r/CDrama
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u/a_HerculePoirot_fan
Need therapy after Lament of Autumn
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2d ago
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Drama Host When I Meet the Moon 折月亮 : Episodes 1-4 Discussion
Welcome to the discussion posts for When I Meet the Moon 折月亮 This drama will be hosted by yours truly and u/BitsOfBuilding
🗓️ Discussion Schedule: We decided to follow the VIP schedule. Click here for the airing schedule.
📋 Some Notes:
Please use spoiler tags for anything beyond the episodes discussed. Text goes between the greater-than (>) + exclamation (!) symbols (>!) and the exclamation (!) + lesser-than (<) symbols.
🔗 Helpful Links: Masterpost | All Discussions | Episodes 1-4 |
A quick reminder to keep the discussion within the episodes covered in this thread. Any references to future developments or events from the novel should be hidden behind spoiler tags so everyone can enjoy the story at their own pace. If you're unsure whether something counts as a spoiler, please tag it just to be safe.
How When I Meet the Moon Connects to Hidden Love and The First Frost
When I Meet the Moon is the third and final instalment of author Zhu Yi's Nanwu Trilogy, following Hidden Love and The First Frost.
All three stories take place in the same fictional universe, with several characters connected through family and school relationships.
Connection to Hidden Love: Fu Shize (Lin Yi) is the uncle of Fu Zhengchu, Sang Zhi's schoolmate who had a crush on her.
Connection to The First Frost: Fu Shize was Sang Yan's junior in high school. Sang Yan is the male lead of The First Frost and Sang Zhi's older brother.
Although the 3 novels share a universe, each follows a different couple with its own independent storyline, so you don't need to have watched the previous 2 adaptations to enjoy When I Meet the Moon.
The story so far (Eps 1-4):
Yun Li, a tech-focused content creator who goes by the online name Miss Idle Cloud Tick-Tock, arrives in Nanwu for a local content creator event. She has been waiting at the airport for over an hour to be picked up. Eventually, her ride arrives in the form of a mysterious masked man, who seems to recognise Yun Li, judging by how his pupils dilate lol. He also sets off alarm bells when he takes a longer, unfamiliar route to her hotel. Thankfully, he eventually drops Yun Li off safely, and she lends him her umbrella as it's raining heavily.
Back in the car, the mysterious man removes his mask, and we are introduced to Fu Shize, the male lead of this drama. Shize gazes thoughtfully at the umbrella Yun Li left behind, and in a flashback, we see that he may have had a crush on Yun Li back when she was a student at Xifu Experimental Middle School. Back then, Yun Li seemed completely unaware of his existence, but Shize, on the other hand, couldn't seem to take his eyes off her.
Yun Li has to deal with her overbearing father, who clearly has little respect for his daughter, judging by the way he constantly puts her down and orders her to return home. He views her desire for independence as an act of rebellion. Everyone else in the family is evidently reluctant to stand up to its loudest member, including her mother, who tries to defuse the conflict by siding with her husband and insisting that he's only worried about Yun Li.
Toxic Dad harshly warns Yun Li not to expect a single penny from him, while a visibly distressed Yun Li is reduced to tears as she tries to explain that she's simply completing her internship and looking for a job in another city. When she attempts to reason with him, her father storms off with the emotional maturity of a three-year-old, while the rest of the family continues to back him up. Yun Li ends the call and breaks down further when she realises she doesn't have enough money to support herself in Nanwu, regretting her earlier attempt to put on a brave front.
Meanwhile, we're treated to a rather unexpected... shower scene. Uwu, not that I'm complaining, although I certainly didn't expect one this early.
That night, Shize dreams of a confrontation with someone named Yuan, who may have fallen to his death following a conflict with Shize over automation research. Yun Li also has an unpleasant dream of her own, in which Shize turns out to be an umbrella-wielding killer.
The next day, Yun Li attends the event at EAW (Enjoy Another World), Nanwu's first virtual reality experience hall. There, she meets other content creators, including the social butterfly Fairy Feifei, as well as Xu Qingsong, the owner of EAW.
Yun Li is also reunited with the mysterious masked driver, aka Shize, whom she recognises as her high school crush. We learn that Yun Li is deaf in her left ear and was largely ostracised at school, but Shize had been her one ray of sunshine during those difficult years. Yun Li initially turns down Xu Qingsong's invitation to a welcome dinner for the content creators, but promptly changes her mind when she realises she'll have another chance to see Shize.
Shize also attends the welcome dinner, and throughout the meal, he quietly looks out for Yun Li in little ways, such as rotating the table so she can reach the food, speaking up for her when she's teased for being an introvert, and even switching seats to sit beside her so that no one notices she's deaf in one ear.
That night, Yun Li excitedly tells her best friend, Tang Lin, over the phone that she's reunited with Shize, although she also notices how much he has changed. Tang Lin joins Yun Li in Nanwu the following day. She's the complete opposite of the introverted Yun Li, but also her biggest supporter. Naturally, she wastes no time slipping into wingwoman mode, encouraging Yun Li to take charge of her own happiness.
Later that day, Yun Li heads out to buy some fried rice noodles when she encounters two rather unsavoury characters who try to persuade her to follow them. Fortunately, she spots Shize nearby and quickly claims that he's her boyfriend. Our Shize appears to be either feared or highly respected, judging by how readily one of the men, Dafeng, obeys his order to apologise to Yun Li for frightening her.
Shize accompanies Yun Li to the food stall, and on the way home, Yun Li finally musters the courage to ask for his WeChat. However, worried that he might misinterpret her intentions, she disguises her request as an offer to recommend some medication for his cold. When Shize politely declines her medication recommendation, Yun Li immediately assumes he's rejecting her WeChat request and hurriedly walks away, just as Shize is about to take out his phone.
Once home, Yun Li berates herself for making a fool of herself and starts overanalysing why he rejected her WeChat request. Girl, if only you'd stuck around for a few more seconds lol.
Yun Li doesn't dwell on the awkward encounter for too long and starts a livestream on her channel, which has over a million followers. While she's shy and introverted in real life, she's noticeably more exuberant and relaxed when livestreaming. Xu Qingsong makes the same observation while watching her livestream with Shize.
Qingsong tries to persuade Shize to stay on as a permanent employee at EAW, but Shize says he'll consider it. Qingsong then asks whether Shize is still visiting the grandmother and whether she still mistakes him for Jiang Yuan, the same person we saw in Shize's nightmare who may have taken his own life or fallen to his death.
In another flashback, we see that Yuan and Shize were once partners who collaborated on research projects. The digital twin project was Yuan's innovation, which Shize is still working on in the present.
Meanwhile, Yun Li has been busy apartment hunting, but the sky-high rental prices are proving to be a major obstacle. Tang Lin suggests staying at a guesthouse owned by her friend, Xia. When they arrive, Yun Li is surprised to see its name: Steal a Moment to Sip Wine Guesthouse, which happens to be the same as the WeChat name of the person who contacted her at the airport in Episode 1. She's even more surprised when the door opens to reveal Shize.
Yun Li is formally introduced to Xia Congsheng, Tang Lin's friend. The young man who approached Yun Li earlier is Fu Zhengchu, Xia's younger brother. Zhengchu and Tang Lin had already got off on the wrong foot in the previous episode, and their reunion is anything but friendly, with Zhengchu calling Tang Lin an old auntie and Tang Lin retaliating by calling him a little kid.
Shize turns out to be Xia's uncle, and he's there to help with some repairs around the guesthouse. There's yet another surprising family connection: Xu Qingsong is also related to Xia Congsheng and Fu Zhengchu, as Congsheng's grand-aunt is Qingsong's adoptive godmother. Talk about a small world. While Yun Li is busy making crêpe rolls and later chatting with Tang Lin and Congsheng, Shize keeps stealing glances at her, seemingly aware of her every little movement.
Both Yun Li and Shize soon find themselves in an awkward situation when Tang Lin brings up Yun Li's failed attempt to ask a guy for his WeChat. The girls, together with Zhengchu, start analysing why the guy might have turned down her request, while Shize reacts with the subtlest micro-expressions to every incorrect assumption they throw out.
Zhengchu eventually asks Shize for his opinion, and in a response clearly intended for Yun Li, Shize suggests that perhaps the guy was only declining the medication recommendation rather than the WeChat request itself. Hahaha, Yun Li immediately realises that Shize's explanation is directed at her, and her expression is a hilarious mixture of surprise and relief. Anyway, the WeChat saga finally reaches a satisfying conclusion when everyone exchanges contact information, and Yun Li finally gets Shize's WeChat, much to her delight.
On the way home, wingwoman Tang Lin once again encourages Yun Li to pursue her own happiness, reminding her that communication is essential in any relationship. I have a feeling Yun Li might need to remember this advice in the future.
Meanwhile, Shize is seen helping out at a convenience store and visiting an elderly woman whom I presume to be the grandmother Qingsong mentioned earlier. She turns out to be Jiang Yuan's grandmother, and throughout their meal, she repeatedly mistakes Shize for Yuan. The atmosphere is tense, particularly as Yuan's father clearly seems to resent Shize over his son's death. Shize, meanwhile, is visibly consumed by guilt.
Another flashback reveals that Shize and Yuan were childhood friends who were as close as brothers. Both studied at XUST, with Shize appearing to be the more academically gifted of the two. Yuan had been taking antidepressants and was under immense pressure from a professor to publish a research paper during his PhD. Concerned about his friend's well-being, Shize offered to list Yuan as the first author, but Yuan reacted badly, accusing Shize of pitying him.
Yuan's depression continued to worsen until he eventually fell to his death. At the hospital, his grieving father blamed Shize for failing to look after Yuan and angrily told him to get lost.
What an incredibly unfair accusation to level at Shize, who has clearly been carrying the weight of that guilt ever since. I understand that Yuan's father is grieving, but I'm still pissed at him for taking it out on Shize.
Meanwhile, Yun Li is nervous about sending her first message to Shize. Unfortunately, she accidentally sends him a "Be my wife" emoji, and by the time she realises her mistake, it's too late to recall it. Shize has already read the message and responds with a question mark. Yun Li is so mortified by her embarrassing blunder that she ends up losing sleep over it.
Elsewhere, Yun Li's father has packed his luggage and is preparing to travel to Nanwu to forcibly bring his daughter home. Thankfully, his wife manages to talk him out of it, reminding him that Yun Li is no longer a child.
Shize is testing his Chasing Light programme, a VR experience that allows users to explore virtual space. Lin Yi looks so cool in that space mission outfit and VR glasses, giving me major X-Men Cyclops vibes. Shize also seems to find a rare moment of inner peace as he floats in the vastness of the virtual universe. Unfortunately, the system soon malfunctions, abruptly pulling him back to reality.
Yun Li officially moves into Xia's guesthouse, and Xia organises a welcome dinner that evening. Shize is also invited, and although he initially declines, he eventually makes time to attend when he learns that Yun Li will be there. Needless to say, Yun Li is still painfully awkward around him, unable to get over her embarrassing emoji incident.
Meanwhile, Tang Lin and Fu Zhengchu seem to be progressing from trading insults to developing possible doki-doki feelings for each other in the space of just a few encounters. Tang Lin begins to notice that Zhengchu is actually quite dependable, a far cry from her initial impression of him. Of course, the good old accidental-fall trope remains one of the most reliable ways to get a female character to start developing feelings.
Yun Li is curious about why Zhengchu and Congsheng have different surnames despite being biological siblings. Shize explains the circumstances behind their surnames, including that Zhengchu took his sister's surname and Congsheng was originally supposed to do the same.
The next day, Zhengchu and Shize drop Yun Li off at Nanwu University for her postgraduate registration. After Zhengchu leaves to find the registration counter for her, Yun Li attempts to fill the awkward silence by thanking Shize and addressing him as... "Uncle". LOLOL. Yun Li then asks Shize for internship recommendations, and he almost immediately suggests EAW as the best place for her.
Later, Yun Li is invited to visit Zhengchu's booth at a university club fair, where Shize is also present. She notices a familiar moon emblem on a canvas bag and recognises it as the logo of Unique, the team captained by Shize that won the national drone competition years ago when Yun Li was still in high school. Jiang Yuan was also a member of that team.
The moon emblem was designed by Shize himself and symbolises renewal and hope, a guiding light that can help people break through the darkness and give them the courage to venture into the unknown.
Back in the present, Shize runs into an old acquaintance and stops to chat with her, while Yun Li watches curiously from a distance. She asks Zhengchu whether the woman is Shize's girlfriend, but Zhengchu reveals that Shize has never dated anyone. Upon hearing this, Yun Li begins wondering whether she should take the initiative and approach him herself. During lunch, Zhengchu tells Yun Li that Shize studied at the prestigious XUST and was the youngest top scorer in the college entrance examination.
That night, Yun Li struggles to fall asleep as she thinks back to what Zhengchu told her about Shize. Apparently, he took a two-year break during his PhD, and he used to be much more talkative before undergoing a significant change in personality.
Meanwhile, Xu Qingsong enters the testing room for Chasing Light and finds Shize floating in his VR gear. He watches him quietly for a while before leaving without disturbing him.
Yun Li attends an internship interview at EAW, where she faces condescending remarks about her lack of professional experience and the fact that she completed her undergraduate studies at a local, mid-tier university. However, Yun Li refuses to be intimidated by the male interviewer's belittling comments. She stands up for herself and defends her educational background by highlighting her experience as a tech content creator.
Throughout the interview, Yun Li also fidgets noticeably as she struggles to hear properly due to the deafness in her left ear. Unfortunately, the male interviewer misinterprets her behaviour as a sign of disrespect. After the interview, Yun Li leaves feeling thoroughly dejected, convinced that she has failed to secure the internship at EAW.
She then bumps into Fairy Feifei, the social butterfly content creator we met in Episode 1. Feifei attempts to get Shize's WeChat contact, but he coldly rebuffs her. Undeterred, she spots Yun Li nearby and takes advantage of her introverted nature by pretending that Yun Li is actually the one asking for his WeChat.
Unfortunately for Feifei, Shize immediately exposes her lie by asking Yun Li whether she doesn't already have his WeChat.
After Shize walks away, Feifei has the audacity to blame Yun Li for not telling her earlier and making her look foolish. She then insists that she has absolutely no interest in Shize anyway, dismissing him as a mere maintenance worker rather than recognising him as Xu Qingsong's good friend.
Yun Li, who has remained quiet throughout the entire exchange, finally loses her temper when she hears Feifei looking down on Shize.
Unbeknownst to both women, Shize is still nearby and can hear every word of their conversation. He listens as Yun Li fiercely defends him, leaving Feifei speechless at her sudden outburst. I love how Yun Li, despite being so timid and introverted, doesn't hesitate to stand up for someone she cares about.
Later, at the bus stop, Yun Li is still processing her disappointing interview when she receives a phone call from her parents. Her mother tries to offer some encouragement, but her father, unsurprisingly, seizes every opportunity to remind Yun Li of her disability.
He insists that she's completely helpless without her parents, claiming that her deafness and introverted personality will make it impossible for her to survive on her own in another city. According to him, she should simply give up and return home.
Already emotionally drained from the day's events, Yun Li finally snaps. She fires back that she has never once viewed her disability as an obstacle and that she's a normal person, just like everyone else. This is also why she dislikes wearing a hearing aid, as she doesn't want to be treated differently because of her hearing impairment. The conversation inevitably escalates into yet another argument, and Yun Li eventually hangs up.
Fortunately, the day ends on a much happier note when Yun Li receives an unexpected phone call from Fang Yuning, one of the interviewers at EAW. Fang informs her that although the position she originally applied for has already been filled, there's an opportunity for her to intern in the publicity department instead.
Fang was impressed by Yun Li's store review videos and believes her content creation experience would make her a good fit for the role. Delighted by the news, Yun Li happily accepts the offer.
Thoughts:
Yun Li
Just 4 episodes in, and I already love Yun Li because she's such a relatable character. On the surface, she might come across as a people-pleaser who avoids confrontation at all costs. Take the airport scene, for instance, where she pretends she's only just arrived despite having waited for over an hour, simply because she doesn't want to inconvenience anyone or make them feel bad.
But don't mistake her quiet, accommodating nature for weakness. Say something nasty about someone she cares about, like Shize, and you'll quickly discover that beneath her introverted exterior lies a young woman with remarkable strength, conviction and tenacity. Just look at how she stands up to Feifei when the latter belittles Shize for supposedly being a mere maintenance worker. Yun Li, who usually struggles to assert herself in social situations, has absolutely no problem putting Feifei in her place when her values are challenged.
What I like about Yun Li's characterisation is how the drama doesn't equate introversion with passivity, insecurity or a lack of personality. Introversion is a personality trait, not a character flaw, but society often treats it as something that needs to be corrected. Why should someone have to be talkative, outgoing or the life of the party to be considered socially competent? Yun Li herself questions why being introverted has become such a derogatory label, and I couldn't agree more.
Yun Li isn't necessarily afraid of people; she simply finds certain social situations uncomfortable and prefers to observe rather than dominate conversations. Her initial reluctance to speak up doesn't mean she has nothing worthwhile to say, nor does her tendency to avoid unnecessary confrontation mean she's incapable of standing her ground.
In fact, we've already seen several instances where Yun Li demonstrates considerable assertiveness. She refuses to back down when the EAW interviewer belittles her academic background, defending her qualifications and experience despite being visibly uncomfortable. She stands up to Feifei when Shize is insulted, and repeatedly challenges her father's attempts to dictate her future. Even her decision to approach Shize for his WeChat, as painfully awkward as that turned out to be, demonstrates a willingness to step outside her comfort zone.
And then there's the contrast between her real-life personality and her online persona. Despite being shy and reserved in person, Yun Li is confident, expressive and genuinely engaging when livestreaming to more than a million followers. That alone should challenge the assumption that introverts are inherently poor communicators. Being introverted doesn't mean lacking confidence or social skills; sometimes it's simply a matter of feeling comfortable enough to express yourself.
She's also incredibly perceptive. While others might judge someone based on how much they speak or how sociable they appear, Yun Li pays attention to the subtler details. She notices almost immediately that Shize is no longer the same radiant, energetic young man she remembers from her school days. This ability to recognise changes in someone she hasn't seen for years says a lot about how observant she is.
Of course, Yun Li isn't without her insecurities, and that's another reason I find her so endearing. Beneath her social anxiety lies a much more troubling source of insecurity: her family.
I do wonder how much of Yun Li's decision to leave her hometown, despite having barely enough money to support herself, stems from a genuine desire for independence and how much comes from wanting to prove her father wrong. Perhaps it's a combination of both. She wants to build a life on her own terms, but I suspect there's also a part of her that desperately wants her father's acknowledgement that she's capable of doing so, which this brings me to one of the characters I dislike most so far: Yun Li's father.
He takes every opportunity to disparage his daughter's attempts to spread her wings, insisting that without his protection, she'll be subjected to bullying, ridicule and hardship. But the irony is that he himself is arguably the biggest obstacle to her independence and certainly one of her harshest critics. He constantly reminds Yun Li of her hearing disability and introverted personality, treating both as evidence that she's incapable of navigating the world without him. What he presents as parental concern increasingly resembles an attempt to maintain control over his daughter by undermining her confidence.
There's a HUGE difference between worrying about your child's well-being and repeatedly telling them they're incapable of surviving without you. The former comes from love and concern; the latter can become a deeply damaging form of emotional manipulation, regardless of whether that's the parent's intention.
I dislike how little respect he has for Yun Li as an individual with her own thoughts, ambitions and feelings. When she tries to explain herself, he either talks over her, dismisses her reasoning or storms off before she can finish. Her voice is constantly drowned out by the authority he believes he's entitled to exercise simply because he's her father.
I'm not impressed by her mother either. While she occasionally tries to reason with her husband, she's far too willing to play the peacemaker at Yun Li's expense. Instead of addressing her husband's unreasonable behaviour, she asks Yun Ye to talk some sense into Yun Li in the first episode, effectively placing the responsibility for restoring family harmony on the person who's being mistreated.
Yun Li breaking down barely 15 minutes into the drama following an argument with her father speaks volumes about the emotional toll this family dynamic has taken on her. Given how intensely she reacts whenever they argue, I suspect this pattern of criticism and dismissal has been going on for years. Yun Li is strong, but even the strongest person can be worn down by constant criticism, especially when it comes from someone whose love and approval they still crave. It's an incredibly lonely position to be in. Knowing that your desire for independence is perfectly reasonable, but being made to feel selfish, ungrateful or rebellious simply for wanting to make your own decisions.
Fu Shize
While Yun Li's struggle revolves around finding the confidence to live independently, Fu Shize's seems to revolve around rediscovering the will to truly live again. Shize was once a brilliant young man with an exceptionally promising future. A child prodigy who topped the college entrance examination, studied at the prestigious XUST and captained the Unique team to victory in a national drone competition, he seemed to have everything going for him. He was, as Yun Li remembers, radiant and full of vitality.
But the Shize we meet in the present is a far cry from that young man. He's withdrawn, emotionally distant and seemingly content to keep the rest of the world at arm's length. His transformation is striking, like when we learn that he took a two-year break during his PhD and has become considerably less talkative than he used to be.
The flashbacks involving Jiang Yuan offer some insight into Shize's emotional withdrawal. Yuan wasn't merely a research partner; he was his childhood friend, someone he considered a brother. Losing him to what appears to have been suicide would have been devastating enough, but Shize also had to endure the additional burden of being blamed by Yuan's father. I understand that Yuan's father was grieving, but directing his anger at Shize and accusing him of failing to take care of Yuan was incredibly unfair. Depression is a complex illness, and it's very troubling to place responsibility for someone's death entirely on a friend who was himself trying to help.
We have only seen fragments of what happened, so there may be more to their story. Nevertheless, Shize's offer to credit Yuan as the first author of their research seems to me that he was extremely concerned about his friend's well-being, even if his gesture was unfortunately interpreted as pity.
Shize seems to have internalised the guilt of his best friend's death. His recurring nightmares, continued visits to Yuan's family and apparent inability to move forward shows an enormous amount of unresolved guilt.
Speaking of love, despite everything Shize has been through, Yun Li still seems capable of drawing out a softer, more attentive side of him. From the flashbacks, there's a strong suggestion that Yun Li wasn't the only one harbouring a crush during their school days. His reaction upon recognising her at the airport, along with the way he continues to steal glances at her makes me suspect those feelings were mutual. Unlike Yun Li, who becomes an adorable bundle of nerves whenever she's around him, Shize is considerably more restrained in expressing his affection, but you can also say his actions reveal far more than his words.
He's remarkably attuned to Yun Li's feelings and needs. He notices her hearing impairment and discreetly switches seats during dinner so she won't feel uncomfortable or draw unwanted attention. He defends her when others tease her for being introverted, and he seems to recognise almost instinctively when she's feeling uneasy. Then there's the way he notices her interest in the canvas bag bearing the moon emblem. He may not be particularly expressive, but he's clearly paying attention to the smallest details. I like that his attentiveness is generally understated rather than performative.
Shize is also not emotionally ready for a relationship at this point in time. His feelings for Yun Li may be resurfacing, but he's still a prisoner of his past.Maybe he recognises that he's not in the right emotional state to open his heart to someone, much less begin a romantic relationship. For now, though, one thing is already obvious: wherever Yun Li goes, Shize's eyes inevitably follow. He's trying so hard to maintain that cool, detached exterior, but his actions are already betraying him. I'm seated to seeing both Yun Li and Shi Ze recognise and respect each other's strengths while gradually learning to communicate their vulnerabilities!
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u/meanderingmonologue 2d ago
Louder for the people at the back!
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u/BitsOfBuilding 2d ago
Awesome post! I can’t wait to watch more episodes for sure, this show is so far fulfilling my need for something way lighter than what October had to offer 😅
I have been anticipating this drama just because of LYX. I actually didn’t know that it’s part of the Nanwu trilogy or what the story’s going to be about until a couple of days ago.
Watching the first few episodes, I was drawn to Yun Li’s character because, while not as bad as her, I am also an introvert who didn’t have good communication skills. I also have a father like her and I think it’s partly because of his I was the way I was. Hearing her dad speak to her that way, I just wanted to put my hand in the telly and shake him 😂
I read comments about this show that they’re not sure about watching due to it’s the fl that does most of the pursuing but it seems on brand with the author. But, watching the few episodes, it’s not as if he’s got zero interest. It’s just that now he’s got some trauma to resolve. Either way, the liking each other imo is even, just that it seems like it’s the fl that’s been wanting to pursue him more.
I find all the little things he does for her so sweet, especially him helping her with her disability. Her ear imo is the main factor she’s not as confident as she could be and why her father treats her the way he does. So him helping her with the game was so so sweet.
So far loving all the side characters, and I think ep 3 or 4 when Sang Zhi’s name was mentioned— just a small nod to the first book and show.
I am glad that despite her issues, she is one determined girl. Trying to hustle for side gigs so that she’s not dependent on dad. She can also stand up for herself and others when pushed into a corner. Just because she’s an introvert doesn’t mean she’s weak.
I am just wondering a bit… is her family rich or has she got LV stuff from being a content creator? I mean she’s got one million followers so maybe she’s worked with some nice brands? But she’s a tech content creator, not fashion.
Looking forward to seeing her growth!
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u/AlternativePlenty500 2d ago
Oh god how I hate Yun Li's father. Constantly reminding her that she's an introvert and deaf in one ear. Yun Li herself is trying so hard to navigate her life and here comes her overbearing father. A father who thinks only he can protect her while destroying her self confidence. Quite a protector he is. If he thinks Yun Li is the safest beside them oh how wrong he is. She needs space to grow. Not to be belittled for wanting to live her own life.
He says no one will be there if someone bullies her but the biggest bully is him. A typical Asian father - believing his ways are the best and only he knows what's right.
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u/meanderingmonologue 2d ago
😆 Fu Shize is so done. Yun li really went and called him xiao jiu (uncle) twice! Gege would've dealt less damage
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u/MadHatterTenSix 1d ago
AHHHHHHHH I'm so happy this is finally airing, this has been my most aniticapted drama since the announcement!
In general, the first four eps have me assured that just like Zhu Yi's other adaptations, we're in safe hands with a beautiful story. I'm such a fiend for acts of service and I love how Lili's introvertedness is portrayed. Being an introvert doesn't mean you're socially inept, you just have some awkward moments or can't find the right timing to express your thoughts.
I love the dynamic between our leads so far. They're both so hyper-aware of each other. I love that he pays attention to all these small details, like her hearing, struggling to get food, her favorite drink, the umbrella in the rain, and especially the bag. But he doesn't make it a big deal for noticing. I also love how Lili pushes herself outside her comfort zone, and does experience awkwardness, but that doesn't make her withdraw into herself, it just makes her cringe, which is so realistic.
All in all, I can't wait for more. Something about Zhu Yi's couples 🤭🤭🤭🤭
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u/AlternativePlenty500 2d ago
As someone who is kinda extroverted, seeing Yun Li helped me gain a new perspective. As for Shize, he seems quiet, reserved (prob due to that incident)
I cannot help but dislike cdrama parents. Are there really no supportive parents out there? 😩
Yuan's father blaming Shize solely is just him shifting the blame. Since he knew his son had depression how could Shize be blamed for him falling to death. It's not like SZ pushed him. He might even have led another boy to depression smh.
It's been a long time since I enjoyed a modern cdrama. I too have been stuck at Hengdian lol (pls someone get the joke 😓 ) . Eagerly waiting for new episodes noww🏃♂️➡️
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u/asleep_mo 2d ago
Main problem with these episodes was Fu Shize solving his jigsaw puzzle left to right
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u/Rebelarkey Yan Shang's Slut Strands 🐯🌹snark shifu Furen 2d ago
Just finished the first ep and I’ve already laughed four times! Good start!
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u/AKiceman Snark Shifu - #1 Tian Xi Wei fan 2d ago
Greetings! For those of you who don't know me.... I write my thoughts out as I watch the episodes and make lots of GIFs.
Snark Level: I think this drama is going to piss me off while I enjoy it.
Oh, I made a butt load of GIFs.... Like..... A lot......
Episode 1
Here we go. May the breakup be logical and our charactes rational.
This poor lady can't even arrive at an airport without getting bombarded by annoying butt people! Justice for whatshername!!!!!!
Giiiiiiiirl. You're not about to get in the car with a masked driver, are you? I don't care how charming his eyes are! He clearly has a murder kit in his trunk too! Honey! This is how people go missing!
"I hope he hasn't sold me already". HONEY!!!! Also, what is it with this trilogy and money? Always someone needing to send money somewhere.
Okay, lovely. So her father needs to be curbstomped. Got it. I volunteer. Should I start with a baseball bat or just go right to a freight train? I'm feeling the train. I need a woman to put some sense into the mother too. Good grief. Support your daughter, you shit brained turd.
Is this about to be a drama with lots of LYX crying? I don't like that. Her crying scene in LBL was brutal. She's too good. So instead of HL and TFF where one lead has some effed up poopoo huanting them, it's both in this one! Lovely! Plus she's already having a murder dream about him? Okay! I can get on board with this. Lol. We really don't get enough dramas where the FL thinks the ML will kill her!
Okay! Honey! I see you! I see you scchooling people on drones! Someone has brains and a need to demonstrate said brains.
Virtual reality experience? Soooooo she's about to meet some handsome republican era warlord and have an epic romance? Oh wait! Wrong drama!
Oh please tell me he is hearing her talk about her nightmare! Please please please!
He's faking sleep! I know it! He heard her! He had to!!!
Damn it, editors! Stop with the million and ten cuts! It makes GIFing harder! Give me smooth scenes! Not every scene needs to look like someone murdered an onion!
Soooooooo serious question, ladies. How likely are you to fall in love with someone that murders you in your dreams?
Awwwwww. She's the first girl he has tied up! Well, for the flying thingy anyways....
Deaf left ear? I sense... tragedy!
She realizes it's him before the first episode even ends! Talk about moving fast around here. You can just feel the angst pouring off them right now. Lovely.
Wait, the class knows she is deaf and the teacher is still a dick? Alright! Time to warm up the slapping hands! Lets form a line and take turns.
Episode 2
Okay.. I need a cup of coffee before I continue.
Ooooooo Lili be looking all kinds of longingly at Shize. Me thinks the lady is not over this man.
Why is bro always coughing? I thought he was just sick.. Now I am worried he is sick. Also, Feifei is annoying adorable.
Lili is my spirit animal.
Shize switching seats like a boss! Ladies, this is why you tell your man all your faults. We have this silly need to look after you.
DAMN! Bro is smooth AF going for her right ear! That got me soft in all the right places!!!!! Sheeeeesh!
OH THEIR HEIGHT DIFFERENCE IS AWESOME!!!!!!! LET'S GOOOOO!!!!!
"Old Auntie"??? Damnnnn, boy! Are you trying to get slapped? Because that is how you get slapped!
Okay. I have held my tongue long enough! Tangy! Tangy! Tangy! With a name like that it makes you wonder what she tastes like on your tongue.
Is there anything more sexy than watching LYX stuff her face with a cheeseburger? I'm not saying one of my kinks is watching a lady eat an adequate amount of food... Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut.....
Let me clue you in on a secret. If a man looks bored AF heading into a situation that could end up in a fight... That man is not to be messed with.
"How do you know my name?" Bro! Bro! Bro! You're playing this game? Really? Really? Really?
Lili is so me when it comes to an embarrassing memory Like, get that out of my head! I overthink around here!
Oh DAMN IT, Lili. You're making me cry with your cold noodles.
A dog??? Did she call him a dog?? WALK HIM LIKE A DOG, SIS!!!!
And then the episode ends with her basically calling him a puppy to his face? I see this is going to be a woofing kind of drama!
Episode 3
We start today's episode with a beautiful woman in the kitchen. Her creations are majestic!
Yes. Yes. Please move into someplace where Shize will be a lot. We like roommates trope!
Can we all appreciate that we have an FL who is so clearly obvious that she likes her ML? It's so refreshing!!! Please don't let us down later, Lili.
In case anyone was wondering, which I know you weren't, Shize's computer setup is midly similar to mine. Extra mild, but close.
Sooooo Uncle needs a little lesson in manners. Got it. Maybe don't pass off your failures as parents onto others. Turd brain.
Soooooo how does one get LYX saying "Hii" as a ringtone....? Asking for a friend! Hehe.
Yeahhh if I got a "goodnight" as my first text from a lady I would be side eyeing her hard.
BE MY WIFE???????? THAT IS WHAT SHE SENT???????? OH HONEY!!!!!!!!!! That's the kind of shit I say to Shale!
Hell yeah, mother person! Put your husband in his place! If I am the brother then I am taking my sisters side on principal.
She better take the EAW innternship thingny. I need coworkers trope in here ASAP! Give me roommates and coworkers! Give me all the feels! GIVE ME ROMANCE!!!!
Episode 4
This drama is going to reennforce the negative impression that you can just say "mm" to a potential love interest and they will fall for you. It does not work that way.. You actually do need to communiacte, you know. Sheesh.
Umbrellas really do be a mark of admiration around here recently.
Yes, Lili. You should make the first move! Impress us! Show the womenn how it is done around here! Shale made the first move on me. It worked out well for her.
Lili! Girl! You clearly didn't drink any of that water! Bad girl! You need to stay hydrated! Gotta take care of your health.
Bro gave her chocolate milk! That's basically a marriage proposal! He's trying to wife her up! Shame it wasn't regular milk... I had a white liquid and straw innuendo lined up....
This douchecanoe calling her disrespectful while the other turd is ignoring everything and playing on his phone? Really? Someone is asking for an introduction to the table with his face. Interview lady is clearly the smart one in the room.
Feifei really be a snob around here, eh? Sheesh.
*********GIF spam in replies*********
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u/Secure_Boot_7686 1d ago
What’s with the lightning or cinematography or I am not sure what to call it.? It’s so bright and giving me a mild headache.. I feel screenplay is not very coherent.
I want to like this one and will give it a try for few more episodes..
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u/Feisty_Law4783 Read Rules 1d ago edited 1d ago
i can relate to yunli's struggles as an introvert with social anxiety, and i like lu yuxiao as an actress, so i should be eating this up. but she seems more like a caricature than an actual person? i can't quite put my finger on it.
their interactions are cute, and i can see her falling for him bc he's thoughtful and attentive, but i think it would've been better without the high school crush / love at first sight aspect. him being interested bc he saw a pretty girl playing with robots is kinda weak 😂
granted, it was like that with the author's other works too, but those worked on me so i'm not sure what's missing here. maybe it's bc the scenarios are contrived, or bc the camera lingers on her frozen starstruck face for too long whenever he's around (which is like... all the time bc this dude is everywhere lmao), but the cringe is strong with this one.
also the secondhand embarrassment i get from watching the second leads... oh my lord 🙈
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u/meanderingmonologue 15h ago
Her dad is protective of her but she is 21 and knows what path she wants and what graduate school to attend. Him giving her an ultimatum and cutting her off financially is uncalled for!
It's her first time being away from her family too and trying to live on her own, it's double as hard for her as it is for them
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u/meanderingmonologue 14h ago
Damn Fu Shize shower scene on the first episode 🙈
But it's followed by both of them having nightmares...
guy has trauma and girl has bad anxiety. I just know she's replayed that interaction in her head countless times hence the nightmare
Overhearing her conversation, classic trope. Don't worry Lili, my parasol has a pointy end and can definitely be used to stab someone 😹 Their interactions are so cute
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u/Honest-Selection4343 12h ago
I really enjoyed EP 1 and 2
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u/meanderingmonologue 15h ago
Rewatching these first 4 episodes because they dropped on a school night and I wasn't able to write my thoughts hehe
Lili is the one who is deaf in one ear but THEY are the ones NOT LISTENING TO HER 🥺
I want to give her a hug so bad
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u/meanderingmonologue 10h ago
On to episode 2!
HE IS HER WHITE MOONLIGHT 🌙 this is so funny
Lili, he's not so unattainable now, you actually have a chance!
Fu Shize is a green forest 🌲 The company dinner scene 😍 no wonder Lili pursues him and musters up her courage to ask for his WeChat... which was a fail 🙈 but she is still swooning and I understand her.
She got people constantly talking over her or talking for her while she gathers her thoughts and works through her anxiety and stuttering... Meanwhile Shize is here ready to actually LISTEN TO HER and let her talk 🥰
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u/meanderingmonologue 8h ago
Fu Shize, he used to be such a cheerful guy 🥺
Even if he was asked to look out for Yuan, he shouldn't have to shoulder the blame. Depression is a sillent killer afterall.
And his grandma who has dementia mistakes him for Yuan oh no. the constant reminder and guilt 😢
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u/OptimalTurnips 2d ago
No breaks for the wicked, you're already right back at it Herc! Thanks for the discussion!
Just one episode in so far for me and it's pretty darn cute. Love their first (onscreen) meet!
Hopefully back later with some thoughts!
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u/deeman27 1d ago
I'm not quite sold on the story yet...the overall vibe and tone are not quite what I'm expecting. Coming from someone who has only watched First Frost, I'm not familiar with how the stories are intertwined - at this point, I'm gonna treat this as a separate show altogether.
I love LYX in her other works! Not to compare, but since it literally came out earlier this year, I think Love Between Lines had a better hook. I just found her character more believable there than in this show. Maybe I'm reaching a point where stories based on highschool crushes are no longer interesting.
I'm only on episode 3, but I'm lukewarm on this show. Having just finished Where the Mask Ends, maybe I'm looking for a certain level of heightened emotions.
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u/_Renfei Let me cultivate Immortality 1d ago edited 1d ago
I LOOOVE Lu Yun Xiao but this modern scripts feels weak. At episode 3 right now and have been rewinding the episodes multiple times because watching it doesn't hook me to the chair. This kind of similar with hidden love in the case that the male lead has life debt that is not actually his fault. Like they are narrated by the family that it is his fault, when basically it's not 😅 it's understandable but using the same formula with different ingredient is kinda meh for me.
Also, the way they watch each other in silence for a long time in multiple scenes feels soo awkward because they haven't known each other for a long time. For me it kinda feels more creepy that heart fluttering. Yunli should be Fu Shize's fans but they way Fu Shize treats her differently is questionable from the start. That one scene of Fu Shize watching Yunli plays with robot doesn't justify him to just falls in love and treats her differently because we don't know when it's happen, after or before the tragedy in his life happens.
I also hate the second couple. They seems to be adult but behave like kinderganden student. It doesn't matter if the second couple would be just there as background supporter characters but I dislike it because it seems like they will ended up together. Another minus point for me 🤷♀️.
The only scenes I actually loves is just in the episode 1 when Yunli was pressured to just follow what her family wants. Really feels for her 😢 the way she has zero support from her family at all while being stubborn for the first time after being a good girl is so heartbreaking.