what are the odds of a nine-headed snake and a nine-tailed fox? they should end up together. anyone feel me?
Don't forget, there were two nine-tailed foxes, and two snake demons!
What are the odds that...
(1) little Xiao Yao would meet a snake demon and antagonize it to alleviate her loneliness; and
(2) little Xiao Yao would meet a gravely injured nine-tailed fox demon and become close with him; and
(3) the snake demon would die trying to stop the nine-tailed fox demon (who had one of his tails cut off - so he actually only had eight tails) from taking little Xiao Yao away; and
(4) grown-up Xiao Yao would meet a nine-headed snake demon with nine lives, and that they would each enjoy antagonizing each other to alleviate their loneliness; and
(5) grown-up Xiao Yao would meet another gravely injured descendant of the nine-tailed fox, and become close with him too; and
(6) the nine-headed snake demon would also die in the end, but this time instead of dying because he tried to stop the nine-tailed fox from taking Xiao Yao away, this snake demon chose to die and used all his effort (and a few lives) to help Xiao Yao and the nine-tailed fox (who had seven of his tails cut off - so he actually only had two tails) run away together?
Yes, I think it has to do with the wig (the whiskers)
S2 hasn't aired yet and I haven't read the unconfirmed leaked script for S2. I'm afraid I don't have any special knowledge about how S2 will play out.
In the novel, between chapter 29 and chapter 51 there are quite a few chapters where XL has very little or basically no presence. There are also chapters where he has a major presence. From what others have said about the leaked script, some of XL's scenes from the novel will be cut. But other scenes related to TSJ and CX will also be cut. So even if those accounts are true, I'm not sure how all the cuts will affect their proportionate screen time.
In S1, the drama added several small scenes and a few longer scenes that focused on XL that didn't exist in the novel (e.g., the scene where he transforms into the veiled woman in white to accompany WXL on the boat). Given that, and the fact that XL is a fan favourite / Tong Hua's favourite, I would be surprised if XL ended up having a very small role in S2.
To add to what Symbolika1 mentioned, in the novel XL definitely uses up one life to save XY in chapter 22 after her assassination.
He also definitely uses up another life in chapter 48 when he kills the poison bugs to break the connection between him and XY.
He might also have used up another life in that chapter to save XY's life a second time (she gave herself a lethal dose of poison and would have died if not for XL's intervention), but the novel does not explicitly state that he did. We can just infer it based on the fact that he had to use a life to save XY from death in chapter 22.
He might also have used another life to save TSJ from death between chapter 46 (when he creates the jewel that revives TSJ and gives it to a merman with instructions) and chapter 49 (when TSJ returns), but again the novel doesn't explicitly state that he did. That's speculation based on what XL had to do to save XY from death in chapter 22.
S1 of the drama only shows the chapter 22 save, and from what we've heard about the leaked script there will be changes to when and how XL uses up more of his lives to help XY in S2.
Yes, I think it has to do with the wig (the whiskers)
That matches their characters in the story so well! Now I'm picturing FFB and XY gaining weight after all of the outings and meals they shared. Not to mention all the beautiful poison dishes that XY created for him.
It's making me think of a few of my favourite parts of chapter 16:
"Xiao Yao’s life suddenly became extraordinarily busy. She had to make poisons, she had to practice archery, and when Fang Feng Bei had time, she had to learn from him and go along with him to find entertainment.
After Xiao Yao hung out with Fang Feng Bei was when she truly learned what it meant to eat, drink, and be merry. She discovered Xuan Yuan Castle anew, so many places hidden in the small alleys that even her cousins didn’t know, Fang Feng Bei knew.
He was like an expert taking Xiao Yao along to eat, drink, and be merry."
and
"When they were out playing, it was like the two of them were just enjoying life. Two people who didn’t care about anything, who were willing to try everything, became partners venturing out into the dizzying world. Many things in life, it feels different doing it alone or with a companion. Dining, no matter how delicious, just doesn’t taste as good alone. Xiao Yao believed Fang Feng Bei also understood how she felt which is why he never hesitated and introduced her to everything he could think of and then took her to experience it.
Xiao Yao sometimes felt Fang Feng Bei was like a child who was lonely for too long. He had played with too many toys alone and it was no longer interesting. Now he had a companion, he couldn’t wait to take her to play, to experience what he tried. It appeared just casual but was in truth very sincere.
Gradually, Xiao Yao started sincerely eating, drinking, and being merry with him. As long as Fang Feng Bei wasn’t aiming a bow and arrow at Zhuan Xu, then he wasn’t her enemy."
and
"When they ate together, Xiao Yao loved eating the filling of a crispy biscuit and he would always peel off the outside of his and put the filling on her plate. When they were eating barbecue, her favorite was the neck area where there was a piece that was juicy with thin skin and he would always grill that piece until it was nicely crisped before handing it to her."
"But in life this is reality how many people can truly give up eveyrthing....we have responsibliities not only…
I'd agree that there's a big difference between XY seeing XL in a certain light and actually being in a place where she'd choose to have a romantic relationship with him or choose to run away with him.
"But in life this is reality how many people can truly give up eveyrthing....we have responsibliities not only…
"Is that the kiss after her conversation with XL on the beach?"
Yes, although XL and XY have that conversation on the ocean surface in the novel.
In response to the last three paragraphs: IMO, XL makes it possible for XY to spend time with him so comfortably by making it safe. He says it's temporary and keeps it light. Which allows XY to spend time with him without feeling guilty or overthinking it. Yes, he basically takes her on a million wonderful dates. But the fact that it never becomes overtly romantic is part of his sacrifice. He keeps it that way on purpose. He wants to alleviate her loneliness and spend time with her, but he can't be her romantic endgame so he (and XY too) doesn't let their relationship turn into a romantic promise he can't keep.
"But in life this is reality how many people can truly give up eveyrthing....we have responsibliities not only…
Yw ^^
At that point in the story it feels like XL isn't a "frenemy" to XY anymore. He's still the Yellow Emperor's enemy. But who he is to XY at this point (the chapter before she confirms that FFB and XL are the same person) is complicated...
Even if she's not asking the question seriously in this case, she is asking if the Yellow Emperor could guarantee that she could marry him, if she wanted. To Kokuto's point, that does suggest that she sees him in a certain way. There's another indication in chapter 28 (after XY gets engaged to Feng Long) that she sees him in a certain way:
---
Feng Long waved his hand. “No, no, don’t misunderstand. I know how to handle Jing. I was worried you heard him play tonight and started to regret it.”
Xiao Yao said “I have no regrets. I’ve been wandering alone since I was small and on the surface I seem very carefree but I’m actually very weary of wandering. I want to stop, I want to have a home. But the people I meet – the one with the feelings has no ability, the one with the ability has no feelings – only you are willing to give me a safe harbor where I can anchor myself and stop. Thank you!”
---
The one with feelings but no ability is TSJ. He loves her but at that point he can't be with XY because he's married to FFYY and has started a family with her.
The one with ability but no feelings (at least no feelings that have been sincerely declared to XY)? It's hard to say who that could be if not XL/FFB. She knows they are the same person by chapter 28.
XL never hid (except first encounter at the camp) his face from Shiqi/TSJ. Was it because they already knew each…
Yes, they did know each other already. Although it's not clear whether XL would've let TSJ see his face before. In the novel, XL said that he and TSJ did business for hundreds of years before either of them met XY.
Chapter 46:
Xiao Yao glared in rage at Xiang Liu who acted nonchalant and continued to stroke her neck while smiling down at her and talking like it was a random chat between friends. “Even before I knew you, I was already doing business with Tu Shan Jing for hundreds of years. He’s not a vindictive person, but he’s also not a weak fool. In hundreds of years, I’ve never once taken any advantage from him. He can time and again endure Tu Shan Hou only because he treats Tu Shan Hou as a relative..."
"But in life this is reality how many people can truly give up eveyrthing....we have responsibliities not only…
Winny Aye, for your last question, that conversation between XY and the Yellow Emperor happens in chapter 16:
The Yellow Emperor ignored her barb and suddenly said “Pick a good husband! Before I die I can guarantee that you can marry any man you want.” He wanted to make sure Xiao Yao was happy.
The Yellow Emperor’s conversation jumped topics so abruptly Xiao Yao was stunned and suddenly she felt this tenderness in her heart. No matter how much she blamed him, he was still her grandfather.
Xiao Yao controlled her conflicted emotions and asked with a goofy smile “Anyone I want? Even someone who is already engaged? Even someone who is your enemy?”
3 
1 
1 
What are the odds that...
(1) little Xiao Yao would meet a snake demon and antagonize it to alleviate her loneliness; and
(2) little Xiao Yao would meet a gravely injured nine-tailed fox demon and become close with him; and
(3) the snake demon would die trying to stop the nine-tailed fox demon (who had one of his tails cut off - so he actually only had eight tails) from taking little Xiao Yao away; and
(4) grown-up Xiao Yao would meet a nine-headed snake demon with nine lives, and that they would each enjoy antagonizing each other to alleviate their loneliness; and
(5) grown-up Xiao Yao would meet another gravely injured descendant of the nine-tailed fox, and become close with him too; and
(6) the nine-headed snake demon would also die in the end, but this time instead of dying because he tried to stop the nine-tailed fox from taking Xiao Yao away, this snake demon chose to die and used all his effort (and a few lives) to help Xiao Yao and the nine-tailed fox (who had seven of his tails cut off - so he actually only had two tails) run away together?
In the novel, between chapter 29 and chapter 51 there are quite a few chapters where XL has very little or basically no presence. There are also chapters where he has a major presence. From what others have said about the leaked script, some of XL's scenes from the novel will be cut. But other scenes related to TSJ and CX will also be cut. So even if those accounts are true, I'm not sure how all the cuts will affect their proportionate screen time.
In S1, the drama added several small scenes and a few longer scenes that focused on XL that didn't exist in the novel (e.g., the scene where he transforms into the veiled woman in white to accompany WXL on the boat). Given that, and the fact that XL is a fan favourite / Tong Hua's favourite, I would be surprised if XL ended up having a very small role in S2.
He also definitely uses up another life in chapter 48 when he kills the poison bugs to break the connection between him and XY.
He might also have used up another life in that chapter to save XY's life a second time (she gave herself a lethal dose of poison and would have died if not for XL's intervention), but the novel does not explicitly state that he did. We can just infer it based on the fact that he had to use a life to save XY from death in chapter 22.
He might also have used another life to save TSJ from death between chapter 46 (when he creates the jewel that revives TSJ and gives it to a merman with instructions) and chapter 49 (when TSJ returns), but again the novel doesn't explicitly state that he did. That's speculation based on what XL had to do to save XY from death in chapter 22.
S1 of the drama only shows the chapter 22 save, and from what we've heard about the leaked script there will be changes to when and how XL uses up more of his lives to help XY in S2.
It's making me think of a few of my favourite parts of chapter 16:
"Xiao Yao’s life suddenly became extraordinarily busy. She had to make poisons, she had to practice archery, and when Fang Feng Bei had time, she had to learn from him and go along with him to find entertainment.
After Xiao Yao hung out with Fang Feng Bei was when she truly learned what it meant to eat, drink, and be merry. She discovered Xuan Yuan Castle anew, so many places hidden in the small alleys that even her cousins didn’t know, Fang Feng Bei knew.
He was like an expert taking Xiao Yao along to eat, drink, and be merry."
and
"When they were out playing, it was like the two of them were just enjoying life. Two people who didn’t care about anything, who were willing to try everything, became partners venturing out into the dizzying world. Many things in life, it feels different doing it alone or with a companion. Dining, no matter how delicious, just doesn’t taste as good alone. Xiao Yao believed Fang Feng Bei also understood how she felt which is why he never hesitated and introduced her to everything he could think of and then took her to experience it.
Xiao Yao sometimes felt Fang Feng Bei was like a child who was lonely for too long. He had played with too many toys alone and it was no longer interesting. Now he had a companion, he couldn’t wait to take her to play, to experience what he tried. It appeared just casual but was in truth very sincere.
Gradually, Xiao Yao started sincerely eating, drinking, and being merry with him. As long as Fang Feng Bei wasn’t aiming a bow and arrow at Zhuan Xu, then he wasn’t her enemy."
and
"When they ate together, Xiao Yao loved eating the filling of a crispy biscuit and he would always peel off the outside of his and put the filling on her plate. When they were eating barbecue, her favorite was the neck area where there was a piece that was juicy with thin skin and he would always grill that piece until it was nicely crisped before handing it to her."
Yes, although XL and XY have that conversation on the ocean surface in the novel.
In response to the last three paragraphs: IMO, XL makes it possible for XY to spend time with him so comfortably by making it safe. He says it's temporary and keeps it light. Which allows XY to spend time with him without feeling guilty or overthinking it. Yes, he basically takes her on a million wonderful dates. But the fact that it never becomes overtly romantic is part of his sacrifice. He keeps it that way on purpose. He wants to alleviate her loneliness and spend time with her, but he can't be her romantic endgame so he (and XY too) doesn't let their relationship turn into a romantic promise he can't keep.
At that point in the story it feels like XL isn't a "frenemy" to XY anymore. He's still the Yellow Emperor's enemy. But who he is to XY at this point (the chapter before she confirms that FFB and XL are the same person) is complicated...
Even if she's not asking the question seriously in this case, she is asking if the Yellow Emperor could guarantee that she could marry him, if she wanted. To Kokuto's point, that does suggest that she sees him in a certain way. There's another indication in chapter 28 (after XY gets engaged to Feng Long) that she sees him in a certain way:
---
Feng Long waved his hand. “No, no, don’t misunderstand. I know how to handle Jing. I was worried you heard him play tonight and started to regret it.”
Xiao Yao said “I have no regrets. I’ve been wandering alone since I was small and on the surface I seem very carefree but I’m actually very weary of wandering. I want to stop, I want to have a home. But the people I meet – the one with the feelings has no ability, the one with the ability has no feelings – only you are willing to give me a safe harbor where I can anchor myself and stop. Thank you!”
---
The one with feelings but no ability is TSJ. He loves her but at that point he can't be with XY because he's married to FFYY and has started a family with her.
The one with ability but no feelings (at least no feelings that have been sincerely declared to XY)? It's hard to say who that could be if not XL/FFB. She knows they are the same person by chapter 28.
Chapter 46:
Xiao Yao glared in rage at Xiang Liu who acted nonchalant and continued to stroke her neck while smiling down at her and talking like it was a random chat between friends. “Even before I knew you, I was already doing business with Tu Shan Jing for hundreds of years. He’s not a vindictive person, but he’s also not a weak fool. In hundreds of years, I’ve never once taken any advantage from him. He can time and again endure Tu Shan Hou only because he treats Tu Shan Hou as a relative..."
The Yellow Emperor ignored her barb and suddenly said “Pick a good husband! Before I die I can guarantee that you can marry any man you want.” He wanted to make sure Xiao Yao was happy.
The Yellow Emperor’s conversation jumped topics so abruptly Xiao Yao was stunned and suddenly she felt this tenderness in her heart. No matter how much she blamed him, he was still her grandfather.
Xiao Yao controlled her conflicted emotions and asked with a goofy smile “Anyone I want? Even someone who is already engaged? Even someone who is your enemy?”
I'm going to pretend the last episode ended with the nice bracelet shot at 38:40.