Focus on: Zhao Yunlan finds out his father has been kidnapped

[sakana17]

Scene: Zhao Yunlan finds out his father and Minister Gao have been kidnapped

Note: I am using the English subtitles QCed by solo

Location of scene: Episode 28, 25:37-29:43


Summary of the scene:

Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei, and the SID team at the SID are going through reports for clues about Sha Ya and the Master of the Merit Brush.



Guo Ying comes in and tells them that one of the Haixing Inspectorate's official vehicles was found and all three people inside are missing. He doesn't immediately say who's missing, and Zhao Yunlan gets angry because he warned the Inspectorate to be on the alert for Wang Xiangyang, the Master of the Merit Brush.



Guo Ying hands Zhao Yunlan the note Wang Xiangyang left, written in blood: "Three graves." Zhao Yunlan looks at Shen Wei, and says Wang Xiangyang is about to make his final move.

Lin Jing asks who's missing. Zhao Yunlan asks if Minister Gao is one of them.



Guo Ying breaks the news: not just Minister Gao but Director Zhao, too. Zhao Yunlan is in shock. He clutches his head and sees flashes of the vision he had before (in episode 21) of his father slumped in a car with blood on his head. "The vision back then was about today."





He gets off the table and stumbles. Shen Wei, Guo Ying, and Lin Jing help him stand.



Shen Wei holds onto him and tells him, "Their safety is in our hands now. We must keep our heads." He pats Zhao Yunlan's back.





Guo Ying is worried that the hostages will be killed.



Shen Wei reasons that Wang Xiangyang is taking them, step by step, to experience his hatred.







The Haixing Inspectorate will suppress the news to prevent panic, and Guo Ying asks the SID to take point. As he leaves, Zhao Yunlan picks up the note.



Shen Wei watches him.



Zhu Hong notices more writing on it, and Lin Jing reads: "24 hours to crack the code starting from 12 midnight."



It's 12 midnight now. Zhao Yunlan holds the note, repeating to himself: "24 hours to crack the code starting from 12 midnight." Then he angrily kicks one of the chairs and breaks it. He yells, "A fruit seller! Thinks he's a master spy!" Shen Wei goes over to him and places a hand on his arm, telling him to calm down.



He says to Zhao Yunlan: "You know how different you are from your father. So why would he recommend you as Chief of the SID? Because he believes in you."



Zhao Yunlan slowly seems to listen to what he's saying.



Shen Wei continues: "Zhao Yunlan. You are now the Chief of the SID. The Lord Guardian. If you lose it now the whole city will be in chaos. Do you understand?" Zhao Yunlan, jaw clenched, nods a bit.



Hands shaking, he takes the note and sits down on the stairs, more calmly focusing on it. Shen Wei watches him.








Why I chose this scene:

See screencaps above! :D
I chose it for two reasons: Angst. Comfort.

Zhao Yunlan is upset and losing it. His emotions are raw and completely on display, which is startling from him, especially in front of his team and Guo Ying. Shen Wei is clearly worried about him and comforts him with touch and with calm counsel. To me, this is one of the most intimate scenes between them in the whole show.

Like other important emotional moments between them -- Shen Wei restoring Zhao Yunlan's sight with the Longevity Dial in episode 22, Shen Wei leaving to go to Dixing alone in episode 29 -- it happens in the SID and in front of everyone. But this makes the scene feel more intimate to me. The others are there, but as Zhao Yunlan becomes increasingly upset and shaken up, he responds to and listens to Shen Wei, and only Shen Wei attempts to calm him. And I love that Shen Wei uses touch as well as words -- holding him up, patting his back, touching his arm. No hesitation in front of the others. It is Shen Wei's place to comfort Zhao Yunlan, and everyone knows it and respects it. It speaks to an understanding of the closeness of their relationship. It also demonstrates how Shen Wei is on the same footing as Zhao Yunlan in the SID space, at least to the team. Paraphrasing how a friend described it: the SID "dad" is upset, but fortunately "other dad" is there to comfort him. ♥

Questions:

How might Zhao Yunlan have handled it if Shen Wei hadn't been there when he got the news? What would've happened? Could anyone else in the SID get through to Zhao Yunlan as effectively? (Perhaps as a group they could?)

I've always been interested in this tidbit of information from Shen Wei: that Zhao Xinci recommended Zhao Yunlan to be Chief of the SID. Any thoughts or theories? Was it Zhao Xinci or Zhang Shi who made the recommendation? Did Zhao Yunlan always know his father recommended him? How did he feel about being recommended by his father?

Thoughts, reactions, squee, fanwork recs, anything related to this scene welcome!

Comments

[elenothar]

Hmm, I can imagine that if Shen Wei hadn't been there, Xiao Guo could've calmed Zhao Yunlan (though not as effectively) - confronting Zhao Yunlan with his earnestness and his belief, despite his nervousness, and the others would then back him up, mostly by hovering behind him. I don't think it would've comforted Zhao Yunlan as much as a touch from Shen Wei, but it might've calmed him enough to think about his responsibilities to the city and get his mind going on solving the riddle.

What really gets me about this scene is the touching, tbh. Throughout the series they touch plenty, but more often it's Zhao Yunlan who's reaching out, consciously or unconsciously. Shen Wei is much more self-contained (for many reasons, I think - at first he can't allow himself because Zhao Yunlan doesn't know who he is and the temptation would be too great, but he's also used to not touching) but this demonstrates that he has a fine sense for when touch is just the right thing to help Zhao Yunlan and doesn't hesitate to use it, even in a public setting.

I think Zhao Yunlan must've known that his father had something to do with his appointment. He is young for his position and if his father had spoken against it I can't imagine he would've got the job. Also, there's the way Minister Gao keeps bringing up he's his father's son and has his faith because of that.

[marycrawford]

this demonstrates that he has a fine sense for when touch is just the right thing to help Zhao Yunlan and doesn't hesitate to use it, even in a public setting.

That is such a great point! I don't think I realized that before this, that Shen Wei is rarely the one to initiate touch, but yeah, it's true. Hmmm, I am thinking that we mostly see Shen Wei reach out and touch Zhao Yunlan when he's asleep? Taking his shoes off, tucking his arm back under the blanket, etc. I suppose in that liminal space where ZYL can't see him is where he feels safe enough to touch him, which is rather sad to think about.

[elenothar]

Not only sad, but those are also all, to an extent, utilitarian touches, with clear intent and reason (usually to help Zhao Yunlan, make him more comfortable or protect him). Not touching for touching's sake, really. Though, to be fair, that wouldn't have been appropriate early on in their acquaintance anyway, and certainly not while Zhao Yunlan is asleep.

[trobadora]

at first he can't allow himself because Zhao Yunlan doesn't know who he is and the temptation would be too great

There's the "applying ointment" secene after the attempted mugging! He's taking that excuse to get his hands on Zhao Yunlan, because at that point he needs an excuse. He's not a generally tactile person like Zhao Yunlan, and any deliberate touches would stand out from him in a way they wouldn't from Zhao Yunlan. But he does want to get his hadns all over Zhao Yunlan, when he can. *g*

[elenothar]

Well, who wouldn't XD

But yes, you're right, Shen Wei does take advantage of, idk, sanctioned ways to touch Zhao Yunlan with a clear reason and aim.

[china_shop]

Shen Wei is much more self-contained (for many reasons, I think - at first he can't allow himself because Zhao Yunlan doesn't know who he is and the temptation would be too great, but he's also used to not touching)

Perhaps also that it's, hm, intrusive? or something? to touch someone in a way that is deeply significant and meaningful to you if they don't realise that's what's happening? The two of them are on such different pages to start with.

Semi-relatedly (to the touching), I often think about Shen Wei clasping Guo Changcheng's shoulder when Changcheng is struggling to accept his new dark-energy power in ep 37 (5:40). There's an element of almost "you're under my jurisdiction now, and I'm responsible for you and offering my support." Or something? Idk.

[sakana17]

I often think about Shen Wei clasping Guo Changcheng's shoulder when Changcheng is struggling to accept his new dark-energy power in ep 37 (5:40). There's an element of almost "you're under my jurisdiction now, and I'm responsible for you and offering my support."

Oh, that's an interesting point! Yes, it feels like Shen Wei is offering a kind of comfort to Guo Changcheng there, in a "it's my responsibility" way.

[elenothar]

Perhaps also that it's, hm, intrusive? or something? to touch someone in a way that is deeply significant and meaningful to you if they don't realise that's what's happening?

Oh, absolutely.

Semi-relatedly (to the touching), I often think about Shen Wei clasping Guo Changcheng's shoulder when Changcheng is struggling to accept his new dark-energy power in ep 37 (5:40). There's an element of almost "you're under my jurisdiction now, and I'm responsible for you and offering my support."

I never thought of that! But it works really well with what we know of Shen Wei, I think. And he seems to have nursed a soft spot for Guo Changcheng pretty much from the beginning.

[trobadora]

I often think about Shen Wei clasping Guo Changcheng's shoulder when Changcheng is struggling to accept his new dark-energy power in ep 37 (5:40). There's an element of almost "you're under my jurisdiction now, and I'm responsible for you and offering my support."

Oooh, it hadn't occurred to me, but I love this way of framing it! ♥

[sakana17]

but it might've calmed him enough to think about his responsibilities to the city and get his mind going on solving the riddle.

Oh, yes, I can see that, and I like the idea of Xiao Guo stepping up to be earnest and hopeful and "we'll solve this" because he would be.

What really gets me about this scene is the touching

Yes, me too. ♥ That's a good point about Shen Wei rarely initiating touch, and when he does it's more or less utilitarian. One could make the case that the almost-hug here is also utilitarian -- they are grabbing Zhao Yunlan to keep him upright -- but Shen Wei doesn't let go of him like the others do, and patting Zhao Yunlan on the back is pure comfort. ♥ ♥ As is the arm touch later in the scene.

doesn't hesitate to use it, even in a public setting

I really love that about this scene!

He is young for his position

I'm trying to remember: is this mentioned in the show? (From Minister Gao, or Guo Ying, or anyone else?) I feel like there's some mention of it that I can't call to mind.

[china_shop]

I'm trying to remember: is this mentioned in the show? (From Minister Gao, or Guo Ying, or anyone else?) I feel like there's some mention of it that I can't call to mind.

In episode 2, Shen Wei tells xiao-Guo, "You should give him some consideration. He's so young, but is leading you through countless dangers." Might that be what you were thinking of?

[sakana17]

In episode 2, Shen Wei tells xiao-Guo, "You should give him some consideration. He's so young, but is leading you through countless dangers." Might that be what you were thinking of?

Maybe? I still vaguely feel there was something in passing from someone in the Haixing Inspectorate, but I may be completely off-base.

[elenothar]

but Shen Wei doesn't let go of him like the others do, and patting Zhao Yunlan on the back is pure comfort

<3 <3

[dorinda]

Hmm, I can imagine that if Shen Wei hadn't been there, Xiao Guo could've calmed Zhao Yunlan (though not as effectively) - confronting Zhao Yunlan with his earnestness and his belief, despite his nervousness, and the others would then back him up, mostly by hovering behind him.

This is a good point; I could imagine it happening that way. Xiao Guo would articulate the 'we believe in you' part, and everyone else would stand behind him and make supportive eye contact.

It would have been much harder for Zhao Yunlan, because he would have had to skip ahead to the 'keep it together for the sake of the people' part, which came last in Shen Wei's approach. So Zhao Yunlan wouldn't have had the personal, private levels of comfort that Shen Wei first gives him, through touch and words; it would have been more like him hefting a heavy weight over his head without any time to warm up.

[trobadora]

It would have been much harder for Zhao Yunlan, because he would have had to skip ahead to the 'keep it together for the sake of the people' part, which came last in Shen Wei's approach. So Zhao Yunlan wouldn't have had the personal, private levels of comfort that Shen Wei first gives him, through touch and words; it would have been more like him hefting a heavy weight over his head without any time to warm up.

♥ ♥ ♥

This is such a lovely description.

[elenothar]

*happy sigh*

They just get each other so well. It's one of my favourite things about this pairing.

[marycrawford]

Shen Wei's concerned faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace :melts:

As usual, your screencaps are so well chosen - I love the shift from #4, with Shen Wei's ENORMOUS eyes fixed on ZYL in concern, to that last beautiful closeup where he still has so much concern, but also determination and a set jaw. Sigh. And Zhao Yunlan's expressions are even more affecting, because they're so naked. We never (hardly ever) see him be this emotionally naked, especially in such a crowd. But as you say, the crowd isn't really there, not in the emotional space, where it's him and Shen Wei.

To me, this is one of the most intimate scenes between them in the whole show.
SIGH yes agreed.

I don't think anyone in the SID would have gotten through to ZYL as effectively, but I think Da Qing would have tried, maybe by jumping on his shoulder and clinging on to him with his cat-claws..

[trobadora]

And Zhao Yunlan's expressions are even more affecting, because they're so naked.

Yes! It really gets to me, that nakedness, in the best possible way. *g*

[sakana17]

Shen Wei's concerned faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace

Yes. This! sigh

he still has so much concern, but also determination and a set jaw

That's why I couldn't bring myself to leave that one out. It's almost the same as the one that's 2 above it, but not quite! That set jaw.

We never (hardly ever) see him be this emotionally naked

Another thing I love about this scene. It's startling to see Zhao Yunlan like this. And in front of everyone.

I think Da Qing would have tried

Oh, yes, good point. And he's known Zhao Yunlan and his father the longest, so he would definitely try to get Zhao Yunlan to focus.

[trobadora]

I love this scene, I love your recap, and I love your screencaps! ♥

He gets off the table and stumbles. Shen Wei, Guo Ying, and Lin Jing help him stand.

This is such a good moment! They're all helping, but I love the way Shen Wei ends up with Zhao Yunlan practically in his arms for a moment. And the way his hand clenches into Zhao Yunlan’s jacket afterwards!

And how Shen Wei quietly talks to him there, already knowing how much this affected Zhao Yunlan, already trying to help him find his balance again. And for a little bit it works, as Zhao Yunlan asks about clues and keeps it together until Guo Ying leaves. And he doesn’t fully lose it until Lin Jing deciphers the countdown.

Zhao Yunlan is upset and losing it. His emotions are raw and completely on display, which is startling from him, especially in front of his team and Guo Ying.

Yes! Zhao Yunlan so out of sorts! It does things to me, seeing him like this. Especially the later bit where he's shaking so much, and how hard he tries to keep it together, but he can't ...

To me, this is one of the most intimate scenes between them in the whole show.

Yes! It's so gorgeous!

it happens in the SID and in front of everyone. But this makes the scene feel more intimate to me.

I know, right? The way they seem to just fall into their own little world for a moment, everything else disappearing.

Shen Wei is so attentive, and doesn't hesitate a moment to step in. And he knows exactly what to say to help Zhao Yunlan get back on track. (I do believe that's also what Shen Wei truly thinks about Zhao Xinci: that for all their differences, he does believe in his son. Whether that's actually true, or how much it's true at least, I'm not sure.)

But also, that appeal to duty, both in the bit where Zhao Yunlan falls from the table, and here. Shen Wei uses on Zhao Yunlan what he knows works on himself. Because in this, they're the same. ♥

It is Shen Wei's place to comfort Zhao Yunlan, and everyone knows it and respects it.

♥ ♥ ♥

It sets them apart from the rest of the SID as a pair, yes. :D

How might Zhao Yunlan have handled it if Shen Wei hadn't been there when he got the news?

I think he'd have wrangled himself under control on his own if no one else had been there to step in, but also, Guo Changcheng would probably earnestly try to support him, and Da Qing would try to nudge him back into stability, and Lin Jing might make some inappropriate remark that might shake him out of the moment ... With everyone else there, Zhao Yunlan wouldn't have been left alone to deal with this. But it wouldn't have helped in the same way, because he doesn't let himself lean on anyone in the same way.

Any thoughts or theories? Was it Zhao Xinci or Zhang Shi who made the recommendation? Did Zhao Yunlan always know his father recommended him? How did he feel about being recommended by his father?

I think it was Zhao Xinci – he's always had this idea that eventually, surely his son would "see reason" and come to see things the way Zhao Xinci does. He may well have thought this job in particular would lead him in that direction!

And Zhao Yunlan must have known, yeah – it probably made him feel about the same way as taking over his father's old job did in the first place, deeply uncomfortable and determined to do his own thing, and even less inclined to listen to his father. *g*

[china_shop]

but I love the way Shen Wei ends up with Zhao Yunlan practically in his arms for a moment. And the way his hand clenches into Zhao Yunlan’s jacket afterwards!

Yesssss! asdlkfjas;dlfkja;sdkflj

But also, that appeal to duty, both in the bit where Zhao Yunlan falls from the table, and here. Shen Wei uses on Zhao Yunlan what he knows works on himself. Because in this, they're the same. ♥

Yes, I love that! It's very "here's what it means to be a leader" -- not telling him so much as reminding him.

[sakana17]

And the way his hand clenches into Zhao Yunlan’s jacket afterwards!

Sigh! Yes! ♥

Shen Wei uses on Zhao Yunlan what he knows works on himself. Because in this, they're the same.

Oh, that is a great way of putting it! Yes! ♥ ♥

With everyone else there, Zhao Yunlan wouldn't have been left alone to deal with this. But it wouldn't have helped in the same way, because he doesn't let himself lean on anyone in the same way.

Yes, I agree. Everyone could've gotten through to him and brought him back to balance, but he would be burying most of that raw reaction & not letting it out to this degree, I think.

He may well have thought this job in particular would lead him in that direction!

Oh, that's a good point! He may have thought, sure, the kid wonders why Dixing people have to be rounded up, well, this job will teach him why!

[trobadora]

He may have thought, sure, the kid wonders why Dixing people have to be rounded up, well, this job will teach him why!

I really think that's what Zhao Xinci expected. And then couldn't quite grasp it when the opposite happened!

[thevetia]

It always strikes me when I watch this scene how emotional Zhao Yunlan is, and how very surprising that is when all we have seen of his relationship with his father so far is anger and hostility. The news of Zhao Xinci's abduction momentarily throws him into shock, as nothing else ever has (or will). It's such a near-breakdown that I have a hard time attributing his reaction solely to filial love. Even after the rooftop scene later, Zhao Yunlan doesn't show any degree of warmth toward Zhao Xinci - respect, but not love.

So I wonder is Zhao Yunlan so near the breaking point with the failing search for the Master of the Merit Brush that this is the last straw? Shen Wei's words to him are all about restoring his confidence in himself, remembering his position as Lord Guardian and how others rely on him. Shen Wei may already suspect or know that Zhao Yunlan is under more stress than he lets on, as can be see in the closeups of Shen Wei's concerned face in the background, even before Guo so belatedly drops the big news. As if he fears any news may shatter Zhao Yunlan.

[china_shop]

It always strikes me when I watch this scene how emotional Zhao Yunlan is, and how very surprising that is when all we have seen of his relationship with his father so far is anger and hostility. The news of Zhao Xinci's abduction momentarily throws him into shock, as nothing else ever has (or will). It's such a near-breakdown that I have a hard time attributing his reaction solely to filial love.

Idk, I think their abrasive relationship actually makes it worse for ZYL, in some ways. His feelings for his father are such an intense tangle taking up a huge amount of his emotional landscape. He's responsible for ZXC as a son, and now literally responsible for saving his life -- and probably feels like, given the choice, ZXC would have preferred anyone else in the world to hold that responsibility. (ZYL tells Zhu Hong a few episodes later, "My own father hates me.") If ZXC died on ZYL's watch, that would be the ultimate failure and betrayal, confirm all of ZXC's critiques, and mean there was no chance of ever getting any kind of closure.

So I think it's that thing where the opposite of love isn't hate, it's apathy, you know?

[sakana17]

It always strikes me when I watch this scene how emotional Zhao Yunlan is, and how very surprising that is when all we have seen of his relationship with his father so far is anger and hostility.

Yeah, I know what you mean. It's so startling to see Zhao Yunlan like this. But I don't quite see that Zhao Yunlan is at breaking point until this happens, so I lean toward what china_shop replied. I think it's worse for Zhao Yunlan because his relationship with his father is so strained. And this is a sudden, very personal move from the Master of the Merit Brush that clearly no one expected. Zhao Yunlan's first thought is that Minister Gao was the target.

But he also reacted strongly when he thought he'd seen a vision of his father in a wreck in episode 21 -- he was going to blindly run out into the street to get to his father. And now he believes the vision was about this incident, and that may also be making him more emotional about it. Like, when the wreck didn't happen in episode 21 and his father was fine, Zhao Yunlan probably shrugged it off, and now it's come back and become reality.

[china_shop]

Oh, I love this post! ♥ What amazing screencaps! And your thoughts are spot on! ♥

To me, this is one of the most intimate scenes between them in the whole show.

Yes, I can see that. *hearts enormously* It's really lovely how physical they are, especially Shen Wei.

And I think it's key that Shen Wei, whom Zhao Yunlan respects so much and who is generally so competent, is the one telling him he can do this and that his father has faith in his abilities. (I'm guessing the wave of panic and lashing out is because Zhao Yunlan is overcome with fear that that all his father's criticisms were true? As well as some brain haze from the vision.)

I've always been interested in this tidbit of information from Shen Wei: that Zhao Xinci recommended Zhao Yunlan to be Chief of the SID.

I wonder whether Zhao Yunlan has always thought it was a test and that Zhao Xinci is just waiting for him to fail, to be proven right.

I'm also not really sure what "recommended" means in this context. Did Zhao Xinci just support Zhao Yunlan's application, or was he instrumental in the DoS approaching Zhao Yunlan to offer him the job? (My head canon, which I don't think is particularly based in canon, is that Zhao Xinci didn't actually want ZYL to be SID chief; he wanted him to get a safe desk job at the ministry where he could rise to exalted heights of political success, and that that's part of the tension between them -- why ZYL dresses the way he does, and why ZXC goes out of his way to test the SID team's loyalty. I like the idea that ZYL went after the job himself as a kind of "Screw you, I'm going to do it my way, better, and if anyone dies on my watch, it's going to be me!" And his father supported his application because he knew going against him would just make ZYL more determined, and ZXC hoped that ZYL would quickly get promoted out of there. Idk, that just appeals to me -- I think the "parents wants their child to be more successful/have higher status than them" is a pretty common attitude, and it makes sense to me that Zhao Xinci wouldn't want his son in the line of fire after what happened to Shen Xi. :-)

[sakana17]

it's key that Shen Wei, whom Zhao Yunlan respects so much and who is generally so competent, is the one telling him he can do this and that his father has faith in his abilities

Aw, yes, that's a great point.

I wonder whether Zhao Yunlan has always thought it was a test and that Zhao Xinci is just waiting for him to fail, to be proven right.

That's what I've wondered, too, because it seems like the kind of test Zhao Xinci would have for Zhao Yunlan. (Even if it's not Zhao Xinci's test, I can see Zhao Yunlan believing that it is.) But I also like your idea that Zhao Xinci wanted him to take a desk job, and Zhao Yunlan applied for Chief of the SID instead, to do things his own way.

[trobadora]

I think ZXC didn't want ZYL in the position, but once ZYL applied he couldn't block him without looking bad to outsiders/making the tensions between them obvious. And not even Minister Gao, who's known ZXC for a long time, has any clue about it; ZXC maintains the image of normal family relations. So he supported his application, and to everyone else it probably looked as if they'd been acting in concert ...

[china_shop]

Yes, this! *nods emphatically* ... except it can't have only been automatic backing for appearances' sake, because if it was, Zhao Yunlan would reject Shen Wei's reassurance in this scene. (And in fact, I'm surprised Zhao Yunlan doesn't reject the reassurance on these kinds of grounds, regardless. Maybe he hears the subtext, which is really that Shen Wei believes in him?)

[trobadora]

I think ZYL knows that appearances or no, ZXC wouldn't have supported him if he didn't think he could do the job. He may not have wanted him to, but he did believe that he could.

[china_shop]

*nodnod* And that's the thing that Shen Wei is reminding him of. (ETA: But I still think ZYL, being ZYL, would have moments/days/weeks/years of doubting that.)

[trobadora]

Oh yeah, I completely agree with that.

[dorinda]

I'm so glad you chose this scene! It has delicious angst and comfort, and also, as you point out, great characterization of Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei, and their acknowledged relationship as a pair.

His emotions are raw and completely on display, which is startling from him, especially in front of his team and Guo Ying.

Agreed! He loses his grip entirely--and even more, when he does (thanks to Shen Wei) manage to pull himself together, he doesn't instantly try to slip back into his Shiny Shell, with the grinning and the shrugging, as if everything rolls off his back. I mean, I could imagine him trying it, IF Shen Wei were not there--grinning, saying something wry about what his dad thinks of him, ha ha--but it would be an enormous expenditure of energy, which he doesn't have to spare right at this moment. So thanks to Shen Wei's presence, to help carry the emotional weight and to let Zhao Yunlan lean on him (literally and figuratively), Zhao Yunlan can have his emotions without pretense.

I absolutely adore how Shen Wei doesn't just rely on words to snap Zhao Yunlan out of it. He uses touch, he uses very close proximity, he uses their mutual ownership of each other--the way that they are seen as a pair, that it's Shen Wei's place to step aside with him. Everyone else knows it, and also Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan know that they know--it's not something they have to go off (like into Zhao Yunlan's office) and handle in private. The family is behind them.

I also am struck by the words Shen Wei does use... First, it's personal, reminding Zhao Yunlan of his father's belief in him. Then, it's about his position, his leadership, his duty, his responsibility toward all the people. That second bit in particular always makes me think that they are words Shen Wei, as the young war-leader in Ancient Haixing, could have heard--from someone else, or used by him on himself, when he felt like he was about to break. ;___; It reminds me of why he told 'Kunlun' he wears the mask. He needs to hold it together, for everyone else. (Lucky for Zhao Yunlan, of course, he has Shen Wei there to help him. ♥)

[trobadora]

he doesn't instantly try to slip back into his Shiny Shell, with the grinning and the shrugging, as if everything rolls off his back

Right??? This is such a good point, and I totally agree, without Shen Wei supporting him in that moment and giving him someone he's actually willing to let support him to some degree, he'd have tried to reach for that.

So thanks to Shen Wei's presence, to help carry the emotional weight and to let Zhao Yunlan lean on him (literally and figuratively), Zhao Yunlan can have his emotions without pretense.

♥ ♥ ♥

That second bit in particular always makes me think that they are words Shen Wei, as the young war-leader in Ancient Haixing, could have heard--from someone else, or used by him on himself, when he felt like he was about to break. ;___;

Yes! I think it's what he told himself (and still tells himself) when it gets to that point ...

[sakana17]

So thanks to Shen Wei's presence, to help carry the emotional weight and to let Zhao Yunlan lean on him (literally and figuratively), Zhao Yunlan can have his emotions without pretense.

Oh, yes! That is a wonderful point!

it's not something they have to go off (like into Zhao Yunlan's office) and handle in private. The family is behind them.

I love that so much about this scene. ♥

That second bit in particular always makes me think that they are words Shen Wei, as the young war-leader in Ancient Haixing, could have heard--from someone else, or used by him on himself, when he felt like he was about to break.

Ooooo, yes! Awww, I can imagine young Shen Wei rallying himself with a similar internal speech. ;__;