First of all, yes it is long, yes there are so many schemes. But the schemes were the things keeping me hooked, couldn't drop it, because I really wanted to know when the schemes were exposed.
What I love about this series (SPOILERS WARNING)
- the male lead fell for the female lead fairly early on (single digit episode), and yet I didn't feel it was rushed. I felt they had sufficient interactions that warranted his feelings to be developed for her.
- his love never wavered throughout. He was there for her, almost too good. Except for the time when he stupidly agreed to marry Yilan, which I could also understand why plus Jiaming pushed him to that direction too.
- more realistic financial struggles.
- Each scheme (though so many) were resolved or concluded fairly quickly. And oh the most satisfying one was on the wedding day.
- The characters and the story evoked sooo many emotions out of me. Positive and negative. Even the evil incarnate characters like the grandma and Yilan, because there were so evil that they really caused me to stick to the story just to see how their evil schemes failed. So satisfying at that time.
- Jiaming's dad I think was just great. He's so loving towards Jiaming and when he was wooing Su Ping he was so cute. Good to see relationships developed for the "older" generation. Didn't see that very often in these dramas.

What could be improved:
- It's a bit ridiculous how everyone is connected to everyone else. It's like a spider web of connection. Too much.
- Zhao Han's character was too much, too pathetic. He supposedly loves Yilan very much but I couldn't understand how he could support her schemes and lies, especially against Jiaming whom he cared about as well (cared enough to be willing to quick alongside her in the beginning).
- Some of the schemes could be removed and it would have shortened the drama without changing the core storyline.

Personally, this series warrants a higher rating than (currently) 7.5. If you're on the fence on whether or not to watch this, give it a chance and just know that however frustrating the schemes might made you feel, each one has satisfactory resolution.