Yang Likai is obviously the villain here, but I'm wondering if he's also a victim. He got infected by Zhu Jiajia at Buckingham, then chased her down in a rage when he found out. His aggression makes sense if he thought she knowingly infected him. But the way he treated her at the lake, calling her a bitch and grabbing her, still makes him a piece of trash. Even if he's sick, that doesn't excuse his behavior.
The tavern scene is where the story really comes alive for me. Mo Han’s nervousness entering the noisy tavern, everyone turning to look, was palpable. The kind auntie behind the bar instantly disarms him. But then he chokes on the milk, and everyone laughs – it’s a classic “fish out of water” moment that feels genuine. The way he immediately creates an ice sword shows his defensive instincts. It’s both funny and a little sad how out of place he is.
Lu Qing’an’s inner thoughts about the Huang Family’s scheme are well-placed. “There is no such thing as a free lunch” — he says that to himself. It’s a little obvious, but it fits his character. I like that he’s always analyzing. Even when others are celebrating, he’s suspicious.
The scene where Yu Kai asks “Mom, are you being kept?” had me rolling. It’s such a naive but logical question for a kid seeing his mom suddenly rich and powerful. The fat man choking on his water was perfect. It’s a bit of humor that breaks the tension. These small character moments are what make reading enjoyable. More levity like this would balance the over-the-top drama.
2 It's so sad that a hospital calling about a bone marrow match is the good news in her life. Her entire existence is a financial and medical emergency. It really puts the pettiness of the romance into perspective.