain' as everyone said. Anyone would believe Ning Yi after hearing a few words from him. Well, I don't think historical people in real life would be so stupid to be tricked that easily. I couldn't even laugh after seeing all the ridiculous buffs that were given to Ning Yi. The screenwriter makes all the historical businessmen, bandits, politicians and officials look so stupid in this drama. Only Ning Yi is the smart one among all other characters, and he's a modern businessman. Everything is so easy for him!

I also feel that this drama is very disrespectful to women. There are at least 3 sexual assault scenes towards women in this drama, and two of them happen to our female lead Su Tan Er, and they just ignore it as if it wasn't something too serious! Besides, Su Tan Er is supposed to be a smart female businesswoman running the first female-lead home business in history, but all I can see is how she wouldn't survive in the business world without Ning Yi's help. All of the other female characters are also saved and helped by the smart Ning Yi. Without him, they wouldn't survive or succeed. The worst case is Tan Er's best friend from Lin An town, Lou Shu Wan. She was introduced as a super smart business lady with creative business strategies. However, after being saved by Ning Yi, suddenly she decided to seduce a powerful man that was trying to kidnap her, rely on him and destroy him in the end to trade for power and wealth? This is ridiculous and unacceptable!

Another thing I dislike about this show is that they killed off an important beloved character unnecessarily again. It's too easy to predict for me now. I could sense his death coming right at the scene where he gave Ning Yi his own novel and asked Ning Yi to help him edit it, and Ning Yi said he would do it later. It's always like that. This type of character always has an unfinished task that leads to a lingering sense of regret for other characters and viewers after his sacrifice. And again, it's always the one with a partner, or a long time unrequited crush in this case.

Surprisingly, the spotlight of this drama for me is the female lead's uncle and cousin. This father-son duo is hilarious. They appeared to be the villains at first, but then I couldn't stop laughing at their scenes in the latter episodes. Their appearances are just pure comedy.