Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP Ranking: Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei's 'Zhu Yu' Ranks 4th!

In Chinese dramas, love stories that involve a bit of calculation seem to be more thrilling. Compared to love at first sight or childhood sweethearts, two people with their own agendas, testing each other, exchanging benefits, and ultimately staking their own hearts, often captivate the audience more. Below, based on Douban hot short reviews and fan discussions, we have compiled the top 10 CP couples in Chinese dramas 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection.' They initially saw each other as pawns, allies, or even tools for revenge. However, through shared dangers, they discovered that the deal they had initially agreed upon had long turned into an irreplaceable genuine affection.

Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP 10th Place: Liu Xueyi and Wu Jinyan 'Spring Flower Flame' 'Spring Flower Flame' stars Liu Xueyi as the Great Yan Prince Murong Jinghe and Wu Jinyan as the Qinzhou girl Meilin. Meilin, who lost her loved ones in the Qinzhou fire, enters the Dark Factory to receive brutal training and views the assassination of Murong Jinghe as the only goal to survive. Unknown to her, the person who secretly cultivated her and sent her to assassinate himself is Murong Jinghe. One sees the other as a pawn for revenge, and the other sees the other as a blood sea enemy. However, in the process of investigating the truth of the Qinzhou fire, they gradually see each other's wounds.

Some netizens describe this relationship as a 'high-value dual revenge story,' believing that the two were filled with killing intent from their first meeting, and the tension from clashing blades to fighting side by side in the rain far surpasses ordinary sweet scenes. Others frankly state that Murong Jinghe 'has issues but is a well-rounded character,' and even though his methods are ruthless in the early stages, his later remorse, compensation, and changes still give the character persuasive power. Meilin is like an unburnable wildflower, and Murong Jinghe, who initially only wanted to use her, eventually became the person who was most reluctant to see her wither.

Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP 9th Place: Li Xian and Yang Zi 'National Color Fragrance' 'National Color Fragrance' stars Yang Zi as He Yifang, a merchant's daughter skilled in cultivating peonies, and Li Xian as Jiang Changyang, the Flower and Bird Envoy burdened with the infamous title of a corrupt official. After escaping from a marriage that devours people, He Yifang goes to Chang'an to start a business. To obtain funds, land, and protection, she cooperates with Jiang Changyang. Jiang Changyang, on the surface, sees her as a craftsman who can make money, but in reality, he also uses her identity and flower shop to cover his political layout. The two transition from investors and business partners to companions who can entrust their backs to each other.

Audiences have expressed that 'this drama is already very interesting before even starting to ship the CP,' because He Yifang's charm is not established on the male lead's affection. She first saves herself and establishes her own business, while Jiang Changyang transitions from cold observation to active assistance. Another review states 'He Yifang is a beauty, but more importantly, she is a clever woman,' which also makes Jiang Changyang's falling in love seem reasonable. He initially admires her abilities, and later, through breaking through crises together, he realizes that what he truly wants to invest in is her life.

Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP 8th Place: Liu Xueyi and Meng Zi Yi 'Peach Blossoms Reflecting the Jiangshan' 'Peach Blossoms Reflecting the Jiangshan' stars Meng Zi Yi as the Northern Courtyard and Peaceful Princess Jiang Taohua, and Liu Xueyi as the Left Prime Minister of the Qi Kingdom, Shen Zaiye. Jiang Taohua marries into the Prime Minister's residence to save her life and complete her mission, appearing to be full of love on the surface while secretly collecting information and looking for opportunities to escape. Shen Zaiye knows she has other intentions but also uses this marriage as a tool to restrain the forces in the court. The couple engages in tactics every day, exposing each other's lies, and in times of crisis, they leave a way out for each other.

Netizens describe the couple's relationship as 'the female lead pretends to love deeply, and the male lead's defense is maxed out but still ends up sinking.' Jiang Taohua's initial words of love almost all have a purpose, and Shen Zaiye can always see through her little thoughts. However, even though he sees through the lies, he still chooses to believe her time and time again. The audience loves this tug-of-war where no one is willing to admit their feelings first. Until the use becomes protection, the trial becomes reluctance, and they realize they have already turned the fake into real.

Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP 7th Place: Xin Yunlai and Chen Duling 'Wild Geese Return' 'Wild Geese Return' stars Chen Duling as Zhuang Han'an, who was abandoned as a child, and Xin Yunlai as Fu Yunxi, the Minor Judge of the Court of Judicial Review. After returning to the Zhuang family, Zhuang Han'an pretends to be weak to deceive the enemy, hoping to use Fu Yunxi's power to investigate the family's secrets. Fu Yunxi is not a gentle and harmless savior either. He is skilled in setting up schemes and using people, approaching Zhuang Han'an with the same intent of testing and investigating. The two, full of secrets, guard each other but only each other can understand the fear hidden beneath their schemes.

Netizens jokingly refer to the two main actors as 'not exactly what you'd call good people,' with one acting pitiful and seeking revenge, and the other burying bodies and using people's hearts as chess pieces, yet they become 'a match made in heaven.' Another review believes that Fu Yunxi never used emotions to pressure Zhuang Han'an, nor did he allow her to complete her revenge through self-destruction. The truly moving part is that after seeing each other's darkest sides, they still choose to stand by each other's side.

Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP 6th Place: Wang Xinyue and Wu Jinyan 'Ink Rain Between Clouds' 'Ink Rain Between Clouds' stars Wu Jinyan as Xue Fangfei, who escapes death and borrows the identity of Jiang Li to return to the capital for revenge, and Wang Xinyue as Shao Hua, the Duke of Su, who observes the court situation coldly. Shao Hua initially sees Xue Fangfei as a pawn to disrupt the power of the Jiang family, the Crown Princess, and the Prince Cheng. Xue Fangfei openly borrows his power to seek justice for herself and Jiang Li. Both know that the other has ulterior motives, but in a chess-like test, they gradually transition from allies of interest to the most trusted person.

Fans love to describe their relationship as 'pawns,' with some jokingly saying, 'saying pawns over and over again, but in reality, this is a wife.' Shao Hua initially watches from above but later actively enters Xue Fangfei's scheme. Xue Fangfei seems to borrow him for revenge but is willing to become his pawn when he is in danger. There is no one-sided rescue between the two, but rather two awake people entering the game together, ultimately even giving away their true hearts.

Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP 5th Place: Dou Xiao and Liu Shishi 'Palm' 'Palm' stars Liu Shishi as Ye Ping'an, a heart doctor who comes to the Holy Capital for an old case, and Dou Xiao as Yuan Shaocheng, the Deputy Minister of Justice who aspires to climb up. Yuan Shaocheng knows that Ye Ping'an is involved in a murder case but is prepared to use her as his letter of recommendation for promotion. Ye Ping'an has already included him in her revenge plan, using his ambition and position to promote her own chess game. The two go from setting up schemes for each other and betraying each other to becoming the only person each other can trust in a city full of hostility.

'Yuan Shaocheng is on the fifth layer, and Ye Ping'an is in the atmosphere' is the most vivid evaluation of their early relationship by the audience. Ye Ping'an always calculates a few steps ahead of Yuan Shaocheng, and Yuan Shaocheng always makes people worry that he will betray her next moment. Therefore, their cooperation is full of danger. Someone else describes them as 'rivals and also bosom friends,' because Yuan Shaocheng ultimately falls in love with Ye Ping'an, who he can never completely control.

Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP 4th Place: Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei 'Chase the Jade' 'Chase the Jade' stars Tian Xiwei as Fan Changyu, the daughter of a butcher, and Zhang Linghe as Xie Zheng, a fallen marquis hiding his identity. Fan Changyu needs to get married to establish a female household and protect her parents' inheritance, while Xie Zheng needs an ordinary identity to hide his whereabouts and investigate his family's blood feud. The two act as a fake couple for their own purposes, with one seeing the other as a son-in-law and the other seeing marriage as a temporary hiding place. However, their daily interactions gradually give this transaction the appearance of a home.

Netizens praise them as a 'dual-power CP that goes back and forth, evenly matched.' Fan Changyu has saved Xie Zheng, and Xie Zheng will use his life to protect Fan Changyu. Their feelings have never been one-sided. Someone describes Xie Zheng as 'towering and majestic in public but showing vulnerability in front of Fan Changyu,' highlighting the most charming contrast of this relationship. Fan Changyu gives him an ordinary life, and Xie Zheng lets her see a broader world. The fake marriage ultimately becomes the place they both want to guard the most.

Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP 3rd Place: Hou Minghao and Amy 'Sparrow Bones' 'Sparrow Bones' stars Hou Minghao as Shao Wuyi, the Crown Prince of Jing'an, who is fierce in appearance and carries secrets, and Amy as Xie Jiyao, the daughter of the Grand Tutor, who is skilled in mechanical arts. Shao Wuyi forcibly marries Xie Jiyao, initially valuing her mechanical arts, status, and the clues behind her. Xie Jiyao also uses the title of Crown Princess to protect herself and investigate the puzzles left by her mother. The two transition from contractual spouses, uncovering each other's disguises, to jointly solving court conspiracies. The original marriage of convenience gradually turns into a lifelong partnership.

Audiences jokingly refer to Shao Wuyi as 'the male lead who is best at comforting himself,' and after learning that Xie Jiyao's fate may have three marriages, he comforts himself, 'as long as all three marriages are me, it's fine.' Many also praise the two for having a 'young married couple' feel, with natural bickering and interactions. From mutual dislike to unconsciously blocking dangers for each other, the change in feelings is very smooth. Shao Wuyi initially only wanted to obtain what he needed, but in the end, what he wanted the most was for Xie Jiyao to actively seek and depend on him.

Chinese Drama 'From Mutual Utilization to Genuine Affection' CP 2nd Place: He Yu and Meng Zi Yi 'Hundred Flowers Kill' 'Hundred Flowers Kill' stars Meng Zi Yi as Shen Xianhe, the Princess of Zhao Ning, who carries a blood feud, and He Yu as Shao Huayong, the Crown Prince, who appears weak but actually harbors deep ambitions. Shen Xianhe needs the power of the Eastern Palace to investigate the truth, and Shao Huayong needs her family's power to stabilize his position. The two therefore form an alliance through marriage. This marriage is initially filled with testing and information exchange, with both wanting to be the puppet master. However, through breaking through crises together, they become each other's armor.

Netizens describe Shen Xianhe and Shao Huayong as...