When I started this drama, I didn't expect to get so invested in it but I did. First of all the writing of the drama is so good, each character is used to their maximum effect, even the side characters are so engrossing. The drama is all about choice and it was very vivid of it's protrayal of old Beijing and the impact of the culutral revolution especially on a group of youngsters. I also like unlike many male centric dramas, the male lead is not a Gary Stu, he doesn't get everything handed to him, rather the drama shows the choices made by him effect him and everything else. This is evident in how the drama used a number of episodes to show the male lead recovering from his wartime injuries.

The acting and the cast are top notch. I started this drama for Xiao Zhan. But I ended being so invested in the other characters. Especially Ye Fang, the prophet. I felt sorry for her and annoyed but at the same time loved how level headed her character was. Li Qin as Tong Xiaomeo, I liked the script writer not giving her much scences in the inital episodes but as the episodes went by, her role grew larger until she became Xiao Chunsheng's rock. Xiao Zhan as Xiao Chunsheng in what is his best acting to date, I cried and laughed with Chunsheng and I truly believed that I was watching his life story.

My only gripe about the story was that because it spanned 40 years, the pacing was too fast in the last few episodes but it not deter me from enjoying the drama. For me this drama is 10. While I may not rewatch the entire drama again, I certainly will be watching parts of the drama.