Focus on Zhao Yunlan's failed book con, from ep 8

[china_shop]

8:54 to 10:04 - Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing discuss Zhao Yunlan's intentions with regard to Shen Wei
10:05 to 12:00 - Zhao Yunlan tries to give the books to Shen Wei, in the worst possible way

( Context )

Part 1. Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing in the street

Da Qing: If you do not succeed, you’re throwing money out the window. You really want to buy this man?

Zhao Yunlan tells him off for the innuendo, and says:

(Solo's revised subs) Shen Wei is not an easy person. What else can I do? I can only try to soften him up then approach, and finally get information.
(Viki subs) Shen Wei's immune to both soft and hard tactics. What can I do? So, I decided to ingratiate him first, approach him, and then investigate him.

(I've included both because they're so different: the mention of "soft and hard tactics" sounds much more calculated, than the original/Solo's version. The expression Zhao Yunlan uses is 油盐不进, lit. "not absorbing any oil or salt", and it describes people who are extremely stubborn, not listening to others' suggestions (trainchinese.com).)


Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing sitting on a wooden seat built around a tree, in a city street. Zhao Yunlan has his feet up and head bent, and he's unwrapping a lollipop. Da Qing is leaning towards him, but with one arm slung over the metal suitcase full of old books.

( The rest of part 1 )

( Part 2. The book con. )

( Thoughts )

( Guanxi and renqing )

( Things I love about this pair of scenes )

Questions

1. How do you explain Da Qing's telling Zhu Hong that Zhao Yunlan wants to recruit Shen Wei, before Da Qing and Zhao Yunlan have talked about it?


2. Lin Jing says later in the ep that his dark energy detector has an upper power limit, which is why it doesn't react to the Black-Cloaked Envoy. But when did Lin Jing test Shen Wei?


3. What do you think Zhao Yunlan's motive is in giving the books? Do you think there's any sincerity there? Why does he lie to Shen Wei about the books' provenance?


4. If you think the con is primarily motivated by Zhao Yunlan's suspicions about Shen Wei, how does Zhao Yunlan think the gift of the books will further his investigation?


5. According to the Viki subs, the books titles include Gods and Ghosts, and The Living and the Dead. How much do the books reveal about Shen Wei? Are they in keeping with his Professor Shen persona?


6. I tend to view this scene largely from Zhao Yunlan's pov. What does Shen Wei think of Zhao Yunlan's terrible performance, and the gift itself? How would he have reacted if Zhao Yunlan had given him the books without the "my grandfather can finally rest in peace" spin? Would he have been touched by the gesture, or found a way to turn them down so as not to take on the obligation that comes with them?


7. Is this scene in the novel, too? If so, how does it play out?

So, come and have your say! Share links to meta, picspams, and related fanworks, new or old! Self-recs are wholeheartedly encouraged. Basically, this is the place for anything you want to say or link to about this scene.