sid_guardian | Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 7, part 1

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Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 7, 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 7, up to 24:30

Summary
Shen Wei starts to get serious with the muggers, but just then Zhao Yunlan shows up and "rescues" him... only to be caught unawares with a metal bar. They go to Shen Wei's place for first aid and verbal sparring.

Zhao Yunlan covering his mouth as he watches Shen Wei touching his arm (purely for first aid purposes).

Zhao Yunlan covering his mouth as he watches Shen Wei touching his arm (purely for first aid purposes).

Zhao Yunlan asks Shen Wei to be an official consultant to the SID, and Shen Wei refuses. Zhao Yunlan accidentally implies he's been in Shen Wei's place before. The next day at the SID, Lin Jing is telling ghost stories when a call comes about a new case: one of the muggers is dead. When the SID review nearby CCTV footage, they don't see much, but rewinding to earlier reveals that Zhao Yunlan met up with Shen Wei in that alley. Zhao Yunlan unconvincingly laughs this off. The "bears" call: Zhu Hong grudgingly conveys a laptop to Shen Wei for a Zoom call with Zhao Yunlan and the others. After Shen Wei's extensive and illustrated lecture on different kinds of bears, Da Qing pipes up to suggest the attacker might be a Youchu; Shen Wei produces a relevant sketch. Zhao Yunlan, Lin Jing and Chu Shuzhi visit the surviving mugger in hospital; he's out of his wits, babbling about a monster. Lin Jing sees the crime scene photos and makes the connection with his favourite web novel.

Quote
Shen Wei: There are some questions that, out of principle, I cannot answer. But when the safety of people around me are at stake, I will surely not watch from the side and hide information from you. You can count on me for that.

Detail
The moment they're inside his apartment, Shen Wei ~~starts disrobing~~ takes off his jacket and attempts, twice, to fold it while pressing Zhao Yunlan to stay.

Questions
Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 7? Do you think Zhao Yunlan's arrival at the mugging was coincidence, or had he been tailing Shen Wei? Do you think Shen Wei had qualms about letting Zhao Yunlan take on the muggers? Shen Wei doesn't show any surprise at the job offer -- do you think he was expecting it? Which of them do you think was most turned on by the "first aid"? We didn't see Zhao Yunlan in Shen Wei's bedroom while searching the apartment -- did he? We now know Lin Jing and Da Qing read web novels; who else at the SID reads them? What do the others think is going on when they see Zhao Yunlan with Shen Wei in the CCTV footage? Did Zhu Hong volunteer to take the laptop to Shen Wei for the video call, or was she assigned to do it? Why a video call instead of Zhao Yunlan paying a visit? At the hospital, why is Chu Shuzhi so grumpy? Lin Jing draws a connection between the case and the web novel -- but how does Wang Zheng already know about this when she calls?

Did you see any parallels in these scenes with other parts of the drama? If you're familiar with the novel, any thoughts about how the drama adaptation compares, if at all?

(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!)

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

An old picspam of mostly the liniment scene. :D :D :D

1. THE MUGGING SCENE IS SO GOOD! I love Shen Wei covertly fixing his collar & tie as ZYL approaches. I love ZYL sidelining SW, and SW just going with it. <3 <3 <3 (He even takes a little step back during the metal bar attack, later! I guess he knows that if ZYL gets hurt, SW can fix him.) I love that ZYL is more impressed with his own fighting ability than Shen Wei is (SW barely reacts at all -- does he already know ZYL's skill level from YOHE?). ZYL picks up the watch and returns it without question -- does he recognise it? LOL at Shen Wei tweaking ZYL about the "coincidence" of him showing up. (And ZYL totally can't admit he was tailing SW, but I think he was -- just a bit too far behind.)

2. AHHHHHHHH, THE LINIMENT SCENE, MY BELOVED!!! It took me more than half an hour to get through this scene because of SO MUCH REWINDING and GAZING, I love it so much!! ZYL is squirrelly, and SW keeps teasing him, hee!

ZYL: my house is right across the hall.
SW: *no reaction at all, like, he obviously knew this already and isn't even pretending otherwise*

SW seems completely unsurprised by the job offer, too (maybe saw it coming?), but ZYL seems taken aback by the refusal (or just the lack of hesitation?). I wonder if ZYL had theorised that SW's been angling for the position. Anyway, SW could have refused with reference to the Chancellor, ie, he needs to protect his uni position, but that might have made ZYL back off completely, so he doesn't.

There's no music in this scene until Shen Wei turns down the consultantship.

And then, ahh, we get ZYL's outrageous flirting. \o/ \o/ \o/ Shen Wei does actually seem slightly thrown (turned on?) by it, but he rallies quickly, deflecting by taking ZYL's words literally, and then ZYL just rolls with it and compliments him on his brain. *g*

This whole scene reminds me of a film-making Youtube video I watched about banter (

heyjameshurst): Just like in tennis, you want to avoid simple, predictable shots that are easy for your opponent to return. Retorts like "What do you mean by that?” are soft lobs that need to be replaced. Each line must first respond to what was said, and then spin the ball back over the net with a new twist.

This scene does this in spades, eg, when Shen Wei invites ZYL to interrogate him ("If you have any questions for me, ask away."), ZYL's response isn't about Shen Wei's identity or suspicious behaviour, but rather to ask him to join the SID. :D :D :D

Also, everything Zhao Yunlan is doing with his hands in this scene ahhhh a;sdlfkja;dflkajsd;flkasdf;lkajsdf;kasdfadak :D :D :D

3. LOL, the muggers referring to ZYL as a gangster. Also, complaining even though they presumably still have all of Shen Wei's cash. /o\ Do they think the growling is ZYL back for another dust-up?

4. I love Lin Jing scaring Changcheng with ghost stories, and all the SID bickering. CSZ thinks ghost stories are boring, lol. (I wonder what CSZ's reading. Something work-related or something fun?) And then awww, ZYL comes in and cheerfully says they're in a lull and he'll buy them all a meal -- and then finds out about the case. He's in such a good mood, awww!

5. Changcheng is still squeamish. *pets him*

6. On the CCTV footage, is the monster invisible? Because it's semi-imaginary?? But anyway, I love this scene. EVERYONE KNOWS! :D :D :D (Here's an old picspam of ZYL's face-journey. :D)

7. The "bears" call!! Shen Wei actually smiles a greeting to Zhu Hong *and* waves when she leaves, but she's still mad about the interrogation and ignores him. Also, Shen Wei handles the tech more gracefully than ZYL, who is fiddling with the camera when the call starts (why??). Hee!

I wonder if this is a video call because ZYL read between the lines of SW's refusing the consultancy, and he wants to prove he can be discreet?

"When the safety of people around me..." <3 <3 <3 <3

Love that Da Qing just nodded off mid-bear lecture; I bet ZYL wishes he could have done the same (except for the visuals of Shen Wei, of course). And then Shen Wei trying to hear the other half of the phone call *through* the video call. :D :D :D

SW: (trying to be helpful) Wait! I keep having a feeling that the dead victim and his friend don't have qualities of an Undergrounder.
And it immediately comes back to bite him. But ZYL lets him off the hook. And then SW is all "Lmk what you find out," like the info sharing should go both ways. <3 <3 <3

8. CSZ is really grumpy at the hospital. I love him! I love ZYL lying on the bed even more. *screencaps madly* Very confused by Lin Jing making the connection with Lai Su, and then Wang Zheng immediately calling with the ?same? info. How did she know? Does she read web novels too?

"An old picspam of mostly the liniment scene. :D :D :D"

OMG *LOVE* :D :D :D

"Zhao Yunlan is torn between ow and nnnrgh." That's the most wonderful way I've seen his wince described asdfghfjdksl;; ♡♡♡♡♡

"That finger is not a lollipop. He's not offering me a lollipop." Lolol, awww! :D :D ~~Doesn't mean you can't put it in your mouth, JUST SAYING.~~ (Oh hey, Zhao Yunlan knows that Shen Wei doesn't like sweets, so he has a better offer. xD)

(I'll reply to more things once I have rewatched, lol. :D)

OMG *LOVE* :D :D :D

*beams*

(Oh hey, Zhao Yunlan knows that Shen Wei doesn't like sweets, so he has a better offer. xD)

Hee!! :D

(I look forward to it! <3 <3 <3)

I didn't answer the questions, so I should do that. (Actually, I should be asleep, pfft, whatever. ;-p)

Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 7?
LINIMENT!! Every second of it, from the entrance to Shen Wei having a just-for-ZYL first aid kit to... all of it!!

Do you think Zhao Yunlan's arrival at the mugging was coincidence, or had he been tailing Shen Wei?
Tailing, but a bit too far behind. (And I think Shen Wei was well aware of it, too.)

Do you think Shen Wei had qualms about letting Zhao Yunlan take on the muggers?
I don't think he shows any sign of having qualms. I love that he even steps back for the iron bar, thing. He's sure ZYL can take care of himself, and if ZYL does get srsly hurt, Shen Wei will either take him to a hospital or (if urgent) give up his secret to heal him, with or without a mindwipe afterwards.

Shen Wei doesn't show any surprise at the job offer -- do you think he was expecting it?
I think he must have been expecting it sooner or later, with the regularity with which ZYL keeps coming around to consult with him.

Which of them do you think was most turned on by the "first aid"?
Shen Wei -- finally getting his hands back on Kunlun after all these years!!! (I think ZYL being off-balance and squirrelly about the break-in is half-distracting him. But only half. And maybe the pain is a bit distracting, too, but that goes away ~surprisingly quickly~.)

ETA: I was being glib last night. Having slept on it, I think Shen Wei is probably a bit aroused by Zhao Yunlan's obvious arousal as well as the touching, but he's also distracted by the healing (how much concentration does it take to do that surreptitiously?) and more importantly, there's too many lies embedded in the situation to really do it for him: him having to pretend to be the rescued damsel, Zhao Yunlan pretending he hasn't broken in (and being very fidgety/squirrelly about it), and Shen Wei pretending he's not healing ZYL. Like, Shen Wei wants the genuine version of this, and while he might find himself turned on by the contact and stuff, I don't think it's 100% doing it for him.

Meanwhile, I think ZYL is very turned on, and that's contributing to his off-kilter squirrelliness. He knows something's up with Shen Wei, and he's in a potentially dangerous situation, but his body is on-board anyway. ;D (I forgot I'd written fic for this, ha. Holding Back (M-rated).)

Also, the way ZYL segues from "skilful hands" to "you academics are so smart" reminds me of CSZ and the Envoy: the Envoy makes overtures of friendship, and CSZ can't get past the status differential. With ZYL, he's always flattering SW for his big shiny academic brain. And Shen Wei's all, I'm trying to approach you as an equal!!

We didn't see Zhao Yunlan in Shen Wei's bedroom while searching the apartment -- did he?
I never thought about this before, but now I really want him to have shamelessly rifled through Shen Wei's bedside table and underwear drawer. (Shen Wei would be fine with it, after all, and DQ would just roll his eyes and make rude remarks about alley cats.)

We now know Lin Jing and Da Qing read web novels; who else at the SID reads them?
Everyone! I think CSZ reads epic historical romances, Zhu Hong reads contemporary martial arts, and Wang Zheng reads everything.

What do the others think is going on when they see Zhao Yunlan with Shen Wei in the CCTV footage?
Stalking/pining.

Did Zhu Hong volunteer to take the laptop to Shen Wei for the video call, or was she assigned to do it?
I can't decide. I think she doesn't trust SW *and* she's holding a grudge about the interrogation, but I don't know if that would make her want to scope him out at work (looking for cracks in his good-guy facade) or keep her distance.

At the hospital, why is Chu Shuzhi so grumpy?
Because he's no longer partnered with ZYL, and this time it isn't even GCC. Now it's Lin Jing?!?! Bottom of the barrel!!

Lin Jing draws a connection between the case and the web novel -- but how does Wang Zheng already know about this when she calls?
She reads everything. :-)

Edited (typo) 2025-12-02 02:07 (UTC)

"Actually, I should be asleep, pfft, whatever. ;-p"

Lolol! :D *two-days-later high-five* xD

"And I think Shen Wei was well aware of it, too."

Hah, yeah, I don't think anyone can tail Shen Wei without him being aware of it. :D

"Shen Wei -- finally getting his hands back on Kunlun after all these years!!!"

I know you took it back, but I'm grabbing it anyway for my personal argument that they are both equally turned on, hah. xD :D (I also do think that with the way this scene goes later, Zhao Yunlan gets momentarily distracted away from his arousal ~~which is probably a good thing because he needs to stand up~~, but then it switches right back on, as proven by him being in a really, really good mood in the morning ~~and also tired at the hospital~~. :D)

"He knows something's up with Shen Wei, and he's in a potentially dangerous situation, but his body is on-board anyway. ;D (I forgot I'd written fic for this, ha. Holding Back (M-rated).)"

A lot of the time these are the reasons why Zhao Yunlan's body is on-board, lmao. :D :D (Turns out I've had this fic saved for a while. ♡__♡ *EYES IT SOME MORE*)

"I never thought about this before, but now I really want him to have shamelessly rifled through Shen Wei's bedside table and underwear drawer. (Shen Wei would be fine with it, after all, and DQ would just roll his eyes and make rude remarks about alley cats.)"

LOL YESSSS, and I'm sure he did. :D :D (Even more so because this scene is the equivalent of breaking into Shen Wei's 'bedroom' in the novel, and the reason novel ZYL originally does that is because he's still partially blind and didn't see Shen Wei's underwear in the closet. xD) And now I want to hear Da Qing's commentary. xD

"Everyone! I think CSZ reads epic historical romances, Zhu Hong reads contemporary martial arts, and Wang Zheng reads everything."

Lol, I have no idea which genres they would read, but ITA that they all read web novels! :D (And unfortunately don't talk about them enough because Lin Jing was surprised by Da Qing. :P)

> > Lin Jing draws a connection between the case and the web novel -- but how does Wang Zheng already know about this when she calls?
"She reads everything. :-)"

:D :D :D This is my favorite explanation by far! :D

I know you took it back, but I'm grabbing it anyway for my personal argument that they are both equally turned on, hah. xD :D

Hee! Fair. Shen Wei is having A LOT of intense, capital-F feelings, either way, for sure, as evidenced by the pendant touching at the end. :D :D :D

A lot of the time these are the reasons why Zhao Yunlan's body is on-board, lmao. :D :D

Ha, you make a compelling point! :D I do have a habit of expecting TV characters to be more rational than they in fact prove to be. ;-p

Re the bedroom ransacking, I'm not sure I take the novel as evidence (the drama is its own thing, in my mind), but the fact that he blurts out about the window and then has to scramble for how he knows about it does strongly suggest that there's more to the break-in than we see. (I wonder where it fits into the scene, though.)

And now I want to hear Da Qing's commentary. xD

Haha, yes!

:D :D :D

"Shen Wei is having A LOT of intense, capital-F feelings, either way, for sure, as evidenced by the pendant touching at the end. :D :D :D"

Asdfghfdjskljkl;; YES. ♡♡♡

"Re the bedroom ransacking, I'm not sure I take the novel as evidence (the drama is its own thing, in my mind), but the fact that he blurts out about the window and then has to scramble for how he knows about it does strongly suggest that there's more to the break-in than we see. (I wonder where it fits into the scene, though.)"

It absolutely does, otherwise what he said about the window wouldn't have alarmed either of them. :D (Ftr what I meant about the novel is not that the same thing happened, just that the drama often takes keywords and puts them in other contexts, so that's possibly where 'bedroom' came from. :))

Where IS Shen Wei's bedroom though? Do their apartments actually have the same layout? Because Zhao Yunlan's apartment kinda IS his bedroom (+ the couch area + kitchen), and there's no space for anything else other than the bathroom, right? But if they were sitting in/adjacent to Shen Wei's bedroom in this scene, then the conversation wouldn't make any sense. xD

just that the drama often takes keywords and puts them in other contexts, so that's possibly where 'bedroom' came from. :)

Oh right, good point!

I am 100% sure someone's made floor plans of their respective apartments, but I have no idea how to find them. Maybe Trobadora can dig them out when she has time to catch up. ;D

(There is a door in ZYL's flat next to the bathroom which I think leads to a kind of box room? Maybe that's officially a bedroom, but ZYL decided it was too much trouble to, idk, have an extra door in his life? ;D

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