branchandroot

Still moseying my way through Granting You a Dreamlike Life, by way of fast-forwarding through every scene that does not have Luo Fusheng in it. I am sad to report that this results in missing absolutely nothing.

Seriously, the Tianying-Xingcheng leg of that romantic triangle could be just as effectively represented by a still of the two of them staring at each other, surrounded by flowers.

I continue amused that the Fusheng-Xingcheng leg is just as compelling, if not moreso, purely because, even when acting just-best-friends, Zhu Yilong brings more energy to it than Chu Jianran. Who could honest to god be replaced by a department store mannequin, in this, with minimal loss.

The leg I'm conflicted about is the Tianying-Fusheng one.

Because I got to the casino scene. Wherein Fusheng bluffs one of his Family's under-bosses into backing down by claiming that he's /personally involved/ in the scam under-boss just tried to run on Tianying and stuffed-shirt-brother, foiled by stuffed-shirt-brother's visual acuity and skill at spotting crooked cards. Interesting life skill, that, given the poker up the guy's spine.

At any rate, Fusheng asserts his personal-involvement claim by saying that Tianying is his woman, and (to make it convincing) kisses her. Much to her dismay, I might add.

So, on the one hand, this is not cool under any circumstances, end of story.

But, within the narrative that the show itself is building... this is actually the point at which he starts demonstrating some respect for her.

*headdesks a few times*

The thing is, his interactions with Tianying, prior to this point, have been Fusheng toying with her. The whole go-round with her trying to get help to 'bail out' a Xingcheng who's already safe home demonstrates abundantly how Fusheng regards people outside his immediate circle: toys to play with for a moment's amusement. At the casino, though, a) her brother demonstrates skill within Fusheng's world and b) Fusheng has had his conscience pricked (at least a little) by Tianying's forthrightness and emotional courage. So, when he calls her over for the kiss, he looks at her the way he looks at his sister or Xingcheng--that intent focus and the little widening of the eyes that says 'play along'.

He's inviting Tianying to play his game, and assuming that she /can/.

So yes. Conflicted.

Although I continue amused that pretty much every piece of physical blocking between Fusheng and Xingcheng is basically waving a banner that reads "The director ships it!".