themarchioness

I don't know if he's actually a cop - the special doesn't say (unless it was written in a screen caption and I didn't catch it fast enough - all I saw was the written caption noting that this scene was taking place one year later from the original story). But what is clear from the dialogue shared is that they are working side by side.

BaH wrote about it on their Weibo page and basically said: WZF & CY are still alive and kicking and fighting side by side against drugs and our hanging hearts can finally be put down (I think that's a reference to the questions the ending left us with in terms of whether WZY lived or not). But whether it was one year earlier when they were facing a life or death mission or in their current mission, they've come to regard drug control as their lifelong mission.

So, I don't know in what capacity WZF is working to help with the drug control, but it's enough to know the boys are doing it together. :)

It’s linked in my above reply already.

I would never joke about something like that, lol!

https://weibo.com/tv/show/1034:4814127806480420?from=old_pc_videoshow

It is true, it is a 3-minute special! One year later, WZF and CY are still working side by side - he lives!

There is a 3-minute special that Youku released today and it answers all our questions. One year later, WZF and CY are working side by side - he lives!

There was never a specific prohibition against streaming platforms offering an express option. Rather, it was something the platforms decided to stop doing given the broader themes that were being discouraged under the Qinglang movement earlier this year (and express option was seen as contributing to those very things that were being discouraged). BUT, in the past month or two, the streaming platforms started bringing the express option back because it is an opportunity for them to make more money. They added a twist to it, though, so it wouldn't be quite like the structure that had been in place when they quit offering it. Nowadays they offer at least one extra benefit with the express episodes, such as a livestream with the cast. That way it's not only that they're selling a package with a express episodes.

Therefore, Youku's decision to release an express VIP option for BaH has nothing to do with them making space for another drama (it's a web platform, they can release all the dramas they want without impact to scheduling) but 100% has to do with the fact that they saw potential for more money to be gained.

There are different release schedules based on the platform that you're watching on and whether you have pass access. As of 8/18, if you're watching on the Youku app with a VIP pass there are 11 episodes available. If you're watching on YouTube with a member pass, there are 8 episodes available. And if you're watching on YouTube as a nonmember, you will be able to watch up until 6 (no new episodes until 8/22). Viki is following its own in between schedule; there are currently 10 eps but the subbing has been slower (so if you need subs, you'll still have to wait to watch 7-10). I recommend consulting the Binge Watch Calendar (it's included in the photos of this page) as the schedule is not really consistent across the weeks.

She does. They actually used to be very close and she does still care for him. She has issues with his mom. But over the course of the drama, all feelings between step-sibs and step-parents heal.

Who Rules the World is listed as 45 eps. I thought I’d seen that number floating around somewhere! We’ll find out in a few days whether that holds true. :)

Sorry, was thinking of Royal Feast but that was 40 (too many I’m keeping track of!) anyway, linked post still explains the current position re: dramas and episode length.

There is no official limit on how long period dramas can be (one just finished airing and is longer than 45 eps), only a recommendation. For more info on that point, see: https://curiouscat.me/dramapotatoe/post/1271188659

Here's the airing schedule: https://kisskh.at/photos/rDxrE_3

Essentially, yes. It also airs Wed thru Sun for those watching one Ep a day (non-VIP, Slower schedule). You can see the airing schedule here: https://kisskh.at/photos/rDxrE_3

The drama didn’t emphasize this point as much as it is in the book bc they’re trying to avoid overt references to the reincarnation concept, but ZSC is named after his past self (hence the name being in the family genealogy). History has recorded his story, though, as historical ZSC being a traitor (hence the cousin’s comment). Remember how things played out with ZSC’s death in One and Only, and how he was punished… basically from that moment on he was talked about as having betrayed the king and having an affair with the crown Princess/king’s wife (historical Shi Yi), and that’s what people think of it now. In the book, bc SY has direct memories of her past, she finds this to be a grave injustice as she knows historical ZSC was only ever loyal and honest.

Lol, I know! For me, it was that LYZ kept sounding like He Yichen from My Sunshine (also dubbed by Bian Jiang). Finally found confirmation of who the dubbers were for this drama, hehe.

I found the credits for the dubbing in this drama and you are correct, LYZ was dubbed by Bian Jiang.

There is no one night stand in the drama. He only helped her when she was drunk in the rain. The one-night stand mentioned in the summary above stems from the book. It was changed for the drama. Another change is, in the book, the ML was the reason the FL broke things off with the doctor, because of their one-stand history. Because such a thing did not exist in the drama, it was changed to the doctor's mom having a past with the FL's dad, and the mom being the reason for the break-up.

Definitely the entire time I was watching it, I was enjoying it through a layer of nostalgia feels. I think it works better when you think of it as a drama from the past, one with angst, sweeping emotions, and not a little bit of pain and torture too. LOL. I mean, the whole Zhenrong dying thing is straight out of an early 2000s Kdrama except that in that context he would be the ML, that would be the ending, and we would all be crying at a drama's tragic ending. LOL. Let's not forget either that this drama was based on a book by Fei Wo Si Cun, who people call the "stepmother" because of the ways she treats her characters. :P That we got a happy ending in the drama is pretty impressive; I'm pretty sure this book's ending is an open-ended one (which is still better than the author's other sad endings...)

Anyway, regarding the discontent people have been having over the time spent on the side characters and especially Fan Lu and LXY, this isn't an excuse so much as it is an explanation/food for thought, but I'm pretty sure this is the formula for Cdramas of this nature. I've watched a few now involving romance/corporate world and often by the end, it's like the focus of the drama changes entirely and the OTP becomes an afterthought especially if the OTP come together early on. I'd argue that because LYZ and DXS didn't that we actually got it better in this drama, in that we still had scenes of them pushing and pulling at each other versus them disappearing completely. It's also not uncommon for side characters who were 'bad' in the beginning to turn out to be not be so bad by the end, particularly if there's a more evil enemy that emerges later in the story... like I said, I suspect it's a formula because this dynamic can be witnessed in dramas like: Here to Heart, Our Glamorous Time (which diverted so badly that people actually suspected the SFL actress of having interfered in the script since her character wasn't even in the book originally and she was an investor in the drama), Love Designer, and the list goes on...

Hahaha. He deserved it after all that he put her through. He should be tortured too! Plus when watching stuff like this, it helps knowing that there's a happy ending at the end of all the push-and-pull and that he'll make things up to her for the rest of their lives. :) If we hadn't had the happy ending, I'm not sure I could've withstood all the angst along the way, but since there was one, I'm like 'bring it!' LOL.

It's a satisfying ending! I skim/watched the raws as I'll wait for them to be subbed to watch in full, but from the parts I did watch... most of the heavy corporate takeover stuff is resolved by Ep 38 which leaves a chunk of time for the remaining dangles to be resolved, including the OTP.

After LYZ saves the company from the hostile takeover the board of directors want to bring him back, but he withdraws from the company and hands things over to LXY. It's not that he'd forgotten or forgiven, it's that he knows LXY was never as evil as he originally believed and recognizes that if LXY had really wanted to screw him over, he could've done that by getting involved in the hostile takeover, which he did not. Most importantly he recognizes LXY's capabilities at leading the company and wants to give him a change at turning over the leaf -- make up for the sins in the past by working hard in the present for the company, and all that.

Meanwhile, LYZ uses his newly found spare time to win back DXS. It's not an easy feat but it was entertaining watching him try his hand. As Shangguan observed for the first time in LYZ's life, he had to pursue a girl when normally it's the girls who are lining up to date him. Following Shangguan's advice landed him in a pickle and as DXS said, she never wanted him to change for her. She's also most upset that he never shared with her what was going on with the hostile takeover. She realizes he was only trying to protect her and keep her safe, but that's not what a relationship is about - she wouldn't have been afraid of being tailed or being put in harm's way. On the other hand, what she does fear is knowing that she could've lost him without ever having known the danger he was in. LYZ had a loooong road of him in terms of winning her back - there's cuteness along the way, so lots of OTP scenes in the remaining episodes, but it does take him up until the final moment to turn her around.

As for Fan Lu and LXY, the turn a page in their relationship and become a real marriage, but LXY continues to feel guilty for the past and against everyone's advice, even LYZ's, he decides to atone for them by turning himself in. I know everyone was ready to move on from the past but for his sake, I'm glad he did and it is presumed that when he's released, he and Fan Lu can continue on as a family. Regarding DXS's best friend and LYZ's assistant, they finally get married (in fact, Fan Lu and LXY renew their vows and the other couple decide to join in for a double ceremony). LYZ gifts them a house -- finally that long desired symbol of having made it in Shanghai.

I think that's about it... oh! And obviously, once LXY goes to prison, LYZ returns to the company. In case anyone was curious about that.