Guardian Readalong: Vol. 2, Chapters 1 & 2

[trobadora]

We're on to the second volume of the official translation, and the Merit Brush arc! Whether you've been with us since the start, or are just joining in, welcome aboard!

Here are last week's chapters, aka the end of vol. 1/the Mountain-River Awl arc. You can find all previous discussions on the schedule post (vol. 1 part 1, vol. 1 part 2), or via the !readalong tag.

This week's chapters:

• Chapter 1: Guo Changcheng has an uncanny encounter; Sangzan is struggling with learning Mandarin; and Zhao Yunlan steals his team's food. Also, no one has any work ethic at the SID!
• Chapter 2: Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng investigate; Shen Wei visits his bedroom and thinks about Zhao Yunlan; the Emissary visits the Netherworld, where the Magistrate is scheming.

The corresponding chapters in the Chinese version on JJWXC/the fan translation are 46 and 47.

Excerpts:

( 1) Food thief Zhao Yunlan )

( 2) SID work ethics )

( 3) Shen Wei's bedroom )

( 4) Netherworld shenanigans )

Questions:

How do you like the cover art for the second volume? (Larger version on Twitter.) What do you think about Chu Shuzhi's bedside manner? or the way Lin Jing, Zhu Hong and Daqing immediately dodge out of having to work a case? Shen Wei's thoughts about Zhao Yunlan's impending death? What about what's going on in the Netherworld, and the foreshadowing there? What about parallels with the drama?

(As usual, these are just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like!)

Our schedule (which is also where you can sign up to host a post - please do if you can!)