Alysha Johnson

I think the drama trying to use him as red herring.. someone commented saying maybe this is not even his 2nd time, maybe his 3rd or 4th. Maybe he know they are destined to always die together, so this lifetime he tried to save her life.

I agree they probably didn't want to spend more screentime on him. I think the "forgiveness" toward him is not so much about forgiving him, but it's for the FL to seek happiness without the "grudge" holding her back. Like the day they got marry, the mom's uncle said, that she finally let the past generation's grudge behind. It's for her, not him. Secondly I also think dad is not like WTY for one thing. WTY and dad both cheated, but WTY actually tried to kill FL in her past life to save himself. Dad didn't do that. I think as far as cheating karma, both Wang Xin Yue suffered from an unhappy marriage. But for Wang Xing Yue, her karma is more because she actively wanted FL's life, and in the process, got a lot of people killed. That's blood karma on her hand. And the biggest difference between dad and WTY or Wang Xin Yue is that he actually changed or attempt to make up for past mistake. The latter two characters didn't, but continued to display terrible behavior and mindset.

Agreed. It's especially satisfying karma for Wang Xing Yue given in Chinese culture they believe that if you do bad, karma will fall on your children, which is worst than falling on themselves. They rather it happens to them. Also, there is this belief that death is not the worst karma, itself is a kind of relief. So the worst karma is one where you still alive, but wishing you were death. A metaphorical death.

I think there were plenty of criticism? First the book (of enlightenment in the drama) described him kind of a "deadbeat", and that ill-fortune befalls him the moment he pass the exams. The grandma called him out for being deadbeat, so does the FL. She left him for years, didn't care for his affection, and call him out. Their relationship only got better after he stood up for her. Yes it didn't erased all the mistakes he made but you can't undo the past, you just got to move forward.

So does the rest of the world? Seem like you don't read?

Just found this series yesterday and literally binge all episodes in 1.5 days. This is so binge worthy, and is it just me or the dialogues here (especially the FL) slap so much. She get to the point fast and cut her opponent where it hurts.

I thought it was stylistic choice. Her make up is unusually THICKER than the others and DRIER. Especially her under-eyes. I thought it's a reflection of her character, someone who pretends to be grander than they are not. She's putting much more makeup (but probably cheaper) to hide what's underneath (maybe her family's finance situation is stressing her out making her undereye darker, despite you see how much concealer she put there, it's not an appropriate shade.

It's sad but probably reflect cultural perspective at the time. Even men with scars on the face can be considered "disfigured" and disgraceful as well.

Birth rate is not just declining in China. The capitalistic systems is nearing its peak and the whole world is suffering from its consequence. Instead of blaming on individuals and symptoms, it's better to address the cause. I suggest you should start reading about birth rate declining in the rest of the world as well. This is nothing new. In early 2000s, population theorist have already predicted that population will peak around 11B by 2050-2060, with the major cohort being Millenials, Gen Z and Alpha. Countries that used to be blamed for overpopulation in the 80s and 90s like China, India and Africa have already reached their replacement rate around early 2000s.

Declining birth rate has already be predicted a long time ago. Although the US have not make a big deal yet in the media, US birth rate has already been dropping below replacement in 2003-2004, that's why colleges are starting to see declining students admission because the young that are suppose to go to college today is getting less year by year.

As for medias, it's only following people's sentiments, not leading it. Denial of realities can only last so long before reality collapsing around you. Considering on how long sentiments over there has changed, it's quite late for Cdramas to finally adapt the realities, and you mostly see this more in idol dramas cater toward young female audience because the other types are heavily regulated. There are many type of dramas, and idol dramas are just one genre. There are many family C-dramas as well, but they are often filled with a lot of Communist propaganda so it doesn't get popular in the West.

Out of 100 dramas, like 98 of them the FL want to get marry. It's only in 2024 that they start producing more female-empowerment dramas and it's still the minority of dramas.
It's a reflection of the modern world and people's thinking. Dramas at the end of the day is a business and it caters to its audience.

It seemed like the SIL come back often. Like her useless husband said, someone is overstaying. He's a Duke so that's a title inherit by the oldest son. The SIL already "married out" so by common logics, she shouldn't be there. And like the useless husband said, Dou Ming is the real matron of the house, not the daughter that's already married. Dou Ming is too soft. If it's was Dou Zhao she would have put the SIL in place.

Maybe the Emperor low-key did know so that's why he scolded the Father because the marriage was decreed by the Emperor. Considering how the 2nd son is useless like the Father, I think it's most likely that Song Mo isn't his real son. He's a Duke and that's an inheritable title, but only the oldest get the inherit it so that's why he wanted disown Song Mo so his son can get it.

except we watching this drama not to see people use to each other, we watching for romance between 2 people. if JX is just another business person to be used, what make her different than Zeng Di? Why are we not watching HT dating Zeng Di instead?

HT and JX are very different people. HT is very methodological and JX is very emotionally-driven. They are fundamentally different people, hence opposite attracts. That's why they gravitate toward each other, because one compliments the other. BUT attraction alone does not give you happy-ending. Differences still exist. Things are rosy until their values are in conflict.

HT ways always doings things by himself, logic is not always right. JX of reacting emotionally is not right either. Both of them need to understand the others POV, challenges, motivations, each other's bottom line, and most importantly working to bridge that gap. The fundamentals of any relationship need all three: attraction, understanding, and collaboration. Until the breakup HT and JX only have the attraction.

Both of them only understand each other on a superficial level. Until their differences hurt their self-interest, they didn't need to think about this. HT's bottom line is the gaining control of Dongyang Medical. JX's bottom line is having control of her life, and her company. In this conflict, their self-interest are in conflict. HT used JX and JX used HT back. This is why Grandpa was right. Both of them are ambitious and stubborn. Who's going to give in? HT proudly said he will, but he didn't. Grandpa laughed at how naive HT was. It was easy for him to conquer the enemies, it's much harder to conquer oneself.

The drama portray of each character time apart is aptly ironic. JX's character is described as emotional, but her recovery time is filled with logical tasks. She work and study, and in a way, walked a few steps in HT's shoes and eventually came to understand him his POV. HT is the complete opposite. He went down an emotional lane, doing "useless/irrational" things that a rational HT wouldn't do. In my POV, I think JX never experience anything in her life where she must put her rationality above all despite this immense emotions she feeling underneath until this incident. And HT never (except his parent's death) went through something that his rational mind can't control to this extend until now.

Relationship have their up and downs. Neither HT and JX give in to the other. But that's not who they are anyway and that's not why they are attracted toward one another. The time apart is much needed, for both to "understand" the other. Understanding is not just to "know" what the other person is thinking or feeling, but to really ask oneself if s/he is ready to fully embrace the other. JX eventually came around to HT's grand plan. She's a smart girl. But in the moment, it's understandable that nobody like being used against their will. HT know his method is "proficient" but they come with a price. This is his first time truly feel what's the price he is paying.

Seeing them breaking up was hard and I was kind of bored in the last 2-3 episodes. But it's a natural course of relationship. Bystander can always see much clearer than the person involved. But they also said what don't kill you make you stronger. If and when they overcome this challenge, it will make them stronger as a unit.

Yes he's business savvy, and he helped her a lot, but it doesn't negated the fact that he used her. If you withheld information and misled someone in your scheme to get more power, it's the same as using them as pawn. Now - if both parties are well aware of what happening, and work together, you can see it as a collaboration. But if only one party know, and the other is misled into doing this, then it's not a collaboration anymore.
Even HT's enemy realized that JX was just a pawn the moment they realized that HT own Hanhai. JX and her company has been used as a smokescreen. 2-3 incidents that JX dealt with doesn't have to happen if she was not associated with HT. JX got targeted from his enemy. Had they knew he also own Hanhai, they would have went after it. Yes HT is business savvy, so he did what he did. But he was wrong to keep JX in the dark.
If HT did nothing wrong, why did he hesitated to tell JX the truth about Hanhai? If it's not wrong, why did his friend urged him to tell her as soon as he can? If it's not wrong, why did Zing De took the chance to attack using that very information? Everyone involved know that HT did JX wrong this time. And HT could predict JX move not because of him being business-savvy, it's because he know her well. And how does he know her SO WELL? Because they are romantically involved. If he's just an investor and not that friendly to her, how could he so accurately predict she would turn around and sell her shares to Changke? She would have NO chance to do that at all. But because of their romantic relationship, JX have access to HT's things, and could do it behind him. But doing so would mean she could land in jail if HT pursued her in court. So this move that JX done is only possible because they have a romantic relationship and JX know full well HT would not sue her. This is all within HT's calculation.
If he is above board he could have sit her down and explain to her what's going on, and ask her for collaboration. Yes she would be upset, and yes she's immature, but she has shown that she could grow. Whenever he teach her something, she would eventually understand him and work with him. So JX is not THAT unreasonable. HT just didn't trust her enough and use her in his game of chess. That took away JX's autonomy, and frankly, any normal person would feel disgusted at being played.

JX worry Hanhai swallowing her up because HT own Hanhai. Since HT own both companies, it make sense it's because he wanted to merge them. As a businessman, Hanhai is HT's dark horse. He does not want anything to threatened it. HT has many reasons to buy Xingcheng, but one of it is to keep Hanhai's to-be-rival in check. Mr.Xiao said this in an earlier episode. HT need to buy Xingcheng before it fall in enemy's hand.

So JX's fear isn't unfounded. The moment that it is known HT own Hanhai, Xingcheng's fate is seal. Actually, it has already been sealed the moment HT invested in her company. She was just in the dark about it. And Xingcheng is also a smokescreen for Hanhai. HT's cousins has been attacking Xingcheng thinking that it's his dark horse, while keeping Hanhai safe.

HT don't have to tell JX anything if he's only an investor. But technically, if they're only business, it's above-board for HT to tell JX. Because the fact that he own both means that Xingcheng will be merged at some point. If JX knew about it, she could have the agency of choice. Does she want to grow Xingcheng as big as she can alone OR would she put her ego aside and grow her company with strong backing, so that her product can do good, knowing that one day she will lose it? Since he never told her, either as business partner or romantic partner, she never have that choice. Which is a very sh!t move from HT but this is a dog-eat-dog world. Even if they are only business partner, JX would feel like she got stabbed in the back. It felt worst because they're dating.

When JX asked if he love her - it sound stupid but she's desperate. HT being a businessman will do what he needed to do. It's understandable that he does it to his rival or anybody in his way. But he does it to JX too. Her question doesn't just simply asking him if he "LOVE" her. But that question is her short way of asking "Am I any special/different than any other person that you played/use in your game of conquest?" At this point, she probably felt used. He played circle around her, and she feel like a toy or a pet. She is flabbergasted. She thought she was different. But she ended up finding out she's not.

HT own Hanhai, which is a direct rival company to Xingcheng. It was create earlier, is bigger, and more developed. If you own something, you would not want another company to threaten its market share. If Xingcheng do well, it will eat up Hanhai's market share.

So if HT bought Hanhai, it's because he don't want Xingcheng to grow to threaten Hanhai. HT's move of buying Xingcheng can be best described as "nip it in the bud". This is something that Mr. Xiao did said out loud when HT was contemplating buying Xingcheng in the beginning. Because once he bought it/invest in it, it will be part of his pawn in his game of chess.

Secondly, it can also mean he can merge the two companies together. If JX knew this in advance, and isn't worry about being bought out or merge - this it's just another day in the business. But she does not know. And what if she never intended to be eat up? What if she has dream to grow this company as big as possible? Well she don't have that choice now.

If Xingcheng was initially invest by another company, and not HT, it's to their best interest to grow Xingcheng as big as possible to rival Hanhai. But if HT own both company, it's his best interest to control both. Since Hanhai is the bigger and more famous one, Xingcheng will play supporting role.

The anger/argument came from the fact that she was misled this whole time. She thought she was fighting against Hanhai and that he was helping her. But it's not. It's like the feeling you got played by someone. She and her company are his pawn in his game of chess and she have NO IDEA> She wouldn't have felt this way if HT was honest with her from the beginning. BUT it's not to his advantage to be honest with her. She could have refused his investment, and he would have lost his pawn. He could have crushed her business without investing in it, but he probably genuinely believe that her product can do good. That is understandable from HT perspective as a businessman.

But he wait TOO LONG to tell her. If they are just founder-investor, he has no obligation to tell her. She would feel betrayed anyway, but not in a romantic sense. However, since they are in romantic relationship, what he did is akin to betrayal. He could have told her once they started getting serious. And it should be from his own mouth - from his POV, his reasoning for doing what he did.

Another upsetting thing for JX is how HT let JX sell off her shares to Changke. Her move was stupid and unjustifiable BUT he expected it, and used it to his advantage. And JX belatedly find out. HT know that Changke is working with his cousin Han Yuan. So he let Changke buy Xingchen's share, so he can have evidence of Han Yuan colluding with the enemy. Again - JX became a pawn in HT's scheme. Although for this one - JX was wrong too so she can't complain. But HT was accurate in predicting her move, he use his knowledge of her against her. Hence why JX said he's too scary.

They are both wrong but I really do think this FIGHT is necessary for this relationship.

I love this pairing but to be frank, when I look at their relationship in realistic term, I cringed a bit.
The drama tried to make it cute by showing us he have a crush on her since college so we know his feelings are genuine and long time coming, BUT they essentially started off with a boss-subordinate relationship.

From JX - this relationship is very new. She didn't start on equal footing with him at all. Although she did a lot, it's obvious to everyone and herself that HT helped a lot, AND he's also been steering the ship all along. So the power dynamic is very skewed. The only helping grace is that assumption that there's love/affection to make them equal - at least in one aspect of their relationship. But him hiding Hanhai brought out this fact that JX been trying to avoid all this time.

HT is a screwed businessman, and just because they have a relationship, doesn't mean he'll be honest with her. As a founder-investor, JX have no right to question HT's other investment, even when she feel used and play. Hanhai is the bigger company, Xingchen was bought to nib the threat early, and eventually it will be merge with Hanhai anyway. She, her company is just a pawn in the chess game of the whales. And one of the whale she is sleeping with. To be frank - I would feel super disgusted if I was her, not just with HT, but with myself. And this is why I cringed at this relationship because when you mix business with pleasure, you are playing with fire. She can keep it strictly business too if she don't get her feelings involved, but she did and that's why it got ugly.

However, her actions is NOT justified at all. And when she was discovered, she realized that she played herself AGAIN into his plot. The business world is cutthroat, but getting play by someone she is in a relationship must be a big blow in every sense. Of course again Im not saying what she did with Changke is justified, it is not. But this conflict finaly address the elephant in the room.

HT can play circle around her. And he didn't bother to be honest about his business dealings because she is NOT his equal in this regards. But he doesn't mind using her as a pawn either. From JX POV, HT is a handsome, charming and successful man who can make any woman fall for him if he wants, and can have as much flavor of the month as he wants. And she probably felt like she's just the flavor of this month.

They both dealt with this very badly. HT should have been more forthcoming but he's not used to that because he's a loner in the business battle. JX can't understand him if he doesn't let her in and when he played circle around her, it's only natural that she question if this man even care about her at all.

They are lovey-dovey and there's genuine feelings but that's not enough. This conflict was long coming and would have play out eventually.

Xiao Yi Xiao is insidious. It's understandable when they were in their hook-up phase, but when they both decided it's going to get serious, he should have been upfront about his child and him not wanting to get marry. But no - he wait until she fall in love, then dump it on her. Why didn't he said it earlier? Because he know she wouldn't give him the time of the day. He wasted her time, but what worse is that she let her fall in love for real. THAT is not the definition of "treating somebody well".

The last 5 episodes are so convoluted that I emotionally checked out. I literally feel nothing for any of the characters anymore except maybe PWX - but is he even in there? Everyone except PWX is such a sh!tty person, and the "conflict" is so damn stupid. Like I just don't care anymore I just want it to be over.