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The Mountain-River Awl Case continues. Shen Wei and his students, as well as Zhao Yunlan head to the mountains that used to be Wang Zheng's ancestral home.
Meeting on the Road
On the road, Shen Wei's car breaks down, and Zhao Yunlan stops to help (by telling Lin Jing to fix the car while he flirts with Shen Wei.)
Zhao Yunlan teases Shen Wei, asking if he has to worry about trackers being planted on himself. Shen Wei replies that since he was the one who organized a trip first, it should be Zhao Yunlan who's the stalker. Look at those dumb smiles on their faces.
Jiajia brings Shen Wei some water, and Shen Wei introduces Zhao Yunlan to her. You can see the progression in their relationship by how easily Shen Wei introduces Zhao Yunlan as his friend, compared to Episode 3 when he was at a loss for words and Zhao Yunlan had to answer for him.
Shen Wei continues to be very smiley, while Zhao Yunlan tries to make a good impression on Jiajia by asking her to call him "Zhao Da-ge."
Zhao Yunlan reveals his ulterior motives pretty quickly, as he starts to ask Jiajia questions about Shen Wei's plans. Because Jiajia's hair isn't full of secrets like Shen Wei, she answers his questions very straightforwardly, while Shen Wei repeatedly facepalms but can't find a good opening/excuse to stop her from talking. Finally, he just ushers her off, defeated.
Zhao Yunlan's fact-finding mission was a success and he's very smug about it. And I just want all the fic of Zhao Yunlan cozying up to Shen Wei's students for the latest gossip and driving him insane.
Shen Wei scolds Zhao Yunlan for ignoring his warning and leaves Dragon City, while Zhao Yunlan is unrepetant about the requirements of his job.
In another parallel to Episode 3, instead of Zhao Yunlan shamelessly stealing and eating Shen Wei's cake - here we have Shen Wei voluntarily giving his water bottle to Zhao Yunlan, who had whined to Jiajia about being ignored. Zhao Yunlan very happily drinks the water.
When Shen Wei suggests parting ways, Zhao Yunlan has none of that. It's too dangerous! They should stick together!
In fact, it's too dangerous to leave a grad student in charge of the driving! Zhao Yunlan will take care of it! He just steamrolls all over them by the sheer force of his shamelessness, while Shen Wei can only sigh and follow along.
The Car Ride
Jiajia seems very impressed with Zhao Yunlan, laughing all the way about how funny he is. Shen Wei, on the other hand, is probably mentally imagining punching Zhao Yunlan's troll mouth - with his own mouth, very softly, because he likes him. (Joke shamelessly stolen from this meme).
Meanwhile, in the other car, Zhu Hong has paid a lot of attention to Zhao Yunlan, and remarks on how differently he treats Shen Wei. She doesn't understand what Zhao Yunlan sees in this very ordinary human.
As the drive continues, Zhao Yunlan switches places with Lin Jing because he's not feeling well. Since he enjoyed sleeping on Shen Wei in the taxi last time he felt unwell, he decides to try again, this time bringing his own pillow to make Shen Wei's shoulders more comfortable to sleep on.
With Zhao Yunlan sneezing, and Shen Wei focused on conversation, this scene isn't as fraught with tension as the previous car ride. But it's very comfortable and domestic, especially with Shen Wei trying to make sure Zhao Yunlan doesn't need medicine or anything else while in the car.
Sightseeing Chat
Their car gets stuck, and Shen Wei steps outside to look around a.k.a. use his powers. He's interrupted by Zhao Yunlan's arrival, however.
Shen Wei: You're sick. Go back to the car!
Zhao Yunlan: Usually I'm the one giving orders. This is the first time someone else is ordering me around.
Zhao Yunlan: I like it.
Two of those lines are actually canon.
Zhao Yunlan refuses to leave without at least giving Shen Wei his jacket, not wanting Shen Wei to be cold.
Having successfully completed the "give boyfriend my jacket" move, Zhao Yunlan continues to tease and flirt with Shen Wei.
Their flirting conversation is interrupted by Jiajia's scream, and they run off towards her. Take note of the elbow/arm grab at the end that comes so very close to a hand grab.
The Village
They don't end up finding whoever/whatever scared Jiajia, but they finally get in touch with Lao Chu and head towards the village.
Only a brief transition scene of them entering the village, but I liked how sweet their smiles were.
Shen Wei puts on his best innocent kitten look to ask for information. Zhao Yunlan tells him to listen a story.
The rest of the episode unfolds, giving us some more ideas of Wang Zheng's backstory. Zhu Jiu's plan also unfolds, eventually luring Wang Zheng out on her own.
[ Episode Eight ] [ Masterpost ] [ Episode Ten ]
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