loserlemon

When Love Compromises Too Much

This story explores the dynamic between a woman who is already settled in her career and a young man who is about to graduate from college and is just beginning to navigate the real world. Their age gap is ten years, and both characters learn to compromise within an unconventional relationship.

I really liked the chemistry between Victoria Song and Song Wei Long, but what became frustrating was the constant push and pull between them. Yuan Song was extremely serious about the relationship and felt there was no need to hide it or worry about what others thought, while He Fan Xing was deeply concerned with public opinion. Every time their relationship hit a roadblock, Yuan Song was the one making the compromises. Honestly, if Yuan Song had not been willing to compromise as much as he did, their relationship would have ended before it truly began. It was frustrating how immature He Fan Xing was despite being ten years older, while Yuan Song was realistic in his view of their relationship. The offhanded comments she made caused me to question her emotional intelligence, such as when she said something along the lines of, “You are still rather young, I will just be one of your many milestones in life.” Uh, what? I felt that was extremely disrespectful, and there were times when she made comments that basically suggested a breakup was inevitable. I feel like anyone dating someone who made comments like that, they wouldn't have stayed around for long.

I get He Fan Xing’s insecurities, but Yuan Song has never once given her a reason not to trust him or think he would leave her. One of the first things he did when they started dating was set up her fingerprint on his phone. At some point, it's not really about Yuan Song’s age or maturity. It is about He Fan Xing’s own issues, and there's nothing he could do to fix that no matter how much he tries. This was something He Fan Xing had to figure out on her own.

Song Wei Long’s portrayal of Yuan Song was perfect. He captured the character’s mischievous and humorous side effortlessly. My favorite scene was when He Fan Xing’s brother, He Can Yang, found out Yuan Song was dating his sister and confronted him. In that scene, Yuan Song was hilarious even though he was angry. He was overly dramatic, and I really enjoyed every scene featuring Yuan Song and He Can Yang together.

I also did not think it was necessary for the story to stretch across forty one episodes. The plot dragged on far longer than it needed to, which weakened the overall impact of the drama. I don't have the desire to rewatch the drama of it's entirety, but I will rewatch my favorite scenes.

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Misunderstandings Galore

I really hate dramas that drag misunderstandings on for way too long. I’m honestly still shocked this drama only had 21 episodes because it felt so much longer than that. Perhaps if the drama was shorter, I would've enjoyed it more. I skipped a lot of Liang Mu Cheng’s scenes because she was just exhausting and boring to watch. I mostly stuck around for Ren Guang Xi and Xiao Le. Those two were always such a delight to see on screen.

Liang Mu Cheng is righteous and selfless, and that’s fine. What I couldn’t stand was how bad she was at communicating. Misunderstandings were constantly happening between her and Ren Guang Xi. Because she was so secretive, Ren Guang Xi misunderstood her, built up a lot of resentment, and ended up being vengeful. I actually understand why he reacted the way he did. She had plenty of chances to be open and honest. What really annoyed me was that she still had the nerve to be upset and surprised when Ren Guang Xi started taking revenge and trying to make her and everyone around her miserable.

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Great Chemistry and Emotional Moments Despite the Flaws

Another drama with the amazing pairing of Chen Fang Tong and Dai Gao Zheng.

Bu Yan and He Yu Chen had a one night stand, only to later find out that they had been drugged with an aphrodisiac by her brother. This encounter led to Bu Yan becoming pregnant with He Yu Chen's twins. Bu Yan disappeared from He Yu Chen, but a few years later she reapproaches He Yu Chen. The reason? Because Bu Yan's son had cancer and she had a proposition to make with He Yu Chen, pretend to be in a fake marriage. Bu Yan's reasoning? To conceive another child with him to save her son, similar to My Sister's Keeper, where a donor baby was created to save their sick daughter.

I have so many questions...like after their one night stand, why did Bu Yan leave without saying a word, especially since she was pregnant? Wouldn't the responsible thing to do be to tell He Yu Chen and give him the choice to be a father? I guess since she is an heiress she did not feel she needed him. Why go to such lengths to hide the truth, especially when her main reason for reconnecting with He Yu Chen was to save her son's life? Think of all the time wasted and all the unnecessary drama that could have been avoided if she had been honest from the start.

That said, the drama did a decent job showing how He Yu Chen gradually fell in love with Bu Yan. He saw her as a strong and independent woman, an amazing mother to her two kids, consistently present but also providing for them. I loved how strong Bu Yan is as a single mother of two. She never let other people's opinions phase her, and I loved the moments when she stood up for her children when they were disrespected.

I also enjoyed the underground fight scenes. They were different and added an exciting layer to the story. I loved the kids and their relationship with He Yu Chen. Despite Bu Yan being a single mother, he still fell in love with her and treated the kids as his own, even before knowing the full truth.

This drama had so much potential and some frustrating plot choices, but overall it was still enjoyable.

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Entertaining Mini Drama with Room to Grow

One of the biggest downsides of these short mini dramas is the lack of time to properly show character development and let relationships naturally blossom. I understand the limitations. There is only so much you can do in such a short runtime. The problem with these dramas is that it often feels like the leads fall in love overnight.

Chen Fang Tong and Dai Gao Zheng had incredible chemistry. Every time they were onscreen together, you could feel the tension and longing between them. I really enjoyed the story, and there was definite potential for it to be great if the writers had more time to develop a solid plot.

This is a rather dark and melodramatic drama, and the setting and time period really added to the overall atmosphere and intensity of the story.

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Big Ideas in a Very Short Drama

I never thought I would enjoy mini dramas this much, but there is still no way to fully build a solid story in 10 minute episodes, even with 30 of them. As I began to dive into the world of short dramas, that feeling was only confirmed. One of the biggest downsides is the lack of time given to properly see the characters develop and for their relationship to naturally blossom. I understand the limitations. There is only so much they can do with such a short runtime. But instead of trying to cram in every cliché imaginable, why not focus on just one strong storyline?

There was simply too much going on, and some plot points felt unnecessary and confusing. The whole idea that surviving three strikes somehow makes a death contract no longer valid made no sense. What was that even about?

That said, the cast was great. The chemistry between the two leads was amazing, and the action scenes were genuinely fun to watch.

If you enjoy the bodyguard protecting the rich heiress trope, you will probably like this drama. It gives you everything you need when you are in a drama drought and want to watch something entertaining without having to invest too much of your time.

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An Uneven Story with Standout Side Characters

I randomly came across a video edit of this drama and decided to give it a shot. I’ve seen Tan Song Yun’s past work in Go Ahead and Whirlwind Girl, so I figured I wouldn’t be disappointed. This role, however, was different from her previous projects. Tan Song Yun excels in comedic roles, and I genuinely enjoyed them. Tan Song Yun as Ji Xing, made me question her acting range. I was somewhat disappointed because in Go Ahead, she handled emotional scenes exceptionally well.

Xu Kai as Han Ting was a pleasant surprise. This was the first drama I’d seen him in, and he delivered a strong, natural performance. His expressions worked seamlessly and CEO roles seem to suit him perfectly. Also whoever was his stylist did a terrific job. I was also observing his demeanor and he moved as if he was someone who came from a wealthy family if that makes sense.

Ji Xing’s character, on the other hand, was difficult to connect with. She came across as overly arrogant, particularly during the investment negotiation with Han Ting. She spoke as if she were in a position to dictate terms, when in reality, she didn't. In the real world, investors wouldn’t entertain a measly startup with nothing, but an idea. Han Ting repeatedly had to humble her and pull her back to reality.

Han Ting’s patience and support toward a startup that had nothing but an idea was shocking. If a random person had approached him with the same proposal, he probably wouldn’t have bothered. Since Ji Xing was his first love, and it was clear he still had feelings for her, he stepped in. Time and again, he supported her, either by encouraging her to find solutions or connecting her with the right people, demonstrating compassion and grace.

Early on, Han Ting gave Ji Xing multiple opportunities to accept his help. He offered her a job at his company, where she could have developed her idea with extensive resources, but she refused, wanting to prove herself. Later, when her company was on the verge of collapse, he offered to invest, and again she declined. It wasn’t until Su Zhi Zhou pointed out that the company would not survive without outside funding that she finally confronted reality. For some reason, she kept believing a better offer would magically appear. For a character meant to be compassionate, intelligent, and selfless, Ji Xing didn’t act that way. Instead, her pride and ego repeatedly clouded her judgment. With a small team working tirelessly alongside her, facing uncertainty over their jobs, her behavior was even less excusable.

Two scenes in particular stood out. The first occurs when Han Ting speaks privately with Ji Xing after overhearing her conversation with a company they were buying an equipment from. The company had wanted Ji Xing to introduce them to Han Ting because she had implied a close relationship with Han Ting. Tension builds even before the confrontation on the staircase. The camera’s close focus on Han Ting’s hand resting on the cup, particularly the slow rub of the rim with his finger, serves as a visual cue to his restrained emotions. Typically calm and composed, Han Ting’s subtle gesture signals an internal shift. His dialogue reinforces this contrast. Han Ting begins warmly, asking who Ji Xing was having a meal with and whether they were the ones she purchased the equipment from. The casual softness makes the emotional turn even more impactful. Then you see a slight hesitation before he asks, “My name, was it useful?” his expression shifts from warmth to quiet disappointment. Later, when he unbuttons his suit jacket, the camera’s focus the tension, suggesting emotional exposure beneath his composed exterior. This scene was beautifully executed.

The second memorable scene is their argument. It’s difficult to watch, as Ji Xing’s tantrum is one of the most bizarre performances I’ve seen. She insists that the company is hers because she invested time and effort. While true, her business is on the verge of collapse, and Han Ting’s investment is what saves it. As the argument unfolds, she claims she should make all the decisions because it’s her company. Han Ting responds that while she has authority, she first needs capital, which she doesn’t have. Ji Xing then says, “I lived here long and have been with you for so long. Even if I didn’t yield anything, I worked hard for you. You are so generous, you wouldn’t be so precise.” This line triggers the subsequent events and is pivotal to the story.

Tan Song Yun’s acting in these emotional scenes was disappointing. Disliking a character isn’t a bad thing if it was intentional, but her performance felt forced, and I struggled to understand what she was trying to convey. In scenes that didn’t require strong emotion, she performed adequately.

Kira Shi as Zeng Di was intriguing, though the styling didn’t help. Most of the female cast, except Li Li, was styled in a way that aged them unnecessarily. Zeng Di was meant to be Han Ting’s peer but initially looked much older; at first, I thought she was his mother or aunt. That said, Kira Shi portrayed the character well, coming across as calculated and manipulative.

The supporting cast was the drama’s strongest element. I particularly enjoyed Su Zhi Zhou and Li Li’s dynamic. Su Zhi Zhou brought humor to every scene, while Li Li remained confident and straightforward, and I liked that he never tried to change her. Their relationship felt balanced, supportive, and self assured.

I also appreciated Lu Lin Jia, Han Ting’s uncle, and his grandaunt, Lu Jin Jia’s mother. Their interactions with Han Ting added warmth and humor. Han Ting’s dynamic with his assistant was another highlight; competent assistants make CEO characters more compelling, and this relationship was handled well.

Overall, Xu Kai carried much of the series. I don’t feel the need to rewatch the full drama, but I’ll revisit certain scenes.

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When the Mother Becomes the Main Character

If you think this is a drama focused on romance, you are wrong. If anything, I felt like the female lead’s mother was the lead. Her scenes infuriated me because she had the mindset of “I am always right” and did not respect anyone in her family’s boundaries. If you want to enjoy this show, please skip the mother’s scenes, as they were quite triggering. I gave it 10 rating for the acting because the actress who played the mother did a great job.

Honestly, the only good thing in this drama was the grandmother’s scenes with Yao Zhi Ming and Mai Cheng Huan, or the scenes with the two leads. Because the drama focused so much on the mother, there was hardly any development between the two leads. It felt like the male lead woke up one day and said, “You know what, I like her,” which I suspect is exactly what happened. Same can be side about the female lead as well.

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Love and Missed Timing

First off, I want to say the person who stole the show for me was Jiang Rui who is Nie Xi Guang's cousin. For someone who is about to enter college, he was emotionally mature and observant. I love the bond he and Nie Xi Guang had. He was always there for Nie Xi Guang, whether it's to be there to make her laugh, protect her, or just giving her a ear. I wished there were more scenes of them together.

One of the most refreshing thing about this drama was Lin Yu Sen didn't hold his grudge against Nie Xi Guang for long. Usually, dramas love to drag out grudges and revenge plots. When Lin Yu Sen asked Nie Xi Guang, “If I forgot everything that happened before, what about you? Can you forget the way I treated you before?” and Nie Xi Guang replied, “Yeah, I don't hold grudges,” you could tell from that moment that Lin Yu Sen was genuinely ready to let go of any resentment he had towards her. He never brought up the past again and truly got to know her, eventually falling even more in love with her. I liked how he respected Nie Xi Guang’s boundaries and didn't waste a second when it came to courting her. Obviously, the grudge and resentment he once had toward her stemmed from a misunderstanding.

Zhao Jin Mai as Nie Xi Guang portrayed a female lead who comes from a wealthy family, but is extremely humble. I liked how she didn't really have the desire to make a name for herself. She felt happiness was the most important thing. I also liked how, on her journey, she finds out what she truly wants to do with her life.

Song Wei Long as Lin Yu Sen, Nie Xi Guang's white knight. I wish we had seen more character development and emotional depth from him. I read somewhere that people wondered why Lin Yu Sen resented Nie Xi Guang, and it was because he felt abandoned and forgotten by her. She was the person he fell in love with at first sight, the one who made him consider settling down. Remember, he had just completed a very intensive surgery when he found out that the girl he was in love with, wanted to meet him. He was on cloud nine, only to end up in an accident that cost him his career. He didn't blame her for the accident, but he constantly questioned why she never came to visit him in the hospital. Once he found out he could no longer be a surgeon, the darkness in his heart began to surface, and his resentment toward Nie Xi Guang started. I liked how Lin Yu Sen did not let this darkness continue to consume him. Despite all this, I felt it was a bit unrealistic. He didn't have blame anyone and I feel like anyone in this position would find anyone to blame. The closest we got was him holding resentment towards Nie Xi Guang, but this resentment was caused due to her not reaching out to him after they were supposed to meet.

I thought Lin Yu Sen and Nie Xi Guang’s relationship was extremely perfect, though I wish we had seen a more realistic aspect of it (their ups and downs). All we saw was just their picture perfect life and as much as I love those scenes, it would've been nice to see how they handle their differences, but it just seemed like Li Yu Shen was extremely understanding. Every relationship has its ups and downs, I love when relationship in dramas shows us this aspect of their relationship. I still adore them as a couple. Luckily, there wasn't much misunderstanding between the leads, but the misunderstandings outside of their relationship really annoyed me.

First, Nie Xi Guang’s circle of friends was questionable, except for Xiao Feng, who consistently defended her. When Nie Xi Guang’s character was being questioned, everyone stood quietly and watched except Xiao Feng. When Nie Xi Guang finally cleared her name, they apologized, but this caused a strain in their friendship. After graduation, Nie Xi Guang did not bother staying in contact with them except for Xiao Feng and Xiao Wan. What really annoyed me was how Rong Rong often made offhanded remarks toward Nie Xi Guang while the rest of their friends just stood there looking at each other. If someone behaved like that toward a person in my friend group, I would cut them off immediately, but for some odd reason, they continued to keep Rong Rong around.

Now, the second male lead. Usually, I am the type to root for the underdog, but this is the first drama where I genuinely couldn't. I could see Zhuang Xu’s intentions, even though he expressed them poorly. He was a tsundere, after all, and perhaps I gave him more grace than he deserved. Often, we see him being passive aggressive towards the female lead. For example, early on he said something like, “You seem unhappy with your job in Wuxi. If you are unhappy, find one yourself. Don't be picky when something was handed to you.” He also follows with, "Then why don't you find a job yourself? Instead of staying here in Wuxi with your parents, being a parasite, which has no meaning?" Yes, his delivery was terrible, but he said this because he wanted her to look for a job in Shanghai instead of staying in Wuxi. He also wanted her to find something she was passionate about, especially since she comes from a wealthy family, she's privilege to find a job she is passionate about without worrying about her salary. It was already established that he would be working at a Hua Ya Bank in Shanghai. This was further confirmed when he deliberately handed out her resume to several companies there. I felt that he truly wanted to pursue her once they were settled in Shanghai and could start fresh.

When Rong Rong accused Nie Xi Guang of not relaying the message, that was the final straw, at least for Nie Xi Guang. Can we completely blame Zhuang Xu? No, not entirely. Rong Rong constantly badmouthed Nie Xi Guang to him, yet he defended Nie Xi Guang behind closed doors. However, it didn't help when Nie Xi Guang dialed a random number to prove her innocence. When Zhuang Xu took the phone, the disappointment and shock on his face said everything. Nie Xi Guang shouldn't have make that fake phone call, from an outsider’s perspective, it made her look guilty. I would've skipped that fake phone call, gone straight to finding concrete proof, which she eventually did. Imagine being Zhuang Xu, constantly defending the girl you like against your childhood friend. At some point, you would start questioning why Rong Rong was targeting her and whether there might be some truth to it. That phone call confirmed his doubts and made him believe Rong Rong was telling the truth. Later, Zhuang Xu found out the truth, but instead of apologizing for the misunderstanding, he chose to do research for her instead. Could an apology have saved their relationship? Maybe. Sometimes a simple sorry is all it takes.

Their relationship was doomed from the start. Remember the scene where Nie Xi Guang reflects on her interactions with Zhuang Xu? She lent him money for his mother’s surgery, and he quickly paid her back with interest. That alone drew a clear line, and Nie Xi Guang assumed that was his way of rejecting her. Zhuang Xu knew there was tension between them. When he asked whether Big Grape would return and she said yes, thinking he meant Rong Rong, I felt that he was actually asking whether she would forgive him. Zhuang Xu’s insecurities stemmed from growing up in a poor and humble family, while Nie Xi Guang was essentially born with a silver spoon. He also said, “What do I have now to be with her?” There is a Chinese saying, “餓死老婆燻臭屋,” which literally translates to starving one’s wife to death and filling the house with a foul smell. He wanted to establish himself in his career before moving forward with the idea of being with Nie Xi Guang.

The one thing I still can't understand is why Zhuang Xu never replied to Nie Xi Guang’s text message when she wrote that if she had known he and Rong Rong had something going on, she would not have confessed to him. I wish we had been given a reason.

I felt Lai Wei Ming’s portrayal of Zhuang Xu who was such a complex character was done very well. At first, I thought his acting was rather stiff, but upon watching further, I realized his character was meant to be that way. He is someone who keeps a constant poker face and does not let anyone see his vulnerable side.

One of my favorite scenes was when Zhuang Xu and Nie Xi Guang spoke privately at their friend’s wedding. I could feel the tension and longing they both had for one another. My second favorite scene was when Rong Rong asked, “You believe her over me?” It was a line she constantly used toward Zhuang Xu. Zhuang Xu replied, “In the past, I always chose to believe you. I already paid my bill for trusting you.” That line was very memorable for me. He chose to trust her, and the price he paid was his relationship with the girl he loved. Another favorite scene of mine was when Zhuang Xu finally losing control, becoming vulnerable, and confessing his feelings to Nie Xi Guang was another powerful moment. When I watched that scene, I truly felt that he had lost it emotionally, and I thought he did a great job in that scene.

This was a good drama, but do I have the desire to rewatch it anytime soon? No, and it is due to the misunderstandings people had toward Nie Xi Guang, which can be exhausting to watch. I would just rewatch my favorite scenes, and I would be perfectly fine.

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Found Family and Emotional Healing

I just finished watching this drama. I did not realize what an emotional rollercoaster it was going to take me on. I saw random funny clips and thought it was going to be lighthearted, but I could not have been more wrong. This drama touches on mental health, and I wish they had focused more on how to face mental health challenges. I actually enjoyed the beginning of the drama before the time skip, probably because it was lighter and more innocent.

I felt the cast was perfect. Any drama that has a loving and supportive family or circle of friends really does something for me.

I especially loved Li Jian Jian and Qi Ming Yue’s dynamic. I felt Li Jian Jian was the person who helped Ming Yue break out of her shell. Ming Yue was extremely timid at first, but eventually she finds her voice. I really enjoyed her growth and character development.

There are many emotional scenes, but I cried during the scene in episode five when they were celebrating He Zi Qiu’s birthday. His biological aunt was constantly nitpicking his behavior, saying he was not mannered and making other hurtful comments. Li Jian Jian’s father had pent up emotions that had accumulated over the years due to people’s offhanded remarks, constantly reminding him that Ling Xiao and He Zi Qiu were not his biological sons even though he viewed them as his own. Li Jian Jian’s father was extremely loving and compassionate, which were the two things the boys needed most.

I really like how accurately Ling Xiao was written. Everything he has gone through, he has deep inner issues. He is very reserved and only allows a small circle of people into his life, making his world quite limited. He appears to have everything together, but it turns out he is not mentally healthy. In the scene where he tells Li Jian Jian that he only has her and that the thought of a future with her is the only thing that kept him going, she realizes just how unwell he truly is. I felt the writers dropped the ball on this part of the story. They could have explored more of how Ling Xiao deals with his mental health, but instead it seems Li Jian Jian simply learns to become the girlfriend he needs.

The actress Yang Tong Shu, who played the role that betrayed Ling Xiao’s mother, Chen Ting, did an absolutely great job. Honestly, her scenes reminded me of a former friend who reacted in similar ways, though not as severely. You are constantly walking on eggshells, afraid that anything you say or do will trigger a negative reaction. It is extremely taxing. I could not watch many of her scenes because they were triggering for me, but the actress definitely did the character justice.

I feel Tan Song Yun thrives in comedic roles, so it was no surprise that she did such a great job.

I gave the drama an 8 rating for the story because it felt like a few major issues were swept under the rug. I will not spoil it, but something significant happens and, for some reason, Ling Xiao appears to have forgiven his mother, and his mother also seems to have gotten better. The only person who truly faced his issues and achieved the closure he needed was He Zi Qiu.

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An awesome story with an awesome cast!

I felt the two leads had great chemistry and felt very natural. The female lead, Zhang Miao Yi , definitely carried the show and the role suited her very well. I can't imagine a more fitting actress for the role of Xiao Tu. Her comedic timing was just perfect. As for the male lead, Jun, I wish we were able to see more expression from him. I still liked his portrayal though and his expression when he's awkward is hilarious. I really would like to see Zhang Miao Yi and Jun in another drama.

Xiao Tu and Ling Chao aren’t related, but they grew up together. Both of their parents are each other’s godparents. Ling Chao has always been very smart and studious, while Xiao Tu is carefree and overly dramatic. I loved how oblivious and dense Xiao Tu is. She often sees things at face value, while Ling Chao is more observant and constantly protects her from the shadows. No matter what, Xiao Tu always somehow finds a way to drag Ling Chao into one of her shenanigans. For example, there’s a scene where they try to take Xiao Tu’s friend’s cellphone back from a teacher, only to get caught. Ling Chao manages to get away, while Xiao Tu gets into trouble. Xiao Tu accuses him of being disloyal. Later in the episode, we find out that Ling Chao went back to retrieve the phone anyway. Although he succeeds, he gets into trouble for lying to the teacher and saying the phone was his, which results in him having to write a two page essay. We see a lot more of Ling Chao’s inner feelings in the exclusive epilogue.

I actually enjoyed the drama more when they were in high school, perhaps because of the buildup of Ling Chao’s feelings. We see that Ling Chao develops feelings for Xiao Tu quite early on, and I liked how he never openly expresses them, instead showing his affection through subtle actions. Ling Chao’s mother bought them matching rabbit themed clothing. Xiao Tu received an undergarment, while Ling Chao had a shirt with a pom pom on the back. Xiao Tu wanted them to wear the matching items together, but Ling Chao refused, which upset her. The next day at school, Xiao Tu gets hit on the head by a basketball, and the boy who threw it laughs. To defend her, Ling Chao agrees to play basketball, which reveals that he is wearing the rabbit shirt. Ling Chao often does things like this, and I found it very endearing. Another sweet detail is that Xiao Tu dislikes carrots, so whenever there are dishes with carrots, she picks them out and gives them to Ling Chao, and he eats them without complaint. The second half of the drama is when they're in college and basically is them navigating their relationship, it was also enjoyable as well.

The reason why Ling Chao fell in love with Xiao Tu is because he does not need to perform or protect an image. He can exist quietly, even invisibly, and still feel seen by Xiao Tu. Ling Chao is surrounded by admiration. At school, his intelligence, looks, and reputation as a model student place him on a pedestal. Xiao Tu, however, has known him long before any of that mattered. To her, he is just Ling Chao, the person who gets dragged into her schemes, eats the carrots she does not like, and silently cleans up after her messes. When she is upset, happy, or frustrated, she expresses it openly and without pretense. This transparency is what makes her heart feel pure. Her obliviousness also plays an important role. Xiao Tu does not overanalyze Ling Chao’s actions or search for deeper meanings behind his words. She accepts what is in front of her.

Xu Ling Long is someone who has had a crush on Ling Chao since they were kids and is very upfront about her feelings for him. She often finds reasons to get close to him, only to get shot down by Ling Chao. Despite being a love rival, I couldn’t hate her. She was adorable and funny, and she was never malicious, although she would be passive aggressive toward Xiao Tu, it was never as negative as you would think. She is one of the very few love rivals you actually end up liking. Although she was mainly there for comedic purposes, she was lovely.

Yin Xin Lan is Ling Chao’s classmate and also has a crush on him. Although she appears soft spoken and nice, she isn’t, as she makes offhanded remarks about Xiao Tu and has no issue using others to get close to Ling Chao. I think Ling Chao saw right through Yin Xin Lan from the start, which is why he was very blunt with her. In contrast, he was much softer when turning down Xu Ling Long’s advances.

One unfortunate thing is that if you don't understand or speak Chinese, you miss out on some funny moments. Several times, Xiao Tu speaks to Ling Chao using old fashioned terms, which sounds much funnier in Chinese and subtitles doesn't do it justice

I have watched this drama a few times already, starting a few years ago. This is one of those lighthearted dramas you can always rewatch, and it gives you the same feelings as the first time. There are no unnecessary third parties, as the leads’ relationship is solid, and there is no miscommunication that lasts longer than an episode. The entire cast was extremely perfect. Both leads had awesome friends as well. I really liked the friends Ling Chao made in college. They were hilarious and often got into all kinds of shenanigans. I think one of the highlights for me would Xiao Tu's relationship with her dad. Their chemistry together was amazing and I knew if I saw them together on screen, I would get a great laugh. Xiao Tu's dad was extremely funny as well, but I loved both their families dynamic with one another. It was very nice to see two kids being raised in a happy and loving home.

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