The desire to climb the social ladder, self-interest and struggle in human nature, the conflict between feelings and profit, and the rules of survival for modern urban men and women.
Su Wanqing: 25–26 years old. Strikingly beautiful, with the looks of a young Hong Kong or Taiwanese star and a figure to match. A graduate student in economics at a prestigious university, she is intelligent and socially savvy, with a clear goal: to rise in status through marriage or by attaching herself to a high-quality man. She once worked in nightlife, viewing it as a “career stepping-stone.” Skilled at reading men and catering to their emotional needs, she is an extremely rational, polished self-interest seeker.
Chen Feng: The male lead, in his early thirties. The owner of a startup, he and his former girlfriend weathered hardships together. After achieving some success in business, he meets Su Wanqing. He has a vain side and craves admiration. With Su Wanqing, he finds a sense of accomplishment and emotional fulfillment, and spends heavily on her. Deep down, he is somewhat indecisive, and his weaknesses show when crises arise.
Lin Wanqing: Chen Feng’s former girlfriend, in her thirties. She stood by him from the time he had nothing through the early days of his business, and is strong-willed and practical. She devoted a great deal to his career, offering advice and perhaps even drawing on her own resources. She loves Chen Feng deeply but is not good at meeting his emotional needs, seeming “unromantic” in their relationship.
