Three children, not related at all, are raised by two fathers. They become each other's mom's, dad's, brother's, and sister's. Together they heal each other's emotional wounds.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Song Wei Long: Ling Xiao
Tan Song Yun: Li Jian Jian
Zhang Xin Cheng: He Zi Qiu
Tu Song Yan: Li Hai Chao
Episodes: 40
Recap Grade: A
First Impression: 4/5
First Impression: 4/5
[Ep22] Ling Xiao is jealous Li Jian Jian is always running off with He Zi Qiu. He starts listing one example after another (that's because he's a stickler and He Zi Qiu is her partner in crime). She finds it unfair he's lecturing her on this. Ling Xiao and He Zi Qiu are equal and both important to her. She says one is the inside of her hand and the other is the outside of her hand (it's a Chinese saying that I can't quite translate eloquently; basically they're both equally important). Ling Xiao says human reaction will always protect the palm first when they hurt their hands. He asks her if he's the palm or if He Zi Qiu is the palm. Li Jian Jian is speechless.
Ling Xiao asks Li Jian Jian how come she can try with Zheng Shu Ran but not with him. It's like we're talking about trying clothes or something. He wants her to start seeing him as a man. Li Jian Jian replies that if an ox doesn't want to drink water, you can't force it to. Ling Xiao, "I won't force you (really...) but in front of you there's only one bowl. You can't avoid it." Li Jian Jian can't beat him. She asks him if he's told anyone about this and so far he's only told the dentist girl. Li Jian Jian freaks out and tells him that they'll handle this privately from now on.
Ling Xiao: How are you going to handle it?Li Jian Jian: I'll consider it. I'll consider it!! I'll put this bowl - motions a gigantic bowl - in front of my face for now, okay?Ling Xiao stares: Okay.
He Zi Qiu asks Li Hai Qiao for his approval to liking Li Jian Jian. Dad needs time to digest this. We all do. He's worried if they breakup. He makes Zi Qiu promise that if they were to break up, he'd still be family with them. That night our big boy, He Zi Qiu asks Li Jian Jian to consider him as a boyfriend (after she was just harassed by Ling Xiao). I actually pity Li Jian Jian.
The next morning everyone is having breakfast together (dads plus the sons) except Li Jian Jian. Understandable. Ling Xiao won't give up though. He visits Li Jian Jian at her studio to have lunch with her. He stretches out his hand to her. He wants to hold her hand. Li Jian Jian hides her hands. He then suggests for her to take his hand then. Where's the difference? Li Jian Jian takes it like it's a dare. Ling Xiao smiles as she leads him.
Ling Xiao gives Li Jian Jian complete control of his phone. She sees Qi Ming Yue's message and they both find out Ming Yue saw him (try to) kiss her. She's also planning to move out.
[Ep23] He Zi Qiu finally sees mom (after he left a message at her salon). He meets her not to reunite with her but to put a conclusion between them. She says she already ended the relationship when she abandoned him but He Zi Qiu wants to know why she said she would come back for him. He Mei probably did have an intention to come back (??) but working in the city was just too rough. Leaving him with Li Hai Chao was a solution that was the best for both of them. Convincing him to stay with Zhao Hua Guang was also good for his future, financially wise. He Zi Qiu's eyes are red. He returns He Mei the mirror that he always kept. With that, there’s no more connection between them. ZHANG XIN CHENG, I hate you for making me cry.
He Mei (for the first time) calls him by his name. "I gave birth to you but I didn't raise you, I was wrong about that. If you ever need any help, you can still ask me for help." I understand her a bit. A single mom in those times abandoned her son to someone she thought she could trust. Her being cold to him, being evil to him, is the nicest thing she can do for him. She knows she doesn't deserve his love. He Zi Qiu says he won't need it. But then he goes and cries while riding his ridiculous pink motorbike. My heart aches.
He Zi Qiu recalls when he was young he was bullied by neighbourhood children about his mother abandoning him. This neighbourhood is toxic. The young Li Jian Jian gave him candy and slept with him. The present Li Jian Jian does the same. She gives him candy and sleeps by his bed. He Zi Qiu's kid actor has a face that just makes me pout. He Zi Qiu always felt like the younger brother to me.
[Ep24] Ling Xiao has nightmares of his mother haunting him. When a delivery man rings his doorbell, he panics thinking it was his mother. Li Jian Jian brings in the delivery, surprised to find him home. He tells her to come closer and she does. He grabs her for a hug. Li Jian Jian pats his back, probably sensing what's bothering him. She takes him for a run to help him sleep. So he gets to hold her hand so casually now. What are they? She also asks how she escaped Chen Ting. Ling Xiao tells her it was Qin Mei Ying who convinced her mother to let him go.
He Mei visits Li Hai Chao. She's worried about how her son got rid of Zhao Hua Guang. She's been closely observing her son's coffee shop. His business is probably in the red. She introduces a coffee store manager to Li Hai Chao. She doesn't want He Zi Qiu to know that she's helping him. What are the possibilities that Li Hai Chao likes He Mei?
Other problems: Qi Ming Yue is still upset. Understandably so. She can't move back into the condo. Meanwhile Tang Can has her pride and heart broken at her mother's birthday party.
Li Jian Jian fights with Tang Can. She was trying to convince Tang Can to find a new job. Li Jian Jian is so mad about her fight with Tang Can, she runs over to Ling Xiao's to throw a fuss. She says she'll explode tonight and won't be able to sleep at all. Ling Xiao stares at her with a slight smile, he thinks he has a way to distract her. “Impossible,” says Li Jian Jian. "Then I'll try." Ling Xiao swiftly moves in for a kiss. Li Jian Jian closes her eyes for the kiss. After the kiss, Li Jian Jian curls up into a ball on his sofa. He softly touches her hair and asks him if his distraction worked. She slaps his hand, her head still buried in his couch. She still hasn't made a sound. He takes her small hand in his and tells her he'll shower first (Why shower??) and then take her for dessert after. After he leaves, Li Jian Jian takes the chance to dart as fast as she can.
[Ep25] This is the episode after the kiss. Ling Xiao is at Li Jian Jian's for breakfast. He's all smiley while Li Jian Jian freaks out. She runs to the washroom and Qi Ming Yue is there. She's back! She happily tells her she can't miss all the juicy drama between her and her two brothers/lovers. Qi Ming Yue makes it look like Li Jian Jian is cheating on both of them. Although Qi Ming Yue appears like she's having fun teasing Li Jian Jian, when she's out of the washroom, she sighs. Aw girl, you did well. Qi Ming Yue is back mostly because of her mother forcing her to do things she doesn't want to, hence she's back with the girls where she's free.
Qi Ming Yue is having a lot of fun at breakfast with Li Jian Jian, He Zi Qiu and Ling Xiao. She comments at how quiet the three of them are when they're suuuuuper close ~~. Li Jian Jian is having a foot war with Qi Ming Yue under the table. Haha. Then walks in Tang Can who doesn't hide her anger with Li Jian Jian at all. These two humph it out at the breakfast table. Ling Xiao tries to stifle his laughter. Poor Li Jian Jian, hahaha. There's daggers aiming at her everywhere.
Li Jian Jian and He Zi Qiu are on their way to work. She remembers the kiss and smiles. She then freaks out and stops herself from remembering it. She asks He Zi Qiu if he'll ever suddenly kiss her. He's like of course not. Li Jian Jian is relieved. These two idiots. He Zi Qiu headlocks her if she's testing him.
Ling Xiao takes Qi Ming Yue for lunch to apologize for making her misunderstand. Qi Ming Yue has this decision-disease. I think many of us have this, at least I do. When she looks at the menu with all these options, she doesn't know what to choose. Ling Xiao calmly guides her to make her own decisions. Ling Xiao also deduces that Qi Ming Yue doesn't like him that much. Although Qi Ming Yue insists she knows him, he tells her she never asked about his life in Singapore for those nine years. She says she knows his life there wasn't happy but he questions her that it's more of a reason for her to be curious about his life then. His words resonate with Qi Ming Yue. Tang Can also asks her about her feelings. Tang Can is surprised Qi Ming Yue can just give up on Ling Xiao after nine years of crushing on him. Qi Ming Yue says she can. She realizes she likes the feeling of secretly admiring someone. Thinking back to her days of liking Ling Xiao, it makes her giddy and warm. Tang Can doesn't understand. Tang Can mulls that their life sure is different from Li Jian Jian who's super successful in everything. She's still mad. Li Jian Jian was right at the door and slammed it shut. Tang Can knows she said the wrong thing.
Ling Xiao nods: Oh.Li Jian Jian: I really didn't think about it at all.Ling Xiao has a sneaky smile at the corner of his lips: Oh.Li Jian Jian sighs that he can't do the same thing next time.Ling Xiao: You don't think it's good?
Li Jian Jian says of course not. She got a pimple over this. He argues back that a pimple has nothing to do with him but when she argues, he complies and messes up her hair when he gets the chance.
Li Jian Jian smiles and teases him: Who says she wants to give birth to twoLing Xiao: Then how many do you want?Li Jian Jian: I want to give birth to...
Li Jian Jian realizes she fell into his trap again and reaches over to hit him playfully. He leans way back away from her. She orders him to come back at the count of three. I really do love a playful Song Wei Long. He refuses to but by three he obediently returns. She takes revenge by messing up his hair. He then uses his long arms advantageously. He holds her face far far away from his. Li Jian Jian's short arms cannot reach him. These two are in a some relationship, unofficially official.
Li Jian Jian talks it through with He Zi Qiu. She imagined being married to him. He Zi Qiu smiles. Li Jian Jian finishes her thought: it would be an absolute nightmare. Ha. She tells him that they don't have to be married to be family. In her heart, he already is her family. In her version of their family registrar, their father is Ling He Ping, the oldest brother is He Zi Qiu and the oldest daughter is Li Jian Jian. He Zi Qiu is comforted. He asks about Ling Xiao. Li Jian Jian says his family is separate from theirs. Essentially, He Zi Qiu only wanted to be even more family with her...
Qi Ming Yue tries to mend the relationship between Tang Can and Li Jian Jian. Tang Can agrees that they're supportive of her career but every time they comfort her for her failed auditions, the more she hates herself for being pitied.
Ling Xiao's mother calls. After the call, Li Jian Jian reveals she had thought about the problems with his mother: mom be against them dating. Ling Xiao smiles that she's thought about that. I think he should be beaming with joy that she's practically accepting him as her boyfriend. Li Jian Jian asks him when he started liking her. He says in high school, which is why he prohibited her from entering his room. Li Jian Jian is stunned he was mature that early. He corrects her that she matured too late.
Li Jian Jian: When you were in Singapore, what if I married? What would you do?Ling Xiao turns serious and solemn: I thought of it. If you were married, I'll wait for you, wait until you divorce or take care of your child. If you don't get divorced, then I'll be your brother forever. Tears.
Li Jian Jian is even more surprised. There's a lot of other girls, he doesn't need to wait for her.
Ling Xiao: You don't understand. A person like me already doesn't have the ability to develop a relationship with a stranger. To be with you is my instinct (my innate ability). It's self-healing. - He takes his hand out motioning for her to hold onto him - If you don't hold on to me, I will drown.Li Jian Jian stares at him: I don't understand.
Li Jian Jian: Although I don't understand, if you ever reach out your hand to me, I'll grab it.
The next morning, Qi Ming Yue casually walks into breakfast while reading Li Jian Jian's manga: "Being Loved By My Brother". Li Jian Jian spits out whatever she was eating. I love Qi Ming Yue! She makes this soooooo fun. He Zi Qiu is flabbergasted at the contents. Does he not realize that's what he was asking Li Jian Jian to do with him?? Clearly, he never truly loved her. Ling Xiao has a knowing (devilish) smile on. He asks her if she's enjoying it. Omg. Li Jian Jian is like no way. He Zi Qiu scoffs at her and says she's already on volume two. Haha. Qi Ming Yue is having a blast as an audience. As much as Qi Ming Yue is having fun, she also warns Li Jian Jian to reveal the truth to both of them soon otherwise their family relationship will be affected.
Ling Xiao and Li Jian Jian learn that He Zi Qiu earned all his money by working part-time. Zhao Hua Guang only supported him for two years. The rest of the seven years he supported himself. Now his business is failing. Li Jian Jian wants to give her money to him but Ling Xiao disagrees. He doesn't think she should invest if it's going to fail. Li Jian Jian argues that this is He Zi Qiu's dream. She complains that Ling Xiao is always against "us". Li Jian Jian says "us" referring to herself and He Zi Qiu. This makes Ling Xiao angry because he's not included in the "we".
Li Jian Jian and He Zi Qiu fight over who should comfort Ling Xiao. He Zi Qiu wins the fight: Li Jian Jian is to go. When she entered his room, Ling Xiao was waiting with a smile behind his door. It took her 27 seconds to comfort her "boyfriend", he says. She nods in agreement, he is her boyfriend. Whaaaaaaaaaa. Okie. Alrightie.
Li Jian Jian and He Zi Qiu get into an argument, a real one. She paid for the fruits and he hates being pitied. Tang Can hears their argument and finally sees her faults in the argument. She offers Li Jian Jian candy. Li Jian Jian reaches out for it and Tang Can quickly opens the package for her with an angelic smile. They're friends again. Although Tang Can has made up with her friend, her life isn't any better. Zhang Bei tells her he has someone he likes. Tang Can tries to put a smile on the entire time. When she's alone in the washroom, her tears burst through.
[Ep27] There's an online rumour that's spreading rapidly and it describes Li Jian Jian's love story with her brothers. That's when He Zi Qiu and Ling Xiao realize they both love Li Jian Jian. The brothers fight over this. Ling Xiao is angry at how He Zi Qiu can love her when he's her brother. Huh. Ling Xiao says they're family because he's practically Li Hai Chao's son. Yes, that's what we've all been thinking and going berserk about. He Zi Qiu argues that loving her is normal because they slept together on the same bed when they were young, it's only a given (normal) for them to follow through and be married. HUH. And if Ling Xiao is going to have this brother argument, it applies to him too. Yessssss, everyone agrees! Ling Xiao retorts that when he saved the young Li Jian Jian and the two bowed to Li Hai Chao to be sworn brothers and sisters that was like a childhood promise to be married in the future. HAA? Is that how he interpreted it?! It doesn't matter what they're saying though because what matters is Li Jian Jian is Ling Xiao's girlfriend. This is a terrible way for He Zi Qiu to learn his brother and sister are dating. He Zi Qiu feels abandoned. He asks Li Jian Jian if they're both her brothers, then why did she choose Ling Xiao over him? Omg, that's not how it works!! I do understand where his pain is coming from. He feels betrayed by the two people who are closest to him. He Zi Qiu is more upset at Ling Xiao than he is at Li Jian Jian. He's not willing to talk to Ling Xiao at all.
Ling Xiao picks up Li Jian Jian from work. She asks him why he's happy. It's nothing really, he's just happy that after work he can arrive at a place where he can see her. He starts telling her everything he knows about her. He knows quite a lot and it's all from Qi Ming Yu. He even knows she planted a tree in her university seven years ago.
Ling Xiao wishes upon her tree for family peace. He's earnest about the wish. Family aside, he goes full on romantic. He lifts her up against the tree.
Ling Xiao: Do you know how short you are?Li Jian Jian pouts: So what if I'm short? I'll just hinder you (lean) on you." T/N: 'hinder' and 'short' sound the same.
Ling Xiao goes in for a kiss. ♪ You are my everything in life ♪ Her eyes are wide after the kiss. She wants more. He puts her down to the ground and says her eyes are too wide, lol. He knows she wants more. During dinner, he playfully apologizes for calling her short. He adds that her height is bad for his neck. She counters that it's bad for hers too, "next time kneel when you speak to me." Lol. He nods. He says he will kneel to her once – she just has to wait until he buys her the ring. This gets her talking normally to him again. She wants to distract him by changing the topic and that's when the topic goes haywire.
Ling Xiao warns Li Jian Jian to distance herself from He Zi Qiu. Li Jian Jian nods but she also chirps that there should be a distance between them too in front of He Zi Qiu. Ling Xiao doesn't understand. Whether He Zi Qiu understands shouldn't affect his relationship with Li Jian Jian. This anger of Ling Xiao goes over my head. Is He Zi Qiu not considered a brother to him at all? Li Jian Jian just wants to help He Zi Qiu digest their relationship easier. Ling Xiao then lectures Li Jian Jian that if she is going to pity him (Ling Xiao) then pity him to the end. Don't pity someone else midway and leave him. She doesn't understand why he's being like this towards He Zi Qiu. Ling Xiao quietly and sternly asks, "Have you never thought of pitying me?" She doesn't know what he means by that. He gets up and leaves.
Li Jian Jian chases after Ling Xiao. He asks, "If I didn't force you to accept me would you have chosen me (he's referring to when he reached out his hand to her and if she didn't take it he would drown)?" Oh the show knows they made Ling Xiao forceful! I tried so hard to ignore it but it was bugging me. "You have a lot of friends. I don't. I need you; I only have you; you must be with me."
Li Hao Chao learns He Mei's son has autism. She tells Li Hai Chao that she has no intentions of taking He Zi Qiu back as her son when it's Li Hai Chao who raised him.
[Ep28] Ling Xiao visits Li Jian Jian during lunch. She grudgingly says she will pity him 'till death until he doesn't need it. Ling Xiao sighs at how long she's going to remember that for. Li Jian Jian reminds him she holds her grudges. She walks right up to him...
Li Jian Jian: Why are you so tall?
She pulls his collar in for a kiss. Go Li Jian Jian.
Ling He Ping is also pouring his love to Ling Xiao. He takes his son to a traditional Chinese doctor. Ling Xiao smiles at how worried his dad is for him.
Li Jian Jian not only cares about Ling Xiao this episode but also about He Zi Qiu and dad. She's not showing it the right way towards He Zi Qiu though. She gives He Zi Qiu a credit card but He Zi Qiu begs her to stop pitying him. Li Jian Jian is also involved in dad's love affairs. Turns out, it was Li Jian Jian who motivated the neighbourhood aunties to find her dad a partner (hence why Teacher Jiang is hotly pursuing dad).
Li Jian Jian feeds Ling Xiao the watermelon centre – the yummiest part. He wanted her to take it for herself but she insisted. She also wants to know everything that happened to him in Singapore. He starts his story. When he first got there, Chen Ting was like a withered plant in a vase. He had no idea how to get her out of that vase. It was a good thing Qin Mei Ying was there to provide relief. Still, everyday felt hopeless. Chen Ting had continuously attempted to commit suicide. She dragged everyone into darkness with her. Poor Qin Mei Ying witnessed her mother committing suicide at such a young age. The burn on Ling Xiao's shoulder was from Chen Ting when she threw a fit. Everyday without fail, Ling Xiao would massage her legs. Finally, one day (perhaps it was after the burn she gave him), she was willing to try to walk on her own. That's when the sky finally brightened up for him. Back to the present, Ling Xiao's hand is in Li Jian Jian. He's asleep on her shoulders. Li Jian Jian comforts him that it'll be okay, "From now on I'll care/love you."
He Zi Qiu bumps into mom with her kid at the buffet he part-times at. This is the first time He Zi Qiu sees He Mei's son. That night, he also adopts a lonely dog. Li Jian Jian waits for him at the condo and follows him home. She's helping him wash-up his newly adopted dog and then (strictly) asks him how long he's going to stay angry at her for. Seeing He Mei's son, it reminds him how he was abandoned, which is why he adopted the dog. But then Li Jian Jian is right there to pick him up again.
[Ep29] He Zi Qiu makes up with his siblings but he does get jealous when Li Jian Jian only gives meat to Ling Xiao. Li Jian Jian quickly adds two pieces of meat in his bowl. He Zi Qiu sets up new family rules: Li Jian Jian must not treat one better than the other. If she does treat one better than the other, then she must treat her brother better. If her boyfriend ever treats her poorly then he'll beat him up. Ling Xiao isn't happy about this new family dynamic. Li Jian Jian tugs at Ling Xiao's shirt so Ling Xiao swallows his vexation. Pft.
Li Hai Chao is back in the restaurant. Ling Xiao makes a bold move. He tells Li Dad he's different from Ling Dad. He's not the type to sacrifice family for work. He's a family man. Li Hai Chao is still smiling and nods at how good he is. Ling Xiao then takes Li Jian Jian's hand in front of Li Hai Chao. Sirens ring. LOL. Then dad's stunned expression. LMAO. Li Hai Chao immediately looks at He Zi Qiu, eyes wide. Luckily Teacher Jiang interrupts. Li Hai Chao insists he has something important to sort with the children first but Teacher Jiang (and Li Jian Jian) insist on the priorities of the dumplings. Last episode made me cry and sob, this episode makes me laugh out loud. This drama.
Li Jian Jian and Ling Xiao are at home (Li Hai Chao's home). He wants her to be cute and so she kisses his face all over. He wants more though. He hovers over her on the couch to go for the lips but Li Hai Chao comes in. Li Jian Jian and Ling Xiao scramble apart in time. When Li Jian Jian is alone with dad, he asks her whether they've been dating since they were teenagers (because she always liked following him around back then too). Li Jian Jian promises Li Hai Chao that isn't the case by pointing three fingers at her head like it's a gun. Lol. She thought he would be happier. Li Hai Chao has no complaints about Ling Xiao, it's just his mother is a pain in the neck. Li Hai Chao doesn't want her daughter to suffer under Chen Ting.
I love how easy the 'siblings' make up. Ling Xiao and Li Jian Jian visit He Zi Qiu at the buffet he works at. Ling Xiao doesn't hide his love towards Li Jian Jian. He Zi Qiu begs him to stop. But He Zi Qiu dotes on Li Jian Jian too. He says he'll give her chocolate after work but Ling Xiao stops him. Li Jian Jian has had too many sweets. He also says he knows He Zi Qiu leaves her a cake in the refrigerator everyday. Li Jian Jian looks away guiltily. He Zi Qiu glares at Ling Xiao to not glare at him lol. Li Jian Jian peaks through her hand to look at Ling Xiao who's been staring at her this whole time. She promises she only eats one cake per day. Omg, I'd die.
[Ep30] He Mei with Li Hai Chao carrying her child appears at the salon. He Zi Qiu emotionally confronts He Mei. He admits it's utterly embarrassing for her to know about his life. He wanted to return back home successfully. He didn't want anyone to know how poor he lived in England. He didn't want anyone's pity. But now everyone knows and the last person he wants to know (He Mei) also knows. He asks her why it is him who's always being abandoned. He wanted to come back home to provide the best for those who never abandoned him. He became a pastry chef for Li Jian Jian who loves sweets. He Mei tearfully apologizes but he begs her to stop intruding his life. Li Jian Jian is outside and has heard enough. She hugs He Zi Qiu, another broken man, and urges him to leave before he breaks down anymore. Li Hai Chao stays to see if He Mei needs comforting. She doesn't but when everyone leaves she crumbles to the floor and cries. My tears, stop now.
He Mei's story starts revealing itself. When she moved to Shenzhen, her manager's wife accused her of being a mistress and publicly ridiculed her. He Mei's son, Dong Dong, is also not actually her son. He Mei's friend urges her to reconsider Li Hai Chao. He Mei also wonders how her life would have changed if she had chosen him back then.
Li Hai Chao updates Ling He Ping. This guy is never here when the drama happens. Li Hai Chao shares the happy news first. Ling He Ping is delighted to know his son is dating Li Jian Jian. He's like finally. Li Hai Chao only has one complaint: Chen Ting. Ling He Ping is jealous why his son told Li Hai Chao first. Ling He Ping sends a text to Ling Xiao about his dating news. Ling Xiao promises he'll make him happy too. Ling He Ping laughs. Li Hai Chao had also shared the bad news.
Zhang Bei confesses his love to Qi Ming Yue. She's absolutely angry and rejects him on the spot. Now she's scared to return to their condo to tell Tang Can.
[Ep31] Qi Ming Yue gathers her courage (with Li Jian Jian’s help) to confess to Tang Can about Zhang Bei liking her. Is Li Jian Jian eating a watermelon per episode? She’s really going to get diabetes. I wouldn’t be surprised if she already has it. Tang Can is cool about it, she already knew. She also points out the complicated love line between them. The man Tang Can likes likes Qi Ming Yue; the man Ming Yue likes likes Li Jian Jian.
Qi Ming Yue blocks and deletes Zhang Bei. He had to use a stranger’s phone to call her. He asks for her to forgive him and whether it’s necessary to go to that extent. She says she absolutely detests him. Thinking of him makes her disgusted. In Qi Ming Yue's defence, he's also bothering her at the most inappropriate time. Her mom just forced her to buy a home without her consent at all. She calls up dad to complain all about it. Even dad is upset.
Li Jian Jian buys a present for Ling Xiao’s birthday. It’s another pair of sneakers. She tells Du Juan she’s buying it for her brother (Ling Xiao). Can she stop calling Ling Xiao brother now? She also buys one pair for He Zi Qiu.
The girls are talking about their family and how they're aging. Li Jian Jian tears up when she recalls her father texting her. She had complained about her dad sending audio messages all the time but when she sees him wearing glasses and spending two minutes to send her a four character line, she realizes her father is getting old. She was staring at him outside the restaurant. She couldn’t bring herself inside. She sends him a message that he should continue with the audio messages with a random excuse. There’s tears in her eyes as she walks away. There’s tears in my eyes too. I can relate to her feelings.
Tang Can’s long awaited interview for an acting role is actually Sun Li’s (a real actress) double because her backside is similar to Sun Li’s. Tang Can cries to her friends about her audition. She's made a decision: she'll quit acting for good. She accepts the job her father found for her. She also realizes she has wrinkles now too.
Ling He Ping dropped by at the restaurant right when Teacher Jiang was making a move on Li Hai Chao. I almost forgot these two dads were the first CP in this drama. At home Ling He Ping makes fun of Li Hai Chao by copying Teacher Jiang feeding him dumplings. Ling He Ping jokingly admits he’s jealous. Li Hai Chao says the teacher lady is too lively for him. I guess he wants someone quieter... like He Mei.
He Mei's son goes missing. Luckily, he's found and currently at the police station but she can't pick him up because she doesn't have the ID for it. She's not actually Dong Dong's mother. She's helping her employee take care of her child because she's in jail for killing her abusive husband. Thus, she asks Ling He Ping for help and that's how Li Hai Chao learns the truth. Li Hai Chao asks her why she lied about remarrying and having a family of her own. She says she doesn't deserve He Zi Qiu, not after she abandoned him. She has her principles. Li Hai Chao counters then what about the promise she gave He Zi Qiu to be back for him? Where were her principles then? He Mei cries. She can't answer his questions.
When Ling Xiao is home, she finds Li Jian Jian secretly waiting for him in his room. She's sneaking around because He Zi Qiu is right outside. However, Ling Xiao doesn't want her in his bed for obvious reasons. He says he can sleep on his own now. He's a very traditional guy, he'd probably want to get married first.
It's Ling Xiao's birthday today. On his breakfast table, he finds a new pair of white sneakers. It's Nike this time. Ling Xiao wears it immediately.
[Ep33] Chen Ting hosts Ling Xiao’s birthday party dinner and invites his entire family. She smiles and thanks everyone for taking care of her son. Her words are like daggers; she purposely distances all of Ling Xiao’s family from him. She’s making it obvious Ling Xiao is hers and only hers. This mom needs to scat off my screen. Qin Mei Ying also hatefully tells Li Jian Jian she will never be her sister-in-law because Mom hates her. Li Jian Jian appears okay but she’s holding back her tears about being disliked. By that woman, who no one should care about.
He Zi Qiu purposely ditched the birthday dinner. He makes another cake for Ling Xiao that Chen Ting and Qin Mei Ying have never touched or breathed on. He and Li Jian Jian wait for Ling Xiao to give him a proper birthday party. Ling Xiao finally smiles on his birthday.
Li Hai Chao tells He Mei he couldn’t sleep because of her. He knows it sounds weird but he doesn’t know how to rephrase it. Heh. Li Hai Chao is so cute. He can’t understand why He Mei abandoned her own son but adopted another person’s son as her own. She tells the truth. When she was in Shenzhen, she was accused of accidentally killing someone. She was in prison for four years. Woah. She knows that she could have told them earlier but she wanted He Zi Qiu to forget her. It shouldn’t be his fault that his father abandoned him and his mother is a prisoner. Hearing her story, Li Hai Chao finally understands who He Zi Qiu takes after. Li Hai Chao was going to tell He Zi Qiu but he already found out from He Lan (auntie). Li Hai Chao tries to convince He Mei to make up with He Zi Qiu. As his father, he knows that no matter how much he loves He Zi Qiu, his son always had a piece that was missing in him. This piece – this small but vital piece is only something that He Mei can fill. It finally makes more sense to me why He Zi Qiu is so obsessed with mom. When he was a kid, he really did feel that she loved him. She had meant her promise of coming back for him. As He Zi Qiu walks back home, he remembers the memories he had locked up deep in his heart about his mother. Tears.
Later that night as Li Jian Jian and Ling Xiao are watching, he pops the question. He asks her to marry him very seriously in this very casual atmosphere. Li Jian Jian is too stunned to give a proper answer.
Qi Ming Yue finally explodes on mom when mom finds out her daughter isn’t studying for the test to be a government employee. She confesses a secret that no one knew, not even Li Jian Jian, she purposely scored lower on her university test as a rebellious act towards her mother.
Li Hai Chao’s smart smart employee sends Li Jian Jian a video clip of Li Hai Chao chatting with He Mei. He made her noodles and even remembered what she didn’t like from twenty years ago. She’s here to make up with Zi Qiu, to fulfill her role as a mother. Li Hai Chao is happy about her decision. He starts talking about how He Zi Qiu wanted to marry Li Jian Jian. It’s a family joke now. He Zi Qiu just felt insecure and wanted to be in the same family registrar as them. The atmosphere turns a tad romantically awkward between He Mei and Li Hai Chao. Li Jian Jian senses this romantic atmosphere through the video as well. He Zi Qiu doesn't see it, like always.
He Zi Qiu purposely ditched the birthday dinner. He makes another cake for Ling Xiao that Chen Ting and Qin Mei Ying have never touched or breathed on. He and Li Jian Jian wait for Ling Xiao to give him a proper birthday party. Ling Xiao finally smiles on his birthday.
Li Hai Chao tells He Mei he couldn’t sleep because of her. He knows it sounds weird but he doesn’t know how to rephrase it. Heh. Li Hai Chao is so cute. He can’t understand why He Mei abandoned her own son but adopted another person’s son as her own. She tells the truth. When she was in Shenzhen, she was accused of accidentally killing someone. She was in prison for four years. Woah. She knows that she could have told them earlier but she wanted He Zi Qiu to forget her. It shouldn’t be his fault that his father abandoned him and his mother is a prisoner. Hearing her story, Li Hai Chao finally understands who He Zi Qiu takes after. Li Hai Chao was going to tell He Zi Qiu but he already found out from He Lan (auntie). Li Hai Chao tries to convince He Mei to make up with He Zi Qiu. As his father, he knows that no matter how much he loves He Zi Qiu, his son always had a piece that was missing in him. This piece – this small but vital piece is only something that He Mei can fill. It finally makes more sense to me why He Zi Qiu is so obsessed with mom. When he was a kid, he really did feel that she loved him. She had meant her promise of coming back for him. As He Zi Qiu walks back home, he remembers the memories he had locked up deep in his heart about his mother. Tears.
[Ep34] Li Jian Jian and Ling Xiao drop everything to run to He Zi Qiu. He tells them he’s a bit relieved to know he wasn’t abandoned but he also doesn’t feel good that He Mei suffered so much. Li Jian Jian lets her mouth run about how similar he is to his mother because he ditched their family too. Ling Xiao tells her to zip it (politely-ish). Li Jian Jian obediently listens. He Zi Qiu picks up on this and asks her whether she’s always liked Ling Xiao. He recounts she’d always follow him around and whenever they did something bad, she’d always hide it from Ling Xiao. She would always yell and hit him but she’d never do that to Ling Xiao. Hearing this, Ling Xiao smiles to himself.
Later that night as Li Jian Jian and Ling Xiao are watching, he pops the question. He asks her to marry him very seriously in this very casual atmosphere. Li Jian Jian is too stunned to give a proper answer.
Qi Ming Yue finally explodes on mom when mom finds out her daughter isn’t studying for the test to be a government employee. She confesses a secret that no one knew, not even Li Jian Jian, she purposely scored lower on her university test as a rebellious act towards her mother.
Li Hai Chao’s smart smart employee sends Li Jian Jian a video clip of Li Hai Chao chatting with He Mei. He made her noodles and even remembered what she didn’t like from twenty years ago. She’s here to make up with Zi Qiu, to fulfill her role as a mother. Li Hai Chao is happy about her decision. He starts talking about how He Zi Qiu wanted to marry Li Jian Jian. It’s a family joke now. He Zi Qiu just felt insecure and wanted to be in the same family registrar as them. The atmosphere turns a tad romantically awkward between He Mei and Li Hai Chao. Li Jian Jian senses this romantic atmosphere through the video as well. He Zi Qiu doesn't see it, like always.
[Ep35] Chen Ting has planned it all. The moment she allowed Ling Xiao to return home, she was planning to follow him home. She's like a parasite. Ling Xiao is suffocating under her grasp once more. Li Jian Jian pops through the door at this moment. Ling Xiao sees light in her. He walks up to her and kisses her with mom right there in the living room. After mom leaves, Ling Xiao rushes over to Li Jian Jian's condo and gives her a tight hug. He tells her his mother is planning to stay for good. Nah, Chen Ting is a blood sucking leech.
Qin Mei Ying runs away on her own. It's late and a drunkard almost sleeps on her. It's He Zi Qiu who saves her and brings her home. Qin Mei Ying is to sleep in Li Jian Jian's room. Ling Xiao offers Li Jian Jian to sleep in his room with him. He Zi Qiu and Qin Mei Ying quickly react to this. He Zi Qiu is vehemently against this. Lol. Anyways, what are the odds of Qin Mei Ying and He Zi Qiu being a pair? I'm actually fine with He Zi Qui girlfriend-less. His ultimate happiness is having a complete family. The next morning, Qi Mei Ying refuses to be with anyone but He Zi Qiu. She follows him to work (his cafe). It seems he's the only one who can control her temper and rudeness.
He Mei visits He Zi Qiu. They're on much friendlier terms. She gives him a present. It's the mirror he returned to her. This time instead of just the picture of herself in it, it's a picture of her and He Zi Qiu. Aw.
Ling He Ping does his fatherly part and speaks to Chen Ting to learn to love Li Jian Jian because she's the one who's saving Ling Xiao from drowning. This is also the first time Chen Ting learns her son has been having problems sleeping but she pretends to know it all in front of Ling He Ping.
Li Jian Jian teases Li Hai Chao for liking He Mei. Li Hai Chao counters that he never interfered in her relationship with Ling Xiao and she's all over him when he's just talking to a "girl". Li Jian Jian laughs at his "girl" comment, meaning he thinks of He Mei as a woman.
Ling He Ping talks to Li Jian Jian privately. He comforts her that he knows Chen Ting and Qin Mei Ying were giving her a hard time. There's tears in Li Jian Jian's eyes. Girl, don't even be upset over that crazy woman.
[Ep36] Qin Mei Ying is working part time at He Zi Qiu's cafe. He Zi Qiu laughs at how nervous Qin Mei Ying is. He also accidentally captures a picture of her. He only meant to send the picture of her working earnestly to his siblings. Li Jian Jian has a devilish grin when she sees the picture of Qin Mei Ying. Is she thinking what I'm thinking?
Chen Ting doesn't understand why her son doesn't tell her anything. Geee. REALLY? She asks Ling Xiao to tell her what he's feeling and so he does. He wants to marry Li Jian Jian. Mom's fake smile falters. She says it is his life but BUT he is still young blah blah blah. By the way, I think Mom does know Ling Xiao takes sleeping pills at night. She just ignores it and continues to torment her son.
Qi Ming Yue always felt assured her parents won't divorce but her father really does want to divorce her mother. The reality settles in to Qi Ming Yue.
Qin Mei Ying directly asks if Li Jian Jian has slept with her brother. Li Jian Jian answers she has – from when they were young. Qin Mei Ying warns her she better not, otherwise it will be awkward when they break up. Before anyone thinks she's annoying, she's actually earnest about her warning. She tells Li Jian Jian her mother hates her. Not just her but also Li Hai Chao and Ling He Ping. It's impossible for Ling Xiao to win against Chen Ting because Chen Ting is their mother. Qin Mei Ying admits that not even she (herself) can win against Chen Ting.
Teacher Jiang throws a fit at Li Hai Chao for choosing He Mei. She's jealous that He Mei is pretty but ends up insulting Li Hai Chao for having mediocre specs. He Mei was here to learn how to cook a dish He Zi Qiu likes but seeing Teacher Jiang insult Li Hai Chao she fights her back that Li Hai Chao indeed is a good man, one cannot blame a good man for liking someone pretty. They leave the restaurant together and He Mei asks him if he's always been single. He has. She also remembers how Li Jian Jian hated her when she was young. Li Hai Chao laughs that Li Jian Jian just didn't want a step mom when she was young. He Mei quickly adds "If I become her step mom now, she wouldn't mind, right?" Li Hai Chao continues to laugh, "Of course she wouldn't." He Mei smiles. Li Hai Chao is late for a beat but realizes what she meant. He Mei continues to walk down the stairs with a smile on. Li Hai Chao is clumsily following her down the stairs, telling her to be careful.
Chen Ting brings a relative to visit Ling Xiao's home. Ling Xiao isn't here but Li Jian Jian arrives in time to help her open the door. The entire time Li Jian Jian is trying to appeal to Chen Ting, she draws a firm line between them. She refuses to acknowledge Li Jian Jian as her son's girlfriend. Li Jian Jian is a strong girl; if mom won't clarify it, Li Jian Jian will clarify it herself to the relative that she's Ling Xiao's girlfriend. Afterwards, when Li Jian Jian is back in her condo, her courageous front crumbles. She cries alone in her condo. Ling Xiao rushes over to her condo and realizes she's cried. He barges into his own condo and hollers at his mother, "You can do whatever with me but to Li Jian Jian, you cannot treat her that way. Not even a word." Chen Ting tries to make herself look innocent and asks Li Jian Jian why she (Li Jian Jian) doesn't like her. WHAT. Ling Xiao won't listen to his mother manipulating the truth. Chen Ting then complains that Ling Xiao has only ever cared about Ling He Ping and them. Ling Xiao yells that it's because they love him.
Ling Xiao, with tears in his eyes, asks her: Why don't you love me?
Chen Ting can't answer that.
[Ep37] Chen Ting has successfully made Li Jian Jian look like garbage in front of the relative. I don't even want to type the exchange between Chen Ting and that auntie. This lady actually smiled after Ling Xiao literally begged his mother to love him.
Qi Ming Yue tearfully apologizes to mom for purposely failing parts of her test. Mom wants to slap her but she freezes her hand in midair. In the end she slaps herself. A shocked Qi Ming Yue quickly grabs her mom in for a hug. She tells mom that going to Beijing to further her career as a reporter is her dream. It's not just a random excuse to put distance between them
Li Jian Jian asks Ling Xiao where their pictures were when they were in high school. She needs it to prove that she didn't plagiarize another woodcrafter. Ling Xiao answers awkwardly that he misplaced them somewhere. Qin Mei Ying clarifies for him. When Ling Xiao was about to graduate, he wanted to return to China but mom went crazy. She threw away his shoes and cut up all his pictures of his family. When Ling Xiao returned home, everything was already gone. He begs mom to stop but mom only continues to make him feel guilty for ditching her. Ling Xiao leaves the condo. Qin Mei Ying runs after her brother. Ling Xiao tells her he has to find his sneakers. Qin Mei Ying knows. There tears in her eyes as she assures her brother she secretly retrieved his sneakers. Ling Xiao is relieved and is about to break down but he doesn't want to in front of his sister. He goes to the Exit and cries in the stairwell while blocking the door so Qin Mei Ying doesn't see him. Ling Xiao is pitiful but so is Qin Mei Ying. She's telling this story to He Zi Qiu and Li Jian Jian because she knows her brother will never reveal the truth. She's actually really nice...she just doesn't show it well. After closing hours, Qin Mei Ying crouches behind the counter to cry. He Zi Qiu leans over, "If you care about people, your attitude is very important." He knows she's a good girl and he tells her that. Now, she just has to show it.
Zhang Bei likes Tang Can now. He's encouraging her to try one more time to be a stage actress. He knows she's not happy at all with her current job.
[Ep38] Qin Mei Ying gives a present to Li Jian Jian to apologize for lying in the past. She's listening to He Zi Qiu and thus Qin Mei Ying and Li Jian Jian are on good terms now. Seeing Qin Mei Ying nice scares Tang Can though, heh.
Qi Ming Yue sits down with her father and mother. He hears her father list each and every fault of her mother's micro-management. She can't say a word. Her parents divorcing is becoming a reality. When dad is finished, Qi Ming Yue asks her parents to hear her out. She tells Dad he'll regret divorcing her mother. He hasn't cooked a single meal or cleaned a single pair of socks. During school, she used to love dad because he let her do anything she wanted, it was only her mother who stopped her from doing everything she wanted. Now that she's older she knows that it's not because dad loved her it's because dad didn't care. She also never thought of asking dad for help to go against her mother because she knows he wouldn't fight mom; it's too much of a hassle. Qi Ming Yue tells dad that her mother's current personality is because he spoiled her and now he wants to abandon her. Dad knows what she means but he can't live with mom anymore. Qi Ming Yue understands. She assures dad she'll take her mother to the office tomorrow to divorce.
Tang Can passes her audition. Zhang Bei walks her home. They come across Qi Ming Yue and her mother. Zhang Bei quickly retreats. He's still scared of Qi Ming Yue, lol. Qi Ming Yue runs to Zhang Bei to apologize for her behaviour. She finally knows why she hated his confession. She had no idea what he liked about her. She's afraid once people truly know her, they'll hate her. The one she hates isn't him but herself. She tells him she has to grow up now. Her parents are divorcing; she can't not grow up. Zhang Bei comforts her that a divorce might not be too bad. He also tells her of his difficulties now (liking someone he rejected – Tang Can).
[Ep39] Mom sleeps over at Qi Ming Yue's condo. She doesn't want to be home because dad will be packing his stuff tonight. She cries in bed. Qi Ming Yue hugs her and assures her that she'll take care of her from now on.
Li Hai Chao is giving himself the perfect shave. He's seeing He Mei today. She is making a move on him and he's such an easy prey. As much as I like these two, I actually want more scenes of He Zi Qiu and He Mei...! Li Jian Jian and He Zi Qiu are spying on them. He Zi Qiu has had enough and wants to drag her away but he ends up dragging her right into her father and his mother. The four of them have lunch together. Li Hai Chao and He Zi Qiu try to eat. He Mei and Li Jian Jian are the calm yet giddy ones. Li Jian Jian clarifies that they (Li Jian Jian and He Zi Qiu) don't think they're dating. He Mei corrects them that they are dating. Go girl. Li Jian Jian is speechless so she claps. Li Jia Jian approves. Li Hai Chao chokes; He Mei pats his back. He Zi Qiu stops Li Jian Jian from clapping so she claps with his hand instead, lol.
Du Juan's boyfriend has been sweet talking her to split her partnership with Li Jian Jian's over the plagiarism controversy. Thus, Du Juan has made a decision today. She's splitting with him. FINALLY. He can do whatever he wants in their relationship (lazing around, lying, etc) but he cannot insult her best friend, Li Jian Jian.
Chen Ting invites Dentist Lady home to have family dinner with Ling Xiao. Dentist Lady, why? Chen Ting, I have already lost hope. Qin Mei Ying is having a headache from this awkward dinner. When Dentist Lady excuses herself to go to the washroom, Chen Ting confronts Ling Xiao on his attitude. She continues to repeat how much she hates Li Jian Jian. Ling Xiao slams the table and leaves pronto.
[Ep40] Dentist Lady thanks Chen Ting for the dinner. She clarifies her relationship with Ling Xiao; she only views him like a little brother. She compliments the relationships between Li Jian Jian and Ling Xiao and how they're the envy of the town. She forwards Chen Ting a popular piece of writing Li Jian Jian had written about growing up with Ling Xiao.
Qi Ming Yue's parents have divorced. She pities her mother who once said her daughter and her husband were her careers. Now, both her investments have failed. Not really, mom got back a real daughter. Tang Can has also spoken to her parents about her acting career. Mom isn't so against it anymore after seeing how passionate her daughter is.
Qi Ming Yue reasons out why Chen Ting hates Li Jian Jian. It's because Li Jian Jian knows all of her dark history. From abandoning her children to playing mahjong leading to her daughter's death to abandoning her son to haunting and suffocating her son.
After Ling Xiao left dinner, he has hotpot with his father. He talks about rain all of a sudden. Every time it rains, it reminds him of his late sister (Yun Yun; Yun = cloud). He asks Ling He Ping if Yun Yun has forgiven him yet. Omg. And if he cleared his debt with mom. Sniffles. Ling He Ping stares at his son. He doesn't have answers for him. The sky starts pouring and roaring. It's a thunderstorm. Ling Xiao has never forgotten or forgiven himself. Every time it rains it reminds him of that day – that's why he compares Li Jian Jian to light.
Chen Ting seems to be coming to her senses after reading the story Li Jian Jian wrote. But mom should know it already...she's the main character... The next morning she disappears. She left behind a letter, a suicide note. She knows she kept Ling Xiao hostage. She hates Li Jian Jian because she reminds her she abandoned him. In the note, she asks Ling Xiao to take care of Qin Mei Ying and to forget her. Ling Xiao runs everywhere to look for mom.
Chen Ting did commit suicide but she's alive. While Ling Xiao is waiting for her to wake up, Ling Xiao faces the window to take in the sun's warmth. When mom wakes up he tells her that if she thinks she wronged him, then live and make up for it. Chen Ting asks him if there's even a chance for things to be better. Ling Xiao takes her hand and assures her it will, even the sky has cleared up.
One month later. Qin Mei Ying and Chen Ting are moving back to Singapore!! Li Jian Jian and He Zi Qiu are helping Ling Xiao send them off. Chen Ting takes Li Jian Jian's hand and thanks her. She also thanks He Zi Qiu. He's taken aback, completely unaccustomed to a genuinely polite Chen Ting. Qin Mei Ying gives her brother a tight hug. She also gives one to He Zi Qiu. She says she'll think of him. I wonder how many girls have had a crush on He Zi Qiu but he's just oblivious to it. Li Jian Jian opens her arms for her hug but Qin Mei Ying walks away from her, heh. Chen Ting calls Li Jian Jian over and she asks Li Jian Jian to take care of her son once more (the first time was when she abandoned him but this time it's obviously very different).
After they send Chen Ting off, everyone is rushing to dress up formally. Where is everyone going? Well, He Zi Qiu is in the taxi with He Mei. He tells her, "I never thought there would be a day I'm sending my 'mom' to her wedding." She's touched that He Zi Qiu finally called her mom. Li Hai Chao and He Mei are taking wedding pictures. They're getting married ~ The photographer tells Li Jian Jian their expressions are off, so Li Jian Jian shouts "Mom! You are beautiful" That comment fixes everything. Both parents are all smiles.
It's time for the family picture. Ling He Ping arrived late because he was driving Chen Ting to the airport. Li Hai Chao calls him in for the picture but he's a bit embarrassed. Li Hai Chao convinces him that Li Jian Jian and Ling Xiao are bound to marry, they're practically family that way too. Ling He Ping happily agrees. So Li Hai Chao has a wife and a husband, plus three children. He's the happiest of them all.
The end.
Remarks
[Episode 23 Update] This is He Zi Qiu's episode. Zhang Xin Cheng owned this.
[Episode 27 Update] The show explains Ling Xiao's obsessiveness. He's such a broken man.
[Actors/Actresses]
[Behind the Scenes]
[Behind the Scenes]
- Song Wei Long practices with a chicken doll to carry Li Jian Jian to bed [Ep18]. There’s also the cake scene here between Li Jian Jian and Ling Xiao [Ep25]. The director is in every single cut. Usually I don’t see the director as much but this guy is so involved in every single scene and every single detail. I’m amazed at his ability to catch the small details and see the big picture. That’s probably why he’s a director and I’m not.
[News] Tang Song Yun. Her mother had passed away late in 2018 from a car accident. The driver hit her mother (a pedestrian) and Tan Song Yun never got to have a proper farewell with her mother. Hence she had a hiatus for a good half of the year in 2019. Then she picked up filming this drama in September of that year. Key scenes that broke my heart were in Ep5 when Li Jian Jian was shouting to her mother in the sky with a bright carefree smile and Ep20 when Li Jian Jian joked with her mother on her death anniversary. When you see her as Li Jian Jian there's no sadness in those scenes at all and if you didn't know this, you really wouldn't have picked up on it. She's an amazing actress, her mother would be proud of her.
Final Review
[Review] I began this for the three leads and not for the family drama it was selling. I wasn’t expecting the family component to be so compelling and I fell so hard for it. It was heartbreaking and sweet, heartbreaking and funny, heartbreaking and warm.
The Positives. This drama was a journey of emotions. If last episode I was crying, next episode I could be rolling in laughter and squealing for the romance. Then I could be shocked speechless. This emotional roller coaster will cycle continuously for forty episodes. It was a journey well taken that broke my heart into pieces, rebuilt it, broke it, and rebuilt it again. Kudos to the entire cast and director.
The two brothers were the main reasons I kept crying. As much as I love Tan Song Yun's Li Jian Jian, the main characters of this drama are Ling Xiao and He Zi Qiu. The episodes that broke my heart the most were Ep23's He Zi Qiu and Ep27's Ling Xiao. I was wailing. Yet, despite the amount of tears, I'll always remember this drama as a happy one because in the end our boys will always be smiling.
There are many CPs to mix and match (He Zi Qiu and Li Dad, Li and Ling Dad). The only one I felt was a pity that the drama didn't quite exploit was the bromance between He Zi Qiu and Ling Xiao. These two men were just too in love with their sister to care about each other, I guess. I quite like how He Zi Qiu and that girl (to avoid spoilers) ended off. I'm glad they didn't flesh it out completely because I much prefer He Zi Qiu's character focus on having a family. He was the only kid who had neither his biological father nor mother at his side. He grew up in Li Hai Chao's family like he owed them. His arc before he left Li Hao Chao was one of the most heartbreaking (among the many...) moments in this drama so when I saw the final ending scene, I was the happiest for him.
The Negatives. [Sp] Ling Xiao and Li Jian Jian. I never say no to romances and I almost had to say no to this one not because I didn't want it on the screen, there was just no time for me to digest the transition from brother to lover. Then when I was like, okay, bring on the romance, Ling Xiao starts guilt tripping her into accepting him otherwise he’ll drown. Not only did I have to accept the uncomfortably accelerating romance but also him forcing the relationship on her. The most unsettling part was I knew my brain wasn't processing this well, but I still had a smile on. My heart and my brain were off rhythm. It was too unsettling yet I cannot deny I really do like Ling Xiao and Li Jian Jian as a pair. Ling Xiao must have saved an entire world in his past life to have Li Jian Jian return his love. Simultaneously, Ji Jian Jian must have saved the entire universe to have every single person love her. [/Sp]
The director and crew received a ton of criticisms for making all the female characters bear all the evil traits and make all the men look like angels. These complaints made me feel really defensive about the drama. From my personal opinion I think this 'anti-feminist' take about the drama started fueling itself after the shocking romance between Ling Xiao and Li Jian Jian. If the romance wasn't so off-putting to many, I don't think there would be this many criticisms. These complaints were so annoying to me in particular because it made me feel like I was in the wrong for loving this drama. It felt like if I continued to support this drama, I was indirectly supporting anti-feminism. Man, I just wanted to watch a drama I love. Honestly, it’s a story about growing up in single families with dads being the only parents. That’s the story. Despite the women having a rocky start, by the end, other than one or two women, I pretty much like all the females.
The Big Picture. [Spoilers] The story from the very beginning had a finish line it had to reach. After I understood the big picture, everything made more sense. The Big Picture is the last scene of the drama. From a family by name, they become family by law, a 'real' family. From not having a mother, all of them found a mom who loved / will love them. This is why the drama crafted all the mothers to be so 'evil' in order to have them redeem themselves. This includes Qi Ming Yue and Tang Can's mother. Obviously, the most redeeming mother is He Mei who becomes the loving mother of He Zi Qiu and Li Jian Jian. Because of this, He Zi Qiu finally gets a complete family with everyone he loves. Ling Xiao has his way of entering this family too: marrying into it. This is why the writers gave us a romance in this family drama. Ling Xiao and He Zi Qiu are one and alike in their yearning for a complete family – just in very different ways. This was a family drama from beginning to end.
Overall. I love this. Screw the negativity. Perhaps I turned a blind eye to the criticisms because of how much I love this but when a drama makes me cry this much, laugh this much, and hurt this much, it's a sign of a masterful storytelling.
Random Recommendation. Lovely Us
No comments:
Post a Comment