The "long lost childhood friend turned lover" trope is nothing new, but the show used it very effectively. What makes it more meaningful is that our Male Lead, Nan Xi has a social anxiety disorder, and therefore his early friendship with Xia Rui, our female lead, has left a lasting, profound effect on him. He never forgot Xia Rui and never faltered in his search for her.

I enjoyed their story of blossoming love, a romance that most would have deemed impossible given how different their personalities were. However, in a world of incompatibilities, they became each other's light and destination. They knew that they are each other's one and only, unique to and completing one another. Their unquestioning trust in each other made for a delightful and extra sweet relationship. Neither one is perfect, though. Nan Xi was a genius, adept and excellent in anything that he attempted but was an extreme introvert, uncomfortable with the world. Xia Rui was bright, talkative, and plucky but unmotivated when it came to her studies. She often caused stress for Nan Xi and her closest friends, Zhao Yi Shu and Cheng Er Luo, who only wanted to see her succeed and be with them in the same university. Individually they were flawed, but the show delivered a strong message of how imperfectly perfect they were together as a couple and for Xia Rui, Yi Shu, and Er Luo, as friends with unbreakable bonds. Being each other's anchors, they were able to pursue and succeed in achieving their dreams.

Adding to the heart-warming plot was the focus on family, friendship, and the bond between teacher and student. There were lots of positive feels in this show, focused on the four friends' lives in high school, university, and early post-grad years. I liked how the adults respect the young people, acting as positive influences, and providing support. No real antagonists and even potential love triangles were only hints, resolved quickly and relatively painlessly. Even the ones causing a smidgen of chaos ended up being good friends with the main group. The lack of melodrama was a plus for me, and I appreciate how the show stayed consistent with its storyline. Unlike many C-, K- or Thai dramas, there was no dramatic twist or turn, throwing the audience off with a different arc.

While the show has its strengths with respect to the adorable romance and character growth of the primary characters, it did get draggy concerning the secondary couple, Yi Shu and Er Luo. Both of them were annoying at times, with Er Luo being so dense and unaware of Yi Shu's feelings for him and Yi Shu's unwillingness to clarify and confess. It's one of those relationships that could be smoothed out and move forward if there was some communication, even indirectly via the main couple. I did not understand why Xia Rui did not help more, given how the other two contrived to create opportunities for her and Nan Xi.

The cast did well and had excellent rapport with each other. This is quite the 'PG' show with so many kisses...interrupted! Still Fiction Guo and Wan Peng had great chemistry, so endearing together, and I hope that they will play the OTP again in another show. I watched Fiction Guo in Accidentally In Love and Su Yu, and his portrayal of his characters in those shows, and this one highlighted his acting skills and potential. He does comedy well, and in this show, as he emoted well without a lot of dialogue. He has a few main roles lined up, so I look forward to seeing him more. Wan Peng also did well as bubbly Xia Rui, but I wonder if she will get pigeonholed into such a character. Her role in First Romance was very similar and even in My Girlfriend is an Alien, she played a clumsy, bumbling, unlady-like character. It would be nice to see her portray a more feminine role. I totally see her as an ideal female lead, strong and sassy, and she does have attractive features.

The supporting characters were awesome. Lao Hu and Lao Yi, the parents & grandparents, all added fun and substance to the story, but the scene-stealer was Xia Rui's little brother, who was the little sage, truth-teller, and overall, a bundle of cuteness.

Music-wise - the OST was great, and I like how the show played 'sexier' songs as the OTP's relationship progressed. I am partial to duets, and the show featured a couple of nice ones.

I'd highly recommend that you watch this if you like light-hearted and binge-able dramas featuring strong friendship and family ties, character growth, and a healthy romance between the main characters who never wavered from their love and commitment.

Lastly, a shout out to CarmenEngSub for subbing this show!