MareAzurre

XuJin QCity (Panda World) live - 🌈🌈🌈
As an editor of Gagaoola would say, this was the fruitiest event featuring XuJin 😂: the host was fruity, the games were fruity, the answers were fruity: so much fun and XuJin at their best. Nice addition to the fact that the shop and I think the live too) were in the gayest city of China: Chengdu.
The host publishing a lovely post about how good he felt among "peers", that he knew Jin from a while ago, that Jin has found in Xu a great partner to walk this path together, I am sure he referred to their career as actors (as the host is also in the acting profession) but that my mind read in all the possible LGBTQ+ scenarios🌈😂)
The host words: https://x.com/lianhualouve/status/1993672953331105919?s=20
XuJin revealing everything compromising about each other and having a scare and laugh at the same time, apart that if you see the whole live - I have watched most in RedNote- what was going on under the table was quite obvious. Some clips from X
https://x.com/soulpotaetoe/status/1993688223982248284?s=20
https://x.com/wenhanuIt/status/1993678803588251652?s=20
a couple here: https://x.com/JEONALTY/status/1993667319411954111?s=20
https://x.com/meihanxues/status/1993668293425762641?s=20
https://x.com/naayizhan/status/1993653328878903680?s=20

I think he had a strong sense of loyalty. He perceived that he was saved by the Shadow Guard. It takes nothing to gaslight a child. When he knew he was also lied to - his father was the Jibei emperor, his mother murderer by him and instead his father claiming him as a son, he trained him to become an assassin- he wanted to tell ShuHe. He went to see him with this intention, first he asked about the poem that his father wrote for his mother. the thought of his mother wasting his love on that terrible man, broke his heart, so when ShuHe told him he wanted him, ZiAng, to be his partner for 100 years, the emotion overwhelmed him, and when he finally came back to reality to tell him, the terrible news arrived. It was too late for his confession to be meaningful enough. Then it only becomes worse, personal revenge took precedent to ShuHe feelings and understanding. For me, this was worse than the lie itself.

XuJin - Armani Nanjing shop interruption
The event in Nanjing has to be cut short because they were complaints that there were too many people. It looks was a failing by the Armani shop not to predict that more people were going to turn to the shop to see XuJin. They were very happy, interacting with their fans and with themselves until they have to be "haull off" from the event. It was reported later they went to a hotel to continue meeting fans
Before everybody come with the theory this is homophobia, not it is not, it is Health & Safety. Imagine in China an event that goes out of control in a confined space! and fans in China are a bit extreme, we know this. Before that, they were in full XuJin swing:
https://x.com/xujin_haochi/status/1992561347419398247?s=20
https://x.com/wizcrizzz/status/1992513262576095412?s=20
https://x.com/earpluggg/status/1992511007210754135?s=20
Re-location in a hotel:
https://x.com/earpluggg/status/1992830106885398785?s=20

Yesterday, 2nd live with Sanshi instead was lovely and the hosts were delighted with them. I think it is safer for them to stick to these ones. Just one clip, but they are lots in X some very coquettish as it happens with BL CP appearances
https://x.com/JEONALTY/status/1992217872211558555?s=20

BL CPs in China - Before quoting homophobia as the root cause of "misunderstandings" with BL CPs , I think we should remember that Chinese people have a laid back attitude toward homosexuality and in relation to a BL CP they are often referred by wider audiences as "straight boys, working as gay" - this phrase is now popular after Revenged Love actors scandals. I have been told this by Chinese friends living in China. In my personal opinion, we do not need to assume any member of the CP sexual identity or real relationship between the pair, because if there is a camera in front of them is always going to be fan service. Very simple.

Interesting perspective, but I thought it was distasteful

Xujin promoting the Macau fan meeting on 29 November. They are ever so cute here
https://x.com/anzupricot/status/1991726172393406494?s=20

There is also a 12 minutes video visiting the Panda shop. Full of sweet gestures.
https://x.com/wizcrizzz/status/1991469102259699836?s=20

So far XuJin has only show success after sucess:
2 magazine photoshoots (newromantics and arena homme both with amazing photos)
4 brand deals - 2 products prom with Sanshi with 2 lives, C-Ka (with a live), Q City (Pandas) and FlowerLure (recently announced)
2 live events - Hangzhou Port even (past)t and to come Armani one day store manager
3 fan meetings: Chongqing (past). Macau (scheduled), and a third have been announced (date and location to be confirmed)

Knowing Xu and Jin more -From the beginning ZheXu revealed to be a Buddhist but it is not until Mi Jin's last solo event that fans got to know that Mi Jin belong to a Chinese Muslim ethnic group (Hui). He even volunteered his Muslim name (Musa). When ZheXu first revealed he was a Buddhist I found it interesting because religion is not a main part of Chinese people's life, and now we know for sure the reason why Jin does not eat pork. China is indeed a fascinating country.

As Yerisina said, from ep 1 to 4 there is a lot dialogue giving context to the political tension. I strongly suggest do not bother too much to process everything, you could always re-watch. Focus in the development of the lead couple relationship ShuHe and ZiAng, it is very sensual from the very first episode, let them take you into their journey. You will be highly rewarded.

XuJin - Pandas v blog - Well not really, they are sponsoring the Panda World centre
https://x.com/wizcrizzz/status/1991024638449819910?s=20

They have been such a successful CP because they have these lovely personalities. ZheXu and MiJin together are much more than the sum of their parts. I don't deny their individual qualities but they have managed to bring the best in the other one. It is a really successful partnership. So we have now 4 brands endorsements for them, another live coming soon with them. All good news.
The promotional video for SanShi is amazing - the live this month is with them again
https://x.com/Bluesky202017/status/1990974813268262915?s=20

All their next activities/sponsorship:
https://x.com/yaoi_mazter/status/1990958181955088462?s=20
Armani store managers
https://x.com/lianhualouve/status/1991169044775673889?s=20

Please do! You will be surprised and by episode 5 the sexual tension increase a lot too

There are beautiful kissing scenes. Very daring in episode 6. A lovely long one in episode 7. Episode 8 has three I think, but the last one in that ep very dramatic one. So all tones of kissing here. I think this BL has become quite talked about because of this

I am so glad you "got" ShuHe. You expressed it so well. he is such a beautiful character. Regarding ZiAng, he was not an assassin, they made him one. ZiAng was uprooted from his mum to the Duan family from the Duan Family to the elite assassin group. He did not know how to respond to situations except by the sword. He was wrong, but one thing was true to him, he love ShuHe with all his might. I like the phrase you use "their love was painful", yet, they continue choosing each other for all eternity.

Xujin and "official announcement" -
If you visited X today you would have found posts sharing that "Kill to Love" the name of the production company that obviously have been managing the CP too (is the site where all vblogs are published) announced the halt of XuJin activites. This is one example:
https://x.com/yunton37496913/status/1990334364052508868?s=20
What it looks it happens is that they were responding to fans complaining the lack of vblog today. They said very clearly sometimes it won't be possible to publish anything, as XuJin themselves have warned before. On the other hand, November has been full of updates, vblogs, lives from XuJin, just yesterday they have a successful live with the second brand and a third brand, not disclosed yet, has made a deal with XuJin too, Arena Magazine released a lovely vblog and the fan meeting in Macao is by the end of this month.
It is also important to note that like have happened with other shows, the production company hold the promotion of the CP for a while, but then they release the CP that could get their own management. Let's see what happens in this case.
It looks there is a lot to come and both are very enthusiastic about it. If you have RedNote, this is a clip from the live http://xhslink.com/o/26NC7vPD4g. Similar:
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdo64pak/
Let's also remember what CP fan service is all about:
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/788946-shan-he-yong-ji/146196-xuji-cp-fan-service-a-reflection-to-avoid-disappointments

Fortunately, nobody here thought that even the first episodes deserved a 6. The rating have been 8.5 most of the time, only a couple of weeks ago went to 8.4.

The language of deception and love

ZiAng, is that you?
The first time we see the lovers in one frame is in the alleyway, a scene that set the tone for their dynamic of extreme sensuality. There was a deeper meaning: the memories of a child that longed into adulthood for his best friend who once provided him with shelter — in his hidden den and in his heart. ZiAng, is that you? A man who threatens him, who tried to kill his brother. Yes, it was the same child who grew into adulthood, the same flesh and bones, but also was not.

A childhood “acquaintance” as a bargain chip
ZiAng did not fulfill his mission and was prepared to offer his childhood acquaintance as a “sacrificial lamb”. I have used this phrase before referring to ShuHe. He faked a “rescue”, but ShuHe was ahead of his game — he wanted to know more of ZiAng’s intentions, but he also wanted to get closer to him again.

To confuse and get confused
Fake childhood disappearance stories – “We bonded over drinks,” read ZiAng’s report to Jibei Headquarters – ShuHe, beautiful ShuHe, believed him, why not? Who would hide his hardship like this? Yes, ShuHe set out to know his true intentions and tricked ZiAng to discover the mark in his back, but both got trapped in confusion. The poem, the bath, the spark — childhood memories turned into adulthood desire.

“Hiding my only truth in lies”
A magic masquerade night whose murky reality did not clear when the masks were removed. Yet, there was joy and mutual seduction,; only to be blown by suspicion again, and again ZiAng chose to lie despite ShuHe trading his principles and risking his safety for him.

Devastating jealousy
ZiAng, knowing of ShuHe’s impending marriage, drove himself crazy. The reality of his feelings for ShuHe hit him like a ton of bricks. He was no longer the hardened assassin who had closed his heart and memories. He remembered who ShuHe truly was. He encountered what it was to fall in love for the first time and did not know what to do with himself. He needed to understand the reasons why ShuHe should obey as a prince — he did not. He risked his life for the first time for ShuHe and discovered his true mission: he was going to love and protect ShuHe until his last breath.

“You are the only freedom I want”… the road to hell is paved with good intentions
The cruel brother destroyed ShuHe’s cherished abilities, but for ShuHe the most important thing was to keep protecting ZiAng. ZiAng could see through ShuHe’s attempt to deceive him. In the first kiss, he showed ShuHe the kind of love he wanted from him. ShuHe tried to resist, but he was too wounded at all levels — he only wanted to hide in ZiAng like when they were children. ShuHe promised through his tears that ZiAng was the only freedom he wanted. ShuHe begged him not to let him “lose again”. ShuHe kissed ZiAng while ZiAng, still with open eyes, still “hiding his only truth in lies”, was confused for brief second, but desire took him over — both consumed by passionate love.

The lies that others tell
“That” brother — ShuHe finds ZiAng’s brother, doesn’t he? For all of us who have watched these episodes multiple times, it is clear that it was more like the brother and his accomplices found ShuHe. It was all staged by Jibei. We are still questioning if this brother was a real Duan. In any case, ZiAng was happy — he wanted all: his lover and his brother. He did not realise yet that those were incompatible, as the future would tell.

Not a Duan - The same day ZiAng found that he was not a Duan but a Jibei royal, the brother was not such, and his father was a cruel Emperor who killed his mother.

A life together, a world apart
ShuHe and ZiAng had been living their blissful lovers’ life for three months when everything collapsed. It was, after all, based on too much deception by ZiAng and too much sacrifice by ShuHe. ShuHe wanted to be like a pair of swans, together for a lifetime. ZiAng also wanted the same, but he needed to tell the truth — he wanted to tell this and more every day, every season. He did not have the chance. His own personal revenge took over. More than the lies he told before, ZiAng lied the worst when he stabbed ShuHe’s brother and left him with no choice. He was not the freedom that ShuHe wanted, because ZiAng made a choice: he chose revenge over ShuHe’s feelings and with that sealed their destiny.

The lies we tell ourselves
For five years ZiAng fought his way with sword and blood to reach a position of power to recover ShuHe. For five years ShuHe longed for ZiAng in his heart and bed with the conviction that their relationship was not possible. He let ZiAng know. ZiAng went crazy.

Imprisoning ShuHe in the golden cage that was the fake 6th Prince mansion, mistreatment followed one after another. The lies that ZiAng told himself kept screaming in his face: no suffering in war, all because of ShuHe’s protection. Yes, ZiAng was able to convince himself of his own lies — a “smooth talker,” ShuHe branded him. “You love the one who hates you and you hate the one who loves you,” ZiAng screamed — but for ShuHe, he was both.

The lies we tell because of others
ZiAng was dying. The only thing he wanted in the last weeks of his life was to feel ShuHe’s warmth again. For the sake of saving the South Kingdom’s prisoners and dignity, ShuHe gave him that — but also his love again. Once the plot was discovered and cruelty acted upon — courtesy of the little brother — the pain and guilt in ShuHe were unbearable. He wanted to go with dignity, to go before ZiAng. His only lover owed him that, after putting him through hell on earth.

To lie as a redemption
ShuHe never told his lover of his intention. He married him as they both once dreamed — for a brief period, it must have been very short. They lived in the fake 6th Prince mansion. ShuHe told ZiAng loving him was the best choice he made in life. I am sure that was the truth — love is nothing to feel ashamed of. ShuHe went on his own terms, not to escape ZiAng but to love him for eternity. ZiAng went just after him, to finally live with ShuHe in honesty, in love, and in freedom.

It raise 0.1 now, it went down to 7.7 now is 7.8, hopefully will reach the 8 again.

Well said Yerisina!

Indeed!. Every time that I look is even lower!?

New official XuJin video - what a lovely one. Compilation of sweet moments
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRHP1O-DbOc/?igsh=MXNibXBwdmd4enBhZg==

Today they have a live for his second brand, they look lovely and very happy. X is full of videos. Here the beginning
https://x.com/wenhanuIt/status/1990027844744053138?s=20

Who is voting this one down? It started over 8, so those who are liking it, consider come forward and vote every episode with a high score. It is really good.

Jasprin I really like your comment. It makes me fall in love with the series all over again, if that is possible, as I have fallen in love with it so many times. 🧡

This is looking so good. What a surprise. From the trailer, we could see these were professional actors. Hao Yi Ran (Shu Lang) is a graduate from the Beijing Film Academy, so excellent training. The production is better than ABO by a mile, obviously, the direction too. I was doubting the chemistry between the leads, but they just proved me wrong. Amazing interaction between the two. This team did not come to play or follow lame fujoshi fantasies; they came to deliver, and I am looking forward to the next episodes.