The many faces of Xiang YuPing (played by actor Jerry Yan)
Episode 3 was one of the most enjoyable, and fast-paced, episodes of the drama by far. Subtle but dramatic transformations in the personalities and perspectives of various characters keep the audience curious as to what is going to happen in the next episode. YuPing’s denial of the real reason behind his varying thoughts and emotions changes the viewer’s image of him in this drama. At times, he is childish and immature. At times, he is charming and sweet. At times, you wonder: I wish I had a man like. No longer is he the cold, ruthless lawyer and boss of the Yang sisters, or the passive guardian of the two children. Rather, YuPing has become more considerate and accepting, willing to spend time with the children to create the aurora of a happy family. Perhaps this is due to his realization of the children’s need for a fatherly figure, or because he is reminded of his childhood without a stable and safe environment. But for whatever the reason, one thing is for sure: the emotionless and inconsiderate lawyer YuPing is becoming warm and humane.
However, we must not forget the powerful effect Yang Guo has on individuals. Yang Guo continually offers aid to help others in any way she can, and it is this altruism that initially perplexes YuPing. Through more interactions with each other, a sense of family develops between Yang Guo, YuPing, and the children. Although both are forbidden to have any feelings for the other, YuPing and Yang Guo may be unable to keep themselves from feeling an emotional connection, and attraction, towards the other. YuPing has already done unimaginable things with Yang Guo, and for Yang Guo and the children of course!), such as riding rollercoasters, watching horror movies, and standing in line to buy Yang Guo’s favorite snack while being humiliated for being such a noob. YuPing is convinced that his concern for Yang Guo is out of gratitude, but we drama addicts all know that this is the beginning of something bigger…and better 😉
In addition, this episode saw the introduction of yet another character: the children’s “long-lost” mother. Turns out she did not die but instead left her children in order to pursue other greatness. Now, four years later, she reappears, requesting legal guardianship over her children with the famous divorce lawyer Xiang YuPing. Will YuPing let her take her children back after years of separation? Will the children even want to live with their mother? All will reveal in the next episode!
Highlights from the show
KIDNAPPED!
In order to threaten YuPing, a trio of bandits kidnapped Yang Guo and the children and held them hostage. The children managed to escape, but will YuPing and Yang Guo manage to escape from the bomb?
To get revenge from escaping running away, the bandits stick a bomb into YuPing’s mouth as they happily walk out of the run-down shed to escape the police. Apparently, the only way to prevent the bomb from exploding within 2 minutes is to hold it with your mouth. Yang Guo narrates the event with exaggerations, but keeps to the basic plotline. She intentionally leaves out the most important detail: her “kiss” with YuPing in an attempt to gain possession of the bomb to fling out of the shed and as far away from them as possible. In a Behind the Scenes special, actress Ella Chen confesses it was one of the most awkward kissing situations she had ever experienced (she had the luxury of “kissing” the famous actor Jerry Yan and…a pair of fake teeth).
Yang Guo: Let me tell you. That bomb was of the latest model. You HAD to put it in you mouth to prevent it from exploding.
Yang Duo: Isn’t that like those bombs from Hollywood movies?
Yang Guo: Exactly! You see, those bandits wanted to kill us with one shot! BUT…at that instant, the boss told those bandits that if they fired, the police would only get here sooner and catch them all! Then, one bandit took a bomb AND STUFFED IT IN THE BOSS’S MOUTH!!! But, he never thought that I, who’s sister yelled at to practice the suona (Chinese oboe) when it only cost $800 TWD…
Yang Duo: Hey! Why are you bringing this up? On with the story!
Yang Guo: Sis, thank God that you forced me to practice otherwise today I would be…How would I have the lung-power to spit that bomb out the window? Applause!
KeZhong: Wait. You just said that you spat the bomb out the window.
Yang Guo: Yup, I spat it out!
KeZhong: But the bomb was originally in YuPing’s mouth…
Yang Duo: Oh yeah, didn’t you say the bandits put the bomb in the boss’s mouth? Then, how did…? Why…?
* cough cough *
YuPing: I spat out the bomb, and she blew it out of the window.
* Yang Guo’s imagination: YuPing flings the bomb out of his mouth, Yang Guo enters and blows it out the window
Yang Guo: Sayonara!
Both: *laugh insanely *Heahheaheahheahheah…
YuPing: * chokes on spit and coughs *
Yang Guo: * imitates Andy Lau’s voice * I’m Andy Lau (a famous singer and actor from Hong Kong)
YuPing: * imitates Guo Shichang’s voice * I’m Guo ShiChang (a famous actor in Hong Kong)
Both: * sings * 对你爱爱爱不完 (translation: endless love for you) * dance and twirl; end imagination *
Yang Guo: * dumbfounded * RIGHT! That’s what happened! Right, right…
Friend: Yeah, didn’t you say that if you didn’t put it in your mouth, it’d explode?
Yang Guo: D-did I say that?
Yang Duo: Yeah! Just like those in Hollywood!
Yang Guo: No, no, they’re different from the ones in Hollywood.
YuPing: I-I think that since the scoundrel was poor, the bomb he bought was those…fake…imitations
Yang Guo: RIGHT RIGHT!
NOTE: Yang Guo’s imagination goes wild at the end as she and YuPing make references to famous Hong Kong idols.
One big happy family…or not
The kids decide to watch a horror movie, but no one knows that YuPing is terrified of horror movies.
What a better way to end an exciting and eventful day at the amusement park than to go home and watch a horror movie with the family! But, who would have thought that YuPing would be the first scream out in terror and leave the room because he is terrified of horror movies? Right off the bat, he starts isolating himself, seeking refuge and comfort from a cushion and refusing to look at the TV screen through the course of the movie (though there are those little sneaks and peeks every once in a while ^^). Better work on those bravery skills, dude; how are you supposed to protect and comfort a lady if you’re the one who’s scared out of his wits?
A Patch of Sunshine 