Movie ‘The Return of Exes’: Gemini vs. Cancer Love – Reality Meets Reality!
The romantic film ‘The Return of Exes’, written by Zhang Shaofeng and directed by Fang Lichao, stars Liu Yang and Xu Jinqi. Released in September 2017 in mainland China, the movie delves into the unconventional love story of an eccentric couple, offering a raw portrayal of the (fickle) attitudes often present in modern relationships.
In the film, Xu Jinqi’s character breaks up with Liu Yang’s character twice for highly practical reasons, while Liu Yang’s character waits with unwavering, almost stubborn, dedication. This dynamic of reality clashing with reality mirrors the kind of love that often unfolds between a Gemini and a Cancer.
Xu Jinqi: The Gemini’s Duality
Xu Jinqi embodies the classic Gemini traits of indecisiveness and duality. Her first breakup is driven by ambition: to fulfill her dream of studying abroad, she agrees to marry a wealthy businessman, severing ties with Liu Yang despite her love for him. Her justification—”children from poor families bear greater responsibilities”—highlights a mindset that prioritizes material security over emotional connection. This choice reflects the Gemini’s tendency to weigh logic heavily, sometimes at the expense of heart-led decisions.
This preference for practical love over romantic love reveals a layer of superficiality and emotional inconsistency, key weaknesses in the Gemini personality. A Cancer, Scorpio, or Taurus—known for their independence, decisiveness, and emotional depth—would likely have chosen differently. These signs value loyalty and shared hardship, often committing deeply once they’ve given their heart.
Liu Yang: The Cancer’s Tenacity
The second breakup occurs when Xu Jinqi returns from abroad hoping to rekindle their romance. However, upon finding Liu Yang living a reckless, indulgent life after coming into wealth, she fears their once-romantic love has degraded into a mere game. She leaves again, though Liu Yang’s love for her remains steadfast. Her reason this time is layered with a sense of duty: the businessman who funded her studies (whom she never actually married) is now terminally ill, and she feels compelled to return and accompany him in his final days. Here, she chooses love as sacrifice over love as pleasure.
This decision resonates with many viewers. Faced with a partner who has lost their way, few would find the motivation to rebuild a relationship. Choosing to honor a debt of gratitude instead allows time to test the sincerity of Liu Yang’s feelings—a pragmatic, if painful, choice.
Liu Yang’s character is the epitome of a Cancer: tenacious, emotionally deep, and fiercely loyal. His willingness to wait despite being twice rejected showcases the Crab’s powerful cling to love and memory. His character is a mix of strong possessiveness and an almost greedy emotional depth, balanced by a nurturing, unwavering commitment. It’s this very Cancerian stubbornness in love that ultimately wins Xu Jinqi back.
An Libra or Scorpio would lack the patience for such a prolonged emotional battle. Both signs are known for moving forward without glancing back, making this kind of tangled, persistent love story unique to the Gemini-Cancer dynamic.
Beyond Romance: A Mirror to Reality
The standout feature of ‘The Return of Exes’ is its refusal to idealize romance. Instead of aiming to inspire or move the audience with fairy-tale love, it strips relationships down to their messy, practical components. It presents love as a series of choices—some selfish, some selfless—allowing viewers to reflect on their own values and decisions. The film doesn’t tell you what to feel; it invites you to sit in the discomfort of real-life trade-offs and design your own love story accordingly.
For Geminis watching, it’s a lesson in balancing their dual nature with emotional authenticity. For Cancers, it’s a testament to the power of patience and emotional resilience. And for everyone else, it’s a compelling exploration of how astrological traits can manifest in the complex dance of human relationships.
