ChineseDramaFan

He did do it to help her to become stronger. I don't know about you, but in many Chinese families, the parents do exactly the same thing: they never praise their children but always put them down. Not that they don't love their children, but they figure this would make them stronger and weather the real world better.

I wrote this comment below. For your convenience, I'm re-writing it here:

ML has been in love with FL since she is his secretary. He takes her for granted. He thinks if she doesn't feel she's capable, she would not leave him for another job, so he keeps making her feel inadequate. After she leaves him for another job, she realizes that he has been helping her; in fact all his thumbing down, to ML, is to help to make her stronger because in the real world, people are even more cruel. ML is very bad with human relationship. Perhaps this is also to do with ML's father's influence. FL is angry at him at first but when she realizes what he's trying to do for her, she begins to develop feelings for him. Then, all of a sudden, a girl ML in love with since childhood returns. Turns out that the relationship is merely a brother/sister relationship. At the same time, 2ML is hard on FL. Seeing she has no hope for ML, FL accepts 2ML. When ML eventually tells FL his feelings, it's already too late because she has started going out with 2ML who is beginning to show his flaws. This is where we are right now on episode 25.

Don't give up on this drama. It's very good. The relationship is mature, not the love-at-first-sight type. There are no blurry eyes but rather realistic love relationship based on trust and shared values. Every character has its flaws. It develops and becomes better and stronger.

ML has been in love with FL since she is his secretary. He takes her for granted. He thinks if she doesn't feel she's capable, she would not leave him for another job, so he keeps making her feel inadequate. After she leaves him for another job, she realizes that he has been helping her; in fact all his thumbing down, to ML, is to help to make her stronger because in the real world, people are even more cruel. ML is very bad with human relationship. Perhaps this is also to do with ML's father's influence. FL is angry at him at first but when she realizes what he's trying to do for her, she begins to develop feelings for him. Then, all of a sudden, a girl ML in love with since childhood returns. Turns out that the relationship is merely a brother/sister relationship. At the same time, 2ML is hard on FL. Seeing she has no hope for ML, FL accepts 2ML. When ML eventually tells FL his feelings, it's already too late because she has started going out with 2ML who is beginning to show his flaws. This is where we are right now on episode 25.

Don't give up on this drama. It's very good. The relationship is mature, not the love-at-first-sight type. There are no blurry eyes but rather realistic love relationship based on trust and shared values. Every character has its flaws. It develops and becomes better and stronger.

Yes, everything you've said here is correct: ML indeed is a jerk. But look pass that jerky face and words, you'd find why he is doing all this - being an assh***. If you carefully look at what he does and what he says, you'd notice that's not his nature. Though yells at his staff, he never fires them, in fact he cares for them, a lot. Though he puts down FL a lot, you can see all he wants is to keep her by his side, he's pretty open about that. In fact, knowing his motivation, I love the ML character a lot from the start, though I keep wanting to kick his ass :D

There are many such relationships in the real world: people not certain of their true feelings but still stay together. Ask any couples. I doubt any would give you the answer that they love each other and are meant for each other :)

Yes, yes, yes, and I love Yang Xiaoyang's dynamics with Lu Jiming; she seems fearful of him and yet she also shows all her displeasure openly right in front of him, and he doesn't mind. Just so cute! XD

Because you prefer young cute boys? XD

For me, though as nasty a mouth as ML's and his mistreatment of FL, we all can see he has something for FL: his reliance on her and he feels very comfortable with her like a pair of old shoes, that's why he takes her for granted, thinking she would be there for him all the time; he is too proud to admit it, and he doesn't even realize it himself. Based on that, as much as I want to kick his ass, I understand where he comes from and forgive him. In fact I like him a lot because despite he has a foul temper and everyone is frightened of him, he loves his people and they love and respect him too. I believe you'd love this drama too (it's ok if you want to kick the ML; many do :D)

I like this drama. I like the ML/FL dynamics. Though a jerk, I like the ML :D

Yes, I'm on episode 4 already and I can't stop watching. It's so good. When I first started, I was a bit confused with the characters because they all looked the same. Even with the names being introduced, they (the names) appeared and disappeared so fast that I needed to pause to figure out their connections. Now, I'm into the pace and with your review, understand the plot, it's really enjoyable. So yeah, thanks again if not for your review, I would have missed this incredible drama :D

This is a heavy drama for me, but you've convinced me to press on. Excellent review!

I watched it here: https://tv.gboku.com/vodplay/2747-1-17.html. Not sure if it works for you :)

Have you watched the epilogue after the last episode 16? That's the alternative ending.

Hehehe! Hope you've recovered XD

So good!!!

Yes, fandom can be very obnoxious.

Ahhh, I see, that's what the fight is about. But so far, I see those negative comments are quite valid because I do agree with some of them.

A beautiful wish.

Do you believe in chemistry? I mean chemistry between a viewer and an actor? I find sometimes I simply do not like a certain actor (I generally like most of them) because I don't have the chemistry with the actor. Probably the lack of chemistry applies here. So don't take it too seriously if they don't like your favorite actors, for you may not like their favorite actors either :D

Yes, I love Allen the sour face XD XD XD