As someone who has read the novel, I actually loved the things they've chose to do differently, especially at the end + the parallel bonus with Qi Min (I did not expect that!)
I haven't started the show yet since I’m waiting for the full drop, but in the book, his cruelty toward QianQian was next-level. He completely rejected his son, seeing the child only as a reminder that he was replaceable and that no one actually cared about him. He’s honestly such a pitiful character who could’ve had a better life, but he was convinced love wasn't an option, so he just punished everyone instead. The book gives a glimpse of him and QianQian before the darkness took over—he really did love her. My memory is a bit hazy since it’s been a while, but I remember a plot point where he was drugged or forced into that traumatic encounter just so she’d get pregnant to have a heir to replace him. That betrayal is why he hates everyone. He’s a total 50/50 character—genuinely complex with major dark romance vibes.
The book gives a glimpse of him and QianQian before the darkness took over—he really did love her. My memory is a bit hazy since it’s been a while, but I remember a plot point where he was drugged or forced into that traumatic encounter just so she’d get pregnant to have a heir to replace him. That betrayal is why he hates everyone. He’s a total 50/50 character—genuinely complex with major dark romance vibes.