UPCOMING C-DRAMA / ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
He Yu and Bao Shang'en Star in Yao Yao You Qi (窈窈有期): A Rebirth Romance Filled With Revenge, Family Secrets and Second Chances
窈窈有期 · Yao Yao You Qi
An ambitious heroine gets five years to save her family, outsmart her enemies, and rewrite the future alongside a mysterious nobleman.
What would you do if you could return five years into the past, knowing exactly who betrayed your family and how everything would end?
That is the predicament facing Ren Yaoqi in Yao Yao You Qi (窈窈有期), an upcoming Chinese historical romance starring He Yu (何与) and Bao Shang'en (包上恩).
Adapted from the novel Di Mou (嫡谋) by Mian Bei Mei Nan (面北眉南), the drama combines rebirth, revenge, complicated family relationships, and an unlikely romance between two people learning to trust each other.
Rather than focusing exclusively on imperial court politics, the story centers on the power struggles inside an influential household, where family members can be just as dangerous as political enemies.
The production released its filming-completion special on April 20, 2026, and iQIYI's September programming slate lists it in its first-quarter 2027 plans.
What Is Yao Yao You Qi (窈窈有期) About?
Ren Yaoqi, the fifth daughter of the Ren family, begins her story as a cheerful young woman whose life is eventually destroyed by betrayal and family tragedy.
In her first life, she loses her family and is subjected to a deeply exploitative arrangement in which she is given to a eunuch.
With the assistance of Xiao Jingxi, the second son of the Yanbei princely household, she finally confronts those responsible for her suffering.
But their efforts come at a terrible cost.
Ren Yaoqi dies alongside her enemies.
That should have been the end of her story.
Instead, she opens her eyes and discovers that she has returned five years into the past.
Her family is still alive. The events that destroyed them have not yet happened. And this time, she knows enough about the future to recognize some of the dangers waiting ahead.
Rather than repeating her previous mistakes, Ren Yaoqi begins planning carefully.
She must navigate rivalries within her household, understand the motives of relatives who may not have her best interests at heart, and protect her family without revealing everything she knows.
Her second life also brings her back into the orbit of Xiao Jingxi.
Their relationship is presented as a partnership Ren Yaoqi builds through her own efforts, with the two standing on more equal footing.
According to iQIYI's official synopsis, their journey eventually brings them together as a couple, and they join forces to confront dangers threatening Yanbei and its people.
Whether the television adaptation follows that romantic progression exactly remains to be seen.
Bao Shang'en Plays Ren Yaoqi — A Heroine Determined to Rewrite Her Fate
Bao Shang'en portrays Ren Yaoqi (任瑶期), the central heroine whose memories of her first life become both a burden and an advantage.
She knows what it feels like to lose everything.
More importantly, she knows that avoiding the same tragedy will require more than simply recognizing the people who hurt her.
Ren Yaoqi must learn how to protect herself politically, financially, and emotionally.
The current official iQIYI synopsis emphasizes her careful strategy, her efforts to help her family escape disaster, and her determination to build a relationship on equal terms.
It does not spell out every household alliance or the exact steps she takes to secure her family's future.
What interests me most is that Ren Yaoqi isn't simply waiting for somebody powerful to rescue her.
She has already experienced what happens when she has too little control over her own life.
Now she intends to change that.
I especially hope the television adaptation gives her the opportunity to challenge the people responsible for her family's suffering without making her dependent on the male lead for every solution.
A clever heroine who learns from her mistakes is much more interesting than one who gets a second chance and immediately starts making all the same decisions again.
He Yu Plays Xiao Jingxi — The Mysterious Nobleman at Her Side
He Yu portrays Xiao Jingxi (萧靖西), the second son of the Yanbei princely household.
Xiao Jingxi is an important figure in both of Ren Yaoqi's lives.
He helps her confront her enemies during her original timeline, and their connection develops further after her rebirth.
The official synopsis emphasizes the equality of their eventual relationship.
Exactly how the adaptation develops their trust remains to be seen.
The premise gives them a connection across Ren Yaoqi's two lives, but it does not confirm the timing of their romantic milestones.
What makes their relationship particularly interesting is Ren Yaoqi's determination to establish equality between them.
Xiao Jingxi may possess a powerful family position, but Ren Yaoqi is not content to build her entire future around his protection.
Their developing partnership appears to be an important part of the drama's romantic storyline.
For viewers who enjoy intelligent heroines and capable male leads, that dynamic could become one of the production's biggest attractions.
Of course, we'll have to see whether the drama delivers the chemistry, affection, and romantic development promised by its premise.
A Historical Romance With Family Scheming and Political Intrigue
One of the defining elements of Yao Yao You Qi is its emphasis on zhai dou (宅斗), a type of historical domestic intrigue involving competition, manipulation, inheritance, marriage arrangements, and rivalries within powerful families.
These conflicts may not involve armies or imperial succession, but their consequences can be just as devastating for the characters involved.
Ren Yaoqi's first life demonstrates how thoroughly a family can be destroyed when its members become trapped in dangerous schemes.
Her second life gives her an opportunity to recognize those threats before they unfold.
But knowing the future doesn't necessarily make changing it easy.
The people around her still have their own ambitions, loyalties, and secrets.
As the story develops, Ren Yaoqi's efforts to protect her family become connected to broader political and regional conflicts.
Her relationship with Xiao Jingxi also expands beyond their individual circumstances as they confront threats affecting Yanbei.
The combination of personal revenge, household rivalries, romantic partnership, and larger political responsibilities gives the drama considerable storytelling potential.
Is Yao Yao You Qi Based on a Novel?
Yes.
Yao Yao You Qi is adapted from Di Mou (嫡谋), a Chinese web novel written by Mian Bei Mei Nan (面北眉南).
The original author is also officially credited as the television adaptation's screenwriter.
That is an interesting production decision because it gives the novelist a direct role in adapting the story for television.
However, involvement by the original author does not guarantee that every storyline, character relationship, or ending will remain identical to the novel.
Changes may still occur during production, editing, and broadcasting.
The television version should therefore be evaluated on its own rather than assuming that every event from the source material will appear on screen.
Official Trailer and Filming Updates
The production officially announced its principal cast on January 5, 2026.
iQIYI was identified as the presenting platform, with Mo Tie Entertainment and Qi Xi Film and Television named as co-production partners.
The drama is directed by Zhong Qing, with Mian Bei Mei Nan credited as screenwriter.
iQIYI published the official filming-completion special on April 20, 2026. The platform also lists the first promotional trailer.
The wrap-special publication date confirms when that material appeared; it should not be treated as independent proof of the final day of shooting.
The officially announced premise emphasizes family tragedy, a second chance, and a heroine determined to change her future.
The official trailer and filming-completion special are available through iQIYI's drama listing.
Who Else Is in the Cast?
In addition to He Yu and Bao Shang'en, the announced ensemble includes:
- Han Xue (韩雪)
- Zheng Hehuizi (郑合惠子)
- Zhao Yibo (赵一博)
- Liu Mengrui (刘梦芮)
These supporting performers will help bring the Ren family's complicated social world and the surrounding political relationships to life.
Additional character information can be added as the production releases more official cast details.
When Will Yao Yao You Qi Be Released?
As of October 24, 2026, no exact premiere date has been officially announced.
iQIYI's September 2026 programming slate identifies the drama as a planned release for the first quarter of 2027, covering January through March.
However, that is a proposed broadcasting window rather than a finalized premiere schedule.
Some iQIYI catalog pages still display 2026 as the drama's year, but the series remains marked as upcoming.
The 2026 catalog label should not be treated as evidence that the drama has already premiered.
iQIYI is the confirmed Chinese streaming platform.
The production also has an international iQIYI reservation listing, but an official U.S. streaming launch, playable episodes with English subtitles, and the final international release schedule have not yet been confirmed.
Is Yao Yao You Qi a Romance? Does It Have a Happy Ending?
Yes, romance is an important part of the announced story.
The official synopsis describes Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi ultimately becoming a couple on more equal terms.
It also emphasizes that Ren Yaoqi builds the relationship through her own efforts and on more equal terms.
That is an encouraging sign for viewers looking for a romance in which both leads contribute to the relationship.
However, there are several things we cannot confirm before the television series premieres.
We do not yet know how early the leads establish a romantic relationship, how much physical affection the adaptation includes, or whether the couple experiences significant separations.
The television drama's happy ending also remains unverified.
Although iQIYI's synopsis describes a positive outcome for the central couple, a promotional synopsis is not independent confirmation of the final televised ending.
For now, the romantic premise is promising, but the actual relationship progression and finale will need to be verified after release.
Content Warning: The First Timeline Is Darker Than the Romance Premise Suggests
Despite its romantic elements, Yao Yao You Qi begins with some disturbing circumstances.
The official synopsis describes Ren Yaoqi experiencing:
- The destruction of her family
- Coercion involving an arrangement with a eunuch
- Revenge and violent confrontation
- Her death before returning five years into the past
These events establish the stakes of her rebirth.
The premise does not, however, establish how explicitly the television adaptation will depict those experiences.
Viewers sensitive to abuse, coercion, or severe mistreatment of the female lead should be aware that these themes are part of the announced backstory.
Why Yao Yao You Qi Is Worth Watching
For me, the most interesting part of this story isn't simply the opportunity to go back in time.
It's what Ren Yaoqi decides to do with that opportunity.
She has already seen the consequences of trusting the wrong people and living without the power to protect herself.
Her second life gives her a chance to become more strategic, make different decisions, and stop her family's tragedy before it happens.
Add a politically connected male lead, an evolving romantic partnership, and an entire household filled with competing interests, and the series has the ingredients for an engaging historical drama.
I'm particularly interested in whether the adaptation allows Ren Yaoqi to remain intelligent and proactive throughout the story.
The relationship with Xiao Jingxi could also be compelling if the drama follows through on its emphasis on mutual respect rather than making her second chance entirely dependent on him.
For viewers who enjoy rebirth stories, strategic heroines, family revenge, and historical romance, Yao Yao You Qi deserves a place on the upcoming-drama watchlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the leads in Yao Yao You Qi (窈窈有期)?
He Yu plays Xiao Jingxi, and Bao Shang'en plays Ren Yaoqi.
What is Yao Yao You Qi about?
After losing her family and dying during a confrontation with her enemies, Ren Yaoqi awakens five years in the past. Determined to prevent the tragedy, she begins changing her family's future while developing a relationship with Xiao Jingxi.
Is Yao Yao You Qi based on a novel?
Yes. It adapts Di Mou (嫡谋), written by Mian Bei Mei Nan, who is also credited as the drama's screenwriter.
Is Yao Yao You Qi a short drama?
No. It is a full-length Chinese historical television production, not a vertical microdrama. The final episode count and runtime have not been independently confirmed from the official platform listing.
When is Yao Yao You Qi coming out?
iQIYI currently plans it for the first quarter of 2027. No exact premiere date has been announced.
Where can I watch Yao Yao You Qi?
iQIYI is the confirmed Chinese platform. The drama has an international iQIYI reservation page, but U.S. playback and English-subtitled episodes are not yet confirmed.
Does Yao Yao You Qi have a happy ending?
The official synopsis describes Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi ultimately becoming a couple. The final television ending has not yet been independently verified.
Official Sources and Verification
- iQIYI — Official Drama Page, Synopsis and Cast
- iQIYI — September 2026 Programming Slate and Q1 2027 Release Plan
- iQIYI International — Upcoming Drama Reservation Listing
- iQIYI — Official Filming-Completion Special, Published April 20, 2026
- Official Production Account — Account Identification
- Official Production Announcement — January 5, 2026 Cast and Creative Credits
Information checked October 24, 2026. Premiere timing, final episode count, U.S. streaming availability, romance milestones, and the televised ending remain subject to confirmation.