This sure is an interesting one. The premise is nothing new, although it's presented in a way that still feels fresh and not overdone. The acting is spot-on and the chemistry between the characters is great.

I'll start with the things I liked about the series first.

The main couple, Bai Zong Yi and Fan Ze Rui do have great chemistry together, and it was (for the most part) interesting to see them develop. I do wish the age gap was smaller, and while I do understand why Zong Yi had to be a minor I feel like that part could've been handled better. The premise of their meeting and subsequent getting to know each other was frankly ridiculous but you get to watch them become more and more healthy as they get to know each other.

The second couple is by miles more interesting in comparison by the sheer amount of history between the two. Ai Di's actor stole the entire show, and felt in a different league from his fellow actors I won't lie. At moments I felt like he was the only one who understood the assignment, be that gang related stuff, or his feelings for Chen Yi. Their storyline is complicated and painful and, in my eyes, a lot better thought out.

Now, for the things I find not so compelling.

The plot was rushed in places it should have taken its time and dragged in places that really didn't need it. The split between the past and the present is uneven and it leaves a bunch of questions open, and a lot of narratives that would have been compelling just hanging. Maybe this is due to production costs, but I was feeling both underwhelmed and rushed during the second part. I feel like the show would have benefited from a scene or two taking place during the time skip to give us an idea of what the life inside prison was and what Ze Rui or Chen Yi was up to in the meantime. It's obvious that Ai Di has some sort of ptsd after serving time but it's almost used as a throwaway, and Zong Yi's injury is, aside from about two scenes, used as a plot device and nothing that really affects his life too much.

It also felt like a mafia series written by someone who knows nothing about gangs apart from they have cool cars and hang out in dingy looking bars. The fight scenes and the whole villain plot is basically nonsensical and the fighting itself was reminiscent of a Gokusen one, and I still don't fully understand what Zhang Teng's deal was. Ze Rui's involvement with the 'gang' felt even more bizzare the more we get to know him, and even the explanation for it just... Felt off. Especially given how we're introduced to him in the first place. The series also gives off the impression that Zong Yi's family didn't visit him in prison which just baffles.

Overall, it's a cute series that you will enjoy if you don't think too much about the plot details. It has plenty of sweet moments for those who just care for that and the chemistry, which is fair. Analyzing it on a deeper level leaves you with quite a few questions that, sadly, remain unanswered.