#pre-abyss

This would have been a big turning point if it hadn’t been immediately overshadowed by the Abyss and demonic heritage. We aren’t given Luo Binghe’s pov to know what his thought process was at that age but he was manipulative (the “clumsiness” while training) and I’m sure he was very aware that such a relationship with his very oblivious teacher would take a lot of effort on his part.

Back to the turning point.

1. there is no way Luo Binghe would have taken no for an answer when it came to Shen Qingqiu’s health and a possible cure. It seemed likely that he wouldn’t even take a delay into consideration.

2. there is no way Shen Qingqiu would have willingly eaten that plant. Between the reasonable answer of not wanting to take away their safety net, the secret answer of it won’t work, and the intense “no-homo” reaction to eating a flower meant for lbh’s wife (which is hilarious btw), the only way he’d possibly consume the thing is under threat, by force, or without his knowing.

I believe that Luo Binghe would be willing and capable of any or all of those options, and I also believe that this would change the tone of their relationship in fascinatingly complex ways.

Luo Binghe already has a lot of control over Shen Qingqiu’s life, it’s just never registered as control because sqq is the master and lbh is the student and sqq has rose-colored glasses fitted like ski goggles.

Lbh does the paperwork, runs the mountain. He makes sqq’s food, (possibly) chooses his clothing. He is likely the first point of contact for a lot of people who want sqq’s attention. He is involved in every aspect of sqq’s life.

That is so much control and influence on someone’s life, but now Shen Qingqiu might notice, now that he’s seen the first sign of The Protagonist (and without the abyss? That would fuck with his worldview!). Now Luo Binghe might move forward with his own agenda, now that the status quo has been altered.