They were sweet to each other and really happy that the FL did not end up with the 2nd ML, as he was quite selfish in my opinion. He always blamed the world for his shortcomings, but love isn't like that. The FL found love with the ML/Li Yusen, who was open-minded, understood her better, and was supportive. Most importantly, she didn't have to be cautious all the time and could truly be herself.

Rejoice again sisters, because they never break up in book 2!!! In the extra chapter 3, Gu Man reveals the breakup plotline was in her previous version of book 2 but she scrapped and rewrote the story without a breakup plot. ☺ I personally prefer the new version as Lin Yusen is not the type to play s*upid push pull melodrama like breaking up with Xiguang...

The first book deals with Xiguang's failed first love, the alienation and bullying of her university classmates/peers, and her heartbreak of dearly loving Zhuang Xu who willingly misunderstands and mistreats her at every turn. We also deal with Lin Yusen having to grapple with losing his career as a neurosurgeon due to a car accident for who he believed at the time to be Xiguang (but turned out to be her stepsister). All of this brings a lot of drama to the story and makes it very emotionally intense to read. I personally cried reading the first book because I could relate to Xiguang a lot. The second book is much less dramatic, as Xiguang and Lin Yusen encourage and support each other, unlike Xiguang's dynamic with Zhuang Xu. They're united as a singular unit moving towards the future together, so there is obviously much less drama as they have a healthier and emotionally mature relationship. Personally, now that I'm older, I enjoy this mature romance much more, where they find contentment in the dazzling ordinary.