Discussion post - episode 7

[yantantether]

The start of the episode gives us another gorgeous look at Tang Yi kneeling to kiss Meng Shao Fei's bullet wound, before Meng Shao Fei has a slight overload of feelings and horniness and goes to hide in the bathroom. But he's smiling once he gets in there so we know things are going to be OK.



When he comes out he and Tang Yi share the meal that Tang Yi has just cooked and I get mildly distracted by the way that Tang Yi keeps his apron on while they're eating, what a beautiful nerd. Then conflict arises between them as Tang Yi doesn't want him to get involved in the way he plans to deal with the attempted murder of Zuo Hong Ye and Meng Shao Fei, understandably, says that as a cop (and the actual shooting victim!) he can't not get involved.

There's a flashback to Tang Yi's lonely childhood with his horrible, abusive adoptive father. This part is so hard to watch, poor baby. Tang Guo Dong finds Tang Yi and Zuo Hong Ye being bullied by bigger kids in the street and takes them home to care for them. We see him and Tang Yi sharing food and Tang Yi gradually warming up to this new father figure.

Back in the present, Tang Yi shares his desire for revenge on Chen Wen Hao with Meng Shao Fei who, heartbreakingly, has to tell him that as a cop he'll always follow the rule of law and can't condone Tang Yi seeking vengeance.

The mood is lightened in the next scene by tiny failboat Zhao Zi googling "what to do when a man confesses to another man" on his work computer and being exasperated by the lack of good advice in the results. He then decides to ask Meng Shao Fei for his ~gay expertise in the middle of their shared office and Meng Shao Fei is just like "...omg." Although, bless him, he does try to respond by telling Zhao Zi that he was the one who kissed Tang Yi first.

Tang Yi have a conversation about business and some guy she might go on a date with and I get distracted by Tang Yi's pierced ears, which I've only just noticed and am very into. Tang Yi then tells Gu Dao Yi essentially to get over himself and grasp the nettle (the nettle in this case being his sister.)

Tang Yi is brooding in his room when Meng Shao Fei comes in with a birthday cake.



Meng Shao Fei has absolutely won boyfriend of the decade here because even though he and Tang Yi just had something of a disagreement, they've been together for about three seconds and Meng Shao Fei has a bullet wound, he still found the time to make and decorate a cake with their faces on it (and also happy birthday in English, for some reason.)

He asks to take Tang Yi's birthday wish and wishes to always be beside him on his birthday, and my heart grew three sizes.



Icing-covered make-outs ensue and we see Ah-De watching them from the garden. Which, creeper, but ALSO they are right up against the window with the light on. :D

Zuo Hong Ye is on a business date / date which has been set up by Tang Yi and the guy - Zhao Ren Guang - basically proposes marriage to her, while Gu Dao Yi has an aneurysm at the next table.

Next, Ah-De is driving Tang Yi somewhere and Tang Yi unknowingly drinks the water he's roofied. He tries to sexually assault Tang Yi and thank god he does it right by the side of the road and not somewhere more isolated - Tang Yi manages to fight him off, struggle out of the car and call Jack. Simultaneously, Meng Shao Fei is being attacked by some dudes in an alley.

A little later, Meng Shao Fei walks in on Tang Yi confronting Ah-De about his actions - Ah-De is defiant and unrepentant. Tang Yi threatens to kill him (or maybe just to beat him up really badly as the knuckleduster makes another appearance), but Meng Shao Fei bundles him out the room. This is a serious moment, but I'm also just noting that Meng Shao Fei can really manhandle him pretty effectively...

Tang Yi then asks Zuo Hong Ye to leave the country for her own safety and she reluctantly agrees, saying she'll go to Helsinki with Zhao Ren Guang. Thankfully this prompts Gu Dao Yi to finally confess his feelings to her in the parking garage.

The episode ends with Zhao Zi discovering that there must have been a secret connection between Li Li Zhen and Chen Wen Hao, as she and Tang Guo Dong jointly went to visit him in jail.

Comments

[doctorskuld]

The fact that we get another shot of Tang Yi kneeling to kiss MSF's wound is awesome, and makes up for the fact that they dangled the viewers there for a week when they aired it.

Oof, the flashback scene with TY and his adoptive father is hard to watch. Poor little bb TY, and the fact that he's forced out on his birthday night? Poor little thing. 😭

One of the cute behind the scenes facts is that the girl who plays tiny!Hong Ye is actually the sister of the boy who plays tiny!Tang Yi. I think it's just adorable that they cast them like that. The flashback to how TY and HY are discovered by Tang-ye really hits home the age difference between HY and Gu Dao Yi.

The mood is lightened in the next scene by tiny failboat Zhao Zi googling "what to do when a man confesses to another man" on his work computer
On his work computer, in an open plan office. I...ZZ, you should know better. naye just walked into the living roo where I am watching this scene, and we both just cracked up again. ZZ is such a special child.

The best worst best part is MSf's response is "I don't know", instead of something more sensible, like "Wait, why are you asking?" or "Wait, the guy who kidnapped you is now coming onto you? This seems incredibly sketchy, you should watch out." At least ZZ realizes MSF is the most useless best friend ever and lets it drop.

Meng Shao Fei has absolutely won boyfriend of the decade
BLARRRRRGH this scene is the absolute cutest. He hand-baked that cake! He went and threw TY a little boyfriend don't-worry-you-have-me-now birthday. MSF is the cutest, and TY has the saddest puppy dog eyes. They went straight from tentatively starting up this being together thing into being a monogamous couple.

As we cut to Ah-De staring at them from below, I do have to wonder how ill-advised it is for a mob boss to live in a house that is floor-to-ceiling glass walls. I know he has a security detail around the perimeter, but that's not going to stop a skilled sniper...

He tries to sexually assault Tang Yi and thank god he does it right by the side of the road and not somewhere more isolated
He even leaves the door open, and the car's not properly parked by the side of the road. TY is lucky that he has Jack on speed dial.

A little later, Meng Shao Fei walks in on Tang Yi confronting Ah-De about his actions - Ah-De is defiant and unrepentant.
The first few times I watched this scene, when MSF bursts through the door and you see Jack right there, I interpreted that as Jack having brought MSF up to the interrogation room, but now that I'm watching it again, it seems very much as MSF has forced his way through, and Jack was trying to stop him (albeit not terribly hard).

How much of what Ah-De says here, about not being the one who leaked TY's schedule to He Hang do we think is true? Not consciously, maybe, but if He Hang got it anyway from a source that could be traced to Ah-De not being as careful as he should?

I really like how tense this scene, particularly with TY's overpowering emotions and MSF's willingness to actually stand in his way. Their relationship is so new, but MSF is willing to physically drag him away and shove him into walls and be a barrier. Ah, I had forgotten how much I do love these two too.

Thankfully this prompts Gu Dao Yi to finally confess his feelings to her in the parking garage.
This is actually a very beautiful scene, and then you remember that it takes place in an underground parking lot and all the romance just goes out of it. XDDDD

Thank you for leading the episode recap posts, you are amazing, Yan!! <33333333333 I am having such a blast!

[her_cool_aunt]

the girl who plays tiny!Hong Ye is actually the sister of the boy who plays tiny!Tang Yi. I think it's just adorable that they cast them like that
That's so lovely! I'm very pro Hong-Ye in this episode. As well as being a super scrappy badass kid from the flashbacks, she's the only rational grown-up thinking straight now. Stuff that annoyed me the first watch (e.g. her wailing at Gu Daoyi to let her go) I have no problem with this time. I also love that's she's so mean/petty - and rightly so - to GD with the tea and the date and calling him "uncle" because he's just annoyingly wimpy.

He even leaves the door open, and the car's not properly parked by the side of the road
I took it that Li Zhide wasn't sure for how long the roofies would knock TY out and therefore speed was of the essence. As per my comment on episode 5 (I think), his actions are desperate to the point of going a bit crazy in his obsession. I don't believe he's thinking rationally about security protocols for when he rapes his boss. He's got some issues for sure.

The first few times I watched this scene, when MSF bursts through the door and you see Jack right there, I interpreted that as Jack having brought MSF up to the interrogation room, but now that I'm watching it again, it seems very much as MSF has forced his way through, and Jack was trying to stop him (albeit not terribly hard).
This was my interpretation too. You sort of see Jack's hands as MSF bursts past him into the room and it looks to me like Jack is putting up some (VERY token) resistance to letting MSF through.

Thank you for leading the episode recap posts, you are amazing, Yan!!
Seconded!! I am enjoying this so much. Thank you.

[her_cool_aunt]

But he's smiling once he gets in there so we know things are going to be OK.
That smile is half a smirk. MSF now knows he's going to get the good stuff soon enough.

"what to do when a man confesses to another man"
I wanted to ask a general question on the significance and importance of "confessing" that you "like" someone. It seems like this a very specific thing to do that always requires a definitive response (although that can come some time later). I've also seen this in a couple of c-dramas. Since "like" isn't that strong a term in English and certainly not something requiring an answer, I'm still getting used to understanding how serious these confessions are.

I get distracted by Tang Yi's pierced ears, which I've only just noticed
Me too! I also suddenly noticed the earrings this episode. Did he not wear them before? Or were they just subtler?

he still found the time to make and decorate a cake with their faces on it (and also happy birthday in English, for some reason.)
I didn't spot that Happy Birthday was in English before. Are Roman letters easier to pipe/write/draw on icing maybe?

He asks to take Tang Yi's birthday wish and wishes to always be beside him on his birthday, and my heart grew three sizes.
My thought was that perhaps a little part of this was MSF hoping that TY wouldn't end up in jail (where they couldn't spend birthdays together) from going down the revenge path against Chen Wenhao. But maybe I'm overthinking.

Icing-covered make-outs ensue
The food fight is fun(ish) and the kissing is good, but what's with that smeary face rubbing/smash in the middle?? Eek! I was grimacing as I watched and really not enjoying it at all. N.B. I think I heard that this was Chris and Jake's first scene (or at least an early scene) together, so it was a kind of ice breaker. I guess smearing one another with frosting is a fast way to get comfortable with your colleagues.

Tang Yi unknowingly drinks the water he's roofied
TY seems quite dubious about the water bottle and reluctant to drink from it. It looks like he suspects Li Zhide of something. Does he know about the He Hang stuff at this point and suspects/knows that Li Zhide is involved? I'm confused by the gang betrayal shenanigans - and slightly surprised that TY let down his guard given how mistrustful he looked to me. Although I guess Ah-De is his longstanding henchman.

Meng Shao Fei walks in on Tang Yi confronting Ah-De about his actions - Ah-De is defiant and unrepentant.
I rather like how Ah-De bodyslams MSF out of the way (his hands are tied after all) even as MSF is holding back TY from brutally attacking him. Ah-De wants MSF GONE from their lives and out of gang business, even if it means he'll suffer much more physically (possibly even die).

I'm also just noting that Meng Shao Fei can really manhandle him pretty effectively...
After the earlier fight scene in the market when MSF escapes two armed thugs (and don't forget he's only just recovering from a nasty stomach wound), this is another moment of seeing MSF's physical prowess. He's actually got skills! (I'm very happy we see him so competent, although I'd like to echo others' earlier comments on a sad lack of seeing Jack in action.)

[no_detective]

(aahhhh this is the week my life is too busy to keep up w the rewatch. must return soon and catch up on this ep and the previous one!)

[her_cool_aunt]

My life has been a disaster recently (hence this weekend’s supercharged rewatch catch-up) and is about to be rough again this coming week. *sigh* Good luck with your situation!

[litalex]

In Hong Kong at least, the words "happy birthday" are usually in English because it's a western tradition. We usually sing the English Happy birthday song, too. But HK did used to be a British colony...

[doctorskuld]

Since "like" isn't that strong a term in English and certainly not something requiring an answer, I'm still getting used to understanding how serious these confessions are.
Confessing that you "like" somebody in Chinese culture implies that you want a result out of it, namely the willingness to be an item. This is why it requires a response, because you need a definitive yes or no from the other person on the willingness to see if you are compatible enough to be an item. When you confess, there is always the expectation of a response. It's not like American culture where you might just say it to get the feelings off your chest. If you have feelings, but you, for one reason or another don't want to actually try to be a couple (a la Gu Dao Yi holding out for the longest time), you wouldn't confess your feelings in the first place.

Are Roman letters easier to pipe/write/draw on icing maybe?
This hadn't occurred to me previously, but now that you've mentioned this, I am absolutely certain this one of the reasons why he's chosen English. Traditional Chinese characters are a bitch to pipe.

The food fight is fun(ish) and the kissing is good, but what's with that smeary face rubbing/smash in the middle??
Oh phew, I am glad I am not the only person whose reaction to the face rubbing/icing smash was immediate disgust and revulsion. Because...OMG EW. I found the actual visual of the icing kisses kind of gross and not very pleasant to look at (it is very clear to me from this scene that Jake and Chris don't really want to kiss each other, because it's all protruding lips). The sentiment is cute, but this kiss between TY and MSF is a big DO NOT WANT for me.

It looks like he suspects Li Zhide of something. Does he know about the He Hang stuff at this point and suspects/knows that Li Zhide is involved? I'm confused by the gang betrayal shenanigans - and slightly surprised that TY let down his guard given how mistrustful he looked to me.
They never show us what's on the piece of paper that Andy passes to TY, but I strongly suspect that it's He Hang's name, instead of Li Zhi De's, otherwise I can't see TY letting down his guard and being willing to be alone with Li Zhi De, who he already knows has a super creepy crush on him.

This scene does make it clear, however, that He Hang is part of the Xin Tian Meng faction who still wants to deal in drugs and is more loyal to CWH...

But yeah, the gang politics make my head hurt too. I am not quite sure at which point what TY knows, what he thinks he knows, and what is actually happening behind the scenes. He seems not at all to know about the secret dealings between Unit Three and He Hang that get revealed later on...

(I'm very happy we see him so competent, although I'd like to echo others' earlier comments on a sad lack of seeing Jack in action.)
I'm going to write action!Jack now until the end of time to make up for this sad lack of seeing Jack in action.

[doctorskuld]

That's okay! We totally understand the busy-ness of real life! Come and fan with us as you catch up!

[doctorskuld]

I also love that's she's so mean/petty - and rightly so
I really, really love Hong Ye's mean and petty streak, and I can't blame her either, it must be so incredibly frustrating all the time to have Gu Dao Yi looking at you with a sad, loving eyes, and then when you try to be like, "Dude, I love you too" he goes on about he's not worthy or whatever. Must be so infuriating. Can't blame her at all. I'm glad they finally get together.

I took it that Li Zhide wasn't sure for how long the roofies would knock TY out and therefore speed was of the essence.
Yeah, I think you're right about this. I think that Tang Yi recovers decently quickly as well—if you're well enough to actually stagger away after a few moments...

Agree that Li Zhi De is very unhinged at this point. If you're at the point where you're trying rape the head of your crime syndicate, you are definitely not thinking clearly about possible consequences. I'm not sure if I read him as self-loathing about his homosexual desires, or whether he just has an aversion to MSF and what MSF represents, but either way, he has issues out the wazoo.

You sort of see Jack's hands as MSF bursts past him into the room and it looks to me like Jack is putting up some (VERY token) resistance to letting MSF through.
Yeah, I am changing my interpretation of this scene to MSF found out somehow and Jack put some very token resistance.

[her_cool_aunt]

Oh phew, I am glad I am not the only person whose reaction to the face rubbing/icing smash was immediate disgust and revulsion. Because...OMG EW.
I also was repulsed by this. It made my skin crawl. Thank you for agreeing and sharing my ick pain! I WANTED to like the whole scene, because I'm a sucker for touching and intimacy, particularly when they're learning each other for the first time, but I really struggled. I'm half forcing myself to find the food fight amusing (not something I personally enjoy at all). I wasn't as negatively affected by the kissing as you - although it's not brilliant. Perhaps I'm just so relieved that the AWFULNESS before is over so anything (even an awkward uncomfortable kiss) is better. And we mainly see it at a distance so I can squint and think it's all OK.

[her_cool_aunt]

Yeah, I am changing my interpretation of this scene to MSF found out somehow and Jack put some very token resistance.
I made up in my head that MSF goes over to TY's place to check everything's OK either straight after escaping his attackers in the market or once he's very quickly ruled out a police connection to the attack (meaning it has to do with TY and gang business). Jack then says somthing to fill him in on the TY/Ah-De situtation as MSF is barrelling past him and Jack is putting up that token resistance.

[yantantether]

That's cool to know, thank you! MSF is definitely a cake decorating whiz - it even really does look like him and Tang Yi on the top!

[yantantether]

I had no idea the tiny TY and HY actors were siblings, that's so cute!

How much of what Ah-De says here, about not being the one who leaked TY's schedule to He Hang do we think is true?
Trying to work out all the gang stuff and who's betraying who just makes my brain feel like it's about to go kaput :D

And this comm was such a great idea of yours - everyone here is the BEST ❤️

[her_cool_aunt]

I forgot to also say thank you for explaining the significance of a confession of liking in Chinese culture. It's probably a result of watching too many romance dramas - whether BL or not - that I find this so fascinating. It makes characters whom I really wouldn't expect to express such things state their feelings out loud, clearly enough that the other understands (and can respond).

[doctorskuld]

I WANTED to like the whole scene, because I'm a sucker for touching and intimacy, particularly when they're learning each other for the first time, but I really struggled.
I like the idea of the scene, I like the dialogue, I like the actions taken by the characters and the decision they make, it's just Jake and Chris kissing with all of that frosting was executed horribly. Something about the way they are actually kissing feels wrong. I am also not big on food fights or kissing involving food, so...maybe it's just us?

[clevermanka]

I like messy kissing and I would have even liked the icing, but the weird sloppiness of it (I can't help wondering if one or both of them are actually not that great at kissing?) and the terribly Foley effects make it a little unpleasant. It helps to mute it. =\

[clevermanka]

I admit to often eating in my apron, too. They're so convenient!

Daoyi and Hongye's fight in the parking lot is so interesting to me because their opposite and unconventional natures are drastically highlighted. Hongye is always shown as the aggressor, even as children (not stereotypically feminine) and this is made very clear in the parking lot argument/confession. Daoyi wears a submissive role in the show (as a subordinate, and never stereotypically masculine, even when he chases off the bully kids). I really enjoy the dynamic of these two, and the writers and actors made the het romance actually interesting. In this scene we understand the full extent of his long-time indecisive, mixed-signal sending, and I think that's important.

[satsuma]

One of the cute behind the scenes facts is that the girl who plays tiny!Hong Ye is actually the sister of the boy who plays tiny!Tang Yi. I think it's just adorable that they cast them like that.

Ah that's so cute! The Tiny!Hong Ye and Tang Yi flashback is just generally adorable tbh, but it's especially cute to know that they're siblings

The best worst best part is MSf's response is "I don't know", instead of something more sensible, like "Wait, why are you asking?" or "Wait, the guy who kidnapped you is now coming onto you? This seems incredibly sketchy, you should watch out." At least ZZ realizes MSF is the most useless best friend ever and lets it drop.

Yeah this whole bit is genuinely one of my fave scenes bc it's so rediculous. But MSF facilitated their third meeting (when ZZ goes to the gang estate to install security cameras) so I think he's past the point of being able to object?

How much of what Ah-De says here, about not being the one who leaked TY's schedule to He Hang do we think is true? Not consciously, maybe, but if He Hang got it anyway from a source that could be traced to Ah-De not being as careful as he should?

Ah-De has no honor left at this point, but he also seems to have very little sense so anywhere on the spectrum from "intentionally leaked it" to "is just a fucking idiot with his security protocols" seems reasonable tbh

This is actually a very beautiful scene, and then you remember that it takes place in an underground parking lot and all the romance just goes out of it. XDDDD

Yeah idk....the parking lot is a symbolic representation of the way GDY has held their relationship in limbo??? Nope, can't make it work (major props to both actors though, they both look gorgeously emotionally wrecked by the end of it)

[satsuma]

Yeah Daoyi and Hongye still have a lot to work out, even once they're together (hopefully they can do some of that on their vacation together!)

Daoyi's reasons for being hesitant do make sense (he's a lot older than her) but at the same time, he's apparently spent like, years giving her just enough that she never dates anyone else, so you've gotta really feel for Hongye in this scene

[satsuma]

Haha I'm glad that apparently none of us liked the icing kisses!

I do slightly question the decision to make this the very first scene the actors shot, I mean, wouldn't it have been easier to go for something where the awkwardness wasn't going to show so much?

[satsuma]

Me too! I also suddenly noticed the earrings this episode. Did he not wear them before? Or were they just subtler?

I kinda feel like he's worn earrings in at least a few other scenes? but it's definitely not a consistent thing, and they are very prominent in a few shots of this one yeah

[satsuma]

No rush! I suspect we can all discuss this show pretty much endlessly haha so everything will still be there when you've got a bit more time :)

[clevermanka]

I'm a massive Hongye fan so I feel for her pretty much regardless, but yes! Come on, Daoyi, NOT COOL.

[clevermanka]

Maybe that's what they were going for, but the actors and characters deserved a little better imo.

[doctorskuld]

I don't think it's the first scene the actors shot, but it is the first kiss scene they shot, which does make me question their choices.

On the other hand, the kiss on the stairs was the first kiss scene that Andy and Kenny shot, and that was an A+ good kiss, so...

yeah, the foley on the ice cream kiss did not help, did it.

[doctorskuld]

OH GOD, THE FOLEY.

I first read this during breakfast this morning, and I had to pause and just...the sound flashbacks of the foley came rushing back. Σ(O_O)

[yantantether]

You'll have noticed I skimmed RIGHT ON BY the cake kissing above because it's just... eek. Unlike the "seduce me" scene I definitely did not feel like going into any kind of detail about it 😂

[doctorskuld]

A lot of their other kisses are super cute, very adorable, incredibly domestic...but this one...A MISS.

[satsuma]

Oh yeah I'm also a Hongye fan! I just hadn't realized how long Daoyi had been doing his indecisive thing up until this episode so my perspective was different

[joatamon]

I never noticed that Gu Dao Yi is with TGD when they chase off the kids harassing baby TY and ZHY! It definitely underlines the age difference, which is not entirely clear in the adult actors.

[clevermanka]

I think doctorskuld(?) posted a screencap of their personal data sheets and it shows Dao Yi is, like, fifteen years older. So yeah, significant.

[joatamon]

Thank you, I just found it, posted here