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| 10 Most Memorable Quotes from Zhao Lusi’s Xu Yan in Love’s Ambition (Photo by: Tencent Video) |
When it comes to powerful female leads, Zhao Lusi’s Xu Yan in Love’s Ambition (许我耀眼) has officially raised the bar. The hit drama, co-starring William Chan, isn’t just a workplace romance — it’s a full-on masterclass in ambition, resilience, and self-worth.
Since its premiere, Love’s Ambition has been sitting pretty on top of Chinese streaming charts, and not just for its stylish production or tight writing.
It’s the dialogue — especially Xu Yan’s — that’s taking over Weibo and Douyin.
Every line hits differently, carrying both bite and heart, and fans are quoting them like gospel.
Let’s break down ten standout quotes that’ve turned Xu Yan into a modern-day icon of ambition and vulnerability.
1. “Only by staying on the starting line do you qualify to begin.”
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After her hard-earned project gets stolen, Xu Yan doesn’t crumble — she doubles down. The line sums up her entire vibe: opportunity isn’t handed out; you earn your place at the table, no matter how many times you’re knocked back.
2. “If you want to change your fate, never place your hopes in others.”
No sugar-coating here. Xu Yan’s determined self-reliance makes her both relatable and inspiring. “Use what you have to trade for what you want,” she declares, capturing the spirit of modern independence.
3. “Resources exist to be used, not stored.”
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When her assistant struggles with hospital bills, Xu Yan steps up. It’s her belief that wealth and influence mean nothing if they don’t serve people. “Better to use them than let them gather dust,” she says — and fans couldn’t agree more.
4. “I have professional skills. Why shouldn’t I compete?”
This was the line that made social media explode. Xu Yan calmly dismantles sexist jabs about ambitious women. Her message? Being strategic isn’t being manipulative — it’s being smart.
5. “I never believed lies could be flawless.”
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Here’s where the mask slips. In one of Zhao Lusi’s most emotional moments, Xu Yan admits she can’t run from her past. It’s a rare moment of raw honesty that made viewers ache with her.
6. “I’ll either have everything, or nothing at all.”
If there’s one sentence that defines her, it’s this. Xu Yan doesn’t do half-hearted — not in work, not in love. Every risk she takes comes from the belief that you only live once, so you might as well go all in.
7. “I want both career and love. Who said a woman must be poor to prove her sincerity?”
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Probably the most replayed line of the series. Xu Yan’s refusal to choose between romance and success feels like a rebellion against outdated expectations. The audience? Fully on her side.
8. “Only by reaching all my goals can I make up for my mistakes.”
This one cuts deep. For Xu Yan, ambition isn’t greed — it’s redemption. Every late night, every risk she takes is her way of healing from the past she once tried to erase.
9. “No amount of material comfort can replace a family’s love.”
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When the story touches on childhood trauma, Xu Yan’s words hit hard. “A happy childhood can heal a lifetime, but an unhappy one takes a lifetime to heal,” she reflects. It’s a rare, tender glimpse beneath her armour.
10. “The ship is yourself, the lighthouse is yourself, and the shore is yourself.”
This final reflection — borrowed from Jiang Yun — ties everything together. Xu Yan realises she’s both her own storm and her own rescue. No one’s coming to save her — and she doesn’t need them to.
Through Xu Yan, Zhao Lusi gives one of her most layered performances yet. She’s not the bubbly sweetheart audiences first fell for — she’s evolved into a woman who owns her scars, her ambition, and her choices.
Love’s Ambition isn’t just a drama — it’s a mirror for anyone who’s ever fought to rebuild themselves while being judged for wanting too much. And honestly, Zhao Lusi absolutely nails it.