Picspam: Chu Shuzhi and Hei Pao Shi | Shen Wei

[sakana17]

(click on an image for full-size version)

Starting with the exchange of looks in the SID:



And their dramatic private meeting outside:


I have to lose my mind all over again about how this was filmed! They had a tiny budget but still took the time, effort, and expense to get incredible overhead shots like this! (Using a crane, not a drone!)





The classic confrontation in the interrogation room:









Hei Pao Shi's robe was damaged by the explosion and Chu Shuzhi is shaken by it:





The Awk.Ward. spy camera banner presentation to Professor Shen:



Hei Pao Shi showed up while Zhao Yunlan was elsewhere, gave orders, and Chu Shuzhi is respectful:



Shen Wei and Chu Shuzhi cross paths when they're both searching for Zhao Yunlan:





LOL at Chu Shuzhi's body language when Zhao Yunlan welcomes Shen Wei to the SID team:



I love when Shen Wei apologizes to Chu Shuzhi:





And how they both react to Zhao Yunlan ♥ ♥ ♥







Chu Shuzhi finds Shen Wei chained the Sky Pillar (and tries to free him before things go horribly, horribly wrong):



Chu Shuzhi has his own history of being chained up, as we see in the flashback to when Hei Pao Shi freed him:





A few busy, group shots

Chu Shuzhi is staring at Shen Wei, who has just *not* been harmed or killed by Wang Yike:


I love Shen Wei watching Chu Shuzhi in this scene:


And look at Shen Wei's smile at Chu Shuzhi:


I made a lot more screencaps than I've posted, so I bundled them all into a .zip file. Download here (MediaFire, 60 MB)

-- EXTRA --
When I was compiling screencaps for this post, I noticed that Ye Huo is wearing the same leather vest Chu Shuzhi is wearing in this promotional picture 👀


(Ye Huo fans probably already noticed this! 😁)

Comments

[sef1029]

These are fantastic. I love these two men together.

[sakana17]

<3 Their dynamic is great.

[autodach]

Yeeees I love them❤
These are two people who understand drama, loyalty, and monochrome fashion. And look good in chains!
Best moment is when Shen Wei apologizes to Chu Shuzhi, but I also really like Shen Wei showing him his damaged robe❤

[sakana17]

<3 They have great scenes together. I like the damaged robe scene so much.

[trobadora]

drama, loyalty, and monochrome fashion

Haha, I love how you put that! :D

[amedia]

OMG, I did NOT notice Ye Huo wearing Chu Shuzhi's promo photo vest!!!

I absolutely love all the little details you've pointed out in these photos; you've really enriched my understanding of their interactions. Thank you! ♥

Hoping to make more specific comments when I have a little more time, but I really wanted to convey my appreciation!

[sakana17]

Their dynamic is so interesting! They have some history together, and they're the heroes of Dixing, along with Ye Huo (and bartender guy!). <3

It was so cool to see the vest on Ye Huo. XD

[miss_ingno]

they have so many great fealty moments *heart eyes*!

I love their private meeting so much, the way Chu Shuzhi openly speculates about what HPS and Chief Zhao are both playing at is so funny in hindsight but also says so much about both CSZ and his relationship to HPS <3 and he is 100% behind HPS, no matter what

(also omg those looks when they're both searching for ZYL! I need to rewatch that episode soon)

I never noticed before how CSZ is sitting almost across from Shen Wei, slightly perpendicular, in a "relaxed" but ready pose that allows him to keep a close eye on the suspicious professor, heh! *squishes him*

[sakana17]

I love their dynamic, and that they have a history we don't know much about but get a sense of through their interactions. Chu Shuzhi's loyalty to Hei Pao Shi is one of my favorite things. <3 (That Professor Shen, though... gotta keep an eye on him! :D)

[miss_ingno]

Fealty is always one of my favourite tropes, and the way Chu Shuzhi dedicates himself to Heipaoshi is fascinating and enthralling! :D which includes keeping an eye on suspicious Professor Shen... gotta have evidence for Daren before bringing up those suspicions... xD

[trobadora]

the way Chu Shuzhi openly speculates about what HPS and Chief Zhao are both playing at is so funny in hindsight but also says so much about both CSZ and his relationship to HPS <3

Yes, that's a great point!

[maggie33]

What a fantastic picspam with a few of my absolute favorite scenes from the drama: Chu Shuzhi kneeling in front of Black Cloaked Envoy, and Shen Wei apologizing to Chu Shuzhi after the reveal amongst them.

And no, I didn't notice Ye Huo wearing Chu Shuzhi's promo photo vest, and I am a big Ye Huo fan. Good catch, I love it. :DDD

[sakana17]

I thought it was so cool about the vest!

Chu Shuzhi and Shen Wei have such an interesting dynamic, and their scenes together are great.

[awanderingcoyote]

Ahhh these are fantastic!!! :D I LOVE THEM!

I always loved the interrogation scene! :D ANd I likewise loved Shen Wei apologized to Chu Shuzhi for keeping that secret from him.

Such excellent excellent shots! :D I always loved how much Chu Shuzhi showed his deference to HPS :D I think you captured that so well in your pictures!

(Also I didn't realize Ye Huo wore the same vest as Chu Shuzhi in the promo pic! What an awesome catch!! :D)

[sakana17]

<3 The scene of Shen Wei apologizing to Chu Shuzhi is one of my favorites. Their relationship is so interesting -- the respect they have for each other, their history, their ties to Dixing. Great stuff.

I was so surprised to notice the vest on Ye Huo! XD

[china_shop]

Ohhh, what a fabulous picspam!! Every cap is gorgeous (just look at them!! *gazes at length*), and I love your choice of theme!! <33333333333

I have to lose my mind all over again about how this was filmed!

aslkdfas;dkfjasd;fkljsf Thank you so much for highlighting that! <3 I love how the midshots are angled, too -- it really adds to the drama. :D :D :D

aksdfjasdlkfjasdkf Ahh, Shen Wei's smile when Chu Shuzhi catches his wrist in the interrogation. I love how much he's playing everyone (except ZYL) here.

Hei Pao Shi's robe was damaged by the explosion and Chu Shuzhi is shaken by it:

Chu Shuzhi's eyebrows are so pointy and dramatic!! :D

Hei Pao Shi showed up while Zhao Yunlan was elsewhere, gave orders, and Chu Shuzhi is respectful:

I think this is my favourite cap. Chu Shuzhi kind of giving the game away about where his deepest loyalties lie, because he can't not. (Plus he just looks so good.)

Shen Wei and Chu Shuzhi cross paths when they're both searching for Zhao Yunlan:

This really makes me wonder what he thinks of Shen Wei, especially given a) Shen Wei mysteriously vanishes from that scene, what?, and b) this is followed by the unimpressed air and lack of applause when Shen Wei is announced as the new SID consultant. Maybe Chu Shuzhi has deduced that Shen Wei is Dixingren (which everyone kind of suspected anyway), and ... uh, okay, I just committed comment fic. :-)

comment fic under the cut (866 words, G-rated, no warnings, thanks to Trobadora for beta)

Chu Shuzhi cradled his beer in his hands and looked around the table, assessing everyone else’s reactions to Zhao Yunlan’s announcement. Xiao Guo was chatting brightly with Wang Zheng and Sang Zan about Hanga cooking customs; Da Qing burped, holding a skewer in one hand that he was clearly too replete to finish; Zhu Hong scowled into her beer; and Professor Shen—their brand new consultant, apparently—sat on the edge of the couch seat, awkwardly polite and wildly out of place, but not the least bit self-conscious the way he should be. No, he was looking up at Zhao Yunlan with complete confidence and warmth.

Zhao Yunlan who was himself glowing with ebullient satisfaction. Zhao Yunlan who handed off his half-eaten squid stick to the professor with a grin and a casual be right back, scooted off the table and headed for the bathroom.

Chu Shuzhi counted to ten, put down his beer and casually followed.

He wasn’t really worried, and he wasn’t exactly angry, but a tight ball of vicarious indignation had been gathering in his gut since Zhao Yunlan had made his announcement, and he needed to express it. In private.

“Hey, it’s Lao Chu!” Zhao Yunlan greeted him from the urinal, cheerfully shameless as ever.

Chu Shuzhi leaned in the doorway and folded his arms, waiting until they could talk with some dignity, but Zhao Yunlan waved him on.

“Out with it. What do you have to say?”

Fine. Lao Chu could say it to his back. “You made Professor Shen a SID consultant. You know he’s not normal.”

It was half a question, but surely Zhao Yunlan wasn’t so besotted he’d discounted all the evidence: Shen Wei surviving falling off the bioengineering building and Wang Yike’s attack. His knowing far too much about Dixing and its customs. And Zhao Yunlan didn’t know this, but just yesterday, Shen Wei had appeared in Zhu Jiu’s abandoned lair and then simply—vanished. There one second, gone the next.

He wasn’t human, Lao Chu was sure of it. Zhao Yunlan must have figured it out, too.

But because Shen Wei could pass as human, because he wore the respectable clothes of a Haixing university professor and fooled everyone else, Zhao Yunlan had brought him under the SID’s protective umbrella and given him carte blanche to come and go as if it were nothing.

Zhao Yunlan finished, zipped up, and turned, widening his eyes and spreading his hands in a caricature of enquiry. “What is normal? By whose standard? In the end, aren’t we all normal, no matter where we come from?”

“You know what I mean,” said Chu Shuzhi, scowling. “Professor Shen doesn’t belong in Haixing.”

Zhao Yunlan tilted his head as if giving the matter real consideration, but his eyes were dancing. He wasn’t taking this seriously.

Except that when he spoke, his voice was serious, and even a little reproachful. “Lao Chu, I thought you of all people would be glad that we’re working to change the rules about who belongs in Haixing. I thought you’d think it was long past time.”

“It’s not about that,” retorted Chu Shuzhi, stubbornly resisting shame. He’d helped the SID deport dozens of his compatriots, and he was well aware some had deserved it more than others. He glared as Zhao Yunlan washed and dried his hands. “But you shouldn’t go behind Hei Pao daren’s back to do it.”

Zhao Yunlan blinked, then laughed and threw the used paper towels in the bin. “Ah, is that it?” He patted Chu Shuzhi on the shoulder, far more casually than he’d ever done before. “You can rest assured, Hei Pao Shi knows all about the situation. I consulted with him myself.”

For some reason, this made him laugh again, but Chu Shuzhi hardly noticed; his indignation was refracting into a spectrum of other emotions, chief among them relief. The Envoy knew, even if he hadn’t seen fit to share the information. Which meant Chu Shuzhi’s loyalty to his benefactor didn’t place him at odds with the SID.

Zhao Yunlan wagged his finger in Chu Shuzhi’s face. “Anyway, your supposition is pure speculation, and I’ll thank you not to gossip about our new consultant. To anyone.”

“Ha!” Chu Shuzhi shook his head at the hypocrisy. Zhao Yunlan had all but confirmed Professor Shen was Dixingren, and now he was accusing Chu Shuzhi of being a gossip? But all right, and if Lord Envoy was prepared to let it go unspoken, and if Professor Shen wasn’t ready to announce it yet, Chu Shuzhi could hold his tongue. He wasn’t a blabbermouth. “It’s none of my business.”

Still inexplicably entertained, Zhao Yunlan smirked and moved past him, back towards the main room and the ongoing dinner. “That’s right,” he said, over his shoulder as he went, “it’s well above your pay grade.”

Chu Shuzhi snorted and followed, but he couldn’t help smiling. The SID was changing, definitely for the better. Zhao Yunlan had changed, apparently under Professor Shen’s influence. Most importantly, the Envoy was aware and supportive of the progress.

The combination of these three things was well worth celebrating with another beer.

And how they both react to Zhao Yunlan ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ ♥

And ohhh, I adore the group shots you've highlighted -- those little moments and glimpses of relationship, yes!! <3333333

Add me to the list of Ye Huo fans who hadn't previously noticed the leather vest (I don't really look at promo pics) and is DELIGHTED!! :D :D :D

Thank you so much for this wonderful post!!!

[sakana17]

The interrogation scene is so great. Chu Shuzhi must be wondering a lot about this professor who's so unintimidated. XD

Yay, comment fic! <3 I love the theme of "Shen Wei must be from Dixing - oh no, will he be in trouble with Hei Pao Shi." :D This is a cool riff on that, with Chu Shuzhi needing to make sure that Zhao Yunlan isn't disrespecting Hei Pao Shi's authority. And Zhao Yunlan would be *so* amused.

[china_shop]

Yay, thanks! <3 Yeah, Zhao Yunlan would find it hilarious. :D (I wonder if he'd tell Shen Wei, in this scenario, or not want to risk it for fear of Shen Wei feeling too exposed...)

[trobadora]

Yay comment fic! This is so much fun. :D

awkwardly polite and wildly out of place, but not the least bit self-conscious the way he should be

I've already told you this, but I reread it just now so I need to say it again: this is just so perfectly spot on! ♥ ♥ ♥

[china_shop]

<3 <3 <3

[trepkos]

I had forgotten that Chu Shuzhi did not realise HPS and Shen Wei were one person ...

[sakana17]

I think there's fanfic that has Chu Shuzhi knowing all along. My interpretation of the show is that he doesn't know until Zhu Hong tells all of the SID, but it can be interpreted differently.

[marycrawford]

LOL I don't think I ever noticed that deeply skeptical look during the 'professor Shen is joining us' moment before! Not to mention the beer, to express the complete lack of interest/excitement - he will just HAPPEN to be drinking from it so he can't applaud.
You're so right about that awesome crane shot and excellent choice of location - the spiraling brick maze, with HPS at the center and CSZ approaching him so devotedly and deferentially (and walking backwards from the presence as he leaves <3)
That first couple of shots, I sigh at HPS' lashes sweeping down to hide him even more--

[sakana17]

I remembered he didn't applaud in the scene of Professor Shen joining the team, but I didn't remember the skeptical look. :D

I love the way they filmed those outdoor secret meeting scenes. They made the most of the location, and all the various camera angles are really interesting.

[trobadora]

I love these two and their relationship so much! Thank you for all these gorgeous caps, and sorry for the late comment! :D

I have to lose my mind all over again about how this was filmed! They had a tiny budget but still took the time, effort, and expense to get incredible overhead shots like this! (Using a crane, not a drone!)

Yeah, that's a fantastic shot! And a fantastic location, extremely well chosen for this purpose! That giant stone circle is definitely part of what gives that scene its impact, not just because it's dramatic and visually impressive but also because of what the location says about the Envoy (otherworldly, larger than life) and the relationship between the two of them (heightened, very much not a mundane boss/suborninate dynamic).

The classic confrontation in the interrogation room

Shen Wei is such a troll in this! Especially the bit with the doll – it's so deliberately provocative; he knows exactly what he's doing, and is pushing Chu Shuzhi’s buttons.

Hei Pao Shi's robe was damaged by the explosion and Chu Shuzhi is shaken by it

That dramatic gesture when he lifts his arm! He doesn't even say anything, just shows his sleeve. And it's so shocking to Chu Shuzhi that something can damage even the Envoy's robes!

Shen Wei and Chu Shuzhi cross paths when they're both searching for Zhao Yunlan

That is such a great and understated moment when they run into each other because they're following the same trail – and then, when Shen Wei realises what Zhu Jiu not being there must mean, he just goes off and is gone before Chu Shuzhi notices!

LOL at Chu Shuzhi's body language when Zhao Yunlan welcomes Shen Wei to the SID team

He's so grumpy, I love it. :D

(And he has every reason to be suspicious of Professor Shen, of course!)

I love when Shen Wei apologizes to Chu Shuzhi

One of my favourite moments for them!

Also, that pair of screenshots of Chu Shuzhi, bare-chested and bloody on the floor, looking up at the dramatic flare of the Envoy's cloak as he leaves – amazing. So good!

When I was compiling screencaps for this post, I noticed that Ye Huo is wearing the same leather vest Chu Shuzhi is wearing in this promotional picture

Ooh, great catch! I have to say Chu Shuzhi wears it better, though – those arms! Ye Huo can't compete. *g*