whoissilmoy

in China, people park their bicylcles and motorbikes everywhere safely, no one steals them, Even safer in Japan,

Fenghua's possible terminal illness introduces a deeply emotional and dramatic storyline, likely to draw in more viewers and evoke strong reactions.

The poster of only four of the main characters without SiYi is the same poster on iQiYi. I guess they left her out means her character serves only as a plot device for the history of canal and as precursor to romance for others. SiYi didn't go North so she's not part of the main theme. In Ep29 preview, Fenghua stares at a picture of the same four friends without SiYi. When SiYi does return, she's going to look amazing based on some stills I saw on Douban. In the original synopsis and Ep 1, Fenghua said SiYi had this big impact on their lives which I'm still waiting for it.

ep 28 WangHe disclosed why he finally likes Fenghua.

If it's negative about Xu Kai, don't believe it.

At the award ceremony 3/19/25, Xu Kai was interviewed, and he said he would join the crew the next day, 3/20/25, so I assume he means this drama?

WangHe is often rash but decisive. Saving Fenghua from sexual abuse shows his courage, even if he doesn’t always think of the consequences. He’s flawed yet heroic, always learning.

or Siyi doesn't' end up with anyone is another possibility, she's such a mystery

I never thought this was going to be a love triangle like the kind in other dramas. I've always suspected the FL and ML will marry. SiYi's story feels like the nucleus of the entire narrative, intricately tied to the canal—the heart of the novel's story—which will likely bind everything together in the end (just a guess, as I’ve fallen behind on watching this drama lately - catch up on weekend).

XuKai at the 2025 TV Drama Quality Ceremony together with WuYanshu and HeSaifei
https://x.com/Alaso_Indonesia/status/1902282862646194529

Xu Kai won "Quality and Creativity Drama Star of the Year” at Dragon TV’s Drama Quality Festival for his portrayal of Yao Zhi Ming. His voice wow!
https://x.com/XuKai_Soso0305/status/1902421502844449233

This is his second award for this role. Previously, another award, Xu Kai also won an outstanding actor award along with Yang Zi for their roles in BCE.

There are so many warm moments in this drama. For example, their date at the fish-eating flesh foot bath, the time he used that silly ladder to climb down to her room, or the day he couldn't find any clothes and came down wrapped in a bedsheet—they were so playful with each other! I can't remember everything since it's been so long, but I think there were many more sweet and tender moments. They weren’t always overtly romantic but were implicitly romantic, like when he began seeing her in a different light and helping her. He brought a bouquet of sunflower for her but was too shy about giving it to her. How YZM tried to go fishing with her and ended her father and brother came along and they tried to get rid of them. The bellhop outfit incident—where she accidentally caused him to spill tea—was another example of these small, charming moments. And it goes on and on!

People who say there’s no romance in this drama clearly didn’t watch it carefully, unless they only equate romance with physical intimacy, which is fine, but saying there’s no romance isn’t true.

Even their bantering felt romantic to me. It showed that they were falling for each other, even though they were mature, serious, and career-minded characters with love on the back burner. That’s probably why they didn’t marry in the end. Still, he actively pursued her and did so much to win her over. The way YZM confessed his love for MCH to her mother was so beautiful.

I think whether you see romance or not depends on how you define romantic moments. Personally, I wouldn’t classify this as a full romance or love story because that wasn’t the primary narrative. Yet, there were plenty of romantic moments since he clearly fell for her, pursued her, and they ended up together. The story focused more on the three strong women in the drama, but the romantic element was undeniably present.

grandma explained everything in her letter to him

I believe when they return to the canal for whatever reasons, it will deeply change them and give their lives new meaning. Maybe watching their struggles as adults now will make that transformation even more powerful (just guessing).

SiYi's mom is only the daughter-in-law of SiYi's grandmother. After remarrying, SiYi's mom had a son (SiYi's little brother) who is not biologically related to SiYi's grandmother. Both SiYi's mom and grandmother are 100% Chinese, while SiYi's dad carries Italian ancestry because SiYi's grandmother married a man who was half Italian. SiYi's connection to her great-grandfather, who was likely 100% Italian, forms the link to her Italian heritage, which is central to the original novel. The mystery of the ship lies through SiYI's heritage. I can't remember what Grandma said, who it was that went missing, so they eventually settled at the canal. This means SiYi has family in Italy.

Is it true there is a business connection between HeSong Media (agency for Zhou Ye, Gülnezer Bextiyar) and Huanyu Entertainment (agency for Xu Kai, Wang Xing Yue) hence collaborations for Snow Eagle Lord, Scent of Time, and now Yi Ou Chun.

The plot synopsis of a Ou Chun · · · · · ·
Xie Qingyuan, the daughter of Aunt Xie Fu, lost her mother at a young age and lived on the streets, and Shen Run was sent to the army when she encountered a family change. The two met when they were most depressed with each other, and when they said goodbye, Shen Run gave Xie Qingyuan a penny on his body, and the two agreed to work hard to live. As an adult, Xie Qingyuan was taken back to Xie Mansion, she was very smart and bent on finding out the truth about her mother's murder. And the Shen family made a comeback, and Shen Run became an important minister of the imperial court. Xie Qingyuan's father encountered a crisis, and Shen Run was appointed to supervise the Xie family, who was upright and honest and presided over justice. During the period, he reunited with Xie Qingyuan, and the two continued their relationship. Shen Run was attracted by Xie Qingyuan's brave, responsible, intelligent and hearty personality, and protected her wholeheartedly. And Xie Qingyuan's attitude towards Shen Run has also changed from being afraid of him at the beginning, to seeing him as a bosom friend who advances and retreats together. With the help of Shen Run, Xie Qingyuan found out the truth about his mother's unjust death, and then Xie Qingyuan and Shen Run finally became lovers. After getting married, Xie Qingyuan and Shen Run experienced all kinds of ups and downs, overcame many difficulties, and their youth and ideals bloomed colorful on the common road of life. They are together, with one heart and one mind, helping their family and country, and loving each other for a lifetime.

I read Xu Kai next drama is this costume drama. On Douban. 一瓯春, Yi Ou Chun, translated to 'A Pot of Spring,' is a love story. On X, it is referred to as 'A Cup of Love.' But the character is Spring.
The plot synopsis from Douban, same as MDL synopsis but more detailed:

Viewer ratings are inherently subjective, often influenced by bias, manipulation, or individual preferences. Low ratings don’t always reflect the quality, acting, storyline, or even the work's popularity. They might simply reflect its polarizing nature, resonating with some while alienating others.

he's a bit dense

everyone has known since they were kids, I recall early episode, XFH's mom says to XFH what if one day you have to give up something you care about to SiYI.. she was referring to WH.