This wildly unexpected, oddly matched CP of the two has exploded in popularity, leaving the entire Chinese mainland entertainment industry's year-long efforts all in vain.

The inescapable law that no one can escape in their lifetime is summed up in just two words: "Zhen Xiang" (the "so good" paradox, describing the scenario where you firmly reject something at first, only to end up loving it deeply).

"Even if I starve to death, even if I jump off this spot, I will never take a single bite of your food... *This tastes amazing!*"

"Even if I die of boredom, even if I pluck all my hair out from sheer tedium, I will never ship this couple... *This dynamic is so perfect!*"

After all, shipping couples is essentially a large-scale "Zhen Xiang" scene: one second you see it as a bizarre, forced arranged marriage that makes zero sense, the next second you might be convinced it is a fated, perfect match made in heaven.

The most typical example is this pair: Sun Wukong and Lin Daiyu.

As far back as several years ago, this "ShengDai CP" was already a viral hit.

"One is the top male protagonist of the four great classical novels, the other is the top female protagonist; Sun Wukong was born from a cracked stone, while Lin Daiyu's past life was the Crimson Pearl Immortal Grass."

Though they appear vastly different on the surface, they share strikingly similar souls, which is exactly the so-called "predestined bond of wood and stone".

Their sky-high popularity is undeniable proof of top-tier status / Source: Bilibili

In the era before AI rose to prominence, many veteran fans insisted on editing hand-made CP videos for this pair.

Now that AI-generated videos are everywhere, netizens who believe "generate your own content of your favorite characters with AI" can no longer hold back.

If you search casually on social platforms now, you can find all kinds of sweet daily life snippets of the pair.

Source: Douyin

Interactive aesthetic illustrations of the pair are also fully available.

Source: Xiaohongshu image search page

In the comment sections under related content, people no longer talk about their life troubles or vent their work frustrations.

All of them leave comments like "I officially approve of this marriage" and "I sincerely hope Sister Lin can live such a happy life".

Source: Bilibili @Director Meihua Qi

"I can't even imagine how fun their daily life would be!"

"They are both born from stone, this pairing couldn't be more suitable."

The once unruly, hard-to-manage Monkey King has suddenly become the "ideal boyfriend", which feels a little unfamiliar at first?

But in fact, no one knows since when, the image of Sun Wukong in people's eyes has already undergone a qualitative transformation ——

From "the first character who is outstanding, powerful yet tragic" to "the ideal other half"... this hidden gem of a monkey, maybe you have never truly understood him.

Why has Sun Wukong become the "dream monkey boyfriend"?

From a modern perspective: Sun Wukong is polite, responsible, reliable, thoughtful and careful;

He also clearly distinguishes good from evil, dares to act and take responsibility, is lively and lovely, has both high EQ and IQ, and has top-tier capabilities.

As the key business backbone of the pilgrimage team, he is extremely reliable ——

When dealing with ordinary monsters, he charges forward bravely, and has a tough character that never gives up easily.

When encountering monsters with powerful backers, he can go to the Heavenly Palace to find the Jade Emperor, or go to the underworld to find the King of Hell, and solve the problem in minutes.

There were several times when the team almost split up, but the fundamental reason why they never disbanded is probably: the pilgrimage project can never succeed without Wukong.

Moreover, Sun Wukong is very well versed in worldly sophistication. Even though he is the mainstay of the team, he never gets arrogant easily.

During the True and False Monkey King incident, Tang Sanzang and Wukong had a rift that became widely known across the Heavenly Court.

Such an important pilgrimage mission naturally cannot be driven by personal anger. The Buddha mediated, and asked Guanyin Bodhisattva to personally escort Wukong back to the team.

Wukong also knows how to behave properly, he takes the chance to step down, puts on the golden circlet, and immediately goes back to focus on the great cause.

Netizens can't help but sigh: "If Daji next door had half of Monkey King's comprehension and high EQ, she would never have ended up being beheaded."

After returning to the team, he immediately lets go of all past conflicts and never bears grudges

If you pay close attention, you will also find: every time he encounters a problem, Monkey King acts with clear targets, and never takes trivial matters as important orders to show off his power.

He is proud, but never disrespects his master; he doesn't stick to trivial formalities, but understands worldly customs better than anyone else.

He also respects women very much, pays attention to details, and always shows tenderness and empathy.

Even when in a hurry to save people, he still waits for the Bodhisattva to finish dressing and doing her hair

During the episode in Gao Village, Zhu Bajie showed his true form when marrying Gao Cuilan, scaring Gao Cuilan and her mother half to death.

At that moment, it was Wukong who stepped forward to resolve the crisis, let the mother and daughter leave safely first, and successfully helped Miss Gao get a divorce.

He keeps a proper distance when talking to others

In the episode of subduing the Jade Hare Spirit, the Jade Hare Spirit who privately descended to the mortal world transformed into the Princess of Tianzhu, seizing everything that belongs to the real princess.

The heartbroken princess tried to throw herself into the river to commit suicide. Afraid of scaring her, Wukong specially transformed into a kind, gentle old granny to comfort her softly.

Everyone says the monk with the "hairy face and thunder-god mouth" acts in a fiery, impulsive way, but in fact no one is more careful than him.

And this carefulness is not the result of being "polished smooth" during the pilgrimage as the rumors say.

When he first left the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, he once helped a girl who was knocked down pick up her scattered belongings.

It can be said that whether it is the gentlemanly act of waiting for the Bodhisattva to finish dressing, or the casual favor to a strange girl, it all comes from his natural instinct.

This point is even more obvious when he teaches Zhu Bajie to pay attention to wording and politeness when chatting with girls.

The mischievous monkey actually understands everything

He has countless other advantages.

He graduated from a prestigious school, completed his bachelor's and master's study overseas, can discuss Taoism with the Jade Emperor, and give lessons to his master, making him a "cultured monkey".

When it comes to Buddhist teachings, he is sometimes more insightful than his master

He is also a trendsetter in fashion, the early owner of the tiger-skin skirt, always clean and exquisite, fully worthy of the title "fashion monkey".

Of course, the most important point is: he only needs to blow a wisp of magic breath, and he can help "bald boys and girls" grow their