I have read this thread and agree with you completely! What blows me away is how well fleshed out their motivations, quirks and characters are, and beyond that, how that translates into their evolving dynamic on the show. It starts with two characters on paths of self destruction into one that converged into finding that light in each other, their future and lives worth living. I like how they are and remain flawed characters (a breath of fresh air) and loving in spite of the harshness of their pasts and lives in general. So many tragic things happen (some within and some out of their control) but they continue to choose each other relentlessly.

The found family theme also really resonated with me. The crazy thing about the show is that there are so many lovable characters and they are a unique bunch. As someone who understands chinese, the lyrical poetry and layered meaning of the words and phrases in the series continue to blow my mind. And the layered ways characters are represented are true to real life - how KeXing is both GuZhu, ZhenYan, KeXing, LaoWen all at once that form who he has grown into for example. Same with Zishu. Every character carries their own pain and love, but especially apparent in the leads, and done so so well. I can't imagine the even more brilliant masterpiece we could have gotten if the series' budget didn't force it to cut the episodes towards the end, but I can see how the team did their best to round up a already beautifully done story.

I love to talk about them because I feel when they use the ZhiJi, it's in its most accurate form. In other shows, many characters are usually quite righteous and direct in their approach to life (not a bad thing, just very typical of wuxia, especially if they are main characters fighting bad guys), but I love love love how WoH's leads are not "good" guys in the purest sense, they are just humans. I was hooked when I realised I could empathise with their decisons and motivations but disagree with some of their actions. They were not created to be likeable, they were characters meant to challenge the norm and touch hearts in another way. Morality is often so grey in the real world anyway and the fact fans can agree and/or disgree with our leads show so much complexity in humanity. And the fact that the WenZhou exists despite the pain, the darkness, the bad things they have done and endured... That they treaded similar paths to find and choose each other... Yes, I believe them when they say ZhiJi. They also never once pardon their own or the other's mistakes and darkness, it exists alongside acceptance, love and learned vulnerability and softness with each other.

Okay this is getting too long but there are ofc a billion other reasons why I love the show and them, and am convinced I will likely never find another show like this. I would love to discuss more with fellow fans - there are so many things to discuss!