Eleison

Thank you!

Shen Yurong played the victim very well and made us think he was not at fault, but he really went all bad of his own choosing and was a willing party (just good at hiding his own selfisj ambitions). Qian Qian is actually sweet and kind and got sucked into this because she was being a helpful person. Surprised it didn't turn her off from being kind afterwards--cause look who it got her! A predator stuck to her like a leech.

Apparently there's a reason given in the novel some are saying, but can't they at least tell the audience? 😅 So we know what the heck he's playing at?

And he said that before she left him in Episode 17, too. "Stay with me."

I couldn't believe my eyes in the Episodes 24-25 preview. Why is Xie Zheng going to such lengths? He keeps up the pretense of being Yan Zheng in his own camp (and until Epsode 25)!?! 🤦‍♀️

Great part. She didn't even have to change her profession or job title. Just kept at it! It's simply a different species of pig. 😉😅

The original actor apparently filmed a BL and they were afraid of a scandal. (Just repeating what I've seen others post about this!)

Also, your pfp! I grew up with that show. 😍 Always loved Anne's hair and dresses in AoA. Edwardian costuming paired remarkably well with the 80's perms. 😅

Okay, that's what I was thinking, but wasn't completely sure. 👍

I would love to think that's true. It's very realistic to say that many of the guys who do the things Qi Min does are able to get away with this kind of behavior because they're beautiful.

Agreed. And at least in most Kdramas it's in the old ones, and in those cases, the toxic dynamic is part of the growth arc, not the romantic part. 😉

(Exhibit A, B, C, and D: BOFs, Goong, The King 2 Hearts, Secret Garden, etc.) 😅

You're right, they are playing both sides, and catering to many various types of watcher. It certainly feels that way, and I have mixed feelings about it. 🤔

Yes, yes and yes!

And the scene where he caught her the 3rd time holds no purpose for me and seemed completely pointless. What was that? 😅

Right! That's totally what it feels like. The dentist is actually a WAY better analogy. Thanks for that. 😉😅

I think naughty boys put frogs in your pocket to prank you like the boys did to Maria in Sound of Music.

This is not "naughty boy" behavior or even "bad boy" behavior. This behavior is in a category unto itself.

Why do you think he tried to make it so artistically beautiful? Do you think it has more to do with an internal sense of artistry, or as a romanticization of the scene for people who enjoy toxic relationships?

Sometimes I do feel some dramas (particularly Cdramas I've seen) lean into a romanticization of the toxic. Dramas have plenty of toxic relationships, but not all dramas romanticize them.

A lot of people want her dead or hurt, too, though. 😅 And he did ask her to stay and be with him after waiting a year (which seems to assume he thinks he'll make it that long, otherwise why would he ask?).

Sorry, I'm just hung up on this and it bothers me (it also bothers me that it bothers me, haha, but I still can't get past this plot point that to me feels silly). Maybe I'm just taking it all too seriously and just need to sit back and enjoy the pretty faces and beautiful scenery/filming. 😅.

No, the grandpa and aunt died, too, though they don't show her finding out. Li Huai An heard the news, went to find her with Mrs. Zhao and then saw her making funeral mounds for the dead and never told her as they got sidetracked. We hear it, but never see her hear about it (as of Episode 19, at least).

My biggest gripe so far is why Yan Zheng isn't telling Chang Yu about who he is yet. He wants to he with her so it's not like drawing things out will make the problem go away. The longer he waits, the more angry she'll be. Obviously the stakes are higher in this scenario than the one I'm about to give, but it feels like a student procrastinating on an assignment like that will somehow make the fact that it needs to get done go away 😅. And it's not like he's worried for her safety with him; I mean, he says that the life she'd lead with him (to Gongsun) does not feel fair to her, but in 17 when they part ways he clearly and desperately begs her to stay with him (maybe in the heat of the moment he goes against his better judgment there), and if that's what he really wants (and it seems he's not changing his mind cause he's smitten), just tell the poor girl.

What do you mean by her grieving for him at death's door (if she knew who he was)?

😅