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sid_guardian2025-08-09 03:35 pm
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Guardian Readalong: Vol. 3, Bonus Stories: Sage 1 & Sage 2
Hi, and welcome to this week's installment of the Guardian novel readalong! We're finished with the main text of the novel, but the readalong continues - it's time for the first bonus stories. ♡
Here are last week's chapters, and you can find all previous discussions in the schedule posts (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5), or via the !readalong tag.
This week's chapters:
- Sage 1: Many SID team shenanigans happen, including but not limited to: They have acquired a Samoyed puppy named Xiaomi who plays with Daqing. They talk about the new office they're moving to, and have some theories why Zhao Yunlan is not at work. No one tells Guo Changcheng that he's the wick, they just confuse him with questions and occasionally pluck his hair to experiment on. Meanwhile, Zhao Yunlan talks to Shennong's mortar about the primordial past and Shen Wei's oath, and explains that some things are meant to be confusing. Shennong's mortar announces that he's leaving Zhao Yunlan's father's body. Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan take a walk together and cause spring flowers to bloom.
- Sage 2: The SID moves to their new office, which includes a sunny attic and Zhao Yunlan's vegetable garden, among other things. Everyone loves Shen Wei because his arrival means that Zhao Yunlan finally goes home. Lin Jing invents an invisible listening device. Daqing bickers with people, including Shen Wei. Zhao Yunlan falls asleep trying to learn gardening from a boring book, and cuddles with Shen Wei (while also bickering). Guo Changcheng goes on an arranged date with a girl. Chu Shuzhi accompanies him and listens in on their awkward conversation, and then interrupts the date and drags Guo Changcheng away. They start dating, which is revealed to the rest of the SID by Lin Jing's listening device.
The corresponding chapters:
Sage 1 = fan translation Extra 2
Sage 2 = fan translation Extra 3
Excerpts:
1) The SID team speculating about Zhao Yunlan's activities
Guo Changcheng ran a hand through his hair. “Director Zhao isn’t here?”
Without looking up, Zhu Hong said, “Officially, he’s off picking up the keys for our new office today and has to do a final inspection. Plus he’s moving today—ugh, why does this always freeze up? I hope we have better internet in the new place.”
Daqing, who was chasing Xiaomi all over the room, screeched to a halt upon hearing this explanation. He looked over and asked, “And unofficially?”
Despite the trace of jealousy in Zhu Hong’s tone, she clearly savored the words as she said, “He got fucked so hard that he can’t get out of bed, duh.”
Shock made Guo Changcheng tremble and miss his chair when he tried to sit. He nearly fell on his ass as it rolled away.
Zhu Hong gave him a bombastic side-eye. “Our boss is that fucking gay. What’s there to be shocked about?”
2) Shennong's mortar leaves, and Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan make flowers bloom
To Shennong’s mortar, he said, “Drive carefully on the way back. Don’t let my dad notice anything. Take care of his body.”
Shennong’s mortar stood up. With great respect, he said, “Thank you for your wisdom, Mountain God. In truth, I came to say goodbye today. Having carried out my mission, it would be inappropriate to continue occupying a mortal’s body.”
Zhao Yunlan was taken aback. “When are you leaving?”
“Today,” the mortar said. “After taking Mr. Zhao back now.”
“All right, then.” Zhao Yunlan thought about it, then gave him a casual wave. “Take care. If you ever need anything, come find me.”
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan went downstairs together, while Shennong’s mortar stood at the window. Together, they ambled through campus toward the neighborhood across the street, as if taking a leisurely afternoon stroll.
Even further in the distance, in the green areas of the neighborhood, flowers on the large condo terraces quietly burst into bloom wherever they passed by. It struck the mortar then that spring had already arrived.
3) The new SID office
The new office space was an appealing one. It had a little attic that got plenty of sunlight throughout the day, and there was a two-level basement. The lower basement housed the library while the upper basement had a mahjong table surrounded by a bunch of memorial tablets that gave the ghost employees somewhere to rest. They could even play a game of mahjong during bouts of insomnia.
With all the natural light the attic got, and thanks to a thick layer of sound-absorbing paint, one could go up there for a nice afternoon nap. Opening the window offered a lovely view of the front courtyard…or it would have, if a lovely view existed. Everyone had wildly different ideas about what to do with the space, so after it had been divided up for everyone to do their own thing, the result was the polar opposite of a cohesive whole.
As for the backyard, Zhao Yunlan claimed it entirely for himself. After a lifetime spent learning absolutely nothing about art, his taste was…rather unique. He vetoed the roses Zhu Hong liked, vetoed Chu Shuzhi’s suggestion of vines, and vetoed Lin Jing’s request for bodhi trees.
In the end, after careful consideration, he planted a garden full of vegetables, including bok choy, cherry tomatoes, pumpkin sprouts, pea shoots, xiangchun…a whole array of vegetables all next to each other. And in the center, like a bright moon shining among the stars, was one single slutty eggplant.
4) Daqing 'practices yoga'
Daqing was curled up on the stair railing. His black tail waved at Shen Wei. “He’s upstairs in the attic.”
“Mn, thank you.” Shen Wei nodded, glancing over as he passed by. The railing was only half as wide as the cat’s belly, making it seem like Daqing might roll right off at any moment. The words “Why don’t you go somewhere roomier?” slipped out of Shen Wei’s mouth. “Take care not to fall.”
Daqing froze for a moment, then realized Shen Wei was calling him fat. He gave a yowl, fur standing on end. “I’m! Practicing! Yoga! What’s wrong with practicing yoga? Is there a problem?”
Shen Wei gave his head a pat and then headed up the stairs, still smiling.
In a huff, Daqing lay back down on the railing. Further annoyance approached in the form of Lin Jing. “Daqing-gongzi, which yoga pose are you practicing right now?”
“…Cat Pose.”
Following the precept of “monks don’t lie,” Lin Jing responded appropriately. “Ha ha ha ha ha ha!”
5) Chu Shuzhi interrupts Guo Changcheng's date
Guo Changcheng froze. Before he could respond, a hand descended on his shoulder and he was hauled up out of his seat.
“C-Chu-ge?”
The girl looked at Chu Shuzhi, utterly perplexed. Chu Shuzhi glanced at her, his smile not reaching his eyes, and then his gaze landed on Guo Changcheng. In an incredibly ambiguous tone, he said, “Going on a date behind my back? You really think you’re hot shit now, huh?”
Guo Changcheng’s mind boggled. Wh-what?!
The girl’s eyes flew wide-open. She sat there in shock at the Corpse King’s aura and the dramatic turn of events. Chu Shuzhi grabbed a few bills from Guo Changcheng’s wallet, tucked them under a glass as payment, and stalked off with Guo Changcheng under his arm.
“What are you looking at? I did that for her own good. How dare she try to poach someone from Kunlun-jun? I’m astounded that the idea even crossed her mind.” Chu Shuzhi stuffed Guo Changcheng into the car, then he stretched out his long legs. “Drive,” he ordered. “Take me home first.”
Guo Changcheng didn’t say a word. Crimson-faced, he started the car.
On his crossbody bag, an invisible object shaped like a fish scale was sending signals.
The very next day, a rumor began to spread: “Chu-ge and xiao-Guo are dating! 9 University Road is full of gays!”
And what happened to whom? Lin Jing? The Lin Jing who just so happened to hear something he shouldn’t have and spread the rumor?
Heh heh.
Questions:
Favorite SID shenanigans moment? (Or several - there are so many!) Do you think Xiao-Guo should be told that he's the wick? Do you understand what Zhao Yunlan explained about the primordial gods, or are you also a few thousand years too young? Are Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan consciously making flowers bloom, or is it just what happens when nature gods are happy? What is your favorite thing about the new office? Whose garden idea do you like the best, and why is it (not) the slutty eggplant? Any thoughts about the drama adaptation of these chapters, especially Xiao Guo's date?
You can answer as many or as few questions as you like, or just comment without answering any of them at all! And if you see this post and you're not actually reading the novel, I would love to know what you think about any of this with limited context. :D
And here is the schedule, where you can sign up to host a post. (There are only two weeks left!)
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Ahhh, lovely post, yayayay! :D :D :D
Favorite SID shenanigans moment?
Daqing yelling about doing yoga on the bannister, I think, but there are a lot. :D These extras are so fun!! I love seeing the SID team just hanging out. :D :D :D
Do you think Xiao-Guo should be told that he's the wick?
Given how easily he sets off his baton (like fireworks in the streets!), I suspect the others are worried about the Lamp exploding or something if he finds out. But also, all his do-gooding is so pure, I kind of love that he just does it without a reason. Knowing about the Lamp might make him feel pressured or self-conscious or something. Idk. (If anyone's going to tell him, it should probably be ZYL, anyway.)
Do you understand what Zhao Yunlan explained about the primordial gods, or are you also a few thousand years too young?
LOL! I could make up some interpretations, but I have no idea if they're what's intended (if priest actually intended anything ;-p).
The mortar says "there are two kinds of people unafraid of death: the first is someone with a great obsession who walked on a path with no resentment or regrets; the other is someone who knows what lies on the other side of death." Zhao Yunlan ties that back to the Emissary ("Shennong asked you to keep an eye on the Soul-Executing Emissary, and somehow you wound up becoming a conspiracy theorist instead?"). So I ~think~ ZYL is saying SW started out someone with a great obsession without resentment or regrets, and then, when push came to shove, he became someone who knows what lies on the other side of death and chose it anyway. It was that transition that changed everything? Like, whether he'd make that choice was the colossal gamble? So it wasn't a coincidence: Shen Wei's choice fulfilled the oath, reawakened Kunlun, and freed Shen Wei from the oath. But I'm just randomly guessing, really. :-)
Are Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan consciously making flowers bloom, or is it just what happens when nature gods are happy?
Aww! I love that. I think spring is a metaphor for rejuvenation and love blooming (I watched a Kdrama once called "Daljal's Spring" and I've come across the metaphor in other Kdramas, too) -- and because they're them, it happens literally. <3 <3 <3
What is your favorite thing about the new office?
Definitely the attic. It sounds so cosy. I want it!!
Whose garden idea do you like the best, and why is it (not) the slutty eggplant?
Idk, I don't know enough about the other SID members' spaces to decide!
(Back in a bit with my notes.)
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Sage 1
Haha, I really want to know what the societal repercussions of keeping a ghoul as a pet are. Like, is it a euphemism for the ghoul eating people, or is it something lesser? :D :D :D Either way, I love that priest changed it to this, because it's really fun. (Also, ChuGuo were away together for a month! <3)
I'm calling bullshit on the "no notable improvement in [GCC's] abilities." ;-p (And aww, in the drama, Xiaomi is GCC's dog. <3)
Woohoo! Shen Wei establishing a new system for the Netherworld! \o/ I wonder what he based it on.
Collecting lost pieces of soul for GCC's fear baton reminds me of the tooth-necklace, lol. (And after all, GCC is kind of a part of ZYL, so it's even more natural than it would otherwise be that SW is protective of him. <3)
Thanks to Trobadora for linking to the candlestick chart wiki page. <3 (I wonder if drama!CSZ is into finance, too, and we just never see it.)
"bombastic side-eye" is such a weird phrase.
Our boss is that fucking gay.
The context makes me think that ZH is implying that bottoming makes ZYL more gay than he would be if he were topping (because it can't be that GCC doesn't know Weilan is a thing!), which is making me squinch my eyes.
LOL at LJ's gaming sucking up all the bandwidth. (He's such a punching bag in these chapters.) And ahahaha, love that CSZ objects to Plants vs. Zombies. :D :D :D
“Then why help so many people unconditionally?” asked Zhu Hong.
I find everyone's incomprehension about this a little alienating. Like, it's partly a product of living in a world where cultivation is real, but... is altruism really so foreign to them that they can't get their heads around it? ;-p There are other people in the charities GCC works with! It's not like he's unique in the whole world! And CSZ has helped when he hasn't had to...
Ohhhh, and now I'm wondering if this is here partly to parallel Shennong's mortar's incomprehension at Shen Wei sacrificing himself? Like, he can't understand why Shen Wei made that choice, and Zhao Yunlan is saying, "What's so hard to understand? He just did a good thing." ??
ETA: (I can't remember if I already said this elsewhere; sorry if I'm repeating myself!) And SW did things like tending the branch from the divine tree, not expecting anything from it (because gui = no soul = supposedly can't cultivate), and all his thousands of years of keeping the peace, too. With no expectation of a payoff.)
But the greatest kindness is to do no evil, and that alone is enough to save the world.
squinches again GCC isn't just doing no evil, though? He's actively doing good works!
I was really surprised to see Shennong's mortar in this chapter, given in chapter 25 there was this:
Shennong’s mortar lowered his head respectfully. “When my master left this world, he tasked me with watching over the vow between him and the Emissary. Now… Now that the Mountain God has returned, this humble god has fulfilled his duties and can depart.”
So I thought he would have already gone by the epilogue! ;-p
The "two kinds of people unafraid of death" got turned into Zhang Shi's voice over in the drama epilogue: There are only two kinds of people who are not afraid of death. One is someone who knows what'll happen after death. No fear, no terror. Another is someone who knows what his life purpose is. No complaint, no regret.
“The instant Shen Wei decided to erase my memories, his oath to Shennong was fulfilled.”
Ohhhhh! So I think that means the mindwipe was effectly an attempt to sever the connection between the two of them. (I had to go look up the oath again: “I swore to protect the Great Houtu Seal forever. As long as I existed, the Seal would exist too. If the Seal broke, then I would meet my death along with the rest of the gui.” Shen Wei’s fingers were ice cold. “And…for all of eternity, I could never see you again. If I couldn’t help myself, then I would drain your life force and you would die, your souls shattering into a million pieces.” (Ch 13.))
“Just wait,” he said. “Maybe in another one or two thousand years, you’ll understand. Explanations are no use. You have to experience it yourself. When you feel the call to sacrifice yourself, you’ll understand some things you couldn’t before.
I think ZYL saying this confirms my theory? (But when he says "Whether it was the Soul-Guarding Lamp or Shennong’s oath, back then, we only had a vague sense of the future." does he mean before the Lamp-lighting stuff or in the PP?)
Shennong’s mortar asked, “What if it didn’t develop in a good direction?”
“Someone else once asked me that. If we died, new gods would naturally arise in the world. If we could serve as an example for them, our deaths wouldn’t have been for nothing.”
They're basically scientists, lol. Negative results are informative and worthwhile!
It's strange to me that ZYL seems to have grown reconciled to the mortar being in his dad's body. Ousting him was on his "urgent" list before, but apparently Kunlun is like, okay, just don't scratch the paintwork. And then he's taken aback when the mortal says it's leaving. If the mortar had decided to hang around, would ZYL have done anything to get rid of him, I wonder. (I do like the "If you ever need anything, come fine me," though. ZYL likes it better now that he has the upper hand, lol.)
Awwwww, flowers! Spring has sprung! :D :D :D
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Yes, very good questions all, I'd love to know too!
Shen Wei establishing a new system for the Netherworld! \o/ I wonder what he based it on.
Yeah, it would be so great if we knew at least a little bit about it!
I wonder if drama!CSZ is into finance, too, and we just never see it.
Haha, now I wish I knew more about finance so I could write that into my next fic, LOL.
The context makes me think that ZH is implying that bottoming makes ZYL more gay than he would be if he were topping (because it can't be that GCC doesn't know Weilan is a thing!), which is making me squinch my eyes.
It's such a common attitude, and used to be even more common, so I wouldn't be surprised if that is what ZH means. *sighs*
I find everyone's incomprehension about this a little alienating. Like, it's partly a product of living in a world where cultivation is real, but... is altruism really so foreign to them that they can't get their heads around it? ;-p There are other people in the charities GCC works with! It's not like he's unique in the whole world! And CSZ has helped when he hasn't had to...
Yeah, all of that is very true! That's a good point about it paralleling the mortar's confusion, but it's still overall such a weird attitude from the SID.
SW did things like tending the branch from the divine tree, not expecting anything from it (because gui = no soul = supposedly can't cultivate), and all his thousands of years of keeping the peace, too. With no expectation of a payoff.
Very good point!
GCC isn't just doing no evil, though? He's actively doing good works!
I think it's referring to a Buddhist principle?
I was really surprised to see Shennong's mortar in this chapter, given in chapter 25 there was this
Yeah, agreed, I'd also thought he'd already left!
The "two kinds of people unafraid of death" got turned into Zhang Shi's voice over in the drama epilogue
Ooh, yes! :D
So I think that means the mindwipe was effectly an attempt to sever the connection between the two of them.
Yes! That makes complete sense to me.
But when he says "Whether it was the Soul-Guarding Lamp or Shennong’s oath, back then, we only had a vague sense of the future." does he mean before the Lamp-lighting stuff or in the PP?
I thought he meant the PP and was saying this wasn't all some kind of long-term plan that happened exactly as intended; they (Kunlun and Shennong?) had a vague idea and were hoping things would fall out the right way.
It's strange to me that ZYL seems to have grown reconciled to the mortar being in his dad's body.
Yeah, I guess it's because he's more Kunlun now and has a god's blasé attitude about such things.
no subject
> > I wonder if drama!CSZ is into finance, too, and we just never see it.
> Haha, now I wish I knew more about finance so I could write that into my next fic, LOL.
Hee! Though come to think of it, I just don't think drama!CSZ is that worldly.
but it's still overall such a weird attitude from the SID.
Oh, maybe it's because they aren't human? Maybe the SID specifically has different mores from the rest of the world.
I think it's referring to a Buddhist principle?
Ah, thanks. (*continues to quibble with CSZ that it's not applicable* ;-p)
Yes! That makes complete sense to me.
\o/!
I thought he meant the PP and was saying this wasn't all some kind of long-term plan that happened exactly as intended; they (Kunlun and Shennong?) had a vague idea and were hoping things would fall out the right way.
Oh, right. Hoping they'd fall out a right way. Like, in a good general direction. Thanks!
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Yeah, that's what I meant!
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Right?? :D I want to know everything about this case, lol, I'd read an entire chapter just about it. :D (And I didn't think of that at all, but yeahhh, it totally could be a euphemism for eating people.)
"I'm calling bullshit on the "no notable improvement in [GCC's] abilities." ;-p"
*high five* :D
"Collecting lost pieces of soul for GCC's fear baton reminds me of the tooth-necklace, lol."
Damn, this is such a good comparison, and it's definitely had this vibe since volume 1! ("Instead, it contains scraps of souls from a hundred beheaded evil spirits. I got most of them from the Soul-Executing Emissary and acquired some from reapers using spirit money. Then I mixed the scraps with True Flames of Samadhi.") At least this time ZYL and SW did some macabre arts & crafts together, lol, progress. ;D
"And after all, GCC is kind of a part of ZYL, so it's even more natural than it would otherwise be that SW is protective of him. <3"
AW! ♡ And that's yet another reason why editing out their friendship from the official version is a pretty unfortunate choice.
"The context makes me think that ZH is implying that bottoming makes ZYL more gay than he would be if he were topping (because it can't be that GCC doesn't know Weilan is a thing!), which is making me squinch my eyes."
Oh, ouch. I totally didn't get it, but I think you may be right. D: Ftr my original, very generous, interpretation of 'he's that gay' was 'he can't stop having sex'. :P (At the same time, GCC's reaction is imo irrelevant - I'm 100% sure he's just freaked out that Zhu Hong is talking about sex, and using really crude words on top of that. xD Any kind of gay sex would have freaked him out the same, and any kind of straight sex too, and he knows that Weilan is a thing but he doesn't need to know THAT. xD)
"Like, it's partly a product of living in a world where cultivation is real, but... is altruism really so foreign to them that they can't get their heads around it? ;-p There are other people in the charities GCC works with! It's not like he's unique in the whole world!"
Fwiw, I understood it as 'why do you never do anything else?' (he doesn't seem to have a moment of free time where he's not helping someone, which I think is pretty unique), but other than that, yeah, agreed.
"squinches again GCC isn't just doing no evil, though? He's actively doing good works!"
That's what GCC says about himself ("I’m j-just trying not to do harm."), but yeah, CSZ may be running with it a bit too readily. :P
"But when he says "Whether it was the Soul-Guarding Lamp or Shennong’s oath, back then, we only had a vague sense of the future." does he mean before the Lamp-lighting stuff or in the PP?"
I think it's definitely about the PP.
"They're basically scientists, lol. Negative results are informative and worthwhile!"
Yesss, and I genuinely think this is where the science-focus in the drama came from. :D Like, they could have easily done sci-fi as a genre without having scientists as characters.
no subject
LOL!
and I genuinely think this is where the science-focus in the drama came from. :D Like, they could have easily done sci-fi as a genre without having scientists as characters.
Damn, that's a cool thought! I think once they went with Dixingren as mutants, the science kind of came with the genre, but even so - it makes a lot of sense!
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At least this time ZYL and SW did some macabre arts & crafts together, lol, progress. ;D
LOL!! :D :D :D
And that's yet another reason why editing out their friendship from the official version is a pretty unfortunate choice.
I think that might be why their friendship starts to emerge here? Not because Shen Wei consciously knows about GCC as the wick, but because his wick-ness has kind of emerged/become visible?
Ftr my original, very generous, interpretation of 'he's that gay' was 'he can't stop having sex'. :P
That bothers me, too. (The implication that more sex = more gay, as if being celibate makes people less gay.) But it is what it is. (And totally agreed about GCC's reaction. *pets him*
Fwiw, I understood it as 'why do you never do anything else?'
Oh, that's a better interpretation! It's not how it read to me, but I might adopt it anyway. ;D Thanks!
I think it's definitely about the PP.
You're right. It makes a lot more sense that way. The "we" is the gods, not him and Shen Wei.
Yesss, and I genuinely think this is where the science-focus in the drama came from. :D Like, they could have easily done sci-fi as a genre without having scientists as characters.
*nodnodnod* PP!Shennong definitely has science-y aspects -- I'd totally believe that's where the drama's scientists came from. \o/ :D :D :D
no subject
Do you mean that's why most of their scenes were removed, so that they could get closer now instead of earlier? (Not disagreeing/questioning, I'm just not sure I understood what you said. :))
"That bothers me, too. (The implication that more sex = more gay, as if being celibate makes people less gay.)"
And apparently here I was very generous again because I read this as 'he's obsessed with Shen Wei, and he was never this obsessed with women'. :D (Assuming that's what Zhu Hong is talking about, which I don't actually think is the case, lol, I'm about 90% sure is talking about bottoming.)
"Oh, that's a better interpretation! It's not how it read to me, but I might adopt it anyway. ;D Thanks!"
Hee, yay, I'm glad it works for you. :D The way I see it, the focus of "Then why help so many people unconditionally?" could be 'this is too much helping/it's weird to help so many people' and not necessarily only 'you should help them conditionally instead'. :) And now I'm thinking it's probably both - 'if you do this as a full-time job, you should at least get something back'.
"*nodnodnod* PP!Shennong definitely has science-y aspects -- I'd totally believe that's where the drama's scientists came from. \o/ :D :D :D"
Yesss, and ever since you said it, I'm actually sure that Professor Ouyang and Shennong were meant to be the same character (and obviously Shennong has elements of other characters too, and the gods = the science in general, because it wouldn't be this adaptation without a million really neatly arranged pieces). :D
no subject
Do you mean that's why most of their scenes were removed, so that they could get closer now instead of earlier?
Yes, that's what I meant. Though it might just be that priest wanted to keep Shen Wei more separate from the SID until later, so that his being integrated more into the group could be part of the joyful ending.
Yesss, and ever since you said it, I'm actually sure that Professor Ouyang and Shennong were meant to be the same character (and obviously Shennong has elements of other characters too, and the gods = the science in general, because it wouldn't be this adaptation without a million really neatly arranged pieces). :D
Yes! (Definitely elements of Ma Gui as well -- we also see him doing experiments, and he made the Hallows. :D :D :D)
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Sage 2
I don't understand anything about the magazine editor's reaction to LJ's photos, but I love the idea of the photos themselves, awww. (I read a novel maybe last year where someone meticulously photographed a beloved place and then made a virtual 3D model of it, so they could still navigate their way through it. LJ should totally do that, too. Also, this reminds me of ZYL's childhood change resistance, being pissy because his father upgraded his car. *pets them both*)
Omg, sound-absorbing paint is an actual thing!! I need to investigate that further!! ;-p
Awwwww, ZYL planting veges. Does that mean he cooks now? Or does he give them to SW to cook, like a cat gifting a dead mouse?? I note that he says he wants a row of kimchi jars, not that he wants to make the kimchi. Maybe the SID team will have to do that for him. ;D :D :D (Maybe that's why no one goes into his garden? I don't understand that part otherwise.)
LOL that everyone loves Shen Wei because his presence means they can leave early. They're all so selfish in the small day-to-day stuff, and so selfless when it comes to putting themselves on the line for work. Why is that endearing?? Anyway, I'm glad Shen Wei is getting some love.
Lin Jing making stuff! \o/ Daqing curled up on the stair railing and yelling at SW! *dies*
Sometimes, relationships had the fragility of glass. Whatever kind it was, once it shattered, it could never be put back together—not even if one forgot…or even forgave.
It was best if a person stayed consistent, whether that meant being selfish to the end, even at the cost of hurting countless other people, or carefully cherishing someone else’s feelings, however foolish the feelings might seem.
I ~~think~~ it's saying that it would have been best if lao-Li had consistently kept his misdeeds to himself, to maintain their previous relationship, rather than confessing and upsetting the applecart. I also think it's deliberately placed as a transition to the SW/ZYL scene, and that it's an excuse for ZYL still being bratty in their relationship, lol. The brattiness is what SW fell in love with, after all.
(But I still think, "It was best if a person stayed consistent, whether that meant being selfish to the end, even at the cost of hurting countless other people" is wrong wrong wrong. ;-p)
And ahhh, this is so domestic. The lovely attic, and ZYL failing to read. (Sofa bed!!) SW nagging ZYL not to nap too much. ZYL sprawling all over him and complaining about his book. ZYL stubbornly refusing to take the easy route: "Science and technology are the primary forces of production."!! :D :D :D (Is that him being a good communist? And then a few paragraphs later: With a mischievous glint in his eye, Zhao Yunlan said, “The primary forces of production and I don’t get along. I fall asleep as soon as I start reading it.” LOL!)
I do love SW's point that seeds planted by a Mountain God are definitely not going to die, lol.
ZYL: But if I can’t keep reading, I won’t be able to stop thinking about it. My mood will plummet, and if those bad moods last long enough, I’ll get depressed!
I don't understand what it is he's distracting himself from? What is the "it" he won't be able to stop thinking about? Being apart from his mountain?
LOL, that ZYL just had to smile for SW to understand he wants to be read to. <3
*glosses over the whole "taking advantage" "committed the crime", ZYL complaining about bottoming part, la la la*
Changcheng is sooo nervous about his date. (Which means it's kind of mean for his uncle to set it up. I'm it's well-meaning, at least in the drama, but poor Changcheng -- not only for having to go on the date, but for his uncle and aunt not knowing him better, too.)
A tiny firework exploded out of Guo Changcheng’s pocket.
LOL! This is why they can't tell him about being the wick -- who knows what would happen?
Awww, CSZ offering to be GCC's emotional support zombie. <3 <3 <3
The girl on the date is pretty nice, though. She sticks with it, doesn't look down on him, and stays cheerful, even if she is a bit pushy at the end. It's not her fault GCC is incapable of talking to humans.
After some thought, Guo Changcheng gave her an honest description of exactly how he would capture a “bad guy.” He made a grabbing motion, then pretended to take out his “secret weapon.”
I... wonder if that looks suggestive. Is that why she laughs? /o\
In an incredibly ambiguous tone, he said, “Going on a date behind my back? You really think you’re hot shit now, huh?”
LOLOL! In the drama, CSZ just says, "He is sure," drags him out, and yells at him for not being more confident, and even then, it's flirty. No wonder Lin Jing gets confused here. :D
Lin Jing is such a punching bag. /o\
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Thank you! So glad we're all equally confused there, LOL.
I read a novel maybe last year where someone meticulously photographed a beloved place and then made a virtual 3D model of it, so they could still navigate their way through it.
Aw, that sounds lovely. Agreed, Lin Jing totally should!
Awwwww, ZYL planting veges. Does that mean he cooks now? Or does he give them to SW to cook, like a cat gifting a dead mouse??
LOL @ that comparison! I don't think gardening and cooking are connected? Pretty sure SW will be cooking.
I also think it's deliberately placed as a transition to the SW/ZYL scene, and that it's an excuse for ZYL still being bratty in their relationship, lol.
Oh, interesting thought, that hadn't occurred to me, but it would make sense!
But I still think, "It was best if a person stayed consistent, whether that meant being selfish to the end, even at the cost of hurting countless other people" is wrong wrong wrong. ;-p
*high five*
"Science and technology are the primary forces of production."!! :D :D :D (Is that him being a good communist? And then a few paragraphs later: With a mischievous glint in his eye, Zhao Yunlan said, “The primary forces of production and I don’t get along. I fall asleep as soon as I start reading it.” LOL!)
Haha, yeah, it's funny how he's all "Marxism!!!" and then "... but it doesn't agree with me", LOL. Makes sense, since he's an actual god. :D
(The very first thing that comes up on google when you plug in ZYL's first sentence is this, btw.)
I don't understand what it is he's distracting himself from? What is the "it" he won't be able to stop thinking about?
I thought he meant the book? That if he can't keep reading because it makes him fall asleep, he'll get frustrated about not reading it? It's all very facetious, or at least that's how I took it.)
Which means it's kind of mean for his uncle to set it up. I'm it's well-meaning, at least in the drama, but poor Changcheng -- not only for having to go on the date, but for his uncle and aunt not knowing him better, too.
Pretty sure it's just as well-meaning in the novel. They're trying to arrange a marriage for him, since he's clearly not putting himself out there, and the girl does seem to like him, so they didn't choose someone wildly unsuitable either. They don't understand the SID thing, but probably if they have any idea that she's not keen on a partner who's a cop, that would be a bonus from their perspective - they want him safe, after all. Totally agreed on them not knowing him better!
LOL! This is why they can't tell him about being the wick -- who knows what would happen?
I wish they said that explicitly in the scene, that would make more sense!
Awww, CSZ offering to be GCC's emotional support zombie. <3 <3 <3
LOLOLOL!
Lin Jing is such a punching bag. /o\
Yeah. Poor Lin Jing!
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I don't think gardening and cooking are connected? Pretty sure SW will be cooking.
Heh. (I think growing veges can be an inspiration for cooking, but yeah.) This made me wonder if any of the plants in the garden, front or back, are Yashou...
it's funny how he's all "Marxism!!!" and then "... but it doesn't agree with me", LOL. Makes sense, since he's an actual god. :D
Yes! I wonder if it's a sly dig by priest...
> > I don't understand what it is he's distracting himself from? What is the "it" he won't be able to stop thinking about?
> I thought he meant the book? That if he can't keep reading because it makes him fall asleep, he'll get frustrated about not reading it? It's all very facetious, or at least that's how I took it.)
I wondered if it was the mountain, and your quote on the other post about the burdens of godhood makes me wonder that again...
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"Daqing yelling about doing yoga on the bannister, I think, but there are a lot. :D These extras are so fun!! I love seeing the SID team just hanging out. :D :D :D"
Ikr!! :D :D :D The extras are basically slice of life crackfics, in the best way. :D
"Given how easily he sets off his baton (like fireworks in the streets!), I suspect the others are worried about the Lamp exploding or something if he finds out."
Lol omg, this is fantastic, and if that's how it was explained canonically, I would understand their decision a lot better. xD :D
"But also, all his do-gooding is so pure, I kind of love that he just does it without a reason. Knowing about the Lamp might make him feel pressured or self-conscious or something. Idk.
And that's a really good point too! What they're canonically worried about is that he wouldn't be happy if he knew that all his merits go to the Lamp and not to him. And I feel like he wouldn't care about that at all, and what you said is a lot more likely - that he'd feel uncomfortable about having this many merits in the first place, regardless of where they go.
"If anyone's going to tell him, it should probably be ZYL, anyway."
Oh, because of their connection? I didn't think of that, but I think I'd be okay with anyone telling him, including accidentally. :) (How did they all manage not to tell him accidentally btw?? xD)
"So I ~think~ ZYL is saying SW started out someone with a great obsession without resentment or regrets, and then, when push came to shove, he became someone who knows what lies on the other side of death and chose it anyway. It was that transition that changed everything? Like, whether he'd make that choice was the colossal gamble? So it wasn't a coincidence: Shen Wei's choice fulfilled the oath, reawakened Kunlun, and freed Shen Wei from the oath. But I'm just randomly guessing, really. :-)"
This is SO COOL, and far more than I could come up with, and it makes so much sense that honestly it could be exactly the intended interpretation?? I'm taking your random guess as the actual explanation of what they were talking about. :D
"I think spring is a metaphor for rejuvenation and love blooming (I watched a Kdrama once called "Daljal's Spring" and I've come across the metaphor in other Kdramas, too) -- and because they're them, it happens literally. <3 <3 <3"
Aww, yes, it's definitely the case here too (spring came in the final chapter already: "The ground that had been devastated by the destruction of the Great Seal was restored to how it had been; fresh green buds, so easily overlooked in early spring, burst from the soil."), and I love that they keep amplifying it just by existing. ♡♡♡
"Definitely the attic. It sounds so cosy. I want it!!"
Ikr, the sun sounds so good! :D
"Idk, I don't know enough about the other SID members' spaces to decide!"
Fwiw, there are two different areas - the backyard/garden ideas got described but no one got to do anything there other than Zhao Yunlan ("He vetoed the roses Zhu Hong liked, vetoed Chu Shuzhi’s suggestion of vines, and vetoed Lin Jing’s request for bodhi trees."), and then there's the front yard, where everyone did get their own space but it's not described at all. So I think my favorite garden idea is the vegetables, but I want to know their front yard ideas and I really want to see what exactly is happening there. :D :D
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Yes! That's totally how I see it too.
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What they're canonically worried about is that he wouldn't be happy if he knew that all his merits go to the Lamp and not to him.
It does say Everyone was too afraid of disturbing Guo Changcheng’s peaceful state of mind to dare mention the Soul-Guarding Lamp in front of him. but worrying about the merits side of things is only in Lin Jing's POV. Maybe everyone else has a better one? ;-p
> > "If anyone's going to tell him, it should probably be ZYL, anyway."
> Oh, because of their connection?
Their connection, and ZYL is the boss and a god and responsible (in some sense) for the Soul-Guarding Lamp. And the one most likely to be able to fix it if things go horribly wrong. ;-p
(How did they all manage not to tell him accidentally btw?? xD)
Ha! Excellent question!
I'm taking your random guess as the actual explanation of what they were talking about. :D
\o/ \o/ \o/ :D
but I want to know their front yard ideas and I really want to see what exactly is happening there. :D :D
Yes, exactly! I can't decide what's best without knowing what everyone's done to their sections. Chu Shuzhi's might be full of bones, or it might be awesome! ;p :D ...I wonder if GCC got one.
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Oh, I really like that interpretation, that makes a lot of sense! I didn't catch that at all, LOL.
I think spring is a metaphor for rejuvenation and love blooming
It usually is, and it definitely is here, yeah! Such fun. :D
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Oh, I really like that interpretation, that makes a lot of sense!
Yay!
It usually is, and it definitely is here, yeah! Such fun. :D
*facepalms at self* I didn't actually mean in the obvious way of "spring out in the world, with bunnies and lambs" is a metaphor for new love. I meant that when a person is in a time of new love and personal rejuvenation, it's referred to as their spring. So to me, here, it seems like that personal spring is spreading outwards (because they're gods). /this is too many words for this tiny usage thing, and I still don't know if I'm explaining it right, just ignore me /dork