[Zhū’s Work] Sweet Treats for the New Year: The Final Installment of the Zhenhua Trilogy Is Here

Plum blossoms bloom in the twelfth lunar month, their faint fragrance arriving amidst the cold. As Great Cold arrives at the cusp of the Lunar New Year, all things quietly await the return of those who have gone far from home. Love is both companionship day and night, and standing together through thick and thin. The highly anticipated installment of the “Zhenhua Trilogy,” “Unrequited Love: Orange Is the New Black,” has finally arrived—premiering tonight on Mango TV and Tencent Video! Laba Festival has joined forces with “Unrequited Love: Orange Is the New Black”—can we too be brought together? The Zhenhua Trilogy Concludes with a Powerful Arrival The television series “Unrequited Love: Orange Is the New Black” is adapted from the eponymous novel in August Chang’an’s “Zhenhua Trilogy.” Co-produced by China Film Co., Ltd. and Hualu Baina, it features Zhao Wenjing as the producer and Li Muge as the director. To love you is a solitary secret. Unlike the relatively light‑hearted and cheerful tone of “Hello, My Twenties” and “Our Shining Days,” “Unrequited Love: Orange Is the New Black” boasts a dramatic, roller‑coaster storyline. It tells the tale of the female protagonist, Luo Zhi (played by Hu Bingqing), and her years‑long unrequited love for the male lead, Sheng Huainan (played by Hu Yitian). This series offers rich emotional layers and a fresh narrative, focusing on the 15‑year journey of Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi—from unrequited affection to mutual love—as they grow up together. What will ultimately become of this long‑lasting, lingering crush? Huainan loves Luo Zhi—everyone in the world knows it. The male lead, Hu Yitian, previously starred in “A Love So Beautiful,” where his handsome looks and superb acting won him widespread acclaim. This time around, many fans of the original novel are eagerly anticipating his portrayal of the character, drawn to his distinctive “white moonlight” aura. Both his appearance and personality perfectly match the unique charm of the male lead, leading many viewers to tune in solely for him. Meanwhile, the female lead, Hu Bingqing, is one of Tangren’s Four Young Beauties, bringing an inherent cool, ethereal quality that suits Luo Zhi’s character perfectly. Ever since the cast was revealed, netizens have been excitedly pointing out their strong onscreen chemistry, fueling even greater anticipation. Under the Spotlight, the Show Begins Zhu Brothers were fortunate enough to participate in the entire post‑production process of “Unrequited Love: Orange Is the New Black.” With a seasoned production team behind it—including the rising star director Li Muge, who successfully helmed the popular web drama “East Palace” back in 2019—the series promises to deliver something truly special. The show also maintains the director’s signature high standards in visual aesthetics, featuring clean, harmonious color palettes. Many scenes showcased in the teaser not only boast stunning visuals but also closely mirror the original work: the enchanting campus throughout the four seasons, afternoon tea, the confession wall on the rooftop, amusement parks, ice rinks—and especially the iconic setting of “Zhenhua High School,” the author’s alma mater. Watching these scenes inevitably stirs up fond memories of the simple joys of student life. Such meticulous attention to detail has earned praise and enthusiastic comments from devoted fans of the original novel, all eagerly awaiting its release. Since color tones directly influence our emotions, Zhu Brothers adopted a light, elegant color grading approach during post‑production, emphasizing the youthful, campus‑like atmosphere. By aligning colors with the plot and set design, they crafted a romantic chromatic space that highlights the pure, innocent hues of school romance, shaping the film’s overall style. “Time moves relentlessly forward, yet good stories can bring fragments of the past back to life—carefully selected, meticulously polished, bringing every piece that should not be forgotten right back into view.” This is the story of Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi. Tentative, unspoken affections, the joy of finally receiving a response—all these elements gently draw viewers into the quiet flow of time. A bittersweet prelude to love has begun. Tune in tonight on Mango TV and Tencent Video, with new episodes airing Tuesdays through Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. Let’s step into this grand tale of unrequited love, explore the inevitable themes of growing up, and relive the cherished memories of youth that belong to each of us. On Laba Day, amid the coldest days of winter, a warm bowl of Laba porridge fills our hearts with warmth. Zhu Brothers wish everyone a happy Laba Festival!

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