LilianKmei

Viewers are captivated by Tan jianci's remarkable performance as a seemingly heartless demon who silently endures the pain of loving & protecting her. Same as novel, Xiangliu & his chemistry shines beautifully (no matter how much they tries to downgrade his character) throughout drama. Noticeably in S1 & S2 polls, XY/XL cp remains Top 1. Tan Jianci's brilliant performance, made 'Xiang Liu' a phenomenal hit 'Most Popular Character' of the years 2023 & 2024. Tan Jianci's exceptional acting skills shines through in each scene, bringing life to a wonderful character, touching the hearts of viewers everywhere.

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Source cr._@song
Major changes in the overall drama:

- Some of the names. CangXuan was called ZhuanXu in the novel, Xiyan was XuanYuan, Haoling was GaoXin, Chenrong was ShenNong, ChiChen was QiYo.
- Xiaoyao's feelings for Xiang Liu is obvious in novel. The drama made her seem cold to him and downplayed every scene of them together (ex: altering dialogue or parts of scene). In drama, Xiang Liu is shown as "Special lead" but infact he's one of the main Mlds in novel. Novel is originally divided in 3 volumes with 3 Mlds.

Some major changes pertaining to S1:

- Omitted scene: After hearing the mermaid's love song (S1E37), XL explains to XY that the clam shell is both a home and place for mermaids to mate and bear offspring. Eventually, XY grows tired from swimming, rests in XL’s clam shell, and has a happy dream about the ocean. When she wakes up, she gets flustered thinking about how XL views his clamshell and tries to cover it up by saying she’s hungry (Ch 26). This leads to the scene of XY cooking fish for XL.

Some major changes pertaining to S2:

- Omitted scene: Novel XY learned the truth about "lover bugs" she shares with XL (Ch 37).
- Added scene: That YaoJing kiss scene and XL feeling it (S2E16) absolutely did NOT happen in the novel.
- That dream sequence in S2E18 & S2E19 actually happened in novel. CX really did kill Jing, not XinYue. CX survived because XY didn’t poison him enough while XY was saved by XL (Ch 47 & 48).
- Omitted scene: Xin Yue hired demons to kill XY. She was saved by XL. They met Left Ear (the slave demon from S1) who then became XY's bodyguard alongside Miao Pu. They spent a few days at sea. Before XL left, he gave XY a sea map (Ch 43).
- Drama XL used XY’s blood to heal her after killing their lovers bugs (S2E21 & S2E22). Novel XL used it to revive Jing (Ch 46 & 49).
- Novel XY found out about XL’s death after her wedding to Jing. She was screaming, extremely devastated, hollow heart, totally in disbelief. It was her last wish to CX, to not kill XL, which he failed. So, she decided to leave for the oceans as XL said "there were endless uninhabited and uncharted islands, perhaps she can find a beautiful island to call home” (Ch 51). This is unlike the drama where XY quietly cried for XL before marrying Jing and left for Qingshui Town (S2E23). Its hinted, in novel, she will never know, how much XL did for her, also that he saved her & Jing.

That's why, seeing massive changes & hastily disappointing ending. drama version somewhat came out as huge let down comparison to novel (still depressing). I feel author could have done so much but she made it clear by her preference of title 'Yearning For You Eternally'. Its all about yearning for lost love. Its one of many reasons, author never certified story as 'happy ending'.

Well, director knew what she wanted, so specially chosen him, while author got so impressed by his performance as Xiangliu, that she wrote an original script "Filter", where Tan jianci delivered another phenomenal performance as Tang Qi.

Amen💯.

Same, also heartily agreed with your sister sentiments for XL. In shortest moment, XL beautifully captures our heart most. Even CX, no matter how manipulative is, better than TSJ, who broke promises, her trust, pitifully remains spineless to end, got her on efforts & sacrifices of XL. Author specifically highlighted importance of "Lover's bug", signifies XY & XL loves each other. Shaman King told her, lovers will die, if they didn't love each other. See, XY died cause of enemy attack & poison but she never died cause of 'Lover's bug'. It proves she never stopped loving XL. Author could have allotted "Lover's bug" between XY & TSJ, if XY loved TSJ genuinely like XL. Both TSJ & 17 are same person but her hesitation to marry TSJ for 43+yrs. on excuse of medicine studies shows her ambiguous feelings for him.

Btw, "Lover's bug" not only shows XY & XL love but IMO, also shows XL indirectly saved both CX & TSJ (both could've died, if tried to forcefully accept lover bug). Story will end midway. CX was at starting stage, that's why XY was able to take bug out of him easily.

Also, production rushed drama end. In novel, CX kills TSJ, while upon XL's death XY's reaction originally was much severe. She felt hollow heart, not able to feel XL's heartbeat. Her heart wrenching screams even scared TSJ. She forgave CX for killing Jing but not for killing XL. So, she left without saying CX a word. Yearning for her lost love, she goes towards sea (signifies Xiangliu love for her), source of her connection with soulmate Xiangliu.

[ Powerstar Most Popular Male Stars of April 2025 ]

TOP 0️⃣1️⃣: Tan Jianci 🥇

Congratulations to Tan Jianci for ranking Top 01 on Powerstar data result of the most popular male stars of April 2025.


Source cr.
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Well, 5 episodes aren't enough to judge. (Spoiler) ML was never attracted to any of her transformations for looks. FL realizes it after seeing ML painting of SM as "faceless angel saving child" in Epi-8. ML has eye condition in which he can't see clearly. He's straightforward, obedient, working-class man. He often helps others. ML basically falls for her transformations cause of her inner beauty. Cause of insecurities, she fails to cherish her inner beauty, unfortunately deceived him many times. In end, clearing their misunderstandings they get together.

Already added to my list. Looking forward to see more of Tan Jianci's wonderful works soon.🍀❤️💯

Agreed. Author actually alloted as Xiangliu as her soulmate. Her heart wanted but XY tried to be calculative and in her trauma, end up with Jing, who's already a failed husband, father and lover. She herself admitted that he's willing but just not capable. That's why even Yangzi in her farewell messenge, wished XY to be happy on her own in future. Like majority of viewers, she herself declines TushanJing as a suitable/ideal partner.

Indeed. Jing is quite frustrating, He promises to do this & that but fails to do so. He's remains pitifully clingy to her throughout whole story. He got her on efforts of other lead. Infact, in end, he even abandoned his kid, clan, its responsibilities, using XY as an excuse, He isn't a responsible man to be depend upon. Its kind of her tragedy to be end up someone like him.

Congrats to Tan jianci. Well deserved.👏

That's wonderful. I have been waiting for it impatiently so much.

Tan jianci nailed it brilliantly.

Such an underrated drama honestly, undoubtedly unique and wonderful both by its plot & presentations. People who still haven't watched it, has no idea what are they missing.

True talent shine, no matter what. Tjc is one of the excellent prime example of it. Genuine viewers/fans (national & international) appreciates his talented performances while haters hideously attacks him. I hope they use their free time concentrating on their favorites, rather than harassing him & his dramas.

She endup with Jing after Xiangliu saved him from sea monster and saved Xiaoyao by sacrificing his another life when she died again by poisoning. She gets a bittersweet ending as her mother and soulmate Xiang liu dies.

Its a 'Reverse-Harem' with 4 MLs. centered around theme of "Yearning for lost love". Hence, its title "Zhang Xiang Si" aka "Lost You Forever". Cang xuan lost Xiaoyao while Xiaoyao lost Xiang liu forever. Author never certified story as happy ending.

Well deserved. Congrats to Tan Jianci.👏❤️

That's wonderful.
Congratulations to Yangzi and Tanjianci. 👏

Simply, it wouldn't worked with other dudes, definitely not effective results as it has now. There's this famous trended scene in "LYF" where XL/FFB's face changed through various men, XY still followed & recognized him. This is productions way to conveys fact, which viewers agreed that no matter whoever face, only Jianci could bring it to life. After XL's popularity, yhxs tried to create issues by rumors that some other actor was supposed to play it, but then director herself clarified that he is the only chosen actor for it. Here, Tan Jianci proved author's expectations right by his remarkably brilliant portrayal of Tang qi same as Xiangliu.

Reminder, male lead Tan Jianci is actually one of the China's accomplished, critically acclaimed professional and versatile, award winner artist, immensely praised by many directors & writers for his talents, visuals, expressionful performances, in both modern & ancient dramas. Impressively portrayed each characters, nailing both emotional & comic scenes beautifully. He had even learned traditional Chinese Opera art. His results speaks for itself. So, whatever he earned cause of his talents, skills sharpened by years of his hardworks & experiences. He's not like some of those traffic stars who depends upon backers & water armies for easy fame.

Noticeably, some accounts (even pretends to be fans), hideously, been leaving disrespecting and hateful comments around all over his dramas, tries to create issues, discords between characters & actors. Hope, genuine viewers & fans won't let any haters disturb their peace and happiness while watching his dramas.