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history3_trappedThe episode begins with Meng Shao Fei and Ah-De busting in on Andy and Tang Yi. In the scene that follows Meng Shao Fei is mildly obnoxious, Andy is brilliantly sarcastic, and a bit of (a lot of) Tang Yi is clearly loving being fought over. Next we see Meng Shao Fei angrily eating lunch with Tang Yi and Ah-De, and the atmosphere is so tense that it even gets through to Ah-De - he makes his excuses and goes to wait outside.
Meng Shao Fei is acting VERY jealous of Andy (and to be fair, that's exactly what Tang Yi was going for all along.) I love the way the moment is punctured by Tang Yi calling him on it and Meng Shao Fei just admitting that, yes, he is jealous, before unconvincingly trying to take it back. And then Tang Yi diverts him from his obsessive ramblings by taking a drink of his coke (the Coke of Symbolism.) Meng Shao Fei points out that his saliva is in it and Tang Yi LICKS HIS LIPS and drinks some more and it's, uh. Yep, that's VERY intimate and emblematic of just how happy he'd be to get a taste of Meng Shao Fei (in a NUMBER of ways) for real.
Zhao Zi comes over to Tang Yi's house to install the new security cameras and starts feeling up the chest of one of Tang Yi's minions. Jack CANNOT BELIEVE his luck.
"Are you one of those guys who looks skinny with their clothes on and muscular when naked?" ZHAO!! ZI!! (Side note: I wonder how much we're meant to take Zhao Zi's flirting with Jack as conscious and intentional? I feel like maybe not so much, though I prefer to lean towards interpreting it that way.)
Jack guides Zhao Zi's hand to his chest and Zhao Zi gets *right* in there.
And knowing the groping was Kenny's idea makes this scene even better. Zhao Zi talks about how he took up the dangerous job of being a cop because tuition was free at the police academy and his grandma didn't have much money, and it is just so sweet and heart-breaking and entirely him. You can see Jack MELTING as he speaks.
And then! Zhao Zi falls from the ladder and he and Jack plummet into the pool. Zhao Zi then gets a little distracted.
Zuo Hong Ye arrives and looks understandably annoyed to find Henchman Number Two cuddling a random boy in the swimming pool.
Concerned about the number of cops there are now cluttering up the place while flirting madly, she vents to Gu Dao Yi. Then she comes onto him but he lets her down gently (while looking extremely tempted) and escapes to make coffee.
Tang Yi goes to the hospital for a very suggestive-sounding massage from Dr Jiang, while Meng Shao Fei goes loopy with jealousy outside. Back at the house, there's a nice moment where Meng Shao Fei acknowledges that he's angry at himself for being jealous of other people getting to touch Tang Yi. Tang Yi responds by simply offering himself up to be touched.
This is a super sexy moment because... he's putting himself on a plate for you right there, Meng Shao Fei! But Meng Shao Fei can't quite let himself do it, not yet.
Later, Ah-De tries to warn Tang Yi about Meng Shao Fei's feelings for him (which is OBVIOUSLY not going to go well) and Tang Yi threatens to transfer him if he doesn't drop it. The next day, Zuo Hong Ye steals Meng Shao Fei from Tang Yi to be her shopping escort. There follows a pretty cute scene of her making him give his opinions on her purchases and running him ragged around the mall. If it wasn't for what follows, you could start to get such a clear picture of a future where they're bickering in-laws who actually really care about each other underneath. Obviously, that's the moment someone starts shooting at them.
At the hospital, Tang Yi cradles Zuo Hong Ye and looks utterly devastated when he learns Meng Shao Fei is badly injured. Captain Shi bulldozes up to him and starts shaking him by the lapels and Tang Yi just lets him do it. Then he goes to town with a knuckleduster on the shooter, one of Chen Wen Hao's minions, and it's honestly pretty scary.
But THEN we find out that Zuo Hong Ye and Ah-De have been conspiring to get rid of Meng Shao Fei (although Ah-De was just meant to have him beaten up, and the would-be assassin got there first.) Zuo Hong Ye makes it clear their conspiracy is at an end (we've seen previously that Jack is clearly suspicious of Ah-De, and Gu Dao Yi is obviously also clued into what's going on.) Then Zuo Hong Ye tearfully confesses her feelings to Gu Dao Yi, while he looks quietly devastated.
The episode ends with Tang Yi at Meng Shao Fei's bedside, holding his hand.
♥♥♥
Meng Shao Fei is acting VERY jealous of Andy (and to be fair, that's exactly what Tang Yi was going for all along.) I love the way the moment is punctured by Tang Yi calling him on it and Meng Shao Fei just admitting that, yes, he is jealous, before unconvincingly trying to take it back. And then Tang Yi diverts him from his obsessive ramblings by taking a drink of his coke (the Coke of Symbolism.) Meng Shao Fei points out that his saliva is in it and Tang Yi LICKS HIS LIPS and drinks some more and it's, uh. Yep, that's VERY intimate and emblematic of just how happy he'd be to get a taste of Meng Shao Fei (in a NUMBER of ways) for real.
Zhao Zi comes over to Tang Yi's house to install the new security cameras and starts feeling up the chest of one of Tang Yi's minions. Jack CANNOT BELIEVE his luck.
"Are you one of those guys who looks skinny with their clothes on and muscular when naked?" ZHAO!! ZI!! (Side note: I wonder how much we're meant to take Zhao Zi's flirting with Jack as conscious and intentional? I feel like maybe not so much, though I prefer to lean towards interpreting it that way.)
Jack guides Zhao Zi's hand to his chest and Zhao Zi gets *right* in there.
And knowing the groping was Kenny's idea makes this scene even better. Zhao Zi talks about how he took up the dangerous job of being a cop because tuition was free at the police academy and his grandma didn't have much money, and it is just so sweet and heart-breaking and entirely him. You can see Jack MELTING as he speaks.
And then! Zhao Zi falls from the ladder and he and Jack plummet into the pool. Zhao Zi then gets a little distracted.
Zuo Hong Ye arrives and looks understandably annoyed to find Henchman Number Two cuddling a random boy in the swimming pool.
Concerned about the number of cops there are now cluttering up the place while flirting madly, she vents to Gu Dao Yi. Then she comes onto him but he lets her down gently (while looking extremely tempted) and escapes to make coffee.
Tang Yi goes to the hospital for a very suggestive-sounding massage from Dr Jiang, while Meng Shao Fei goes loopy with jealousy outside. Back at the house, there's a nice moment where Meng Shao Fei acknowledges that he's angry at himself for being jealous of other people getting to touch Tang Yi. Tang Yi responds by simply offering himself up to be touched.
This is a super sexy moment because... he's putting himself on a plate for you right there, Meng Shao Fei! But Meng Shao Fei can't quite let himself do it, not yet.
Later, Ah-De tries to warn Tang Yi about Meng Shao Fei's feelings for him (which is OBVIOUSLY not going to go well) and Tang Yi threatens to transfer him if he doesn't drop it. The next day, Zuo Hong Ye steals Meng Shao Fei from Tang Yi to be her shopping escort. There follows a pretty cute scene of her making him give his opinions on her purchases and running him ragged around the mall. If it wasn't for what follows, you could start to get such a clear picture of a future where they're bickering in-laws who actually really care about each other underneath. Obviously, that's the moment someone starts shooting at them.
At the hospital, Tang Yi cradles Zuo Hong Ye and looks utterly devastated when he learns Meng Shao Fei is badly injured. Captain Shi bulldozes up to him and starts shaking him by the lapels and Tang Yi just lets him do it. Then he goes to town with a knuckleduster on the shooter, one of Chen Wen Hao's minions, and it's honestly pretty scary.
But THEN we find out that Zuo Hong Ye and Ah-De have been conspiring to get rid of Meng Shao Fei (although Ah-De was just meant to have him beaten up, and the would-be assassin got there first.) Zuo Hong Ye makes it clear their conspiracy is at an end (we've seen previously that Jack is clearly suspicious of Ah-De, and Gu Dao Yi is obviously also clued into what's going on.) Then Zuo Hong Ye tearfully confesses her feelings to Gu Dao Yi, while he looks quietly devastated.
The episode ends with Tang Yi at Meng Shao Fei's bedside, holding his hand.
♥♥♥
no subject
Date: 18 Jan 2020 17:51 (UTC)And Jack looking super soft every time Zhao Zi talks about his grandmother is my fave thing tbh
no subject
Date: 18 Jan 2020 21:11 (UTC)a few moments i enjoyed:
in the beginning scene, it is super obvious in several shots that ALL OF THEM are trying very hand not to crack up while they're sniffing around and fighting over tang yi, and it's ADORABLE:
in the subsequent scene in the restaurant, with msf angrily trying to eat his feelings and rambling about crimes of passion, i love his satisfied little smirk when tang yi drinks the Coke of Symbolism and msf just POURS HIM MORE <3
jack has his own moment of jealousy when he sees zz feeling up the random gangster - his face changes a few times in that scene, lol:
and i love that his wet shirt even RIDES UP in the pool! THE JACK-RELATED GIFTS JUST KEEP ON COMING :)
on a shallow note, hong ye's outfit AND her coffee cup in this scene are both on point:
doctor jiang is a genuine troll of my HEART:
100% agreed on the cuteness of the shopping montage! i mean msf's FAAAAAACE:
i, uhhhh. on a certain level, i rrrrrreally enjoyed tang yi going ballistic on the shooter? i mean yes, it's obviously not a good development for his character - he even smokes a lot right after, which is shorthand for shady/bad - buuuuuut it is kinda hot to see him lose control. (no worries, i won't share a gratuitous screencap of the knuckleduster... tho i might have to make an icon...)
btw, tang yi moves to (partly) undress THREE TIMES in this episode - for the massage with doctor jiang, in the driveway when he offers himself up to msf's touch, and at his house when he's storming in to question the shooter and whips off his jacket along the way - and each time his body is narratively presented to mean different things. during the massage, the scene is funny but his scars and recent injuries are visible and he looks kind of pliant and vulnerable - plus he's lending his body to his friend as a favor to practice the treatment. in the driveway, he's once again offering himself - in a dare-you way where he is still in control, but also very calmly and obviously putting his body at msf's disposal. but when he's about to confront the guy who shot at his sister and wounded his favorite disaster!cop... he's a weapon. for a show that spends a glorious amount of time objectifying the bodies of its stars (starting with tang yi taking a perfectly gratuitous shower in like the first episode, hashtag blessed), that is some IMPRESSIVE VISUAL FRAMING.
i'm also pretty impressed that jack reads the situation well enough to not worry that tang yi would kill the guy; jack just waits to take him to the doctor, because they are responsible gangsters mkay. OH - and that's also a great showcase for jack's ability to see right through li zhi de's nervousness. a+++ badassery.
and then, after all that, we see tang yi at the hospital looking wrecked as he holds msf's hand, feeling terrible to be responsible for putting him in harm's way <3
final note: every time i watch this ep, i LOL at zz's face when he walks in, sees tang yi in msf's room, and then just - slowly walks right out:
no subject
Date: 18 Jan 2020 23:21 (UTC)no subject
Date: 19 Jan 2020 03:20 (UTC)Meng Shao Fei's ANGRY EATING omg what a child I love him. I feel like Tang Yi knows he's got him at this point, but instead of reeling him in just yet, he's letting him bob around in the water still because he's too damn cute when he flails.
Jack CANNOT BELIEVE his luck.
Look at his happy face!
I wonder how much we're meant to take Zhao Zi's flirting with Jack as conscious and intentional? I feel like maybe not so much, though I prefer to lean towards interpreting it that way.
I don't know about intentional, but I'd say definitely subconscious flirting!
I rewound Hongye's irritation scene three times watching it this go-around. I love it so much when she pokes and scratches at Tang Yi's face in the photo. I would love to know if that was direction or actor choice. It's just great.
Tang Yi responds by simply offering himself up to be touched.
I love the gif, here. Tang Yi is 100% DTF, like, right then and there. If Meng Shao Fei had groped him like Zhao Zi did Jack beside the pool, I don't think they'd have even made it back inside the house.
I. Love. The Shopping. Scene. The "seaweed" exchange is GOLD. And also I love the sheer top/bralet outfit? With those chunky heel booties? It's a good look, Hongye, you should've definitely gotten that one. I WANT TO SEE MENG SHAO FEI IN THE RED PIGGY UNDIES.
I have many thoughts about Hongye's involvement in Ah-De's shenanigans but I'll save those for her character post.
no subject
Date: 19 Jan 2020 03:25 (UTC)i rrrrrreally enjoyed tang yi going ballistic on the shooter?
SAME. That shoulder roll? Hgnnnngng.
no worries, i won't share a gratuitous screencap of the knuckleduster
What would it take for you to consider it non-gratuitous?
I like your observation of the framing of Tang Yi's various states of undress. Very interesting and very cool.
Love love love how flat-out mean Jack looks in that screencap. And how beautifully it juxtaposes with the one of Zhao Zi right below it. (I also paused to literally LOL on that moment because yes, Zhao Zi's discovery face is PRICELESS)
no subject
Date: 19 Jan 2020 03:49 (UTC)God SAME. This is why you don’t take gay boys shopping with you, Hongye, they just can’t appreciate properly
Also ditto on saving things for the character post, I have a lot of things to say on hers and Jack’s both haha
no subject
Date: 19 Jan 2020 03:56 (UTC)But what if we want you to share gratuitous knuckleduster screencaps? :D
Also that Jack screencap from the same scene is excellent—I honestly don’t think Jack would have cared if Tang Yi killed the guy? Other than in an ‘ugh now I’ve gotta hide the body’ way haha. But I agree with you that he had a good enough read on the situation/Tang Yi’s limits in general to know that wasn’t gonna happen
no subject
Date: 19 Jan 2020 03:59 (UTC)no subject
Date: 19 Jan 2020 04:09 (UTC)Well, not that one, anyway. Andy would be GREAT.
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Date: 19 Jan 2020 04:12 (UTC)no subject
Date: 19 Jan 2020 10:35 (UTC)Oh NO so accurate :D
That's such a funny screen shot of them cracking up in the sniffing scene - Stanley Mei in particular because Ah-De should NOT have been laughing there, but it must have been so funny to film it isn't surprising.
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Date: 19 Jan 2020 10:40 (UTC)I can't stop thinking about this since yesterday because YUP. Up against the nearest flat surface and nvm any passing minions getting an eyeful.
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Date: 19 Jan 2020 13:44 (UTC)no subject
Date: 19 Jan 2020 14:02 (UTC)no subject
Date: 20 Jan 2020 04:24 (UTC)If there ever was a fandom for wanking fic it's this one
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Date: 20 Jan 2020 20:46 (UTC)no subject
Date: 20 Jan 2020 20:50 (UTC)and yeah, jack totally knows how to deal with any problem that comes along - i find that to be a big part of his appeal. he also knows enough about tang yi to make a good estimate of what to expect, even in such a volatile situation.
no subject
Date: 20 Jan 2020 20:51 (UTC)no subject
Date: 20 Jan 2020 21:02 (UTC)bc you know they both had to get themselves off that night. the UST was through the roof! and it would be such a lovely contrast between msf, a bit panicked and frantic and overwhelmed by all the things he's still trying to process about this attraction, and tang yi, who'd take a more leisurely, indulgent, self-satisfied approach...
*also touches nose bc what is writing, i only make icons now*
no subject
Date: 20 Jan 2020 21:12 (UTC)In the scene that follows Meng Shao Fei is mildly obnoxious, Andy is brilliantly sarcastic, and a bit of (a lot of) Tang Yi is clearly loving being fought over.
I would absolutely love to see how MSF and Andy interact with each other some time post-canon. Whether it's an uneasy truce between them, given Andy and Tang Yi's history with each other, or whether it's still out and out barbs and TY's long-suffering sigh.
The angry eating scene is the cutest, mainly with how utterly amused TY is by MSF clearly falling for him, but not quite being ready to admit it to himself yet. And then he pours the Coke into his teacup, drinks it, and instead of interpreting that gesture as "I like you too" MSF's response is "I have successfully converted you to the church of Coke and Spicy Food." *facepalm*
And then the Jack and Zhao Zi scene! Hey, he called in a favor with MSF and ZZ shows up and feels up some other dude? THIS MUST BE FIXED.
(Side note: I wonder how much we're meant to take Zhao Zi's flirting with Jack as conscious and intentional? I feel like maybe not so much, though I prefer to lean towards interpreting it that way.)
I interpret it as totally unconscious flirting. I don't think at this point that ZZ realizes what he's doing, but he does definitely seem to have an impulse and an affinity for muscle. ...and Jack. It's clear that he likes Jack (as a friend, he tells himself), which is why he feels like...totally comfortable just digging his fingers into those pecs. He gives them a good SOLID squeeze or three.
And knowing the groping was Kenny's idea makes this scene even better.
*howls* It wasn't in the script! Kenny added it in, and Andy Bian just let Kenny touch him and grope him all over. Because Kenny's too cute. ...OH MY GOD. *dead*
You can see Jack MELTING as he speaks.
There's this little moment where you see Jack totally get it and empathize, but then he covers it up with a smile. AWWWW, JACK. <333333 This is totally moment #2 where Jack realizes he really genuinely likes ZZ.
And then the falling in the pool is so contrived and ridiculous, I love every second of it because THEY ARE HERE TO DELIVER ON THE TROPES.
This is the first time watching it that
Tang Yi goes to the hospital for a very suggestive-sounding massage from Dr Jiang, while Meng Shao Fei goes loopy with jealousy outside.
The innuendo in this scene is absolutely amazing, and had me in stitches on the floor the first time. Oh, Ah-Fei, you have it so bad.
you could start to get such a clear picture of a future where they're bickering in-laws who actually really care about each other underneath.
I can totally see this, and it warms my heart so much. She totally needles him and he needles right back, and that's just how they are. Hongye is unexpectedly one of my favorite characters to write.
Then he goes to town with a knuckleduster on the shooter, one of Chen Wen Hao's minions, and it's honestly pretty scary.
I honestly can't tell if the shooter is actually somebody that CWH sent to assassinate Hong Ye or if he's actually a low-level Xin Tian Meng minion who is from the pro-CWH faction that Ah-De thinks he has control of but actually doesn't. (I guess there's functionally no difference.)
I say this because Li Zhi De looks so worried, as Jack rightly points out. If it were really someone unknown from CWH's syndicate, wouldn't Ah-De be relieved that it wasn't his guy in there?
Then Zuo Hong Ye tearfully confesses her feelings to Gu Dao Yi, while he looks quietly devastated.
I actually really like their relationship for some reason, despite the MASSIVE age difference between them, and I think it's that Sphinx Ting is really good at that very placidly sad look.
The episode ends with Tang Yi at Meng Shao Fei's bedside, holding his hand.
MSF x Hospital x TY OT3!!
no subject
Date: 20 Jan 2020 21:14 (UTC)Uh huh, suuuuuuuuure. You don't want to write this long languid wank that TY has in the shower while MSF jerks a frantic, panting, desperate while imagining TY's face and lightly scarred skin for the first time?
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Date: 20 Jan 2020 21:14 (UTC)no subject
Date: 20 Jan 2020 21:16 (UTC)As MSF is there to be Tang Yi's bodyguard it would make sense if he insisted on being given the room next to his, right? Just in case something happens in the night. And maybe the soundproofing isn't too good, and maaaybe Tang Yi knows this and lets himself be a bit noisier than he usually is when he gets himself off, and he's thinking about MSF listening to him on the other side of the wall. And MSF *does* hear him, of course, and just how fast do you think he's gonna get off, when he's been wound up all day and now he's touching himself and listening to *that*...
no subject
Date: 20 Jan 2020 21:18 (UTC)TY's really taking this one slow, like he wants this last, not just a quick fuck (though I'm sure one wouldn't hurt.)
I rewound Hongye's irritation scene three times watching it this go-around.
The way she stomps off when she finds Jack and ZZ in the swimming pool is hilarious.
no subject
Date: 20 Jan 2020 21:20 (UTC)