I was initially drawn to this title by the number of episodes. I actually like long dramas that give the viewer an opportunity for longevity, to get invested in the story and the characters. Boy! Was I wrong about this one, and was this a dismal failure!

First, let me clarify that the acting was not the issue. That the audience loved (or hated) the characters is testament to the talent of the actors portraying the roles they were given. I like Deng Lun anyway, and although his character was a little too easy-going for my liking, his moments of seriousness and intensity were on point - signature Deng Lun! Actresses Wu Yu (Yu Xin), Joy Pan (Hui Jie), & Guo Hong (Wang Ai Yu) who portrayed the main villainesses really pushed the 'hate' button. Other cast members were believable and as an ensemble cast, the relationships, the interactions, good and bad, were realistic. Unfortunately for me, the most underwhelming character was Zhang Guo Guo - and all I can say about that is that Sun Yi played the role she was given but didn't shine in this one at all. I found the character weak and whiny and even more unfortunately, saw very little chemistry between she and the ML. She came across as wooden and cold even in their love scenes. Despite rave reviews on the children in this drama, they were just that - children. Nothing spectacular in their performances but again, the storyline, the directing.

56 episodes needs a riveting story. A well-written and executed script to keep the viewer interested and invested. This one had neither. I'm afraid I stuck it out only out of morbid curiosity to see IF/how the writer could tie it all together or justify the ridiculousness that played out throughout this drama. I hoped the writer and the director would have pulled it together sooner rather than later and spare us the repetitious (and wearisome) tropes that they started out on. 'Entitled character thinks she deserves more and goes on a campaign to achieve her goals repeating the same sentiments over and over... I won't let anyone take this away from me at any cost'. OK - we got it after the first 6 or so episodes! We were done to death with the antics of Wang Ai Yu always choosing her birth daughter over the fostered daughter - begging and crying when she got caught then doing the same evil thing over and over and over again the next minute. I believe the FL must have been paid for every time she said the word 'Maah' - and the same for the SFL calling 'Maah or Baah'. How many parents did these two accumulate in 56 episodes! It was positively annoying! Thank goodness for fast-forwarding.

Can we talk about the real gems in this piece? Yes, thankfully there were just barely any. The character Song Xiu Hua (played by Liu Min Tao) was so believable and endearing (until she kept that snake Wang Ai Yu in her house after she told that egregious lie - why Xiu Hua didn't kick her out and still treated her like a friend, only the writer and director know for sure). I really like that actress and she played her part so well. The other character who endeared himself to me was Lu Si Chen (played by Kelvin Li). He started out seeming like a bad guy, but eventually we see what the unconditional love of a parent really looks like. I'm sorry his story didn't end better, he of all people really deserved something good for his character the unselfish single dad - but hope was thrown in there from Zheng Guo Guo's assurance to Le Tong that they could 'take a plane to visit him'.

Re-watch? Absolutely not. Again let me reiterate - the train wreck that was this drama was the sole responsibility and fault of the absolute inability of the writer to produce a decent story and the short-sightedness of the director to utilize the talents of the actors so that a decent story could be told. If you're looking for a worthwhile long drama, this isn't it. Run far, run fast!