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sid_guardian2024-11-23 09:43 am
cathyw) wrote in sid_guardian2024-11-23 09:43 am
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Guardian readalong: chapters 5 and 6
Hello! Welcome back (or just welcome!) to our readalong of Guardian! Whatever translation you're reading, whatever language you're reading it in, please join in our discussion!
Our story so far:
Prologue, chapters 1 and 2
Chapters 3 and 4
... and today we're on to chapters 5 and 6 in the official English translation, or chapters 10-11 in the current JJWXC Chinese text or the most widely-distributed English fan translation.
Chapter 5: Shen Wei has a parting exchange with Zhao Yunlan; Zhao Yunlan sends Guo Changcheng on a mission.
Chapter 6: Guo Changcheng, Da Qing, and Shen Wei visit Li Qian in the student clinic.
Some excerpts:
1) Shen Wei has Zhao Yunlan's number
... Shen Wei couldn't help looking back, even though the person he wanted to see had already disappeared from view. When he looked through his phone's contacts, he found a flirtatious "a-Lan" innocently displayed on the screen. As he silently drank in those two syllables, he felt as though a knife were slipping cleanly through his heart, turning the softest part to a bloody pulp. Finally, his narrow lips locked the words away where no one could hear them.
Shen Wei lifted his fingers and caught the faint scent of Zhao Yunlan's cologne. Closing his eyes, he took a slow, deep breath. He didn't know what cologne it might be, but from the very first whiff, it was as if the scent had been haunting his dreams for years on end.
2) Zhao Yunlan gives a motivational speech
Director Zhao had never had to deal with such a weirdo. There was no way out of this excruciating situation but to push through, no matter how much internal damage he had to suffer in silence. He forced himself into an enigmatic, leaderly stance and said "You did great. That was very detailed. You have potential."
Guo Changcheng's head snapped up. The man before him was gazing down with a pleasant, kind smile wreathing his face. His eyes and brows were more beautiful than Guo Changcheng could express. Those few words flooded him with warmth and strength, and his face went red. His boss was way too good to him - so good that Guo Changcheng suddenly understood the ancient saying, "A man is willing to die for the one who truly understands him." If Director Zhao cherished and valued him like that, even his life wouldn't be too great a sacrifice.
And so, Guo Changcheng voluntarily took on a task even more difficult for him than dying: calling and interacting with strangers.
3) Guo Changcheng is not the best bereavement counselor
Guo Changcheng tugged foolishly at his hair. He'd been able to say so much for once out of sympathy. He was on the verge of admiring himself. "Come on, don't cry. When my grandma first passed away, I thought my world was collapsing too. I remember thinking, now I'll never get the chance to be a filial grandson again, so what's the point of studying and working hard? Back then I would even have traded my life for hers, but..." He sighed. "Anyway, I'm not good with words. I just mean don't be sad. Our relatives who have passed away are still watching over us."
It would have been better if he'd stopped talking while he was ahead. At his last sentences, Li Qian began to shake and sob loudly. It was quickly clear that she was unable to stop, so badly out of it that her hands and feet were twitching unconsciously. Shen Wei hurried to get the doctor. Guo Changcheng, who had never seen someone so utterly devastated, could only stand aside helplessly.
Questions:
Is Zhao Yunlan a good boss? (a good cop? a good Guardian?) Do you find him likeable so far? How about Changcheng? As always, share your favorite bits, comparisons with the drama, comparisons between editions, or whatever other thoughts, feelings, or wordless squeeing you feel moved to.
Schedule and hosting signup.
Our story so far:
Prologue, chapters 1 and 2
Chapters 3 and 4
... and today we're on to chapters 5 and 6 in the official English translation, or chapters 10-11 in the current JJWXC Chinese text or the most widely-distributed English fan translation.
Chapter 5: Shen Wei has a parting exchange with Zhao Yunlan; Zhao Yunlan sends Guo Changcheng on a mission.
Chapter 6: Guo Changcheng, Da Qing, and Shen Wei visit Li Qian in the student clinic.
Some excerpts:
1) Shen Wei has Zhao Yunlan's number
... Shen Wei couldn't help looking back, even though the person he wanted to see had already disappeared from view. When he looked through his phone's contacts, he found a flirtatious "a-Lan" innocently displayed on the screen. As he silently drank in those two syllables, he felt as though a knife were slipping cleanly through his heart, turning the softest part to a bloody pulp. Finally, his narrow lips locked the words away where no one could hear them.
Shen Wei lifted his fingers and caught the faint scent of Zhao Yunlan's cologne. Closing his eyes, he took a slow, deep breath. He didn't know what cologne it might be, but from the very first whiff, it was as if the scent had been haunting his dreams for years on end.
2) Zhao Yunlan gives a motivational speech
Director Zhao had never had to deal with such a weirdo. There was no way out of this excruciating situation but to push through, no matter how much internal damage he had to suffer in silence. He forced himself into an enigmatic, leaderly stance and said "You did great. That was very detailed. You have potential."
Guo Changcheng's head snapped up. The man before him was gazing down with a pleasant, kind smile wreathing his face. His eyes and brows were more beautiful than Guo Changcheng could express. Those few words flooded him with warmth and strength, and his face went red. His boss was way too good to him - so good that Guo Changcheng suddenly understood the ancient saying, "A man is willing to die for the one who truly understands him." If Director Zhao cherished and valued him like that, even his life wouldn't be too great a sacrifice.
And so, Guo Changcheng voluntarily took on a task even more difficult for him than dying: calling and interacting with strangers.
3) Guo Changcheng is not the best bereavement counselor
Guo Changcheng tugged foolishly at his hair. He'd been able to say so much for once out of sympathy. He was on the verge of admiring himself. "Come on, don't cry. When my grandma first passed away, I thought my world was collapsing too. I remember thinking, now I'll never get the chance to be a filial grandson again, so what's the point of studying and working hard? Back then I would even have traded my life for hers, but..." He sighed. "Anyway, I'm not good with words. I just mean don't be sad. Our relatives who have passed away are still watching over us."
It would have been better if he'd stopped talking while he was ahead. At his last sentences, Li Qian began to shake and sob loudly. It was quickly clear that she was unable to stop, so badly out of it that her hands and feet were twitching unconsciously. Shen Wei hurried to get the doctor. Guo Changcheng, who had never seen someone so utterly devastated, could only stand aside helplessly.
Questions:
Is Zhao Yunlan a good boss? (a good cop? a good Guardian?) Do you find him likeable so far? How about Changcheng? As always, share your favorite bits, comparisons with the drama, comparisons between editions, or whatever other thoughts, feelings, or wordless squeeing you feel moved to.
Schedule and hosting signup.
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Yes! And it also struck me that when ZYL says he'll treat SW to a meal, novel!SW says nothing, but drama!SW says it should be his treat instead. Such a shift - and emblematic of the difference in their early dynamic, novel!SW holding back so hard while drama!SW is deliberately putting himself into ZYL's path and drawing his attention. (I really love the drama's version, and don't appreciate the novel's nearly as much, even though I know the drama's version would make no sense in the novel's context.)
I know the mystery is part of the draw, but I really wish there were more hint of Shen Wei's motivations sooner, because it completely changes his character if you know why he's holding back so hard. (In particular, I can't believe the Shen San extra is an extra, and not part of the novel proper.)
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense to me! But on the other hand, that's one of those things that makes rereads so good, right? Recontextualising things. (I wonder how the Shen San extra could have been integrated into the novel ... I love the idea!)
This gives me such drama!"Envoy mode" vibes. *hearts*
YES! It's described exactly as it looks on screen. Such perfect adaptation! :D :D :D
Wait, is ZYL not mortal?
I was wondering about that, too. What qualifies him as not mortal, at this point?
Aww, the "Shen Wei brings Li Qian food in the hospital" scene in the drama is lifted straight from the novel. I love it! The main difference is Shen Wei luring Daqing to join them. :D
And novel!Daqing being lured by milk, whereas drama!Da Qing sits there (in cat form, too!) grouching abouit how suspicious Shen Wei is for showing interest in Zhao Yunlan, and how he has to warn Zhao Yunlan. (I love protective!Da Qing! But would it have been even better if he'd had to resist the lure of food to be protective? *g*)
"Daqing silently face-pawed" -- I wonder if that's supposed to be literal... :D
I took it that way!
As they reached the room where Li Qian was resting, Shen Wei burst out laughing.
Was he teasing Xiao Guo??? This seems so random and at odds with his drama characterisation. I don't really get it.
It reads very strangely! He's laughing at Xiao-Guo saying of course he's afraid of his boss, and amusement makes sense, but bursting out laughing is a bit much, LOL. I went and checked the Chinese version on JJWXC, and it says 失笑 - the dictionary defines it as "to laugh in spite of oneself / to be unable to help laughing / to break into laughter", some of which would definitely have been better choices here.
I also note that the official translation differs from the Chinese text in other ways here, and the switched order definitely makes it read more weirdly:
Chinese: 沈巍失笑，知道从他这里也问不出什么，就不再折磨他，两人一起到了李茜休息的病房。
Google Translate adjusted/edited by me: Shen Wei couldn't help but laugh. Knowing that he couldn't get anything out of him, he stopped torturing him, and the two of them went to the room where Li Qian was resting.
Official translation: As they reached the room where Li Qian was resting, Shen Wei burst out laughing.
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I think there's been a reference to him being born with his third eye open, so he can see ghosts?
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Yeah, that translation makes much more sense. Thanks for the definition of 失笑, I hadn’t know the term and originally interpreted it as “lost his smile.” Makes a big difference.
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Oh, good point. Yeah. And you're right, the drama reaction wouldn't work in this context, but I too much prefer it.
But on the other hand, that's one of those things that makes rereads so good, right? Recontextualising things.
I guess so. I feel like some of the misdirect inevitably tends to stick...
I was wondering about that, too. What qualifies him as not mortal, at this point?
Maybe being born with the Soul-Guarding Order gives him certain supernatural powers? Or maybe he just identifies with all his non-human staff to the point where he doesn't consider himself an ordinary human anymore?
I love protective!Da Qing! But would it have been even better if he'd had to resist the lure of food to be protective? *g*
LOL! But would he have?
Oh, thank you so much for that re-translation! Your version works much better for me. <3
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Yeah, I guess that must be what they mean! Even though strictly speaking he has to be mortal, or he couldn't keep reincarnating ...
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