#reflection shots

But let me quickly say how much I love the framing of this scene.

The fact that you can see Shulang's (blurry) reflection? While Fan Xiao's face is still cut off? That's delightful.

Because one of these men speaks their truth.

And one of them carefully controls which parts of him are showing.

Slipping easily between the different masks he wears. Showing only glimpses of the (obsessive) truth.

Fan Xiao envies those that can be open with their emotions.

But I doubt he's going to appreciate that Shulang is beginning to see him clearly.

As soon as Shulang points out that Fan Xiao has "a tell", the framing switches. Fan Xiao's reflection becomes much more clear - even clearer than Shulang's ever gets.

Shulang's next move is temporarily unclear, but he's seeing Fan Xiao clearly in this moment. And as soon as Fan Xiao responds...

Shulang's blurry reflection becomes whole again.

Shulang did judge, and he's not sure about Fan Xiao. But he knows how he feels.

And it prompts him to make a decision.

So we're left with Shulang's reflection walking away. It's blurry. He's still not sure what's going on, but his face is seen. He's not hiding.

Reflection perfection :)

Stunning Reflection Shots 🌅

We had the bathroom scene earlier with the confrontation between Fan Xiao and You Shulang.

Where the focus is always changing, the versions divided as they are both living in multiple spaces at once.

And now we have this confrontation - where You Shulang's reflection is uninterrupted and clear. His purpose in this room is clear. He came to protect Fan Xiao...because he is ultimately still the same good man.

And our opponent? Well, his reflection is split and divided. His presence isn't good news, but we don't know his plan yet.

You Shulang with his wounds covered.

Showing them clearly to Fan Xiao even if he's not ready to face him (and his feelings) directly.

And Fan Xiao coming from behind to support him - much like he had supported him in the past bit of time.

Both Bai Ting and You Shulang are seen clearly in the reflection. They are not alone on New Years. Shulang is eating. Bai Ting is proud of her work.

They are both healing, seeing truths that had once been hidden, and their true self is starting to reflect back to them. They are both getting a reset.

I adored Shulang symbolically hitting Bai Ting's "reset button". And even if this encounter means Shulang now has a lot to think about as evidence by the bar through his head in the reflection,