Step 1: Decimate the Male Lead's character so much he becomes a shadow, a ghost, a forethought, leading to viewer chaos and anger. For me, the male lead must be established early. There can be some competition, but there should never be any doubt by the middle of the series, who the FL likes. By episode 37/40, I was still unsure. Here, the director/writer/producer created a mess of the boundaries between ML and SML. But that's okay. ZLH will rise from the ashes of the character they destroyed like the Phoenix that he is.

Step 2. Make it as confusing as hell. If this story didn't have the MDL forum, it would probably have a much lower rating on here. The character's misunderstandings and motivations need to be frequently explained by those who have read the book. You lose me when I have to watch a drama where the story, the characters, the direction ARE NOT the one's letting me know what is going on. I keep reading in the comments, "Oh....I read the novel, so now I, forgive, understand, etc." I'm sorry....but I'm not an avid reader (don't judge), and I don't feel I should have to read anything to supplement me watching anything. A great TV drama should stand by itself. This, unfortunately, needs book legs. When I'm constantly pulled out to ask...why did he/she do this, it makes me want to give up watching.

Step 3. Make sure to lack direction regarding your actors. I've watched many of the ML's dramas, and I think he has played very diverse rolls. I am a fan. I'm not familiar too much with the FL except for one drama. I do like her; however, I believe ZLH is doing a better job at conveying his feelings, making me sympathize with him, etc. As for the FL, she's gorgeous, but sometimes, I said, sometimes, her unfitting-to-the-scene expressions actually pulls me out of the moment. During one scene, while the ML was crying and pouring his heart out, her rather blank expression didn’t match the passion of the scene. I wanted to be pulled in, engulfed in the moment with them. Instead, I was left drenched with disappointment in my living room. (Insert Michael Scott angry meme face here). This does not mean I don't like the actress. I think she has plenty of potential, and I was looking forward to watching her grow and mature into one of my favorite actresses.

Step 4. Rushed Production: The Boat Scene. I know we were all starving for some sort of amazing "skinship" between the main couple; however, I don't know if it was the angle and shakiness of the camera or the the reaction of the FL, but something about the VERY QUICK, almost overly aggressive interaction left me unsettled as opposed to enamored. The director should have taken more time to smooth this one out so it didn't look so uncomfortable to watch. (Some on Douban have echoed the same reaction).

This does have a happy ending, for the most part. Unfortunately, there was so much baggage you had to drag along with you to get there to actually enjoy it.

For the record, I tried to walk away from MDL earlier today, but after this last episode, I feel it's important to support ZLH more. What they did to his character was hard to watch. I do believe he will rise like a Phoenix from these ashes; however. As well he should.

This review pained me to write because all the other dramas the ML was in, I loved. There were just too many problems with this one.