Notable Actors/Actresses
Ju Jing Yi: Xue Wen Xi / Wen Bin
Song Wei Long: Feng Cheng Jun
Director
Chinese Title
漂亮書生
[Ep1] Xue Wen Xi dresses up as a man to earn money for her family. Her brother, Xue Wen Bin is sick and her family is in debt. Her mother marries her off to earn money. She refuses the marriage and earns money herself. Her hard earned money is stolen and that's how she meets Lei Ze Xin who steals the money back for her. He's not the main character though. Feng Cheng Jun, the city lord's son, is the overly righteous male lead. In one of their encounters, she almost falls and he stops her from falling onto him by putting his hand against her chest. She quickly slaps him. He has no idea what he did wrong and blankly stares at her. She was running away from the guards. When the guards ask him where she ran off to, with no hesitation, he points to her hiding location. Definitely strait-laced.
[Ep2] Feng Cheng Jun learns more about Xue Wen Xi’s background and there's a slight regret on his part. The two are framed by Yu Le Xuan but they manage to escape. Feng Cheng Jun had wanted to meet her again to make her take the exams. He thinks it's a pity she's not taking the exams with her wits not knowing she's a girl.
[Ep3] Feng Cheng Jun saves her from falling books. As he hovers over her head, he smells a sweet scent from the top of her head. Conscious of his proximity, she quickly runs away. At night, there's a school initiation. The seniors are accepting gifts from the new students. Xue Wen Xi brought her mom's pastries which are mocked and knocked to the ground. She demands an apology from the seniors. One of them was about to punch her but is stopped by Feng Cheng Jun. He lectures the seniors and demands them to eat the dessert that was thrown to the ground. He eats it to dare Han Zhi Sheng to do the same.
The third night, Lei Ze Xin finally lets them sleep in the room. Both men are fighting for her to be their "Shi-Di" (little brother). Both men also want her to sleep in the middle when that's the last thing she wants. She has no choice but to take the middle forever. Poor Xue Wen Xi can't sleep at all (how can she with two handsome men beside her). The two boys fight for her blanket. Occasional chest exposures also make it impossible for her to sleep. 
Xue Wen Xi needs her roommates to stop fighting in order to have a peaceful month in school. She wants at least one month of bursary before she quits school. Thus, she gives Lei Ze Xin some alcohol to bribe him. However, she ends up drinking too much and is drunk. Drinking in school is prohibited and Han Zhi Sheng won't let go of this chance to punish her. He doesn't like her because he’s jealous about Mu Xiao Man. Xue Wen Xi temporarily escapes Han Zhi Sheng's wrath by puking all over him. The guy needs to clean himself first. Back in their dorms, the drunk Xue Wen Xi takes hold of Feng Cheng Jun's and Lei Ze Xin's hands and wants the three of them to be friends. Yu Le Xuan adds his hand to make the friendship vow include him too. Thus the four of them are buddies from now on. Cute. Lei Ze Xin roughly pushes off all their hands which sends Xue Wen Xi flying backwards. Feng Cheng Jun naturally reacts to cushion her fall. So cute.
[Ep7] Xue Wen Xi is staring at Feng Cheng Yu to draw a portrait of him but she loses herself in a trance while staring at how handsome he is. Feng Cheng Yu is affected too as he stares at her drawing him.
At night, Feng Cheng Jun and Lei Ze Xin secretly read Xue Wen Xi's rough draft together. Both male characters are in love with her but Lei Ze Xin's character is losing out. Lei Ze Xin is the least bit happy and wants her to change the content. He wants the main character (Feng Cheng Jun) to bang his head and die. Feng Cheng Jun isn't quite happy that her book is so heavily focused on romance but Xue Wen Xi says she needs the romance part to make her buck, heh. 
Xue Wen Xi has to go as far as to hugging her book to her chest at night to prevent the children men from stealing a glimpse at it. Pretending to sleep, both men inch closer to her to wait for the perfect chance she lets her guard down. Xue Wen Xi is awake the entire time. Sighing, she settles the issue by offering to read their rough drafts if they want to change her story. Both men agree on that and go to bed. However, all three of their rough drafts are found by Han Zhi Sheng and he tattles it to the headmaster.
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] Fortunately, this doesn't disappoint. This drama is exactly what it is: pretty cast, pretty chemistry, pretty men fighting each other for the wo/man they love. There's also good music. More than the romance, I like the trio-mance when Xue Wen Xi is caught between the two men fighting for her (e.g. the bed scene).
[Actors/Actresses] I don’t have a lot to comment on for these set of actors: they look good; they act well. What more is there to say? Ju Jing Yi not looking like a male when she’s supposed to be? I don’t really care about that. I prefer to give compliments to girls who look like a convincing guy than give criticisms to girls who can’t look like guys. No need to take it away from an actress especially when this drama is supposed to be pretty. I am surprised to see Chen Yi Long (actor for Han Zhi Sheng) playing a smaller villain role here. I really liked him in “Sweet Dreams” and “The Locked Room” so I thought he’d be able to grab more significant roles. [Ending Update] Just wanted to mention how charismatic Wang Rui Chang were for their roles as Lei Ze Xin and Ye Lu Xuan respectively. As for Song Wei Long, I like how handsome he is. As an actor, he’s in a tricky spot for me. I either really love his projects or find them so bland. The ones that I do like him in, he’s surrounded by talented actors so the drama doesn’t depend on him as much. The ones that I don’t like in (as much) are dramas that depend heavily on him. I don’t find him a bad actor but he’s either nailing it with his presence or vanishing from my screen.
[Behind the Scenes] The real CPs behind the scenes are Song Wei Long (Feng Cheng Jun) and Wang Rui Chen (Lei Ze Xin). These two goof around together a lot. From their height level, they can’t see Ju Jing Yi (Wen Xi) at all. Perhaps that’s why Ju Jing Yi is always hugging a pole in her BTS's
[Review] A girl surrounded by three handsome men who don’t know she’s a girl usually sounds fun but this drama just takes the fun out of it. It is watchable if you like any of the actors (I like Ju Jing Yi, Song Wei Long, and Wang Rui Chang). The better part of this drama is the first twelve episodes; friendships are forming, bed hijinks are hilarious. I actually forgot how the story of Sungkyunkwan Scandal went so watching this felt like a new drama for me.
You would think the romance would most certainly be sweet given such a pretty cast but it isn’t. They stay strictly friends for more than two-thirds of the drama. The romantic part is squeezed into the last two episodes and it wasn’t even that romantic. It just wasn’t satisfying at all especially after the drama held it out for so long. For 20+ episodes, Xue Wen Xi has a one-sided crush. Feng Cheng Jun has zero romantic affection for her until he sees her in girl clothes and that’s late in the drama (episode 30!). The story about the fathers that connect our leads was boring for me. I could care less about it and it reflects in my recaps. I just kept fast forwarding those parts. The way our leads always triumphed felt all too fake. There was no tension at all. This year's costume gender-bender harems just aren’t my thing (ahem, The Chang’an Youth).
I finished this just because of the cast. Otherwise I would have dropped this. If anything I think it was fun watching Lei Zi Xin and Yu Le Xuan’s bromance. The actor for Yu Le Xuan is a nice find. The bed hijinks are always fun. I also like sitting through the intro song. Annndddd that’s about all I liked.
漂亮書生
Recap Grade: A/B
First Impression: 3.5/5
First Impression: 3.5/5
Mini Recaps
Feng Cheng Jun catches Xue Wen Xi helping another student cheat and exposes every other student of it. She's upset he had to go to such lengths to expose her so she writes all over his clothes to frame him of cheating.
For the money, Xue Wen Xi takes the exam as "Wen Bin" (her brother's name). She's trapped by Feng Cheng Jun to pass the exam. Let's ignore the fact that these two are chitchatting during the one of the most strictest exams. On another note, I really liked the entrance ceremony where she's dragged around by her new classmates. There's this guy who's carrying the tiniest fan and she's trying to read it for his name as he's fanning himself, heh. Xue Wen Xi was enamored with her new school until she becomes roommates with Feng Cheng Jun
[Ep3] Feng Cheng Jun saves her from falling books. As he hovers over her head, he smells a sweet scent from the top of her head. Conscious of his proximity, she quickly runs away. At night, there's a school initiation. The seniors are accepting gifts from the new students. Xue Wen Xi brought her mom's pastries which are mocked and knocked to the ground. She demands an apology from the seniors. One of them was about to punch her but is stopped by Feng Cheng Jun. He lectures the seniors and demands them to eat the dessert that was thrown to the ground. He eats it to dare Han Zhi Sheng to do the same.
The night's not over. Each student has a mission to accomplish before sunrise. If they fail, they have to dip naked in a specified pool of water. Feng Cheng Jun's mission is to retrieve a painting from Han manor. There, he meets Han Shu Min who falls in love with him instantly. Xue Wen Xi's mission is to invite the famous Mu Xiao Man to perform at their school. When Xue Wen Xi saves her, she becomes enamoured with her as well. Feng Cheng Jun fails his mission in order to protect Han Shu Min's innocence. His punishment is to dip naked in the pool that Han Zhi Sheng cleans his potty basin in. Xue Wen Xi uses the favour she won from accomplishing her mission to exchange for Feng Cheng Jun's exemption from punishment. Thus, Feng Cheng Jun owes her and asks how he can repay her. She wants his lifetime. She wants to be his debtor for a lifetime.
[Ep4] It's bedtime. Feng Cheng Jun finds his blanket smelly (he didn't bring his own) and shares Xue Wen Xi's blanket. Their bedtime is interrupted when an uninvited guest makes his appearance: Lei Ze Xin. Actually, he's the original owner of the room and he kicks both of them out.
Yu Le Xuan adopts them into his room. I like how Xu Wen Xi takes Feng Cheng Jun around. They're a pair now. He becomes suspicious of Xue Wen Xi's identity and reaches over to examine her but her intuition is spot on. With one move in her pretend sleep she makes Yu Le Xuan fall into Feng Cheng Jun's chest. Feng Cheng Jun awkwardly asks him 'what's up dude?'. Obviously he doesn't ask it that way but same same.
The next night, Feng Cheng Jun and Xue Wen Xi return to their original room, Lei Ze Xin isn't there anymore so they sleep in their bed. Feng Cheng Jun wants to share her blanket again but she threatens him to not be too close to her. He thinks back to her confession of sleep-walking and sleep-hitting. He gulps and inches further away from her. In the morning, it's her who has her arms and legs on top of his body. She was about to hit him when she realizes she's the one who approached him. He quickly gets up and makes sure his face isn't bruised in case she had hit him in her sleep. Xue Wen Xi smiles brightly and assures him his face is fine.
[Ep5] Xue Wen Xi is caught by Feng Cheng Jun for openly admiring his handsomeness. He tells her she's making him worried that she likes him – worried that there's something on his face. She’s relieved and laughs.
[Ep6] There's a day off from school. When Xue Wen Xi is stopped by Mu Xiao Man, Feng Cheng Jun smartly (dumbly) leaves the two alone. When they're back in school and he sees her chummy with Lei Ze Xin, he quickly tries to take her back.
[Ep7] Xue Wen Xi is staring at Feng Cheng Yu to draw a portrait of him but she loses herself in a trance while staring at how handsome he is. Feng Cheng Yu is affected too as he stares at her drawing him.
Xue Wen Xi is working on her plan to be expelled and befriends Lei Ze Xin to learn the ways of the rebels. Feng Cheng Yu is against her befriending him. Xue Wen Xi doesn’t listen. However, she plays with too much fire that it might leave her brother, whose name she's using, with a tarnished reputation. Xue Wen Xi can’t let that happen.
[Ep8] It seems like Yu Le Xuan is the first to fall for her womanly charms. He teaches her to cutely beg Lei Ze Xin for help but her pouts are working on Yu Le Xuan instead. She wants Li Ze Xin to improve his reputation in school so that the teachers will start believing that they didn't hurt anyone for no good reason. Lei Ze Xin promises to cooperate in exchange for her to stop whining at him. I can't wait until she uses the "'Shi Xiong' and swinging hand" trick on Feng Cheng Jun. While she's asking Lei Ze Xin for help, one man is already doing his best to help her. Feng Cheng Jun has found a witness to prove Xue Wen Xi's innocence.
Feng Cheng Jun helped her but he's still upset she had been giving him the cold shoulder (when she wanted to be expelled) so he gives her the cold shoulder. However, when both his roommates are absolutely awful at their flute, and his schoolmates are complaining to him, Feng Cheng Jun is forced to help her (he also reconciles with her that he will no longer force his thoughts on her). He teaches her the flute and she in turn teaches Lei Ze Xin. When other students ask Feng Cheng Jun to teach them too, he refuses. She wonders why and he tells her it's because they are not her. He's only teaching her.
[Ep9] Since Feng Cheng Jun won't teach everyone how to play flute, Xue Wen Xi will. He's got eyes of love on her. Now that Xue Wen Xi and Lei Ze Xin pass the flute test, they're safer from expulsion.
By the way, Xue Wen Xi is an author of love stories. No wonder her imaginations are always so vividly corny. She uses a pen name and Yu Le Wen is practically her manager. There's a fan event and Xue Wen Xi uses a moustache to hide her identity. Don't question this method. Feng Cheng Jun doesn't like her putting herself in danger of expulsion again and tells her to rely on him if there's anything related to money. She obediently nods but when she does need money, she doesn't think of him. Xue Wen Xi takes on more work from Yu Le Xuan which is to write a love letter for Han Shu Min (to Feng Cheng Jun). Her request for the love letter is for the person to know it's from her and not from her. Get it?
Xue Wen Xi helps the cloaked man again not knowing he's Lei Ze Xin. When he's back in the dorm, he formally thanks her but she's completely clueless to why he's grateful. Feng Cheng Jun also offers a few words that indicate he cares about where Lei Ze Xin went. Feng Cheng Jun cares about Xue Wen Xi's whereabouts the most though. He was relieved that Xue Wen Xi didn't visit Mu Xiao Man. She's also relieved he's not interested in dating other girls either.
The next morning, Xue Wen Xi delivers the love letter to him and literally has to explain every line to Feng Cheng Jun. He insults the writing logic. Xue Wen Xi was offended but after his line by line deduction, she has to admit there are plot holes in her love letter. Pft. Feng Cheng Jun responds with a rejection letter (which makes Xue Wen Xi happy) but that letter isn't delivered to Han Shu Min. Under Yu Le Xuan's guidance, the both of them fool Han Shu Min that Feng Cheng Jun is interested in her.
[Ep10] Feng Cheng Jun learns that Xue Wen Xi has been lying to him about the love letters and clarifies his feelings to Han Shu Min. He's angry at Xue Wen Xi for her lies. She replies angrily out of spite that he's always forcing his thoughts on her. Feng Cheng Jun (who's only been doing the 'right' thing) is even more disappointed in her.
After being scammed, Han Shu Min is about to scammed by Yu Le Xuan again. He tells her that the letters weren't all futile because she now knows what type of girls he likes: principled and confident. Han Shu Min is easily swindled but Xue Wen Xi doesn't want to lie to her anymore. She clarifies everything to her and ruins Yu Le Xuan's money-making-scheme.
Feng Cheng Jun hasn't talked to Xue Wen Xi for days. He's always been busy writing. She purposely cleans his desk to grab his attention but he still ignores her. One day as she's walking to her usual bookstore, he brushes by her. He stops and finally talks to her. She asks him if he's still angry with her and he tells her to guess. She can't guess; her reason: her brain's too dumb. The atmosphere is still a little cold as they walk to the bookstore together. It's there she finds out that he's been transcribing for her to help her earn money. That's why he's been busy writing every night. She's instantly cheered up. She tells him he's not allowed to lie to her anymore. He asks of her the same but she refuses. He doesn't think it's fair and she explains that because she's younger, he has to yield to her. Defeated at her reasoning, Feng Cheng Jun will try to comply. Aw, they've made up so cutely.
Feng Cheng Jun questions Xue Wen Xi's story and wonders why a crippled man can suddenly fly and be so heroic. He has realized the main character in her love story is him. Lei Ze Xin walks in with his signature phrase, "Do you want to die or not want to live?" He has also realized the second male lead is based off of him. These two big men have read her love story.
[Ep11] Xue Wen Xi imagines a new scene and giggles under her blanket. Her two roommates glare at her and she quickly ducks further in her blanket. Ha. Although she's having fun writing the books, she also needs it to make ends meet so that her brother's illness can be treated.
Yu Le Xuan has been helping Lei Ze Xin with his investigation. They're searching the headmaster's room. Unfortunately they're caught. The headmaster asks them if they read the books that were in the safe. Yu Le Xuan is quick to say 'no' but Lei Ze Xin is quite the honest one and replies 'yes'. The headmaster misunderstands and thinks they haven't read the books and trusts them. It's funny how the headmaster misunderstood the 'no'. One way to say 'no' in Chinese is "没有". It can also be said with one character '没' and that's how Yu Le Xuan denies reading the book. Lei Ze Xin admits to reading by saying '有' which, by itself, means 'yes'. Therefore, the headmaster combined their answers and heard "没有" = No.
[Ep12] Fortunately, the headmaster loves the books and doesn't punish the three of them. Ye Le Xuan continues to find ways to market Xue Wen Xi's books by asking Mu Xiao Man to advertise them. During her performance, Mu Xiao Man publicly chooses Xue Wen Xi to receive her ball (a token of love) but Xue Wen Xi drops it. That's too embarrassing for Mu Xiao Man so Xue Wen Xi quickly picks up the ball again and that makes Han Zhi Sheng jealous. I hope Han Zhi Sheng will be cute later on. He has a love story with Mu Xiao Man but because he faulted her, she's holding a grudge against him. He chose his family over her.
Ye Lu Xuan is unconsciously more in love with Xue Wen Xi; he's got this smile on him when he stares at her writing. He's also another one of her book fans. That night she stays over at his dorm to finish writing the book. The entire class misunderstands that she stayed with Mu Xiao Man, even Feng Cheng Jun. He's not quite happy that morning and doesn't ask her where she went. I think it would have been better for her to be with Mu Xiao Man the entire night than with another man, lol. There's more that he'll be unhappy about soon. Yu Le Xuan wants Xue Wen Xi to help Han Shu Min meet Feng Cheng Jun. He feels bad for scamming her the last time so he wants to help her now. Xue Wen Xi isn't quite happy to help but she feels bad too.
[Ep13] Xue Wen Xi and Feng Cheng Jun have an awkward double date with Mu Xiao Man and Han Shu Min. Initially, she had saved him from Han Shu Min (or more like she was jealous of him being with another girl) but when it came to her asking Feng Cheng Jun to free her from Mu Xiao Man, not only does he refuse to help, he even creates a chance for them to be together. Thus, they end up in this awkward double date where Xue Wen Xi and Feng Cheng Jun are both jealous of each other.
This is the night Xue Wen Xi realizes she likes Feng Cheng Jun. She stares at him sleeping next to her reminiscing all that's happened between them. It doesn't help that she falls into his arms the next day making her extra conscious of her feelings towards him. Feng Cheng Jun is oblivious though.
Lei Ze Xin is roaming around at night to find "He Shi Jun". This He Shi Jun leaves a message claiming that everyone has equal rights to education, man or woman. The higher-ups can't accept that message and are sending men high and low to search for him.
[Ep14] Every classmate thinks Xue Wen Xi is bullied by Feng Cheng Jun because of how obviously she's dodging him. It's the complete opposite of that.
Xue Wen Xi is severely punished by Han Chi Sheng. She's saved by Feng Cheng Jun. This propels a movement among the student body to reconstruct the student council. Feng Cheng Jun and Xue Wen Xi deliver a spectacular speech on equal education. As if she's not already in love with Feng Cheng Jun. Now with this speech, she's even more in love.
[Ep15] Xue Wen Xi asks Feng Cheng Jun what type of girls he likes. He wants a relationship where even in meager and humble circumstances they can help each other (相濡以沫). Xue Wen Xi thinks his expectations are too high. He disagrees. He tells her that he thinks they're compatible. She sweetly smiles. The closer these two get, the unhappier Lei Ze Xin is. He even reorders the bedding so that she's far away from Feng Cheng Jun. Feng Cheng Jun doesn't like it one bit.
Lei Ze Xin isn't the only one bothered by how close they are. Rumours have it that Xue Wen Xi is purposely befriending Feng Cheng Jun because of his money and status. To quell the rumours, Feng Cheng Jun makes Xue Wen Xi his sworn brother (much to Xue Wen Xi's disappointment). Yu Le Xuan has a suspicious smile on. Did he figure out Xue Wen Xi (Wen Bin) is a girl?
[Ep16] Xue Wen Xi in new clothes catches the eyes of all three men (Feng Cheng Jun, Lei Ze Xin, and Ye Lu Xuan). She bought a pouch for all three of them. Feng Cheng Jun was a little disappointed to know that he wasn't the only one who received this present from her. However, only Feng Cheng Jun's had a meaning. She chose blue because it's to wish for a person's success in their career. She also secretly bought another pouch for herself to match with his.
Yu Le Xuan catches Xue Wen Xi showering, but before he actually gets to see her, Han Zhi Sheng and his men are entering the bath. He quickly knocks on the door to alert Xue Wen Xi. That allows her to dodge Han Zhi Sheng.
It's Yu Le Xuan's birthday but he doesn't like celebrating it. Only Lei Ze Xin remembers his birthday (his mother passed away). Thus, Xue Wen Xi plans a birthday party for him.
[Ep17] Xue Wen Xi has gathered their classmates to celebrate Yu Le Xuan's birthday. There's a bright smile on his face. He no longer wants to force Xue Wen Xi out of school like Han Zhi Sheng had ordered. Instead, he reveals his own secret that he's the poor student who's pretending to be from a noble family. He revealed the only card Han Zhi Sheng had to threaten him to do his bidding. Yu Le Xuan vows to himself to protect Xue Wen Xi because she is his hope to fight against his own fate.
There's a meteor shower. Xue Wen Xi promises to watch it with the other classmates and invites Feng Cheng Jun but he insists on going to a secluded place even if he's going by himself. Upset, she walks away. Yu Le Xuan witnesses the entire exchange and smiles a mischievous smile. He purposely tells Xue Wen Xi a legend that if lovers wish upon the meteor shower together they will stay together. Yu Le Xuan also creates a chance for them to watch the meteor shower (by ditching Han Shu Min). Although Xue Wen Xi is happy to spend the night with him, she realizes to him she's a male. There's no future for them.
[Ep18] Han Shu Min lectures Xue Wen Xi for her underhanded tactics. She thinks it was Xue Wen Xi who purposely ditched her so that she can befriend Feng Cheng Jun for his status. Xue Wen Xi is most upset when Feng Cheng Jun also becomes suspicious of her. She's mad at him all over again. She grumpily agrees to go drinking with the other classmates to ditch Feng Cheng Jun. But he follows along. It's something he'd never do if not to watch over Xue Wen Xi. But it's Feng Cheng Jun who's drunk. Because of that they're late and can't enter school grounds. Well, technically they could have still entered but they were intercepted by Han Zhi Sheng's followers. Lei Ze Xin hits them to punish them.
The next day both Lei Ze Xin and Xue Wen Xi are punished. Lei Ze Xin wants to take all of the punishment for her but there's a maximum limit of flocking he can take. Feng Cheng Jun sobers up and proposes to take the rest. Even if he does, there's still ten flocking left though. Thus, Ye Lu Xuan takes the rest for her.
[Ep19] Teacher Ding discovers Xue Wen Xi's real gender and convinces her to leave school. Meanwhile Feng Cheng Jun wants to convince her to enter an archery contest (to earn money). He teaches her archery and gets up real close to her. She's shy but he's unaware of that. As Xue Wen Xi finds her days at school numbered, she realizes she doesn't want to leave at all. Even if she's to be found out, she hasn't done anything wrong. She was accepted to the school fair and square.
[Ep20] Teacher Ding makes a deal with Xue Wen Xi. If she wins the archery match, she can continue to stay. She needs to gather a team of five. Lei Ze Xin refuses to participate. He has his own mission. While, Xue Wen Xi is trying her best to convince Lei Zhe Xin to join her team, Xue Wen Xi improves at lightening speed herself. The only threat to her winning is Han Zhi Sheng's team (which includes Yu Le Xuan).
[Ep21] Lei Ze Xin is severely injured by the officials while he was investigating his brother's death. Teacher Ding helps him get pass the officials by preventing them from probing his wounds. Teacher Ding warns Lei Ze Xin to rest but he promised Xue Wen Xi and Feng Cheng Jun to participate in the archery contest. He cannot disappoint them. Teacher Ding questions him whether his life is more important or the competition. Once he attends the archery competition, he'll risk reopening his injuries and exposing his identity to the officials. Lei Ze Xin replies that Xue Wen Xi and Feng Cheng Jun are worth it. They are the ones who gave him hope that he can triumph over the impossible.
[Ep22] Feng Cheng Jun can do anything. His right arm is down so he trained his left arm and can still aim for bulls eye. What can't he do? Meanwhile, Xue Wen Xi learned from scratch and earns a perfect score. What can't she do? Lei Ze Xin also pulls through with his severe injury. What can't he do? Xue Wen Xi's team makes it to the finals.
[Ep23] One of Han Zhi Sheng's men tamper with Wen Xi's bow and thus injuring her. Han Zhi Sheng knows nothing of this. Because Wen Xi's team (Feng Cheng Jun and Lei Ze Xin) trusts her, she fights through her pain and triumphs. Meanwhile, as a result of Han Zhi Sheng's loss, his father brutally punishes him.
Wen Xi spots Feng Cheng Jun walking home with Han Shu Min (she's sort of over him by now). The whole way back home, Wen Xi sulks in jealously. She goes to her usual spot to bathe in but she doesn't know Lei Ze Xin is there too.
[Ep24] Ding Teacher helps Wen Xi cover up otherwise Lei Ze Xin would have figured out she's a girl. When Wen Xi sees Feng Cheng Jun, she's still grumpy at him. But he doesn't know it, he's too happy to know it. He wants to share with her a poem he wrote. It's a logo song. The PPL's in this drama are quite brazen. In one scene they're giving out medication and there's 999 on the box... Wen Xi cheers up not just because of his poem but because his happiness wasn't from walking Han Shu Min home but from wanting to share his happiness with her (Wen Xi).
Han Zhi Sheng and his men "sincerely" apologize to Wen Xi for the archery match. But they're just setting her up for another trap. Stolen goods are blamed on her. If she is to be blamed, then Feng Cheng Jun, Lei Ze Xing, and Yu Le Xuan will take responsibility for it too. Thus, the four of them are given a time limit to find out who the real culprit is.
[Ep25]
→ Han Zhi Sheng wasn’t the one who sabotaged Wen Bing. It was one of his followers.
→ Feng Cheng Jun gets angry. The three of them make a table full of food to apologize. They’re spying on him to see if he’s going to accept their apology. But he closes the door on them. Lei Ze Xin is the first who runs to catch Feng Cheng Jun but he quickly runs back to help the short Wen Bin down from the wall. It's cute. When they barge into the dorm Feng Cheng Jun has long forgiven them. He, however, wants Wen Bin to personally prepare his food for him next time.
→ Wen Bin falls into the water. While giving Wen Bin CPR, Lei Ze Xin realizes he’s a girl.
[Ep26]
[Ep26]
→ Now that Lei Zi Xin knows Wen Bin is a girl, he rearranges the sleeping arrangement so that she’s far far away from Feng Cheng Jun.
→ Feng Cheng Jun and Wen Bin are on the run. He sees her dressed up like a girl and his feelings for her slowly bubble. He’s the only one that doesn’t know she’s a girl.
→ They catch the bad guys smuggling medicine.
→ They catch the bad guys smuggling medicine.
[Ep27] Yu Le Xuan teases Feng Cheng Jun whether Wen Xi was beautiful dressed as a girl. He's become way too wary of Xue Wen Xi now. He can't sleep next to her anymore (this comes after having argued with Lei Ze Xin to resume their original sleeping arrangements). Wen Xi feels offended now. But the boy can't help but see her as a girl whenever he meets her eyes. It's gotten so bad, he even hallucinates her everywhere. Wen Xi confronts Feng Cheng Jun and he actually confesses. He says that she was too pretty and that he keeps imagining her. Xue Wen Xi is secretly jumping in joy. He assures her that he won't like her, instead he asks her to introduce him to her sister if she has one. LOL. This is Feng Cheng Jun? He sighs that this is his personal problem. He'll overcome it. Ha. Next scene: he continuously pours water over his head.
Wen Xi learns of Lei Ze Xin's past. His brother died because he wanted to change the education system. From Lei Ze Xin's perspective, Feng Cheng Jun's father had a role in his brother's death that's why Lei Ze Xin never liked Feng Cheng Jun in the beginning. Feng Chen Jun overhears their conversation.
[Ep28] Feng Cheng Jun and Lei Ze Xin talk it out. Feng Cheng Jun asks him to work together with him to investigate the truth about his brother's death. Lei Ze Xin agrees. He wouldn't be drinking with Feng Cheng Jun in the first place if he didn't acknowledge him.
After preventing Wen Xi from handing in evidence to Han Zhi Sheng, Yu Le Xuan finds himself in a pickle. He's facing expulsion.
[Ep29]
→ Feng Cheng Jun delivers a moving speech that helps Lei Zi Xin stay in school.
→ Feng Cheng Jun is still emotionally wrought over his feelings for Xue Wen Xi.
[Ep30]
→ Xue Wen Xi is burning with jealousy. Feng Cheng Jun is using Han Shu Min to get over his feelings for Xue Wen Xi. Even their parents know about it. It seems like they're about to be engaged.
→ Feng Cheng Jun moves out of his dorm.
→ Lei Ze Xin has also left for a few days on his mission to investigate about his brother.
[Ep31] Xue Wen Xi is kidnapped by Han Zhi Sheng's father to steal the accounting book she found. Feng Cheng Jun witnesses this and is hiding to find the perfect time to save her. He overhears that she's a girl. Finally. After 30 episodes. Feng Cheng Jun flies out to save her. Xue Wen Xi throws herself onto him and cries that she was scared she'd never get to see him again. However, she remembers she's still a man and quickly backs away. Without any reservations now, Feng Cheng Jun hugs her back.
Han Shu Min dresses up in a male's student uniform. A happy Feng Cheng Jun thinks Xue Wen Xi is visiting so he quickly gives her a back hug. Huh? This is Feng Cheng Jun? This makes Han Shu Min exceptionally giddy. She doesn't know he wants to call off the engagement. Feng Cheng Jun's father is hesitant on calling it off though. Han Shu Min's father isn't easy to deal with.
Feng Cheng Jun pretends to be food poisoned. His motive is to call out Xue Wen Xi who's hiding as his chef. She wants to win him back to live in the dorms and return to school with her. He does. There's just nothing holding him back anymore. Except that marriage with Han Shu Min.
It's Feng Cheng Jun's turn to rearrange the sleeping positions. It doesn't go the way he wants though. Xue Wen Xi decides to sleep next to their feet (the position Feng Cheng Jun had left for Lei Ze Xin). I thought Feng Cheng Jun was the noble type to allow her to sleep alone but he wants to sleep next to her instead.
[Ep32] Xue Wen Xi learns about her father for the first time. Her father (Teacher Xue) was killed. The suspects are the fathers of Feng Cheng Jun, Lei Ze Xin and Han Zhi Sheng. Li Hu, a loyal disciple of Teacher Xue is out for revenge against their sons (Huh. Just get the fathers...) but Teacher Ding stops him in time.
Han Zhi Sheng is turning good. He's getting his friends and followers back. He's also on friendlier terms with Xue Wen Xi. She's encouraging him to pursue Mu Xiao Man again.
[Ep33] Xue Wen Xi wakes up from a night of too much drinking. Feng Cheng Jun was the one who carried her home. In the morning, he tells her sweetly that he called off the marriage with Han Shu Min because he has someone else he likes. In fact, Wen Xi knows her too. Wen Xi is angry at him not knowing he meant her.
Mu Xiao Man's family was accused of a crime they didn't commit. She's trying to clear her family name hence she's also handing out pamphlets at night. She comes across Lei Ze Xin who's doing the same. Han Dad sets up a trap for these two (because they’re trying to expose his crimes). The two of them are injured. Han Dad chases them all they way to school. Xue Wen Xi helps Mu Xiao Man find a place to hide, while Feng Cheng Jun and Yu Le Xuan help Lei Ze Xin.
Han Dad barges in school grounds to check all the students against the headmaster's orders. By checking, the guards will have to examine each and every student. Feng Cheng Jun is afraid they'll find out Xue Wen Xi is a girl thus he turns himself in to take the blame for Lei Ze Xin (and protect Xue Wen Xi). Han Dad loves this. Now he can get back at Feng Cheng Jun for refusing his daughter and ruining his family’s reputation.
[Ep34] Xue Wen Xi takes the blame to protect Feng Cheng Jun. Han Dad smirks. There were two bandits that night, therefore she's the second bandit. Han Dad now has Feng Cheng Jun and Xue Wen Xi in his hands.
Lei Ze Xin learns that his father never abandoned his brother. It was his brother who wanted to cut ties with his family so that he doesn't bring them down with him. Lei Ze Xin's father was always waiting for a chance to take down the one who killed his son. Lei Ze Xin makes up with dad.
[Ep35] Lei Ze Xin and Mu Xiao Man work together to save Xue Wen Xi from being beheaded. Mu Xiao Man is kind of like a girl crush. Feng Cheng Jun is safe too (his father exchanged himself for his son). He takes care of Xue Wen Xi while the other people hide from the guards. Feng Cheng Jun tends to her wounds. He tells her that he knows she's a girl. He also wants her to leave school as soon as possible. It's not safe here. She complains that he's the one who forced her to attend school in the first place. She's grumpy and comforts herself that it's fine, she'll just leave and find someone to marry her. He won’t approve of it. She asks him who is he to disapprove. He doesn't answer that question, he just disapproves.
The crimes are lifted from the bandits who were illegally handing out pamphlets. Xue Wen Xi is not punishable anymore. She returns safely to her dorms. Feng Cheng Jun moves towards her but Xue Wen Xi (who thinks he's the only one who knows) tells him to act normally. Thus she hugs everyone except Feng Cheng Jun.
They're safe but they still have to solve Xue Wen Xi's father's death. Feng Cheng Jun's father has no fault in the death. He was set up by Han Dad to kill Teacher Xue. Evidences turn in left and right to pin Han Dad to his crimes. Mu Xiao Man's family's name is also cleared.
[Ep36] Lei Ze Xin wants to give Xue Wen Xi a hair pin but he's too shy to give it to her. He's also aware he's the third person to Xue Wen Xi and Feng Cheng Jun's relationship. Lei Ze Xin takes his exit and leaves the two alone at night but they have a difficult night sleeping together in the same room. Neither can sleep. The next day, they’re on a date. She's in the right clothes this time and he doesn't recognize her. She wants to buy a hairpin but they're almost caught. She doesn't get the hairpin she wants. But that's not what she truly wants anyways. She wants his heart, his heart for Xue Wen Xi and not Xue Wen Bin. That night she gives him the present she promised him. The present is a kiss to the cheek. She cheerfully runs away after that. He freezes. When he's back to his senses, he chases after her for more kisses. She's running away though. Lei Ze Xin sees all this. He accepts them as a pair as he stares at his hairpin that he couldn't give her. Although Xue Wen Xi won't love him, she'll always be there for him as his friend.
The four friends have a last get together before Xue Wen Xi leaves school. Lei Ze Xin accidentally reveals he knew of Xue Wen Xi's female identity. So does Yu Le Xuan. When Feng Cheng Jun angrily asks how they knew because what if they saw Xue Wen Xi's body without her knowing, the two men quickly collapse pretending to be drunk. Ha.
One year later. The female academy is established. Han Shu Min is a senior there. She thanks Xue Wen Xi for making the school possible.
Xue Wen Xi and Feng Cheng Jun marry. The ending scene is Xue Wen Xi in beast mode ripping off Feng Cheng Jun's clothes. We see this through red curtains though.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] Fortunately, this doesn't disappoint. This drama is exactly what it is: pretty cast, pretty chemistry, pretty men fighting each other for the wo/man they love. There's also good music. More than the romance, I like the trio-mance when Xue Wen Xi is caught between the two men fighting for her (e.g. the bed scene).
Sungkyunkwan Scandal comment: How did Park Yoo Chun hold a torch against both Song Joong Ki and Yoo Ah In? I used to love that drama but I don't think I actually finished it. But I loved it – if that made sense. There's no way I can re-watch it now because of Park Yoo Chun. I just can't look at him the same way. So sad, I used to love DBSK. Unfortunately, I loved them too late and they had only released Mirotic prior to their disbandment. Oh well. I digressed.
[Actors/Actresses] I don’t have a lot to comment on for these set of actors: they look good; they act well. What more is there to say? Ju Jing Yi not looking like a male when she’s supposed to be? I don’t really care about that. I prefer to give compliments to girls who look like a convincing guy than give criticisms to girls who can’t look like guys. No need to take it away from an actress especially when this drama is supposed to be pretty. I am surprised to see Chen Yi Long (actor for Han Zhi Sheng) playing a smaller villain role here. I really liked him in “Sweet Dreams” and “The Locked Room” so I thought he’d be able to grab more significant roles. [Ending Update] Just wanted to mention how charismatic Wang Rui Chang were for their roles as Lei Ze Xin and Ye Lu Xuan respectively. As for Song Wei Long, I like how handsome he is. As an actor, he’s in a tricky spot for me. I either really love his projects or find them so bland. The ones that I do like him in, he’s surrounded by talented actors so the drama doesn’t depend on him as much. The ones that I don’t like in (as much) are dramas that depend heavily on him. I don’t find him a bad actor but he’s either nailing it with his presence or vanishing from my screen.
[Behind the Scenes] The real CPs behind the scenes are Song Wei Long (Feng Cheng Jun) and Wang Rui Chen (Lei Ze Xin). These two goof around together a lot. From their height level, they can’t see Ju Jing Yi (Wen Xi) at all. Perhaps that’s why Ju Jing Yi is always hugging a pole in her BTS's
[Review] A girl surrounded by three handsome men who don’t know she’s a girl usually sounds fun but this drama just takes the fun out of it. It is watchable if you like any of the actors (I like Ju Jing Yi, Song Wei Long, and Wang Rui Chang). The better part of this drama is the first twelve episodes; friendships are forming, bed hijinks are hilarious. I actually forgot how the story of Sungkyunkwan Scandal went so watching this felt like a new drama for me.
You would think the romance would most certainly be sweet given such a pretty cast but it isn’t. They stay strictly friends for more than two-thirds of the drama. The romantic part is squeezed into the last two episodes and it wasn’t even that romantic. It just wasn’t satisfying at all especially after the drama held it out for so long. For 20+ episodes, Xue Wen Xi has a one-sided crush. Feng Cheng Jun has zero romantic affection for her until he sees her in girl clothes and that’s late in the drama (episode 30!). The story about the fathers that connect our leads was boring for me. I could care less about it and it reflects in my recaps. I just kept fast forwarding those parts. The way our leads always triumphed felt all too fake. There was no tension at all. This year's costume gender-bender harems just aren’t my thing (ahem, The Chang’an Youth).
I finished this just because of the cast. Otherwise I would have dropped this. If anything I think it was fun watching Lei Zi Xin and Yu Le Xuan’s bromance. The actor for Yu Le Xuan is a nice find. The bed hijinks are always fun. I also like sitting through the intro song. Annndddd that’s about all I liked.
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