Re: comparing the ZH/&ZYL relationship and the GCC/CSZ ship, I was just thinking fairly obvious things, like the power differential that evens out a bit over time, Zhu Hong having looked to Zhao Yunlan as a mentor, and the combination of work and personal emotions. GCC/CSZ are actually much more functional and better at expressing their feelings, though, whether it's "don't presume too much" (at the start) or showing affection later on; they understand each other, where Zhu Hong stubbornly refuses to understand Zhao Yunlan. (I expect my reading is a bit different from yours because I ship ChuGuo.)

I mostly agree with all of this! Doesn't have to be romantic to work. Though for the Zhu Hong situation, Zhao Yunlan is also contributing; it's not just her refusing to understand. They're both being much worse at this than Lao-Chu and Xiao-Guo. *g*

In the next episode, Da Qing tells Chu Shuzhi, "Chief Zhao said when Xiao Guo was attacked by Ye Zun, Hei Pao Shi saved him. He used up his last reserve of strength to protect Xiao Guo." I thought he might have blocked Ye Zun's attack a little, as well as sending him away? Or his power had somewhat revived Changcheng?

I thought it was just referring to him sending Xiao-Guo away from Ye Zun. I think he was still unconscious when Ye Zun struck at Guo Changcheng? My theory was that Ye Zun was actually keeping Xiao-Guo in reserve to use him against his brother or the SID later. But I guess we'd better leave that for the next discussion post ...

(Ye Zun wouldn't gain much by eating him: he doesn't need any more human vitamins, and Changcheng doesn't have a power to acquire.)

True, but Lin Jing didn't gain him anything either, and he still ate him.