#tsotmd

Because the plot COMPLETELY diverges after the first case, with only some things even being remotely similar and not even the first cases having the same conclusion, so watching the show doesn't spoil anything in the book at all.

But if you're used to God of Solving Cases Tang Fan with his ethereal elegance, you will have such a hard time getting used to Whiny Foodie Sleuth Tang Fan in the show.

I love both versions and Whiny Foodie Sleuth Tang Fan is my special baby, but I don't think I've seen anybody yet who actually enjoyed the show all that much after they read the book.

On the other hand, I watched the show, became obsessed, read the book, really enjoyed it, and rewatched the show and I'm still really enjoying it.

Sui Zhou is infinitely familiar with the minute changes across that mercurial face. He could look away, as he often does, huffing into his meal and letting the steam curtain off his face, but something stops him. Maybe it’s the wine. Maybe it’s the easy domesticity they’ve fallen into, a strange dance that they both know will end in one or the other’s bed. There are many things he doubts, but Sui Zhou has learned not to doubt Tang Fan.

The grin widens across Tang Fan’s face, his dark brows arched in humor. “You’re too much of a gentleman, Guangchuan. You wouldn’t just take what you want like that!”

(Like that. Like the recent romantic lead of one of Tang Fan’s spring novels, who had shoved his lover up against a wall and taken a kiss for himself. The character was stoic and steady, and Sui Zhou often wondered if Tang Fan was trying to say something, to ask for something, without saying it out loud.)

“Wouldn’t I?”

Tang Fan stares, silenced, before bursting out into bright laughter. “You almost had me,” he says, delighted.

There’s sauce on his face, and Sui Zhou reaches out to wipe it off. Tang Fan stills beneath his touch. It’s easy to curl his hands into the collar of Tang Fan’s robes, and easy to pull the other man into himself, because Tang Fan goes willingly.

Part one: this horrible beige number

Tang Fan starts out with this truly unattractive number. Beige! Why, Tang Fan?Why is it so loose fitting? Does he need the extra space for when he eats too many noodles?

Here’s the same outfit without the over-robe and with the sleeves tied back so they don’t get in the way while he completely rearranges Sui Zhou’s house without his consent:

I think it looks a lot better without the beige, pleated over-robe, honestly.

Here’s the same outfit, except now he’s wearing a quilt instead of the ugly over-robe so he can be nice and cozy while writing erotica. Can 100% relate.

The quilt is still a better choice than that hideous over-robe

Me, thinking about my fan-fiction:

Started Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty.  Not taking Spoilers or Corrections, apologies.

Episode 01 Character Notes:

Sui Zhou, Northern Cop, former soldier (has PTSD), likes disguises? Tang Fan, (online alias “Runqing”?) 6th rank magistrate/cop at the Shuntian Prefecture, foodie, annual income 20 silver taels, writes erotica to make ends meet (pay for his foodie habits)

Pei Zhun (Huai?), “Genius Physician”/”Genius Gynecologist”, coroner? is a temp, bros with Tang Fan... maybe? Pan Bin, governor of Shuntian Prefecture, would like the cases to be over now so he can go back to not doing work, seems chill

Dong’er, is the maid at the house where Tang Fan rents a room, clearly Best Girl Qingzi, works at the brothel Ms. Cui, runs the brothel

Wang Zhi, 17 years old, Western Depot/Western Cops, kinda shifty, has a crush on Noble consort Wan?, kinda intense in a creepy way Shang Ming, Eastern Depot/Cops, seems shifty (Eastern Depot is super old, has a rivalry with 1 year old Western Depot.)

Noble Consort Wan, 49 years old, is not super nice Emperor Chenghua, ... is the emperor, has at least one (1) son Dowager Empress Zhou, ... is the emperor’s mother, doesn’t care much for NC Wan

Jia Kui, former soldier turned chef with a criminal past, arrested by Sui Zhou because he allowed it, Sui Zhou took a seven man team just to be safe, seems nice, has a wife and child

Ms Dong, runs a noodle shop

Other Characters: