LayarHijau – The latest drama starring Zhao Lusi, Love’s Ambition (许我耀眼), is adapted from the popular novel Da Qiao Xiao Qiao (大乔小乔). In this series, Zhao Lusi plays Xu Yan, an ambitious woman who tries to hide her humble background to enter high society. The drama version feels lighter and more romantic compared to the darker and more realistic tone of the novel.
The series stars Zhao Lusi as Xu Yan and William Chan (Chen Weiting) as Shen Haoming, with supporting roles played by Wan Peng as Qiao Lin, Tang Xiaotian as Yu Yiming, Zhong Yating as Fang Lei, and Guan Zijing as Lin Tao.
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Shen Haoming cheats after marriage
In the novel, Shen Haoming is portrayed as a cold and self-centered man. After marrying Xu Yan, he begins an affair outside his marriage, marking the downfall of their relationship. However, the drama completely removes this element. Shen Haoming is still emotionally distant from Xu Yan but does not betray her physically, Beauty123 wrote.
Who ends the relationship differs between the two versions
In the drama, Xu Yan decides to end the marriage after hearing directly from Shen Haoming that he never loved her. In the novel, however, it is Shen Haoming who takes the initiative to divorce her after realizing he cannot continue living in a loveless relationship.
Fang Lei’s identity is altered
In the drama, Fang Lei (played by Zhong Yating) is depicted as the younger sister of Shen Haoming’s former girlfriend who has secretly admired him for years. In the novel, Fang Lei is someone who actually had a past romantic relationship with Shen Haoming. This change makes the conflict in the drama simpler and less morally complex.
Qiao Lin’s fate is completely different
In the novel, Xu Yan’s elder sister, Qiao Lin (played by Wan Peng), meets a tragic end. She fails to get into university, becomes pregnant out of wedlock, is abandoned by her partner, and eventually takes her own life after giving birth. In the drama, however, her storyline is softened — she still experiences hardships but ultimately finds happiness with Yu Yiming (played by Tang Xiaotian).
The ending is softer in the drama
The novel ends on a realistic note: after the divorce, Xu Yan takes care of her late sister’s child and lives independently without reconciling with Shen Haoming. The drama, on the other hand, opts for a melodramatic resolution — Shen Haoming realizes his true feelings and works hard to win Xu Yan back. The story concludes with their reconciliation, giving the audience a warmer and more emotional ending.
Overall, the drama version of Love’s Ambition makes major adjustments to appeal to general viewers. It removes the darker and heavier elements of the novel while focusing more on Xu Yan’s emotional growth and resilience after heartbreak.
(Photos: MyDramaList)
