LayarHijau – The drama adaptation of Gu Man’s novel, Shine On Me (骄阳似我), officially premiered and immediately drew widespread attention from its first day of broadcast. Viewer enthusiasm surged, especially after Gu Man—who serves as both the original author and screenwriter—described the drama as the work closest in tone to My Sunshine (何以笙箫默), which aired around a decade ago. Her comment reignited discussions among viewers about the return of Gu Man’s signature “quiet crush” aesthetic.
As the relationship between Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang gradually develops, it is the second male lead who has become the center of heated debate. Zhuang Xu, portrayed by Lai Weiming, is presented as a character layered with contradictions: gentle on the surface, yet often delivering sharp and hurtful remarks. Chinese audience reactions are sharply divided—torn between sympathy and irritation.
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Some viewers empathize with Zhuang Xu, seeing him as a man trapped in a one-sided love filled with emotional pressure. Others, however, are frustrated by his behavior, criticizing him for hypocrisy and double standards. He repeatedly belittles Nie Xiguang with cutting remarks, mocking her for relying too much on her family or ridiculing her choice to wear high heels for the sake of appearance. At the same time, he helps her organize academic research materials and assists with job applications. This stark contrast has led many to label him as narrow-minded and overly performative.
The description “pitiful yet annoying” has since become closely associated with Zhuang Xu. Coming from a financially disadvantaged background, he carries deep insecurities when facing Nie Xiguang, who was raised in a well-off family. His arrogance and cynicism are often interpreted as defense mechanisms—fear of rejection that drives him to push others away first. While this emotional pattern resonates with some viewers, others condemn it as selfish emotional exhaustion that only leads to repeated harm.
This role has brought significant attention to Lai Weiming. Many netizens describe him as the “perfect embodiment of a first love,” particularly due to the bitter, fragile aura surrounding Zhuang Xu’s unspoken feelings. Audience focus has extended beyond the storyline to the actor’s nuanced performance.
Sharp-eyed viewers have praised Lai Weiming’s use of eye acting and micro-expressions. The way he looks at Nie Xiguang—with restrained affection wrapped in hesitation and loneliness—is seen as a convincing portrayal of “loving someone but lacking the courage to confess.” Many viewers admit it feels like watching a reflection of their own past experiences of quietly harboring feelings.
Now 24 years old, Lai Weiming has been active in the entertainment industry for just three years. He previously appeared in the youth drama When I Fly Towards You and the costume drama Fangs of Fortune (大梦归离). Through consistent effort and dedication to portraying complex supporting roles, he has steadily gained recognition and is increasingly being dubbed by viewers as one of the most hardworking second male leads in the Chinese drama industry.
