[ Episode Fourteen ] [ Masterpost ] [ Episode Sixteen/Seventeen ]
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The Cong Bo case ends and the search for the Dijun register begins. Featuring Zhao Yunlan's new married haircut, Shen Wei repaying *waggles eyebrows* Zhao Yunlan for saving him, and Zhao Yunlan getting turned on by Shen Wei going into heipao-mode.
Shen Wei's Identity Crisis
Cong Bo manages to get video of Shen Wei using his powers to communicate with the Dixing smoke messenger through Zhao Yunlan's installed surveillance camera.
Shen Wei looks appropriately distressed by his secret getting out.
Zhao Yunlan: Before we move onto business, let me just eye-fuck you first.
In a super cute moment, they both apologize at the same time for their carelessness.
Shen Wei, in his usual fashion, tries to place the blame all on himself while Zhao Yunlan is having none of it.
Thankfully, Zhao Yunlan has a plan, which he'll explain as he sprawls all over Shen Wei's couch.
Two things stand out to me in this scene:
1. Zhao Yunlan's new haircut and parted bangs, which is a nod to Chinese tradition for newly-wed brides to change their hairstyle.
2. Shen Wei not wearing his glasses (mask).
Recruiting Cong Bo
After Lin Jing retrieves the information they need, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan pay Cong Bo a visit.
"Hello!"
After showing Cong Bo how his pictures distorted the truth, Shen Wei gives him a light lecture as Zhao Yunlan looks on.
Using Cong Bo's guilt over his mistakes, Zhao Yunlan offers Cong Bo a position with the SID to do some good.
Cong Bo accepts, Shen Wei checks for Zhao Yunlan's reaction the same time Zhao Yunlan looks over at Shen Wei to share the triumph, and Shen Wei smiles, pleased.
I love these little moments where they automatically look to each other, whether it's for support or happiness or just sharing a grin.
Celebration
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan share a celebratory drink. Zhao Yunlan laments that it's not as good as alcohol, while Shen Wei laughs.
We, and Zhao Yunlan, finally learn what Shen Wei's power is: Learning. Zhao Yunlan correctly points out to Shen Wei that this is a boss-level power, and they both laugh again.
You know how TV shows have commercial breaks? Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan have silent breaks during lulls in their conversations to have thirsty flirting interludes.
Zhao Yunlan turning the heat up, and Shen Wei having to gulp water in response is just A+++.
Zhao Yunlan then follows up this session of eye-fucking by asking that Shen Wei repay him for his help. That little swallowing motion Shen Wei does kills me every time.
Of course, Zhao Yunlan could never have impure designs on Shen Wei. His choice of repayment is to have Shen Wei clean up his apartment. What follows is:
1. Shen Wei heading straight for the bed.
2. Zhao Yunlan smugly lying down on the bed bragging that he's set for life now as far as domestic chores go.
Overall, this scene is such a fantastic conversation between them because they're so relaxed around each other, and laughing and having a good time. The playfulness, the thirstiness, the shared grins - I love it!
Zhao Yunlan Touches the Hallows Again
One perk of Shen Wei not having to hide his powers anymore is that when his "Zhao Yunlan is doing something reckless" radar goes off, he can teleport straight to the lab and stop him from touching the Hallows.
In what will become a re-occurring argument in their relationship, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan get upset with the other person for doing something dangerous and/or self-sacrificial for the greater good.
"Only *I* can recklessly disregard my health like this!"
Shen Wei manages to appease Zhao Yunlan by coming up with a better plan that doesn't rely on Zhao Yunlan continuing to touch/use the Hallows. It turns out putting their heads together results in superior planning with fewer risks. I'm sure they'll heed this lesson in the future.
Zhao Yunlan: Dinner?
Shen Wei: No alcohol.
Zhao Yunlan taunts Shen Wei with information about a special visitor the next day, before gesturing for them both to leave.
The Regent Visits
The next day, the Regent visits the SID in hopes of getting someone to help him out of a difficult situation with the Dijun Register.
Shen Wei: What did you just say about the item I asked you to retrieve for me?
Regent: Ahhh, Hei-
Zhao Yunlan, interrupting: Heyyyyy!
I have no idea if the Regent is being malicious here or just assumed the SID knew Shen Wei's special identity. But Zhao Yunlan comes in with the save.
Zhao Yunlan officially "introduces" Shen Wei to the Regent as their consultant and super ordinary and harmless biology professor, while Shen Wei glares at the Regent, looking the very opposite of harmless.
Inside Zhao Yunlan's office, Shen Wei goes into full heipao mode in his professor gear at the bowing Regent.
Zhao Yunlan: Hellooo, new kink.
Even Zhao Yunlan can't believe his fucking ears when the Regent says he lost the Dijun Register.
Zhao Yunlan is thoughtful while Shen Wei explains why this theft is a big fucking deal.
Zhao Yunlan is not used to seeing Shen Wei exercising his authority like this.
He tries the patented shoulder grab/shoulder pat, but Shen Wei is still pissed off.
In their early interactions, no matter how antagonistic, and even with Shen Wei in heipao gear, Zhao Yunlan has never seen Shen Wei pissed off like this before. And combined with his bunny professor outfit, the dissonance makes Zhao Yunlan burst out into (somewhat nervous) laughter.
I kind of feel him here because there's something extra attractive about Shen Wei being dangerous and angry without the cloak and mask.
The Regent asks Shen Wei to help him with the search. Shen Wei is not amused.
Going to Dixing?
Their conversation is interrupted by Da Qing, who tells them about the Xingdu Bureau sending someone to audit them the next day.
Shen Wei's day gets better when Zhao Yunlan decides that he's going along with the Dixing trip, just in time to avoid the Xingdu Bureau's visit.
That little frown of distress and anger! And the immediate "You're not allowed to go!"
Zhao Yunlan, was this sprawl/spread really necessary?
Shen Wei's unhappy puppy eyes here are a lot. Even Zhao Yunlan has to dodge that gaze every now and then for his own sanity.
"If I give you a few pats on the shoulder, you'll feel better about the love of your life risking his life in Dixing, right?"
Meanwhile, Da Qing is staring at this entire scene wondering if he's the only one seeing this shit.
Going to Dixing!
Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan, and the Regent head out for the portal to Dixing.
Zhao Yunlan is a bit skeptical of its existence, so Shen Wei asks him to close his eyes so he can share his vision.
It's kind of intense.
That's quite a reaction there, Zhao Yunlan. Now, I'm not saying that we desperately need fics of Shen Wei sharing his other senses with Zhao Yunlan, but with this gif and that face, I feel like it would be a disservice to the fandom for us to miss out on the potential here.
Shen Wei lets go, and Zhao Yunlan recovers his composure.
One last "I'm worried about you" conversation, and Shen Wei opens the portal.
Dixing
The portal experience is a lot, as Zhao Yunlan starts getting lost in his visions/memories.
Once he safely lands in Dixing, it's Shen Wei's voice and touch that grounds him and brings him back. And I just have a lot of feelings about how gentle this is.
The group is greeted by a couple of soldiers that Shen Wei dismisses with a wave of his hand. Zhao Yunlan is appropriately impressed by Shen Wei's showing off.
And we end this episode on another synchronized walking sequence, this time in Dixing!
[ Episode Fourteen ] [ Masterpost ] [ Episode Sixteen/Seventeen ]
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