- Drama Title: Love’s Ambitions
- Also Known As: 许我耀眼, Da Qiao Xiao Qiao, Let Me Shine, Xu Wo Yao Yan
- Director: Chen Chang
- Cast: Zhao Lu Si, William Chan
- Genres: Romance
- Number of Episodes: 32
- Date of Release: September 26, 2025
- Original Network: Tencent Video
- Where to Watch: WeTV, Tencent Video, Viki
- Adapted from the web novel “Da Qiao Xiao Qiao” by Zhang Yue Ran
Dear readers, how are you today? Here is the review of what might be the hottest drama of the year, Love’s Ambitions. I’ve been waiting for this one quite a while since its release kept getting delayed again and again. But thankfully, WeTV and Tencent finally pulled through and gave us a pleasant surprise.
And let me tell you, the wait was absolutely worth it. This drama has everything I wants. The cast, the chemistry, the intensity, the comedy, and yes, including that one crazy, jealous person who almost made me want to turn off the TV.
Anyway… I truly enjoy watching Love’s Ambitions. So, I write this drama review straight from the heart. And before I couldn’t stop rambling, let’s get started. Happy reading!
Love’s Ambitions Synopsis
Xu Yan is an ambitious woman who determined to change her fate. Starting out as a girl from a small town, she worked her way up to be a famous television host in the big city. She successfully builds her career on a carefully crafted public image.
It was then that she met Shen Hao Ming, a handsome, wealthy, and successful bachelor. Through meticulous planning, Xu Yan managed to marry him. Together, they become the picture of a perfect couple.
But behind seemingly harmonious marriage, lay a ticking bomb. When it finally exploded, everything crumbled. Xu Yan chose to let it all go. She walked out of her marriage, her love, her career, and her wealth, without looking back. Shen Hao Ming, who once believed he had everything under his control, realized too late that he was already fallen in love with Xu Yan.
Determined to make amends, Shen Hao Ming did everything he could to win her back. Through countless obstacles, the two finally understand that love requires sincerity. Only by letting go their facades, they finally see each other for who they truly were. And along the way, they also found themselves.
Love’s Ambitions Drama Review
Since its surprise release on September 26, 2025, Love’s Ambitions has become the hottest drama this October. People are talking about it not only because of the story and cast but also because of the controversies surrounding it.
These include the repeated delays in the release, the feud between Zhao Lu Si and her agency, and the allegations involving Fang Shi Qi and Yu Meng Long’s death.
I was one of those who patiently waited for this highly anticipated drama. Zhao Lu Si has always been one of my favorite actresses. Her dramas were always at the top of my watch list. She is incredibly talented, and her acting feels completely natural. Her every gesture was executed perfectly.
From the grandest like passionate kisses, to the tiniest, such as a trembling hand. It’s a chef kiss. I still remember clearly when the young Xu Yan crying hysterically in episode 4. It was the scene when she confronted her father in a heart wrenching cry.
Xu Yan feel that Qiao Jian Bin was unfair because he refused to let her go to college. The heartbreak, the disappointment, and the resentment were evident in her face. I cried watching the whole scene.
Then there was a scene in episode 14 when she begged for Shen Hao Ming to forgive her. It was another heartbreaking and disappointing moment for Xu Yan. The same feelings but different reactions. And there were also the famous scene when she wiped all her makeup and went completely barefaced. Zhao Lu Si is truly the star of the show.
However, that didn’t mean that William Chan’s acting was lacking. Not at all. He perfectly embodied every side of Shen Hao Ming. From the prideful heir to the contrite soul. From the love beggar, and finally, the repentant lover. He delivered a nuanced performance, capturing even the slightest flicker of regret in his eyes.
William Chan’s character is just as complex as Zhao Lu Si’s. Both are driven by pride yet wounded by love. Together, they portrayed two people who had to break down their walls and learn about sincerity. Zhao Lu Si and William Chan’s chemistry wasn’t just romantic. It was emotional, layered, and painfully human.
Of the supporting actors and actresses, one captured my heart completely. No, it wasn’t Wan Peng or Tang Xiao Tian, or the veterans like Liu Min or Wu Mian. It was Fu Bo Han, the young actor who played the role of Shen Hao Chen.
In my opinion, Fu Bo Han is a promising actor. He has the potential, charm, and skills. He just needed a single defining role that propels him to the next level.
Fu Bo Han has appeared in many famous dramas such as Ancient Love Poetry, The Sword and the Brocade, My Sassy Princess, Who Rules the World, A Date with the Future, The Longest Promise, I Am Nobody, Blossoms in Adversity, The Story of Pearl Girl, Filter, and Time Raiders.
Why am I so familiar with him? It’s because I watched many of his dramas as I mention above, and also wrote those drama reviews. So I really know how good his acting are. Fu Bo Han has a great chemistry with Zhao Lu Si, and their interactions seemed natural. They have shared scenes in many dramas. As with William Chan, they worked together in A Date with the Future and Novoland: Pearl Eclipse.
Aside from the cast and the chemistry, there were several reasons why I like this drama. The story is one of them. As you know, Love’s Ambitions was adapted from the web novel, Da Qiao Xiao Qiao, by Zhang Yue Ran.
Zhao Li Ying’s 2024 movie, The Unseen Sister, was also adapted from the same web novel. However, the stories were different. Da Qiao Xiao Qiao is a tragic, psychological short story. Reading it was depressing. Therefore, I didn’t plan to watch the movie.
However, Love’s Ambitions is loosely based on the novel. Many details were changed. Even the ending was different. As a romance junkie craving for a happy ending, surely, I chose this drama as my favorite.
Another thing that left me in awe were the costumes, especially Zhao Lu Si’s. They were a hot topic in the media during the filming and airing. It was reportedly that people rushed to buy the same outfit she wore.
Even the Versace bag that she used to slap Zhou Ze Yuan in episode 11 was sold out right after the trailer were released. Zhao Lu Si’s wardrobe feels like a visual treat for me.
There were so many stunning dresses that I couldn’t stop looking at. It reminded me of my favorite dramas where the female leads always dressed impeccably, like Queen of Tears (Kdrama), The Tale of Rose, She and Her Perfect Husband, The Best Thing, and Meet Yourself.
Love’s Ambitions is a good drama that you shouldn’t miss. But this drama has its flaws. The ending felt rushed, several characters were inconsistent, and the wigs were a disaster.
Yes, wigs. Watch it yourself and you’ll see that Zhao Lu Si’s wigs are terrible. They really could have done better because those wigs were pure visual injustice. 😂
Now, back to the serious side. The character development for Fang Lei, Han Wei Ming, Xu Yan’s parents, and several others should have been clearer. Their motivations felt inconsistent at times.
It was hard to fully understand why they acted the way they did, particularly towards the end. With a bit more explanation, their actions could have stronger impact on the overall story.
The ending of Love’s Ambitions was a bit disappointing because it felt so rushed. I just don’t get it. Why spend so much time building the story, only for the ending to feel like a summary? The big villain in this drama was revealed in episode 18. He schemed so much to bring Shen Hao Ming down.
But in the end, he was given few lines of explanation for his closure. I don’t think that was fair to him. He deserved a proper showdown and a resolution that matched all the tension. For the first time, I feel bad for the villain in this drama. 😅
The Story – Sweet, Sassy, and Strategically Complicated
Let me tell you, dear readers. This drama is good at creating strong feelings. You will find yourself on an emotional roller coaster throughout the episodes. You’ll smile when they smile, cry when they are hurt, and blush when they start to make out.
Since the drama starts strong, I thought Love’s Ambitions would be serious all the way from the start to the end. I prepared myself for a melodrama that will make me cry until my eyes got swollen. But it was nothing like that.
Yes, at first, the story was full of thorns. But then everything changed. You’ll find the usual silliness of Zhao Lu Si’s drama in the middle. And I was happy to watch that.
Both Sen Hao Ming and Xu Yan are ambitious people. They were meticulous, strategic, and quietly calculating. They each have their own goals in life and strive to achieve them.
Neither of them believed in luck or other superstitious things. They only believed in effort, planning, and control. Therefore, they understand each other on a deeper level.
However, what Xu Yan didn’t realize that Shen Hao Ming chose her not only because he admired her capabilities, but also because her simple background. It was a crucial thing he needed for his own benefit, which unfortunately, was something Xu Yan never wanted him to know.
Xu Yan’s pride stemmed from the shield she built around herself. It was to protect herself from being hurt by her loved ones. While Shen Hao Ming’s pride stemmed from his background as the heir of Jinda Group.
No one had ever dared to say no to him. He is a overbearing person who believed he could control and manipulate others as he pleased. But then Xu Yan cut him off and rejected all his offers, which consisted of everything he took pride in, which is money and influence.
Only then did Shen Hao Ming’s ego begin to crumble. For the first time, he faced someone he couldn’t buy, persuade, or dominate. And that shook him more than he expected.
In a way, Xu Yan and Shen Hao Ming are mirror images of each other. Both are sharp-minded, emotionally guarded, and unwilling to show weakness. That’s exactly why they make such a compelling match. They grow together, especially through obstacles. Their relationship isn’t soft or easy.
It was a rocky road, and honestly, they actually didn’t need Fang Lei to appear between them. After weeks of wuxia and mystery dramas, I was kinda of missing this annoying, crazy, and jealous character like her. Yes, she made my blood boil, and I grew a violent tendency during this drama. Especially when she appeared. 😅
I have no idea why Chinese drama often feature this kind of character. Both historical and modern-day have them. I still remember the crazy Princess Wan Ning in The Double drama. She and Fang Lei did share the same traits. They add some complexity to the drama and really spice things up for the main characters. 😜
If Xu Yan and Shen Hao Ming’s love story was dramatic and sweet, then Qiao Lin and Yu Yi Ming’s relationship was simply adorable. They were like teenagers in love despite their age.
Compared to Xu Yan and Shen Hao Ming, Qiao Lin and Yu Yi Ming had simpler minds. They were not cunning people. From the moment they appeared, you could see that they were naive but sincere.
Their love started slowly, and the progress was even slower. The stark difference between Qiao-Yu and the Xu-Shen couples makes their relationship seem bland and dull. Even if we put Lin Tao in the frame.
As usual, Zhao Lu Si is far from a shy actress. Her dramas often includes some intimate scenes, and Love’s Ambitions was no exception. Her chemistry with William Chan is one of the reasons why people were so invested in this drama. 😍
Initially, I thought that they were not that good. In the first episode, Xu Yan and Shen Hao Ming were already in a relationship. Yet, they didn’t seem connected. But as the story progressed, you could see how their interaction was becoming more and more natural.
This was evident in the middle part of the drama, after they got divorced. The initial “distance” between them was most likely because they both wore masks. But after they divorced, Shen Hao Ming and Xu Yan were more honest about themselves and their feelings.
I saw that as an improvement in their chemistry. When in fact, it’s show how well they understand of the story and the characters, as well as their great acting.
The Story – Family That Hurts and Heals
They said that a happy childhood can heal you for a lifetime. But an unhappy one takes a lifetime to heal. No material comforts can replace family’s love and presence. – Xu Yan
Xu Yan and Qiao Lin are products of an unfair system. Chinese traditional culture holds the belief that boys are considered more valuable than girls. And although it has changed a lot in modern times, some of the mindset still lingers.
After having Qiao Lin, the Qiao couple wanted to have a boy. So, they decided to try again. Unfortunately, the baby was another girl, Xu Yan (formerly Qiao Yan). And because the couple couldn’t afford to raise two daughters, they decided to give Xu Yan to her grandmother, Xu Chang Hui.
When it was time for Xu Yan to start elementary school, Grandma urged her parents to take her back to the city. Only then did Xu Yan realize how biased they were. To Qiao Jian Bin and Wang Ya Zhen, their daughter is only Qiao Lin.
They treated her with utmost care, while Xu Yan had to do everything by herself. She tried her best to prove herself with good grades and good attitude. But they still treated her unfairly and neglect her emotionally.
They even forbade Xu Yan from entering college because they wanted to give all the resources to Qiao Lin. Only then did Xu Yan move back in with her grandmother.
Qiao Lin and Xu Yan had different personalities. Qiao Lin was reckless from being pampered and sheltered for years. Xu Yan, on the other hand, become completely independent and learned to rely only on herself. She carried a quiet resentment toward her parents.
It was not the kind of hatred that burst out. It was more like a deep, cold ache that never really fades. Xu Yan resented the unfairness and emotional neglect after years of being an invisible daughter.
Qiao Jian Bin and Wang Ya Zhen were actually good and harmonious parents. But only when it came to Qiao Lin. To Xu Yan, they were distant figures who believed that providing food, clothes, and shelter was enough to be called love. She never got the things she yearns the most.
Xu Yan grew up learning how to survive on her own. Thankfully, Grandma was there to fill the emptiness in her heart. Xu Yan learned from her past and strives hard to create her own happy family with Shen Hao Ming.
Shen Hao Ming grew up in a happy family. The Shen family had built their fortune from nothing. Shen Jin Song works hard to build Jinda Group, and Yu Lan was a steady rock behind him. However, since Jinda was the fruit of their hard work, it became more important than anything else.
So, when Shen Hao Ming made a mistake, Shen Jin Song and Yu Lan did everything they could to conceal it for the sake of their family’s reputation and the company’s stock price.
However, because they spoiled him, Shen Hao Ming become a proud person who never learned to face failure. He believed everything could be solved with power, money, and influence. His arrogance was the product of a life where no one ever told him no.
Another issue that deserves attention is the bond between Xu Yan and Qiao Lin. Despite growing up with overly biased parents, their relationship didn’t completely fall apart.
Yes, there was a distance between them at first. However, the way Qiao Lin sought Xu Yan out when she needed help shows that their relationship wasn’t as strained as it seemed. Both sisters tried to help each other grow in their own way.
Qiao Lin tried to make Xu Yan realize that deceiving Shen Hao Ming and his family was wrong. While Xu Yan forced Qiao Lin to move to the apartment across Yu Yi Ming’s, hoping it would improve Qiao Lin’s living condition and as a subtle push toward her own happiness.
I like Xu Yan because she didn’t let her resentment towards her parents affect her relationship with Qiao Lin. I also like Qiao Lin because even though she was pampered by her parents, she still criticizes them for driving out Xu Yan.
Nevertheless, I thought that Xu Yan and Qiao Lin’s relationship could work out because of Qiao Lin’s simple and naïve personality. If she were spoiled and cunning person, the whole story would be different.
There’s one thing that I didn’t quite understand. In one of the flashbacks, Grandma was seen talking to the Qiao couple. She said that Xu Yan has a congenital heart disease and that was why Grandma took care of her. However, this illness was never mentioned after Xu Yan grew up. She looked perfectly fine without any health problems.
Love’s Ambitions Characters
Xu Yan / Qiao Yan (Played by Zhao Lu Si)
Xu Yan grew up carrying resentment in her heart. She worked tirelessly to prove herself through her diligence and perseverance. Xu Yan believed that strength was the only way to achieve what she wanted in life.
Though she often appeared cold and distant, beneath the façade was a soft heart. Xu Yan cared deeply for her grandmother. And Shen Hao Ming became the second person she truly cared about.
Her painful past turned Xu Yan into an emotionally guarded person who always suppresses her feelings. She also strived hard to please Shen Hao Ming by supporting him through every challenge.
Yet she didn’t realize that, at that time, Shen Hao Ming was taking advantage of her affection for his own benefit. And Xu Yan’s yearn for family showed in the way she poured her heart into caring for the Shens. She wanted to be seen not as an outsider, but as one of them.
Another good traits of Xu Yan is her resilience and determination. When she left Shen Hao Ming, it wasn’t because she didn’t love him anymore. But because of her love for Grandma.
Xu Yan finally understood that staying in a relationship built on lies would only bring more sorrow to the people she cared about. So, she walked away, not out of weakness. But out of the courage to protect her dignity and the peace of mind of those she loved the most.
Shen Hao Ming (Played by William Chan)
Shen Hao Ming is the vice president of Jinda Group. His father, Shen Jin Song is the Chairman. During his youth, Shen Hao Ming stayed in the UK to finish his education. When he returned, he joined the company and become his father’s right hand man.
As a person, Shen Hao Ming is proud, arrogant, and intelligent. He has a sharp mind for business and natural charisma that makes him stand out in any room. However, this privileged upbringing made him overconfident and used to getting his way. He believed that control, power, and money can solve everything, including relationship.
Qiao Lin (Played by Wan Peng)
Qiao Lin is two years older than Xu Yan. However, she was reckless and unrestrained because her parents sheltered her too much. Having been pampered since childhood, Qiao Lin never truly learned how to be responsible for her life.
Qiao Lin lived in a world where her wishes were easily granted. And as a result, she often acted on impulse without considering the consequences. Her carefree attitude was a stark contrast to Xu Yan’s cautious nature.
Yu Yi Ming (Played by Tang Xiao Tian)
Yu Yi Ming is Xu Yan and Qiao Lin’s high school classmate. He now worked as an orthopaedic doctor. Calm, gentle, and patient by nature, Yu Yi Ming had become Qiao Lin’s idol for a long time.
However, when he was a high school boy, Yu Yi Ming used to harboured feelings Xu Yan. But after he learned that she was married, he quietly let those emotions go. Yu Yi Ming often helped Qiao Lin, partly because his kind nature and partly to fulfil Xu Yan’s request.
But gradually, Yu Yi Ming found himself drawn to Qiao Lin’s lively personality. Even so, due to his reserved nature, Yu Yi Ming needed a little push just to confess his love to Qiao Lin.
Fang Lei (Played by Zhong Ya Ting)
Fang Lei is Fang Yu’s younger sister. She had known Shen Hao Ming for a long time since he was a teenager. And despite he is her sister’s boyfriend, Fang Lei still dreaming of Shen Hao Ming as her lover.
Fang Lei grew up as a spoiled heiress of the Fang family. She lacked a sense of boundaries and self-restraint which made her a possessive, jealous, and emotionally impulsive person. Her affection for him has turned into an obsession. She convinces herself that he will eventually accept her, no matter what.
Lin Tao (Played by Guan Zi Jing)
Lin Tao used to be Qiao Lin’s fiancé. He worked in a bank and was the pride of his parents. Lin Tao is a very obedient person who listen to his parents all the time. When Qiao Lin faced pressured from them, he never stepped in to defend her.
As a person, Lin Tao is jealous, stupid, and impulsive. He is overly confident in himself and firmly belief that Qiao Lin can only live a good life by staying with him. Deep down, Lin Tao is a petty and narrow-minded person.
The Conclusion
Love’s Ambitions is a very good drama that you shouldn’t miss. I enjoyed watching it, and I had a good time writing this review, but there’s so much to say, and I don’t want to spoil the details just yet. If you’re eager to know the ending, we’ll be posting an Ending Explained article for Love’s Ambitions soon.
This drama is perfect for either a daily dose of entertainment or a full binge-watching experience. Don’t forget to invite your friends because this show is even better when shared. Just make sure your pantry is well-stocked because once you start, you won’t want to stop until it’s over.
That’s all for now, dear readers. Thank you so much for stopping by! Hopefully, this Love’s Ambitions drama review will help you choose dramas for your watch list. I’ll see you in the next drama review! Until then, happy watching!
