- Drama Title: Love Between Lines
- Also Known As: 轧戏, Ga Xi , Ya Xi
- Director: Mao De Shu
- Genres: Romance, Mystery
- Cast: Cheng Xing Xu, Lu Yu Xiao
- Number of Episodes: 28
- Date of Release: January 9, 2026
- Original Network: Dragon TV, iQiyi
- Where to Watch: iQiyi, Viki, Apple TV, MGTV
- Adapted from the web novel: “Ga Xi” by Zhang Zu Le
Dear readers, how are you today? I hope the weather has been kind to you and that you had enough sunlight to warm your day. It’s been raining cats and dogs where I live. Recently, my days have been split between watching dramas and eating comfort food.
The rain sets the mood, the drama feeds my feelings, and the food… well, they don’t ask questions. 😆
At this point, the rain, the dramas, and my snack have formed a very strong relationship, and I was caught in the middle. Well, now that you’re here, let’s get started. This is my drama review of Love Between Lines. Happy reading, while I’m back into my three-minutes ramyeon. 😁😁
Love Between Lines Drama Review
The Synopsis
Hu Xiu was at the lowest point in her life after her long-term boyfriend broke up with her on their engagement day. In an attempt to distract her, a friend invited her to join an immersive virtual reality mystery game.
At that time, Hu Xiu desperately needed something to help her escape from reality. To her surprise, she ended up truly enjoying the experience.
Inside the game, Hu Xiu met one of the key characters in the game, Qin Xiao Yi. The handsome Warlord Commander was played by the aloof Xiao Zhi Yu. Through the story, they began to know each other’s personalities and the feelings began to grow.
From then on, fate seemed to follow them both. The feelings that bloom in the virtual room take shape in real life. Hu Xiu and Xiao Zhi Yu must navigate their emotions and decide whether they have the courage to find their way to each other.
The Review
“I only focus on what I want. Ms. Sun, do you know what you want?”
(Qin Xiao Yi, Warlord Commander)
Dear readers, Chen Xing Xu secured a place in my must-watch drama list after he perfectly portrayed the stubborn Yan Tuo in Love in Turquoise Land drama. Standing side by side with the beautiful Dilraba Dilmurat, they formed a powerful couple who fight against monsters.
His calm and steady presence was one of the charms that made me wait for his newest drama. So when Love Between Lines appeared, I didn’t even hesitate to press play.
After finishing all 28 episodes, I came to this conclusion. Love Between Lines served romance (OBVIOUSLY, just look at the title, Iya!🙄) as its main dish. A romance junkie would love this part.
And I personally love how they incorporate the virtual game element into the story, making it a delicious appetizer. It sparks curiosity about what comes next. Meanwhile, the mystery arc felt like a good side dish that was quietly pushed to the side of the table.
Before you side-eye me, let me explain. 😄
Let’s start with the game part. Dear readers, for those who just entered this world, let me tell you something. Cdramaland LOVES virtual world. There are already many dramas about people entering game worlds, like Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, Double Love, or Romance on the Farm.
So when Love Between Lines came up with a similar setup, it wasn’t surprising. What did surprise me, though, is how they creatively made the virtual game look like a real story.
This part of the drama became my favourite because of the costumes and the unpredictable story plot. From the beginning, it was said that the game had no script. The plot development depends on the interactions between players and NPCs (Non-Player Characters). However, the main plot stays the same, helping the chief to be the new mayor in town.
Every time Hu Xiu joined the game, she took on a different identity. Once she became Sun Jia Ying, an overseas PhD in chemistry. Later, she became Anna, a financial advisor.
Then Wu Jin, an investigation expert. And many more. It was obvious that she grew a little obsessed with the game (and Qin Xiao Yi) that she was willing to pay 480 yuan (69 USD) per session.
Hu Xiu never plays by the rules. She enjoys making unexpected moves to achieve her goal, which is to defeat the cunning fox, Qin Xiao Yi. Sometimes she won, many times she lost. But she’s not the only one having fun, because apparently Xiao Zhi Yu, who played Qin Xiao Yi, is clearly waiting for her too.
Both of them enjoyed the banter and the competition. It creates a spark that makes the game more interesting. Anyone who has ever met a good opponent in a game will understand that feeling.
Then comes real life, where the true romance takes place. I must admit, this part will melt your heart. Chen Xing Xu and Lu Yu Xiao share a very strong chemistry. Hu Xiu and Xiao Zhi Yu’s love story felt real and touching. Both carry wounds from their past.
However, they face the world courageously yet in loneliness. So when they find each other, they cling to one another as if they were standing at the end of the world. What makes their romance work is how honest it feels. Their romance is not loud or dramatic, but it is steady, sincere, and deeply comforting.
And now, the mystery part. This aspect of the drama is revealed at a snail’s pace. You have to go through the preliminary stage and a generous amount of sweet romance before the story suddenly seems to realize, “Oh, right, there’s also a mystery here. Let’s squeeze it in before the episodes run out.” 😆
The buildup itself isn’t bad. It made a great background story and helps explain why Xiao Zhi Yu is cold and distant by nature. The clues are actually interesting.
However, I do feel that this part was disconnected from the rest of the narrative. Like a train that operates on a separate track, which weakens its overall Impact. And when the truth is finally revealed, everything moves too fast.
It leaves no space for tension or emotions to sink in. Because of that, the mystery feels more like something that needed to be finished, rather than a natural part of the story.
That said, emotional strength alone can’t fully carry a story. Even the sweetest love story isn’t completely immune to storytelling issues. There are few things that I’d like to address. Love Between Lines has a very good premise and a solid opening.
However, the “coincidence trope” is slightly overused. One coincidence, such as their meeting in the game room, works just fine. But when these coincidences happen too often, it starts to feel excessive. When you find yourself thinking “I knew this was going to happen”, in various ways, that is usually a sign it has gone a bit too far. 😔
I was also invested in the second couple, Zhao Xiao Rou and Wang Guang Ming. Sadly, their story feels like it was left in the middle of the road. I needed more closure, especially for Wang Guang Ming. I’ve seen him in many scenes at the beginning of the story. But then he just disappeared like that.
I wanted to see more, I wanted to see karma. When that never came, it left me feeling unsatisfied. Their arc had the potential to add more emotional weight to the story. But without a proper resolution, it simply fades out instead of leaving a lasting impact on me.
After watching Chen Xing Xu fight for his life in Love on the Turquoise Land, I could feel that he carries a different aura in this drama. Especially when compared to his modern romance with Victoria Song in Our Interpreter.
In this drama, his portrayal of Xiao Zhi Yu’s character has more weight and feels more layered. He shows great controlled body language and subtle expressions. You could see emotions through small gestures, pauses, and the way he speaks, rather than big gestures. Because of that, Xiao Zhi Yu feels more real and emotionally grounded.
When I think of Lu Yu Xiao, the first role that comes to mind is Shangguan Qian, the assassin in My Journey to You. Although I have watched many of her dramas, such as Blossoms in Adversity, Love You Seven Times, The Longest Promise, Perfect Match, Serendipity, and Love in the Clouds.
I couldn’t shake the image of her as Shangguan Qian. Probably because Shangguan Qian was a complex, two-faced character. Less sweet and cute compared to her other dramas, yet Lu Yu Xiao pulled it off perfectly.
Her Hu Xiu’s character in this drama feels like a mix of the stubborn Kang Ning (Perfect Match) and the cheerful Ming Yi (Love in the Clouds). From the first episode, it could be seen that Hu Xiu is a very expressive person.
It was easy to read her emotions and follow her train of thought. Lu Yu Xiao did a good job bringing her to life. Her natural acting made Hu Xiu’s emotional ups and downs feel relatable rather than exaggerated.
Still, I was hoping to see her explore a wider range of roles in the future. With her ability to handle emotional depth so naturally, she clearly has the potential to go beyond this familiar character type.
The main antagonist in this drama is Pei Zhen and his father, Pei Kang Hua. At first glance, Pei Zhen’s character can be quite annoying. Yet once you begin to understand his story, it became hard not to feel sympathy for him.
His actions didn’t come out of nowhere. It rooted from pain that began years ago. While his choices remain harmful, this drama allowed you to see him as more than just a one-dimensional villain.
Love Between Lines is enjoyable because of the strong chemistry of the cast. Just like I said earlier, Chen Xing Xu and Lu Yu Xiao did a great job, and their chemistry is natural and convincing.
I also enjoy watching the friendship between Hu Xiu and Zhao Xiao Rou. They truly showed that a friend is someone who present during your hard times. Despite its flaws, this drama offers warmth, comfort, and moments that linger.
The Story – The Roots of Love
Hu Xiu and Xiao Zhi Yu’s personalities were shaped by the way they grew up. Hu Xiu came from a happy family. She had dreams and was enjoying her life when tragedy struck. Her father became disabled, and he also lost a friend whom he considered a brother.
This moment changed the course of Hu Xiu’s life. She decided to study in China and gave up her dream of going abroad. She dedicated her life to his parents, just as they had once dedicated theirs to her.
Because she was loved and pampered, Hu Xiu grew up carefree yet warm at heart. Yet, beneath the façade, she carries a quiet sense of responsibility and strength that guides many of her decisions.
Xiao Zhi Yu also grew up in a happy family before a tragedy took away his father. After his mother remarried, Xiao Zhi Yu refused to take a single cent from his stepfather and became independent at a very young age. He lived abroad for years before deciding to return to China.
For Xiao Zhi Yu, Hu Xiu is the sun that lights up his dull world. The warmth that slowly melts his cold and lonely life. Her smile made the world feel like a better place to live in. She gave him something he had long forgotten. Love. In her presence, life no longer feels so empty.
I used to think that Xiao Zhi Yu is cold, reticent, and selfish by nature. But over time, I realized that he is more like a porcupine. He shows his thorns to keep everyone at a safe distance.
Only when he trusts someone does he reveal his most vulnerable side, the soft belly he normally protects. And no, dear readers. This is not me comparing Chen Xing Xu’s abs to a porcupine’s belly. But you get what I mean. 😁
In my eyes, Xiao Zhi Yu’s protection and devotion towards Hu Xiu stemmed from fear of loss. Xiao Zhi Yu’s father died tragically, and he has an estranged relationship with his mother. His new family didn’t feel like a family at all. Xiao Zhi Yu was basically all alone, with only Gong Huai Cong around him.
So, when he fell in love with Hu Xiu, he did everything to shield her from the ugly truth. Anything. Including hiding things from her. When he later realized that this decision was wrong, he still chose to hold on to her.
He couldn’t afford another loss. She was too precious, too rare to let go. Because of that, he continued to protect her and stand by her during the darkest time. That is devotion. That is love. And it touched me.
Hu Xiu and Xiao Zhi Yu’s relationship was tightly related to the truth behind Xiao Zhi Yu’s father’s death. He has been secretly investigating the accident.
No one knew about it, except one person who was close to his father. Even his mother didn’t know anything about this. Xiao Zhi Yu also hid it from Hu Xiu. His goals are to clear his father’s name and punish the real culprit.
Xiao Zhi Yu’s struggle wasn’t only about uncovering the truth but also about facing a love rival. Pei Zhen. Yes, he also fell in love with Hu Xiu’s kindness and warmth.
That wasn’t surprising, though. Although Xiao Zhi Yu and Pei Zhen do not share the same blood, they both grew up lonely and unhappy. Naturally, they were drawn to the same light. And thanks to Pei Zhen, we also got to see Xiao Zhi Yu’s jealous side. Honestly, his jealousy was quite adorable. 😆
The ending of this drama is a predictable happy ending, even though I wasn’t a 100% satisfied. It may not be perfect, but it left me feeling calm, as if the story chose peace over perfection.
One more thing, dear readers. Hu Xiu has a message for those who feel trapped in love. When she realized that Xiao Zhi Yu’s hot and cold way of treating her began to exhaust her, she chose not to cling to uncertainty.
During one of the game sessions, she told Qin Xiao Yu, “Commander, if shoes don’t fit, I’ll just get a new pair. If a path leads nowhere, I’ll take a different one. If one person is not right for me, I’ll just find someone similar. It’s not a big deal.”
In that moment, Hu Xiu reminded us that loving someone should never mean enduring something that hurts. Sometimes, choosing to walk away is not a loss. But an act of self-respect. And tha is also a kind of courage.
The Visuals – Beauty in Every Detail
I love the visuals of Love Between Lines. Everything was arranged in a detailed and thoughtful manner. The houses were designed according to the personalities of the people who lived there.
Xiao Zhi Yu’s apartment felt grey, dull, bleak, and boring, just like him. Everything seemed modern but lacked spirit. Even a hotel room has more character to it. Xiao Zhi Yu’s apartment felt nothing more than a place to sleep, think, and continue working. He didn’t have a home, because a house without soul is not a home. He was just a wandering soul with determination.
In contrast, Hu Xiu’s house was old and outdated. But the yellow color brought warmth. Every corner was filled with memories, and it seemed that she hadn’t changed or redecorated it to reflect who she was now.
It felt odd, though. I thought a creative girl with so many ideas like her would have a place that looked like her, but she didn’t. She chose to keep the interior minimal, just as it was when she was young.
On the contrary, when she decided to move into another apartment, she was excited to decorate it with pillows and even flowers. So, I thought, Hu Xiu didn’t decorate the old house because she wasn’t truly living there. She was keeping the past alive, when her father’s still in his prime, and when her dreams still felt within reach.
Sometimes Love Between Lines’ story went into an unexpected way, but resulting in something beautiful. Like when Hu Xiu accidentally eat poisonous mushroom that made her hallucinate. It’s actually a perfectly justified reason for a pink petal rain followed by a sweet kiss scene. I love this randomness though.😁
Now, let’s talk about the best part of this drama: the virtual game. The entire setting was styled in the Republican era. Aside from Chen Xing Xu, who looked effortlessly handsome in uniform, I found myself paying close attention to Lu Yu Xiao’s costumes.
Every look suited her beautifully. The white dress and hat she wore in the first episode were especially striking. I honestly couldn’t look away. Later, when she returned in a sparkling white gown, the impact was even stronger.
Even as a woman, I was completely taken aback. She looked SO STUNNING. I kept on rewatching the game scenes. Because why not? 😁
And I don’t want to forget to mention that the Midnight Express looked like The Polar Express. Did you watch the 2004 animation, starring Tom Hanks? It wasn’t my favourite animation, but the train left such an impression on me, and this one did too.
The Characters
Xiao Zhi Yu / Qin Xiao Yu (Played by Chen Xing Xu)
In the beginning of the story, Xiao Zhi Yu is cold, emotionally withdrawn, and lonely. He carried the burden of the past on his shoulders and followed his father’s footsteps to become an architect. He did it not just for the career, but because it’s the closest way he can get to investigating his death.
His mother was strongly against it, but he was stubborn and determined. Xiao Zhi Yu is an intelligent and strategic person. He excels in his business and specialty. However, his strong protective instincts often made him overlook others’ feelings.
Xiao Zhi Yu only learned how to open up and express his feelings after he met Hu Xiu. As a man, Xiao Zhi Yu is quite a jealous person. Yet this soft and vulnerable side of him was quite adorable.
Hu Xiu (Played by Lu Yu Xiao)
Hu Xiu is a lively girl, a real chatterbox who speaks honestly and straightforwardly. She is an only child and, unlike Xiao Zhi Yu, grew up surrounded by love. Hu Xiu is a filial child. Her parents are her bottom line.
On the surface, she seemed laid back and carefree person. But underneath, Hu Xiu is a kind and sensitive person. She really understands people’s feelings and is good at reading the room.
It’s no wonder the people around her couldn’t help but be drawn to her. Hu Xiu never let life’s hardships break her spirits. She faces hardships with optimism, courage, and resilience.
She didn’t dwell on difficulties, always getting back up and moving forward, which reveals her emotional maturity. In her life, if she ever encounters lemon, Hu Xiu didn’t just make lemonade. She sold it and made a big fortune. 😁
Pei Zhen (Played by Dai Xu)
Pei Zhe is the son of Pei Kang Hua. His father married Xiao Zhi Yu’s mother, making them stepsiblings but not related by blood. He is older than Xiao Zhi Yu, and their relationship used to be good.
But then something happened that made him resent Xiao Zhi Yu. Pei Zhen is an ambitious person. He was determined to show his father that he was better than Xiao Zhi Yu.
Beneath his arrogant and aloof façade, Pei Zhen was someone who also longed for love. His father is a violent man. And while he cared about his stepmother, he often felt overshadowed and unable to measure up.
Gong Huai Cong (Played by Kido Ma)
Gong Huai Cong met Xiao Zhi Yu in the USA, and they have been a good friend since. Just like Xiao Zhi Yu, he also came from a well-off family. But Gong Huai Cong’s life was definitely easier than his. Gong Huai Cong’s best traits are kindness and loyalty.
The downside, he was a kind of chatterbox who couldn’t stop talking because he loves to share everything. All this time, Gong Huai Cong tried hard to maintain a playboy and spoiled rich kid image. But underneath, he is serious and dedicated to his work. His charm and good heart make him both fun and dependable.
Zhao Xiao Rou (Played by Li Ting Ting)
Zhao Xiao Rou shares many traits with Hu Xiu. She is also cheerful, hardworking, optimistic, and family-oriented. She is a straightforward and determined person.
If she has decided on something, nothing could sway her out of it. I love Zhao Xiao Rou’s personality because she is a strong woman who is not afraid to face the world.
Wang Guang Ming (Played by Ren You Lun)
Wang Guang Ming has been Zhao Xiao Rou’s husband for 2 years, though they had been in a relationship long before that. He struggles in his career but works hard to maintain the balance with his marriage.
Wang Guang Ming has his own dreams and ambitions. But compared to Zhao Xiao Rou, he is definitely weaker and more susceptible to temptations.
The Conclusion
Love Between Lines is a romance drama that was perfect for a weekend binge after a long and stressful week. The story was light and comforting. If you are looking for the romance, go for it. You’ll get tons of sweet moments and kisses.
But if you’re hoping for a more complex plot, you might find this drama a bit simple, since the mystery part feels somewhat neglected. Still, you can enjoy the unpredictable story in the virtual game scenes. I found this part quite entertaining, and it was my favorite part of the entire drama.
Another perk of Love Between Lines is that it only has 28 episodes. It won’t take too much of your time, so you could also check on Chen Xing Xu’s other drama, My Page in the 90s. I love seeing his chemistry with Wang Yu Wen and I’ll be writing the review for that soon.
Anyhow, that’s all for today, dear readers. I wish you all a sunny day with just the right amount of warmth. Not too hot or too cold, so you could sit back and enjoy Love Between Lines. Happy watching!
