Welcome to the Open Thread, everybody! We’re kinda in an angsty stretch in our story, so this shot of Xiao Le actually is likely one of the few vivid spots, this set of episodes. Which is why it’s headlining our put up as we speak. ❤️
SOME IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS, earlier than we start:
ZERO SPOILER POLICY
1. We shall be adopting a ZERO SPOILER POLICY for this Open Thread, apart from occasions which have occurred within the present, up thus far.
The spoiler tags don’t work in e mail notifications, due to this fact, please take be aware that WE WILL NOT BE USING SPOILER TAGS FOR THIS OPEN THREAD.
ANY AND ALL SPOILERS WILL BE REDACTED to guard first-time viewers in our midst (though, I’d respect it in the event you would save me the difficulty of getting to redact spoilers, heh 😅).
This consists of, however just isn’t restricted to, how characters &/or relationships develop, later within the present.
We have to defend the harmless! 😉
SPOILER ZONE
2. HOWEVER!! If you happen to’d like to debate spoilers from a rewatcher’s standpoint, I’ve created a SPOILER ZONE for you, the place you’ll be able to focus on all of the spoilers you’d like, with out the necessity for spoiler warnings. Yow will discover it right here!
With out additional ado, listed below are my reactions to this set of episodes; have enjoyable within the Open Thread, everybody! ❤️
My ideas
Episode 25
We’re nearing the top, my pals (simply 2 extra weeks to go!), and I suppose, together with that, Present is beginning to clear our second leads out of the best way, in order that the runway is evident for our predominant loveline to take centerstage, with out our second results in complicate issues.
I’m supposing that this why we get this dialog between Yi Qian and Director Dad, the place Director Dad will get all uncharacteristically sentimental.
Like I stated final episode, I’m simply not used to seeing him on this house, however y’know, I suppose it’s fully doable that he’s all the time had this tender spot for Yi Qian, whilst he confirmed the remainder of the world his dour scheming face.
And, it’s in all probability fully doable that he loves Yi Qian a lot, that he would carry ahead his retirement plans, in order that he may inform her that he’d take her away to start out over within the US, if that’s what she needs.
Narratively, although, it does lean fairly handy, however hey, no matter works, proper?
Equally, Auntie Hua telling Mu Cheng to get up to the truth that she nonetheless loves Guang Xi additionally feels fairly handy, as a result of I’d’ve anticipated Auntie Hue to be too involved about her son being detained, to be Mu Cheng’s supply of perspective and steerage.
I do respect the scene of Yi Qian looking for out Guang Xi at his workplace, as a result of that does really feel needful.
It’s approach higher that they’ve this dialog, and achieve a greater sense of closure, fairly than go away issues hanging, from when Guang Xi referred to as off the marriage.
I do assume it really works out to be a fruitful dialog, with them listening to issues from one another, that really feel necessary.
Guang Xi will get to listen to from Yi Qian, that his marriage revenge scheme is ridiculous and all improper, which I do assume he wants to listen to, and he doesn’t appear that closed off from listening to it from Yi Qian.
And, Yi Qian will get to listen to from Guang Xi, that he had sincerely cherished her, within the 6 years that they’d spent collectively.
I do assume that’s necessary for Yi Qian to listen to, as a result of, despite the fact that she wasn’t fully upfront with him throughout their relationship, she was honest in loving and caring for him. It should be some type of comfort to know that in that point, he had cherished her too.
I’m unsure I observe why Xiao Le says he already knew that Guang Xi’s his father, however I’m simply glad that it’s not some type of enormous shock for him. I assume Present simply wanted Xiao Le to be a stabilizing drive for Mu Cheng, since she’s all out of kinds over the scenario.
Which, nice, I assume it really works? Mainly, if Xiao Le’s okay, I’m cool with it.
I need to say, despite the fact that I’d been into the idea of Guang Xi and Mu Cheng embarking on a contract marriage and falling for one another once more within the course of, what we get.. isn’t fairly what I’d imagined.
For one factor, Guang Xi’s being purposely reducing and merciless in his phrases to Mu Cheng, and whereas I rationalize that he’s lashing out at her for leaving him in his second of want, it’s no enjoyable to look at, for certain.
For an additional factor, whereas most contract marriages entail that the couple falls in love regardless of their business-only association, as I watch Guang Xi and Mu Cheng, it turns into fairly clear, that they nonetheless love one another, however simply aren’t admitting it.
So, fairly than falling in love with one another, their predominant mission, if they’d simply get round to it, is being trustworthy with one another.
Placing that every one collectively, this contract marriage due to this fact doesn’t have the identical components that I are likely to take pleasure in in a contract marriage. However.. not less than that retains the watch expertise kinda contemporary?
I can’t say that Guang Xi may be very likable proper now, like when he talks to Mu Cheng in a reducing method about Tuo Ye being her lover, whereas they’re in the course of getting their marriage registered.
Additionally, I’m guessing that Present would possibly be attempting to amp up the romantic stress between Guang Xi and Mu Cheng, with the pressured skinship? I’m unsure, actually, as a result of it’s definitely not enjoyable to look at.
Plus, Guang Xi seems irritated, and Mu Cheng seems distressed and perplexed, so it’s not like anybody’s having an excellent time right here, with the pressured skinship.
I suppose that is Present’s approach of creating Guang Xi lash out, and again in 2009, this was extra acceptable fodder for TV, in comparison with now? I’ve determined that you actually need your retro drama lens for this angle of issues, particularly.
The factor that was hardest to look at, this episode, was Mu Cheng breaking the information to Tuo Ye, that she’s married Guang Xi.
Poor Tuo Ye. I can see why he’s so blindsided and upset.
In spite of everything, he’d so not too long ago proposed to Mu Cheng, and he or she’d stated sure. And now, that’s utterly turned on its head, and he or she’s married another person, when he wasn’t wanting. Like, actually.
It’s utterly comprehensible that Tuo Ye’s as upset as he’s. My coronary heart does exit to him, as a result of he seems genuinely crushed.
And, I don’t assume that it’s true that Mu Cheng by no means trusted him; it’s that she actually solely ever noticed him as a buddy, and sadly, that’s not what Tuo Ye needs, finally.
It may be robust to see Tuo Ye stroll away from Mu Cheng like this, saying that he doesn’t assume he will be her buddy anymore, however I do assume that that’s in all probability finest for Tuo Ye, not less than for some time.
He wants time to grieve and heal and get himself again collectively once more, and I feel that a long way between him and Mu Cheng, could be extra useful than not.
Episode 26
Properly. If we’d thought that Guang Xi’s habits in direction of Mu Cheng was uncomfortable to look at final episode, Present ranges up the problem this episode, by making his actions even extra uncomfortable to look at.
To which I can solely say, retro drama lensss. 😅 I do assume it’s the one approach we’re going to get via this, you guys. I feel it’s comparatively frequent to return throughout questionable habits in lovelines, when trying out older dramas or films, so we’ll simply must roll with it.
This episode, we see Mu Cheng and Xiao Le settling into their new dwelling – which is principally Guang Xi’s household dwelling (ie, he didn’t purchase a brand new home for the three of them to reside in; he’s simply introduced Mu Cheng and Xiao Le to reside within the household dwelling).
Which signifies that it’s a fairly large deal, for President Mother to make a stand in opposition to Guang Xi’s marriage by transferring out, as a result of, that is her dwelling, in any case.
I’m not stunned that President Mother isn’t completely happy concerning the marriage, nevertheless it nonetheless pains me to see her brush off Xiao Le like he’s some type of disgusting insect. He’s so not! He’s a candy little soul, and doesn’t need to be handled like that by his personal grandmother.
Fortunately, Xiao Le doesn’t seem too fazed about this, however I’ve to confess, this does make me really feel additional protecting over Xiao Le.
I do know I’d stated that if anybody may soften her coronary heart, it’d be Xiao Le. However.. perhaps it’s not such a good suggestion for him to spend time with President Mother in any case?
Though Lawyer Lin does attempt to say a couple of phrases in Xiao Le’s favor, it seems prefer it’s going to take greater than somewhat pep discuss for President Mother to vary her thoughts.
I imply, even proper now, she’s nonetheless insisting that she would do all of it once more – all which means, constructing Guang Xi a brand new life utilizing faux reminiscences – given the prospect. Mother’s fairly delusional, I feel.
However, placing that every one apart, probably the most dissonant beat, this episode, is the one the place Guang Xi comes dwelling, and, (a) seems at Mu Cheng and Xiao Le with a softness in his gaze and smile about his lips, then (b) tries to drive himself on Mu Cheng, saying that she must be an excellent spouse.
Umm. This was disturbing and laborious to look at, although that didn’t cease my mind from clocking that Guang Xi nonetheless seems nice in a towel, six years later. 😅
I get that Present’s attempting to inform us that Guang Xi’s been sentimental for his previous with Mu Cheng, like within the element that he’s saved the swimsuit that he wore when he’d defended Mu Cheng on the reality listening to.
However that also doesn’t take away the troubling wrongness of him attempting to drive himself on Mu Cheng.
Once more, we’re going to wish to faucet into the retro drama lens, as a result of I’m guessing that the writers didn’t assume it was that horrible a factor on the time, in that, I don’t assume it was extensively thought that marital rape was a factor, again then.
That means, my guess is that most individuals engaged on the present – and watching the present – in all probability accepted that since Guang Xi and Mu Cheng are married, it’s not surprising or unlawful, for this to occur.
Or not less than, it in all probability raised fewer eyebrows then, than it’s probably elevating now, amongst us. 😅
I’m simply relieved that Guang Xi doesn’t really undergo with it, as a result of that will have been much more troublesome to reconcile.
Within the meantime, I’m sorry to see that Chi Xin’s landed herself in bother with Brother Fang, whom Tuo Ye had screwed over beforehand, and who’s now taking it out on her, by beating her up. Gah. That sucks.
I hope Present rescues Chi Xin quickly, from Brother Fang’s clutches, coz no one ought to must reside like that.
Again at dwelling, President Mother’s getting on Guang Xi’s again for permitting his status to take successful from the scandal of the plaintiff in Mr. Lee’s case trying suicide.
Mother says that she’s going to do all the things that she will to reduce the injury to Guang Xi’s status, however Guang Xi’s not being very amenable about it.
Guang Xi has a degree although, when he retorts that President Mother’s by no means been within the reality, is egocentric, and all the time needs to resolve issues in her personal approach.
That’s fairly spot-on, actually, from the place I’m sitting.
Episode 27
This episode, it appears like issues are transferring into place, in order that we’re on the cusp of a turnaround within the state of our OTP loveline.
We’re not there but, nevertheless it appears like we’re virtually there, which is nice, since we’re transferring into the ultimate stretch, and I’d like the ultimate stretch to have as many completely happy moments as doable, than unhappy or angsty ones.
Which implies, the earlier our OTP loveline turns the nook, the higher, proper?
And the principle catalyst that appears to be pushing in direction of a real OTP reconciliation, is the truth that Guang Xi’s being vilified by the world at giant for his position in Mr. Lee’s case.
With everybody standing in opposition to him, Mu Cheng’s really stepping as much as defend him and perceive him, and I’ve a sense that that’s going to interrupt down Guang Xi’s wall of prickly defenses, finally.
Mu Cheng could also be irritating in some ways, however the best way she persists in talking gently to Guang Xi, even when he tells her that it’s none of her enterprise and (I paraphrase) she ought to butt out, is actually loving, I’d say.
I imply, it’s fairly heady stuff, isn’t it, when the world at giant thinks the worst of you, however one individual steadfastly continues to consider in your inherent goodness and decency?
Guang Xi could not present it, however I do assume that Mu Cheng’s perception in him, is eroding his anger in direction of her.
And, because of Lawyer Lin’s tip to Mu Cheng about wanting round his examine, plainly Mu Cheng’s perception in Guang Xi is strengthened even additional.
The story of how Guang Xi had clawed his approach again to prime kind, after his mind surgical procedure had left him mentally and bodily compromised is a little bit of stretch, however I discover it poignant anyway, to consider Guang Xi preventing so laborious, to reclaim the bits of himself that he’d perceived, within the reminiscence fragments that he had.
Via all of this, I really feel unhealthy for Xiao Le, who’s having to listen to all these disagreeable feedback about his dad at college, and attempting to take care of it himself, in order that he can spare his mother and father the heartache of listening to about it.
He’s such a candy soul, significantly.
I’m glad that he decides to name Tuo Ye to speak about it, as a result of goodness is aware of, Tuo Ye wanted to listen to his little voice, simply as a lot as Xiao Le wanted him.
It feels so necessary and so needful, when Xiao Le tells Tuo Ye that he misses him rather a lot. Not less than Tuo Ye has the peace of mind that he has a legit spot in Xiao Le’s life and coronary heart, despite the fact that he has a dad now.
And, Tuo Ye gathers himself collectively simply in time too, as a result of now we want him to rescue Chi Xin from Brother Fang’s clutches.
I don’t just like the sound of what Brother Fang’s saying, that Chi Xin’s depending on him for medication.
Danggg. Chi Xin may have a lot to recuperate from, if that’s true. Regardless, I simply want Tuo Ye to rescue her, in order that she’s going to not less than have an opportunity to recuperate, fairly than be at Brother Fang’s mercy indefinitely.
Personally, I don’t really feel that Mu Cheng’s go to to Mr. Lee’s sufferer goes very nicely, in that my intuition says that she probably breaks numerous counseling guidelines in how she approaches the dialog, and in addition, she finally ends up agitating the affected person fairly a bit, by the top.
I feel Present’s simply attempting to emphasise Mu Cheng’s heartfelt, empathetic nature to us, so I’m simply closing one eye, and rolling with it, whereas taking all the things with a beneficiant chunk of salt. 😅
It happens to me, although, that despite the fact that all of us appear to have fairly excessive expectations of Mu Cheng, she’s actually solely, what, 24 years previous, at this level in our story?
And, she hasn’t had any correct help for many of her rising up years, and due to this fact, she actually solely has her intrinsic good nature to information her, because the adults in her life have both died early, or been horrible position fashions.
So, I suppose we shouldn’t maintain her as much as such excessive beliefs, simply because she’s the designated “good, long-suffering” character in our story. 😅
Elsewhere, it seems like Xiao Le is poised to worm his approach into President Mother’s coronary heart, regardless of her dedication that that won’t occur.
That second within the park, the place she arms him his handkerchief to wipe away his tears, feels just like the doable begin of President Mother softening in direction of Xiao Le, sure?
I hope so, as a result of that will be an necessary step in the correct path, and we do want this practice to go in the correct path, as a result of we’ve solely bought 7 episodes left!
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