Picspam and poll: Best Chu Shuzhi & Shen Wei moment

[china_shop]

Poll #32991 Chu Shuzhi & Shen Wei

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 18

View Respondents

Best Chu Shuzhi & Shen Wei moment

View Answers

first rendezvous in the park with the Envoy (ep 2)
6 (33.3%)

interrogating Professor Shen (ep 4)
2 (11.1%)

second rendezvous in the park with the Envoy (ep 4)
4 (22.2%)

Chu Shuzhi awkwardly delivering Zhao Yunlan's banner (ep 6)
2 (11.1%)

post-Envoy reveal, "I will support you unconditionally" (ep 21)
13 (72.2%)

the Envoy rescuing Chu Shuzhi from the Regent (backstory) (ep 36)
4 (22.2%)

other
1 (5.6%)

Comments

[china_shop]

Maybe mystique was the wrong word. But something more than respect? Like, the Envoy is too great a figure to be committed to mere video? Idk, I don't think I can cohere this vague feeling into words right now. :-)

*waves goodnight* <3

[trobadora]

how Shen Wei understands and is amused by CSZ's faux disrespect towards ZYL

Yes! I love both that SW gets it, and that CSZ doesn't hesitate at all to display that disrespect, both in terms of expressing his own loyalty to the Envoy above all else, and not at all being affected by ZYL being the Envoy's significant other - he doesn't for a moment think the Envoy would want him to treat ZYL differently because of that.

And that's a good question about CSZ's self-image as a criminal, and how it plays into his dynamic with the ENvoy - it has to be affecting him, but I think it's probably 90% pure awe and reverence, tbh.

So careful to provoke without crossing the line into disrespect

Yes! That's such an excellent point - he could hit Chu Shuzhi's vulnerable spots just as easily as he does Zhu Hong's, but he doesn't. Because that would be going too far. ♥ ♥ ♥

[trobadora]

Yes! 100% agreed, everything he does in that scene is so deliberate. :D

[trobadora]

The great Envoy and the disreputable scallywag! When/if CSZ actually lets himself think about it, his mind must explode. :D :D :D

Forgot to say earlier, but that would be such a great thing to focus on in a fic about CSZ's reaction to the reveal. :D :D :D

[trobadora]

Yeah, I think I know what you mean, but I'd fold that into "respect" because I don't have a good word for it either. *g*

Sleep well!

[facethestrange]

"No point talking back to ZYL (especially when a) he's blind, and b) he's the Envoy's significant other)"

*grinning at this so much irl* :D :D :D These are some very good reasons, both of them. xD

And srsly, this is one of those tiny scenes where the SID people do something and I think 'this is literal LOVE'. /sappy

[facethestrange]

"There are so few scenes that focus on these two, but they all pack such a punch, it feels like more."

Ikr? I kinda did a double take that these are all of their scenes, it does feel like a lot more! It's like a whole major storyline in, what, 10-15 minutes?

"while Chu Shuzhi is so confident in his "no one could possibly measure up to the Envoy" attitude, and I always want to know how Chu Shuzhi reacted when he remembered that scene after the Envoy reveal."

He completely accidentally gave him the highest compliment, so I guess it's not a problem in the end. :D

[facethestrange]

"And of course "I will support you unconditionally" is my favorite Chu Shuzhi and Shen Wei scene"

The way this scene is winning in the poll is truly impressive and 100% deserved. :D

[facethestrange]

"(Does Chu Shuzhi making Lin Jing delete the video of the Envoy count as a Chu Shuzhi & Shen Wei moment? Probably not, but I just remembered that, and I love it so much, with Chu Shuzhi trying to protect the Envoy's dignity from his gossiping co-workers. :D)"

Ahhh, I love this scene!! :D Especially Wang Zheng and Zhu Hong lovingly judging him for fanboying the Envoy so much. :D

[facethestrange]

*wants to read that* :D :D :D

[facethestrange]

"I particularly love how Shen Wei understands and is amused by CSZ's faux disrespect towards ZYL (in the post-reveal scene, and also outside Ye Huo's place when CSZ calls his boss a bastard). That's always so excellent."

Yesss. ♡♡♡ Definitely one of my favorite things, like, I think Shen Wei likes that this is how their friendship looks, and he would never want it to change because of him. :D

"So careful to provoke without crossing the line into disrespect (much more careful than he was of Zhu Hong). <3 <3 <3"

Oooh, I didn't think of that. He's poking them both, but indeed in completely different ways!

[facethestrange]

I totally get what you mean, I always get this vibe from this scene too! Like, 'don't just FILM him like he's a REGULAR PERSON'. :P

[china_shop]

Yes! I've written it a few times, from various angles. :-) I don't think it would be top of mind immediately-immediately, but given how dedicatedly Shen Wei is looking after ZYL around that time, it kind of has to come up. :D

[china_shop]

Maybe reverence? It's a kind of blasphemy, isn't it? To furtively film the Envoy.

ETA: Ooh, ooh, you have a kneeling icon! I don't think I've noticed that before. *heart eyes*

[china_shop]

Yes!!! And especially since Lin Jing is a scientist and could use that video for unauthorised research somehow! (Good think Chu Shuzhi doesn't know about the spying, or he'd be even more fierce!)

[trobadora]

Right? It really feels much more substantial than the amount of time would suggest. That takes skill!

[trobadora]

Devotion? Blasphemy is definitely the right word there.

And yeah, it's a great icon! amedia made it for me. :D

[china_shop]

Yes, everything about the scene is so fantastic and lovely! I really love how everyone else is clustered around ZYL like a renaissance painting, and CSZ and SW are having their own little moment off behind them. :D

[china_shop]

And that's such a good point about them both laughing at ZYL's reaction.

Oh! I just thought that that might be why ZYL reacts the way he does? Like, he hears the unwavering devotion/fealty in CSZ's response to SW's apology, and he wants to encourage more of a team-as-family footing (because he knows that's what SW wants, too). So he joke-complains about CSZ not giving him the respect he deserves and says, "Shen Wei is only a consultant," to try to puncture the reverence. And it kind of works! CSZ is still respectful to SW, but he doesn't fall into a habit of deferring to SW at every opportunity like he might have.

but the foreshadowing especially - it's built in so well, you have to admire that.

Yes! And CSZ is the only person the Envoy could admit the danger and show his injury to, and his reaction of "What could hurt even you?" (paraphrasing) is so telling. *showers hearts all over the show (again)*

[china_shop]

I love both that SW gets it, and that CSZ doesn't hesitate at all to display that disrespect, both in terms of expressing his own loyalty to the Envoy above all else, and not at all being affected by ZYL being the Envoy's significant other - he doesn't for a moment think the Envoy would want him to treat ZYL differently because of that.

Yes!!! The fact the this all takes place at the SID must help so much with keeping CSZ grounded. Though, for that matter, CSZ speaks pretty candidly to the Envoy at their park rendezvous (plural). He even laughs at the fishing metaphor. Now I'm wondering how many years it took Shen Wei to coax him out of deferential silence. (Which is oh, a great reason for choosing someone with so much attitude! No point getting a spy who's so overawed they'll only tell you what you want to hear.)

That's such an excellent point - he could hit Chu Shuzhi's vulnerable spots just as easily as he does Zhu Hong's, but he doesn't. Because that would be going too far. ♥ ♥ ♥

SW deliberately gives CSZ the upper hand, I think, in order to demonstrate his own lack of fear. *hearts* Whereas with Zhu Hong, he talks to her like she's an undergrad, lol.

[china_shop]

like, I think Shen Wei likes that this is how their friendship looks, and he would never want it to change because of him. :D

Yes! Maybe it reminds him of Kunlun and DQ squabbling in YOHE... <333

Oooh, I didn't think of that. He's poking them both, but indeed in completely different ways!

Yes! And letting ZYL see what he's doing, too, I think? Like, he's not very subtle about his switches in strategy. :D

[china_shop]

I kinda did a double take that these are all of their scenes, it does feel like a lot more! It's like a whole major storyline in, what, 10-15 minutes?

Ooh, that's such a great point. <3 <3 <3

He completely accidentally gave him the highest compliment, so I guess it's not a problem in the end. :D

Haha, true. Plus he accidentally helped Shen Wei maintain his cover. :DDD

[trobadora]

Oh yeah, he's aboslutely trying to puncture the reverence! And for once, him making light of things actually works - he's learned how to deploy it in a way Shen Wei will smile about. ♥ ♥ ♥

*showers hearts all over the show (again)*

Same! :D

[trobadora]

CSZ speaks pretty candidly to the Envoy at their park rendezvous (plural)

Yes, that's very true! He does seem very comfortable and confident in his role with the Envoy, and you're right, it must have taken Shen Wei some time to get him to that point. AWWWWW. ♥

And also agreed that the attitude is kind of necessary - Shen Wei needs someone who will respect him but won't be cowed by him, and Chu Shuzhi is perfect for that. I wonder how he found him ...

in order to demonstrate his own lack of fear

Yeah, agreed - he's letting Chu Shuzhi be all threatening and intimidating at him, and he's very deliberately being very unaffected and unintimidated. I love it so much.

[china_shop]

And for once, him making light of things actually works - he's learned how to deploy it in a way Shen Wei will smile about. ♥ ♥ ♥

Ooh, now I want to go through and look at all the instances where it does and doesn't work. Is it more effective on Shen Wei if ZYL is talking himself up? :D