Indeed. The only similarity in Tong Hua's books would be that all her female leads are quite strong (mentally) and talented in their own way. Due to the numerous MVs I watch, I believe I was on a GeShi high when I started reading DMY.
So for some parts in the novel, I put LSS and HG into their respective charaters, but mostly I just read them as characters. As for Meng Jiu, I didn't put anyone's face on his. Qiao Zhen Yu, Raymond Lam and Wallace Huo (I think) were the main contestants for Jiu Ye in this thread. I myself would want HuHuoShi (HG as HQB, Wallace H as MJ, LSS as JY). Although this is purely a fan's desired lead cast. Only 1 out of 3 of my choices would match the actual character's personalities, but then, nothing is perfect, so I'm just staying with this. My former choices for JY would have been Tang Yan or Ady An. Nonetheless, Fingers and toes crossed that LSS and HG's 8th collab. will be in the desert, as lovers.
LOL. If only you had come earlier atsu! We had a small discussion about HQB-MJ several posts down, as well as who we would want to lead.