Weng Yishui (Mainland China)
Third Prize
Author Bio:
Writer and screenwriter. Member of the Guangdong Writers Association and Guangdong Film Association. He has contributed as a screenwriter to numerous TV series, including Huang Feihong (30 episodes, Guangdong Pica King), Jingwu Hero (30 episodes, Guangdong Pica King), Prince Gong (40 episodes, Shanghai Tian Shi), Family Ties (60 episodes, Shanghai Tian Shi), Conspiracy (24 episodes, Beijing Changjiang Film), and Blood of Heroes (25 episodes, Guangdong Lingnan Film).
Published novels include Struggle, Journey of Death, and Praising Bao Gong. His film script Struggle appeared in the film section of Chinese Writers magazine. From 2007–2009, he served as the chief screenwriter for Night Passion on Guangdong TV's Zhujiang Channel, creating over 40 episodes. He also wrote several high-rating film scripts, including Cheat Within a Cheat, for Guangdong TV’s 8MM. He wrote the public service film My Past and Present Lives for Guangzhou Sanbao Cultural Company, and the 30-episode TV series Glorious Years for Shenzhen Huan Ying Media (Yue [A] No. 139).
Other works include the 30-episode Qing dynasty drama Qing Dynasty Strange Cases, the 30-episode early Republican TV series Fragrant Soul, the original 36-episode Red Spy drama Tiger Courage, Hidden Dragon and its film adaptation, as well as original theatrical films such as Unforeseen Disaster and Wing Chun Pride (in pre-production, 2022). In 2023, he worked on the 60-episode short drama The Tale of Green Pearl (TikTok), co-wrote the theatrical film The New Story of Xi Shi (released September 15, 2024), the 24-episode short drama Rebirth of the Double-Headed Phoenix, and the 60-episode micro-drama Extraordinary You. In 2024, he completed the 60-episode micro-drama Red Spider Lily.
Award-Winning Work: Red Spider Lily (60 episodes)
Story Synopsis:
Red Spider Lily, derived from the Lotus Sutra, originally refers to a celestial flower and is distinct from the “Other Shore Flower.” In popular culture, it is seen as the “twin flower” or “two-life flower,” symbolizing twin sisters born of the same mother, as well as feminine elegance, beauty, and purity. It is also associated with death, sorrow, and separation.
Zhuang Dong, the only son of Zheng Rong, the controlling shareholder of the multi-billion-dollar Zheng Group, announces his wife Luo Manzhu (Shahua)’s pregnancy at a family banquet. Unexpectedly, a woman claiming to be the real Manzhu appears, insisting that Zhuang Dong’s current wife’s real name is Shahua. The two women are identical, leaving everyone stunned. The true Manzhu pulls out a gun and threatens Shahua. Amid the chaos, a shot is fired—who was hit?
The story flashes back two and a half years. Zhuang Dong and Manzhu, newlyweds on their honeymoon in Korea (the “Kimchi country”), are shocked when Manzhu disappears. Devastated, Zhuang Dong sinks into despair. On the second anniversary of her disappearance, Shao Wei returns “Manzhu” to the Zhuang family. Shao Wei, a distant cousin, claims Manzhu suffered amnesia after a car accident in Korea. In truth, the woman returned is Shahua, who has undergone plastic surgery to look identical to Manzhu. Abandoned at birth, Shahua was adopted and raised by Professor Liang Tian. Shao Wei tells her that her father, Sha Xian, was betrayed by Zheng Rong and pushed into the sea over business disputes, disappearing ever since. He stole Sha Xian’s shares and capital, amassing wealth, and Shahua vows revenge under the guise of Manzhu.
Zhuang Dong is overjoyed at his “wife’s” return. Shahua, claiming amnesia, agrees to a set of rules with Zhuang Dong, who soon notices discrepancies: tattoos and personality traits differ from the original Manzhu. Meanwhile, Zheng Rong grows suspicious and investigates Manzhu’s mother, Zhou Meiqi, with the help of the unscrupulous “Cockroach,” unaware that Shahua has already recognized her mother. It is revealed that Zheng Rong had previously taken Zhuang Shun from Zhou Meiqi, not knowing she was already pregnant. Sha Xian, secretly in love with Zhou Meiqi, marries her. Later, Zheng Rong manipulates the psychiatric hospital to turn Zhou Meiqi from a nurse into a patient.
As Zhuang Dong and Shahua grow close, he enlists returning overseas detective Wang Sheng to investigate Zheng Rong’s foreign assets. Wang Sheng lies about the existence of hidden assets, prompting Zhuang Dong to confront his parents, who deny any such holdings. Shahua counters with secretly filmed proof of Zheng Rong admitting to the overseas reserve, though Zheng Rong had anticipated Shahua’s spying, setting a trap for a bigger target.
The investigation reveals the truth: Sha Xian was never a noble businessman or good husband; he had sold Shahua after her birth and abused Zhou Meiqi. Sha Xian’s supposed death at sea was accidental: he tried to push Zheng Rong in a confrontation but fell into the sea himself. Detective Wang Sheng is, in fact, Sha Xian himself, a former national swimming athlete, alive and seeking vindication.
With her adoptive father’s help, Shahua uncovers the truth through deep hypnosis. The entire revenge plot, orchestrated by Shao Wei, intended to use Shahua as a pawn against the Zheng family. However, Shahua cleverly pretends to comply while plotting her own strategy.
The real Manzhu suddenly appears, confronting Shahua, creating tension. Despite traps and schemes, Zhuang Dong remains devoted to Shahua, whom he gradually accepts as his true partner after discovering Manzhu’s betrayal. Shahua secretly uncovers Manzhu’s collusion with Shao Wei, yet keeps this from Zhuang Dong. The revelation that both Manzhu and Shahua are biological daughters of Zhuang Shun raises moral stakes, though Zhuang Dong’s own adoption clears any taboo.
The sisters’ rivalry escalates, secrets multiply, and in a climactic moment, a gunshot leaves the audience questioning the fate of the twins. Who survives? Will Shahua triumph over evil? Red Spider Lily is a high-stakes suspense revenge micro-drama full of twists, intrigue, and emotional intensity.
Professional Review:
The series revolves around the “twin flower” motif, blending elements of family intrigue, mysterious identities, revenge, espionage, and passionate love-hate relationships. From the return of the missing bride, confrontations of true and false identities, family secrets, deep hypnosis, to gunshot mysteries, the narrative is tightly paced and full of suspense. With constant reversals and marketable plot hooks, it is a compelling micro-drama rich in emotional depth and intense suspense.
