The Confidence | Recap and Review

A murderer comes back to haunt the girl who ruined his plans.
Notable Actors/Actresses

Peng Guan Ying: Shen Shi Jie / Feng Xiao Sheng

Cai Wen Jing: Ke Ying

Liu Kai: Xiao Wu 

Scriptwriter

Xian Cheng (Author)

Chinese Title
陽光之下

Genres: Contemporary, Slight Romance, Suspense

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2020
Episodes: 32/40

Recap Grade: C
First Impression: 4/5

[Dropped]

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The story in short:
It's a fight against this man and that girl 
He's the outlaw; she's the justice

[The Story (Ep1-3)] Shen Shi Jie is a wanted criminal, a cold blooded murderer  By chance, Ke Ying drives on this stranded road to visit her boyfriend and bumps into his gang. Her car is hijacked and she's almost raped. Fortunately, she manages to escape and becomes a sole witness for his whereabouts. Soon, evidence starts rolling in and the police are able to narrow down on him. They chase him all the way to a cliff where he jumps off and dies. The corpse that’s retrieved is unidentifiable but with so many policemen witnessing the event, they’re certain it’s Shen Shi Jie. 

Seven months later. Life is normal for Ke Ying. Her boyfriend proposes to her, her family is happy. However, at the university she works at she bumps into this man who has the exact same eyes as Shen Shi Jie. That smirk he gave her at the end of Ep1 is the epitome of creepiness.

Feng Xiao Sheng is the man who looks like Shen Shi Jie. He is a successful CEO. No one believes Ke Ying when she testifies that Feng Xiao Sheng is Shen Shi Jie. Slowly she turns paranoid at everything. She starts believing she’s paranoid too. 

Is she paranoid or is he really who she thinks he is?

[Ep2] There’s a scene where Ke Ying calls out to Feng Xiao Sheng as Shen Shi Jie. She used such a loud voice and he doesn’t turn around at all. I’d say that’s abnormal. He does do one thing: clench his fists. If the creepy smile in Ep 1 doesn’t convince you he’s Shen Si Jie, this fist clench should. He’s resisting himself from turning around. 

The weird thing is Feng Xiao Sheng (who looks a bit sick) was clearly at a presentation to introduce his company’s newest car when Shen Shi Jie died. So who died? The real Feng Xiao Sheng? 

[Ep3] Although every single person thinks Ke Ying has a serious case of paranoia, Chen Jing Yang (police officer) takes her testimony objectively. He had thought it was weird the evidence came to conveniently seven months ago when they had absolutely nothing on Shen Shi Jie prior to that. He pays Feng Xiao Sheng a visit. They have one handshake and both men found it significant. After that handshake, both of them want to see the video of that car presentation from seven months ago. What do they know!! Before Chen Jing Yang can investigate into more of it, he dies. A car crashes into him. It’s under Feng Xiao Sheng’s orders. Or should I say Shen Shi Jie. 

Xiao Wu (Meng Hui) witnesses Chen Jing Yang’s death. In his last breath, Chen Jing Yang protects Xiao Wu so he can run away (keeping his identity hidden). Xiao Wu is Chen Jing Yan’s informant among the gang. His one goal in life is to find his parents again. Chen Jing Yang knows that deep down this lad is a good one. 

This is a screenshot of all the comments; it's all the same, everyone's scared, lol

[Ep4] Feng Xiao Sheng invites Ke Ying for a trivial dinner. She went only because he helped her student (Yu Cheng Bo). During dinner he calls her “Teacher Ke”. She immediately counters how he knew her title. He casually reminds her a student had addressed her in front of him. Her guard loosens. He asks, “why are you so afraid of me?” He could sense that when they first met she literally stopped breathing. Omg the food is so red!!! Why so creepy. He apologizes for asking when he hears her full story. As an apology, he gives her a present. Cautiously, she opens the box. Inside are pictures of the man she killed out of self defense. He is Shen Shi Jie! 

The next day she finds herself in bed, safe and sound. She doesn’t remember what happened yesterday after she received the present. She had her student stake out that night during dinner but he recounts to her that she returned home on her own and when he tried to call her she texted him back that she was tired. When Ke Ying asks the security guard for footage of the elevator (because she lost her wallet) she finds out the electricity went out. There’s nothing on camera. Right at that moment, Feng Xiao Sheng calls her. He knew her every move. He knew he had her student waiting for her. He knew she was going to check the surveillance cameras. 

Over the phone, Ke Ying demands Shen Shi Jie what he wants. He even knows she’s recording their conversation. He tells her to stop otherwise her parents will be in danger. He’s serious. He graffitied his parents home in red with “Shen” written on the wall. What is Shen Shi Jie’s purpose of revealing his identity to her? He wants to play a game. The idea of turning a white piece of paper dirty bit by bit is pure amusement to him. Isn’t that fun? Very... The rules are that as long as there’s no resistance, there won’t be harm. Shen Shi Jie has her phone tapped and her house monitored. She can’t escape from his eyes and ears. Before he hangs up he reminds her his name is Feng Xiao Sheng.

[Ep5] When Ke Ying’s parents and fiancé (Yang Yu Ze) are at her home, Feng Xiao Sheng delivers her a package. It’s lingerie. This creep. Furthermore, he makes her dress skimpy. She listens to his orders. Xiao Wu who now works for Dao Jian (the man who killed Chen Jing Yang) drives her to the classy prostitute house. 

Xiao Wu doesn’t want to work for Dao Jian but a small underling like him cannot refuse. He does bring Ke Ying to the hospital after he finds her unconscious. The doctor tells him the severity of her external injuries. He hasn’t even began an internal inspection. Xiao Wu lies that he called the police just to keep everything under the wraps. I honestly don’t know if she’s raped or Feng Xiao Sheng only ordered his men to beat her up. 

[Ep6] Ke Ying stays in the hospital. She doesn't want her loved ones worried. Xiao Wu cares for her (the best he can without raising Dao Jian's suspicion). She's registered in the hospital with a fake name "Ke Xiao Wen".

The police have found their way to Dao Jian and arrests him. Feng Xiao Sheng can't play this game with her anymore and ends it early. He wants Ke Ying killed. However, Xiao Wu saves her. He doesn't know Feng Xiao Sheng is the Big Boss. 

[Ep7] Shen Shi Jie releases Xiao Wu. It seems like he admires his loyalty.

Ke Ying continues to be under Shen Shi Jie's control. My romantic antenna is vibrating. She locks him in the girl's washroom. I laughed a bit at how he could end up in that state. But how will romance work..?? How? 

[Ep8] Xiao Wu has an alliance with Xiao Tong Bing (police officer). 

Feng Xiao Sheng (probably) hears Ke Ying celebrating her seventh year anniversary with Yang Yu Ze. She had actually forgotten. Her best friend (Lian Lian - a reporter) also barges in to celebrate. It sounds festive at her place meanwhile Feng Xiao Sheng has dinner all alone. He orders his subordinate to have dinner with him. The poor guy can’t even eat properly. Feng Xiao Sheng offers him wine and he can’t drink it. He insists he pick at the food other than the rice bowl in front of him and he doesn’t even dare move his chopsticks too far. Feng Xiao Sheng has lost all his appetite. He cooly calls up Dao Jian to join him at the casino. Feng Xiao Sheng makes a movement with his mouth and immediately, Dao Jian knows who he might really be: Shen Shi Jie.

 

[Ep9] Xiao Wu is Feng Xiao Sheng’s driver. They pass by Ke Ying who’s rushing to the hospital to see her father who suddenly collapsed. They stop for her. She gets on the car and orders Xiao Wu to the hospital. Feng Xiao Sheng approves. Wow, he cares. 

I find FXS’s scenes with that bodyguard hilarious. Feng Xiao Sheng was eavesdropping on Ke Ying and her father but when he wanted to leave, his bodyguard stands in his way stiff like a rod. He had to push him away like he was a curtain. Haha. Then he orders him to buy him a water bottle just to get him out of his car. He orders Xiao Wu to drive off without him. The bodyguard ends up running all the way to the office to give FXS his water bottle. Haha. I never thought I’d be laughing at this drama. 

Xiao Wu gets off the car to help an old lady cross the street. When he’s back though he starts cursing the lady to hide his kindness. Does Feng Xiao Sheng see through that? I’m curious what his thoughts are of Xiao Wu. Does he like Xiao Wu for his kindness? 

Ke Ying seeks out Feng Xiao Sheng. Her father needs to leave abroad for surgery. She promises she won’t leave. Feng Xiao Sheng makes her bet on who will win pool between him or Xiao Wu; if she wins her father can leave. She doesn’t want to bet but he reminds her she has no choice in this. She bets on Xiao Wu. He wins. Ke Ying thanks him for winning. 

This girl is a genius, a daring one. Ke Ying made her father collapse by lowering his blood sugar. She preplanned everything so that all her loved ones can leave the city, out of Feng Xiao Sheng’s surveillance. Then she gets her student (Yu Cheng Bo) to rent a car and buy a ticket for her because she can’t use her ID. That same night she drives out of the city. Shen Shi Jie is also looking for her that night. Omg girl, please escape. I am very scared for you. 

*I will be using Shen Shi Jie and Feng Xiao Sheng’s name interchangeably wherever I find appropriate. 

[Ep10] Shen Shi Jie finds her! She’s caught. He captured her student. He finds her duo phone and he's furious she played tricks right under his nose. Ke Ying isn’t exactly vulnerable. She turned on the tap water letting it seep the entire hotel room. She immediately jumps to the electrical cable threatening to die together. Shen Shi Jie reminds her about Yu Cheng Bo who’s still in his hands. 

Ke Ying: Shen Shi Jie you will go to hell. 

Shen Shi Jie: You’re wrong. I came back from hell. I knew you would betray me but I didn’t know you’d make me die with you. Okay we’ll die together. We’ll go to hell together. Let’s see who’s more afraid. 

Shen Shi Jie takes her hand with the free cable. He forces her to bring it to the water but Ke Ying resists him. She wants to keep Yu Cheng Bo safe. Shen Shi Jie dying would mean he dies too. Yu Cheng Bo is innocent in all this. 

Shen Shi Jie: Remember! Your life is mine. If I don’t let you die you cannot die. You will live in my hell.

Ke Ying confronts Shen Shi Jie that Chen Jing Yan died because he knew of his identity. Now the oddity is he's keeping her alive. Ke Ying knows exactly why. She can read him like a paper. He wants her alive not just to torture her like he said but because she’s the only person who remembers Shen Shi Jie. As long as she's alive, Shen Shi Jie is alive. Otherwise he’d only be a puppet, someone else’s shadow. She knows he isn’t happy with his life despite his wealth. Her reminding him that he's Shen Shi Jie brings him the little joy that he has in life.

Feng Xiao Sheng takes Xiao Wu to the restaurant he used to frequent as Shen Shi Jie. The owner finds him familiar. However, the owner says Shen Shi Jie isn't anyone good, just part of a bunch of hoodlums. Omg I hope the owner is alive after this. 

[Ep11] Xiao Wu doesn't actually know Feng Xiao Sheng is Shen Shi Jie but his instincts tell him to suck up by telling how glorious Shen Shi Jie was in front of Feng Xiao Sheng. FXS likes the compliment, lol.

Dao Jian steals money from the gang and escapes. No one can find him. Shen Shi Jie personally takes action and ends him off. Eek. Dao Jian was the one who sold him off to the police seven months ago.

[Ep12] Shen Shi Jie is an orphan, He doesn't have any relatives or friends. No one mourned for his death. Hmmm, is that why he connects with Xiao Wu?

Xiao Wu and Xiao Tong Bing are narrowing in on the oddity of Feng Xiao Sheng. He's not who he seems. Xiao Tong Bing updates him that the restaurant owner disappeared. Omg. 

Feng Xiao Sheng isn't in a good mood. He asks Xiao Wu what does he do when he's moody. Xiao Wu says he'll drink up with his buddies. And so, drinking they go. Xiao Wu also goes to pick up Ke Ying. 

Qiang Ge (the brother who brought Xiao Wu into the gang) casually tells Feng Xiao Sheng that Xiao Wu witnessed Dao Jian kill Chen Jing Yan. Omg. Bro, you're indirectly killing your brother.

[Ep13] Feng Xiao Sheng's comment on Xiao Wu witnessing the death: "What an unlucky child.” When Feng Xiao Sheng casually asks Xiao Wu about it, Xiao Wu is quick to react. He acts like a coward that Qiang Ge told him to never tell anyone about it because it’s not anything lucky. Feng Xiao Sheng believes he’s harmless. 

It's a poker game with Feng Xiao Sheng's "brother", Feng Rui Chi (Feng Xiao Sheng’s cousin. He invites Ke Ying because girls just have to sit on the side when men play cards. In the car ride back, Yang Yu Ze calls her and asks where she is. She lies that she's at a student's birthday party. Shen Shi Jie grabs her hair and turns her around so that she's facing him. He wants to see how she lies in front of him. She gets off the car and he follows. He wants to be invited upstairs knowing that Yu Ze is home. She pleads him in a quiet voice to give her just one place to breathe. Feng Xiao Sheng stretches his neck and turns his ear to her. She hovers closer and in a louder voice, she pleas him to let her go adding in “Shen Shi Jie”. She turns around; he grabs her wrist. Without turning around she flings him off. 

Ke Ying is moving on to seduce Feng Rui Chi. She knows that he knows nothing about Feng Xiao Sheng being Shen Shi Jie. 

[Ep14] Feng Xiao Sheng calls Ke Ying to meet up. She’s at an important meeting but he doesn’t care. She ditches it and arrives grumpily in his car. Since Xiao Wu is there, Feng Xiao Sheng tells her that even if this is a “part-time” at least be more professional. Ke Ying glares at him. She starts taking off her blazer. This girl has personality. 

[Ep15] Ke Ying secretly pulls Feng Rui Chi aside to tell him Feng Xiao Sheng isn’t Feng Xiao Sheng but Shen Shi Jie. Omg. Already? Feng Xiao Sheng was even at the same party that night. So daring. 

Feng Xiao Sheng finds a hidden voice recorder in his car. He immediately suspects Xiao Wu. He points a gun to his head and asks whose orders he’s under. Xiao Wu stands his ground and said he did nothing wrong. There’s no need for him to record his audio when he’s his driver. He’s a walking recorder himself, why would he need to buy an extra one. If Feng Xiao Sheng was going to suspect him, why not suspect his bodyguard. The bodyguard quickly denies it’s him. Feng Xiao Sheng believes the both of them now. When he leaves, the bodyguard gives a quick glare to Xiao Wu. Lol. Xiao Wu also finds out the gun was fake. LOL. All this unexpected humour. 

Feng Xiao Sheng is informed by his “father” that it was Ke Ying who spilled to Feng Rui Chi about Shen Shi Jie. Feng Xiao Sheng invites her to a secluded construction site. Before arriving, she had also informed Yu Zhe that if she doesn’t return within thirty minutes he will call the police. He knows she's bluffing. He takes her by the neck and has half her body over the balcony ready to kill her any moment. A romantic, isn’t he?

[Ep16] Xiao Wu was following Ke Ying. He saves her by pretending to be a janitor and shouting that it’s dangerous in a dialect to hide his voice. Ke Ying lives. 

Not only does Xiao Wu save Ke Ying's life but he has orchestrated a press conference immediately after they return. Ke Ying knows one of the reporter is an acquaintance of the real Feng Xiao Sheng but since the current Shen Shi Jie can’t reply in English, Ke Ying helps him answer. When asked what relationship she has with him, she announces to the world she’s his fiancée. Oh. Lol. Hm. At least as his fiancée, he can’t suddenly kill her out of nowhere. But what about your real fiancé, Ke Ying? Xiao Wu is witnessing this from afar, he’s a very confused man. So is Xiao Tong Bing. 

Eagle-eyed netizens have found out that there was supposed to be an intense kiss scene during the newspaper conference here. It was apparently cut out. How netizens knew of this deleted clip was reading the tiny words in the newspaper article that probably lasted less than five seconds on the screen. 

What is Shen Shi Jie's relationship with Feng Family? I got no clue. The "dad" knows Feng family owes him for the past twenty years. He wants Feng Corporation to be in his hands rather than Second Uncle because the real Feng Xiao Sheng paid his life for what the corporation is today. The "dad" doesn't want a bomb (Ke Ying) at his side but Shen Shi Jie says he'll handle her. 

Ke Ying doesn't pick up any of Yu Ze's calls. Ke Ying, must we come to this point of ditching your entire life to catch Shen Shi Jie? Poor girl even lies through her conscious to her parents that she no longer loves Yu Ze. 

Chen Miao Miao and Yu Cheng Bo are investigating into Feng Xiao Sheng as well. Chen Miao Miao is focused on who killed her father (Chen Jing Yan) meanwhile Yu Cheng Bo is more interested in looking into Ke Ying. Yu Cheng Bo thinks Ke Ying is threatened by Feng Xiao Sheng. Chen Miao Miao denies that possibility because their press conference looked so lovely. 

Feng Xiao Sheng suspects Xiao Wu as the janitor who helped Ke Ying. He makes him try on the janitor outfit that Xiao Wu had thrown away. Does Feng Xiao Sheng know for sure?? 

Meanwhile our funny bodyguard continues to glare at Xiao Wu. LOL. Why is this guy so funny? He's dismissed from his position because he's been tattling to the "dad" about Feng Xiao Sheng. He denies tattling. He was asked by the "dad" so he answered. Xiao Wu is like yeah, yeah, yeah, not tattling.

[Ep17] Yu Ze doesn't believe Ke Ying can leave him like that even after she coldly tell him she doesn't love him anymore. He confronts Feng Xiao Sheng and is held captive by him. Ke Ying begs Shen Shi Jie to release him. I think Yu Ze realizes she's being threatened at this point. As she leaves with Yu Ze, Shen Shi Jie drags her back that she's his fiancée now. He doesn't actually let them leave, especially not after Yu Ze offensively points at him with his finger. They're just in another location for Shen Shi Jie's men to torture them. The men assigned the task is Qiang Ge and Xiao Wu. Qiang Ge demands Xiao Wu to chop off Yu Ze's right hand. So difficult typing this. Xiao Wu can't do it. He walks away but someone else does it. Yu Ze's hand is still attached though, just severely, severely injured. 

Ke Ying calls Shen Shi Jie and begs him for the pinky finger which his men took and threw away after chopping it off. Ew, ew, ew. She looks for it on the street. He stands out in the rain to watch her search for it. I don't think he's particularly enjoying it. His men threw it away without his order. He sounded pissed off and orders his men to find it again with her. She can’t find it. She only finds the engagement ring. When she leaves, Shen Shi Jie kicks Qiang Ge. His orders were to chop his hand, not his finger. I was wrong, I thought Shen Shi Jie felt bad for her...

Ke Ying is asked by the police who injured Yu Ze. Before she can testify, Shen Shi Jie calls her. He first falls her  "Ah Ying" and reminds her that her parents are "safe" with him. As a result, Ke Ying cannot tell the police the truth. She doesn't expose Feng Xiao Sheng. 

Yu Ze is furious at her for concealing the truth. He doesn't know why she's so afraid of Feng Xiao Sheng. Dude, are you not afraid after losing a finger? Ke Ying once again lies through her teeth that she detests her life with Yu Ze; Feng Xiao Sheng can give her more. She just feels bad for injuring him because of her. He tells her to give up suing Feng Xiao Sheng. If he doesn't, she'll turn herself in that it was her who ordered the attack on him to make him break up with her. Yu Ze believes she doesn’t love him anymore. A bit of a logical hole in his character for not believing her when she’s obviously so frightened for him. 

Shen Shi Jie threatens Ke Ying even more. He can kill her and easily make Yu Ze the suspect because now he has a motive (a brokenhearted boyfriend out for his ex). 

Ke Ying with disgust: You're an animal/brute

Shen Shi Jie gnarls: Yes, I am an animal so you better not mess with me. Don't even think about it. Careful, or I'll bite you. His eyes.....omg. 

[Ep18] Ke Ying is fully aware that Shen Shi Jie won't kill her. She promises she can earn him money. He scoffs at her; he's Feng Xiao Sheng. He doesn't need her for money. She reminds him only his face is Feng Xiao Sheng. His brain is still Shen Shi Jie; he knows nothing about finance. He cannot touch the money his "father" owns. Ke Ying is a economics professor. She can make Feng Corporation his. He says he has time to learn and he wouldn't want a ticking bomb at his side. She smirks and corrects him that he doesn't have time. The funds are slowly flowing out of Feng Corporation and he knows it (oh, it's Feng Rui Chi who's smuggling the money out under "dad's" orders). Shen Shi Jie is tempted. This girl is pretty awesome. 

Xiao Wu secretly meets up with Xiao Tong Bing. He confronts Xiao Tong Bing for getting into Second Uncle's car. What. Xiao Tong Bing smirks, "Why do you still believe me then?" Xiao Wu reveals that Chen Ping Yan told him that if he (Chen) dies, the next person he can believe is Xiao Tong Bing. Xiao Wu also updates Xiao Tong Bing about Yu Ze. Feng Xiao Sheng had specifically ordered him to cut off his hand. Xiao Wu has another update. He wants to quit. He's afraid. He can't cut off a finger and if Feng Xiao Sheng continues to order him, he can't do it. Xiao Tong Bing gives him a helpful prompt, "Do you think you can still leave scot-free?" However, before Xiao Tong Bing leaves him, he assures him that if he really wants to quit, he'll assure his safety and continue to search for his parents. 

Feng Xiao Sheng brings Ke Ying to send off Yu Ze who's leaving to England. Feng XIao Sheng is such a sadistic man. For a moment, Yu Ze was touched to see her (his arm still injured...oof) but then he spots Feng Xiao Sheng getting off the car, strutting his stuff. Yu Ze leaves without a word. Feng Xiao Sheng smirks that that's the last of their relationship. Ke Ying asks Feng Xiao Sheng to stop hurting Yu Ze from now on. He asks why. She answers it's because she loves him. Feng Xiao Sheng isn't exactly happy to hear that. 

Ke Ying moves on to confront Xiao Wu. She asks, "What does it feel like to chop off another man's finger?" I really want to stop typing this last bit of the line. Xiao Wu doesn't know if she's friend or foe and answers her cautiously. 

Shen Shi Jie and Ke Ying "enjoy" a dinner date. She's publicly his fiancé. He seductively puts the napkin around her before dinner start to tease her. He knows she hates it. While eating, she reaches over and feeds him steak. He glares at her and she reminds him there are people watching them. She smiles an angelic one. Oh this devil of a girl. He opens his mouth but she takes it right back. Her grin is devilish as she tells him she was teasing him. LOL. Nice. She feeds him once more. This time he grabs her hand and takes the meat from her fork. Ah, he bites the meat so menacingly. When Ke Ying retreats her hand, she wipes her hand as if the most vile thing had touched her. 

[Ep19] Ke Ying gets her revenge on Xiao Wu by stabbing his hand with a table knife. Shen Shi Jie had permitted it. The injury is nowhere near losing a finger though...

Everyone, this is Shen Shi Jie.

Shen Shi Jie tells Ke Ying how he became Feng Xiao Sheng. He was on the run and jumped off the cliff as planned. He was imported like a cargo to Spain where he underwent plastic surgery. The real Feng Xiao Sheng had planned it all. He is Shen Shi Jie's biological brother. They share the same father. Shen Shi Jie is to take his place and continue his life because the real Feng Xiao Sheng is dying. Why is he telling her all this? He thinks she won't have any proof so telling her all this means nothing to her. There is one thing he doesn't tell her: how his DNA of the corpse confirmed it was him who died. 

[Ep20] Ke Ying finds out that Feng Corporation is practically an empty shell. It has no funds and is running on bank loans alone. Eagle eyed netizens took a screenshot of Ke Ying and Feng Xiao Sheng holding hands in the company. It was literally the shortest scene. Can you spot it?

"Dad" has a flashback. His son, the real Feng Xiao Sheng, assures him that using Shen Shi Jie is the easiest plan to save Feng Corporation. Shen Shi Jie is only an orphan and Feng Xiao Sheng can sense he's thirsty to live. He will be at their control. Wow. The real Feng Xiao Sheng might not be worse than Shen Shi Jie but he's definitely not that much better. 

[Ep21] Xiao Wu is highly recognized by Shen Shi Jie but not without a few tests first. Shen Shi Jie was betrayed by a brother and almost lost his life. He has test to Xiao Wu otherwise Shen Shi Jie can’t trust him which means Shen Shi Jie now trusts Xiao Wu. Shen Shi Jie better never find out the woman and the brother he loves are out to get him. Shen Shi Jie assigns Xiao Wu to look into Second Uncle’s smuggling. Shen Shi Jie wants to find the funds.

[Ep22] Completely unrelated but if anyone has watched The Bad Kids, you'll recognize the harmonica tune as the same folk song that Pu Pu sang before everything turned bad. This folk song just had a whole new level of creepiness because this scene had Shen Shi Jie too. 

Shen Shi Jie is very proud of his girl scheming for him. If only Ke Ying was as bad as him, then I'd totally support this CP.  

[Ep23] Shen Shi Jie growls when another man touches Ke Ying.

Xiao Tong Bing thinks Xiao Wu might have died. He went MIA after Shen Shi Jie sent him on that smuggling mission.

[Ep24] Lian Lian finds out her mother (assistant mayor) is part of the Feng Corporation sham. She's disappointed in her mother. She's also disappointed in Ke Ying who she thought was her soulmate, someone who valued justice as much as her. She had suspected Ke Ying as the one who tipped her with the anonymous email but Ke Ying lies that it wasn't her. 

Shen Shi Jie buys a new phone for Ke Ying (because she made him step on her phone). In the phone, he even took a selfie for her. He spent a long time finding the perfect angle but she tells him she already bought a new phone. He throws this phone away and so we never get to see the selfie. 

After he drops her off, it seems like he has something to say but he gulps it back down. Instead he calls her to apologize for what he has done to her. Huh, is this Shen Shi Jie? She's emotionless as she tells him she's hanging up. However, someone from behind her covers her mouth and makes her faint. 

[Ep25] The conversation before the kidnap was what would happen to Ke Ying if she went against the "Dad" (Feng Yong). Feng Xiao Sheng's answer: "Well it depends on how important you are to me." Well, she is important because Feng Xiao Sheng will go against Feng Yong to save her. He hollers at this “father” and saves her from his men. 

During the kidnap, Ke Ying's phone breaks again. Feng Xiao Sheng gives her the new phone. 

Feng Yong tells Shen Shi Jie that it was Ke Ying who leaked information to Lian Lian. Shen Shi Jie's innate response is to deny it. This boy is in love. He goes to pick her up at her parents (it's her father's 60th birthday) and drives her home. He checks every corridor and waits until she opens her door. However, that's not all to his protection. He wants her to move in with her. No matter what he does though, she still loves Yu Ze. 

Apparently a lot of scenes were cut out. The birthday cake was bought by Shen Shi Jie with a happy birthday message that meant he wasn’t going to harm her parents but that was completely left out. I had wondered why there was an extra long moment spent on filming the cake. 

Xiao Wu makes his appearance; he's not dead. He tells Shen Shi Jie that Second Uncle is smuggling gold. Ke Ying, who just moved in, overhears. Shen Shi Jie knows she purposely eavesdropped (and he lets her?).

[Ep26] Chen Miao Miao and Yu Cheng Bo have found out Feng Xiao Feng might just be Shen Shi Jie. 

Lian Lian can’t reach her reporter partner. She confronts Feng Xiao Sheng. He (goes out of his way and) proves that her "true article" is false by fabricating evidence. Is he trying to impress Ke Ying’s best friend? Otherwise he could just cut off another finger y’know. Meanwhile Ke Ying is nervously waiting for him the entire night.

[Ep27]

[Ep28] Feng Yong attempts to break up the partnership between Ke Ying and Feng Xiao Sheng by accusing Feng Xiao Sheng of cheating on her with Lian Lian. This couple isn't fazed. Duh. However, that's not quite the same when Shen Shi Jie gets wind of Yang Yu Ze's return. 

[Ep29]

[Ep30] Yang Yu Ze is back (without a pinky). Now that he’s calmed down, he can’t believe Ke Ying betray him (and her own consciousness) like that. It’s not like her at all. Later on they secretly meet. He's helping her investigate into Shen Shi Jie. 

Just one meeting with Yu Ze, Ke Ying is already exposed. Shen Shi Jie asks her how dare she meet her ex. Her answer: “Because you like me.” His eyes can eat her alive as he confirms he does like her but that doesn’t mean he can’t hurt her. She starts using her tears as she tells him that she had to see Yu Ze because he came back with an injured finger demanding her this and that. She lies through her tears that she didn’t want to lie to him. 

Shen Shi Jie drinks at his usual bar where Miao Miao works at. As he leaves, she gets into his car and into his home. Huh. As she’s stealthily (whatever) maneuvers around his room, Shen Shi Jie isn’t actually sleeping. His eyes are open. Did he hear the phone call between her and Ke Ying then? 

After looking for Miao Miao together, Ke Ying figures out where Xiao Wu stands: opposite of Shen Shi Jie. Omg. Will this drama finally be interesting again?? D: Ke Ying pretends to be jealous of Miao Miao in front of Shen Shi Jie. Miao Miao also pretends to explain. By the way, she looks fine. However, Shen Shi Jie doesn’t believe Ke Ying anymore. He calls her Teacher Ke again and scoffs that he can’t possibly like her. 

Xiao Tong Bing gets a chance to ask Ke Ying if Feng Xiao Sheng is Shen Shi Jie. She answers yes. Uh. Does the drama end then...? But she doesn’t have proof. So anticlimactic. 

[Ep31] Ke Ying tells Lian Lian that Feng Xiao Sheng is Shen Shi Jie. Okay, plot is falling apart for me. I don’t like it when people are just “told” what happened. She also tells Miao Miao’s grandma now about Shen Shi Jie = Feng Xiao Sheng. 

Miao Miao is upset everyone is on Ke Ying’s side. Yu Cheng Bo lectures her. Miao Miao thinks he’s just in love with Ke Ying that he doesn't believe her (Miao). Yu Cheng Bo says he doesn’t love her. He admires her like she’s an angel, his light, his hope. Yes, not love. 

[Ep32] Shen Shi Jie and Lian Lian “date”.

Ke Ying and Xiao Wu join hands. Am I the only one disappointed how all this reveal and partnership has developed? SO BORING. 

Ke Ying meets with Feng Yong to tell him she hates Feng Xiao Sheng. She will give him what he wants (company related) in exchange for proof that Feng Xiao Sheng is Shen Shi Jie. Xiao Wu alerts Feng Xiao Sheng of this meeting. Once he’s in earshot, Ke Ying erratically changes her attitude and now it sounds like Feng Yao is forcing her to expose Shen Shi Jie. She successfully wins Shen Shi Jie's (weak!!) heart again. Ah. Show, will you be interesting again? But why can’t you be interesting for a longer duration? Then she pushes her palm down on the glass shards to make her hand bleed. Shen Shi Jie picks her up. But it’s her palm that’s injured? Ke Ying tells him she can walk. His answer: "You walk too slow." He cares again. Men. 
[Ep33]
[Ep34]
[Ep35]
[Ep36]
[Ep37]
[Ep38]
[Ep39]
[Ep40]

Remarks

[First Impression (Ep1-6)] This is a dark one. You’ll know if you’re into this early by Episode 2 and latest by Episode 4. I’m serious when I say this is dark and I find it absolutely alluring. The creepiness of Shen Shi Jie and the potential threat he brings thrills me. The paranoia that Ke Ying feels is so real but no one, no one believes her. He makes her go crazy and yet she's saner than everyone around her. What I find the creepiest is how subtle the details are. It’s in a smile, a clenched fist, and a handshake. 

I'm going in this rather blindly and I think it's amazing that way. This is based on a novel that I haven't read. I can't wait until our FL finds a way to fight back. The girl may be in a frenzy from her 'paranoia', but she's no easy target. I’m expecting this to be good but keeping my expectations in tact. There’s something about this drama that truly worries me: the episode count. 

P.S. I see ads of Shen Shi Jie (Peng Guan Ying) selling hotpot meat. I don’t have the courage to buy it. LOL. 

P.P.S. It’s weird calling this The Confidence when all the posters have The Controllers inscribed. It's a last minute change. Even the Chinese title has a positive spin (Under the Sun). It’s Chinese censorship. 

[Actors/Actresses] I remember watching Peng Guan Ying in those family dramas where he’s the loving male lead, unconditionally loving the female lead who has to suffer x, y, and z to get her happiness. Now he’s here as a coldblooded murderer and very convincingly so. What a good actor.

[My Inner Dilemma (Up to Ep20)] The romance. I can’t help but feel the romantic pull between Ke Ying and Shen Shi Jie. Gosh, I’m telling myself this guy is a murderer and a brute. He chopped off someone’s finger!! And yet because it’s Peng Guan Ying acting him out with so much charisma, I find him charming. My brain and my heart are obviously not in the right place. It doesn’t help that on Weibo there are romantic fan-made MVs and it actually looks very sweet. I don’t know how I want this drama to end anymore. Do I want him to be caught? Do I want justice? How do I want to see his character end? Dead? Jailed? Happy?

[Behind the Scenes] 

• Ep25: In the bloopers Ke Ying entered the wrong passcode. Shen Shi Jie was supposed to wait for her to enter her condo but Peng Guan Ying (actor) laughed and hovered over her (he’s so tall!!) until she got the passcode right, Everyone bursted into laughter afterwards. 

[Dropped (Ep32)] Forget it. I refuse to watch any more of this. Plot is watered down and stretched paper thin to fill forty episodes. The only thing I don’t regret watching this for is Peng Guan Ying.