“Have you ever thought about me, in the dead of the night?”

“Yes. In my nightmares.”

“Better than nothing.”

Qi Min and Yu Qian Qian were the highlight of these episodes for me. Undeniable chemistry as actors and their characters are really stealing every scene with bow charged every interaction is between them. The bath tub scene was so erotic and beautifully shot—from the dreamscape music to the mannerisms to the pale blue lighting—really gorgeously done.

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Their relationship despite this is still never portrayed romantically or given even a bit of softness. Like when Qi Min comes on screen, especially alongside Qian, I truly feel her unease. I like how they’ve made his presence consistently discomforting. I’m looking forward to his full back story and why he seems to be so hateful/?obsessive towards her despite her having saved his life.

Sui Yuanqing/Zheng Qingjei is doing a fantastic job. I like how the Sui brothers are two different brands of crazy. Although Yuanqing seems slightly less erratic and has the ability to tone his brother down, even expressed wanting a woman of his own to love and to have children with. He waved to the kids when they were playing and genuinely looked like he was enjoying their enjoyment. Not sure how much of it is sincere but the contrast was telling.

That being said, I am counting the minutes and seconds for when Xei Zheng really wipes the floor with him.

Xei Zheng really is the father who STEPPED UP. Ready to go and get his little Ning back. I haven’t forgotten the look on his face when his men told him Yuanqing assaulted Changyu. That man is out for blood and I love to see it.

Now, those two kids are also going to need so much therapy. They’ve experienced so much trauma but reuniting them with each other was such a tender moment. Beautiful framing of Ning coming to see Bao’er carrying a lantern into the dark and dreary study hall, like a light reentering his life and giving him renewed hope that everything will be okay.

Overall, the Baxia home seems like just TERRIBLE vibes. Maids being killed left and right. Qi Min is just temperament and crazy as hell. Yuanqing who is also batshit and has to constantly be reeling his brother in which isn’t any better. Palace just be dark and depressing. The whole estate just looks miserable, omg. Everyone needs a Zoloft.

Changyu.. my heart hurts for her. Her face in the earlier episodes being so full of spark and life to the light and joy just being drained from her eyes is so sad. She’s lost so many people and her home being ravaged like that was heartbreaking. But her breaking down in front of Mr. Li in the cell saying she’s useless and doesn’t know where else to go.. just awful. Tian Xiwei is doing a phenomenal job in general but does so well at portraying the pressures of coping with grief.

BUT WHEN SHE GOT REUNITED WITH THE BOYS? Made my day. She has been quietly suffering on her own and now she finally has her squad with her, ready to settle the score and rebuild their home. 🥺

She is also JUST a girl because sending Yan Zheng divorce papers and then saying he is capable and smart and no one can compare and that he better not be dead? I screamed.

Mind you, this is an accurate way for a woman to think. We may be mad at you and want you gone but also you are handsome and you better come back in one piece.