sid_guardian | Guardian readalong: chapters 13 & 14

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Guardian readalong: chapters 13 & 14

Hi, welcome back to two more chapters of Guardian! Or welcome aboard, if you're just joining in. :)

Last week's post (chapters 11 & 12) is here, and you can find all previous chapter discussions on the schedule post or via the !readalong tag.

This week's chapters:

Chapter 13: Guo Changcheng's secret merits are explained, Zhao Yunlan single-mindedly ~~stalks~~ pursues Shen Wei, and in the Netherworld, the Emissary's loyalties are questioned.
Chapter 14: Zhao Yunlan meets Shen Wei for their "date", is turned down, gives himself a stomach ache, and runs into Shen Wei being mugged.

This roughly equals chapters 21-22 in the Chinese version on JJWXC and the fan translation, but the two versions diverge significantly this time - there, the gastritis and the mugging come on the day before the planned date, and rather than parting, they go out to eat afterwards.

Excerpts

It was quite hard to choose this time - there's a lot happening in these two chapters!

1) We meet Chu Shuzhi at last!

There was one more member of the criminal investigation unit besides the gorgeous snake lady, the fake monk, and the black cat. Two weeks after the Hunger Ghost incident, this last colleague finally returned from a work trip, worn out from his travels. He sat in the corner for a whole afternoon, silently filling out reimbursement forms, and then put his head on his desk and fell asleep until Director Zhao heard he was back and personally sent him home.

The nameplate on the man's desk said "Chu Shuzhi." Everyone called him "Chu-ge," but Guo Changcheng didn't have the nerve to strike up a conversation. Chu Shuzhi looked around the same age as Lin Jing. He was so skinny that his cheeks were hollow-just skin stretched over bone. It gave him a ferocious look. His brows were always furrowed, and it might have just been Guo Changcheng's imagination, but any time Chu Shuzhi laid eyes on him, that furrow seemed to deepen.

2) How to hit-and-run your crush into a date

"Hey, hear me out." Zhao Yunlan stopped him and earnestly said, "These aren't gifts from me. They're from a friend who's planning to emigrate. He owns so many ancient tomes! Some are even made of silk or bamboo strips. He can't take them with him, and he couldn't bear the thought of giving them away. What if they wound up with someone who didn't appreciate how precious they are? But I thought of you immediately. It would be such a waste for them to fall into someone else's hands. Giving them a good home would be a real favor, Shen-laoshi." Like the silver-tongued devil he was, he kept a straight face while lying through his teeth.

"I-" Shen Wei began, but he only managed that one word before Zhao Yunlan cut him off again.

"What is it? You and I are so close now, but are we even friends if you won't do this little thing for me? Now, I have dinner plans, so I have to go, but I'll see you soon! Take care of the books for me and I'll buy you dinner tomorrow. Make sure you show up!"

He stepped on the gas and drove off without giving Shen Wei a chance to speak. The plan had worked beautifully: he'd given the gift and scored a date. He even started to whistle.

3) The Emissary's loyalties are questioned

"Isn't the Soul-Executing Emissary the protector of the Great Seal?" a reaper asked.

"The Soul-Executing Emissary?" The Magistrate's laugh was cold. "The Emissary comes from the same place as the Chaos King of the Gui. The only reason he wasn't trapped behind the Great Seal with his Chaos King brother was that the Mountain God of the Great Wild elevated him to demigodhood. Do you really believe he'll stand against his own kind? We don't even know how the Chaos King of the Gui laid his hands on the Reincarnation Dial."

4) Zhao Yunlan encounters Shen Wei's pendant

Of its own volition, Zhao Yunlan's gaze came to rest on Shen Wei's pendant. It was a hollow crystal sphere, illuminated by something inside. It might have been made from some sort of fluorescent material. Zhao Yunlan had never seen such a warm, unique light. He almost felt as if the sphere contained a living flame. For no reason he could discern, his heart flooded with familiarity and fondness.

It wasn't until Shen Wei covered it with a hand that Zhao Yunlan realized he'd been staring for far too long.

Questions

Would you like to work at the SID? Any thoughts about Guo Changcheng's extracurricular activities? What do you think about Zhao Yunlan's behaviour towards Shen Wei? Could you follow what's going on in the Netherworld?

Any lines that particularly struck you in these chapters? Favourite bits? If you've read more than one version of these chapters, which do you like better? Thoughts about how the book con, the mugging and the gastritis episode were adapted for the drama?

(As usual, these are just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like!)

Our schedule (and there'll be a new post for more chapters soon, where you'll be able to sign-up to host a post)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So, first off, I have to say I'm quite baffled by the differences between the two versions! I think events flow better in the official translation. And I really appreciate that Shen Wei gets to turn Zhao Yunlan down before anything else happens, and that Zhao Yunlan takes it gracefully enough.

(Sorry for the negativity, but I'm still at "nope, DNW" on Zhao Yunlan asking Shen Wei out at all after - as far as he knows - wiping his memory, much less pursuing him so relentlessly. The narrative calls Zhao Yunlan narcisstic, and yeah, that's how he comes across - very unpleasant and IMO not at all conducive to shipping. But thanks to the rejection, it's at least not quite as offputting in this version.)

The book con is very different from the drama, where Zhao Yunlan hams it up and lies to Shen Wei about the books being from his own grandfather, then is promptly called on the whole thing, leading to Shen Wei walking away. Here, he's using the books to put Shen Wei in his debt and force a date - and gets away with it via hit-and-run gift-giving. (LOL! That should be hilarious, and I'd like to be more amused by it, but I'm too frustrated with Zhao Yunlan.) He does get turned down when they meet, but he doesn't get called on his shenanigans, and he really deserves it! I much prefer the drama version.

And both in the drama and in the official translation, Zhao Yunlan drinking too much and eating too little makes sense in the aftermath of rejection, which makes me wonder which version of the text the drama scriptwriters were working with! Seems like in this case, it would have been the one that ended up in the official translation - but then there are bits that definitely seem to come from the other one, so perhaps there's an in-between version as well?!

More random thoughts:

I love the description of Zhu Hong eating sliced meat like crisps, dipping them in blood!

Glad to finally see Chu Shuzhi, even if we don't learn much about him yet! It's also fascinating to me that in the drama, he's very much paired with Guo Changcheng almost from the start, and here he isn't at all so far.

The nameplate on the man's desk said "Chu Shuzhi." Everyone called him "Chu-ge," but Guo Changcheng didn't have the nerve to strike up a conversation.

This is so completely different from the drama, too! There, he's the outsider in the SID at the start, the only Dixingren, and not quite fully part of the team (the only one not present for the popcorn scene, for example!) - absolutely no one there would call him Chu-ge; it's only Guo Changcheng who calls him that. It's Guo Changcheng who comes in and attaches himself to Chu Shuzhi and draws him further into the group. But then, that entire thematic complex around bigotry against Dixingren is (obviously) not present in the novel.

Guo Changcheng's contributions to the poverty alleviation program, volunteer photographs, and commemorative donation albums. The list went on. There was also a photocopy of a photo, which showed a postcard hanging on the wall of a mountain elementary school. In a disastrous scrawl, it read "Take care, you guys."

So, after seeing Guo Changcheng's merits, Zhao Yunlan apparently did some research, which changed his mind on Guo Changcheng. Very cool! Do we think drama!Guo Changcheng also does the same? And does drama!Zhao Yunlan know?

Anyone else would have taken a step back by now, but Zhao Yunlan wasn't just anyone. He was a first-class narcissist and still had the absolute conviction that Shen Wei felt a tug of attraction for him. He was tired of people throwing themselves at him, so Shen Wei's behavior was a turn-on. The more reserved and passive the professor was, the hotter Zhao Yunlan's heart burned.

Ugh. He's not wrong about Shen Wei's feelings, but still, ugh. Very not my trope.

I'm a bit surprised by how shocked everyone in the Netherworld is by the very idea of the Mountain-River Awl resurfacing, as if that wasn't an obvious thing to worry about after one of the Hallows turned up?

And of course the Envoy knows who has the Reincarnation Dial!

Also, we learn a little about the Envoy's origins, and the Great Seal, and the Magistrate calls the Envoy's loyalties in question. The mythology is basically just an infodump at this point, but there are tantalising hints, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. (I remember the last time I tried to read the novel, I found it all very confusing, but I know more about Chinese mythology now than I did six years ago, and the official translation is also clearer, from what I can tell so far ...)

A sigh came from the Yanluo Courts. "Then we can only try to wake the Mountain God."

!!!!!

He'd styled his hair early in the day, and his knee-length coat was crisply ironed. The stylish look highlighted his broad shoulders and slim waist, lending him the gallantry of an immortal tree standing against the wind. Just as he was about to set out, this fine specimen of a tree remembered the final touch and gave his neck a quick spritz of Oud Wood cologne. Satisfied that he was a feast for all the senses, he strode off to inflict himself on the world.

LOLOLOL!

"I, ah..." Shen Wei's voice cracked. "I have only the greatest admiration for you, Officer Zhao." He cleared his throat before continuing. "But I may have inadvertently-perhaps I somehow gave the wrong impression. I'm very sorry."

All along, Zhao Yunlan's narcissistic assumption had never wavered. Now he was broadsided by the declaration that it had all been in his head.

I'm cheering for Shen Wei turning him down!

(Yes, I really love it in the drama when Shen Wei walks away from Zhao Yunlan at the book con, not willing to put up with that bullshit. *g*)

It was also clear to him now that his feelings for Shen Wei were sincere.

But falling for someone was no big deal, he reminded himself. In the big city, it could happen eight times a day. If someone wasn't interested, you backed off. You didn't get clingy or make a scene. That was basic social etiquette.

A sincere crush, maybe. He barely knows Shen Wei at this point! But good for him for taking the rejection with some grace.

It was a classic bachelor existence: he made himself presentable to face the world, but the apartment was a disaster zone. Everything about his home felt frivolous.

The drama's set design got that vibe across so well! :D

When the weekend rolled around and Zhao Yunlan had been AWOL from everything but work for a whole week, his friends came and excavated him. They all drank until his soul left his body. Once he'd dragged himself home, he was out cold until noon the next day.

Awww! Also, I'm not sure drama!Zhao Yunlan has friends like that who'd drag him out drinking - anyone have thoughts about that?

I love the glimpse at Shen Wei's pendant, and Zhao Yunlan's reaction to it! Also, the entire mugging scene is pretty closely adapted in the drama.

Five minutes later, he was on the phone with the nearest police station, telling them to hurry up and collect the perps.

Ha! I've been bothered forever by drama!Zhao Yunlan not getting the muggers arrested! Really interesting that he did in the novel. So I guess that was skipped in the drama deliberately, so they could then be killed, and the place turned into a crime scene ...?

Shen Wei's eyes shadowed. Quietly, he said, "In a city this large, two people could live in the same neighborhood and never meet. That's what it means to not share fate, I suppose."

I do love that they part without Zhao Yunlan trying to ingratiate himself further, and that at the very end of the chapter it's Shen Wei looking back and seeing Zhao Yunlan in pain that (in the next chapter) brings him back.

But the other version has Shen Wei say, "It's a big city after all, two people may never meet one another even if they live close by. But some day, perhaps they will start seeing each other all the time. I guess that is fate." which is much closer to a line the drama uses elsewhere (after Shen Wei moves in opposite Zhao Yunlan, and they run into each other outside) ...

The book con is very different from the drama, where Zhao Yunlan hams it up and lies to Shen Wei about the books being from his own grandfather, then is promptly called on the whole thing, leading to Shen Wei walking away.

I’m still convinced they came up with the grandfather lie just to give Shen Wei a reason to thoroughly reject both the gift and Zhao Yunlan, to still have a similar outcome for the scene when romantic rejection is not on the table.

I love the description of Zhu Hong eating sliced meat like crisps, dipping them in blood!

A very cool detail!

Do we think drama!Guo Changcheng also does the same? And does drama!Zhao Yunlan know?

I like to think he does, and it just never comes up. And if novel!Yunlan researches his new hire, surely his drama counterpart would do the same?

He's not wrong about Shen Wei's feelings, but still, ugh.

Infuriating when someone’s unfounded assumption gets proven right, isn’t it? XD

Also, I'm not sure drama!Zhao Yunlan has friends like that who'd drag him out drinking - anyone have thoughts about that?

He doesn’t seem to have friends outside the SID in the drama. Being friendly with people, yes, but no actual friends. Hm, I don’t think I ever noticed that until now.
Of course we could chalk it up to no budget for the extra actors…

I’m still convinced they came up with the grandfather lie just to give Shen Wei a reason to thoroughly reject both the gift and Zhao Yunlan, to still have a similar outcome for the scene when romantic rejection is not on the table.

Yeah, that would make sense! Because drama!Shen Wei doesn't have novel!Shen Wei's reasons for keeping his distance, and while he's keeping secrets, he's very up for spending time with Zhao Yunlan. The drama did really well integrating that beat into the early character arcs, with Zhao Yunlan still allergic to being sincere and shooting himself in the foot that way!

I like to think he does, and it just never comes up. And if novel!Yunlan researches his new hire, surely his drama counterpart would do the same?

I thought novel!Zhao Yunlan did it because he'd literally seen Xiao-Guo's merits with his third eye, an advantage drama!Zhao Yunlan doesn't have. *g* But it would make sense for him to research the newbie anyway, I think.

He doesn’t seem to have friends outside the SID in the drama. Being friendly with people, yes, but no actual friends.

Yeah, that's my impression too! I do like that about him, though, that he's good at being social when he needs to be but doesn't actually make real connections much.

The drama did really well integrating that beat into the early character arcs

Right? I love it so much♥

he'd literally seen Xiao-Guo's merits with his third eye

Ah, you're right, of course. That third eye does come in handy XD

I do like that about him, though, that he's good at being social when he needs to be but doesn't actually make real connections much.

It's a good bit of characterization. He's the kind of person you can have the most pleasant conversation with, and then later realize he gave you nothing. As you said, he's allergic to sincerity.

I’m still convinced they came up with the grandfather lie just to give Shen Wei a reason to thoroughly reject both the gift and Zhao Yunlan, to still have a similar outcome for the scene when romantic rejection is not on the table.

Oh, such a good point! That works!

He doesn’t seem to have friends outside the SID in the drama. Being friendly with people, yes, but no actual friends.

I've always felt like, in the drama, ZYL has very few friendships, but they're deep and close, whereas Shen Wei has a wide acquaintanceship but doesn't let anyone in...

I've always felt like, in the drama, ZYL has very few friendships, but they're deep and close, whereas Shen Wei has a wide acquaintanceship but doesn't let anyone in...

I think pre-canon, ZYL had Da Qing, and Shen Wei didn't have anyone he was actively close to. Shen Wei had more people he was superficially friendly with in a keep-in-touch kind of way, and ZYL had more people he was superficially friendly with in a politicking/schmoozing kind of way.

Post-canon (in a world where they survive or come back quickly), they both have the rest of the team, and SW presumably also has Li Qian and Cheng Xinyan (neither of whom he needs to hold himself back with the way he used to).

and ZYL had more people he was superficially friendly with in a politicking/schmoozing kind of way.

I guess the difference is that I think of those as people who he might run into in the course of business, but not people he'd go out of his way to see or drink with unless he had a work-related motive. Whereas Shen Wei socialises -- he might well have tea with Chen Xinyan, definitely has phonecalls with old classmates (about science subjects that aren't his field of study), hangs out with Professor Zhou, etc. You know?

Yeah, I completely agree with you on all of that!

I only have the official translation, so thanks for the compare-and-contrast with the fan translation!

1000% agreed about preferring the drama version of the book con, but then, that's always been one of my favourite scenes for ZYL-character reasons, none of which really apply here. ;-p

And both in the drama and in the official translation, Zhao Yunlan drinking too much and eating too little makes sense in the aftermath of rejection

Agreed! Maybe the drama scriptwriters adapted the original that way, and the official translation decided to copy them? (Is that possible?)

This is so completely different from the drama, too! There, he's the outsider in the SID at the start, the only Dixingren, and not quite fully part of the team (the only one not present for the popcorn scene, for example!) - absolutely no one there would call him Chu-ge; it's only Guo Changcheng who calls him that.

Yes, I was thinking that, too. Everyone in the drama calls him Lao Chu (possibly including Shen Wei??).

Do we think drama!Guo Changcheng also does the same? And does drama!Zhao Yunlan know?

I don't think so. Drama!GCC gets to prove himself in the field, to some degree, versus the novel where the SID is just sitting around for months kicking its heels.

Ugh. He's not wrong about Shen Wei's feelings, but still, ugh. Very not my trope.

Yeah, I think on my first read-through I was very DDDDDD: about novel!ZYL. I'm a bit better this time because my expectations are lower, but I'm still put off by all this. (Though I'm not as bothered by the mind-wiping as you are; I think the entire SID would consider that just business as usual, and it's obligatory, after all.)

I'm a bit surprised by how shocked everyone in the Netherworld is by the very idea of the Mountain-River Awl resurfacing, as if that wasn't an obvious thing to worry about after one of the Hallows turned up?

Maybe it's the difference between an isolated incident (which is what they'd been assuming), and the beginning of a rupture? Or maybe it's just that the Emissary is talking about it, and they're hearing it as a threat? Idk. It can't help that the Emissary doesn't seem to react to their panic, either.

Yes, I really love it in the drama when Shen Wei walks away from Zhao Yunlan at the book con, not willing to put up with that bullshit. *g*

It's so good! And such a necessary part of ZYL's character development, in both canons.

The drama's set design got that vibe across so well! :D

It really did!!

Also, I'm not sure drama!Zhao Yunlan has friends like that who'd drag him out drinking - anyone have thoughts about that?

I agree. I think drama!ZYL's "friends" consist of acquaintances and Da Qing. And, over time, the SID team.

I've been bothered forever by drama!Zhao Yunlan not getting the muggers arrested! Really interesting that he did in the novel.

Yes!! And good point about the plot necessity of still having the muggers at large in the drama.

So interesting about the differences between the "fate" lines! The second one is closer to the line in episode 6, when they're searching SW's apartment and drama!DQ quotes his "former owner": "In this world, two people can be so close, but have never seen each other. But maybe one day, they will begin to see each other every day. Destiny is unpredictable." (I looked it up before I finished reading your comment, so here. *g*)

Edited 2024-12-30 23:34 (UTC)

but then, that's always been one of my favourite scenes for ZYL-character reasons, none of which really apply here. ;-p

Yeah, that's very true. I do love how the drama built a whole new character arc by puzzling together bits of the novel in different ways! It's really, really well done.

Maybe the drama scriptwriters adapted the original that way, and the official translation decided to copy them? (Is that possible?)

No, I'm sure the translation is working from an extant Chinese version, just not the one that's online. So, a later revision, I guess, probably for one of the print versions. It sounds likely that the drama writers also worked off it here. (Maybe the drama writers worked with both the original online version and a revised print version? That seems likeliest to me, now that I think about it.)

Everyone in the drama calls him Lao Chu (possibly including Shen Wei??).

I don't remember Shen Wei calling him Lao-Chu?

I don't think so. Drama!GCC gets to prove himself in the field, to some degree, versus the novel where the SID is just sitting around for months kicking its heels.

That would explain why they didn't feel the need to add that background in the drama! But he could still be doing this stuff. I think fic sometimes leans into it? (I don't read very much GCC fic, but I'm sure I've seen it.)

Yeah, I think on my first read-through I was very DDDDDD: about novel!ZYL. I'm a bit better this time because my expectations are lower, but I'm still put off by all this.

Yeah, the first time, ZYL was the reason I bounced off the novel so hard. I'm doing better with it this time because I'm better able to divorce it from the drama and look at it as its own thing.

(Though I'm not as bothered by the mind-wiping as you are; I think the entire SID would consider that just business as usual, and it's obligatory, after all.)

I'm not really bothered by the mind-wiping qua mind-wiping, but the combination of mind-wiping and ZYL pursuing him anyway is just offputting to me. Either mind-wiping or pursuit, please! (Actually, if there was no mind-wiping, the dynamics would change, too, in a "ZYL going extra hard after the one who actually knows who he is and what he does", which I'd like much better!)

I agree. I think drama!ZYL's "friends" consist of acquaintances and Da Qing. And, over time, the SID team.

Yep, 100% agreed!

(I looked it up before I finished reading your comment, so here. *g*)

Hee! *g*

I do love how the drama built a whole new character arc by puzzling together bits of the novel in different ways! It's really, really well done.

Agreed! It's brilliant!

No, I'm sure the translation is working from an extant Chinese version, just not the one that's online.

*nodnod*

I don't remember Shen Wei calling him Lao-Chu?

I have a feeling he did, but I can't remember when, and I can't think how to track it down right now.

If you remember, or figure out how to track it down, let me know!

But he could still be doing this stuff. I think fic sometimes leans into it? (I don't read very much GCC fic, but I'm sure I've seen it.)

I know I've seen GCC fic that leans into it! And I've written him that way myself, because it seems to fit his character so well. I could see it as a natural outside-work activity for him in particular because he's so shy; he would receive a friendly welcome without having to be extroverted at such places because he's there to help and they're glad to have him.

Oh yeah, that's very true. Excellent point!

He'd styled his hair early in the day, and his knee-length coat was crisply ironed. The stylish look highlighted his broad shoulders and slim waist, lending him the gallantry of an immortal tree standing against the wind. Just as he was about to set out, this fine specimen of a tree remembered the final touch and gave his neck a quick spritz of Oud Wood cologne. Satisfied that he was a feast for all the senses, he strode off to inflict himself on the world.

I love the dry humor of this passage! "This fine specimen of a tree," lol.

Also, the way he looked good in a "knee-length coat" that "highlighted his broad shoulders and slim waist" reminded me of Drama!ZYL's EXTREME HOTNESS in the stolen guard uniform in episode 33:

the two versions diverge significantly this time

Ugh, I really don’t like these changes. Not because of any dislike for the new version, it’s more the principle of the thing – once a novel is complete, it shouldn’t be changed anymore beyond fixing typos and the like imo.
I know it’s not uncommon for a webnovel, but still…

The plan had worked beautifully: he'd given the gift and scored a date. He even started to whistle.

Yeah, running off before he can say 'no' is a real 200 IQ move Yunlan XD

He almost felt as if the sphere contained a living flame. For no reason he could discern, his heart flooded with familiarity and fondness.

Love me some foreshadowing ❤

Would you like to work at the SID?

Hard no. Working overtime and/or at night? Nah. I'm clocking out at 5 pm.

What do you think about Zhao Yunlan's behaviour towards Shen Wei?

He’s mostly thinking with his downstairs brain and being kind of a dick. That’s not the reason Shen Wei rejects him, but he does deserve it at this point.
I actually enjoy that he’s an asshole early on, and how unhinged both him and Shen Wei turn out to be later on. Priest is good at writing characters that are well suited to each other although they wouldn’t make good partners in general.

Favourite bits?

Love the mugging! I’m glad this scene made it into the drama almost 1:1.

Yeah, I get how you feel! There should at least be a definite version of a novel, these versions are doing my head in. It's impossible to be on the same page when everyone's read different versions!

But I do prefer the version in the official translation, so there's that. *g*

I actually enjoy that he’s an asshole early on, and how unhinged both him and Shen Wei turn out to be later on. Priest is good at writing characters that are well suited to each other although they wouldn’t make good partners in general.

I really love the "unhinged4unhinged" kind of ship! And yeah, priest is really good at this sort of thing. But it only works for me when they both know the other isn't an ordinary person. The drama puts that forward right from the start for Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan, but the novel doesn't, so Zhao Yunlan pursuing Shen Wei at this point is not my kind of thing until Zhao Yunlan realises there's more going on with Shen Wei. (He doesn't have to know the truth about Shen Wei, just something. I have no recollection of when that happens, but I hope soon ... )

Love the mugging! I’m glad this scene made it into the drama almost 1:1.

100% agreed!

Hard no. Working overtime and/or at night? Nah. I'm clocking out at 5 pm.

Yeah, there's this passage that makes it sound quite pleasant most of the time, but I'm still not sure it's worth the trade-off:

Things were normally quiet at the Special Investigations Department. Once the flurry of activity during Guo Changcheng’s first few days settled, he realized it was a textbook case of a job that was “high pay, minimal work, and close to home.” In the course of a month, two or maybe three cases would reach the SID. When a case hit their desk, Zhao Yunlan dispatched one or two people to check it out, strictly sticking to their mandate of dealing only with supernatural business. More often than not, cases in the Mortal Realm that looked supernatural in nature turned out to just be humans fooling around, so whoever was sent to take a look would come back and write up a report, and that was that.

And when there wasn’t a case? Everyone sat at their desks and read, browsed online, or chatted, generally just killing time until the workday ended.

Yeah I get what you mean. At this point Zhao Yunlan thinks Shen Wei an ordinary person, one who just got his mind wiped of any supernatural occurences even. I do believe he genuinely has a crush, but he still isn't exactly nice or respectful.

Aha, so it's an easy job 90% of the time, but those other 10% are (sometimes literal) hell XD

(sometimes literal) hell

Yes, exactly! :D

Hard no. Working overtime and/or at night? Nah. I'm clocking out at 5 pm.

Hee! Entirely fair!

He’s mostly thinking with his downstairs brain and being kind of a dick. That’s not the reason Shen Wei rejects him, but he does deserve it at this point.

Yeah. I wonder how much shit he's got away with in the past, romantically speaking. /o\

The mugging is so good! :DDD

I would LOVE to work at SID! Something new every day! All different kinds of people/beings to work with. I'd prefer to work at the TV SID where it was not so much with the religion and ghosts and more with just different worlds.
I don't really follow all the spiritual stuff, but hope it will be clearer on re-reading.

Hee! I definitely can see the appeal!

I'd prefer to work at the TV SID where it was not so much with the religion and ghosts and more with just different worlds.

And gadgets and popcorn! :D

Yes, I would like to work at the SID.

The criminal investigation unit's office was bright and clean with excellent lighting. Every employee had their own desk and computer, and the office supplies were well stocked. There were even plants. A part-time janitor came and cleaned every day at 2 p.m. sharp. The office had central air. A small side room was equipped with a fridge and cupboard; cat food was stored there along with yogurt, fruit, and other snacks that staff could help themselves to.

That paragraph alone makes it sound like a dream job (and better than most places I have worked haha)

Honestly, I'm more attracted to the bit where most of the time there isn't a case, and everyone can just fuck around online. *g* But yeah, apart from the, well, hellish side of things, it sounds like a pretty good workplace! *g*

Hee! :D

At some point early in the week I misplaced my notebook where I had all my handwritten notes for chapters 13 and 14. *cries* Now it's time for chapters 15 and 16 while I still haven't posted my comments for 13 and 14 because I still haven't found my notebook and I just don't feel up to rereading the chapters and trying to reconstruct my notes. *cries moar*

Oh, that sucks about your notebook, I hope it turns up soon! You can always just skip ahead to chapters 15/16 and come back to this later if you want. ♥

I hope you enjoyed these chapters, anyway, and I'm very curious what you think about Zhao Yunlan's behaviour!

What do I think about Zhao Yunlan's behavior? Well, I hope I'm not offending anyone for whom he is a "fan favorite" but there's just nothing I like about his behavior.

No offence at all on my part! I do like some things about him, but his behaviour is pretty offputting to me, too. I really, really prefer the drama version.

Yeah, he's being terrible at this point. I found this part of the novel quite hard to swallow. (He does get better!)

Would you like to work at the SID?

Ahaha, nope! I would be approximately as inept at Guo Changcheng, and I don't handle meanness very well, so having ZYL has a boss would suuuuuuuck. *hides*

Any thoughts about Guo Changcheng's extracurricular activities?

I'm kind of surprised he had the gumption to do anything like that. I wonder how he got started with it.

What do you think about Zhao Yunlan's behaviour towards Shen Wei?

*smacks him so hard*

Could you follow what's going on in the Netherworld?

I mean, I kind of gloss over all the mythology stuff, but I think I got the general gist. It's interesting seeing the differences between the novel and drama.

Other notes:

Then unhurried footsteps rang out in the empty hallway and came to a stop outside the criminal investigation unit. - I can't remember if I'm repeating myself, but presumably the CIU is a subunit of the SID? And the CIU is what became the SID in the drama? I'm glad they kept Wang Zheng!

I prefer Chu Shuzhi's introduction in the drama, where he comes in as an action hero and saves the intern in distress, thus winning his eternal admiration and devotion. *g*

Things were normally quiet at the Special Investigations Department. Once the flurry of activity during Guo Changcheng’s first few days settled, he realized it was a textbook case of a job that was “high pay, minimal work, and close to home.” In the course of a month, two or maybe three cases would reach the SID.

I feel like this kind of undercuts the urgency of the Chaos King of the Gui's machinations wrt the Hallows. We also don't get to see the SID team coalesce and start to work well together. (Sorry! I'm obviously biased towards the drama. The novel is what it is!!)

It resulted in so much paperwork that Lin Jing’s butt didn’t touch a chair for three days. -- I don't get this. Shouldn't paperwork mean that Lin Jing's butt is stuck in his seat? Anyone?

Every single day you harass the man with all your flirting and asking how he is, but you’re only now asking him out for a meal? -- versus in the drama where we get to see the development of their early relationship and all. the. flirting. I feel like this is a huge loss! I want to see the texts and Shen Wei's reactions to them. You can't just skip over this stuff! ;-p

Chu Shuzhi looked up from his stocks in time to see someone rush by. -- stocks as in stock market? Is Chu Shuzhi a money guy??

I agree with trobadora that the no-boundaries thing really doesn't work when it's one-sided. At the moment, Shen Wei is all boundary, and Zhao Yunlan is none. And the fact that ZYL thinks, Shen Wei was like a famous, expensive blue-and-white vase. Even if you couldn’t own it forever, it was worth it just to display it at home for a few days and bask in its glory. makes it even worse. He isn't even sincere!

The similarities and contrasts between the Magistrate and the drama!Regent are so interesting, eg, the "dainty, trembling steps" versus feigned dodderiness.

The mist over the Soul-Executing Emissary’s face concealed his expression, but his gaze was as sharp as his blade. -- this made me wonder whether the mist only covers the lower part of his face, or else how could anyone judge his gaze? Maybe it's kind of the inverse of the drama!Envoy's mask, in scope?

I like that the discussion of the role of the Hallows is more concrete than in the drama. In the drama, they're just powerful tools that people can "use" to amass more power, but it's never explained how; and they're connected to Ye Zun's imprisonment only indirectly. Here, they have a specific purpose, and it's very clear why removing them is a Bad Idea.

The only reason he wasn’t trapped behind the Great Seal with his Chaos King brother was that the Mountain God of the Great Wild elevated him to demigodhood. -- this made me a little bit grumbly. I want Shen Wei to be his own person!

And then the Magistrate is openly conspiracy-theorising about the Emissary, and worrying about him "betraying" them -- what would that even mean? Doesn't the whole system need the underworld?

he strode off to inflict himself on the world. -- lol, at least the narration is under no illusions.

Shen Wei was seated at an isolated corner table, staring at the edge of the tablecloth, lost in thought. The light and music didn’t quite seem to reach him somehow. Half of his face was shadowed, leaving only his blurred side profile visible. There was such a tinge of loneliness and melancholy about him that Zhao Yunlan’s breath caught in his throat. -- I do love this description, especially the part about half his face being shadowed. \foreshadowing/ And then ZYL asks, "Have you been waiting long?" and owww! :D

“But I feel terrible that you spent so much money, Officer Zhao. -- on the books? How does Shen Wei know? Was ZYL just that transparent?

There was a subtle transformation in Zhao Yunlan’s body language as he leaned back. There was no trace of ambiguous flirtatiousness left. With one casual gesture, he’d become a warm, friendly older brother. -- I can't decide if that's nice or creepy. He's such a performer!! :-/

His dinner was sitting heavily in his chest; between that and the cold wind, he was both uncomfortable and annoyed. -- ooh, is that foreshadowing/an effect of spending time with Shen Wei?

Zhao Yunlan turned and let his arm hover near Shen Wei’s shoulders, politely avoiding contact. -- aww, at least he's trying.

I can't remember if I'm repeating myself, but presumably the CIU is a subunit of the SID? And the CIU is what became the SID in the drama? I'm glad they kept Wang Zheng!

Yeah, in the novel it's just a part of the SID, but in the drama it's the entirety of it. I guess so they wouldn't have to deal with a larger department! A more limited cast and setting work better there.

I prefer Chu Shuzhi's introduction in the drama, where he comes in as an action hero and saves the intern in distress, thus winning his eternal admiration and devotion. *g*

Hee! Can't argue with a good action hero rescue! :D

I feel like this kind of undercuts the urgency of the Chaos King of the Gui's machinations wrt the Hallows. We also don't get to see the SID team coalesce and start to work well together. (Sorry! I'm obviously biased towards the drama. The novel is what it is!!)

I know what you mean. It's kind of weird to have all this urgency, and then "then nothing happened for a month or several" ...

Shouldn't paperwork mean that Lin Jing's butt is stuck in his seat? Anyone?

Yeah, good question, I have no idea, I can't figure it out with my rudimentary Chinese either.

I feel like this is a huge loss! I want to see the texts and Shen Wei's reactions to them. You can't just skip over this stuff! ;-p

LOL! True! Though tbh I was glad the novel skipped it because I'd rather not see more of ZYL being Like That at SW. (Maybe priest realised it would have been unbearable if there had been even MORE of it before they got past this one-sided dynamic, and that's why it got skipped?)

stocks as in stock market? Is Chu Shuzhi a money guy??

If I'm reading the Chinese right, he's looking up stock market trends, yeah! So weird.

And the fact that ZYL thinks, Shen Wei was like a famous, expensive blue-and-white vase. Even if you couldn’t own it forever, it was worth it just to display it at home for a few days and bask in its glory. makes it even worse. He isn't even sincere!

FWIW, I don't think that was intended to be insincere? I think it's more like "he's out of my league, but even if it doesn't last, it's worth it" in a "better to have loved and lost" kind of way? Idk.

this made me wonder whether the mist only covers the lower part of his face, or else how could anyone judge his gaze? Maybe it's kind of the inverse of the drama!Envoy's mask, in scope?

Personally I thought the sharp gaze was metaphoric, as in they feel like he's looking at them that way even if they can't see his eyes?

I like that the discussion of the role of the Hallows is more concrete than in the drama. In the drama, they're just powerful tools that people can "use" to amass more power, but it's never explained how; and they're connected to Ye Zun's imprisonment only indirectly. Here, they have a specific purpose, and it's very clear why removing them is a Bad Idea.

Yeah, that's true, they're so much more clearly defined! The drama Hallows are more like chaos devices that do whatever the plot requires of them.

this made me a little bit grumbly. I want Shen Wei to be his own person!

Yeah, tbh, a lot about the backstory for Shen Wei and Kunlun is really not my thing because of this.

I do love this description, especially the part about half his face being shadowed. \foreshadowing/ And then ZYL asks, "Have you been waiting long?" and owww! :D

Yes!!!!!!!

“But I feel terrible that you spent so much money, Officer Zhao. -- on the books? How does Shen Wei know? Was ZYL just that transparent?

On the date, maybe? It sounds like an expensive place.

I can't decide if that's nice or creepy. He's such a performer!! :-/

I think it's good that he's backing off but remaining friendly, even if he wouldn't know "sincere" if it hit him in the face.

ooh, is that foreshadowing/an effect of spending time with Shen Wei?

I was wondering about that, and in the following chapters too.

A more limited cast and setting work better there.

Yes, it's more intimate. I guess there's a similar effect in the novel because the rest of the SID rarely referenced, so it still feels like a tight-knit team. Whereas in a drama, you'd actually see them and that would definitely change things.

Though tbh I was glad the novel skipped it because I'd rather not see more of ZYL being Like That at SW. (Maybe priest realised it would have been unbearable if there had been even MORE of it before they got past this one-sided dynamic, and that's why it got skipped?)

Ha, maybe. Maybe Priest found it off-putting, too. ;-p

If I'm reading the Chinese right, he's looking up stock market trends, yeah! So weird.

Huh.

FWIW, I don't think that was intended to be insincere? I think it's more like "he's out of my league, but even if it doesn't last, it's worth it" in a "better to have loved and lost" kind of way? Idk.

Yeah, maybe. That does help. I think ZYL is incapable of being real even with himself, so he probably doesn't realise.

> “But I feel terrible that you spent so much money, Officer Zhao. -- on the books? How does Shen Wei know? Was ZYL just that transparent?

On the date, maybe? It sounds like an expensive place.

But they haven't ordered anything, yet, right?

I was wondering about that, and in the following chapters too.

If Shen Wei is directly implicated in ZYL's illness (or thinks he is), that's an excellent reason for him to overcome his qualms and look after him, at least. (I haven't read the next two chapters yet. I'll get to them soon.)

I prefer Chu Shuzhi's introduction in the drama, where he comes in as an action hero and saves the intern in distress, thus winning his eternal admiration and devotion. *g*

MTE, lol!

*high fives you*

My version goes directly from ZYL giving SW the books to a discussion of how ZYL is pretty much the worst partner ever, which leads to the robbers and gastritis. No planned date and turning down, or helpful exposition in the Underworld.

That being said, this was my favorite bit of dialogue:

Shen Wei looked back at him. “Where do these things go?”

Zhao Yunlan: “On the bed during the day, on the floor at night.”

HAHAHAHA

“On the bed during the day, on the floor at night.”

Hee! That part is in chapter 15 of the official translation, so we talked about it a bit on the next post. Oh, Zhao Yunlan!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Guardian readalong: chapters 13 & 14

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