ibisfeather

I agree with what you say. I also think it was easy to miss how tragic his situation is bec his difficulties were hidden throughout most of the beginning of the show. He fails to communicate even these to his 'friends', even tho Rong is privy to them .

As I said, I think ZX is a tragic figure. He cannot perceive himself or others correctly.

In contrast LYS is very perceptive. He is a better match to XG. She has definitely inherited that 'business mindset'; she is direct and very present-oriented . (notice how she 'kills the mood' sometimes when LYS is trying to advance the romance!) And both he and XG have personal struggles which need to be worked out in a world which is common to both their sets of parents, even if they themselves have lived on the periphery of that world, (somewhat)

I meant RSB and LJL.

Ep14
I am really starting to enjoy this. Its a bit makjang with the bodies piling up.

HMH and GB are starting to really grow on me as a couple.

Ep29
Wow. And who said fashion doesnt matter? Was that me?

Look at the skirt she wears to the office immediately after the share transfers both go through. Late at work, she is going into YuSen's office -- the skirt is a different length (a few inches above the knees only), different color (red/orange patterned), and layered, so not a little girl's skirt any more.

Way to underline the idea that she is now a woman with a powerful mom, who is working in her own family's business, and who has a husband-to-be who is ready for her to take her place when she is ready.

Nice.

Lets talk more later when we get a chance.

I have difficulty conveying what I want to convey -- the general bits seem good, I am still watching it, but still it feels vulgar in the sense of 'coarse'.

ok, you win.

ep11-12. I am not sure if I have ever seen a more detailed role-reversal courtship.

So the two finally sleep chastely together, he guarding his honor, she offering only temporary pleasure -- what will the morning bring?

And for a strange twist, when is the last time a drama really had you wondering what will happen in the morning?

Score one for novelty.

ep11 and still hanging in there...

I cant stop watching even though the execution of the script is vulgar.

The broad elements are still compelling: the dangerous swirling mob of suitors like tigers and boars, the fragility of the clan/business' reputation, the clever hero concealed as a servant, the beautiful heroine and the fragrances of flowers and teas.

HMH remains as magnetic, compelling and sincere as always. His roles and scripts never make him look foolish, they always support women's agency and they are always broadly popular.

So I keep watching even though the sisters and female cousins squabble and pout without very well-defined roles, the matriarch's role is not given much in the way of lines, there is salacious whipping of male lovers and the male suitors create havoc as they wish and show no respect for the household.

I thought XG's mom said something about the uncles and her Dad colluding, early on. Sorry if I was mistaken, will check and delete if I was wrong.

two-thirds done and the pace is picking up.

I was glad in ep27 when each event was not fully played out, the morning breakfast, the banquet, the drop-off at XG's hotel, the early morning after. There were several events happening on that weekend and we didnt need to see every detail, imo. I didnt think it was choppy, except in comparison with the slow dialogue-driven pace of their private relationship's development previous to this.

Two 'tiny pecks'. Her first-ever kiss was against the shining background of the Bund at night. She finally closed her eyes. And a second, just slightly braver on her part, which he negotiated into an agreement to kiss upon parting -- a life-time agreement, if I am not mistaken. The dialogue is everything in this show.

Patience, patience. Kisses are not everything in love.

Also his dad was better at business than all of YuSen's uncles put together. Family rivalry. So Uncle BoKai teamed up with XG's Dad Mr. Nie and got LYS' dad sent off to a foreign branch. There he died in a foreign political crisis and LYS' Mom, living in Switzerland ever since has refused to speak to her own father ever since. So they arent the outcasts, they were victims, and LYS' Mom has stood up for her dead husband honorably. Grandpa Sheng truly owes LYS a lot more than the shungyuan (is that the right one?) shares, but it is a good start.

"Not all of this product's features were unlocked" !!!!! LYS on the phone to XG after he commenting on his blind date history as a product 'return'.
Come ON, where are the emoji queens for that remark! Show that you are actually listening to LYS' fine insinuations!

You are so right. This drama is really good/the actors are really convincing at portraying her inexperience especially. Remember she was deprived of the more normal college flirtations by the creepy-thing with ZX.

You can see (ep.26) when he asks her for "a business-trip perk" she tenses up a little. He just gives her a slow forehead kiss and you can see her reaction only in outline through the umbrella, but he takes her breath away.

ep26
A 'BOYFRIEND USER MANUAL"!
Go, Yu Sen. You are making us all proud.

I think its part of the characterization of LYS. It wouldnt be ok FOR HIM to be a doctor, he is ego invested in his physical skills. Maybe he will grow out of that, maybe not, but the point is he was very proud and trained only to do that one thing.

All the big dramas and their actors need fashion company endorsements. It is annoying to see all those spindly little legs and knobby knees in every big expensive show but you really need to look away for now. Pity the poor actress. Hate the current infantilizing fashion mavens in Asia, maybe?

There is nothing forbidden to get sweaty about. This is a marriage plan.

I remember ZJM in Our Generation, at 3 am, on the phone to her girlfriend, while sitting on a chair in ZLH's dark cubbyhole of an apt, while the man slept under a sheet: "you know when couples walk down the street and they look like they have a secret? Now I know what that secret is."

Cant get hotter than that. Wait.

The heat builds. What did you think of her signing his palm to stake her claim (in the car after the plum blossom walk, ep24)?

I dont think it tickled. SWL got blurry-eyed.