shadowdreamer

When Shangqi said "I am scared", I cried. His 20 years of life that should have been spent happily with his father and brother was taken away because of Zhao. 😭

Wow, the rating went down pretty fast! Down .4 points in just a few days' updates. This is a most enjoyable Chinese show I have watch in a long while. I am curious, what makes people rate it low?

No matter how you look at it, Zhao is unlikely to turned out much different. He is twisted since childhood. Even if someone shows him love he likely will take offense to it.

He wants and needs to win over Shangqi to make up for his childhood. At the same time seems to marvel that Shangqi is the only one that stood up against him. Not obedient like Xiao Xian or Fei'er. This could be the reason why he's afraid of Shangqi. He knew that if he is a few steps behind, Shangqi will overtake him.

Once again this week's episodes ended at another cliff hanger. I can't wait to see next week's episode of how Shangqi will get back on his feet.

I was wrong. I underestimated Zhao . He is really truly petty and evil to the core.

Shangqi, it's time to go full mode revenge. Zhao needs to bring down to justice.

It just gets better and better. That business rival?Truthfullyl, it's the highlight for me. It's fast pace and very engaging, plus it revolves around the lead so it's very good. Haha, you can say it's a deformed CP of Shangqi and Zhao. Mainly on Zhao's part.

There's a small detail that really moved me. When Shangqi was selecting aromatic for the hotel, he noticed a familiar scent. The same scent FL wears when they met each other again at the nursing home. Even though this scent was made by another guy he didn't get jealous like a typical male idol would. Rather, he deducted from FL's dropped recording and ask her outright if she has insomnia. This is a very mature and gentle love.

Shangqi's temperment has changed after three months. He is more calm. He was always an introverted person but this time you can see his maturity.

This demonstrates that she is not suitable for life in Hupu. Where there is fierce competition, even involving death, and thick skin is needed. Hupu and Wusu is a tale of two cities. Hupu is definitely the battlefield arena while Wusu is a calmer and small town feel. You can tell Shangqi and Xianran are worlds apart at Fei'er and Zhao's wedding. How to balance that? They are now back in Wusu where their love bloom. Let's see how they will figure this out.

Although, FL is still a little off for me...

Exactly. I just love the part where Shangqi said to Zhao, "I will return what you said to you". Haha, so handsome.

Yes. I can also understand why Xiao Ran would want to also breakup. She's been hiding her feelings for him for a long time. And in the face of him wanting to break up she could only agree. I feel FL is the least developed character between them. She's been living a haven life in Wusu but hasn't accomplished much. It is only after this breakup that she really put her energy to full potential. However, she has a flaw, and that is she's nosey to other people and situations but when it comes to Shangqi it's like she doesn't want to touch. Her work confidence is getting better but overall she hasn't emotionally matured much. It looks like that hopefully might not be the case anymore now that she's involved in this web of intrigue. This breakup really gave her a boost of energy to her career development. Both are growing and maturing from this breakup, which is just amazing when compare to the first half of the show.

I am likely off the mark but I have a hunch the Xiao brothers are setting up a trap to Zhao. They are probably using the nursing home as the base to do so. Remember when father Xiao was still alive, he said something along the line of "I noticed you and Zhao are not fighting as often" and to "know who your family and enemy are". Xian said he understand. He is the person leaking the news of the nursing home in Wusu to Zhao, therefore initiate Zhao's involvement in the process. I feel all the performance in Hupu is to let Zhao feel he's defeated Shangqi. Shangqi's private call to someone in his office is another clue. Can't wait to see more!

I am the same. I am likely Xiao Shangqi with each episodes, too. Each crossroad or crisis makes his character more vivid and unique. He doesn't run with emotions rather I think he is very sober and self-aware. He seems to take everything into consideration and make decisive decision. For example, when he found out Fei'er lied about her dream (it was Xiao Ran's) to Zhao he packed his bag and left right away. When he found out his hidden feelings for FL he took the initiative to pursued her, bought a place and cherish the present. Even after all these years of misunderstanding and abandonment he felt from his father, once his father and brother are not as he thought they were he is ready to reconcile with them. Even though it ended up being just a few precious moments of this reunion. And finally, like you said, when Shangqi realized he cannot be what Xiao Ran needs at the moment, he is willing to let her go. In front of his responsibilities to Yunlun, all the employees and their livelihood, his duty as a son to his father's legacy and his brother, his rocky relationship with FL, I think based on what we know about him he is willing to let her go. This character is different and very consistent in its thinking/logic from other Chinese drama male lead I've seen.

I partly agree with your take however, he was there when his father died. That is unlikely to be easy on Shangqi. As we have seen in episode 24, Zhao has a network of connections the Xiao family cannot escape. FL would be like a bug to Zhao when you think that he was not even a suspect in father Xiao's death. His influence seems to far and wide. I have a feeling the Xiao brothers are secretly setting a bait for Zhao. This could be another reason why he didn't want her involved. I feel all the performance in Hupu is to let Zhao feel he's defeated Shangqi. Shangqi evading FL's questions about his brother after she overheard his father's death is also another clue and of course his private call to someone in his office.

One more day....can't say I'm not excited but only three days, 6 episodes update this week?!

Almost Lover is the English title, and as we all know Chinese drama English titles are very bad. The original Chinese title is "Everyone Knows I Love You" per drama description.

Yes. I'll definitely take a look at the novel after this drama ends. To do a little comparison but will not take it as a blanket work presentation rather an adapted script.

I restrain myself to not read the novel. I did it for another drama adapted novel and it was a bit disappointment towards the end. So far everything is logical and the pace is excellent. Each character is given a highlight, which is very rare for Chinese urban idol type drama.

Yes

Looking at the broadcast calendar they will breakup but eventually will have a happy ending. Looks like there's a proposal and even a wedding? Hold on! :)

I re-watched the drama. There are misunderstandings between the brothers and untold guilt from both sides but elder brother has no intentional harm to Shangqi. However, nothing is guarantee until everything unravel.

Lol. You certainly do have a richer imagination than I. I didn't even think that far. I'm excited to see how this triangle of Shangqi, his brother and Zhao will unveil.