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| Legend of the Magnate and Sniper Butterfly Set Up an Unplanned Post-Divorce Face-Off (Photo: Zaobao) |
Chen Xiao and Michelle Chen Yanxi are back in the spotlight, but this time it’s all about business. After officially ending their nine-year marriage on February, both stars have thrown themselves into work—and now their newest dramas are dropping almost back-to-back, giving the internet plenty to talk about.
Chen Xiao’s latest period drama Legend of the Magnate premieres yesterday on CCTV and iQIYI, marking his first major release since the divorce. The actor has switched up his entire look for the role, even shaving his head to portray Gu Pingyuan, a brilliant scholar in the late Qing era who is wrongfully accused and exiled to the remote, wintry lands of Ningguta.
From rock bottom, Gu Pingyuan claws his way back up—navigating the complicated worlds of salt trading, tea routes, and traditional banking.
What starts as survival slowly builds into an unexpected rise to commercial power. Viewers are already calling this one of Chen Xiao’s strongest career transformations.
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The drama’s supporting cast adds even more weight: Li Chun from Joy of Life, Luo Yizhou from Gen Z, and Xiang Hanzhi from The Wanted Detective, along with several respected veterans.
At a recent viewing event, Chen Xiao appeared visibly leaner and sported long hair for promotional activities, drawing a large crowd of fans.
In interviews, he described the role as a deliberate choice—an attempt to break out of passive career pacing and take on something more strategic and ambitious.
That sentiment mirrors the very character he plays: a man using wits and tenacity to turn misfortune into influence.
Michelle Chen Rebuilds Momentum With Back-to-Back Projects
While Chen Xiao tackles a sweeping historical epic, Michelle Chen has been steadily rebuilding her screen presence throughout the year.
She earned warm praise in Legend of Zang Hai and Dear Enemy, with viewers noting how confidently she stepped into more mature, emotionally layered roles.
In The Legend of Zang Hai, she appears briefly but memorably as the mother of Xiao Zhan’s character and the wife of Wallace Chung's role.
Meanwhile, her performance in Dear Enemy—playing a wealthy wife losing her place within the family while navigating a tense long-term friendship with Gao Ye—became a frequent trending topic on Weibo.
Sniper Butterfly: Michelle Chen’s New Drama Sparks Early Buzz
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Next up is Sniper Butterfly, confirmed to premiere on 4 December. Even before its launch, the drama is already causing a stir thanks to Michelle Chen’s pairing with rising young actor Daniel Zhou Keyu.
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Their 19-year age gap has become a major talking point online, but early teasers suggest the two share surprisingly natural chemistry.
Promotional clips showing tender and emotional interactions—plus a few close-contact scenes—have only driven curiosity. Many viewers say they’re ready to tune in purely based on the early atmosphere between the two leads.
Adapted from a novel by Qibao Su, the story follows Cen Jin (Michelle Chen), a woman finding her footing after a difficult divorce. She ends up reconnecting with Li Wu (Zhou Keyu), a rural student she once supported financially.
Wanting to help him chase a better future, she brings him to the city. Living under the same roof, the pair gradually support each other’s healing in quiet, intimate ways.
Years later, after going their separate ways, Li Wu—now an accomplished professional—crosses paths with Cen Jin again, setting the stage for an emotional reunion.
The Unplanned “Face-Off”
With Legend of the Magnate premiering first and Sniper Butterfly arriving shortly after, many viewers can’t help noticing the timing.
It’s the first time the former couple have new dramas launching within days of each other, and online chatter has already branded it an “unplanned showdown.”
In reality, it’s simply two actors entering a new stage of their careers—each choosing roles that reflect growth, resilience, and new directions.
Chen Xiao opts for a grand historical rise-to-power story, while Michelle Chen explores emotional healing and second chances.
Still, with both projects set to air almost back-to-back, there’s no denying audiences are keen to see how the pair perform independently in this new chapter of their lives.
Source: Weibo