How to avoid the obvious for 43 episodes

I will start off by saying, I was pleasantly surprised by this drama. The reviews were not bad, but I had expected to find it difficult for me to watch based off previous attempts to watch the first episode.

I loved the acting by Chen Zheyuan, Hu Yitian and Vicky Liang. I really enjoyed the dynamics and chemistry the three shared despite circumstances pulling them apart. I liked how feelings came and left and that they did not automatically abandon their aims for each other. Whether for right or wrong, you could really see how their different upbringings drove their decisions and priorities, and why they could or could not accept certain sacrifices.
I also really enjoyed how a 'righteous' upbringing did not make the characters more feeling or make better/more morally correct decisions.
It has also been a while since I have sat on the edge of my seat screaming in desperation for a character to be killed.

But this is where we get to the but. I did not enjoy Su Ying's character (likely due to her vicious nature) and could not bring myself to like her relationship with Xiao Yu'er (he had more chemistry with almost every other female character imo).
Also, I don't understand how they could drag the rivalry out for that many episodes without them finding out the main secret... I began to get sick of the diversions... I also felt that all the villains (except for one) got off too lightly... but maybe that is my craving for revenge, and I can accept the brother's decisions.

Honestly, with the dragging out, if it had not been for Hei Zhi Zhu and Muroung Jiu, I'm not sure I could have gotten through this drama.

Read More