I just have a lot of feelings!!

script version:

Hailou: we are part of Shifu's dowry, obviously.

behind the scenes + deleted scene from ep 33

DYX as ZHX: do you want to go back to Xiacheng? (off screen) ZXC (wishing to perform to his best): i can improve on it DYX (fully cooperating): jiayou*, I'll accompany you, I can stay with you until 8pm, all the way ZXC (discussing with the director): I think the emotions, I think (it's) are already there ZXC: "I" also know that Bai Xia purposely planned for "me" to complete this (hidden thread scheme) *jiayou (加油): a form of encouragement, like "all the best" (direct translation: add oil) (deleted scene) ZXC as ZHL: thank you... for choosing me

comments:

roasting San Shu (NPSS), any dietary restrictions?

Hahahah I love how tumblr culture (tm) is to use the tags to scream random thoughts into the void that you’re not ready (or not willing, lol) to put out into a full post. I’m glad someone is there screaming in the void with me!

That quote from The Good Place always has me like

I love that you’re applying this to Haixia/Hailou because it promises a happy ending that is yet to come; if Haixia really did die at the end of Nanyang Mystery, then it supposes that Hailou has to do good work in this world until he gets to reunite with Haixia and spend eternity with him.

I really felt like the show was contrasting that happiness for them is just Being Together, during their young days/ their time in the Nanyang bureau (with Haixia not hesitating one single second about joining him there 🥹)/ their time at home when he is revived, with all the rest of the show and its painful sense of duty. Even the moment when Hailou is in the depths of despair mid-show, his solution is to stay with Haixia, always (I'm surprised he bothered buying two coffins when one would have done for the both of them, though that was probably for censorship reasons lol)

And then the PingXie storyline in DMBJ is this too, Yucun and their meals with Pangzi as a makeshift family vs what you have to do separately and the danger of death (and ensuing loneliness and separation), they are always running after time and after opportunities to just Be Together.

Most of the other DMBJ shows are kinda unhinged in the plot / production department, which is why (embarrassing confession time) I've never actually watched an entire DMBJ show all the way through (nor read a book / webnovel) until this show. The most of one show I've watched is Sound of Providence because of the absolutely delectable Wu Xie hurt / comfort (and becuase Zhu Yilong is a god), but even then I mostly just followed a whump list watch list. Which also, fortuitously enough, ended up being the best instances of Pingpangxie homoeroticism.

All that is to say, hell yeah, NPSS is so good at crafting these emotionally intimate m/m relationships, across all of time and space. <3

(OH, ACTUALLY, I did watch the Heihua movie. Their relationship feels super similar to Hailou/Haixia! Be gay, do crimes! You're doing amazing, sweetie!)