Sssnoopyyy

Thanks for the ongoing emotional support on this anxiety over S2 hahaha

I saw clips that were released on weibo with snippets of S2 scenes which pretty much followed the leaked script to a T. Very disappointed but already suspected it was legit. I have seen other leaked scripts in the past which sadly ended up being the real thing

So I saw some clips on Weibo related to what’s to come in S2 and it pretty much confirms that the leaked script is legit (as suspected).

The convo AN has with her father before marrying CX, and the scene at the end when XY and TSJ both comment on how they miss QingShui Town (likely the place they will go to start their future together), all aligns with the script. Sooooooo sad mainly because I read the novel and am not happy with the changes - many of which detract from the story and characters.

That means watering down all the leads especially CX and XL and the significance of the relationships they have with XY.

I am not readyyyy. Can’t help but rant before the release grrrrr

I have been depressed for the past week after learning about the leaked script. They took away the CX from the novel!!! My YaoXuan scenes 😭

Also they ruined all the other main leads!

Same can we start a petition so the actors can redo the scenes because I am not ready for the travesty of that leaked script Haha

Wow haha that's a different take on the storyline, not bad! XD you can write a fanfic

I think censorship wanted to paint CX as a morally good character, since he is the main male lead (and apparently his character in the novel is based on a historical/mythical figure). So all of the 'crazy' and selfish things he does in the novel, will be changed in the drama. I mean it butchers it all because S1 set the stage and development of his character, only for it to end up a deflated balloon. I also notice that the changes weaken the bond XY has with not only CX but also XL, making their love/relationships insignificant (also probably something many XL fans including myself will not enjoy). All to push for a pure ''happier'' ever after between XY and TSJ (which I also don't like even though I'm content with them ending up together).

XY and XL are definitely soulmates, they just get each other and I see why they were drawn to each other. XL saw himself in XY, XY saw herself in TSJ (at least how it was shown in the drama). They all went through traumatic things. And of course CX and XY had a trauma bond as kids, where they only had each other. I agree, the dive into the psychology of their characters, and how the experiences shaped them and their choices is so fascinating.

S1 was pretty faithful to the novel with little tweaks here and there but maintaining the main plot and essence of the characters. I only read it after watching S1 to see what events would unfold. S2 however has big changes probably due to censorship (ughhh) and the changes seem to really water down the characters - making them more one dimensional. I don't mind changes (just as you say) but if it affects the main plot/characters, that's when I have issues with it. The plot execution and motives also seem weak. In case you were wondering, you can read the translation of the leaked script in the discussion thread above by Liddi.

I read some of the discussions below on XL and TSJ and got really dizzy from it all. I really don't like the fan wars, everyone has their own team/ship/opinions, but no need to get heated! I was actually team TSJ/XL in the beginning but CX won me over later because he is just so much more layered and morally grey. I also have a soft spot for him because he only ever wanted a simple life with his loved ones, and ended up on his journey to power just to protect XY (and ironically lost her in the end). Ofc the outcome was the consequence of his choices. In a happier circumstance, they would've been end game. It would be interesting who XY would end up with if CX, TSJ and XL all didn't have other responsibilities/commitments and the luxury to openly pursue their love for her (meaning equal footing and circumstances).

Oh no is it getting heated and intense again? I don’t want to read them hahaha. I share the same sentiments, who XY ended up with was due to circumstances and who fit the bill to accompany her at the end. It is not so much about who is “better” or loves her more. She loved all 3 guys in her own way, and they all had their opportunity to be with her at different points in time. Likewise, all 3 love her in their own way. The relationships shown in the series are definitely not ones I would support irl as they were quite unhealthy at times (I mean XY is not a Disney princess and definitely has her toxic traits), but doable in Cdrama universe. The complexities of each relationship is what makes the story so intriguing.

I am a YaoXuan shipper (minority here) so totally agree with your suggestion especially because I also love TSJ and XL and I can see the two agreeing to be consorts haha.

However, I have been very worried this past week after skimming through the leaked script. There will be many changes that really butcher the main plot and essence of the characters. Eek…

over here holding a torch for CX's character before they ruin him lol

I feel like they will do every main character dirty including Jing and XY, just to wrap it up with a nice bow and take away the meaningful aspects of it. :(

🙌🥹 so glad to have likeminded ppl here. I prob need therapy to get over S2 after watching, can someone create a thread for this hahaahahhaha

CX was my least fave in the beginning and I only understood why he was the ML as the story progressed. This was his journey as much as it was XY’s and XL and TSJ were just part of it. I feel like there are many fans of XL and TSJ in the romantic aspect - prob cuhs everyone was irked by the fact CX is her cousin (which I looked past because I viewed it through a historical lens rather than what is the norm now). I mean we had a drama like Goodbye My Princess - with a morally grey ML who lost the woman he loved due to his actions, similar to CX in the novel. It diminished the whole Lost You Forever concept. I cannot see him just pull the reigns on his selfish desires and having self realization on the consequences of killing TSJ before actually doing it. Maybe I’m a sucker for his possessiveness in the novel haha.

They also did XY’s character dirty because it took away all the complexities of her feelings toward all the men in her life (especially XL) and made it seem all too simple/shallow in the leaked script.
Haha thanks for understanding and hearing my rant 🥺I am literally grieving over the story even before the drama is airing. At least I know what to expect and won’t be shocked when I do watch (if I even watch it).

Rant alert:

I skimmed through the leaked scripts and am speechless, SPEECHLESS. How could they do XL and CX (and even TSJ) dirty like that? The multi layered characters were watered down to become one dimensional just to create a cute HE. This is not Lost You Forever, because it seemed like the love they all had was insignificant. And omg CX, my fave character, whyyyyyy. The angst I felt reading the novel was mainly from him. Yes you can prob guess I am a YaoXuan shipper. What happened to the development and greedy, selfish acts from his obsessive love over XY? We had grey characters in the past, so why did censorship not allow certain things this time - from changing the “cousins” aspect, voicing over things to avoid taboo (which was not a taboo in historical times), having the events just be a dream sequence, etc. We don’t get the scene with XY’s mother, or the attempted assassinations on XY and TSJ…
I was anxious about the air date because I will be away at the time, but now, I don’t even know if I want to watch it haha. Sometimes I wish I didn’t read the novel, then it wouldn’t be a big deal. But then again, I feel like even if I didn’t read it, it would still be a shame to not have S2 continue sticking faithfully to the rest of the novel

Been seeing it all over socials and it saddens me that they cannot freely interact without backlash. I didn’t know the fan wars got so bad last yr. It looked like the cast members were friendly before but now they are all treading softly.

There is a hi6 episode? The first one aired, but I thought the second one they did was already filmed last yr - I saw a teaser of it somewhere on socials. Or is this another one that is separate? I figured all the promos and events wouldn’t be happening this yr since they must’ve prefilmed things during S1 to be released now, and also considering how busy they all must be to even have time to promote a drama from last year.

Now I don’t even feel like watching lmao. I need to tone down the expectations and excitement since I will likely be very disappointed. All a dream? So he will just happily send her off and everyone lives happily ever after? Haha. I’ve been seeing a lot of gossip/drama about a promotional event the 4 male leads attended, where there was backlash on the fact that none of them took XY’s human sized cardboard cut out off the stage when asked to (YZ couldn’t attend). Not sure what’s happening or if this is a continuation of the fan wars, but already not starting on the right foot lol

Interesting, I felt that their bond was more emphasized in the drama. Also the line that Jing says in the trailer doesn’t seem in character, about his heart being too small for the world lol (think that was actually XY’s line in the book).
I am worried about CX’s character in S2 too, most concerned about him because he is the most layered and shows the most development throughout the plot! Especially if everything was all a dream sequence - that basically eliminates some of the climatic events (perhaps that’s how they shorten it?). So his character will be watered down. I feel like I’m more wary than excited at this point haha. But glad to have you all to discuss this with!

I read the novel after finishing S1 so it has been a year. But from what I can recall, the characters felt a lot more layered and up for interpretation in the novel - which may be hard to capture through acting unless we hear their internal monologues or something.

I don’t think the characters felt weaker per say (I feel like this is the common argument for Jing which I think is very unfair haha), but the complexities and essence of how they are in the book are hard to fully capture in a drama. Surprised ppl think XL appeared weaker. There were definitely more XL scenes in the drama, I think because he is the author’s favourite, and we get to see his expressions in the drama (we do not know much of his thoughts or feelings in the novel). TJC is also very expressive and added warmth and flavour to the character (if I’m not mistaken, I think they wanted the actor to be more cold but he couldn’t help but show that gentle side of XL haha). I think ZWY did the best he could to play CX, as close as we can get from how I viewed him in the novel. I just wished they didn’t change those little details in the drama.

I think the reason why I have complaints about the drama is because my thoughts on the characters are all based on the novel, and the little subtle nuances that can be interpreted differently depending on how you read it. That is probably why books are just fun because you use your own imagination haha.

Also, I read in the XL-XY thread that there were leaked scripts (just as you mentioned). Do you have a link because they sound pretty realistic, and from my experience on seeing leaked scripts, they are usually real. I am not pleased with the dream sequence and all the other changes…

I sometimes wish I didn’t read the novel, so there would be no expectations. At the same time, I was happy to learn that the author wrote the script and that S1 was pretty faithful to the novel. It is sad when most adaptations deviate from the original story. It is understandable to have tweaks here and there due to certain factors or limitations, but not ok when the essence of the characters and main plot are changed. Also a shame when there are many restrictions on what can or cannot be shown in dramas. I guess we can only wait and see. Considering how strong S1 was, it makes me even more worried haha. There are SO many chapters of scenes I wouldn’t have the heart to remove!

Also not sure how things will play out after ep 39 where CX gave XY the flower pin, kinda earlier than planned. Considering she knows the meaning behind that flower, did they plan to have her know his feelings earlier in the plot? That would be quite the shift. I do know there were fancams of the final scene where XY and TSJ leave the place and she is seen wearing the pin with the wooden doll in her hand.

That’s fair, I respect everyone’s opinion. It’s fun to read ppl’s thoughts and interpretations on the characters. I do believe their familial bond could have grown romantic if they grew up together in different circumstances. They were just kids. His love for her at that time was just the same as hers, until later on when they reunited.
A lot of ppl are irked by them being cousins but it was not out of the norm for cousins to marry back then. And I guess the reason why I believe her love exceeded that of familial love at some point was based on one of their last conversations in the novel - sort of implied. But that bud of possibility never bloomed because he was not an option considering the path he wanted to take. If he chose love, none of the other guys would have had a chance. I think the “what if” is what makes it tragic.