Notable Actors/Actresses
Zhu Li Lan: Qian Zhen Zhen
Zhang Meng: Lu Li
Chinese Title
超時空戀人
[Ep1] After a car accident, a novelist (Li Chun Xi) enters in her story as Qian Zhen Zhen, the evil supporting character instead of her angel like main character Li Chun Xi. Chen Qian Qian? From The Romance of Tiger and Rose. She experiences amnesia so she has no idea who she is. Only her secretary (Lu Li) shows up to explain who she is. She has no relatives and none of her friends are willing to show up. In her amnesic state, she would hear voices describing the setting. It’s her own voice when she was a novelist. The originally story is about Li Chun Xi and Boss's (Ou Yang Chen) love story. Qian Zhen Zhen is the evil second lead trying to seduce her boss. But there's a male character with Clark Kent type glasses, it's Lu Li. He's the hidden male lead.
[Ep2] Qian Zhen Zhen is pushed into the pool by a perverted man she angered to protect another fellow woman. Lu Li dives in the water to save her. Boss gives her his jacket to keep her warm. Boss seems to be in love with her now. Meanwhile Lu Li is in Qian Zhen Zhen’s home. Both of them are wet. He gives her a towel to dry and she gives the towel (she just used) back to him to dry his. They also accidentally share a blanket and that sends electricity through both their bodies as they fly apart. She quickly escapes to find a bandaid for his neck injury. After getting close to him, he’s the one who’s flustered and quickly runs out her condo.
Next morning, Lu Li buys breakfast for Qian Zhen Zhen without being ordered to. His mood deflates when he sees Qian Zhen Zhen in Boss’s room.
This episode, we’re also introduced to the “main character” Li Chun Xi. So far she fits the bill for the tough bitchy girl. She gives Qian Zhen Zhen a near impossible task. If Qian Zhen Zhen doesn’t interview this man (Mr. Fan) then not only will she be fired, her entire team will be too.
[Ep3] Lu Li finds Mr. Fan for Qian Zhen Zhen. He convinces himself he’s doing this for himself and not because he likes her. He’s working undercover in the company to investigate his brother’s death.
Mr. Fan makes Lu Li and Qian Zhen Zhen stay the night in the same room. He thinks they’re a couple. He's so amused by Qian Zhen Zhen and permits the interview.
Qian Zhen Zhen asks Lu Li how she was in the past. He lists all her faults in one breath. One breath isn’t enough. But he jokes that he was lying. She confesses that whenever she sees Boss, she gets nervous and she’ll turn into someone else. She also tells Lu Li that once she regains her memories, she won’t be mean to him because she knows he’s the only one truly nice to her.
Qian Zhen Zhen plans to treat Lu Li for dinner for his hard work. He gets off early just to cut his hair (because she told him her initial impression of his hair was awful). He even buys her a dish she likes. However, she gets called by Boss to work OT.
[Ep4] Qian Zhen Zhen is nervous with Boss and changes once again. She seduces him. Lu Li sees this and dumps the sushi takeout he got for her. Qian Zhen Zhen avoids Boss like a plague for the next few days. Meanwhile Lu Li stews himself up in jealousy.
[Ep5] Qian Zhen Zhen makes up for the dinner she ditched Lu Li on. She tells him she loses her control in front of Boss. With Qian Zhen Zhen constantly trying to make up to him, he smiles and assures her he'll help her avoid Boss next time.
[Ep8] Boss confesses his love to Qian Zhen Zhen. He's like, "I'll give you a chance to go out with me. After all, I am handsome and talented. If you want the romantic confession, I will make it up for you." He's pretty satisfied with his own confession. Qian Zhen Zhen doesn't know how to answer him. She's very confused because she should like him if she was the old Qian Zhen Zhen but she's not happy with his confession at all.
[Ep10] Qian Zhen Zhen draws a clear line between her and Lu Li at work. Boss intervenes and she chooses to enter the elevator with Boss. Boss thinks she made the right decision to leave with him. His big ego thinks she chose him but she’s rejecting him. This Boss character is more amusing than I thought he’d be.
[Ep11] Qian Zhen Zhen is shopping for a present and notices Lu Li following her. She whispers to the salesperson that the person following her will pay for her bill. Lu Li smiles at his mischievous Qian Zhen Zhen and happily pays.
I love how everyone barges into this chief editor's (Yu Xiu) office and catches him in an awkward moment every time.
[Ep17] Qian Zhen Zhen is on the rooftop. Considering suicide? She recalls when she was Li Chun Xi, the author, she had writer’s block. She had no idea how to finish her story (which is the current plot with Yuan Mo Bei being the murderer and Ou Yang Chen being her main character who's supposed to capture the murderer). She was ready to give up on her project but her manager reprimands her that she has to be responsible for her productions. Thus the current Qian Zhen Zhen steps back from the ledge. She will continue on with the story and help Ou Yang Chen catch Yuan Mo Bei. When Lu Li finds her in the hospital hallway, she remembers that Lu Li is supposed to die to protect her. She can’t let Lu Li die so she does the next noble thing and breaks up with him.
[Ep20] Through Xia Tian, Qian Zhen Zhen was able to give enough evidence to Ou Yang Chen for the police to arrest Yuan Mo Bei. Apparently, the evidence isn't strong enough and he's subsequently released free of charges.
[First Impression (Ep1-6)] The structure of the plot reminds me of The Romance of Tiger and Rose. Obviously, the casts aren't in the same tier but this isn't half bad. I like the idea of it and it's well executed within my expectations for this type of drama. Personally, I think I just like watching new actors and both leads are easy on the eye. I'm waiting for the scenes in the opening credit to happen. This couple seems cute.
[Actors/Actresses] I don’t know any of them but after finishing this I’ll be keeping an eye open for Zhang Meng, Jia Ze, and especially Zhu Li Lan.
[Behind the Scenes]
[Ending] Open/Happy
Chen Qian Qian left Lu Li’s world and back to being Li Chun Xi. She does what she promised Lu Li. She finishes her novel and gives a proper story to all her characters. If there’s one thing she learned from Lu Li, it’s to respect all her characters whether or not they’re main ones. I’m certain she gave Lu Li a proper ending with the woman he loves (ahem, herself). However, once she finishes her novel she’s back in heartbreak mode. She drowns herself in alcohol because she can’t write herself a boyfriend in real life. And that’s how she meets real world Lu Li who has no connection with the novel world whatsoever. I’m still not sure what Lu Li’s original occupation was in the novel (don’t know if I missed it or it wasn’t mentioned) but a police officer suits him a lot especially with all his investigations on Yuan Mo Bei. Also, if Li Chun Xi is going to continue writing crime novels, a police boyfriend would be perfect.
To me this is a happy ending in the novel world and real world. After learning to value her side characters, Li Chun Xi would definitely write a proper ending for novel Lu Li. It’s just unfortunate it’s not shown on screen. Meanwhile real world Li Chun Xi meets a real world Lu Li which means she can write all her main male leads based on Lu Li now instead of Ou Yang Chen.
The only thing that bugs me is novel Lu Li is not real Lu Li. I just tell myself that Li Chun Xi entering her novel world is like fate telling her to pay attention to this man and voila he shows up in her real life.
[Review] I want to applaud this drama. I went in with zero (almost negative) expectations and it completely rebounded at the halfway mark of the drama. The "who is she" and "why is she here" kept me very invested in the entire drama. However, for those going into the drama, I’d still recommend having lower expectations. It’s a low budget drama after all. There are imperfections but given how little resources this had, the outcome of this is remarkable. It’s an original story with new faces, very new faces, but their acting doesn’t reflect that. The main leads’ sincerity in their characters made me believe the story. The story is drew me in with all the unknown factors. The romance was adorable too. All the characters are/become likeable.
The entire storytelling wasn’t smooth. I thought Yuan Mo Bei’s (the evil guy) downfall was a little fuzzy. I didn’t quite follow the train of logic on why they needed to do things a certain way. I think the first half of the drama opened a lot of possibilities the drama could have taken but it chose a simpler route, an ending that most people can accept and possibly predict. However, overall I love the message of the drama: value every character big or small.
Li Chun Xi started the drama by belittling Qian Zhen Zhen’s character writing her to be as awful as possible. Lu Li’s name was also randomly picked without an ounce of sincerity. Li Chun Xi didn’t even have a story for him but her editor wanted her to add him. Once Li Chun Xi became Qian Zhen Zhen, she suffered all this unnecessary hate from her coworkers. It was Lu Li’s character who accepted her. It was Lu Li who reminded her that side characters have a life too; their feelings are real too. It was Lu Li who made Li Chun Xi change her ways to be a better person and to be a better writer.
There’s another overarching message: we’re all main characters. So go out and find yourself a Lu Li, a Li Chun Xi or whoever you fancy.
Chinese Title
超時空戀人
Network: iQIYI
Mini Recaps
[Ep2] Qian Zhen Zhen is pushed into the pool by a perverted man she angered to protect another fellow woman. Lu Li dives in the water to save her. Boss gives her his jacket to keep her warm. Boss seems to be in love with her now. Meanwhile Lu Li is in Qian Zhen Zhen’s home. Both of them are wet. He gives her a towel to dry and she gives the towel (she just used) back to him to dry his. They also accidentally share a blanket and that sends electricity through both their bodies as they fly apart. She quickly escapes to find a bandaid for his neck injury. After getting close to him, he’s the one who’s flustered and quickly runs out her condo.
Next morning, Lu Li buys breakfast for Qian Zhen Zhen without being ordered to. His mood deflates when he sees Qian Zhen Zhen in Boss’s room.
This episode, we’re also introduced to the “main character” Li Chun Xi. So far she fits the bill for the tough bitchy girl. She gives Qian Zhen Zhen a near impossible task. If Qian Zhen Zhen doesn’t interview this man (Mr. Fan) then not only will she be fired, her entire team will be too.
[Ep3] Lu Li finds Mr. Fan for Qian Zhen Zhen. He convinces himself he’s doing this for himself and not because he likes her. He’s working undercover in the company to investigate his brother’s death.
Mr. Fan makes Lu Li and Qian Zhen Zhen stay the night in the same room. He thinks they’re a couple. He's so amused by Qian Zhen Zhen and permits the interview.
Qian Zhen Zhen asks Lu Li how she was in the past. He lists all her faults in one breath. One breath isn’t enough. But he jokes that he was lying. She confesses that whenever she sees Boss, she gets nervous and she’ll turn into someone else. She also tells Lu Li that once she regains her memories, she won’t be mean to him because she knows he’s the only one truly nice to her.
Qian Zhen Zhen plans to treat Lu Li for dinner for his hard work. He gets off early just to cut his hair (because she told him her initial impression of his hair was awful). He even buys her a dish she likes. However, she gets called by Boss to work OT.
[Ep4] Qian Zhen Zhen is nervous with Boss and changes once again. She seduces him. Lu Li sees this and dumps the sushi takeout he got for her. Qian Zhen Zhen avoids Boss like a plague for the next few days. Meanwhile Lu Li stews himself up in jealousy.
[Ep5] Qian Zhen Zhen makes up for the dinner she ditched Lu Li on. She tells him she loses her control in front of Boss. With Qian Zhen Zhen constantly trying to make up to him, he smiles and assures her he'll help her avoid Boss next time.
[Ep6] Boss is infatuated with Qian Zhen Zhen and makes a move on her. Qian Zhen Zhen's alternate ego take over. Lu Li's timely appearance helps her from going overboard with her seduction. Ou Yang Chen's mother is also throwing shade at Qian Zhen Zhen for not knowing her place in trying to snag her son.
[Ep7] Ou Yang Chen's mother collapses right before she makes the announcement of Ou Yang Chen and Li Chun Xi's engagement. She dies in the hospital. Li Chun Xi helps him maintain stability in the company.
[Ep8] Boss confesses his love to Qian Zhen Zhen. He's like, "I'll give you a chance to go out with me. After all, I am handsome and talented. If you want the romantic confession, I will make it up for you." He's pretty satisfied with his own confession. Qian Zhen Zhen doesn't know how to answer him. She's very confused because she should like him if she was the old Qian Zhen Zhen but she's not happy with his confession at all.
When she wakes up after a night of drinking, she finds Lu Li in her home. She thought they done it but bits and pieces of the night come back to her and now she remembers how embarrassing she was.
At work, Qian Zhen Zhen's period comes unexpectedly. She calls up Lu Li to buy her pads and he buys her one of each type. It was a nerve-wracking experience for him. It's even more embarrassing for him when the supermarket bags are see-through so all the employees can see what he bought.
Psychologist Yuan is the one who killed Ou Yang Chen's mother. However, the proof is in Qian Zhen Zhen's purse that happens to be the exact same as the mother's. Qian Zhen Zhen doesn't know yet.
[Ep9] Psychologist Yuan is in Qian Zhen Zhen's home to look for the purse. Or I think it's Psychologist Yuan. Lu Li is there to protect her. The two men fight each other. In panic mode, she reverts back to the novelist's version of Qian Zhen Zhen and runs away. She also hears her own narration. But her own consciousness resurfaces. She's in an internal struggle with herself not knowing whether to flee or to stay. Suddenly, her world freezes. The two men are frozen and only she can move. She helps Lu Li fight the masked man (Psychologist Yuan). Once time resumes again, she's knocked unconscious but Lu Li is safe. The masked man has fled the scene.
Qian Zhen Zhen wakes up but doesn't quite remember everything. She's also too scared to return home so Lu Li adopts her into his. She smiles up at him and tells him, "Lu Li, I feel like I can't leave you anymore." Every time she's in danger, he's always there. She realizes she's practically confessing to him and quickly clarifies that she meant they're like brothers, like friends.
When Boss finds out Qian Zhen Zhen is living in with Lu Li, he says he'll move in too. He thinks Zhen Zhen being here is dangerous. Zhen Zhen clarifies that this is the safest place she can be. Boss is forced out of Lu Li's home. I like Lu Li's smile when she says he gives her security. I laugh when Boss is whining to his poor driver that he can give Zhen Zhen security too.
Qian Zhen Zhen finds a secret chamber in Lu Li's home. The way the chamber opens is pretty cool. On the white board, she sees that he's investigating into Boss and she's part of the investigation too. Instead of mulling in misunderstanding, she demands an explanation from him. But he can't give her one. Disappointed and perplexed, she tells him that he's the one she should be afraid of all along. He's scarier than the masked man a thousand times and more. She leaves his home.
[Ep10] Qian Zhen Zhen draws a clear line between her and Lu Li at work. Boss intervenes and she chooses to enter the elevator with Boss. Boss thinks she made the right decision to leave with him. His big ego thinks she chose him but she’s rejecting him. This Boss character is more amusing than I thought he’d be.
Psychologist Yuan likes Li Chun Xi. His motive is to prevent Li Chun Xi from marrying Boss but there might be more to him than meets the eye, especially, with regards to Lu Li’s brother’s death.
Qian Zhen Zhen has flashbacks of her car accident. She revisits the scene to get more pieces of her memory back but it’s not working. She thinks it’s weird that the car in her memories is different from her current car.
Qian Zhen Zhen sleeps in the office after an OT. Lu Li covers her up and gets pretty close to her. That’s when she wakes up. She’s startled at their proximity and ends up wrapping her legs around him into a big embrace. The two of them awkwardly separate.
[Ep11] Qian Zhen Zhen is shopping for a present and notices Lu Li following her. She whispers to the salesperson that the person following her will pay for her bill. Lu Li smiles at his mischievous Qian Zhen Zhen and happily pays.
There’s a get together at work. They play a game of truth and dare. Qian Zhen Zhen gets a chance to ask Lu Li a question. She asks him who he is and what’s his motive. He pulls her out of the group and starts to tell her but falls onto her before he says anything important. He’s wasted (from a tiny bit of alcohol). She brings him home and finds all the bag she sold online (she's raising money to hire a detective to investigate herself). It was Lu Li who was helping her all along. She also realizes he’s been guarding her whenever she reaches home after work (he has an alarm to remind him whenever it’s time for Qian Zhen Zhen to be home). She has to yell for him to realize she’s right here with him. He then cries and hugs her that he’s afraid to tell her the truth because then she’ll really run away. He had thought he could leave her after completing his mission but he can’t help but care for her. She doesn’t know whether she can believe him though. He hugs her and begs her to believe him. He already lost his brother, he can’t lose her too. She reluctantly agrees to believe him. Happily, he picks her up and spins her around but soon collapses because he’s still too drunk.
In the morning, the two of them are bundled together on the couch. He has her in his arms and she has him in her arms. As she’s trying to unravel him from her, he wakes up and they both roll off the couch. It’s Lu Li’s turn to blank out. He has no idea what he said to her last night or why they ended sleeping in that posture.
Since both Lu Li and Qian Zhen Zhen show up at work with the same clothes as yesterday, rumours are rampant about them. She’s trying to avoid him and the memory-less him thinks she’s angry they “slept” the night together without any explanation from him whatsoever. Thus, he keeps trying to get her to talk to him so that he can apologize and she keeps running away from him. Somehow someway, they end up kissing by accident. He definitely likes it; she probably does too but she’s more freaked out at the moment. Lu Li decides to forgo the apology and confess his love instead.
[Ep12] And this is how Lu Li's confession begins. He's holding a huge bouquet and begins reciting his confession lines. He goes "AH!" every time he starts a new line. Qian Zhen Zhen jumps at each of his "Ah's". LOL. The beginning of his confession made no sense until he got rid of those fancy meaningless lines, then it was sincere through and through. She wanted to accept his love but she remembers she's not in the right state to be in love. She doesn't yet know if she's got a multiple personality disorder. I guess she likes him too much to make him date her when she's probably got a psychological disorder. However, to Lu Li, he thinks it's a rejection because she doesn't like him.
Lu Li is fired by Boss after confronting him (it was about Qian Zhen Zhen where Boss is like it's none of your business and Lu Li is like everything about her is his business). Qian Zhen Zhen returns to work to find him absent. She chases after him. When she finds him he's at the confession venue cleaning up the mess he made. LOL. Now that's something relatable. He's astonished to see her and wants to run. She makes him stand still. He stands as straight as a rod, hands flatten to his side. She asks him if he remembers what he said to her. At first he's like which words? but soon he knows what she means. He's ready to walk to her but she wants him to stand far away from her. He's back to being straight like a rod to listen to her. She confesses her current state and asks him if he can accept her. Of course he is! He's jumping in his spot and she tells him to hurry up and run to her. Aw. It's cute how she's confessing at his confession venue that he has to clean up.
After sending Qian Zhen Zhen home, Lu Li sends her a text, "Having separated with you for four minutes, I miss you already." Meanwhile, Qian Zhen Zhen announces to every thing (living or nonliving) in her home that she is in love and dating Lu Li.
As Lu Li is reading up books on romance, he gets a text telling him to appear at a place if he wants to know how his brother died. Once he's there, he's informed by a messenger that Qian Zhen Zhen is captured. She's unconscious and locked in a car that's heading downhill. He runs at full speed and fights this man and finally manages to get the car to stop to save Qian Zhen Zhen.
[Ep13] Qian Zhen Zhen is in the hospital. She wakes up from a dream. The dream is of her childhood where she is actually Li Chun Xi.
[Ep15] Yuan Mo Bei wanted to kill two bird with one stone by having his follower and Lu Li oust each other but Lu Li manages to win and only his follower is dead. That’s still a win for Yuan Mo Bei though because now there won’t be a witness of his crimes. Qian Zhen Zhen runs to the hospital to find Lu Li (she’s leaving Boss’s home after returning his mother’s purse). She’s frantically looking for Lu Li and is in tears when she finds him alive (and injured). He kisses her and assures him his wounds feel a whole lot better now.
Lu Li makes her stay over at his place because he's worried about her safety. She's embarrassed to live in this time because their relationship is different. After she showers, he helps her dry her hair. Feeling safe with him, she lies on his chest as he blow-dries her hair. She takes a small nap on his lap. When he's all done with her hair, he tries to kiss her while she's still lying on his lap. But they can't exactly reach each other's lips. Heh. Lu Li winces in pain (from his wounds). He shyly tells her he's okay... as long as she kisses him. Embarrassed, she slaps him but then gives him a quick peck on the cheek. Pain, pain go away.
Lu Li reveals to Qian Zhen Zhen the person he's investigating is Yuan Mo Bei (Psychologist Yuan). He's the man who killed his brother after forging his death for taking too many sleeping pills. Qian Zhen Zhen also has a confession to make. She's Li Chun Xi. Hmmmmmm. HM.
[Ep14] Qian Zhen Zhen only knows she's Li Chun Xi. She is not the original Qian Zhen Zhen. It's an absurd situation that she doesn't know how to explain but Lu Li believes her for whatever reason. Love? Or does he actually know know? Lu Li is only confused about one thing: what to call her from now on. But he likes to call her Chun Xi. It sounds like "Spring Love” (Chun = Spring; Xi = Love).
Lu Li: I like Chun Xi because Chun Xi is you. It is the real you. Omg what does this mean!!
After Boss humiliates Li Chun Xi in a presscon that they're not in a relationship, Li Chun Xi has quit. Boss's company is in deep financial trouble.
[Ep16] Boss confronts Lu Li on the balcony about Qian Zhen Zhen (he thinks it's Lu Li's fault he and Qian Zhen Zhen aren't together). Boss asks Lu Li if he’ll treat her well. Lu Li is like, of course. Meanwhile, Qian Zhen Zhen is stuck in an elevator. She hits her head and she finally realizes she’s in her own novel. When Lu Li opens the elevator doors, she remembers how she created “Lu Li” in her novel. Her editor wanted a third male lead that she really didn’t think was necessary. She randomly thought of his name unlike Ou Yang Chen. “Boss” is based on Ou Yang Chen whom she had a crush on since university. She vows to make every male character Ou Yang Chen and every female character Li Chun Xi (李纯熙) so that they can end up together in her novels. Li Chun Xi in the real world has the characters “李春喜” (same sound as 李纯熙) where Chun = Spring and Li = Love. This means that either Lu Li knows Li Chun Xi in real life or this is all a gigantic coincidence. Overwhelmed with the truth, Qian Zhen Zhen / Li Chun Xi runs in front of a car thinking she'll return to her real life by dying? However, she’s still alive and she’s still Qian Zhen Zhen. When she’s awake, she climbs to the hospital roof...
[Ep17] Qian Zhen Zhen is on the rooftop. Considering suicide? She recalls when she was Li Chun Xi, the author, she had writer’s block. She had no idea how to finish her story (which is the current plot with Yuan Mo Bei being the murderer and Ou Yang Chen being her main character who's supposed to capture the murderer). She was ready to give up on her project but her manager reprimands her that she has to be responsible for her productions. Thus the current Qian Zhen Zhen steps back from the ledge. She will continue on with the story and help Ou Yang Chen catch Yuan Mo Bei. When Lu Li finds her in the hospital hallway, she remembers that Lu Li is supposed to die to protect her. She can’t let Lu Li die so she does the next noble thing and breaks up with him.
To catch Yuan Mo Bei, Qian Zhen Zhen pretends to be in love with Ou Yang Chen to make Lu Li give up on her. Poor guy. He’s still in love with her though. He thinks she’s not in control with herself. He gives her the cup they made together at the pottery place. His “I love you” moves her. But her love is no less that his. She continues to push him away to keep him alive. Thus, she smashes the cup to break his heart even more
[Ep18] The plan: Boss it to meet up with Li Chun Xi to get her to distract Yuan Mo Bei while Qian Zhen Zhen is to sneak into Yuan Mo Bei's office to find evidence of his crimes. The plan backfires when Li Chun Xi warns Yuan Mo Bei of their plans. Luckily, Lu Li is on the scene to prevent Yuan Mo Bei from harming Qian Zhen Zhen. Lu Li suffers an injury. This makes Qian Zhen Zhen worry for him and that exposes her love for him. He kisses her. But Ou Yang Chen is here to take her back. The two men are pulling at her hand. Emotionally wrought, she asks both men to give her time. Ou Yang Chen steps back and waits for her in the car. Qian Zhen Zhen lies to Lu Li that he’s always putting her in danger. And so she leaves him again. She’s still sticking to her noble plan.Lu Li develops a fever. Qian Zhen Zhen is worried about him and wanders outside his home. She wants to check up on him but she also doesn't want to give him hope. She's crouches in front of his door and that's when he happens to open it. His emotions are unreadable. He asks her why she's here. By coincidence of course. Not. He asks her why she's still crouched there. She lies that her legs are numb. He leaves her and enters his home again. The door is still open. Moments later, he's back at the door and picks her up to enter his home. Aww. But I thought he was still sick! I guess he was just lovesick and her being at the door is the cure?
[Ep19] Qian Zhen Zhen checks up on Lu Li's injury and all his scars. She cries. Still unreadable, he asks her what's wrong and whether her heart hurts. She then realizes he has a fever. She gets up to cook for him so he can take his medication. Lu Li gives up being mad at her. He wraps his arms around her asking her to not leave. He tells her that he'll always be with her no matter rain or wind. Qian Zhen Zhen caves in to her feelings. She hugs him back and she promises, "If I do leave you one day I will give you a proper happy ending." Obviously, he has no idea what she's saying but he denies that any ending without her won't be a happy one.
Next morning, they wake up from the same bed. They're cute again as he pretends to be sick to get her to stay. The just recovered Lu Li is making breakfast for Qian Zhen Zhen. Over breakfast, they continue to brainstorm a way into capturing Yuan Mo Bei. Thus, they look into Shen Yi Jia (the follower who fell off the roof). He has a girlfriend (Xia Tian). This couple had went for a therapy. Shen Yi Jia loved his girlfriend a lot but he couldn't stop abusing her. That's how Shen Yi Jia met Yuan Mo Bei because he was the psychologist who “helped” him.
Next morning, they wake up from the same bed. They're cute again as he pretends to be sick to get her to stay. The just recovered Lu Li is making breakfast for Qian Zhen Zhen. Over breakfast, they continue to brainstorm a way into capturing Yuan Mo Bei. Thus, they look into Shen Yi Jia (the follower who fell off the roof). He has a girlfriend (Xia Tian). This couple had went for a therapy. Shen Yi Jia loved his girlfriend a lot but he couldn't stop abusing her. That's how Shen Yi Jia met Yuan Mo Bei because he was the psychologist who “helped” him.
Qian Zhen Zhen and Lu Li pretend to be a couple with the same abusive problem to see if they can locate Xia Tian (and if she has any dirt on Yuan Mo Bei). Lu Li is a very convincing barbaric boyfriend. Through the psychologist, Qian Zhen Zhen is reminded of how she came up with the character Shen Yi Jia. He's based on her obsessive love towards Ou Yang Chen. Lol.
[Ep20] Through Xia Tian, Qian Zhen Zhen was able to give enough evidence to Ou Yang Chen for the police to arrest Yuan Mo Bei. Apparently, the evidence isn't strong enough and he's subsequently released free of charges.
Lu Li is furious at Qian Zhen Zhen. He's not mad that she's helping Ou Yang Chen (by giving Ou Yang the evidence instead of him), he's mad that she'd rather trust an outsider than him. Qian Zhen Zhen doesn't know how to explain it to him anymore without revealing the truth. She confesses that everything in this world is a novel she’s writing. She starts listing all the little things in his life to convince him. Thus, Lu Li realizes he's only a character. It takes him a while to regain composure but he realizes he's still living whether or not he's a mere character in her book.
Yuan Mo Bei is drunk and harasses Li Chun Xi. Boss shows up in the nick of time to save Li Chun Xi.
[Ep21] If law cannot confine Yuan Mo Bei, Qian Zhen Zhen plans to kill(?) him herself. She's going to this extent because Yuan Mo Bei's next target is Lu Li. She doesn't want Lu Li to die; she wants to protect him. Lu Li isn't that touched to hear this. All he sees is a Qian Zhen Zhen who doesn't believe him. Just because he's a side character, she doesn't think he can win against Yuan Mo Bei. She cries that everything is fake in this world. Lu Li confronts her that whether her love is fake too. To him, he believes his love his real, his emotions are real. He waits for Qian Zhen Zhen's answers but she can't answer him. He walks away. He gives her his last thoughts: "There is no fated to be (things set in stone); There are no characters set to be main ones or supporting ones.” His feelings are real and that’s all that matters.
Qian Zhen Zhen realizes she's wrong and runs to hug him. He shakes her off and she refuses to let go.
Lu Li: If you don't let go, how can I hug you. Awwwww.
He asks her one more time if she believes him. She nods in his embrace. After they reconcile, he asks her about her real life. She tells him she's a failed novelist. The motivation behind her book is her crush on Ou Yang Chen (who in real life is engaged). She peeks up at him and he declares that from now on her ideal type must be him. He thanks her for being at his side even if she's a little late. Meanwhile Qian Zhen Zhen worries about the day they’ll need to part. She hopes that it'll be much much later.
That night, Qian Zhen Zhen receives a text from Lu Li. It's his honest thoughts about hearing how she created this world for Ou Yang Chen. He was angry that Boss met her sooner but he's also grateful that Ou Yang Chen made her happy in the world he doesn't exist in. However, from the moment they met each other in this story, they're already the main characters (Lu Li and Qian Zhen Zhen). "I hope that you sincerely want to stay with me. I also believe that I will be with you forever. Qian Zhen Zhen, I never thought that one day I would love someone this much."
Back in the real world, Li Chun Xi is in a coma. The manager has decided for Li Chun Xi to undergo surgery.
Back in the story world, Shen Yi Jia is still alive. My bad, I thought he died. He wakes up from his coma.
[Ep22] Li Chun Xi and Boss are also on better terms now. She visits him at work and brings him lunch. She remembers all his favourite food. She also wants to help him catch Yuan Mo Bei by publicly announcing her marriage with Boss. Qian Zhen Zhen wonders if the plan will lure out Yuan Mo Bei. Lu Li assures her it will. Never underestimate the love a man has for a woman. Qian Zhen Zhen smiles and decides to test out Lu Li. Lu Li smirks and lets her walk away for one step and pulls her back down on the couch. He's like don't test me.
Lu Li and Qian Zhen Zhen are off to buy clothes to attend the marriage. He's dashing in a suit and she's stunning in a wedding dress. She's not supposed to be in one but Lu Li wanted her to try it on because she's going to be in one sooner or later. That's just a harsh reminder to Qian Zhen Zhen that she doesn't belong in this world. She awkwardly enters the changing room again claiming the white dress doesn't suit her.
[Ep23] Shen Yi Jia fools Yuan Mo Bei that he's willing to work together with him again to destroy the wedding. Shen Yi Jia just wants to kill the woman Yuan Mo Bei loves. Yuan Mo Bei protects Li Chun Xi and plunges the knife in Shen Yi Jia instead. Before the fight escalates more, Lu Li brings the police in. I realized for a while, I don't know what Lu Li's current occupation is... did I miss it? Qian Zhen Zhen wonders if Shen Yi Jia will turn into a witness to pin Yuan Mo Bei to his crimes. Lu Li assures her that he will. She asks him how he knows but he changes the topic. HMMM.
That night, Lu Li takes Qian Zhen Zhen to the restaurant they were supposed to eat at but she never showed up. After a few glasses of wine, these two spend a sweet, very sweet night together.
Qian Zhen Zhen has a telling dream about herself in the real world. There's 48 more hours until she receives her surgery which means she'll have 48 more hours left with Lu Li.
Qian Zhen Zhen uses her precious time to confront Yuan Mo Bei to confess to his own sins. She makes him realize Lu Li's brother had wanted to recommend him a job. He killed the person who cares about him. She also questions his love for Li Chun Xi. She calls it cowardly because he never confessed. Deep down, Yuan Mo Bei knows that he doesn't deserve her. Visibly affected by her confrontation, Yuan Mo Bei asks Qian Zhen Zhen if he can see Li Chun Xi one last time.
[Ep24] Qian Zhen Zhen bids farewell to Ou Yang Chen. Qian Zhen Zhen feels proud of herself for being able to partake in his life and be his friend. This is a farewell to him but also a farewell to her first love.
Last but not least, Qian Zhen Zhen has a last date with Lu Li. He gives her two bouquet. The first bouquet means "I love you". Qian Zhen Zhen assumes the second bouquet has the same meaning. She gives him a present and inside are all these sweet notes and their pictures together. Qian Zhen Zhen knows her time is up. She asks him to buy her water so that he doesn't see her disappear. He smiles and nods. However, as he's leaving his shoulders are shaking. He's crying. He turns around and shouts to Qian Zhen Zhen that the blue daisies mean "To Wait". It's a flower to ask her to wait for him. He knew she was going to leave; he knew this was their last date.
Li Chun Xi wakes up in her own world. Qian Zhen Zhen is gone from his world. Sniffles. Both Li Chun Xi and Lu Li cry in their respective worlds. After Li Chun Xi recovers, she returns to writing her novel. She promises to give each of her characters a proper story meaning Lu Li will get his too!!
Two months later. Li Chun Xi finishes writing her novel. She's finally forced to say goodbye to Lu Li. She drinks in her car and starts honking like crazy. A police officer tells her to get off and guess who he is. It's Lu Li! Li Chun Xi reaches out to touch him. He's real. She starts to cry and laugh. She climbs onto his motorbike and tells her to drive her – clearly still drunk. And that will begin their love story.
The end.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-6)] The structure of the plot reminds me of The Romance of Tiger and Rose. Obviously, the casts aren't in the same tier but this isn't half bad. I like the idea of it and it's well executed within my expectations for this type of drama. Personally, I think I just like watching new actors and both leads are easy on the eye. I'm waiting for the scenes in the opening credit to happen. This couple seems cute.
[Episode 12 Update] I am really liking this! I like the Boss. He’s hilarious with his overboard ego. I like the story. The plot thickens! We know she’s clearly stuck in this make-belief world but she doesn’t and there’s constantly that internal struggle with her real self and her character whenever she’s nervous. It’s also very confusing who she is. Is she Li Chun Xi or is she Qian Zhen Zhen? The novelist is Li Chun Xi but the main character is Qian Zhen Zhen. Lu Li’s investigation of his brother’s death is also slowly weaving into the story with this mysterious psychologist. I absolutely don't know how to predict this ending.
I also like the chemistry. Lu Li has these puppy eyes whenever he’s with Qian Zhen Zhen while Qian Zhen Zhen is naturally falling in love with him too. I’m really impressed with this drama. Not bad at all.
[Actors/Actresses] I don’t know any of them but after finishing this I’ll be keeping an eye open for Zhang Meng, Jia Ze, and especially Zhu Li Lan.
[Behind the Scenes]
[Ending] Open/Happy
Chen Qian Qian left Lu Li’s world and back to being Li Chun Xi. She does what she promised Lu Li. She finishes her novel and gives a proper story to all her characters. If there’s one thing she learned from Lu Li, it’s to respect all her characters whether or not they’re main ones. I’m certain she gave Lu Li a proper ending with the woman he loves (ahem, herself). However, once she finishes her novel she’s back in heartbreak mode. She drowns herself in alcohol because she can’t write herself a boyfriend in real life. And that’s how she meets real world Lu Li who has no connection with the novel world whatsoever. I’m still not sure what Lu Li’s original occupation was in the novel (don’t know if I missed it or it wasn’t mentioned) but a police officer suits him a lot especially with all his investigations on Yuan Mo Bei. Also, if Li Chun Xi is going to continue writing crime novels, a police boyfriend would be perfect.
To me this is a happy ending in the novel world and real world. After learning to value her side characters, Li Chun Xi would definitely write a proper ending for novel Lu Li. It’s just unfortunate it’s not shown on screen. Meanwhile real world Li Chun Xi meets a real world Lu Li which means she can write all her main male leads based on Lu Li now instead of Ou Yang Chen.
The only thing that bugs me is novel Lu Li is not real Lu Li. I just tell myself that Li Chun Xi entering her novel world is like fate telling her to pay attention to this man and voila he shows up in her real life.
Final Review
[Review] I want to applaud this drama. I went in with zero (almost negative) expectations and it completely rebounded at the halfway mark of the drama. The "who is she" and "why is she here" kept me very invested in the entire drama. However, for those going into the drama, I’d still recommend having lower expectations. It’s a low budget drama after all. There are imperfections but given how little resources this had, the outcome of this is remarkable. It’s an original story with new faces, very new faces, but their acting doesn’t reflect that. The main leads’ sincerity in their characters made me believe the story. The story is drew me in with all the unknown factors. The romance was adorable too. All the characters are/become likeable.
The entire storytelling wasn’t smooth. I thought Yuan Mo Bei’s (the evil guy) downfall was a little fuzzy. I didn’t quite follow the train of logic on why they needed to do things a certain way. I think the first half of the drama opened a lot of possibilities the drama could have taken but it chose a simpler route, an ending that most people can accept and possibly predict. However, overall I love the message of the drama: value every character big or small.
Li Chun Xi started the drama by belittling Qian Zhen Zhen’s character writing her to be as awful as possible. Lu Li’s name was also randomly picked without an ounce of sincerity. Li Chun Xi didn’t even have a story for him but her editor wanted her to add him. Once Li Chun Xi became Qian Zhen Zhen, she suffered all this unnecessary hate from her coworkers. It was Lu Li’s character who accepted her. It was Lu Li who reminded her that side characters have a life too; their feelings are real too. It was Lu Li who made Li Chun Xi change her ways to be a better person and to be a better writer.
There’s another overarching message: we’re all main characters. So go out and find yourself a Lu Li, a Li Chun Xi or whoever you fancy.
Random Recommendation. The Story of Souls From Endless Books
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