LayarHijau – Zhang Linghe drew attention last year with his impressive performance in the drama The Best Thing (爱你). He now returns with the new historical drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉) alongside Tian Xiwei, who previously starred in Guardians of the Dafeng (大奉打更人). The drama premiered on March 6 and released five episodes at once.
From its very first day, the series showed strong performance. Pursuit of Jade reportedly attracted 30 advertisers and quickly climbed to the top of the Maoyan popularity rankings, surpassing the drama About Love (玫瑰丛生) starring Liu Yuning and Wang Ziwen.
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One reason the drama has quickly captured attention is its fast-paced storytelling. By episode four, the characters played by Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei are already shown getting married. Then in episode five, they are sent straight to the bridal chamber.
However, the marriage is actually a fake one. To convince others that they are truly husband and wife, the two must pretend to be intimate through the shadows cast by a lamp. In the scene, their silhouettes appear to move closer together as if they are kissing, even suggesting moments like removing clothes and brushing their noses together. The moment quickly sparked strong reactions from viewers, with many commenting that the couple’s “fake wedding night” looked even more suggestive than real wedding night scenes in other dramas.
Before the drama aired, there were repeated rumors that Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei did not get along. Early in the production, the two were even said to have clashed over billing order. However, when they appeared together to promote the drama, the public noticed that they actually seemed to have a good relationship.
It was later revealed that the tension was largely related to their respective managers. Both managers had previously worked with major stars and had reportedly competed for resources in the past. Because of that, some netizens jokingly referred to Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei as the “second generation of a rivalry.”
During a promotional livestream, Tian Xiwei even joked about the situation. She said that she and Zhang Linghe seemed very destined to work together, then added with a laugh, “Our managers are also very destined!”
The first three episodes introduce Tian Xiwei’s character, Fan Changyu. After her parents pass away, she faces a painful situation when her former fiancé’s family breaks off the engagement, claiming that she carries the fate of a “lonely star that brings misfortune.” Refusing to accept the insult, Fan Changyu firmly demands that the money she previously lent them be returned before the engagement is officially canceled.
Amid these events, Fan Changyu finds a severely injured man lying in the snow. The man is General Xie Zheng, played by Zhang Linghe. To hide his identity, he uses the alias Yan Zheng while recovering at Fan Changyu’s home. In order to save his life, Fan Changyu even sells the hairpin her mother left her.
Another problem soon arises when Fan Changyu’s uncle falls into heavy debt at a gambling house. He plans to use the house left behind by her parents as collateral to repay the debt, arguing that the two sisters will eventually marry and leave the property anyway. The situation forces Fan Changyu to quickly find a way to keep the house in her possession.
Because of this, Fan Changyu decides to find a man willing to marry her and live in the house. She eventually makes an agreement with Xie Zheng to enter a fake marriage. Once the house is legally secured under her control, she promises to use the money to hire a physician to properly treat Xie Zheng’s injuries.
There is also a moment that made viewers laugh when Xie Zheng cannot understand why Fan Changyu is willing to help him. He asks what she possibly wants from him that would make her save a seriously injured stranger. Without hesitation, Fan Changyu replies, “Because you’re handsome!” Her straightforward answer quickly became a humorous highlight for many viewers.
After the two quickly hold their wedding ceremony, Fan Changyu’s uncle and aunt secretly spy on them to confirm whether the marriage is genuine. They hide outside the bridal chamber to observe what is happening inside.
To fool them, Xie Zheng suggests using the shadows from the lamp as proof of their intimacy. From outside, the silhouettes appear to move closer together as if they are kissing before lying down, with even their noses seeming to touch. Seeing this, the uncle finally believes the marriage is real.
Although it is only a trick using shadows, the atmosphere inside the room feels filled with awkward tension and budding intimacy. Many viewers said the scene created a strong romantic mood, while others praised Zhang Linghe’s on-screen presence, saying he showed intense chemistry in the moment.
