Guardian Readalong: Chapters 15 and 16

[tehfanglyfish]

Welcome to this week’s installment of the Guardian novel readalong!

(If you’re just joining us or need to catch up, here are last week’s chapters and you can find all previous chapter discussions on the schedule post or via the !readalong tag.)

This week we’re looking at:

• Chapter 15: Zhao Yunlan’s gastritis flares. Shen Wei takes him home without needing to be told where Zhao Yunlan lives. The Yanluo Court sends Zhao Yunlan The Book of Life and Death. Shen Wei gets a look at the interior of Zhao Yunlan’s apartment and arrives the next day with groceries.
• Chapter 16: Shen Wei cooks and cleans for Zhao Yunlan. Zhao Yunlan seems sure he’ll win over Shen Wei even after he’s rejected yet again.

These events correspond with Chapters 24 and 25 of the Chinese version on JJWXC and the fan translation.

Excerpts:

( Shen Wei Sees How Zhao Yunlan Lives )

 

( We Get Insights Into Netherworld Bureaucracy )

 

( Shen Wei Displays His (Suspicious) Strength Yet Again )

 

( Zhao Yunlan’s Thoughts On Marriage And Children )

 

Questions:

What was going through Shen Wei’s mind when he saw Zhao Yunlan’s home and how Zhao Yunlan took care of himself? How do you think Zhao Yunlan navigated maintaining that professional balance with the Netherworld over the years? What does Zhao Yunlan’s thoughts on children suggest about his own experiences with family? What are your favorite parts of these two chapters?

These questions are just starting off points. Feel free to talk about whatever stood out to you in the chapters and/or your thoughts on how the events compare to the gastritis rescue and subsequent cooking and cleaning in the drama.