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*THESE ARE JUST MY THOUGHTS; WE DON'T HAVE TO AGREE*

The plot wasn't appealing to me, particularly how their relationship started and what went on in their relationship. It was a struggle watching this from episode 1, and it became more of a struggle reaching episode 12; toward the end, it became frustrating. At some point in the drama, I literally forced myself to finish this. Quite bad, this being my first Chinese modern series of the year.

LIKES
Shang Zhi Tao's friends were the kind of people you find it privileged to have as friends. They were supportive, encouraging, and really helpful. They weren't jealous of one another; instead, they rejoiced at the success of the other. Loved the moments they went on the mountain trip together, glaring at the sun rising. I also love how some of Flora's friends are written to have struggles and problems outside of her (FL) character. Towards the second half, the plot sidelined and forgot their friendship and didn't bother to delve deeper into the challenges and problems they had, while focusing much on the leads and their miscommunication.

Their chemistry had me in the first half; there was tension and magnetic stares, and sometimes I actually felt I was distracting from their moments. While moving into the second half, the chemistry lost me; with the back-and-forth breakups and kisses, all that was left was miscommunication, kisses, and intimacy scenes. I thought they had chemistry in the last episode.

DISLIKES

Let's be real, Zang Yao's character arc was predictable and unnecessary, as she was a plot device to create a rift and misunderstanding between the leads, and when she realized that they really loved each other and couldn't stand them acting all sweet with each other, and went outside to cry, I SKIPPED THAT SCENE. THERE WAS NO EMOTIONAL INVESTMENT TO KEEP ME WATCHING. At least they gave her good closure, in which am sure she escaped from a good disaster by not dating Luan Nian. If she had a purpose in coming down to China outside her love for Luke and all, she would have been better written.

I couldn't believe Sun Yuan died, LIKE HE DIED. I almost forgot I was watching a modern romance drama, and thought this was some murder mystery series. The fact that he died is really strange; he clearly had an emotional breakdown of tears, bare himself in front of Shang Zhi Tao, and he had friends who could actually heal him and console him. They were his greatest strength, and the plot forgot that and granted him death. It didn't even delve into what challenges he was going through; IT'S LAME. I actually suspected Sun Yuan liked Flora, but I would have loved to see things work out between him and Sun Yu; they had the chemistry, supported each other, were best friends, but he only took her as a friend. It was disappointing to know he liked Flora, and he kept it a secret until death. But I felt that was his way of expressing his love; it was good and way better than Luke's style.

I couldn't take how the plot used silly misunderstandings that could be cleared in one statement, an apology, or by speaking your heart, to drive the plot forward, and it left out important details. I was really curious about a lot of things, which the plot either didn't get to develop well or did the telling instead of showing. E.g Would have loved to see Sun Yuan's complicated family background, how Lumi got Will to be her boyfriend, and them developing feelings to become lovers; that would have been really interesting. What happened to Shang Zhi Tao's worker and Xing after she had a company? Why did Shang Zhi Tao break up with her ex-boyfriend, who treated her like an angel? The fact is, the writers left far too many things hanging while trying to live vicariously through the misunderstandings of the leads.

I disliked how silly they often had a quarrel, only for them to fawn over it and get back together, as if nothing happened. I believe they should have sat down and talked things through like normal adults, not getting back together like kids do when they quarrel.

I really dislike Luke; he was arrogant, insulting, had an ego, and it was clear that he didn't deserve Flora's love.
In the initial episode, when he and Flora slept together, and the next time they met, he threw insulting words, like she made them sleep together because she wanted him. THAT WAS ALREADY A BIG NO FOR ME, and the fact that he couldn't even apologize proved he wasn't ready for a relationship.
I really hate it when this man tries to be controlling, telling her what dress she shouldn't wear, trying to keep her from her heartwarming friends, and trying to restrict her movement. LIKE, SIR, SHE ISN'T EVEN YOUR WIFE; WHAT BECOMES OF HER WHEN SHE IS YOUR WIFE?
It irritated me when Luke pretended to be in pain just so he could get Shang Zhi Tao care; they tried to mask it as humor, but it tasted dry.
It was really WILD&INSANE watching him become a jealous freak who refuses to understand or see more into things, when Flora gives her ex-boyfriend a goodbye hug and hugs her friend to comfort his pain. The fact is, he hugs his close friend, who is a girl, and he goes straight to her, and Flora can understand him, but when it turns the other way, he keeps his distance without explaining the cause.
Couldn't believe that after six years of dating, Flora tells him she wants them to get married sooner, and he just rejects it(without a reason). Flora must have been terribly heartbroken, and after a three-month time skip, he comes hooking Flora up with his mother and tells Flora he wants marriage. Everything that happened was me telling Flora she shouldn't accept his request, for she has fallen into a mess. This man has an ego that everything must be done on his own time; I REALLY HATE THAT.

I was annoyed with Flora because she always leaves the relationship only to come back; she should be REAL with herself, knowing this relationship can't work out, and back off early, rather than dwelling on heartbreak.

Their relationship wasn't built on love, so what can you expect? It was built on desire, KISSES and s*x, and all this isn't enough to have the right lover.

I actually love when Flora vented all the pain she had inside her in front of Luke, and her calling the relationship dirty and disgusting and putting an end to the relationship they had was so satisfying, but she should have done it sooner and forged ahead with her life. The writers tried making Luke so down, sad, and teary to have sympathy and empathy for him; it was distasteful. If it worked for anyone, IT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME. Could they have just spared me the noble idiocy Luke tried to portray?

By the end, it is already predictable, and as you can expect, the leads meet again, grow a bit of connection, have s*x, return to Bei Jing, and Luke proposes to Flora, and she accepts it. I didn't feel anything when he proposed; if anything, Flora shouldn't have accepted. They would surely have misunderstandings if allowed to continue, at least offscreen. Lmaooo.

The ending was really rushed and not properly developed, with the characters, plot, and storyline, but I didn't actually enjoy the drama as a whole.

The amount of insulting words Luan Nian always threw at Shang Zhi Tao when they had a misunderstanding was really unhealthy and not called for. I would have ended that relationship early and never sought to go further.



FINAL THOUGHTS
By the end, I understood that Luan Nian was a character who can love, but clearly can't express his love, can't understand the woman he loves, and doesn't trust the woman he loves, and coupled with his arrogance, ego, and insulting way of speaking, it was clear this man shouldn't be in a relationship sooner; he should go for love therapy or something of the sort; in all, they should teach him how to express his love and understand the woman he loves before he thinks of going into a relationship.

It was clear Flora tried to understand Luke in every way, while Luke would never try to understand her in any way. It was obvious that such a relationship should be cut off early. That was the message I got from this drama.

Shang Zhi Tao/Flora should have gone back to her ex-boyfriend or any other good guy, but not Luke, because it's clear their relationship won't last.

Lastly, if this were a realistic portrayal, the leads shouldn't have ended up together; the woman would have left early when in a relationship with such a man, and if it is actually fictional, it's frustrating. Putting yourself in the character of this girl, would you stay in this relationship?

I wouldn't rewatch this drama at all; the pain and frustrations I felt in my first watch were enough. If the leads actually came together, reasoned, and resolved their misunderstandings with good communication, there would have been much less misunderstanding, but the plot took an unhealthy turn. This shows chemistry and intimate kisses really can't save/
help a show if the plot is a MESS.

You should go check it out if you can cope with unhealthy communications and silly misunderstandings, but by no means am I recommending THIS.

Thanks for reading the long review.