Snail that arrived

And this is where you, just like many, many people before you aren't capable of making the distinction of liking a character and liking a person that that character is.

You are talking about the person that he is. He is a psychopath who kills without blinking. On the surface he is charming, charismatic, loyal when in fact beneath that lurks a monster who will kill absolutely anyone the moment that is beneficial to him and his quest for power.

You stick to that layer of the drama and that's ok! I have absolutely nothing to say about that, many people watch like that. Of course I don't blame you for hating the person, I can't stand the person either!

Then there are people like me. What fascinates me is the character setting, the writing, the way the writer combined with the actor is creating the person that is the Marquis.

I find it fascinating that there are people who in the moment forget what the marquis did because he is so compellingly charismatic on screen and because of the way he relates to the ML. It's especially fascinating because that is exactly what he is within the narrative. And outside of the narrative, here within the audience, the creation of the character is having the same effect. That is a masterpiece of writing and acting! That is what elevates this drama to a completely different level.

That I find this fascinating? Doesn't mean I don't think he is a psychopath. As I wrote before several times, this means that once Zanghai strips him of everything he has and finally destroys him on all levels, it is going to be the most satisfying thing ever. But I only get this satisfaction because of the way the marquis is written. If he were just a simple villain, it wouldn't be remotely this good.

And actually, you know what? You do think the writing and acting is good. Or you wouldn't hate him so much.

So please, understand that loving the character doesn't mean loving the person that that character is. In fact, I absolutely despise the person. Separate that please.

Someone down there was so angry that they ranted I am defending a murderer. But I do think it's pretty clear that both I and the others are talking about something else.

If it is not, then I am afraid I tried my best to explain and that's that then.

No, I didn't, someone up thread mentioned one of those and to me it didn't seem like actual shipping.

The point is that this board was full of talk yesterday by the vast majority of people about the writing for ML-villain and acting chemistry of the actors, in absolutely non shipping way. So why get hung upon a couple of comments?

I will tell you why. Because of the other comments. Let's be honest here. I will tell you what I told the others. Next time we start demanding well written, complex female characters join us. XAT has so much potential in her character set up. It's perfect. And we are on episode 23 today and the writer has used absolutely nothing of it. There would be intense discussions here about her arc and about the plot chemistry between the two here as well if the writer actually did his damn job. Why is it so hard to write fully realised female characters when he can do that with the men? That was rhetorical btw, I know why it is hard, we all do. Good old misogyny, can't escape it.

Anyway this is why the two comments are so painful to people. Let's not fool ourselves. Otherwise none of you would care that someone is potentially shipping the marquis and the ML. As I said above, it's the internet. People ship anything dead or alive. Or inanimate. I don't get why but as I said, it's the internet.

Why shouldn't we criticise characters if we don't think they are well written? Is the FL a holy cow so that is not allowed?

I will disagree she is a complex character. She has the potential but she isn't one.

Do you know what I would see as a complex character? The boat scene that happened between them was great. There is romantic chemistry, there is a very tentative sharing of some personal matters by both sides. There is a bit of teasing and laughter. That was perfect, I actually even wrote that somewhere deep in the bowls of this page.

At that point, XAT plot needed to explode. She has a perfect character set up for that. She is fascinated by Zanghai, intrigued. That draw on a personal level is present with him too. We see how it played out, with the master having to yank him back into reality of his revenge.

She? We know what happened. But what could have been is an arc paralleling his. Because she has her own major problem and Zanghai is conflicting with that. If he gets the seal then her country loses the chance of getting free.

That conflict between love and duty, love and being filial, being pushed between her individual desires, needs and wants and on the other hand, the duty to her people, that her individualism needs to be second to the sacrifice of being a leader. Now that is highly complex.

And yeah we are on episode 23 and where is any of that? Nowhere. Which means at best, the pacing of her character arc is going to be messed up and squished into a short amount of time when there was no need. At worst, they will still delay or not even do any of this.

Sorry, I don't see any complexity in her character. I see the potential for it but it should have started long ago. Maybe it will start today. About time if it does.

And yes, there are people who ship m/m exclusively but there are people who ship others with a chair. It's the internet. Here, on this board, the absolute vast majority of people are simply fascinated with the writing, acting and acting chemistry and when talking about the FL issues people talked about the writing and their problems with it.

No, this is an independent, you are good to go!

What you don't have is an actual argument nor the ability to construct one. Don't worry, I understand anything above kindergarten level is too tough for some.

Your reading comprehension isn't good enough for a primary schooler. Are you sure you even have that diploma?

Yes, we know there is a romantic subplot. It's not like any of you have been letting us forget because that is all you talk about.

And that means the person is fascinated with the interplay between the villain and the ML. It doesn't mean they are actually shipping them.

You know how so many people have been saying the writing for the FL is not good? Remember how they got brushed off? Well this is why the writing is important. This writer is obviously very capable of writing complex, fascinating characters. Yes, it is crucial that Huang Jue is the actor that he is and that he can carry that but his ability would be pointless if the writing wasn't there.

Now rewind that and apply it to the FL. What if the FL was written in this same way? What if the conflicts her character set up carries were the actual focus of her character arc? That would have been mature writing of her character and equally compelling.

But it isn't there. Unfortunately, like many other male writers, this one can't write female characters. He is defaulting to idol level FL when he could have written her exactly as complex as the marquis. But he didn't. And that's a fail. On the other hand, you can't blame people for being fascinating how the main line of the story is being played out.

Am I unhappy with the FL writing? Yes, absolutely. But that sure isn't going to stop me from being eternally grateful that the writing not only didn't fail in writing the main villain but knocked it out of the park so much that this dynamic is fascinating the audiences everywhere. Because this is the one dynamic that cannot fail or the whole drama fails. So yes, it's fantastic people are so thrilled with it. Some even fooled by it. Ah, what excellent writing and acting and such a great duo. It's going to be so satisfying when Zanghai finally buries him.

Btw next time we complain about the writing for female characters? Join us instead of defending the mere crumbs that you are being given. The writer could do so much better than what he did with her. So, so much better. And the marquis is the perfect proof of that.

Yes, you absolutely are bitter, it is so funny!

This is not an idol drama. If you want the level of writing and level of complexity of an idol drama then this one is not for you.

The most important dynamic in this drama is the one between the villain and the ML.

The marquis is on the surface a charming, charismatic character that has drawn so many people to his side. That both the writer and the actor are accomplishing just this with the majority section of the audience is a good thing for this drama. It is good that they are even making some (though a tiny percent) of people forget just how awful he truly is because that is what the marquis does. He draws people in, he charms them, he fools them.

Then he kills them without blinking an eye.

That some are actually, as an audience, falling for this couldn't be better. It means they are so immersed in what is happening that they are experiencing as close as possible what all those people he fooled have experienced.

Not to mention that most people on this board are aware of his crimes. That the character is fascinating and compelling sure isn't stopping me from remembering he is a psychopath.

I am thrilled about the acting chemistry between the ML and the villain. That's the most important thing for this revenge drama. I am going to enjoy his death all the more because he is so fascinating. It is going to be amazing when it finally happens because of all that is being weaved on screen right now. Getting rid of a one dimensional villain is meh. Getting rid of a complex villain is the best.

Huang Jue needs to take that writer to a holiday because he gave him the role of a lifetime.

Oh and remember how we tried telling you why the writing for the FL is important and you just kept brushing us off? Well, this is why great writing is important.

Oh this page is so funny! Nobody is shipping marquis and the ML on this page. So what happened? Ahhhhh. Of course. People have been commenting on how compelling the character of the Marquis is and about the acting chemistry with the ML.

Ah poor romance fans, no wonder your reputation is awful. You are crying here on this page people are loving the acting chemistry between the main lead and the main villain of this drama and are fascinated by it. Tsk, how dare the main story draw attention away from your precious ship.

Here's a wake up call. This is not a romance. This is a revenge story. The apparent main villain is the Marquis. That he has an incredible acting chemistry with the main lead is paramount to the success of this drama.

It's actually shameful you are crying here about how successful the scenes are between these two and that people are enjoying them because your precious ship isn't drawing the same attention. God forbid that this drama is actually successful in what it is and that the most important dynamics, which is the ML-villain is fantastic because oh no, your pairing isn't the focus!

Let's be blunt. Yes, the marquis character is incredibly well written, in an attempt to make his character appear ambiguous and draw people in, even with his obvious heinous past. That is what good writing is. Yes, Huang Jue is giving a masterclass of acting and drawing people in. Exactly as it should be to make this drama the success that it is. Yes, the Marquis is the most important support character. Yes, his is the most important and significant story after Zanghai's.

Yes, this is exactly why people hate romance fans. Everything must be about you and your ship. Well tough luck. This is a revenge drama, not romance. If you can't handle that, stop undermining this drama and walk away.

Of course he is evil.

He is also a compelling villain of the best kind. Huang Jue is giving a masterclass of acting in how to make someone so heinous look so sympathetic on the surface, which is exactly what this type of villain needs to be. There is a reason he had so many aids and all are dead. He knows how to draw people in. It's why his just end will be so satisfactory.

But never mind I see why you are all suddenly so bitter, it's funny 😂😂😂

Where, here? I don't see anyone shipping him with ZH on this page?

So you hate this drama and want it to fail?

Every good drama of this type needs a primary villain and it is so lucky that Huang Jue is giving the performance of a lifetime.

Screenwriters aren't gaslighting anyone. They are writing a compelling character that is elevating this drama into something special. He will get his just deserts which will only make it better in the end.

You didn't hurt my feelings.

This is neither RJL page nor the page of his drama. People have been "casually" mentioning other people and other people's dramas on XZ pages for years. It's time to stop "casually" mentioning them, you have your own space for that.

I am going to be very happy when the son finally gets a send off thanks to Zanghai's plotting. It is so delicious.

But he is such a good example of a child of rich people, that doesn't have his father's capacity but has a lot of arrogance, entitlement and ambition, whose parents shielded him his whole life from consequences of his actions. Zanghai even says he is good with numbers but being raised as he was, he never had a chance. I will not be sorry to see him go and really want to see how Zanghai's plan will play out because Cao will also play a part there, especially Zanghai's lying to the marquis about Cao pressuring him. That will probably play a role.

Zanghai and the Marquis have incredible acting chemistry, the best on the screen in this drama. I was so pleased to see him back, hopefully he doesn't disappear again but going by 22 we are about to hit the ground running for some big movement.

I think we have finally found our masked man but I still have no idea who the third fish is, except that I still think it's a woman.

Please don't promote other people here that are unrelated to this drama, thanks.

He is setting up the son, this will probably play a part in the final reckoning.

Today has been particularly nasty in China too with trash Hailin slandering both xz, zxl, the drama and so many others and then it all got to a bought hot search that it's not surprising this is happening here as well.

Zanghai is delivering data of a drama that is on the verge of exploding and they are running around in a panic.

Simple. People really don't like being reminded who is the person really sitting on the top of the food chain in cent, that he has been there for 6 years now and isn't going anywhere. Shatters their dreams it does and Zanghai's success is being particularly brutal about it. Meeting reality is often a painfull endeavor.

It's also their fans. Visit their page. They are having a lot of fun dissing Zanghai there. Ah, the bitterness.

But yes, primarily this is of course always the porcelain and the domesticated animals that have already lost quite a few feathers.