Scene discussion: Zhu Hong tries to hypnotize Shen Wei in the Hanga guesthouse

[sakana17]

Context: Zhao Yunlan, Guo Changcheng, and Chu Shuzhi have gone to look for Wang Zheng. Zhao Yunlan has told Zhu Hong to stay behind and keep an eye on Shen Wei for him. Zhu Hong prevented Shen Wei from following them by pointing out that his students, who were drugged by Wang Zheng, are relying on him.

(Scene starts in Episode 10 @ 12:27-13:11)
Shen Wei descends the stairs at the Hanga guesthouse, carrying Zhao Yunlan's North Face jacket. Zhu Hong waits, sitting at a table with a tea set and a lit candle.



Shen Wei sees her, pauses, and continues toward the door, putting on the jacket. He is the picture of innocence:


Zhu Hong stands up and stops him, saying that if he goes out, it would upset her and Zhao Yunlan ("Lao Zhao"). (沈教授，你现在出去我会困扰。老赵更会困扰。)



"He regards you as a special friend. You'll keep that in mind, right?" (他可是破天荒地拿你当好朋友了，你不会没有看出来吧。)

Shen Wei:


She gestures for him to sit and pours tea.

(Episode 10 @ 15:40-16:20)
Zhu Hong moves the lit candle and places it on the table between her and Shen Wei. She tells him to look closely at the flame. (沈教授，你仔细看这团火苗)



Shen Wei looks at the flame and blinks slowly.



Zhu Hong admires the flame and tells Shen Wei to look into her eyes. (它跃动的姿态是不是很美呀？来，看着我的眼睛。)



Shen Wei turns to her, and Zhu Hong's eyes (irises) turn red.



"Forget everything else," she says. "You need to rest for a long time." (现在你什么都不要想，你需要休息，休息一下。)



Shen Wei's eyes close. Zhu Hong smirks. Oh no, she's hypnotized him!



(Episode 11 @ 15:00-15:54)
After saving Wang Zheng and freeing Sang Zan (with the help of the Black-Cloaked Envoy), Zhao Yunlan returns to the Hanga guesthouse in the evening and finds Zhu Hong asleep at the table with the tea set and lit candle.



He wakes her and asks after the others who'd been drugged by Wang Zheng and remained behind at the guesthouse. (祝红。祝红！醒醒祝红！你怎么睡着了？其他人呢？)

Zhu Hong says she checked on them before sleeping. (都在房间好好睡着呢。汪徵的药还没过劲。我检查过没事才睡的。)

Zhao Yunlan: "And Shen Wei?" (沈巍呢？) Zhu Hong looks confused. "Shen...Shen Wei?" (沈，沈巍？)



She sees the candle flame and jumps to her feet, facing Zhao Yunlan. "Shen Wei!" (沈巍！) She looks anxious. Zhao Yunlan touches her forehead and asks if she's okay. (你没事吧？)



Then Shen Wei's voice calls from upstairs, "Chief Zhao." (赵处长？) Shen Wei smiles down at him. "You've come back." (赵处长，你们回来了。)



Zhao Yunlan smiles back and they have a moment, while Zhu Hong:


Zhao Yunlan looks suspiciously from Shen Wei to Zhu Hong and back.



Shen Wei does his best to look completely unsuspicious, and Zhao Yunlan smiles.



The flashback reveal:
(Episode 11 @ 19:49-20:53)
After Zhu Hong tells Shen Wei he needs to rest, Shen Wei's eyes turn red and his eyelids are heavy.



But then he re-focuses on Zhu Hong, the red disappears, and he says, "The one who needs to rest is you." (该休息的人是你。) The red clears from Zhu Hong's eyes and she stares fixedly at Shen Wei.



Shen Wei: "Snake-eye hypnosis is your tribe's secret specialty, but it takes a lot of concentration. It can easily be turned back on the user. You cannot control it well yet. Don't use it in the future unless it is urgent." (蛇瞳催眠是蛇族的秘术。它对使用者本身的精神力有很高的要求。一旦不慎就容易被反噬。你的修为尚浅。以后不到紧要关头不要再使用了。)

Zhu Hong says she won't. (好，不用了。)

Shen Wei: "From now on, you won't pay attention to Shen Wei anymore until Zhao Yunlan comes back." (还有从现在开始，你不会再注意到沈巍这个人直到赵云澜安全地回来。)

Zhu Hong: "Shen Wei... Who is Shen Wei?" (沈巍。沈巍是谁？)

Shen Wei: "Very good." (很好。)

He gets up to leave, stops at the door, faces her, extends his arm and snaps his fingers. Zhu Hong yawns, closes her eyes, and lowers her head to the table.



* English dialogue from the solo's QCed subs
* Chinese dialogue from nnozomi


I don't have a lot of profound thoughts about this scene, but it's always been a favorite of mine.

Was I the only one who worried that Shen Wei might actually get hypnotized? (Hey, for all I knew, Yashou hypnosis could work on him!)

I love the reveal of Shen Wei (figuratively, at least) turning Zhu Hong's hypnosis back on her. Yet another Shen Wei power, but what is it, exactly? Did he simply block it and it backlashed on Zhu Hong? Does he have a power to turn it against her?

This is the second time (the first is episode 4's interrogation scene) that "ordinary human professor" Shen Wei has basically called out Zhu Hong for being young and/or inexperienced at controlling her Yashou powers. Zhu Hong must be livid.

It's interesting about the red in the eyes. Zhu Hong's turn red as she's trying to hypnotize Shen Wei. When Shen Wei's go red, it seems to be an effect of falling under the spell. Visually, it's linking them together--could it be an actual link? As soon as he re-directs his focus, it goes away.

I wonder about Shen Wei's finger snap. In Western media hypnosis tropes, the finger snap is often a signal to end the hypnotic state, but here it seems to be the signal for Zhu Hong to fall asleep. What's Shen Wei doing? What can he do? Shen Wei's powers--and all the hints/glimpses we see of them--are endlessly fascinating!

For purely shallow reasons, I like this scene because Shen Wei is adorable in his outfit of jeans, t-shirt-with-plaid-long-sleeves, and Zhao Yunlan's jacket, and Zhu Hong is 🔥🔥 in her sleek black clothes and with her hair parted and slicked. There are lots of gorgeous close-up shots of their eyes, too.

Comments

[china_shop]

I'll be back to comment properly tomorrow, but a) this is an awesome post! great scene choice! -- and b) omg, I adore how cocky Zhu Hong is at the beginning, when she thinks she's tricking Shen Wei. Look at that smirk! :D :D :D *pets her*

[sakana17]

I love her smirk!

[china_shop]

It's so good!

Oops, it took me a bit longer than I thought to get back to this. I just rewatched the scene, as well as gazing at your lovely caps again, and I particularly enjoy how, at the start, you can really see Shen Wei worrying about Zhao Yunlan and co, calculating what to do, and deciding he has to deal with Zhu Hong before he can leave. If he was really worried and felt he needed to follow the others at once, he could just time-freeze her like he did the men who were following Wu Tian'en in episode 5. Instead, he sits with her and gives her a little lesson in not overreaching her powers.

And as soon as she moves the candle, if not before, he must know what she's planning, but he plays along.

Yet another Shen Wei power, but what is it, exactly? Did he simply block it and it backlashed on Zhu Hong?

I think it's kind of important that he doesn't use his own power here, but only reflects hers back at her -- it's like the way he doesn't use his powers on the muggers, you know? I think he's very conscious of when, how and on whom he wields his power. (Also, omg, eyelashes!)

Also, he's not just furthering his own immediate agenda -- he's making sure Zhu Hong is safe in the future, and thus strengthening the SID (which supports Zhao Yunlan going forward). <3

Ah, the bit where Zhu Hong says to Shen Wei, "Shen Wei? Who is Shen Wei?" and he gives that little smile, like he sees the irony of that question. <3

I also really like how Zhao Yunlan is so quick on the uptake. It only takes a moment of Zhu Hong acting strangely for him to be suspicious -- even if Shen Wei's pleased, innocent smile does lay those suspicions to rest pretty quickly. *g*

This is the second time (the first is episode 4's interrogation scene) that "ordinary human professor" Shen Wei has basically called out Zhu Hong for being young and/or inexperienced at controlling her Yashou powers. Zhu Hong must be livid.

Haha, I think she'd be so indignant and defensive if she remembered. That must already be a sore point, going by her reaction in the interview scene!

I wonder about Shen Wei's finger snap. In Western media hypnosis tropes, the finger snap is often a signal to end the hypnotic state, but here it seems to be the signal for Zhu Hong to fall asleep. What's Shen Wei doing?

I think it's the same here? He snaps his fingers to end the trance (the bit she'll forget), and then she falls under his post-hypnotic suggestion. (I only figured this out because of the discussion here, tho.) I wonder how long she's hazy about Shen Wei for, and what she thinks if/when she notices the temporary gap in her memory...

And yes, they both look gorgeous. I especially like Shen Wei's outfit, too. :D Such a great post!

[trobadora]

I think it's kind of important that he doesn't use his own power here, but only reflects hers back at her -- it's like the way he doesn't use his powers on the muggers, you know? I think he's very conscious of when, how and on whom he wields his power.

Yeah, agreed! Oh, and I was just wondering how his using his powers on the students fits in there - do you have any thoughts on that?

I think it's the same here? He snaps his fingers to end the trance (the bit she'll forget), and then she falls under his post-hypnotic suggestion.

Oh, that makes sense!

I wonder how long she's hazy about Shen Wei for, and what she thinks if/when she notices the temporary gap in her memory...

I always thought that what she remembers is falling asleep at the table, so from her perspective there's no gap? When she wakes up she's fuzzy for a moment, but I'd think she'd put that down to the unplanned napping.

[china_shop]

Oh, and I was just wondering how his using his powers on the students fits in there - do you have any thoughts on that?

Hm, does it come down to protective vs defensive situations?

I always thought that what she remembers is falling asleep at the table, so from her perspective there's no gap? When she wakes up she's fuzzy for a moment, but I'd think she'd put that down to the unplanned napping.

Maybe? She has a strong response to hearing his name -- I'm not sure if it's unexplained alarm or worry about not having done her duty, though.

[trobadora]

Hm, does it come down to protective vs defensive situations?

I'm not sure, how were you thinking?

She has a strong response to hearing his name -- I'm not sure if it's unexplained alarm or worry about not having done her duty, though.

I thought it was just her memory kicking back in - his hypnotic instruction was to forget all about Shen Wei until Zhao Yunlan returned. (And she was all "Who's Shen Wei?" in return.) So when she goes "Shen Wei ...? Shen Wei!!!!", that's the moment when she snaps out of the hypnosis.

[china_shop]

With the muggers and Zhu Hong, he's almost passively defending himself; with the students, he's putting them to sleep to -- oh, maybe it's to free himself up to act, if he needs to?

So when she goes "Shen Wei ...? Shen Wei!!!!", that's the moment when she snaps out of the hypnosis.

The moment the post-hypnotic suggestion stops (I'd forgotten he put an end-point on it, oops). But then why the alarm/strong reaction? That can't be deliberate on Shen Wei's part, because it's an obvious give-away. I think it might be an "I fell asleep and left suspicious!Shen Wei free to do whatever, when I was supposed to be keeping an eye on him" reaction?

[trobadora]

oh, maybe it's to free himself up to act, if he needs to?

Oh, yes, I think that's it! He's making sure he can act as needed.

I think it might be an "I fell asleep and left suspicious!Shen Wei free to do whatever, when I was supposed to be keeping an eye on him" reaction?

Yeah, that makes sense! When her memory kicks in, it must be a real "oops, fuck, I was supposed to stand guard and I fell asleep?!" moment for her ... poor Zhu Hong!

[china_shop]

When her memory kicks in, it must be a real "oops, fuck, I was supposed to stand guard and I fell asleep?!" moment for her ... poor Zhu Hong!

Yeah, especially when she was boasting about Snake metabolisms earlier. I always interpret her look over the shoulder during the drinking scene as mostly jealousy, but maybe there's still some suspicion in it.

[trobadora]

Yeah, I think a good helping of both jealousy and suspicion make sense!

[autodach]

Love this scene ❤
Lots of good close-ups of both Shen Wei and Zhu Hong! And The Jacket is there too! ❤


Snake-eye hypnosis is your tribe's secret specialty, but it takes a lot of concentration. It can easily be turned back on the user. You cannot control it well yet

He just can’t hold back from lecturing a little, can he? XD


Yet another Shen Wei power, but what is it, exactly? Did he simply block it and it backlashed on Zhu Hong? Does he have a power to turn it against her?

Since Shen Wei talks about hypnosis being turned on the user like it’s a general thing that can happen, I assumed this isn’t a Dixingren power he has collected, but Zhu Hong’s own Snake powers being used on her.
If other strong-willed individuals could potentially do the same, it makes sense that he would prevent her from using hypnosis carelessly.

Following that line of thought, how is Shen Wei so good at deflecting Snake hypnosis? Is he just that awesome, or did he learn this on purpose? Maybe from Fu You? Hm…

[trobadora]

He just can’t hold back from lecturing a little, can he? XD

Hee, yes! Once a professor, always a professor. *g*

Since Shen Wei talks about hypnosis being turned on the user like it’s a general thing that can happen, I assumed this isn’t a Dixingren power he has collected, but Zhu Hong’s own Snake powers being used on her.

Yeah, that's how I understood it too!

Following that line of thought, how is Shen Wei so good at deflecting Snake hypnosis? Is he just that awesome, or did he learn this on purpose?

I think the implication is that anyone can theoretically do it, so he doesn't need to be especially awesome here, IMO, only aware enough to know that's a thing that's possible to do. Presumably he has at least theoretical knowledge of Snake powers going right back to Fu You, yeah ...

[anne]

Oh, the finger-snap. Heipaoshi-daren in Shen Wei's clothes is always *chef's kiss*!

[sakana17]

Yes, I love it! <3

[trobadora]

Oooh, this is a delightful choice, I love this scene! The way we only find out what really happened in a flashback afterwards is so Guardian. :D

This is an interesting look for Zhu Hong, isn't it? The gelled hair, the jacket … the cocky/smug expression. *g* Zhu Hong using Zhao Yunlan's feelings for Shen Wei to attempt to manipulate Shen Wei is such an interesting approach, too, and I'm fascinated that in the original she mentions how unusual it is for Zhao Yunlan to be like that (破天荒!) ... and Shen Wei is definitely having some kind of reaction to that.

Shen Wei, as you say, is at first giving his best "who, me? I'm just an innocent, ordinary teacher, nothing to see here." So good! I also really love that he takes Zhao Yunlan's jacket with him and deliberately puts it on again, even though he doesn't actually need it and in fact not much later switches to his robes anyway. ♥

He's going along with what Zhu Hong is doing, too – sitting down with her rather than ignoring her and leaving anyway, letting her try to hypnotise him ...

And damn, Zhu Hong looks gorgeous with those red eyes and her red lips; the colour really suits her.

In the second scene, her confusion when Shen Wei's name is mentioned makes for such a good mini-mystery! Not at all suspicious, LOL, no wonder Zhao Yunlan makes that face at Shen Wei. *g*

I always loved the reveal that he threw Zhu Hong's hypnosis back at her, and the implication that she's not proficient enough yet to use it safely. It's so interesting to follow this and see that she really doesn't use it lightly any more after this, because his reverse-hypnosis took.

The finger-snap is also great, showing just how powerful Shen Wei is!

I love the reveal of Shen Wei (figuratively, at least) turning Zhu Hong's hypnosis back on her. Yet another Shen Wei power, but what is it, exactly? Did he simply block it and it backlashed on Zhu Hong? Does he have a power to turn it against her?

I didn't take it to be figurative; I took it to be literal. He says the hypnosis power can easily be turned back on the wielder, so I assumed anyone with enough willpower can do it – hence his making sure she doesn't use it too lightly, because it would endanger her. My understanding is that he reflects her own power back at her and uses it to hypnotise her instead.

This is the second time (the first is episode 4's interrogation scene) that "ordinary human professor" Shen Wei has basically called out Zhu Hong for being young and/or inexperienced at controlling her Yashou powers. Zhu Hong must be livid.

I'm not sure Zhu Hong remembers this incident? I always thought she only remembered the bits we originally saw, and she's not aware of what happened during the flashback because he hypnotised her and made sure of it. So she doesn't know why she's stopped using hypnosis, but she's more aware of the danger because of what he said – it's all embedded in her subconscious.

It's interesting about the red in the eyes. Zhu Hong's turn red as she's trying to hypnotize Shen Wei. When Shen Wei's go red, it seems to be an effect of falling under the spell. Visually, it's linking them together--could it be an actual link? As soon as he re-directs his focus, it goes away.

I think the red is the power she uses on him - it appears in his eyes as it begins to take, and it leaving his eyes is him throwing it back at her.

[sakana17]

The way we only find out what really happened in a flashback afterwards is so Guardian.

Yes! Another reason why it's one of my favorites. :D

He says the hypnosis power can easily be turned back on the wielder, so I assumed anyone with enough willpower can do it – hence his making sure she doesn't use it too lightly, because it would endanger her.

Yeah, that's basically how I thought of it. Writing it up, it occurred to me it could be a "power," not so much a Dixing power, but yeah, like Shen Wei's willpower or mental fortitude to resist.

I always thought she only remembered the bits we originally saw, and she's not aware of what happened during the flashback because he hypnotised her and made sure of it.

Ah yeah, more properly meant to say that Zhu Hong would be livid if she remembered any of it later (before she found out who Shen Wei is). :-/ Argh, I should stick with picspams because I always say really dumb things otherwise.

[trobadora]

Yes! Another reason why it's one of my favorites. :D

Right? :D

Ah yeah, more properly meant to say that Zhu Hong would be livid if she remembered any of it later (before she found out who Shen Wei is). :-/ Argh, I should stick with picspams because I always say really dumb things otherwise.

Nonono, don't worry about it, sorry for being nitpicky! It's a really good point - I'd never really thought about it that he called her out like that twice. Now I wonder if she ever regains that memory ...

I've also been thinking about what you said about Shen Wei snapping his fingers to make her fall asleep, and I know I've seen finger snap-triggered magic in cdramas before, but damned if I can come up with any actual instances. It would be super interesting to compare Chinese vs. Western tropes there!

[sakana17]

I know I've seen finger snap-triggered magic in cdramas before, but damned if I can come up with any actual instances. It would be super interesting to compare Chinese vs. Western tropes there!

Oh, that would be very cool! If you come across more examples, let us know.

(Maybe it's not always used the same way in Western media...?)

[trobadora]

Will do!

(I'm sure there's variation - there has to be - but it would be so cool to see what patterns emerge, if any!)

[marycrawford]

The Hanga eps have some of the best innocent!Shen Wei moments, as well as delicious code switching, and I'm deeply in love with that first Shen Wei screencap where he's holding the crucial jacket in his hands. He is a sweet harmless guileless professor, polite to snake ladies and as harmless as a man can be. He's just going out, he may be some time! O_O

[sakana17]

I love all the innocent Shen Wei moments in the Hanga arc. ♥ I'm sure Zhu Hong thought hypnotizing him would be easy-peasy. He's just a harmless professor!