sid_guardian | Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 3, part 1

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Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 3, part 1

Zhao Yunlan sprawled on a couch, grinning at his phone. The background shows a purply sky with stars. Text reads "Slo-Mo Rewatch. Guardian - half an episode per week @ sid-guardian.dreamwidth.org."

Hi, and welcome back to the Guardian drama Slo-Mo Rewatch. Watch half an episode a week, at your leisure, and then come and chat about it here in comments. Or you can just jump into the comments without rewatching, of course!

Here are the previous weeks' rewatch posts.

Episode 3, up to 23:25

Summary
Shen Wei talks to Teacher Zhang Ruonan, who's nervous and off her game lately. At the SID, Zhao Yunlan is sneezing everywhere and also the only one who can make the Dial react. Their latest murder victim is a student who looks like an old man. Zhao Yunlan sneezes all over Shen Wei's office and eats his cake; Shen Wei is unimpressed. Teacher Zhang comes in, and Zhao Yunlan introduces himself as "Professor Shen's............. good friend." Zhao Yunlan and Xiao Guo go to the hospital for cold medicine and see Wang Yike. Lao Chu interviews the murder victim's roommate and then leaves him for Da Qing to tail, but Da Qing falls asleep on his stakeout. Zhao Yunlan has the first of many late-night visits to Shen Wei's office. ♥! The roommate is also murdered, and Xiao Guo faints at the crime scene. Zhao Yunlan sees Teacher Zhang among the onlookers, follows her, and connects her with Wang Yike and the murder victims. Teacher Zhang explains her backstory. Zhao Yunlan leaves her in the care of the class rep.

Da Qing asleep against a tree while on a stakeout.

Da Qing asleep against a tree while on a stakeout.

Quote
SW: It's really a coincidence this time.

Detail
I never noticed before that at the very start of the episode Shen Wei is studying the SID file. He puts it away and picks up some other papers as Teacher Zhang comes in.

Questions
Do you have a favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 3? Is Zhao Yunlan's sneezing purely Hallows-related, or does he actually have a cold (perhaps due to a Hallows-weakened immune system)? Does Shen Wei seem grumpy to you, and if so, why do you think that is? What's the main reason he hesitates when introducing Zhao Yunlan to Teacher Zhang: because Zhao Yunlan looks so disreputable, because the SID is conducting a covert investigation, because publicly associating with the SID is bad for his career, because he genuinely doesn't have a word to describe his relationship with Zhao Yunlan, or some other reason? And what does Xiao Guo think is going on with the introduction? What's the most suspicious thing about Wang Yike at the hospital? How much do you blame Da Qing for falling asleep on his stakeout? What is Shen Wei referring to when he says, "Many tragedies were destined from the beginning"?

If you're familiar with the novel, any thoughts about how the drama adaptation compares?

(As usual, these are all just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like! You don't have to be keeping up with the rewatch to join in. We'd love to hear your thoughts!)

And here is our schedule, where you can sign up to host a post!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

ZHAO YUNLAN EATING CAKE. ♡♡♡ PROFESSOR SHEN'S GOOD FRIEND. ♡♡♡ That's it for now, I'll be back after I rewatch. :D

(For anyone who doesn't mind bts/actor stuff: one of my favorite tumblr posts about the cake scene, suggestive/bordering on nsfw (insofar as eating can be nsfw) because of the way Bai Yu eats cream. ;D)

That cake scene, Bai Yu, Bai Yu, the things you manage.. amazing.

(But also, cover your dang nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough, I know it's to show some characterization BUT STILL. Also, as per the episode watch question, I have no idea how the cold is supposed to be related to anything other than the fact it's obviously a plot point choice and not that the actor is sick or something.)

Shen Wei jumping to Zhang Laoshi's defense makes sense on some level but still... he has no way to actually know she's not involved in any way and she has been acting squirrely. The whole interaction there actually feels a little odd to me. Trying to lie about who ZYL is was bound to fail considering ZYL was actively investigating a case involving one of her (former) students and just how often he's been on campus in an official capacity lately, so why do it?

I love the look of surprised respect ZYL gives Xiao Guo when he asks the student they were interviewing a good question.

Shen Wei's "Many tragedies were destined from the beginning" (said while first staring off into the distance and then sharply gazing at ZYL) is great for the different layers to it. We don't know how ZYL interprets it but I doubt Shen Wei meant it to only refer to the current (or former) case.

Da Qing is the deputy director of SID so really should know/be better, but it is such a cat-like thing to fall asleep in random places, especially when/where you aren't supposed to.

And... Xiao Guo faints at another crime scene. Just when he was starting to seem competent at the job!

There isn't a lot to really dive into in this half ep. ZYL is being slightly more of a disaster than usual but only slightly and the case is only just being introduced.

ZHAO YUNLAN EATING CAKE. ♡♡♡ PROFESSOR SHEN'S GOOD FRIEND. ♡♡♡ That's it for now, I'll be back after I rewatch. :D

LOL!! YESSS! :D :D :D

Also, THE EYE CONTACT!!

Edited 2025-10-05 19:36 (UTC)

Shen Wei jumping to Zhang Laoshi's defense makes sense on some level but still... he has no way to actually know she's not involved in any way and she has been acting squirrely.

I think after the Li Qian situation, Shen Wei is very aware of ZYL's negative assumptions, and consequently feels protective of the people around him, especially women? He feels like ZYL is jumping to conclusions about everyone he knows, maybe?

I love the look of surprised respect ZYL gives Xiao Guo when he asks the student they were interviewing a good question.

Yes, that's so good! :D

Shen Wei's "Many tragedies were destined from the beginning" (said while first staring off into the distance and then sharply gazing at ZYL) is great for the different layers to it. We don't know how ZYL interprets it but I doubt Shen Wei meant it to only refer to the current (or former) case.

Agreed! I just don't really understand what tragedy he's referring to. Maybe the heartache of ZYL not recognising him??

but it is such a cat-like thing to fall asleep in random places, especially when/where you aren't supposed to.

I know! I think ZYL has to take responsibility, really, for assigning him the task.

ZYL is being slightly more of a disaster than usual but only slightly

Ha, yes. I guess he's feeling under the weather, so that's some excuse. ;D

I think he genuinely doesn't have a word to describe his relationship with Zhao Yunlan - it takes the whole series to explain it, after all!
Da Qing falling asleep is terribly incompetent!
"It's really a coincidence this time." Does he honestly think anyone would believe that?

I think he genuinely doesn't have a word to describe his relationship with Zhao Yunlan - it takes the whole series to explain it, after all!

Yes, I think so too! But I also think that even if he did have a way to express it, he wouldn't say it this early, and especially not in front of Teacher Zhang, who isn't directly involved, you know?

Da Qing falling asleep is terribly incompetent!

It really is. Do not assign the cat a stakeout!! /o\

"It's really a coincidence this time." Does he honestly think anyone would believe that?

Except is actually is this time. (Honestly, I just really love the "this time" -- it's so revealing about all the other times. *g*)

Asdfghfdjksjkljkl gods WHAT A SCREENCAP. :D :D :D ♡_____♡ Censored, my ass. ;D

One of my favorite tumblr tags: "shen wei: if i look innocent enough dirty thoughts can't touch me" ;D

"it takes the whole series to explain it, after all!"

This is now my favorite way to phrase this. :D :D Yep, ITA, I don't think he can have a word for that, no matter how many years he has spent trying to find one. ♡ (At least not one he can use around everyone, including Zhao Yunlan himself at this point - "love of my life" would probably work otherwise. ;D)

Hi! Wishlist is making us all late for commenting on this - and with good reason! But I won't be home the next two nights, and doing this on the laptop is a pain, so I'm commenting today. :)

I never noticed before that at the very start of the episode Shen Wei is studying the SID file. He puts it away and picks up some other papers as Teacher Zhang comes in.

It came up during the last rewatch! But I had completely forgotten about it too.

Do you have a favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 3?

Shen Wei telling Zhao Yunlan: "I know that making bold assumptions is your style, but can you refrain from targeting innocent people?" It's such a meaty thing to dig into, the contrast between their attitudes!

He must be remembering Zhao Yunlan accusing Li Qian of murder. And this is something that struck me this time especially - Zhao Yunlan immediately suspects everyone he encounters, with sometimes flimsy reasons, because he refuses to believe in coincidences. But the real coincidence is that he just so happens to stumble over the right people! *g*

Like, he immediately suspects Zhang Ruonan from her behaviour in Shen Wei's office, but it's a total coincidence that she happened to stop by just then. And likewise, a complete coincidence that he just so happens to be at the hospital when Wang Yike is there, and that Guo Changcheng just so happens to collide with her. :p

And Zhao Yunlan really thinks it means something that the (first) victim in this case is Shen Wei's student, just like Lu Ruomei, just like Li Qian. He also thinks Shen Wei's cake coming from the dead student's class must mean something, in this context (and acts as if he caught Shen Wei out about it), but it doesn't. Neither murder has anything to do with Shen Wei in either of his identities - there's no connection to him whatsoever except coincidence.

Zhao Yunlan sees a lot of connections that are there, but also a lot that aren't. Whereas Shen Wei knows there's something going on with Zhang Ruonan, but doesn't suspect anything beyond that, and treats everyone as innocent.

Shen Wei gives character references both for Zhang Ruonan and for Liu Yadong - and one of them is wrong, but he has no evidence of that, and I don't think he can be blamed for not jumping to suspicion. I don't think that means Zhao Yunlan is right and Shen Wei doesn't understand people. I think it means Shen Wei is willing to take people at face value until he has reasons for suspicion, and that that's something he's deliberately cultivating in himself - the assumption of innocence - because of the vast power he wields as the Envoy.

Is Zhao Yunlan's sneezing purely Hallows-related, or does he actually have a cold (perhaps due to a Hallows-weakened immune system)?

I always thought it was a Hallows-weakened immune system - early stages of black energy corruption.

(I'd forgotten there was a scene in this episode where Zhao Yunlan fondles the Sundial and then immediately sneezes, tying the two together!)

Does Shen Wei seem grumpy to you, and if so, why do you think that is?

I think a lot of it is about Zhao Yunlan's overactive suspicion.

What's the main reason he hesitates when introducing Zhao Yunlan to Teacher Zhang: because Zhao Yunlan looks so disreputable, because the SID is conducting a covert investigation, because publicly associating with the SID is bad for his career, because he genuinely doesn't have a word to describe his relationship with Zhao Yunlan, or some other reason?

I think it's multiple things - he doesn't quite know what to call Zhao Yunlan at this point, since they're not actually friends yet, but also, he doesn't know (with the case being kept under wraps) if Zhao Yunlan wants to be outed as a SID officer to someone who doesn't already know. So he lets Zhao Yunlan decide how to introduce himself.

And what does Xiao Guo think is going on with the introduction?

I think from Xiao-Guo's perspective, Zhao Yunlan has been so outrageous and OTT from the start, this doesn't even register on the "unusual" scale. *g*

What's the most suspicious thing about Wang Yike at the hospital?

Honestly, the only suspicious thing I see at all is how spooked she seems.

How much do you blame Da Qing for falling asleep on his stakeout?

A lot more than the episode does. It always bugs me that it doesn't take it more seriously that Da Qing's inattention got someone killed.

What is Shen Wei referring to when he says, "Many tragedies were destined from the beginning"?

He says it in the context of hurt and disappointment about people. I wonder if it's about Ye Zun? (I assume he doesn't actually know why Ye Zun turned out the way he did.) But I can't quite make it come together.

More notes from me:

Zhang Ruonan approaches Shen Wei twice, and it looks like she's nerving herself up to talking to him. I always wonder what might have happened if she'd actually confided in him.

I'd forgotten that Zhang Ruonan brings up Li Qian, giving us a bit of continuity there!

Zhao Yunlan sneezing over everyone and everything without so much as a hand in front of his mouth makes me want to hit him and force-fit him with a mask, every time! :p

I love the little bit of teasing between Zhao Yunlan and Lin Jing in the lab, where Lin Jing mocks Zhao Yunlan's self-important speech about being the Lord Guardian. That false smile! Hee!

I'd forgotten Zhu Hong's quip about the library just being for decoration. I wonder how it was established. Did they just shove all the books left behind from the previous SID team in there? Has anyone read any of these books before Sang Zan joins them? *g*

Shen Wei says he doesn't usually eat sweet things. Option A: he doesn't like sweet things, but of course That Lollipop 10,000 Years Ago™ is an exception. Option B: he does in theory like sweet things, but none of them can compare to That Lollipop, so he doesn't bother. *g*

The side-eye Shen Wei gives Zhao Yunlan when he calls himself Professor Shen's good friend!

When Zhang Ruonan hears about Zhang Hao's death and runs off, she's running to Wang Yike, isn't she? She didn't know before, but she caught on right away.

Lin Jing finds out that Wang Yike gets prescriptions from the hospital, but never had a physical exam. I still don't understand how that works. Who prescribed the meds for her, then?

Zhao Yunlan suspects Wang Ziqiang and the dead Zhang Hao (who were roommates) were in collusion - but I'm not sure about what. Is he just throwing suspicion at literally every person he meets? Good instincts for when something's up!

Shen Wei gives Zhao Yunlan the brush-off a bit when he turns up at night - I like that.

When Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing follow Zhang Ruonan from the second murder site, they run into a stand-off between Zhang Ruonan, Wang Yike and Liu Yadong. I didn't remember that Wang Yike is taking off a glove, and Zhang Ruonan seems to be trying to hold her back. Was Wang Yike going to attack Liu Yadong out in the open like this, in plain sight?

I always twitch so much at Liu Yadong's fake-solicitous behaviour towards Zhang Ruonan, and at Zhao Yunlan leaving her in his "care" while he goes off to ~~find Shen Wei~~ find out who the third student involved is. Zhang Ruonan doesn't say that it's Liu Yadong - I wonder what would have happened if she had? But he must know that she won't; he doesn't seem to be worried about that at all.

Finally, if Zhao Yunlan already suspects Liu Yadong when he tells Shen Wei he doesn't understand people, then it's extremely irresponsible of him to leave Zhang Ruonan with him there! I really don't know what he thinks he's doing.

Edited 2025-10-07 21:54 (UTC)

Hee! CAKE. :D :D :D

Thank you for the link! And looking forward to your rewatch thoughts, cake-related and otherwise. :D

But also, cover your dang nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough

RIGHT???? That gets me every time!

I have no idea how the cold is supposed to be related to anything other than the fact it's obviously a plot point choice and not that the actor is sick or something.

There's a bit where Zhao Yunlan is fondling the Sundial and then sneezing, which I think is to tie them together - my theory was always that it's the Hallows' deleterious effect on his health.

Shen Wei jumping to Zhang Laoshi's defense makes sense on some level but still... he has no way to actually know she's not involved in any way and she has been acting squirrely.

I think he's trying to defend her from Zhao Yunlan's suspicions because the last time, Zhao Yunlan accused Li Qian of murder and turned out to be wrong.

Trying to lie about who ZYL is was bound to fail considering ZYL was actively investigating a case involving one of her (former) students and just how often he's been on campus in an official capacity lately, so why do it?

I don't think Shen Wei is trying to lie - he's leaving it up to ZYL how to introduce himself. And for ZYL, the university is keeping the murder under wraps at this point, so he's not openly investigating (yet), and choosing not to speak to her in an official capacity (yet).

Shen Wei's "Many tragedies were destined from the beginning" (said while first staring off into the distance and then sharply gazing at ZYL) is great for the different layers to it.

I'm never quite sure what he actually means by it ... Do you have a theory?

Da Qing is the deputy director of SID so really should know/be better, but it is such a cat-like thing to fall asleep in random places, especially when/where you aren't supposed to.

Yeah, everyone should be taking this more seriously! But also, SO very cat.

it takes the whole series to explain it

Oh wow, I love how you put that! ♥ ♥ ♥

"It's really a coincidence this time." Does he honestly think anyone would believe that?

Zhao Yunlan clearly doesn't believe it, but it's actually true. Neither the Li Qian case nor this one have anything to do with Shen Wei; that they're happening in his vicinity and not somewhere else is pure coincidence!

You listing out all those coincidences and how Zhao Yunlan approaches them with suspicion made me think of how ZYL's travel into the past is also, technically, a coincidence. It just happens that he oh so perfectly coincidentally drops from the sky right next to where Shen Wei is :D And Shen Wei's belief in people's goodness until proven otherwise helps them connect at that time, too. If he were more suspicious and guarded, he wouldn't have talked to ZYL so openly and honestly (even before knowing him as Kunlun!). I like that the things Zhao Yunlan finds suspicious in these early episodes ultimately work out for him and become dear.

> Zhao Yunlan sneezing over everyone and everything without so much as a hand in front of his mouth makes me want to hit him and force-fit him with a mask, every time! :p

Same 😂

> I love the little bit of teasing between Zhao Yunlan and Lin Jing in the lab, where Lin Jing mocks Zhao Yunlan's self-important speech about being the Lord Guardian. That false smile! Hee!

YES, it makes me laugh every time! I like that it develops the relationships within SID more. It's also such a human thing to do, feels very siblings-like.

> I'd forgotten Zhu Hong's quip about the library just being for decoration. I wonder how it was established. Did they just shove all the books left behind from the previous SID team in there? Has anyone read any of these books before Sang Zan joins them? *g*

I watched that scene frame by frame, looked a bit closer at the books on the shelves, and choked with laughter. I imagine most of them (all of them?) are fake set decorations but it makes me laugh imagining the reason why SID would have two (2) copies of a Polish book about a random Polish village in the context of the country's history. Zhu Hong saying "The library has always been just decoration" after that was priceless and felt very on-the-nose 😂 Sang Zan the multilingual star student confirmed!

> Shen Wei says he doesn't usually eat sweet things. Option A: he doesn't like sweet things, but of course That Lollipop 10,000 Years Ago™ is an exception. Option B: he does in theory like sweet things, but none of them can compare to That Lollipop, so he doesn't bother. *g*

!!! There were such good tags under this gifset on tumblr of this exact thing, the creator wrote "#sw already had the sweetest so what comes after would mean so little to him #other sweets don't interest him #or that he doesn't want to forget the sweetness he experienced the very first time in his life :)" and I really enjoy that theory - Shen Wei staying away from sweetness to preserve the association with Kunlun. It would mean that all this time he's been accepting and experiencing every other flavour Kunlun promised him - the bitter, the sour, etc. (It also makes me go a little bit insane when I think of this - Shen Wei straying from sweets to preserve the memory - and then see Zhao Yunlan parading with the very same lollipops right under Shen Wei's nose, sometimes outright dangling them in front of him like the most torturous temptation :'D)

> Shen Wei gives Zhao Yunlan the brush-off a bit when he turns up at night - I like that.

I haven't realised before, but I like it, too. I'm trying to imagine someone glowering at me, all suspicious of me, while I'm just trying to do my job, and I get it, Shen Wei ahsdjfkg. Also Shen Wei's office has windows on two walls, I think the office is surrounded by halls so all windows open into hallways(?). That'd be so distracting!

> Was Wang Yike going to attack Liu Yadong out in the open like this, in plain sight?

It would have been really daring to do it right next to a currently-investigated crime scene!

> I always twitch so much at Liu Yadong's fake-solicitous behaviour towards Zhang Ruonan

YES. Liu Yadong being all "Yes, tell the officers everything that happened!". Please stop c': Don't touch her *screams*

> (Honestly, I just really love the "this time" -- it's so revealing about all the other times. *g*)

Exactly! Just two words but such meaning behind them 😂 Zhao Yunlan will remember that.

It just happens that he oh so perfectly coincidentally drops from the sky right next to where Shen Wei is :D And Shen Wei's belief in people's goodness until proven otherwise helps them connect at that time, too. If he were more suspicious and guarded, he wouldn't have talked to ZYL so openly and honestly (even before knowing him as Kunlun!).

Oh wow, yes, that's an excellent point! I hadn't thought of it that way, but OMG. ♥ ♥ ♥

I like that it develops the relationships within SID more.

Yes! The SID team dynamics are such fun, and I love these little moments that make the characters and their world that much more real. :D

I watched that scene frame by frame, looked a bit closer at the books on the shelves, and choked with laughter. I imagine most of them (all of them?) are fake set decorations but it makes me laugh imagining the reason why SID would have two (2) copies of a Polish book about a random Polish village in the context of the country's history. Zhu Hong saying "The library has always been just decoration" after that was priceless and felt very on-the-nose 😂 Sang Zan the multilingual star student confirmed!

OMG, that is delightful. I knew there are some very weird books on the shelves in various places - ad you say, set decoration - but I hadn't looked closely at the SID library. Zhu Hong's quip is that much more hilarious in that context! Priceless indeed. :D

!!! There were such good tags under this gifset on tumblr of this exact thing, the creator wrote "#sw already had the sweetest so what comes after would mean so little to him #other sweets don't interest him #or that he doesn't want to forget the sweetness he experienced the very first time in his life :)"

OHHHHH thank you for sharing, that is lovely!

Also Shen Wei's office has windows on two walls, I think the office is surrounded by halls so all windows open into hallways(?). That'd be so distracting!

I thought one side led to the outside? Clearly I need to pay more attention to this in the future!

Don't touch her *screams*

RIGHT?????

Edited 2025-10-08 19:26 (UTC)

> The SID team dynamics are such fun, and I love these little moments that make the characters and their world that much more real. :D

Me too 🥺 The show does it so well, you really do get attached.

> I thought one side led to the outside? Clearly I need to pay more attention to this in the future!

I thought so, too! Mostly because of the episode in which Shen Wei is contacted by the Regent's messenger (which is caught on camera in ep 15 and leads to the whole 'reveal it yourself or I'll do it for you' thing) + so much light gets into the office through those windows. But in this episode, Wang Ziqiang is listening in through that 'outside' window (for some reason I've also always assumed Shen Wei's office is not on the ground floor so I never considered that Ziqiang could just stand on some balcony of sorts - which could be an explanation for that. However--) and the view outside that window shows red-brown walls and wall lanterns between windows - just like the corridor we see in a later episode (episode 6, at ~40:05).

Just some quick notes today.

1. Shen Wei hiding those pages immediately sets up the theme of the episode: secrets. (I know that's kind of a universal theme, but still.)

2. I wonder if Zhang Ruonan is projecting when she enquires about how Li Qian is doing after the attack. (And how much does anyone know about what happened, anyway? What's the official line on what the attack was??)

3. I suppose Zhao Yunlan can't really stay home, because it's a major case, but omg, stop sneezing on everyone. (I kind of love that everyone else adopts masks. ;-p)

4. I took sooo many screencaps of the cake theft. I may have to declare that my favourite scene, along with all the times ZYL touches his mouth (also led to a ton of screencaps). ;-D

5. ZYL telling CSZ to win his interview subject over with kindness, lol. Pot/kettle! And then CSZ is so stone-faced when he shows his badge, lol.

6. I kind of adore ZYL saying, "Don't make me skin you alive," to GCC -- that's real acceptance. *g*

7. Wang Yike's hair is unevenly cut -- I guess she has to do it herself.

8. I will always love CSZ sitting sideways in his chair.

9. Shen Wei: Chief Zhao, I have the duty to offer up clues. But you coming to disturb me at work repeatedly is making things difficult for me.

I find this so interesting. SW isn't welcoming in this episode. He doesn't like ZYL's suspicions or his failure to take care of himself, and I think he's finding the differences from Kunlun really jarring. This line also makes me wonder if the university has send out a warning to staff telling them to hush these matters up. SW must be aware he has a lot to hide.

(And if the university did contact staff about it all, how does that make Zhang Ruonan feel?)

10. Anyway, I really like ZYL's response: "Aren't we also afraid of another student getting killed?" Because yes, priorities!

11. Da Qing gets a D- in stakeouts, no fish for him! (Oh, and now I'm thinking ZYL sent Da Qing because he's experience and, just as importantly, discreet -- he either looks like a cat or a student. Shame that backfired.)

12. The whole bit with Zhu Hong bullying Zhao Yunlan into taking his medicine, and him smiling up at her -- no wonder she doesn't realise her crush is hopeless!

What's the most suspicious thing about Wang Yike at the hospital?
Her flustered manner, the gloves, and the way she's carefully not touching anyone with her non-gloved hand.

What is Shen Wei referring to when he says, "Many tragedies were destined from the beginning"?
I'm relying on Google Translate, but looking at the Chinese subs, the elements of the sentence actually go "Many tragedies from the beginning... are already destined." And he looks at ZYL just for the "destined" part.

I think he's feeling a bit gloomy and like the important events of his life are out of his hands... which is currently fair enough!

Oof, you're totally right, Wang Ziqiang is listening in from the other side! How did I never notice that before? Really, every rewatch shows me something new. :D

I also always thought his office wasn't on the ground floor, but I can't say why exactly. Funny how that goes!

LOL! :D

Zhao Yunlan remembers everything! :D :D :D

And how much does anyone know about what happened, anyway? What's the official line on what the attack was??

Very good question! I don't have a good theory, tbh.

along with all the times ZYL touches his mouth (also led to a ton of screencaps

Hee! Yes! :D :D :D

Wang Yike's hair is unevenly cut -- I guess she has to do it herself.

Oh, ouch, I hadn't noticed that! Poor Wang Yike.

Anyway, I really like ZYL's response: "Aren't we also afraid of another student getting killed?" Because yes, priorities!

Yes, he's not wrong, but also, he's kind of just decided Shen Wei has answers, and he actually doesn't know anything about the case. So from Shen Wei's POV, bothering him in his office isn't actually helpful for the investigation and won't stop another student from being killed.

Oh, and now I'm thinking ZYL sent Da Qing because he's experience and, just as importantly, discreet -- he either looks like a cat or a student. Shame that backfired.

Yeah, agreed. And I don't think later-episode Da Qing would have failed like this, cat or no. The team really isn't used to more serious cases yet.

I'm relying on Google Translate, but looking at the Chinese subs, the elements of the sentence actually go "Many tragedies from the beginning... are already destined."

Yes, that's the order it goes in Chinese. And you're right that he looks at ZYL at the end. I just can't put together "tragedy" with anything about ZYL. A tragedy implies an ending, and he and ZYL aren't at an ending, and aren't headed for a tragic ending (as far as he knows). So I keep feeling like I'm missing something here.

I may need to do another picspam. (But when???)

but also, he's kind of just decided Shen Wei has answers, and he actually doesn't know anything about the case. So from Shen Wei's POV, bothering him in his office isn't actually helpful for the investigation and won't stop another student from being killed.

Ha, true. At least ZYL is approaching him as a witness and not a suspect at this stage? /glass half-full

I just can't put together "tragedy" with anything about ZYL. A tragedy implies an ending, and he and ZYL aren't at an ending

Maybe Shen Wei is thinking of his separation from Kunlun. It might feel like a tragedy, especially with how unsatisfying the reunion is proving to be at this point. ;-p And there's that element of destiny, with the Hallows snatching Kunlun away back then. (Oh, now I'm wondering if it's a red herring meant to imply YOHE is more tragic than it actually is?)

But I know what you mean about it being hard to pin down.

It came up during the last rewatch! But I had completely forgotten about it too.

Ha, there's no way I'm going to notice things in every episode that no one has remarked on before. That's too high a bar! ;-p

And that's a great point about the difference between SW and ZYL's attitudes to people! ZYL thinks his cynicism makes him sharper and more perceptive, and he judges SW for being accepting. They're both judging each other. No wonder SW is finding this hard, after Kunlun's fathomless acceptance. :-(

Like, he immediately suspects Zhang Ruonan from her behaviour in Shen Wei's office

Do you think he suspects her of involvement in the case, at that point? I thought he just (rightly) thought something was up with her.

He also thinks Shen Wei's cake coming from the dead student's class must mean something, in this context (and acts as if he caught Shen Wei out about it)

That was just "you said you don't know them, but you know them well enough that they gave you cake", right? (The cake is so sinister when you have more context. /o\)

Whereas Shen Wei knows there's something going on with Zhang Ruonan, but doesn't suspect anything beyond that, and treats everyone as innocent.

Which sometimes makes him feel too detached, to me. Like, when Zhang Ruonan says, "However, good intentions might not always be rewarded," clearly speaking about herself, and SW answers, "It's enough as long as my conscience is clear," making it about him. Idk.

I think it means Shen Wei is willing to take people at face value until he has reasons for suspicion, and that that's something he's deliberately cultivating in himself - the assumption of innocence - because of the vast power he wields as the Envoy.

And something he works to cultivate in ZYL, who wields the power of the SID and, by extension, the Haixing government.

I think it's multiple things - he doesn't quite know what to call Zhao Yunlan at this point, since they're not actually friends yet, but also, he doesn't know (with the case being kept under wraps) if Zhao Yunlan wants to be outed as a SID officer to someone who doesn't already know. So he lets Zhao Yunlan decide how to introduce himself.

I think that's a great way of summing it up. <3

I think from Xiao-Guo's perspective, Zhao Yunlan has been so outrageous and OTT from the start, this doesn't even register on the "unusual" scale. *g*

LOL!!

It always bugs me that it doesn't take it more seriously that Da Qing's inattention got someone killed.

Do you think he'd have been able to stop Wang Yike, though? Or would he just have become collateral damage?

Option B: he does in theory like sweet things, but none of them can compare to That Lollipop, so he doesn't bother. *g*

Ahhh, I love that! :-)

The side-eye Shen Wei gives Zhao Yunlan when he calls himself Professor Shen's good friend!

Riiiiiiiiight?!?!

When Zhang Ruonan hears about Zhang Hao's death and runs off, she's running to Wang Yike, isn't she? She didn't know before, but she caught on right away.

I think so, yes. So she does actually know something, and I think ZYL picks up on that (even if you're right, he's picking up on everything, whether it's relevant or not.

Shen Wei gives Zhao Yunlan the brush-off a bit when he turns up at night - I like that.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how we get from this to the "what's important between friends is intimacy" convo in the next ep! That's quite a shift, and I've forgotten what turns things around. (Don't tell me! Spoilers! LOL.)

Was Wang Yike going to attack Liu Yadong out in the open like this, in plain sight?

I think so. I think she's given up caring about anything except revenge (and if she found the other two together, that might have been enough to drive her to recklessness).

I always twitch so much at Liu Yadong's fake-solicitous behaviour towards Zhang Ruonan, and at Zhao Yunlan leaving her in his "care"

I KNOW! /o\ /o\ /o\ I think ZYL is relying on SW's character reference, despite having questioned his perceptiveness. Plus they're on campus in broad daylight -- that helps a bit?

Ha, there's no way I'm going to notice things in every episode that no one has remarked on before. That's too high a bar! ;-p

LOL! But I keep being amazed that there's still new stuff to discover basically every week. This show!!!! :D

ZYL thinks his cynicism makes him sharper and more perceptive, and he judges SW for being accepting. They're both judging each other. No wonder SW is finding this hard, after Kunlun's fathomless acceptance. :-(

Oh, yes, excellent point!

Like, he immediately suspects Zhang Ruonan from her behaviour in Shen Wei's office

Do you think he suspects her of involvement in the case, at that point? I thought he just (rightly) thought something was up with her.

Like you say further down, her reaction to Zhang Hao's name suggests something more. But I think he also thinks her turning up in Shen Wei's office means something, and it doesn't really (in the sense of being case-related).

That was just "you said you don't know them, but you know them well enough that they gave you cake", right?

He thinks that's more of a contradiction than it actually has to be, definitely.

The cake is so sinister when you have more context. /o\

Seriously!!!! :( :( :(

Which sometimes makes him feel too detached, to me. Like, when Zhang Ruonan says, "However, good intentions might not always be rewarded," clearly speaking about herself, and SW answers, "It's enough as long as my conscience is clear," making it about him. Idk.

That's a translation issue - here's no "my" (or any pronoun) in the Chinese. It could just as easily be translated as "as long as your conscience is clear". I think he's trying to reassure her that her good intentions still matter even if things don't turn out well.

And something he works to cultivate in ZYL, who wields the power of the SID and, by extension, the Haixing government.

Yes! I love that so much.

Do you think he'd have been able to stop Wang Yike, though? Or would he just have become collateral damage?

I don't know, but they don't know how dangerous Wang Yike's power is at this point either, so even if Da Qing might not have been able to do anything, he should still be blaming himself for not being there to try. *grumbles*

(Don't tell me! Spoilers! LOL.)

LOLOLOL! :D

and if she found the other two together, that might have been enough to drive her to recklessness

Yeah, true. Can't blame her for that, tbh.

I think ZYL is relying on SW's character reference, despite having questioned his perceptiveness. Plus they're on campus in broad daylight -- that helps a bit?

Yeah, I guess that makes some sense.

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Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 3, part 1

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