This Drama at first felt like a war between two initialisms: SARFT vs OTP. Happily, OTP won. For the first 12 or so episodes the frequency, intensity and crude unsubtlety of the political propaganda was so bad it was laughable. If you tried playing a drinking game to down a shot every time some version of the phrase "for the glory of China" was said in the first third of the Drama, you'd be at severe risk of fatal alcohol poisoning by the end of each episode.

BUT, after that flag-waving rarara start, The PPL (propaganda placement) was dialed right back, the story settled down, and go on with the important business of delivering a sweet, cute romantic Drama. The OTP sold the conventional story very well, and the supporting characters were great. Especially Niannian's BFFs, both of whom were adorable (and easy on the eyes) . Also a BIG shoutout for having the FEMALE lead being openly and repeatedly described and acknowledged as a genius. As I close in on three hundred K Dramas started, I am STILL waiting to see one where the female lead was the intellectual superior of the male, and where he was happy to acknowledge that

Most C Dramas I've tried have been underwhelming for me, but this one was a delight.