Supernatural Romance 'Zi Ye Gui' Concludes with a Happy Ending, Captivating Fans Worldwide

A new wave of excitement has swept across Asian streaming platforms as “Zi Ye Gui” (子夜归), the sumptuous supernatural romance adapted from Fu Hua’s novel Mei Fu Ren Chong Fu Ri Chang (梅夫人宠夫日常), prepares to bow out with its grand finale scheduled for September 2. The series, which has already secured a place in the cultural chatter on Weibo and TikTok, blends mythic intrigue, time‑travel twists and a fraught human‑demon romance into a narrative that has kept viewers guessing until the very last episode.

At the heart of the story are Mei Zhuyu (梅逐雨), rendered by Xu Kai, and Wu Zhen (武祯), portrayed by Tian Xiwei. By day the two are celebrated lovers, united in their quest to fend off the malevolent forces that threaten Chang’an’s tenuous peace. By night, however, they turn on each other, locked in a deadly game of cat‑and‑mouse that drives the series’ most electrifying sequences. Their paradoxical bond is mirrored in the sprawling “Chang’an Demon Market,” a shadowy underworld co‑ruled by Wu Zhen and the enigmatic Cat Master, a role inhabited by Xu Haiqiao. The market’s rhythm is kept in check by Liu Taizhen (柳太真), played by Wang Jiayi, whose stewardship of anomalous spirits and restless corpses provides the logistical backbone of the demonic realm.

The supporting cast — Pei Jiya (Zhu Zhengting), Wuzi Shu (Wu Junteng), Mei Si (Yi Daqian) and Huzhu (Fan Shiran) — populate the interwoven sub‑plots that branch off from the central love story, each offering a fresh perspective on the series’ recurring motif: the impossible balance between humanity and the otherworldly.

A romance that lit up the internet

While the show’s visual splendor and intricate world‑building have earned it plaudits, it is the chemistry between Xu Kai and Tian Xiwei that has ignited a social‑media firestorm. The “bathtub kiss,” a daring scene that places the lovers in a steamy, candle‑lit embrace, quickly became the talk of the town, spurring a cascade of fan‑art, “blushing” emojis and heart‑pounding commentary on Weibo’s trending lists. Viewers have affectionately dubbed this moment “Mei Meng Cheng Zhen,” and it has been replayed in dozens of reaction videos, each emphasizing how the scene crystallizes the “human‑demon” dynamic that runs the series’ emotional engine.

Even the cast members have joined the conversation. In behind‑the‑scenes footage released alongside the show’s promotional material, both Xu Kai and Tian Xiwei can be heard stifling laughter and sighing in faux exasperation at the intensity of the kiss, a candidness that only deepens fan enthusiasm for the series’ climactic moments.

Speculation on fate and the “HE/BE” debate

As the penultimate episodes aired, speculation reached fever‑pitch. Fans have scoured every clue for hints about the series’s ultimate fate, particularly focusing on the dreaded “HE/BE” shorthand — happy ending versus bleak ending — that dominates discussion threads. Theories have swirled around Wu Zhen’s potential metamorphosis into a “全妖” (a fully-fledged demon) and whether Mei Zhuyu would survive the series‑defining showdown with the terrifying “诡婴” (Guǐ Yīng), an ominous infant spirit that threatens to upend the entire storyline.

The dramatic apex arrives when Mei Zhuyu, armed with the mystical “常羲锏” (Cháng Xī Jiǎn), is forced to imprison the Guǐ Yīng within himself, ordering Wu Zhen to strike the final blow. The episode’s climax is punctuated by the “无字书” (Wú Zì Shū) — a wordless book that serves as a narrative device for sealing or erasing dark knowledge — being taken offline, a symbolic end to the lingering threats that have haunted the protagonists throughout the series.

The finale: love, child, and closure

When the final curtain falls on September 2, the verdict appears to lean decisively toward a “HE.” Mei Zhuyu and Wu Zhen, after surviving the soul‑swapping ordeal, settle into family life, their bond cemented by the birth of a child who embodies the mingling of human and demon bloodlines. The series paints their marriage not as a simple happy‑couple tableau but as a hard‑won partnership forged in fire, emphasizing the series’ underlying message that peace is a shared responsibility, not a passive gift.

Sub‑plots receive similarly tidy resolutions. Yun Yi, once restored to her original “琉璃盏” (glazed lamp) form, confronts the treacherous Xie Loubai. Though she exacts a severe punishment, she spares his life, a nuanced decision that speaks to the series’ moral complexity. Wu Zhen’s suggestion to make the truth public triggers Yun Yi’s inner conflict; disillusioned, she opts to dissipate her soul, effectively ending their tangled narrative arc. These closures, while brisk, resonate with the series’ broader intention: to provide a cathartic release from the labyrinthine world of demons, spirits, and forbidden lore.

Cultural impact and the road ahead

Beyond the screen, “Zi Ye Gui” has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to galvanize a global audience. Its original soundtrack, which interlaces traditional Chinese instrumentation with haunting electronic motifs, has climbed the iQIYI and Tencent charts, while the stellar performances of Xu Kai and Tian Xiwei have been lauded as the linchpin of the show's success. Critics have noted the series’ daring departure from conventional Chinese drama structures, particularly through its integration of time‑travel and soul‑exchange mechanics, a choice that has spurred both acclaim and debate regarding narrative cohesion.

The series’ social media footprint is unmistakable. Hashtags such as #ZiYeGuiFinale, #WuZhenTransformation, and #MeiZhuyuAndWuZhen have amassed millions of mentions, with fan clubs crafting elaborate theories, cosplay events, and virtual watch parties. The dialogue surrounding the show is less about the spectacle of its special effects and more about the emotional stakes of its characters — a testament to the series’ narrative depth.

As the final episode airs, viewers worldwide are poised at the threshold of a bittersweet farewell. For a story that began with a promise of daylight devotion and moonlit rivalry, the ending feels like the gentle return of a midnight sun, promising that even in a world divided by realms, love can transcend the chasm between humanity and the demon sphere. The “Midnight Return” may have concluded, but its reverberations will linger in the hearts of its audience for seasons to come.