The Chinese historical fantasy drama How Dare You!? has taken viewers on a wild ride through its creative story about modern-day people trapped inside a novel. Starring Wang Chu Ran as Wang Cui Hua/Yu Wan Yin and Cheng Lei as Zhang San/Xia Hou Dan, the show delivered a satisfying ending that answers the big question fans have been asking: do the two time-traveling lovers finally reunite in the real world?
The drama, which premiered on February 6, 2026 on iQIYI, adapted the popular novel by Qi Ying Jun. With 32 episodes, it told the story of workplace newbie Wang Cui Hua who suddenly finds herself transported into a web novel as the villainess consort Yu Wan Yin. There she meets Zhang San, a modern CEO who also got pulled into the story as the tyrant emperor Xia Hou Dan. Together they navigate the dangerous plot while trying to find a way back home.
The Final Episodes: How Does It All End?
As the story reaches its climax, Wang Cui Hua and Zhang San successfully change the original plot’s tragic ending. They prepare for the drought by introducing drought-resistant crops, recruit talented people to stabilize the kingdom, win over the second female lead Xie Yong Er (played by Hu Yi Xuan), and defeat Prince Duan (Tang Xiao Tian). Everything seems to be going according to their plan .
However, just when victory is within reach, Xia Hou Dan’s chronic head ailment worsens dramatically. This illness had been plaguing him throughout the series, and now it reaches a point where there seems to be no cure. It is at this moment that Yu Wan Yin remembers a prophecy from the mysterious anonymous guest who had appeared earlier in the story. The prophecy stated that only one of the two transmigrators could survive .
Yu Wan Yin realizes that Xia Hou Dan had actually missed his best chance to save himself way back when they first met. He had spared her life instead of eliminating her, which would have guaranteed his own survival according to the prophecy. Now she faces the same painful choice .
The Assassin Twist That Changes Everything
In a turn of events that saves both characters, the weak Qiang Kingdom sends assassins to defeat Great Xia. A mute female assassin attempts to poison Xia Hou Dan, but her poison unexpectedly works in their favor. Yu Wan Yin, using her modern knowledge and quick thinking, employs the poison to counter the poison affecting Xia Hou Dan’s system. This unconventional treatment actually cures his chronic head ailment and saves his life .
This clever twist allows both Yu Wan Yin and Xia Hou Dan to survive. They get to witness the prosperous, flourishing era they worked so hard to achieve together. The kingdom thrives under their leadership, and all the changes they made to the original plot create a much better ending than what was written in the novel .
Do They Return to the Modern World?
This is the question fans are most curious about. The show’s ending shows both characters staying in the story world after completing their mission. Unlike some transmigration dramas where characters wake up back in their original bodies in the modern world, Wang Cui Hua and Zhang San choose to remain in the novel’s world .
They have built a life together, transformed the kingdom, and found happiness in what was originally a tragic story. Zhang San, who entered the novel as a successful CEO, and Wang Cui Hua, who was just a stressed office worker, discover that this world has become their real home. The connections they made, the people they saved, and the love they found matter more than returning to their old lives .
Wang Chu Ran and Cheng Lei’s Performances
The chemistry between the two leads played a huge role in making the ending feel earned. Wang Chu Ran brought both humor and heart to her role as the modern woman trapped in a villainess role. Her character’s journey from confused office worker to powerful consort who helps run a kingdom showed real growth throughout the 32 episodes .
Cheng Lei as Zhang San/Xia Hou Dan delivered a layered performance as the “tyrant” emperor who is actually a modern CEO just trying to survive. His character’s initial cold exterior slowly melts away as he works with Wang Cui Hua, and their partnership becomes the emotional core of the show. The scene where he realizes she is also a transmigrator, responding with the classic English textbook phrase “Fine, thank you, and you?” remains one of the most memorable moments from the early episodes .
What About Xie Yong Er and Prince Duan?
The second leads also get closure by the end. Hu Yi Xuan played Xie Yong Er, another transmigrator who believed she was the only one who had read the novel. Unlike Wang Cui Hua and Zhang San who worked together, Xie Yong Er initially saw them as threats to her own survival. She aligned herself with Prince Duan, thinking she could secure a better ending for herself .
However, as the story progresses, Xie Yong Er realizes that Wang Cui Hua and Zhang San are not her enemies. In the final episodes, she comes to understand that working together benefits everyone. Prince Duan’s plans are defeated, and Xie Yong Er finds her own place in the new order established by the end of the series .
Is There a Possibility for Season 2?
How Dare You!? wraps up its story completely in these 32 episodes. The ending shows the prosperous era that Wang Cui Hua and Zhang San built, and both characters are alive and together. There are no cliffhangers or unresolved plot threads that would require a second season .
The show adapted the entire novel, so the story is complete. While there is always a chance that the producers might consider a spin-off or a completely new story with different characters set in the same universe, there is no official news about a second season. For now, viewers can enjoy the satisfying conclusion that gives their favorite characters a happy ending .
Also Read:
Where to Watch How Dare You!?
All 32 episodes of How Dare You!? are available for streaming on iQIYI. The platform offers the drama with English subtitles for international viewers. For audiences in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India, iQIYI provides access to the full series through their app and website .
The drama aired daily with approximately 45-minute episodes, and the complete series is now available for binge-watching. The show’s unique premise of multiple transmigrators from different levels of the story world kept viewers guessing throughout its run .
Wang Chu Ran and Cheng Lei received praise for their comedic timing and romantic chemistry. The show cleverly used its transmigration concept to comment on workplace stress, novel clichés, and the idea that people can rewrite their own destinies even when the odds seem stacked against them.
For fans who enjoy dramas about modern people trapped in historical settings, How Dare You!? offers a fresh take on the genre. The ending proves that sometimes the best home is the one you build yourself, even if you never planned to be there in the first place.
Also Read: BTS Jimin Sets New K-Pop Record With 57 Months at Number 1 on Boy Group Brand Reputation Ranking
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on the latest Chinese dramas and exclusive coverage of your favorite stars from the world of entertainment.
