[ Masterpost ] [ Episode Two ]
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The Longevity Dial Case brings Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan together. Featuring instant chemistry, cat-and-mouse flirting, and pining.
Their "First" Meeting
Shen Wei sees Zhao Yunlan for the first time after 10,000 years. Zhao Yunlan sees Shen Wei for the first time. Shen Wei is overcome with feelings, while Zhao Yunlan is all "Oh shit, got caught by the hot professor recklessly endangering my underling."
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan bond over petting Da Qing. Shen Wei continues to have feelings, acts like a flustered schoolboy in front of his crush, trying not to get caught staring. Zhao Yunlan looks delighted at how good Shen Wei is with cats.
And here is The Handshake™ that sold this OTP to me. Zhao Yunlan goes in for a warm, friendly handshake. And while Shen Wei's inner monologue is telling himself to keep his shit together, he holds onto Zhao Yunlan's hand for too long. Zhao Yunlan is both intrigued and curious at this reaction.
Zhao Yunlan gives Shen Wei his card. Shen Wei is still shook, clutching it like Zhao Yunlan just gave him a memento after a date.
I have honestly never fallen for a pairing this hard and this fast before, and so much of it is in this scene. Zhao Yunlan grinning, mildly flirting and thinking this is something like a meet cute, complete with pet cats! And then you have Shen Wei, with his intense, emotional pining.
"So We Meet Again!"
Shen Wei goes to walk Li Qian to her next class. It's just a bonus that he gets to see Zhao Yunlan again!
Zhao Yunlan turns the power of The Sprawl on Shen Wei, all while sucking on a lollipop.
The cat and mouse games begin. Zhao Yunlan circles in to question Shen Wei, while Shen Wei holds himself very very still, not quite able to meet Zhao Yunlan's eyes.
The first sighting of Shen Wei's signature shy smile while ducking his head gesture. Sure, he's being interrogated, but that doesn't change how Zhao Yunlan is still able to make him smile.
Shen Wei gives his large-eyed innocent look to Zhao Yunlan, who's a little exasperated at it.
Shen Wei: "Maybe if I add an innocent flutter of my eyelashes, it will work."
Zhao Yunlan: "This guy is so fucking suspicious, but I'll play along for now."
Shen Wei Pines Some More
Wearing a mask, whether it's literally the Envoy's mask or his more modern glasses, is such a theme for Shen Wei. And whenever he takes his glasses off, he shows such amazing vulnerability.
Here is Shen Wei pining while reminiscing about his past with Kunlun, while holding Zhao Yunlan's personnel file in his hands. You start to get the feeling that anything, no matter how insignificant, as long as it belongs to Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei's heart is going to go dokidoki over it.
Worth It
The first time we hear the OTP tagline of "Worth It" is when Shen Wei says this unhesitatingly in response to Li Qian's question: "Doing everything in your power to protect someone. Is it really worth it?"
And I'm overcome with feelings all over again.
A Friendly Chat
Zhao Yunlan gets caught (not that he tries hard to hide) by Shen Wei, who walks up to him with a smile.
Shen Wei's smiles are always so bright around Zhao Yunlan, even when he's trolling and poking at Zhao Yunlan's suspicions. Maybe he's so smiley about the whole thing because of the lollipop in Zhao Yunlan's mouth reminds him of something? Who am I kidding, he's smiley about the whole thing because of Zhao Yunlan's everything.
Shen Wei continues to play innocent while Zhao Yunlan maybe enjoys the flirt-terrogation a bit too much.
The conversation takes a serious turn when Shen Wei asks: "Are Dixingren really that different from the rest of us?" He's looking at Zhao Yunlan with more sincerity and curiosity now, and the wheels in Zhao Yunlan's head are turning.
And here's where Shen Wei really bites off more than he can chew. Zhao Yunlan kind of self-deprecatingly comments on how he feels drawn to Shen Wei (so thirsty...), it's like they're old friends. He knows he's being too friendly towards someone who's a suspect, yet he can't stop himself. And you just see Shen Wei's face fall, as this hits a little too close to home. Is he thinking about how/why Zhao Yunlan no longer remembers him?
Their conversation is interrupted as Zhao Yunlan gets a phone call. We get a peek at Shen Wei no longer putting on the harmless professor act as he looks over at Zhao Yunlan.
Overall Thoughts:
Watching Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan's interactions in the first episode, it's so interesting to see two parallel storylines going on due to this being the first meeting for Zhao Yunlan, but a reunion for Shen Wei.
There's Shen Wei coming to terms to seeing the man he's been seeking for 10,000 years. ALL THE EMOTIONS AND PINING. Meanwhile, the case keeps taking him into Zhao Yunlan's orbit, where he has to hide both his feelings, and his true identity as someone who knows far more about Dixingren than he should.
Then there's Zhao Yunlan, meeting the hot professor who's uncharacteristically good with cats. He's very intrigued and attracted and suspicious, and is trying very hard to figure out what Shen Wei's deal. He doesn't push too hard, putting on a facade of casual smiles and slouches, all while his eyes are constantly observing Shen Wei's reactions (and not just for the eye candy!).
Bonus: Meeting the Black-Cloaked Envoy
At this point, we shouldn't technically know who the Black-Cloaked Envoy is, but come on. Look at those eyelashes. Look at those lips.
Even with the mysterious cloak and mask, the Black-Cloaked Envoy seems to go out of his way to avoid facing Zhao Yunlan directly.
Zhao Yunlan starts to joke around with the Envoy, trying to get a feel for the boundaries, while we get a close-up of the Envoy's reactions via his eyes. The whole progression of Zhao Yunlan's attitude towards the Envoy is so funny to me, because he does start off relatively respectfully. Then the Envoy calls him Brother Zhao (Zhao-xiong), and somehow it progresses to him calling the Envoy Hei Lao-ge (Ol' Brother Black).
The Envoy finally turns and faces Zhao Yunlan, when requesting to take the Dixingren away.
The Envoy turns away again, bids them goodbye after telling Zhao Yunlan to discipline his underlings for their disrespect (obviously Zhao Yunlan is exempt from this :P). Zhao Yunlan cheekily invites the Envoy over for tea. Once he's sure the Envoy can't see his reactions, he lets out a breath of relief.
[ Masterpost ] [ Episode Two ]
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