This is a difficult drama to review, because I have so many opposing opinions on many aspects. Firstly, I want it to be known that this drama is 100% carried by Chen Zhe Yuan. Xiao Yu'er as a character is just so entertaining and amusing, and although he has flaws, he learns these flaws himself and acknowledges them. He's full of charisma. I could watch a thousand episodes of Xiao Yu'er just wandering around talking to random people. This is a role that Chen Zhe Yuan really wanted to play, and he did everything to put himself into the character; as someone who has read the novel, I think he is perfectly cast. He understands Xiao Yu'er very very well. From watching his interviews, you know he could go on for hours analyzing his character. His acting for me is perfect and natural. If at times he seems to be "overacting," that is because the scene calls for it, ie. it is supposed to be a comical scene with XYE acting ridiculous. His eyes alone are capable of conveying all different emotions in a believable way.

Moving on to Hu Yi Tian. I'm sorry, but I feel his acting is not up to par. He cannot emote with his eyes. But I won't blame him entirely for making the character of Huq Wu Que so boring. In the novel, HWQ is actually more interesting. He is capable of smiling, of understanding the concept of humor, and of actually being funny himself in a weird way that may or may not be intentional. The drama decided to cut out all of his interesting dialogue, though, probably because it was usually in response to XYE saying some things a little too "rude" to be broadcast. But in the novel I feel HWQ is more self-aware and far more interesting. In the drama he seems a bit more oblivious, like he has no clue what he's doing most of the time. Only occasions he lights up at all are scene in which he's interacting with XYE. XYE can bring anyone to life, I guess.

It must be said that there is zero chemistry between Xin Lan and Hua Wu Que, but thankfully any romance there was very limited. Speaking of Xin Lan...she is not a favorite character of mine. Too wishy-washy and incapable, too dramatic, not entirely intelligent, but not unlikable overall.

This is a story with lots and lots villains, like an endless revolving door of villains. So this may take some getting used to if you're not familiar with stories like this. I was really angry the first time I watched this drama. The villains always outwitted people, and "people" seemed to believe every word any evil person said. Hua Wu Que's "aunts" are my favorite villains. But there are lots to choose from. Jiang Yu Lang is kind of amusing, I won't lie. I couldn't take him seriously at all, but he is great in the role. His scenes with XYE are hilarious.

Overall, I ended up enjoying it much more on my second watch, I guess because my expectations were different. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the climax, partly because it felt a bit rushed, but mostly because Hu Yi Tian's acting during that scene was horrendously unimpressive. He seemed almost unaffected but the insanity unfolding around him--no expression in his eyes at all unless he was directly interacting with XYE. Maybe Chen Zhe Yuan's charisma rubbed off on him during those times. Just...wish they could redo that whole scene and have HYT try to look like he gives a poop, instead of letting CZY carry everything.