A girl wants revenge and marries a guy who can help her.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Notable Actors/Actresses
Zhang Xin Cheng: Cheng Yi Zhi
Cai Wen Jing: Wu Li Zi
Liang Jie: Xiao Ling Dang
Chinese Title
光芒
Chinese Title
光芒
Recap Grade: C
First Impression: 2.8/5
First Impression: 2.8/5
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[Cynopsis (Ep1-3)] Cheng Yi Zhi sells himself to a bank to pay off his guardian's debt. From this point on, he's no longer responsible for this man. He also refuses to kowtow to his immoral manager. From the bottom of the hierarchy, he climbs up the ranks with his righteousness and wits.
Mini Recaps
Wu Li Zi's father dies. She's hellbent on finding out who killed her father even if she puts herself in debt. Unfortunately, her mother soon dies too from a heart disease aggravated from all their misfortunes. The source of Wu Li Zi's misfortune seems to originate from Cheng Yi Zhi's boss.
[Ep4] Cheng Yi Zhi and Li Zi meet again. She's working at a pub, a relatively clean job because you know we can't have our Cdrama FL losing her innocence.
For some reason, There's love in the air as Cheng Yi Zhi and Wu Li Zi meet again. Their statuses are almost flipped. She's no longer rich while he is now successful. Cheng Yi Zhi tells her he can help her if she needs.
Li Zi: Then marry meCheng Yi Zhi: Okay.Li Zi gulps down her wine.Cheng Yi Zhi: When?Li Zi gulps again.
Cheng Yi Zhi is serious. He even has the wedding invitations ready! Xiao Ling Dang seems disheartened. She has a crush on him. As a The Day of Becoming You fan, I am disheartened with her too. It seems Cheng Yi Zhi knows Li Zi is this lady's daughter. For some reason, He treats that lady like a mother. It's Drama's language of telling us that our ML and FL are meant to be.
Li Zi fesses up the truth: she's marrying him because she's in debt. Cheng Yi Zhi doesn't mind it. He'll handle it from now on. Ou, so charismatic ~
[Ep5] They marry!
At the wedding, Li Zi recognizes the voice of the man who she thinks killed her father. It's Huang Ru Hong, Cheng Yi Zhi's boss.
[Ep6] Li Zi apologizes to Cheng Yi Zhi for being drunk on their wedding night. She makes excuses that she's feeling sick these days, but no excuses are needed, Cheng Yi Zhi will give her time to understand him. Until then he won’t consummate with her.
Li Zi is suspicious of Cheng Yi Zhi after learning he works for Huang Ru Hong, and especially after learning of his expedited promotions. Cha Li dispels her suspicions. He doesn't believe there could be anything between her father and Huang Ru Hong.
Cheng Yi Zhi's family. His mother was mentally ill and that insanity of hers has hurt Cheng Yi Zhi deeply as a child. I hope Li Zi won't be another insane lady hurting Cheng Yi Zhi.
[Ep7] Huang Ru Hong gifts a car to Cheng Yi Zhi to motivate Cheng (into doing his dirty deeds, which Cheng is currently unaware of). Cheng Yi Zhi is excited to drive Li Zi as his first passenger but he doesn’t even know how to start the car! Li Zi clutches onto her dear life the safety handle as she teaches him how to operate the car. However, Cheng Yi Zhi was only fooling her. Because why would he put the girl he loves in danger. He swerves the car, making her fling to his side, and then smoothly straightens the wheel. He’s a pro. I am starting to think our ML is a little too perfect.
Madame Huang (or Lan jie) clarifies the rumours with Li Zi. It’s not that Huang Ru Hong married her for her wealth but that Madame Huang married him for love. It was his generosity that attracted her. He started out from the bottom, working the lowliest jobs to support his parents. With his meagre pay, he'd still help an injured man pay his hospital fees. Hm. Sounds like Madame was set up. After their marriage, she told him the truth that she’s infertile. Huang Ru Hong loved her the same. And so Madame Huang is even more in love. When Li Zi learns all of this, does she still have the heart to suspect Huang Ru Hong? (Yes)
However, Li Zi suspicions of Cheng Yi Zhi turn on her. She was certain he was hiding something for her. Her intuition is indeed spot on, but it’s a surprise present for her: he bought her a grand piano. Li Zi struggles to be elated. She's torn from her guilt and her gut feeling. When he asks her to play the piano, she lies that she can’t without sheet music.
[Ep8] The drive is fruitless, all the music shops are closed. Li Zi tells Cheng Yi Zhi that he doesn’t have to do this much for her. He clarifies he’s not asking for anything in return. Although seemingly empty-handed, via the drive, Li Zi recalls a company that her father had dealt with prior to his death. Pretending to be a reporter, she investigates this company.
Cheng Yi Zhi makes red bean dessert. Li Zi is reminded of the same taste she had back when her mother was alive. Cheng Yi Zhi restrains himself from telling her he had made this for her mother, afraid of reminding her of her loss. However, Li Zi knows. She gives him the candy that he had left in her old apartment. It's the candy she loved as a kid. Cheng Yi Zhi puts a comforting hand over Li Zi, but she shifts away.
[Ep9] Cheng Yi Zhi is suspicious of Li Zi. He knows she's lying about meeting with Madame Huang. Soon, he discovers she's meeting with Xu Shu (Professor Xu). On a separate occasion, the men meet, but before they even arrive at the topic of Li Zi, these men connect for their love for their country, that is until they talk about investment which ignites a deep fury in Xu Shu.
Despite facing the possibility that his wife is cheating on him, Cheng Yi Zhi is still in love with Li Zi. In fact, he thinks he’s not worthy of her. He doesn’t even know English. Li Zi laughs it off that with his brains, he can easily learn. Poor boy really wants her love.
Cheng Yi Zhi catches Li Zi meeting with Xu Shu. He's mad, but he suppresses his emotions. With renewed emotions, he takes her to a date. There's not a trace of anger, a testament of his love for her. As they're shopping, she's pickpocketed. Cheng Yi Zhi knew but it's just money and so he lets the kid go, that is until he learns the kid stole her ring. No way, man. Gotta get that back. He chases the kid down but he's part of a team of hooligans. Li Zi bravely runs in with her perfume (ah, it's actually pepper spray) to save her husband. They flee on a bike. With her arms around his waist, he tells her to straighten her fingers. He slips on the ring, "Wear it well. Don't lose it again." Li Zi smiles and rests her head against his back as he bikes the rest of the way home.
Cheng Yi Zhi tails Li Zi on another one of her "dates" with Xu Shu. She plays the piano. Cheng Yi Zhi grips the steering wheel as he watches her play without sheet music. She's also playing with his heart. How can she smile so beautifully for two men?
Li Zi approached Xu Shu with motive. From Xu Shu, she learns that Zhou Guang Xian may have something to do with her father's death.
At night, next to Li Zi, Cheng Yi Zhi stows his feelings that are jilted with lovelorn. He can't speak of them because the moment he does, the woman he loves could leave him. In the day, he's still the righteous man he is as he motivates Xu Shu to accept the investment. Cheng Yi Zhi knows that Xu Shu's architectural design can bring prosperity to their city and their country. Xu Shu is convinced. Cheng Yi Zhi, I am hurting for you.
[Ep10] Cheng Yi Zhi and Xu Shu become friends. When Xu Shu tells him he's planning to confess to this girl he loves tomorrow, Cheng Yi Zhi solemnly wishes him luck. At night, Cheng Yi Zhi asks Li Zi for her plans tomorrow. It's her birthday. He invites her to dinner but she lies to him again. Ah, his expression. I can hear his heart shattering. The second she turns off the lamp, Cheng Yi Zhi is on top of her. It's his last chance. However, he restrains himself once again. Silently, he returns to his side of the bed.
After Cheng Yi Zhi confirms Li Zi is having a date with Xu Shu, Cheng Yi Zhi visits a lawyer. He's drafting up divorce papers. He will give her the house. The rest of his money will be split equally.
Li Zi accepted Xu Shu's dinner (even on her birthday) because she needed a chance to tell him the truth that she's not a reporter and that she's married. She rejects his confession. Xu Shu promises to keep this a secret because he believes her. Through this dinner, Li Zi discovers Cheng Yi Zhi has probably figured out all her meetings with Xu Shu. But Cheng Yi Zhi has never questioned her. The guilt in her heart grows deeper. Does she realize how much he loves her?
At night Cheng Yi Zhi doesn't return home because he doesn't want to give her the divorce papers. In the morning, he visits Xu Shu to sign the contract – business shouldn't be affected by his emotions. He's surprised to see Xu Shu just as withered as him. And then he learns Li Zi rejected Xu Shu. He also figures out she approached Xu Shu to learn more about her ow father. These two are so smart. WHen can they work together? Cheng Yi Zhi drives back home after ripping up the divorce papers. Equally anxious and relieved, he hopes Li Zi is still home.
She is.
Li Zi is waiting for him to eat her birthday cake. Li Zi believes the random lie Cheng Yi Zhi spins to explain his absence. Lying is the only way they can return to normal because they both want each other. As she's eating the cake, her nose is eating the cream too. Cheng Yi Zhi wipes it away but she thinks he smeared her with cream and retaliates. Our newlyweds play like kids as they chase each other around the house.
I loathe how poorly edited this drama is. A good story ruined by pacing and cutting. An annoying voice describing poignant moments when it should be acted. GAH.
[Ep11] After Madame Huang's father dies, it seems Huang Ru Hong is visiting a brothel house already! His father-in-law barely rested in peace – funeral services are still ongoing. Huang Ru Hong also confronts Cheng Yi Zhi that his lackey, Lian Gua Zi (who totally doesn't have a gua zi lian, a face like a melon seed, usually a desired face shape among girls, like a melon seed with a pointy little chin) is selling opioids – this is not a good reputation for Huang Ru Hong. Lian Gua Zi does want to sell the drugs but he was set up. The whole afternoon the boys are investigating this. Cheng Yi Zhi seems to detest opioids and I wonder if it had to do with his mother's mental illness. Was it a drug addiction?
Li Zi misunderstands Cheng Yi Zhi went to a brothel and so when he's home, she sniffs him for any perfume. Flustered, she accuses him, "Is it because we didn't mmfdsfmmm so you .... Is it!!" Cheng Yi Zhi smirks. Lol. He needs to hold down his dimples from showing. He has just confirmed: she's jealous. She pushes him off the bed and brushes the wrinkles off the blanket as if that can erase the jealousy in her wrinkled heart. Well, Cheng Yi Zhi can erase it. He admits to wanting to do it with her here and there but that doesn't mean he'll find other women to do it with (if he can't do it with her). Li Zi smiles, believing him. Now she wants him to strip. Li Zi smirks again. Is this hope? Is this light? Nah, she just hates the reeking perfume on his clothes. But that doesn't mean Cheng Yi Zhi can't be playful as he strips down, starting with his shirt. But he's got so many buttons! We barely get to see chest and Li Zi chickens out as she pushes him to the washroom with his clothes still mostly on.
[Ep13] Cheng Yi Zhi wants Li Zi to be honest with him about her father. He shows her the letters that Uncle Lu gave him that detail Li Zi's father's character. Cheng Yi Zhi understands what Li Zi has lost.: a righteous father, a generous mother, and a loving family. He asks her to believe him that he can help her. Li Zi is in tears. She can't open up yet. She walks out of the study room, but stops. She turns around to see Cheng Yi Zhi sitting there, always waiting for her. She steps into the room again and hugs him. Cheng Yi Zhi kisses her. They spend the night as husband and wife (finally). However, the next morning she's gone. Cheng Yi Zhi is anxious. He finds her walking on the street. She says she was going to buy breakfast (when there is breakfast at home). He smiles, thankful that she's not regretting the night. I hope she's not. Cheng Yi Zhi looks so happy in love. Li Zi, don't break his heart.
[Ep14] Li Zi exposes Zhou Guang Xin for his involvement in opioids in order to vindicate her father's name. Cheng Yi Zi is furious – she stole the information from him. It's not that he doesn't want to help Li Zi but not in this way. Her way of carelessly exposing everything brought down an entire bank, throwing the market into turmoil, citizens hysteria. In her defence, she thought he was deliberately withholding information which is why she took matters in her own ends. In the end, she never trusted him.
Zhou Guang Xin is Zhou Wen Quan's stepfather. With that association, no one would continue to invest in Zhou Wen Quan, but Cheng Yi Zhi will. Cheng Yi Zhi was always a believer of Zhou Wen Quan's research. However, Cheng Yi Zhi realizes Huang Ru Hong doesn't have intentions to invest in Zhou. The collaboration with Zhou Wen Quan could be life-threatening for him.
Li Zi wonders if she was indeed rash in her actions. She suspects that Zhou Guang Xin was working for someone else – a minion. There is a bigger force behind him.
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[Ep18] Li Zi goes to shady medical centre to get an abortion!!. She's convinced Huang Ru Hong killed her father and that Cheng Yi Zhi knew. She doesn't have money for the procedure and pays with her wedding ring. Oh, she did not just do that!! The surgery is almost fatal. Good thing Charlie saved her (I don't really know how, but it's okay, he saved her) and called Cheng Yi Zhi. Charlie tried to be elusive about the details but Cheng Yi Zhi is smart enough to deduce Li Zi got an abortion at her own accord because of him. When she's rolled out after surgery (from a proper hospital) she's unconscious, but her hand is holding onto Cheng Yi Zhi.
Cheng Yi Zi is so forgiving of her it's almost heartbreaking. He tells her she can hurt him all she wants but why did she hurt herself? Li Zi is now infertile. She cries when she learns the truth. And now she learns even more: Cheng Yi Zhi was never involved in her father's death. She thought she could kill Huang Ru Hong with the "bodyguards" she assigned to him, but Huang knew and was only waiting for Cheng Yi Zhi to make a decision: 1) stay and work for Huang Ru Hong or 2) choose his wife Li Zi. Cheng Yi Zhi's decision was Li Zi which is why he's opening a new bank. (Cheng Yi Zhi has also lost all respect for Huang Hu Hong after discovering he invested in opioids.)
Cheng Yi Zhi tells Li Zi: Don't use the hands you play piano with to kill because once your father knows then that would be killing your father a second time. [...] Let's finish what your father couldn't complete (a bank for the people). Darkness cannot eliminate darkness. Only light can.
[Ep19] Cheng Yi Zhi is busy running around preparing for his bank to open. Still, he makes time to care for Li Zi who's at the hospital. Charlie visits too and hollers at Li Zi to sit down. Li Zi's obedience to Charlie makes Cheng Yi Zhi uncomfortable. Jealous, perhaps. But he's not saying anything and it hurts just watching his expression. Li Zi tells Cheng Yi Zhi to leave now that Charlie is here. Charlie knows that Li Zi just wants Cheng Yi Zhi to rest. But Cheng Yi Zhi doesn’t! Also, Charlie’s mad at Li Zi (for the dangerous abortion). He’s so mad that he tells her the Charlie she knew was annoyed to death and the current Charlie is Charlie 2.0. Lol. He’s not mad. Their friendship is one of the highlights of this drama but I never quite understood how it started.
Charlie is an angel who helps Li Zi apologize to Cheng Yi Zhi. For small matters, a simple "sorry" may fix everything but this time, her mistake was too severe. She doesn’t know how to apologize. Charlie asks Cheng Yi Zhi to be considerate of Li Zi. I mean a part of me pities the girl, but I don’t know how much MORE considerate Cheng Yi Zhi can be of her. He stays silent at that. Li Zi hears everything and cries. She was only pretending to sleep. I'm vaguely surprised The Voice isn't explaining to me exactly why she's crying.
The doctor is making rounds and denounces Cheng Yi Zhi for putting his wife through abortion. Her infertility is half his responsibility. Li Zi attempts to explain but Cheng Yi Zhi accepts the criticism. After this scene, I realize why Li Zi finds it hard to apologize. Cheng Yi Zi, with his personality and the way he loves her, he’d forgive her. The problem is Li Zi can’t forgive herself.
Ultimately, Li Zi asks for a divorce. She can’t take advantage of his selflessness. And so she’s making another selfish decision to divorce… Cheng Yi Zhi takes his pillow to sleep in the study room. If they divorce, she doesn’t have to leave. He will give her the house. The Voice is back and tells us that the door that was always open to Li Zi in Cheng Yi Zhi’s heart is now closed.
There’s another divorce this episode: Huang Ru Hong and Lan jie. She knows he has a mistress and says he changed. Huang Ru Hong counters. He never changed. She never knew him.
The bank opens. It’s called Rebang Bank (励邦 libang which means to encourage the nation). Li Zi is Cheng Yi Zhi's right hand (wo)man.
[Ep21] Xiao Ling Dang gets a cute romance! It’s with Dao Qi Jun. He buys a suit from Xiao Ling Dang. On the bill, he writes his name as Da Feng (大風) . He's flirting with her. 大風 means Big Wind and her name means Little Bell. Where there is wind, the bell will ring ~
I like Xiao Ling Dang’s character as well: Xiao Ling Dang opened her own tailor business after getting a loan from Rebang Bank. She's succeeding as a small business owner relying on her skills.
[Ep22] Li Zi and Cheng Yi Zhi couple moments: they pretend to be married in the name of business.
[Ep23] Rebang Bank enlists Charlie to be their professional stock trader. Huang Ru Hong is maliciously buying in on Rice Company (one of Rebang Bank's investments). Once Huang owns enough shares, Rice Company will be his. Charlie has a solution: he tells Cheng Yi Zhi to generate news to spike the stocks. The target response: people won't sell and so Huang Ru Hong can't buy. Essentially, Charlie is a puppeteer, controlling the directions of the stock. He saves Rice Company (but it's at the citizen's expense).
Cheng Yi Zhi doesn't approve of Charlie's methods. He exposed Rice CEO of being an illegitimate son and spread news of the Japanese's brutal victory over the Chinese, sending Shanghai in frenzy in order to plummet the stocks. Cheng Yi Zhi is even harsher on Charlie when he learns that this was a game for Charlie to partly relieve the residual anger from being rejected by his love, Ms. Guan.
Charlie retorts. Who is he to lecture him when Cheng Yi Zhi is just the same: fell for a woman, seduced by a woman. Cheng Yi Zhi was equally foolish for Li Zi. Charlie admits that he can't control his emotions and he hopes that Cheng Yi Zhi can understand. Oh, Cheng Yi Zhi understands. Cheng Yi Zhi apologizes. He will respect Charlie (but that doesn't mean he accepts his ways). And the men are buddies!
[Ep24] Thanks to Charlie's reminder that Cheng Yi Zhi was foolish, our boy slams the break on Li Zi's advances.
[Ep25] Our cute Bell and Wind couple break up. Xiao Ling Dang learns he’s Japanese. He speaks Chinese because his mother is Chinese. Poor guy wanted to propose but Xiao Ling Dan can’t accept dating someone Japanese.
[Ep26] Zhou Wen Quan is under the illusion that Cheng Yi Zhi has cheated him. He pulls out of Rebang bank. Unfortunately, his research lab explodes soon after. The new investor refuses to help him rebuild the lab and he's forced to ask Huang Ru Hong. Thankfully, Li Zi is here. However, Zhou Wen Quan refuses her help. Li Zi becomes emotional and drills in all the things Cheng Yi Zh has done for him. When no one would invest in him after he left Rebang Bank, it was Cheng Yi Zhi who found an investor for Zhou Wen Quan while suffering financial loss. When no one saw worth in his research, it was Cheng Yi Zhi who believed in him time and time again. For the bit of money that Cheng Yi Zhi embezzled (for personal reasons), will Zhou Wen Quan really forget the Cheng Yi Zhi who believed in him? It's hard to not be convinced from Cai Wen Jing's emotional spiel here.
[Ep27] Big problem in the Rebang banking world! They're short on money because they invested in rebuilding Zhou Wen Quan's lab. Huang Ru Hong attacks them at this critical moment to bring them down. Cheng Yi Zhi and co need to prevent citizens from withdrawing all their money out of fear. Cheng Yi Zhi and Li Zi visit all their big business clients to convince one to open their business tomorrow and another to offer big discounts. All these big moves will make big headlines. Their goal is to dominate the newspaper front page to cover up the bad news that Huang Ru Hong will release. Cheng Yi Zhi and Li Zi are perfect as business partners!
The night is a success. Cheng Yi Zhi and Li Zi did the most that they could. They stayed up until dawn. Li Zi asks to borrow his shoulders. He is still in the middle of reacting and her head has already rested on him. He quickly starts up his car, saying they forgot to do something: buy balloons. For grand openings? Our Cheng Yi Zh is still resisting her.
Li Zi and Cheng Yi Zhi blow balloons on the roadside. Li Zi laughs as she recalls the Merchant Lady misunderstanding them as a couple. Li Zi meant to say that they still looked like a couple but swallowed that sentence to say that they must look young to be dating still. Cheng Yi Zhi mocks her for taking a joke seriously. He also says she's talking too much and not blowing enough balloons. Angered, she deflates a balloon right by his ear. He takes revenge and the two are playing around in the street. Awwwwwww! How long has it been since Cheng Yi Zhi laughed like this!! And they're in couple outfits too ~ Later, Li Zi is hungry and Cheng Yi Zhi has candy in his pockets. I think it's her favourite candy hence why she's so happy.
[Ep28] The economy is in depression. Many businesses are struggling. The depression hits Xiao Ling Dang's tailoring shop too. She has to lay off her employees because not a lot of people are buying fancy clothes anymore.
Among the economical depression, Xiao Ling Dang and Dao Qi are also (emotionally) depressed. Li Zi wants to be their cupid and makes Cheng Yi Zhi join her. Cheng Yi Zhi refuses because Dao Qi being Japanese is problematic especially when a war is brewing between the two countries. Li Zi thinks love is innocent. They're clearly unhappy because they love each other and yet they can't be with each other cough Li Zi and Cheng Yi Zhi cough.
Xiao Ling Dang and Dao Qi have lunch together (thanks to Li Zi). He asks her how she's been. In a subdued manner, she answers that she's fine but he says he's not okay, not with the ongoing battle nor being separated from her. He's Japanese but he hates the war. He wants to be with her. Xiao Ling Dang's chin remains tucked.
Xiao Ling Dang is back in her store, contemplating. Cheng Yi Zhi visits her. She asks him what he would do if he was in her shoes. Cheng Yi Zhi reluctantly gives his answer: he'd choose love. Li Zi overhears his answer and grins. She walks away, floating on clouds.
Dao Qi and Xiao Ling Dang are to marry! Cheng Yi Zhi and Li Zi are witnesses. In Dao Qi's wedding vows, he thanks Xiao Ling Dang for accepting his nationality and this quiet wedding. Xiao Ling Dang admits that she is scared but Li Zi gave her courage.
In turn, Li Zi is motivated to confess her feelings to Cheng Yi Zhi. She apologizes to him. However, Cheng Yi Zhi's heart has closed. He wasn't waiting for her apology. He's over that. He prefers his current relationship.
Li Zi: I don't want to lose you. I don't want to run away. Yi Zhi – her lips quiver – can you give me one more chance?Cheng Yi Zhi: What about Xu Shu?Li Zi: T-that's not love.Cheng Yi Zhi: You gave him hope. You let him wait.Li Zi: [...] I never gave him any hope because the person I love is you.Cheng Yi Zhi sounding a little angry: What are you saying?Li Zi shyly turns away: You heard what I saidCheng Yi Zhi leaves.Li Zi grabs onto his arm: Can't you give me another chance?Cheng Yi Zhi is fed up: You're always like this! The one's who pitiful is always the other person (Xu Shu and himself). It's as if you have no responsibility. It's as if it's only a one-sided love from Xu Shu. Everyone only has one heart, it's not for you to carelessly poke around and abandon. The things you've experienced, I understand, but that doesn't mean I can accept your feelings.Li Zi: If everyone only has one heart, how come you won't accept mine?Cheng Yi Zhi: Because when you need love, you can marry. When you don't need it, you can divorce. When you're bored of it, you can reject. When you're moved by it, you can confess. You don't care at all the scattered turmoil you create in someone's else heart. T_T I'm tired. Your love. I can't bear it. T_____T
Oh man. Li Zi hurt him way too deep. When he said he was tired...Oof. This is the first time Cheng Yi Zhi spoke about his feelings, the depth of his heartbreak that he never showed her. She deserved every bit of this rejection ): but it hurts watching her cry too.
[Ep29] Li Zhi finds out how Cheng Yi Zhi grew up: beaten up. She cries for him. Li Zi, you hurt this man even deeper, emotionally. T_T She also wishes his new relationship with Dai Ai Ling all the best. Li Zi means it because she wants him to be happy. I really like this development because it's her turn to be selfless. She really has to claw her way back into Cheng Yi Zhi's heart or I wouldn't think she deserves him.
(Dai Ai Ling likes Cheng Yi Zhi who doesn't know it. He thinks he's only helping her lie to her family so that during their fake dates, she can study at the library. She's aiming for a masters/PhD from an overseas university)
[Ep30] Rebang Bank is facing shutdown. Cheng Yi Zhi's embezzlement headlines the newspapers. The bank in Hong Kong will no longer help Rebang Bank. Only Huang Ru Hong offers to save Rebang Bank but on the condition that Cheng Yi Zhi returns to him.
Huang Ru Hong admires Cheng Yi Zhi because I think he sees himself in Cheng Yi Zhi, someone who will betray family to succeed. Although Cheng Yi Zhi lied about his upbringing Huang Ru Hong knows he ran away from his mother, leaving her crippled in her mental health.
Cheng Yi Zhi's past and with his current predicament suffocates him. As he's driving, his car crashes. However, it wasn't (all) due to his emotional trauma. Mr. Lei (Huang Ru Hong's lackey who has an inferiority complex) tampered with his car. Now Cheng Yi Zhi is hospitalized.
There's some good news. Zhou Wen Quan makes a breakthrough in his research for tuberculosis treatment. Li Zi is also keeping the fortress afloat with loyal staff who won't leave the bank even though it's facing imminent shutdown
Lan jie is heavily pregnant. She found herself a new man (Gao Da Yong). I think her pregnancy is to give us hope that Li Zi can have the same miracle.
[Ep31] Bedridden, Cheng Yi Zhi has lost hope that Rebang Bank can survive. Slumped on the bed, he tells Li Zi that his mother would abuse him like he wasn't even human. He ran away from her and abandoned his family. This is the real him. Li Zi immediately rejects that notion. She reminds him that he brings light to people. I love how she's the one lighting up his life now. He is not the darkness he claims to be. Cheng Yi Zi needed to hear that. Li Zi holds onto his hand and he grips onto hers! With his free hand, he wipes away Li Zi's tears. She takes her free hand and holds onto his. They're both holding each other's hand ~
Li Zi learns from the doctor that Cheng Yi Zhi might not be able to stand anymore. Cheng Yi Zi overhears. When Li Zi finds him, he's sprawled on the ground and refuses her help. She reprimands him.
Li Zi: Those who can’t accept they’re disabled are truly disabled. You can’t walk and so you think you’re useless. If you can't walk, so what? If you can't stand, does that mean you're useless? [...] Once you think that you can no longer care for others and can only be cared for, you can't stand it, right? You’re used to giving. For others, you can do anything. But now that you’re crippled you can’t do anything. The people who can't accept the truth are truly crippled. Very tough love...
Cheng Yi Zhi mutters: No one can accept this for their entire life.Li Zi sits down, her eyes sparkle, her tone playful: You're being cute with me!Cheng Yi Zhi looks at her with bewilderment: What? Translate: Are you serious, right now?Li Zi: You can't stand which means you can’t think which means you've lost your job which means you're worthless. You think other people will leave you. Is that right? [Let me tell you] no one will leave you. At least I won’t – walks away – I’m going to get you food. Wait here.Cheng Yi Zhi rubs his grumbling tummy LOL. Aw!!
Cheng Yi Zhi recovers. He can stand a bit. It's unrealistic, but o-kay. However, the minute he's discharged, he's summoned to court for aiding and abetting Zhen Shan Feng for murder. He's the one Cheng Yi Zhi embezzled for. He's Cheng Yi Zhi's nightmare, haunting him of his dark past. During trial, Zhen Shan Feng accuses Cheng Yi Zhi of being guilty but Li Zi brings in hard proof that Cheng Yi Zhi didn't know he was a murderer when he gave him the check.
Dai Ai Ling confesses her love to Cheng Yi Zhi. She only wanted to confess. Nothing more. She can tell he still loves Li Zi. Cheng Yi Zhi smiles at that. I like Ai Ling. She still confesses her love when he's disabled. She's very clearly a younger version of Li Zi if her father never died.
Four months later. Cheng Yi Zhi can walk using a cane. He asks the staff to vote if they still want him. He knows he failed them as a leader. The result: an overwhelming majority for him to stay. Grateful, Cheng Yi Zhi distributes his shares to the staff.
[Ep32] Li Zi moves in with Cheng Yi Zi with the excuse that the doctor said it's a critical time period for him to recover his motor skills. Uhhh alright. If there's a cohabitation, sure.
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| Li Zi sleeps on the couch and peeks at her divorced husband who's grumpily sleeping on the bed. Cheng Yi Zhi thinks it'll ruin her single reputation so he kicks her out. But then the city is in an unrest because of the war and so he ends up asking her to stay (rather bashfully). Li Zi should have jumped at the chance but she plays hard to get and then he's like Yeah, you should leave. LOL. Li Zi shamelessly sets down her bag and declares she's staying. |
Gao Da Yong's son, Gao Xiao Cong, is buried in debt and so Gao Da Yong has to use all his savings to cover his gambling butt again and again. Cheng Yi Zhi tells Gao Xiao Cong that his father at his age has gone down on his knees for him twice. (Oh and it's not a coincidence Gao Xiao Cong was involved in gambling – all thanks to Mr. Lei). I have no idea how much time has passed since the start of the drama, but from Zhang Xin Cheng's acting alone, I can feel he's channeling a middle-age man. I appreciate that even though there's no way he looks like he's 35+yo. Gao Xiao Cong seems to finally understand the struggles his father went through and promises to be a new man. He wants to work in Rebang Bank. Cheng Yi Zhi approves. Li Zi assigns Charlie to be his teacher. I like their (Charlie and Gao Xiao Cong) scenes. Charlie is like a fox and so Gao Xiao Cong is learning from the shyest fox of all.
Cheng Yi Zhi rests his mother's ashes in a grave. Is that how it works? Confused. Huang Ru Hong finds the grave. He had thought Cheng Yi Zhi could be his next in line and inherit his business. He thought Cheng Yi Zhi would be like him, swallowed by darkness because he grew up in darkness. But Cheng Yi Zhi has light in his heart (The Voice told me).
Other updates: Xiao Ling Dang is pregnant; Lan jie has already given birth.
[Ep33] War is ramping up. Xiao Ling Dang has given birth. Dao Qi and Xiao Ling Dang continue to conceal their marriage.
Huang Ru Hong is working with the Japanese.
There's a mysterious phone call that rings at midnight. Whenever Li Zi answers, the caller hangs up. She thinks the call was meant for Cheng Yi Zhi. The next night, Cheng Yi Zhi takes the couch so that he can pick up the call. Li Zi won't let him sleep on the short and narrow sofa but he's insistent. They're at a stalemate and both agree to sit up all night. It's so awkward, he's starting to think she lied about the caller. She's offended. Yes, she was shameless about staying in his home, but she'd be an idiot to lie about the call to have them sit on the couch doing nothing. LOL. The phone rings. He gets an address to a mailbox. Inside there is a note that helps Cheng Yi Zhi navigate his business around the Japanese.
[Ep34] Xu Shu dies. Li Zi cries, feeling hurt and feeling bad. She wouldn't even be Xu Shu's friend because she was afraid Cheng Yi Zhi would misunderstand. Cheng Yi Zhi kisses Li Zi. Through this, Cheng Yi Zhi learns she always loved him and that she never gave Xu Shu a chance. If I was Xu Shu, I'd rise back from the dead, lol, but I think his death is to symbolize that life is precious, especially during such times.
Our couple legit sleeps together on the bed for one night to mourn for their friend and then they're separated. He's in Hong Kong. He's doing his part in keeping the country strong, keeping the economy strong, and investing in the right exports.
[Ep35] A Japanese General, Liu Er Lang likes Li Zi and has his men tail her. She doesn't tell Cheng Yi Zhi. Afraid Cheng Yi Zhi would worry?
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| I could not screenshot the one that Charlie was dying in, so I kept this one where I can see him happy T_T |
[Ep36] Charlie dies!!!!!!!! Ms. Guan was manipulated by Huang Ru Hong who wanted Charlie to work for him under Japanese rule. Charlie was going to resign from Rebang Bank for love but Cheng Yi Zhi and Li Zi convinced him to stay (and from betraying the country). Charlie was in the middle of rejecting Ms. Guan and a gunshot killed him. It's Mr. Lei who orchestrated the killing. Mr. Lei is betraying Huang Ru Hong to brown-nose Liu Er Lang (Japanese). The Japanese don't like Charlie because he's too cunning. What Liu Er Lang doesn't know is that Charlie has trained a disciple just as cunning: Gao Xiao Cong. Xiao Cong takes over Charlie's work, continuing to be a headache for the Japanese.
Xiao Ling Dang's son dies!!! What is wrong with this episode! His name is Xiao Feng which sounds like Da Feng (Dao Qi's Da Feng means "Big Wind". Xiao Feng sounds like Little Wind, but with a different Feng which means "Plentiful"). He's killed because he's half Japanese and half Chinese.
Lian Gua Zi is the mysterious voice helping Cheng Yi Zhi.
[Ep37] The Japanese forces have taken over the city and they want to swallow Rebang Bank. Cheng Yi Zhi is forced to step down for Mr. Lei to replace him as the president. Mr. Lei has officially betrayed Huang Ru Hong.
Liu Er Lang likes Li Zi and is threatening her to stay single. She pretends to be angry at him for handing over Rebang bank.
[Ep38] Xu Shu is alive!!!! He came back from the dead! I swear I had no idea when I told him to rise from the dead....
Although Cheng Yi Zhi isn't working in the bank anymore, he's working to get it back from Liu Er Lang. He teams up with Xu Shu. Meanwhile Li Zi works with Ning Ning from within the bank. Ning Ning is married to Mr. Lei but she still loves her ex, Zhou Wen Quan (pharmaceutical guy).
The team takes down Liu Er Lang and Mr. Lei.
Li Zi arrives at her hotel room. She's not living at home anymore because Liu Er Lang would eerily wait for her inside. She had to use a gun and threaten to kill herself for him to leave. She thinks he's in her room again and turns around to point a gun at the man, but it's Cheng Yi Zhi! Our couple are together again! It's sweet and mixed in with a little jealousy as she asks him who was the girl at the bar. He laughs that the girl was just a cover and didn't Li Zi have a man too? That's an insult to Li Zi. Our girl had to use a gun on Liu Er Lang.
[Ep39] Cheng Yi Zhi is reinstated at Rebang Bank and Mr. Lei is taken down. During the celebration for his return, Cheng Yi Zhi proposes (again). Li Zi accepts (again) ~
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| I love how aware Zhang Xin Cheng is of his bad leg when he knelt. |
Cheng Yi Zhi and Li Zi are alone at home. He kneels down to propose to her again with their previous wedding ring. He wanted to throw the ring away but he couldn't. Li Zi is teary as she accepts it.
Li Zi moves in to hug Cheng Yi Zhi but he stops, asking her if she's going to fall on him and pretend to be drunk like their last wedding night. Li Zi answers with a passionate kiss. This couple took a looooong detour but it was worth it for this level of trust and transparency in their love.
Ning Ning dies.....
[Ep40] Obsessive Huang Ru Hong still wants Cheng Yi Zhi. I think I get his obsession. As much as Cheng Yi Zhi wants to prove Light can defeat the Darkness, Huang Ru Hong wants to show Cheng Yi Zhi that he's wrong. Once consumed by Darkness, there is no light. If Huang Ru Hong doesn't win by changing Cheng Yi Zhi, then Huang will have to admit he lived his life wrong.
Cheng Yi Zhi does not fall to Huang Ru Hong.
Lian Gua Zi dies.
Lazy recaps. I'm not that interested in the story anymore. These episodes are mostly Chinese vs. Japanese and that being a Good Chinese is not betraying your country. A lot of patriotism and not my personal taste in dramas unless it's thrilling and/or romantic. The banking part was more interesting than this. With one more episode to go, I just want closure.
[Ep41] Xiao Ling Dang dies. Dao Qi finds her corpse lying on bed with a gunshot wound to her chest
Huang Ru Hong dies (after he stopped Liu Er Lang from killing Cheng Yi Zhi).
It's the second time Xu Shu saved Cheng Yi Zhi's life and Xu Shu FREAKING DIES by blasting the ship with himself included. If he was our main hero, We'd see him jump from the ship and whilst in midair, he'll aim at the explosives. Few months later, he'll show up alive >_>. Ultimately Xu Shu dies on the ship like he was rumored to be....
Few months later.
Rebang Bank reopens. The people alive are: Cheng Yi Zhi, Li Zi, Rice Boss, Zhou Wen Chuan, Gao Da Yong, Gao Xiao Cong, and Lan jie (and Dao Qi?). Cheng Yi Zhi gives his speech. He had thought he was the one who should be supporting others. He didn't need to be protected. He was wrong. He can stand here because he was protected by those who sacrificed their lives to create ordinary days like these. There are flashbacks of Xu Shu(!), Charlie(!!), Xiao Ling Dang, Lian Gua Zi, and Ning Ning. Li Zi plays the piano. No matter how many years have passed, Cheng Yi Zhi loves her the same as he watches her fingers dance on the keys. There's more flashbacks. The one scene of Gao Xiao Cong rising in Charlie's footsteps triggered me. Charlie!! Those who have died have left a trace of themselves: Xu Shu has a building design for Cheng Yi Zhi and Li Zi; Charlie lives inside Gao Xiao Cong as he strives to be better.
After everyone pays their respect to the sacrifices of their loved ones, Cheng Yi Zhi and Li Zi walk hand in hand to the rest of their glorious days as husband and wife, and as business partners.
The end.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-5)] I know why some of you are watching this ~ Zhang Xin Cheng (ML) and Liang Jie (2FL) are reunited! But actually, this was filmed before The Day of Becoming You. Her character merely harbours a crush on him. The main romance is with Cai Wen Jing's character.
The story: our righteous ML finds himself working for a corrupted boss and our FL wants revenge on this boss. And then by Ep4, boom, we're in an engagement! What is up with dramas and their sudden engagements? It's not like I need an entire prequel to establish their feelings, but some romantic buildup would be nice. Other than the romance, I am anticipating a big dramatic revenge story. Let's see where this goes.
Recaps will stay relatively light, like very light. Truthfully, I don't quite understand this drama enough to give more details. Either I'm not paying a lot of attention or the editing is jarring. Both, I think, are valid reasons.
Also, I hate the narration. I don't need no mysterious deep voice from the corner narrating their feelings for me.
[Dropped (Ep14)] I can no longer stand this. It's not just the voice. It's the storytelling, the transitions, the edits, the directing, whatever it is that's ruining the story's flow.
[Update (Ep18/19)] I am back! Ep18/19 makes this drama so much better. The plot feels like a coherent piece. Li Zi stops obsessing over revenge and starts working with Cheng Yi Zhi as his business partner. Although their relationship starts from "zero" again, it's a much healthier of building trust and love.
[Title (~Ep18)] Chinese title is more meaningful to the drama... like all the time... 光芒 means Rays of Light, Brilliant Rays. It relates particularly to the characters Cheng Yi Zhi and Huang Ru Hong. Huang Ru Hong is consumed in darkness, and thrives in darkness. He succeeded in life with that belief. Then comes Cheng Yi Zhi who Huang Ru Hong believes is just like him. However, despite similar dark childhood experiences, Cheng Yi Zhi's life is touched by the tips of light. Cheng Yi Zhi conquered the darkness. Cheng Yi Zhi will continue chasing the light and emitting/reflecting light while Huang Ru Hong, to prove that his belief is the truth, will hold down Cheng Yi Zhi.
[Ending] Happy for the main couple.
[Review & Rating]
Try not to be too attached to all the characters...The last few episodes pertain to the Second Sino-Japanese War and is very patriotic (with quite a bit of death) and is where I lose interest. Good thing is it's condensed and near the last stretch of the drama.
[Review & Rating]
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