MarkWasHere

This drama was certainly well made, with high production values and excellent acting. However, the plot was problematic for me. Basically I found my self, for the first time ever, actually hating one of the lead characters.
Luan Nian (Luke) is a narcissistic, immature, inconsiderate, selfish, abusive, petty, jealous, manipulative, entitled and obnoxious bully. He entered into what I would describe as a "friends with benefits" relationship with a Flora, much younger employee, and then proceeded to insult, emotionally abuse and embarrass her almost non-stop for the majority of the drama. He never asked what she wanted, never had any empathy for her situation and never showed even the slightest hint that he had any respect for her as a person. He dominated her, bossed her around and controlled her. He told her what she should wear and who she should socialise with. It was the very definition of an emotionally abusive relationship. Some of this abusive behaviour was even romanticised in the drama, which I suspect may reflect the patriarchal norms that exist in China. Sadly Flora was unwilling or unable (or both) to do anything other than tolerate the mistreatment. That is, until she finally snapped and broke up with him.
Even in the final episodes when Luke decides that he really does "love" flora (to which I call bullshit because none of his behaviour was consistent with actually being in love), he still disrespected and manipulated her, continuing to pursue her after she very clearly told him to stop (which is sexual harassment), repeatedly turned up unannounced at her door after she told him not to (which is stalking) and just generally ignored her wishes and prioritised his own desires. Of course the drama romanticised this as well, and he soon got her back into bed.
There was a big, elaborate proposal scene in the final episode which I guess was supposed to erase all his previous toxic behaviour, but in my mind is was far too little, far too late to redeem him. If they get married, unless Luke has an entire personality transplant, I cannot see any chance that their "relationship" would be happy or successful in the long term.