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sid_guardian2023-02-24 01:46 am
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GUARDIAN REWATCH - EPISODE 7

Beginning of episode: We return to the alley where Shen Wei is about to be mugged.
Ending of episode: The "web novel killings" case has just been wrapped up, and Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are having a deep conversation in Shen Wei's office.
Important scenes/developments:
- We see Shen Wei's orb pendant for the first time!
- Zhao Yunlan "rescues" Shen Wei from the muggers.
- Zhao Yunlan visits Shen Wei's apartment for the first time, where Shen Wei (very sexily) tends to Zhao Yunlan's bruised arm.
- Zhao Yunlan asks Shen Wei to join the SID. Shen Wei declines.
- Zhao Yunlan accidentally reveals that he has been snooping in Shen Wei's apartment.
- We learn that both Lin Jing *and* Da Qing read web novels!
- While going over surveillance footage, Da Qing, Lin Jing, Chu Shuzhi, and Guo Changcheng are surprised to see Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei out together in the middle of the night. Zhao Yunlan gets all sheepish.
- Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan have a video conference (facilitated by an irritated Zhu Hong) to try to figure out what killed the mugger in the alley. Shen Wei knows a lot about bears! Other delightful flirting takes place, and Zhao Yunlan refers to Shen Wei as "a friend" when attempting to get him to stop being so cagey.
- Zhao Yunlan says that because he's met a number of the Dixing now, he "won't tar them all with the same brush".
- Do we get a glimpse of Ya Qing (in crow form) for the first time?
- Chu Shuzhi uses his strings to tangle with the youchu.
- Zhu Jiu learns that the SID has a dark energy shield, and reveals that he is after both the Longevity Dial and the Mountain River Awl.
- Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei have a heartwarming chat during which Shen Wei is moved by the fact that Zhao Yunlan has empathy for the plight of the Dixing people.
(Thoughts and pictures)
I've only seen the entire series once, so my thoughts will not be as nuanced as our other hosts. *g* Bear (ha! punny!) with me.
- I LOVE Shen Wei's "It is not something the likes of you may touch!" when the muggers try to grab the pendant. *rawwwwr!* If Zhao Yunlan hadn't shown up just then, he probably would have kicked their asses at this point. And the way that he stands so obediently against the wall (hands folded) while Zhao Yunlan is fighting for him... And! Zhao Yunlan calling him "the beauty in distress"!
- I also enjoyed the way that Shen Wei so carefully tucked his tie into his shirt before he began tending to Zhao Yunlan's wound. ♥
- Also enjoyable: the way Shen Wei offers to let Zhao Yunlan "interrogate" him while he works.
- Zhao Yunlan looks so let down after Shen Wei's INSTANT "No" upon being asked to join the SID. Awww...
- Lookit how flustered Shen Wei looks after being scolded for not inviting Zhao Yunlan over sooner!
- And for the love of god, LOOKIT how hot the OILING UP of Zhao Yunlan's FOREARM (I have such a thing for wrists and forearms) is!
- I swear I must have made the neighbors jump with the loud cackling I loosed at "I didn't expect you to have such skillful hands..." XD
- Just more rubbing...
- Shen Wei is breathing so heavily here, touching his chest (the pendant?) upon Zhao Yunlan's exit from the apartment:
- The muggers note Shen Wei's ("the four-eyed" dude) INCREDIBLY INTENSE stare! hahaaa... They had to somehow know they got off easy, not having to fight him.
- Another wonderful group scene with the SID... And poor Changcheng, getting scared witless by Lin Jing. XD
- I like the meta aspect of the web novel case. :)
- Da Qing's "You? And Shen Wei? At the dead of night? What kind of cat business were you two up to?" is very funny, as is Zhao Yunlan's claim that he was out buying food for Da Qing. ;p
- Okay, Zhu Hong's attitude at having to be the laptop handler in this scene is HILARIOUS. "The Ghost Terror told me to bring you this." So much eye-rolling!
- Zhao Yunlan... who WOULDN'T want to web cam with him? XD
- Zhao Yunlan DID notice how unfazed Shen Wei was during the mugging! (Said that he's seen him get mugged and not break a sweat.)
- Okay okay okay- Shen Wei is out of control with this "Regular citizens like me absolutely need people like you to protect us"! haaaa. And look at Da Qing and Changcheng peering into the camera and hoping they're included in "people like you"!! Zhu Hong is not amused, though.
- Shen Wei knows a lot about bears, apparently. XD (Zhu Hong is soooo bored.)
- "I can't force you to. But as a friend, can't you at least give me a hint?" HE CALLED HIM HIS FRIEND. (and look at Changcheng's face- hahahaa)
- "But when the safety of people around me is at stake, I certainly will not stand by and conceal information. You can count on me for that." That was very hot of Shen Wei.
- I love that Da Qing cat-napped throughout most of this, and that he just woke up and tossed them the answer.
- I cannot remember if we ever learn more about this instance when Shen Wei - as the Envoy - drove the youchu back to the "Forbidden Place"...
- "So what are the traits of a Dixing person?" Zhao Yunlan is really pushing for Shen Wei to be more open this episode.
- That line about not tarring all of the Dixing with the same brush was the start of Zhao Yunlan expressing how his views have changed.
- Zhao Yunlan is too much, draping himself onto that hospital bed like that...
- Jin Ling being a fanboy never gets old. And Zhao Yunlan sure seems to like teasing him about his bonus. :p
- CHANGCHENG'S SHRUBBERY "CAMOUFLAGE"!!!! XD
- I like Da Qing's ability to smell "human" on the drink can.
- This author's house is a book lover's DREAM. And the writing room?? aksdjlj!
- This man hides like *I* would hide: under a blanket, and badly.
- It is hilarious how the writer initially thinks they're there to get him to drop the next chapter faster! It's not just fic writers who get harassed.
- Zhao Yunlan's "lightbulb moment" when Changcheng muses about multiple personalities is interesting.
- This last scene is A LOT. I like the (somewhat clunky, but I don't care) line: "the two of us right now might be characters in someone's book", and the gentle smiles across Shen Wei's desk. *hearteyes* And the way Shen Wei almost tears up at Zhao Yunlan's expression of empathy for the Dixing!!
- Episode ends with Zhao Yunlan's "I keep feeling we're facing stormy weather", and some intense gazing.


(screencaps courtesy of
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Discussion starters:
- What is your favorite thing about this episode?
- Where would you place this case on your list of favorites/least favorites? (I mainly enjoy it for the Lin Jing fanboy bits, but otherwise, it's not one of my faves.)
- How do you think Shen Wei felt about Zhao Yunlan's fighting for him?
- When Shen Wei is trying to make excuses for why he can't work with the SID, he begins to say "Moreover, now that I live across from you..." Was he about to say that they would get sick of each other if they were together so often? (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, SHEN WEI?)
- While Shen Wei is
oiling uptending to Zhao Yunlan's arm, he talks about how you can learn a lot of things just by paying attention. What are some random things you think Shen Wei has learned by paying attention to Zhao Yunlan at the start of their relationship (this time around)? - What do you think Zhao Yunlan's thoughts are in regard to Shen Wei's being so casual while being mugged?
- What's with the bears??
- What's with Zhao Yunlan draping himself all over everything?? (NOT THAT HE SHOULD STOP.)
- Was Zhao Yunlan possibly thinking about Shen Wei when he had his "lightbulb moment" about the author and multiple personality disorders?
- Discuss Shen Wei's utter joy at learning that Zhao Yunlan empathizes with the Dixing.
- I'm not entirely sure I know exactly what prompted Zhao Yunlan's "I keep feeling we're facing stormy weather", aside from *gestures broadly*. What do you think?
- What question(s) am I missing??? I have a tendency to shallow thinking, so go wild, if I'm missing something.
Let's talk about episode 7!
Come and talk about this episode - anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!
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This ep is not a favebut I like it very much for them getting closer to each other.
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I LOVE Shen Wei's "It is not something the likes of you may touch!" when the muggers try to grab the pendant. *rawwwwr!* If Zhao Yunlan hadn't shown up just then, he probably would have kicked their asses at this point.
I had totally forgotten that he's already twisting the mugger's arm when Zhao Yunlan turns up! And then he lets go and steps aside imimediately to let ZYL fight, LOL!
Also, I had forgotten that it looks like Shen Wei gets his bag and his watch back, but not his money ...
Also also, I keep getting annoyed that Zhao Yunlan just lets the muggers go. Idk if the SID can arrest Haixingren, but he sure could call in the regular police!
I also enjoyed the way that Shen Wei so carefully tucked his tie into his shirt before he began tending to Zhao Yunlan's wound. ♥
Have to respect the outfit! :D
Zhao Yunlan looks so let down after Shen Wei's INSTANT "No" upon being asked to join the SID. Awww...
Yeah, it struck me again this time how completely instant his "no" is! I think Zhao Yunlan's first reaction is just being completely taken aback by the quickness of it. No hesitation, no surprise, not a moment to absorb the offer – I think Zhao Yunlan has no idea what to make of that.
Oh, and I love how Shen Wei uses this prime opportunity to get his hands on Zhao Yunlan. He could have just offered him the ointment – he does at the end, even! - but no, he has to apply it himself. :D
And it's just delightful how Zhao Yunlan trips himself up, giving away that he's been in Shen Wei's flat, and when Shen Wei calls him on it, he takes several moments to come up with an "explanation"!
Shen Wei is breathing so heavily here, touching his chest (the pendant?)
Pendant moment! :D I love these little moments, and I think it matters that this one happens after we catch our first glimpse of the pendant. His reaction to the mugger already makes it clear it's important, but so does the touching-the-pendant gesture, with the parallel to Li Qian touching her Significant Pendant. Great stuff!
I love that Lin Jing is a webnovel fan, and how he's "ooh, another fan!!!" when it turns out Da Qing also reads webnovels. :D
And the scene where the SID find out about the mugging is a delight. The way Zhao Yunlan tries to stop them from finding out, and is foiled by Xiao-Guo's earnestness! The way they look at Zhao Yunlan! The way Zhao Yunlan tries to laugh it off! :D :D :D
The muggers note Shen Wei's ("the four-eyed" dude) INCREDIBLY INTENSE stare! hahaaa...
Hee! Also I love that they call Zhao Yunlan "that thug". :D
Okay, Zhu Hong's attitude at having to be the laptop handler in this scene is HILARIOUS.
It really is! And I love how, after making Chu Shuzhi his messenger last episode (with the banner), it’s Zhu Hong's turn this week, and it's just as delightful in a completely different way!
Zhao Yunlan DID notice how unfazed Shen Wei was during the mugging!
Ooh, excellent point! So, did Zhao Yunlan also see Shen Wei twist the mugger's arm? But he probably wouldn't have been so very "let me rescue you!" then ... in fact I think he probably would have stood back and watched, to see what Shen Wei would do.
"But when the safety of people around me is at stake, I certainly will not stand by and conceal information. You can count on me for that." That was very hot of Shen Wei.
YESSSSSSSSSS, and it's such an important promise! And Zhao Yunlan has all kinds of suspicions about Shen Wei, but I think he believes this.
I cannot remember if we ever learn more about this instance when Shen Wei - as the Envoy - drove the youchu back to the "Forbidden Place"...
No, I don't remember anything either, and I really wish we knew more! What's the Forbidden Place, a wildlife reserve for youchu? :p
Also, since I keep wondering about what normal people know or can know about Dixing- and Yashou-related things: I'd forgotten the youchu previously caused a mass panic – that sounds like something that would have drawn attention!
I also wondered about the phrase Zhao Yunlan uses to describe the Envoy here (when he says the Envoy drove the youchu back): "Dixing's administrator at the time, Hei Pao Shi" ... Does that mean he thinks the current Envoy isn't the same one as back then? Or is the weird phrasing just because he's talking to Shen Wei, who may or may not know about the Envoy?
This man hides like *I* would hide: under a blanket, and badly.
LOLOLOL! This time round, I started laughing as soon as they got into the room, because he was just THERE in the corner, under his blanket! :D
And Lin Jing is so disappointed by his idol, he's extra harsh on him. Awww! But it says a lot about who Lin Jing is, what his values are, underneath it all. ♥
This last scene is A LOT.
Yes! I love the meta joke with the "characters in a book" line, and I love Zhao Yunlan having empathy for Lai Su, and I love how touched Shen Wei is by it, and just, it's SUCH an important step forward for them and their relationship. ♥ ♥ ♥
Episode ends with Zhao Yunlan's "I keep feeling we're facing stormy weather", and some intense gazing.
Huh, didn't the Envoy say something similar in episode 1, on the rooftop? Fascinating!
What is your favorite thing about this episode?
The last scene in Shen Wei's office. Though the BEARS are strong competition!
Where would you place this case on your list of favorites/least favorites? (I mainly enjoy it for the Lin Jing fanboy bits, but otherwise, it's not one of my faves.)
The case isn't one of my favourites either, but the episode has the mugging scene, and the ointment scene, and the BEARS scene, and that last scene about empathising with the plight of Dixingren – so much good stuff! So overall I love it. But I love them all, and I have no idea how to rank them. *g*
How do you think Shen Wei felt about Zhao Yunlan's fighting for him?
Amused, mainly, until Zhao Yunlan got himself hurt.
When Shen Wei is trying to make excuses for why he can't work with the SID, he begins to say "Moreover, now that I live across from you..." Was he about to say that they would get sick of each other if they were together so often? (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, SHEN WEI?)
Haha, SHEN WEI WOULD NEVER! :p
(I think he was just going to say "you can easily talk to me without even having to come to my office".)
What do you think Zhao Yunlan's thoughts are in regard to Shen Wei's being so casual while being mugged?
It probably feeds into his half-formed theory that Shen Wei is Dixingren and maybe has some sort of invulnerability power. (He thinks about it in episode 4, IIRC - with the fall from the roof and the scene where he wipes away blood on his arm but has not even a scratch for evidence.)
What's with the bears??
BEARS!!!!!
I love love LOVE the bears scene, Shen Wei trolling Zhao Yunlan and Zhao Yunlan getting more exasperated by the moment. :D :D :D But what I want to know is why he conveniently has all these bear drawings ready to go. Has he been planning this?!
(Though he also does have the youchu drawing, which also makes one wonder where that came from and why it would be in Professor Shen’s office!)
Discuss Shen Wei's utter joy at learning that Zhao Yunlan empathizes with the Dixing.
MY HEART. ♥ ♥ ♥
I'm not entirely sure I know exactly what prompted Zhao Yunlan's "I keep feeling we're facing stormy weather", aside from *gestures broadly*. What do you think?
It may be that from what Lai Su said, they now know someone was prodding him and his powers and causing this whole situation? I don’t think the SID previously knew someone was going around and deliberately finding people with Dixing powers to stir up trouble. (Did they? I don't remember them knowing Zhu Jiu was involved in the face stealing case, or with the Wu Xiaojun case?)
Two random worldbuildling details I had totally forgotten about: There’s wine county near Dragon City (which is where the youchu previously appeared)! And Dragon City has a city moat!
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My notes from a rewatch in 2019:
I'm increasingly convinced that Shen Wei, knowing ZYL was following him (and um, having overheard some students mention that there's been a few attacks in this part of town lately?), set up this whole mugging situation for the purposes of:
a) getting the muggers off the street (which only works if he made ZYL call the local beat cops after they left the scene)
b) making himself appear vulnerable to allay suspicion
c) flirtrolling(™ Trobadora), by letting ZYL "rescue" him (see how pleased with himself ZYL is!?! :D :D :D)
d) playing doctor and patient.
THE LINIMENT SCENE!!!!!1!!11!!!!!!!!!eleventy-one!!
In particular, when they reach Shen Wei's place, Shen Wei tries to fold his suit jacket TWICE and fails both times, because he's so distracted trying to stop ZYL from leaving. <333
When the team see the CCTV footage, ZYL could totally have bluffed about running into Shen Wei if he didn't have a guilty conscience!
My notes this time around (apologies in advance for the excessive detail!):
- Zhao Yunlan fights the muggers so easily, hee! Like the show is going: Who has time for an extended street fight? We have relationship development to do!! (But I can't help comparing it with the "rescue" setup in Dixing where Zhao Yunlan says the fake attackers were defeated too easily.) (Also, I wonder whether Shen Wei subtly dark-energy-reinforced Zhao Yunlan's kicks and punches, and that's why the muggers are still lying around half an hour later!) After the metal bar attack, I really love how Shen Wei wants to smite the muggers, but can't.
- The first aid kit, which exists purely for Zhao Yunlan's benefit!! <3 <3 <3
- Zhao Yunlan goes from fidgety and uncomfortable and "I should go" to "work for me" in 0.5 seconds. I wonder how much the job offer is a test, ie, "Is this why you've been hanging around and being so helpful and provocatively knowledgeable?" Zhao Yunlan thinks he's cracked the mystery of Shen Wei! But then Shen Wei turns him down flat, and Zhao Yunlan is back to square one? That's how I'm reading it. Zhao Yunlan is testing allll the time.
- I looove the SID hanging out and talking about ghosts stories. I'd forgotten this scene! It's so casual and fun. I especially love CSZ saying it's boring. (What kind of stories does he like? Cosy fantasy? *g*)
- Note for my own private obsession: Guo Changcheng is at the crime scene first, making notes; then Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi arrive together.
- Chu Shuzhi says, "Based on my experience, he died from freezing." 按我的经验 人是被冻死的 Which seems like weird phrasing. What experience?
- Still adore Zhao Yunlan being so flustered in the CCTV-watching scene. Dork!
- Shen Wei has three globes on or near his desk! Also LOTS OF BEAR PICS! Oh, and here's my folder of youchu pencil art that I just happen to have lying around, lol. It's very weird how Zhao Yunlan joins in the exposition about youchu, like, if he knows already, why is he calling Shen Wei?
- Hospital: Zhao Yunlan shamelessly lying on the spare hospital bed; Chu Shuzhi sits down too.
- So many frozen bodies -- I can't help wondering why the SID wasn't brought in sooner!
- Lai Su's house is huge! (It looks even bigger because ZYL is down a couple of steps from the front door.) And lol, ZYL literally gives Lin Jing a kick in the ass. He's so mean. And hey, Da Qing can smell humans -- you'd think they'd use that more often.
- The one time Guo Changcheng sighs and slacks off, he's helpful by accident. Hee!
- I love that it's Chu Shuzhi, not ZYL, who notices the cowering Lai Su. /competence kink
- Ha, Lin Jing's betrayed rant is too much even for Zhao Yunlan.
- Wait, so what was Zhu Jiu doing? Did he activate Lai Su's power somehow? Is he Lai Su's alter ego and controlling the youchu, and ZYL is wrong? *retrospectively confused*
- I always love the transition from the swinging desk gadget thing when Changcheng's writing his diary to Zhao Yunlan waving the brush around. Lovely visual symmetry.
- Shen Wei is constantly coming up against Zhao Yunlan's insincerity and glibness: during the liniment scene, when Zhao Yunlan protests that his arm doesn't hurt, Shen Wei shakes his head; when Shen Wei, with tears in his eyes, says he never expected Zhao Yunlan to sympathise with Dixingren, Zhao Yunlan laughs and makes a joke. Oh, Zhao Yunlan! (Is there a third moment in this episode, too?) Anyway, it's so far from what Shen Wei wants/needs from him. Ouch!
Bear (ha! punny!) with me.Zhu Hong says, "Where's Chief Zhao? Who the hell knows which old pal he's hanging with now." Interesting that she's calling him Chief Zhao, rather than Lao Zhao. Also, that makes it sound like he's a delinquent chief who's never around, ha. And then Zhao Yunlan comes in in such a good mood: whistling, offering to buy everyone dinner. <3 <3 <3 Maybe overnight he concluded that if Shen Wei isn't angling for a job, then it must be something more personal?
When Zhao Yunlan receives the phone call during the video call, Shen Wei's little reaction makes me think he's used to being able to hear both sides of other people's phone calls, but he can't over the video link.
After the video call, Zhao Yunlan tells Changcheng and Da Qing to go and archive it? Does he mean the video conference itself??
Heee! <3 <3 <3 (I'm going to resist c&ping all your delightful comments purely to agree with them, so please take that as read. *g*)
Lookit how flustered Shen Wei looks after being scolded for not inviting Zhao Yunlan over sooner!
Ha, yes. Oh, nooo, etiquette fail! I think he didn't think they had that kind of relationship yet?
Zhao Yunlan... who WOULDN'T want to web cam with him? XD
LOL! And how weird for Shen Wei -- as someone who doesn't usually use computers, to have Zhu Hong frostily show up in his office, and then open the computer and THERE IS ZHAO YUNLAN! *g*
CHANGCHENG'S SHRUBBERY "CAMOUFLAGE"!!!! XD
:D :D :D And how Chu Shuzhi seems to take it as a personal affront! :D :D :D
What is your favorite thing about this episode?
Zhao Yunlan's complete failure to be cool, both during the liniment scene and while watching the CCTV footage. He's really off-balance!
I don't think about this episode very much -- I don't find the case as engaging as some of the others -- but I'm so glad I rewatched. Some lovely moments!
When Shen Wei is trying to make excuses for why he can't work with the SID, he begins to say "Moreover, now that I live across from you..." Was he about to say that they would get sick of each other if they were together so often? (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, SHEN WEI?)
HEE! I thought it was, "Now we live so close, you can come to me for info at any time, day or night. You won't even have to change out of your pyjamas." *g*
What are some random things you think Shen Wei has learned by paying attention to Zhao Yunlan at the start of their relationship (this time around)?
I think he's just very aware of how guarded and suspicious and insincere Zhao Yunlan is a lot of the time. It's such a contrast to Kunlun. :-( But also how much he cares.
What's with Zhao Yunlan draping himself all over everything??
The more relaxed he is, the less likely he is to have a gastric upset? *pets him*
Was Zhao Yunlan possibly thinking about Shen Wei when he had his "lightbulb moment" about the author and multiple personality disorders?
Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. Hmm. I don't think so? I don't think he knows what's up with Shen Wei -- but he doesn't yet have any reason to suspect a dual identity.
I'm not entirely sure I know exactly what prompted Zhao Yunlan's "I keep feeling we're facing stormy weather", aside from *gestures broadly*. What do you think?
Oh, great question! I always just accepted it. Hmm. When he arrived at the SID early in the ep, he was all, "Everyone, to celebrate the recent peace and quiet, I've decided to invite you all to a feast!" and then it turns out there is no peace and quiet. So I think maybe this is him being aware that cases are ongoing, maybe even escalating?
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Hands down the mugging. Shen Wei playing the damsel in distress, but putting in minimal effort. Doesn’t even pretend to be scared.
When Shen Wei is trying to make excuses for why he can't work with the SID, he begins to say "Moreover, now that I live across from you..." Was he about to say that they would get sick of each other if they were together so often?
He says this shortly after “if you need information from me you can come to me anytime”. So I interpreted this as “we see each other all the time, so you can just ask, no need to recruit me officially”
What do you think Zhao Yunlan's thoughts are in regard to Shen Wei's being so casual while being mugged?
He’s already seen Shen Wei completely unfazed by SID interrogation. So it probably just reinforces that Shen Wei has nerves of steel and is highly suspicious XD
What's with the bears??
Bears are awesome
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