Okay so I need to talk about Yan Xiao because this man is EVERYTHING. Like, the author sets him up as this intimidating, nearly two-meter-tall guy with a fierce face and bronzed skin, right? And then in one single scene he completely flips the script on me. When Wen Qinghe starts struggling to breathe walking to the field, what does he do? He doesn't mock her. He doesn't get annoyed. He actually apologizes like a scared puppy when she looks like she might cry. And then—this is the part that got me—he goes and picks wild blueberries for her, washes them, and does HER weeding while she sits under a tree eating snacks. Bro. He's out here living like a rom-com lead and he doesn't even know it.
But here's what really sold me: his internal monologue. The text says he felt a 'secret joy' and was 'certain' that he wanted to 'keep her in his domain.' That's not just crush energy, that's full-on possessive protector mode. And the fact that he BLUSHED when she praised him? A man built like a mountain who can't handle three words of compliments? I'm deceased.
The contrast with Liu Meili is also chef's kiss. She tries to flirt with him using the exact same expression Wen Qinghe used, and he literally won't even look at her. Cold rejection. 'Sorry, no materials left.' Not even a lie with warmth—just straight dismissal. Meanwhile he's going out of his way to make Wen Qinghe a custom cabinet AND a foldable table. The man is showing love languages like he's taking an advanced course.
I just keep coming back to that moment where he blocks the sun for her with his body. She notices his sweat-soaked jacket, his forearms, his Adam's apple—and her heart starts racing. This is mutual pining waiting to explode, people.
