I think this manhua is one of the healthier relationship development in recent BL I've read. Each side doesn't use manipulation to get others like them. They genuinely wants to be better version of themselves so they feels worthy to otherside's attention..
You are correct, dear reader.
****POTENTIAL SPOILER****
Some of the characters may start out as terrible people, but they do learn from their mistakes. And at the end of the day, how to be better people. (Going off the raws and what little Chinese I know.) And the thing is also, this manhua isn't based purely about the development of everyone's relationships. It also ends up developing each other's friendships.
They really look like BBC Sherlock's Johnlock. It's feels a bit like reading fanfic