sai

Shao Xingchi's character is really interesting. He grew up resenting his dad for hitting his mom so much that he ripped up his gaokao ID just to spite him, then moves away to Beijing. Where he slowly becomes more aggressive over time, adopting the same mannerisms that he hated in his father. He then goes ahead and tries to make money through illegal means and constantly ends up in jail.
Then, Wanghe recruits him and all of a sudden he's turned a new leaf. His morals have suddenly preceeded his need to make money, and prioritizes his workers over money. To the point he again becomes aggressive when it comes to protecting his people, and this guy who has spent the last few years in and out of jail is now arguing with his best friend over morals. Really interesting character.

Wanghe's argument with Fanghua after Xingchi resigned was when I understood his position. Wanghe isn't some powerful dictator, he's also just another cog of a massive business that is beyond his control. He's incredibly realistic because even though he is giving the workers harsher conditions, he is also giving greater rewards and giving them the choice to do it or not. But even that idea is created through the pressure of the company, and his career is also at stake. In the end, all of them are just workers trying to survive, it's just that some hold onto their inner values more than others

I'm loving the angst in the recent eps icl

I wasn't playing with my phone and I'm still confused lol, maybe the study abroad was just one semester or something and she came back?

Yep the cycle of the abused becoming the abuser, hating his dad for how he treats his mom but accidentally adopting those aggressive mannerisms as well

I've seen a compilation of all the little scenes he had with Huazi as a teenager and honestly it's not as obvious as Huazi's feelings for Wanghe. They just seem like him being friendly with her and nothing more

I think Xingchi's feelings for Fenghua could have been developed better onscreen. Right after the timeskip, their first interaction is Fenghua getting him from jail, where he's immediately rude and aggressive to her. Before that, there wasn't any proper indication that he liked her. It's kinda hard to believe the guy who was lashing out on Fenghua just a couple weeks ago had hidden feelings for her. At least you can visibly see the difference in how Wanghe treats Fenghua after the timeskip, so him having feelings isn't as surprising/forced as Xingchi.

great analysis!

the dimples!! they make him look sooo attractive

yes i noticed this too! they probably don't think he's handsome enough to be paired with bai lu, but his visuals are just more masculine than the typical popular male lead because of his boxier look. i personally think he's very attractive, even more with the glasses

honestly this comment section surprised me with how much they're throwing wanghe under the bus when in other drama comment sections the mls get defended for the tiniest things lol. and this is a very realistic drama too, so it shouldn't be so surprising that the leads are flawed.

Agreed, I've seen way worse male leads. He still cares for her, he just prioritizes his work first.

Yep, the Italian genes must just be really strong lol

The grandmother married a man of Italian descent, and they had a son who is Siyi's dad. Siyi's mom remarried after the dad died and had the little brother, so the brother is on Siyi's mom's side, while the grandmother is on Siyi's dad's side.

It's really interesting to see how the dynamics have shifted between the three best friends who grew up together now working as a boss and two subordinates, and how that takes a toll on their relationship as friends. Wanghe has always been someone who strove for greatness, even as a little kid. And that is essentially what differs him from Fenghua in how they manage their businesses. Wanghe prioritizes money and success, while Fenghua focuses on the people and their wellbeing.
I think a character had already mentioned this before, but if those 4 weren't childhood best friends that spent their whole lives together, they definitely would not have been friends if they met as adults. Wanghe's drive for success has already put a strain on his relationship with Fenghua and the boys. Realistically, a future relationship with Fenghua would be super unideal. It's weirdly more unrealistic than all 5 of their ancestors being connected through the newly discovered ship. Wanghe will need to change a lot for this relationship to ever work, but I'm starting to have my doubts considering his personality hasn't changed much from how he was as a kid

I think the romance and the relationships Huazi has with the boys is very telling that this story was written by a man. Wanghe being her great love that she has never wavered from, the lines that you mentioned of women not being "ambitious" and her only going to Beijing for Wanghe. I tried giving Wanghe the benefit of the doubt but these recent episodes are making it hard...

okay fair

I don't think he does. I think he's way too focused on his career to realize how it's inpacting Fenghua's, but not to the extent of him thinking he's better than her

They definitely have changed, you can see it through how they behave at work, especially Fenghua. Xingchi has become a lot more brash too. When they're together, they behave the way they did as kids, but that's typical because they grew up together.

Like one of the characters said, I hope Fenghua's feelings for Wanghe truly have faded a lot after everyone going their separate ways and the timeskip. I need him to pursue her loudly and unashamedly once he falls for her, because Fenghua deserves that and more.