Jiang Hao Yue, Lu Miao and Si Che make an adorable and lovable trio. It's a peculiar love triangle. (The guys don't care for each other but they are stuck working together at times.) The three leads are seriously great in this. And yes, you'll have a hard time choosing between Jiang Hao Yue and Shi Che. I started out Team Jiang Hao Yue but several eps in - I was no longer so sure he was the right choice for Lu Miao. You'd have to see for yourself.
Jiang Hao Ye is introverted, intelligent (top of his class), mature and pensive. He has a physical disability (left leg prosthetic) - the mystery is unraveled over time and is completely exposed by E21. He's not a jerk to others - just polite and keeps it business only. He also doesn't trust people easily. Lu Miao is the bright spot in his life but he treats her like a sister. His father makes me so angry, who gambles and drinks all the time and forgets about his son - but he kind of redeems himself in the last 5 eps. His mother is absent, except by telephone. Jiang Hao Ye loves Lu Miao but he doesn't feel like he deserves to be by her side. Over time, he learns overcome his disability, as he wants to be of more help to Lu Miao. I feel that he's always been there for her emotionally and mentally which is, perhaps, more important than just physically. (I'm sure that messes with male self-esteem though...)
Lu Miao is his opposite - extroverted, energetic, a mediocre student, immature and very prone to her emotions. She really cares for Jiang Hao Yue, is his protector, and one of his only two friends. Her parents are so loving but they're far from perfect as the series progresses. She was very excited about meeting and getting to know Shi Che at first until she realized the depth of her feelings for Jiang Hao Ze. Lu Miao is pretty straightforward for the most part, almost to a fault - except when it comes to falling in love with Jiang Hao Yue. Perhaps it's because she's young and scared - he's her first (& only) love. (This actress is very pretty and just looks great in any outfit, any hairstyle, with or without elaborate makeup. And I appreciate the fact that she's not just another short, skinny female - she's got curves, and they actually mention it a few times throughout the series.) Her parents are crucial to her friendship with Jiang Hao Yue.
Shi Che is the new student at their school, and chases Lu Miao for most of the series. He's sweet, funny, smart, has a big heart, not the best student, and a basketball fiend. He actually shares many of Lu Miao's interests. His love confession to her was one of the cutest yet saddest moments in the series - and he did this out of love for her. I was rooting for him almost more than Jiang Hao Ye until the second half of the series. I was heartbroken for him.
Xie Zi Ye is Lu Miao's best friend - smart, organized, sharp-tongued, and more than what meets the eyes. Originally, I thought she was going to stay uptight and be a minor character - she's not. Sometimes, she's the only voice of reason.
Qu Wei is the new student who is a bit robotic, rude at times, and very intelligent. At first, he was very competitive to the point of being obnoxious with Jiang Hao Yue. Eventually, he becomes a very close friend (only guy friend) of Jiang Hao Yue. (There's a lot of shipping of these two guys - you'll understand why.)
Chen Guo Guo is one of my favorite characters in this series. He's best friends with the very outgoing and confident Shi Che. He just cracks me up with his goofiness, sincerity and awkwardness. (I really loved Guo Xin Yu in The Best of You In My Mind, so that's why I even watched this series.) Every guy needs a friend like GuoGuo - well, maybe not for Jiang Hao Yue.
Su Dai Fei is also interested in Jiang Hao Yue. She's a pretty girl but can be mean. I didn't like her much. Jiang Hao Ye puts her in her place eventually. Chen Guo Guo also has a crush on her.
Some people are very weirded out that Jiang Hao Yue and Lu Miao are "brother" and "sister" - but they don't have the same parents, don't even share step parents - just a complicated past (accident, disability, parent issues) and they're, technically, neighbors.
E21 will break your heart for sure. Jiang Hao Yue's world as he knew it falls apart.
Everything is set during high school and every ep showcases a childhood scene with little Lu Miao and little Jiang Hao Yue.
It's a bit fluffy and a bit serious. Since it's dramaland, a bit absurd, too. There are some very sweet scenes, interspersed with poignant and heartbreaking, and definitely some hilarious moments. I highly recommend this series for anyone who enjoys high-school love/friendship stories - it's just sweet, funny, can be deep, and entertaining. There are some campy parts. It's not perfect but I truly appreciated the storytelling with love, support and laughter threaded throughout nearly every episode.
For those wanting to know, there are no kissing scenes but I promise, it's not really necessary.
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