sid_guardian | Focus on: Shen Wei and Xiao Guo's conversation in the hospital (Ep 2)

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Focus on: Shen Wei and Xiao Guo's conversation in the hospital (Ep 2)

Location: ep 2, 14:14-15:28 (transcripts from Viki subs, screencaps from me.)

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay with the scene discussion for the weekend, I had some tech issues with my screencaps but I hope you still enjoy this! Lots of Da Qing screencaps this time :)

Context: Zhao Yunlan has asked Xiao Guo and Da Qing (in cat form!) to stay with Li Qian at the hospital, Shen Wei comes by for a visit.
***

The Scene

The scene begins with Da Qing getting some well-deserved petting from Xiao Guo, who then spots Shen Wei coming over.

Shen Wei asks after Zhao Yunlan (:D). Xiao Guo tells him that ZYL is not with him and Shen Wei says he must be busy.

Shen Wei: Chief Zhao did not come with you? 赵处长没跟你一块过来吗

Xiao Guo: He didn't. 没有

Shen Wei: He's quite busy. 他挺忙的

Xiao Guo admits that he doesn’t quite know what Zhao Yunlan usually gets up to, and Shen Wei notes that Xiao Guo seems intimidated by the Chief, as Da Qing observes carefully in the background.

Xiao Guo: Actually, I don't know what he does usually. 其实我也不知道他平时都干些什么

Shen Wei: What is it? You seem to be afraid of him. 怎么了? 看你的样子好像挺怕他的

Xiao Guo says that Chief Zhao is great, before hesitating and adding that he just seems a little… He trails off and Shen Wei finishes his sentence by saying “on edge?” (In my opinion, intense is also a decent translation of 不轻松 in this context). Da Qing is again watching very carefully in the background.

Xiao Guo: Not at all! Our leader is great. He just seems a little... a little… 没有我们领导人很好的, 只是觉得有点... 有点...

Shen Wei: On edge? 不轻松?

Xiao Guo: Yes, yes. On edge. 对对对不轻松

Xiao Guo remarks that Shen Wei seems to know Chief Zhao very well, while Da Qing stares him down in cat form. Shen Wei explains that Zhao Yunlan is under a lot of pressure leading the team through countless dangers, and Xiao Guo should cut him some slack.

Xiao Guo: You seem to know him very well. 你好像很了解他

Shen Wei: Little Guo, you should give him some consideration. He's so young, but already leading your team through countless dangers. He actually has it harder than any of you. 小郭, 其实你应该多体谅一下他. 他这么年轻就带着你们出生入死的, 其实他更不轻松.

Xiao Guo agrees that it’s not easy being a leader, and Shen Wei says that once they are more experienced, then it won’t be so hard on Zhao Yunlan (worried Shen Wei!!). Da Qing is at this point, extremely skeptical of why this mysterious professor seems to know Zhao Yunlan this well and why he cares so much.

Xiao Guo: That's right. It's not easy being a leader. 对, 做领导是挺不容易的.

Shen Wei: When you all become stronger, then it won't be so hard on him. 等你们都变得更强了, 他就不会那么辛苦了.

Shen Wei tells Xiao Guo that he brought extra food and offers to share it with him and Li Qian. Xiao Guo leaves Da Qing outside to enjoy the food.

Da Qing makes a note to tell Zhao Yunlan about Shen Wei’s notice of him so that they can watch out for him.

Da Qing: Why is this Professor Shen so concerned about Old Zhao? I have to inform Old Zhao. Make sure he watches out for him. 这个沈教授为什么这么关心老赵? 我得跟老赵说一说让他好好留意一下这个沈的.

(It took me 10 minutes to get that last screencap of cat Da Qing, I have no regrets :D)

***

Favorite Things/Observations:

The fact that the first thing Shen Wei does in the conversation is ask Xiao Guo if Zhao Yunlan is around gives me Feelings <3

I love this scene because it shows how much attention Shen Wei is giving to Zhao Yunlan and his actions/motives from the very beginning, even when he might be unsure if Zhao Yunlan is or will become Kunlun (depending on your opinion). He cares so much and it’s clear to Xiao Guo and Da Qing even from a short conversation.

One of my favorite things about this scene is how Shen Wei notices how much pressure Zhao Yunlan must be under in his role as Chief, demonstrating how he can see past Zhao Yunlan’s mask of nonchalance.

I feel like Shen Wei’s remarks about the pressures of being a leader also come from his own personal experience during the war, which gives me a lot of feelings.

Hands down, the best thing about this scene: Da Qing being uber suspicious of why Shen Wei is so concerned about Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei saying all of this knowing FULL WELL that Da Qing is in the background and will be reporting all of this back to ZYL :D :D :D I wish we got to see Zhao Yunlan’s reaction to Da Qing’s recounting of the conversation :P

I wonder if Da Qing would have been less grumpy/suspicious of Shen Wei if he’d gotten to eat some of the food :D

Questions:

Do you think Shen Wei was speaking more from his own personal experience or his memories of Kunlun when he mentions Zhao Yunlan’s role as a leader to Xiao Guo?

Is Shen Wei’s observation about Zhao Yunlan’s intensity based more on what he’s seen of him since they’ve met, or his memories of Kunlun?

Do you think Shen Wei made his comments in front of Da Qing on purpose?

What is your favorite thing about this scene?

Hope you’ve enjoyed this discussion and please do leave fanwork recs in the comments if you know of anything!

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In that third picture Shen Wei has such a 'I am only an innocent professor nothing to see here' look on his face I love!

(also to the first picture, yes Da Qing deserves all the pets!!)

AHhh that pic of Da Qing/cat licking his nose, so adorable! And yes, Shen Wei so worried about Zhao Yunlan, I agree Da Qing xD

Do you think Shen Wei was speaking more from his own personal experience or his memories of Kunlun when he mentions Zhao Yunlan’s role as a leader to Xiao Guo? - I do feel like he's talking from his personal experience with Kunlun!

Is Shen Wei’s observation about Zhao Yunlan’s intensity based more on what he’s seen of him since they’ve met, or his memories of Kunlun? - This is a great question. I think it's possibly a combination of both. What we saw of Kunlun was intense in a 'I want to protect this young SW/make him feel seen/heard/at ease', but I also think there's a different intensity to Zhao Yunlan's pre-Kunlun transition which is being brought up here, as well. The edge of suspicion and wanting to unravel the mystery that is Shen Wei which causes Zhao Yunlan to focus all of his sharp mind and attention on Shen Wei.

Do you think Shen Wei made his comments in front of Da Qing on purpose? - I do think he made them on purpose! Like a 'see I'm harmless and only worried about Zhao Yunlan', but also perhaps to see how Da Qing reacts. Perhaps trying to also see if Da Qing remembers him in anyway, not that he was giving any sort of overt 'I'm HPS' or 'I know Kunlun do you'. And also I think he wants Da Qing to go back and tell ZYL what he said just now too LOL!!

What is your favorite thing about this scene? - The cat blep at the end! But really, this is one of my favorite scenes of episode 2 and also where the two of them are sitting with LQ. I like how it straddles the line of 'SW perfect concerned professor' to 'SW trying to protect ZYL, but also impress upon two of his team that he is perfectly safe and only wants the best for ZYL'.

This was a great write-up to an AWESOME scene :D Thank you so much for taking the time to write it up!!

In that third picture Shen Wei has such a 'I am only an innocent professor nothing to see here' look on his face I love!

^^^this!!! I was gonna say something similar, but saw you beat me to it :D The screencaps really perfectly capture his "just your friendly neighbourhood professor talking to students" face

Yesssssssssssss!!! It’s exactly that. 😂😂😂

What we saw of Kunlun was intense in a 'I want to protect this young SW/make him feel seen/heard/at ease', but I also think there's a different intensity to Zhao Yunlan's pre-Kunlun transition which is being brought up here, as well. The edge of suspicion and wanting to unravel the mystery that is Shen Wei which causes Zhao Yunlan to focus all of his sharp mind and attention on Shen Wei.

Yes! Kunlun-era Zhao Yunlan is more mature, confident and sure of his welcome, and so able to extend his own welcome to Shen Wei and Da Qing. This ep 1&2 Zhao Yunlan has a casual, friendly facade, but underneath he's all suspicion and guardedness. And tense about the case and the Envoy's return, and managing a team that, as Shen Wei points out, isn't yet experienced or particularly capable.

I do think he made them on purpose! Like a 'see I'm harmless and only worried about Zhao Yunlan', but also perhaps to see how Da Qing reacts.

Hmm, maybe part of his deliberate campaign to stay on the SID's radar, too? Like mentioning Dixing to Zhao Yunlan?

Hmm, maybe part of his deliberate campaign to stay on the SID's radar, too? Like mentioning Dixing to Zhao Yunlan? - Probably! I definitely agree that it's some kind of deliberate campaign on Shen Wei's part. He's definitely putting it out there for Da Qing and GCC's benefit. So it filters back to ZYL XD

Yes! Kunlun-era Zhao Yunlan is more mature, confident and sure of his welcome, and so able to extend his own welcome to Shen Wei and Da Qing. This ep 1&2 Zhao Yunlan has a casual, friendly facade, but underneath he's all suspicion and guardedness. And tense about the case and the Envoy's return, and managing a team that, as Shen Wei points out, isn't yet experienced or particularly capable. YEs to all of this! And for sure for ep 1&2 it's definite friendly facade, but beneath it all ZYL just all 'what is up with this man'. AHhhh those two I love them!

I feel like Shen Wei’s remarks about the pressures of being a leader also come from his own personal experience during the war, which gives me a lot of feelings.
THIS!!! This this this! I am having SO MANY feelings about this because like. You can totally apply what Shen Wei says about being a young leader under pressure to bb!Shen Wei back in YOHE? I hadn't noticed before and now I'm *pterodactyl screeches* with feels. God, I love the time loop.

Omg, do you think because he felt such a relief to have a confidante in Kunlun, a wise and more experienced leader to rely on and get the opinion from, who respected him, that he wants to be the same for Zhao Yunlan? 👀

I wonder if Da Qing would have been less grumpy/suspicious of Shen Wei if he’d gotten to eat some of the food :D
I bet he'd definitely have forgotten to report in that case xD which actually... might be more evidence of Shen Wei *wanting* Da Qing to report back? Because why exclude him otherwise?

Is Shen Wei’s observation about Zhao Yunlan’s intensity based more on what he’s seen of him since they’ve met, or his memories of Kunlun?
Ohhh, good question. Kinda like a chicken and the egg type of situation, isn't it? :') I think the intensity of emotions stems mostly from Shen Wei's ten thousand years of pining, but the observation of Zhao Yunlan's motivation and actions is surprisingly top notch for having just met! It shows that he's seen beyond the non-chalant, flirty facade, that whole "make it look easy" charade with just the short amount of time he had to observe Zhao Yunlan. But having memories of Kunlun's devotion to duty and his people probably gives him a leg's up, or at least colours his perception of what he finds, I presume?

Also the last Da Qing pic with tongue? 100% worth it, time well spend *thumbs up*

You can totally apply what Shen Wei says about being a young leader under pressure to bb!Shen Wei back in YOHE? I hadn't noticed before and now I'm *pterodactyl screeches* with feels. God, I love the time loop.

Hee! Right? It's one of the things that makes Guardian so incredibly re-watchable. Everything gets re-contextualised, and THERE ARE SO MANY FEELINGS!

Omg, do you think because he felt such a relief to have a confidante in Kunlun, a wise and more experienced leader to rely on and get the opinion from, who respected him, that he wants to be the same for Zhao Yunlan? 👀

I don't know if he wanted that at first (in my view of things)? I suspect he was expecting their dynamic to be... different from in YOHE, but not that different, you know? To maybe meet Kunlun as an equal this time. But I think he willingly steps into that role fairly quickly. (Obviously this is a YMMV thing, though.)

but the observation of Zhao Yunlan's motivation and actions is surprisingly top notch for having just met! It shows that he's seen beyond the non-chalant, flirty facade, that whole "make it look easy" charade with just the short amount of time he had to observe Zhao Yunlan. But having memories of Kunlun's devotion to duty and his people probably gives him a leg's up, or at least colours his perception of what he finds, I presume?

Yes, that's my take, too. I think, because he knows Kunlun so well, he can see how the facade doesn't ring true. *has more feels* :D :D :D

THERE ARE SO MANY FEELINGS!

SO MANY!!!!11!1!!!!1!!!

I suspect he was expecting their dynamic to be... different from in YOHE, but not that different, you know? To maybe meet Kunlun as an equal this time.

Hmm, yeah, I can see that. Depending on if he suspected the time loop at this time - if he expects Kunlun to remember him, I'd say Shen Wei is more likely to feel like "I finally grew up to match him in maturity", which imo makes the time loop more interesting once more... they're more evenly matched here, but Zhao Yunlan has quite a bit of growing up/learning to do still (like the whole "Dixingren are not that different after all" thing).

Not to derail, but now I have thoughts about Shen Wei expecting an equal, someone who sees through his mask, and getting a suspicious, guarded Zhao Yunlan instead. Hiding his identity as Heipaoshi makes much sense in that context because... Zhao Yunlan has very different preconceived notions of HPS than he has of Professor Shen and to some degree their both facades and facets of who Shen Wei truly is underneath, so Zhao Yunlan wanting to dig into that mystery and learning who he is beyond titles is kinda the point; giving his identity up too early could mess that up badly 👀

Hmm, yeah, I can see that. Depending on if he suspected the time loop at this time

I think they can both be true? Like, he can have figured out the timeloop, but still be thinking of Kunlun as the Kunlun he knew -- not realising that he'd meet him for the first time when Kunlun still had a lot of growing to do? (And not realising that he will be an important catalyst for that growth.)

Not to derail, but now I have thoughts about Shen Wei expecting an equal, someone who sees through his mask, and getting a suspicious, guarded Zhao Yunlan instead.

Yesssss! And to the rest of your para there. Yes to alllll of that! ♥

I think they can both be true?

Agree! I think that's very human, being rationally aware but emotionally still remembering how it was in the past.

not realising that he'd meet him for the first time when Kunlun still had a lot of growing to do? (And not realising that he will be an important catalyst for that growth.)

Poor Shen Wei must have gotten such whiplash from that, several factors being different than expected/how he knew Kunlun. Starting with Zhao Yunlan's guarded suspicion juxtaposing Kunlun's warmth and knowledge of who Shen Wei is, what he wants-- add things like his casual bigotry and not recognizing Shen Wei, which he knew to expect but his heart didn't-- and yet, he has already decided that Zhao Yunlan *will* become his Kunlun one day and that he will care for and protect him regardless of what growth he still has to do, and goes ahead and announces that to Zhao Yunlan's subordinates and very purposefully to Da Qing here.

Yesss! And there's good stuff, too.

nnozomi wrote an amazing bit of meta about Shen Wei's feelings about meeting and getting to know Zhao Yunlan... *digs around* ah, the second para on this post. :D :D :D

Ah, thank you! 🙏

Da Qing being uber suspicious of why Shen Wei is so concerned about Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei saying all of this knowing FULL WELL that Da Qing is in the background and will be reporting all of this back to ZYL

Mild troll Shen Wei strikes again! But also, yes, I think his comments are on purpose. He could've waited until he and Xiao Guo were inside the room to ask about Zhao Yunlan rather than being quite this blatant about it here - he must've already figured out that Xiao Guo is pretty easy to get information out of so there was no rush (unless he's literally that impatient to get news about Zhao Yunlan, I suppose XD). Also, I feel like of all the SID aside from Zhao Yunlan, it's Da Qing he really wants to convince of his sincerity re: his treatment of Zhao Yunlan. Plus, there might be a little bit of 'see, I know him, I can see through his mask, you can trust me with him', and for that the plausible deniability of supposedly not knowing who Da Qing is at this stage is quite helpful. If he said all this directly to Da Qing, he'd be even more suspicious, probably.

he must've already figured out that Xiao Guo is pretty easy to get information out of

LOL! The flipside of Zhao Yunlan interrogating Jiajia during the trip to the mountains. :D :D :D

Also, I feel like of all the SID aside from Zhao Yunlan, it's Da Qing he really wants to convince of his sincerity re: his treatment of Zhao Yunlan.

That would absolutely make sense. He knows better than anyone how close they are. *hearts* (It must be so weird to have found them together again, and for them to both be seemingly oblivious of their shared past. After all, Da Qing didn't go into the wormhole!)

If he said all this directly to Da Qing, he'd be even more suspicious, probably.

Oh, yes. Good point!

Also, I feel like of all the SID aside from Zhao Yunlan, it's Da Qing he really wants to convince of his sincerity re: his treatment of Zhao Yunlan.

It almost feels like foreshadowing of Da Qing's later suspicions, once he regains memories of his past but in the wrong context :'D It's also interesting that Shen Wei clocked this quickly how important Da Qing is to Zhao Yunlan, although he has the time loop advantage there - Kunlun treated Da Qing as important despite being just a kitten, ergo he must've been important to ZYL. Da Qing being the one accompanying ZYL on his schemes at the campus probably helped cement that connection, too, since the first time Shen Wei sees Kunlun again, Da Qing is right next to him 👀

If he said all this directly to Da Qing, he'd be even more suspicious, probably.

So much more suspicious! It's an interesting showcase of the balancing act Shen Wei keeps to hold their attention but not ruin everything pre-emptively...

It's also interesting that Shen Wei clocked this quickly how important Da Qing is to Zhao Yunlan

Or maybe remembers how important Zhao Yunlan is to Da Qing? After all, he was there when Da Qing gave Kunlun the bells, and Kunlun claimed to be Da Qing's master for life... which makes me wonder if the message of his concern for Zhao Yunlan was actually meant for Da Qing's ears, not ZYL's at all. That "see, we both care about him, just like last time."

It's an interesting showcase of the balancing act Shen Wei keeps to hold their attention but not ruin everything pre-emptively...

Yesss! He's so good at that! :D

which makes me wonder if the message of his concern for Zhao Yunlan was actually meant for Da Qing's ears, not ZYL's at all

^^^this! It does kinda have the same vibe to it as Shen Wei carefully testing if Da Qing remembers him in that first episode, where Da Qing stands guard on the Li Qian interview. And while he probably came away from that realizing Da Qing doesn't remember him, a good scientist ~~doesn't give up hope~~ observes multiple instances of evidence to compare *nodnods*

Yes, and even if Da Qing doesn't remember, Shen Wei wants to make oblique on-the-same-side kind of overtures.

a good scientist ~~doesn't give up hope~~ observes multiple instances of evidence to compare *nodnods*

Hee! Awww! <3 <3 <3

That cat tongue! Your dedication is appreciated!

The cat-tongue blep is the best thing ever, and absolutely worth the effort! ♥!!

He trails off and Shen Wei finishes his sentence by saying “on edge?” (In my opinion, intense is also a decent translation of 不轻松 in this context).

I think "on edge" works, too? I mean, it makes sense for Zhao Yunlan to be on edge, with cases picking up and attacks on civilians. And from Shen Wei's POV, comparing him to Kunlun, Zhao Yunlan is guarded and suspicious.

Shen Wei: Little Guo, you should give him some consideration. He's so young, but already leading your team through countless dangers. He actually has it harder than any of you.

Ahh, this is so much Shen Wei relating from his own experience 10k years ago, isn't it? I love that. I feel like he's probably been reasoning to himself in private about why this contemporary version of Kunlun is so prickly and tense, under the jovial facade, and here's his chance to share his theory. (I tend to assume Shen Wei has figured out the timeloop in advance.)

I feel like Shen Wei’s remarks about the pressures of being a leader also come from his own personal experience during the war, which gives me a lot of feelings.

Yes, this! Exactly! Me tooooo!

Hands down, the best thing about this scene: Da Qing being uber suspicious of why Shen Wei is so concerned about Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei saying all of this knowing FULL WELL that Da Qing is in the background and will be reporting all of this back to ZYL :D :D :D

HEE! But it strikes me as strange that Shen Wei doesn't acknowledge Da Qing's presence at all. He met him in cat form (as well as human form) on campus. It would be perfectly reasonable for him to invite the cat in to share the food. But here, he doesn't so much as spare him a glance. I actually wonder if he even noticed him. (Black cat on a black chair is pretty good camouflage, ime, and Xiao-Guo jumps up before Shen Wei reaches them.)

I wonder if Da Qing would have been less grumpy/suspicious of Shen Wei if he’d gotten to eat some of the food :D

LOL, definitely!

What is your favorite thing about this scene?

I love how gently and reasonably Shen Wei speaks to Xiao-Guo, persuading him to look at things from Zhao Yunlan's POV. It's very much a voice of experience and compassion. And I also love how loyal Xiao-Guo already is to Zhao Yunlan and the SID. *hearts*

I wrote a little ficlet where Da Qing reports back to Zhao Yunlan about this convo: Fashion Consultant Da Qing :-)

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Focus on: Shen Wei and Xiao Guo's conversation in the hospital (Ep 2)

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