here’s my review
if we look at the bigger picture, the ending is actually pretty genius and heartbreakingly realistic. Like, we’ve known from the start that YZJ was poisoned as a kid, and by the time if he get the antidote in ep 30-something, his body was already too fragile to fully recover. It was never going to be a miracle fix.

And the best part? There’s zero unnecessary misunderstandings here. They completely understand each other—it’s just that neither of them is willing to back down. She’s pushing to stay by his side, and he’s trying so hard to push her away

Since he doesn’t want her to see him at his weakest. But duanwu’s a clever girl; she doesn’t need anyone to tell her the truth. She knows, just by observing on him, that his time is running out. That moment when YZJ cries? It’s layered—he’s proud of her for how well she understands him, but also heartbroken because she’s keeping her emotions locked up for his sake. It’s mature, passionate love that’s all about knowing and caring deeply without needing to spell it out.

The ending? Let’s be real—he most likely dies while traveling through the desert. And Su Muzhe? She doesn’t want to lead the jewelry empire because, from the start, she’s all about freedom. In the end, she chooses to honor her way of life—traveling, trading, selling jewelry from one place to another.

And if only They not included that 40-years-later desert shot ambiguous for a reason. It gives us hope. If you squint, you can imagine your own happy ending.

The story is fully fleshed out, with not just the main character, but the side characters getting their own development too. No one is there just to make the FL look good. Take the lady huan or songstress, for example-they have their own story, not just existing to serve SMZ's arc. The FL in Pearl Girl doesn't get everything handed to her on a silver platter. She has to grind, learn the ropes, and make sense of every decision. It's a slow build, but that's what makes it real. If she became a CEO overnight, it would feel fake, cringe and rushed
And let’s talk about the cinematography for a second. Every frame is like a painting. Especially The desert shots are breathtakingly poetic. It feels like time itself slows down, letting you absorb every ounce of grief and beauty.

Then there’s the acting. Lusi is just on another level here—her microexpressions, the way her eyes carry every unsaid word, and the subtle shifts in her body language? Genius. She perfectly captures Su Muzhe’s cleverness, determination, and heartbreak without overdoing it. And LYN? My god. He has this quiet, devastating intensity that pulls you right into YZJ’s internal struggle. Every glance, every tear feels so real it hurts.

And don’t even get me started on the OST. The music ties everything together—those hauntingly beautiful melodies that play in the background of their most emotional moments? Goosebumps. The way the OST swells during YZJ’s sad moments and transitions into silence? It’s like the music is crying for us.