Alysha Johnson

I agree. In the book his smartness is often narrated but it's nothing showy. It's just he can connect the dot faster and can track people well.

One thing the novel did to express Jing smartness is that he is an expert Go player. This game is often used to implied tactical intelligence and patient because you can't just attack, you need to draw a big picture to lure your opponent into your trap willingly. He was able to "tie" with Xuan even with XY interferences. And tie-ing is often believe to be harder than winning because you need to foresee all your opponent move. CX learn his skill from both Yellow Emperor and the King of Haoling, yet Jing can effortlessly take on CX like that. This will later translate to how Jing was able to help CX in the background without CX suspecting. He set the stage but let them believe they thought of it themselves, then pretend he's only there to help to make money for his clan.

Other small details that were left out is that in the novel, it insinuate Jing had an idea of who XY might be. He was also the first one to connect the dot about XY birth secret, and how her face she had when she was little was fake, and told CX to ask King of Haoling. Even CX was blind-sighted at this point as an insider, but Jing was able to figure it out with just a few clues.

XL was the favorite from the novel too.. So if they wanted to go by people wishes, they would have change the ending in the drama. I don't think they did but we will see.

novel readers don't really know until the end. Jing is so smart at concealing everything.

XY is attracted to XY because they shared similar past. XL had a traumatized past much like XY. And because XY treat him fairly - not afraid of him or look down on him.

"he needs to have some confidence in his demeanor, IMHO."

This is his character flaws. And it's what he can't measure up to compare to CX and XL. Before he got torture, he got every reason to be confident, even arrogant like Feng Long. After the torture, he is never the same. I don't think he ever recovered. He is always seeking XY approval because that's the only thing he think matters in this world. Everyone approval is only skin deep, he saw how they treated him without his status and wealth. Only XY approval is real. But she is hard-hearted. And because of his torture, he knew that whatever others appreciate about him on the outside won't be enough to win XY heart. XY is very hard to woo, and he don't think he got what it takes. But he's trying anyway.

To be frank, if 17 wasn't tortured, and isn't the person he is now. If instead he was confident and was like his previous self, he wouldn't have fallen for XY. At least not deeply. At most he will admire her like Feng Long admire her. That's my hot take. Only because 17 is so self-aware and so traumatized that he developed this obsessive love for XY.

Not related to XL at all. But the real FFB is probably half brother. Same dad, different mom.

me too.. I did a double take when I came across one of his short. He's also a singer and dancer. I've been obsessed watching his short and his Hello Saturday cuts

Am I mean for liking that scene where 17 got jealous/nervous?
That's what he get for making XY wait.

Yes I think so. If it isn't because of family, he would have wiped Hou out. His twin is his only family left after the Grandma. I don't think he's kind but he is wise. He knew that killing Hou would not make him feel better, only worse. All three leads do hurt XY in a way. None is perfect, that's why this series is compelling.
For me, I can't forgive 17 the most because I had the highest expectation for him, much like XY.

HAHA. He met the real FFB a long time ago. FFB was dying and asked XL to help take care of his dying mother, in exchange XL can have FFB's spiritual essence. Apparently if the god is willing to be eaten, their spiritual essence is purer and more beneficial than if they had died a horrible death. XL accepted, and since FFB left home a long time ago, people don't remember his actual face. His mother has a low status that is why the Fangfeng family never care about FFB. XL came back, bringing some valuable items and was accepted back. He hold his end of the deal by treating FFB mother really well in her last days so the Fangfeng family believe that XL is the actual FFB. Since then, XL had kept this position as his alternative identities. Since he has low status in the family, they don't really care where he goes and what he do. This identity give XL a lot of freedom.

In this episode the drama deviate from the book a little and showing us just a "little" of how Jing manipulate people behind the scene. Not sure how much more the drama will show. But in the novel, they always comment on how quick witted Jing was, how he connect the dot faster than even Xuan. And even for all Xuan's political maneuvering, half of it is Jing working in the background that even Xuan didn't even know. Like in this episode, he use Feng Long's staff to help Xuan so Feng Long can take credit with Xuan. He's going to do this a lot.

It's easy to see XL's strength, to see CX fighting for the throne. For Jing, all you need to understand is, he is doing everything he can to get XY in the end, not just her, but her trust and true love. WHILE not stepping on anyone toes, and giving every party what they want, without letting them know he's giving it to them. But Jing's weakness is indeed family.

Just saying the thing about Jing, a lot of people question his "smartness" and want him to step up, or not believe he's smart. Well, with him, he is always trying to conceal it. Nobody know until the end of the novel, not even Xuan. XY have a feeling he was cunning, but never knew how deep.

Yes - just one or two instances. But it always good for her to know she has that skill to rely on + her poisoning skills in the worst scenario.

Girl what are you talking about "for visual"? They are all delectable.

Lmao.. Am I just too cynical and felt those lines aren't genuine at all to me, just XL flexing his flirting skill.

He know there's a mole so he's not sending it until he figure out who it is. Second, she also said that he's sneaky by sending her the wine to remind/pressure her about the promise. So he's not sending her more because he don't want her to feel "pressure". Jing took it so literally, he doesn't understand a woman's heart.

Okay FFB introduction... Production team need to stop rubbing to us how much they love XL/ FFB.

CX may be the male lead, 17 may be XY's favorite, but XL is the writer, now drama producer and audience's favorite. Someone said before that even XL's fighting scenes look so majestic. His dates with XY is breath-takingly beautiful. And now they whipped an elaborate set for such a short scene, accompanied by the perfect dimly lit rose hued light, dreamy and alluring dancers, and shot FFB in freaking slow motion. When XY locked eyes with him behind the curtain of her headpiece, we saw him giving her his daredevil flirty smile, making us audience feel like we are peaking at something elusive, that we are not meant to be look at, but being captivated just the same. Is this how XY feel when she is with XL/FFB? Because oh boy I am so whipped. No wonder they made XY went through all that to harden her heart, yet it's still cracking for XL/FFB. Any other girl, and she would have been floored and puddled.

And please for anyone who keep saying XL is toxic. A character need not to be perfect to be captivating. This is fiction, just enjoy the story and stop comparing it to real life. If I want something hyper-realistic, I would watch a documentary, not fantasy where character live thousand of years, demons with nine lives, and diety who can change their face any time.

CX said about the Yellow Emperor "While he's hurting us, he's actually hurting himself." Then he confessed to using XY, when they both know she's willing. Is this his indirect way that even right now, he is hurting from his own decision? But it's not like he plan to stop. I don't see CX as a romantic interest for XY, but I understand him. I don't believe he only want power to protect XY. He wanted vengeance for his parents and grandmother. He can't let those devilish uncles take the throne that his parents and auntie shed blood over.

Between power and beauty, he chose power. You can't blame us for not choosing him as a romantic option when he himself did not choose romance. When it come to love, CX don't deserve it. But as a brother, or a character, he's admirable, and deserve XY love. Maybe not the romantic kind, but there's more than just romantic love. He got XY's most purest love. His only fault is not being satisfied with just that.

CX is such a unique character to me. I want to defend him, while also not defend him. Props to this writer for giving every male lead such complex layers and nuances. And Zhang Wan Yi is doing so well with his micro-expression. And I'm kind of in love with his voice (and XL/FFB as well). There's something so distinct and charming about it.

whether he's a romantic option or not, is up to you. there are other options for you to choose to.

I think that they adapted exactly like the book - which mean they are cousin.
But in the first episode, they dubbed some scene to make it sound they are not blood related. Maybe to pass censorship.
However the scenes in the latest episode cannot be dub in a way that make sense so I guess they gave up.