I originally read Mo Dao Zu Shi without knowing it was a danmei - and I fell in love with them falling in love.
I've noticed some people saying that we only know WWX is gay/bi/demi/LanZhan-sexual at the beginning because we as the reader are aware it's a BL novel/manwha prior to reading it. Now, that might be true for most - but I have to say, it's actually not for me. I read the book because it came up as a supernatural mystery recommendation and it never actually stated it was a romance or danmei in the description that I read. So I was fortunate enough to read this with a totally unbiased view, and I actually feel quite lucky about it. I have since read it again (and again!) and each time I still notice something I might have missed the first time!
As I started reading it, the first scene that made me question WWX's feelings for LWJ is a scene I recently wrote about. It's a beautifully small moment when WWX could smell the sandalwood in LWJs room and it evoked emotions that came across as a subtle yearning with undertones of sadness. I will admit this peaked my interest and I carried on reading, with a sense that WWX might not be telling us everything about himself and his old acquaintance. Then we get to the cold spring scene where he is absolutely stunned at LWJs body and is in denial about it. At this point I knew he was at least physically attracted to men in some way. This is when I started to question if his 'playing the part of a cut-sleeve' was as big of a ruse as he was claiming it was!
Then we go onto the Cloud Recesses flashbacks of when they first met. Now obviously I had picked up on a few moments prior to this, so you could say I was now looking at the rest of the novel with expectations of his sexuality. Within seconds of reading the new chapter I noticed he was describing LWJ as pretty and handsome - a lot! He seemed to have quite a little crush on him in my eyes. But, and I guess this is quite funny as so many are the opposite way, I actually didn't pick up on LWJ's feelings for him as quickly! The fact WWX kept gravitating towards LWJ even though he was cold to him was so cute and I was hooked at what was going to happen next, and if I was right about WWXs feelings. It quickly became apparent to me that he had a little obsession with trying to make LWJ look at him!
My absolute favourite part of chapter 15 is this:
As he had expected, after a short while of sitting down, Wei WuXian repeated his past conduct again, giving Lan WangJi a piece of paper for him to see. Lan WangJi originally thought that it was going to be a mess of lame phrases again, but after a coincidental glimpse, he was surprised to find the drawing of a person, sitting upright and reading by the window, with a vividly realistic expression on his face. It was himself. Seeing that he didn’t avert his gaze at once, Wei WuXian curled his lips, and raised his eyebrow with a wink. No words were needed, since the meaning was plain to see — Does it look like you? Is it good?
Now I know shortly after that, WWX uses this as a distraction to swap the books around for porn! But, he didn't have to put so much effort into his drawing. To me it was actually a sweet act on his behalf. There's something deeply personal about someone gifting you a drawing they have done of your likeness. Especially as it looked vividly realistic, we can assume he definitely drew LWJ looking very beautiful, as this is how he seems him. It's actually quite a raw and vulnerable moment for someone to do this usually. WWXs cheeky flirty wink just made it perfect! Unfortunately WWX didn't get the reaction he was hoping for and continues to press LWJ's buttons to get a reaction out of him.
Lan WangJi slowly spoke, “You have spare time, yet you scribble instead of copy the text. In my opinion, the day of your release from this punishment will never come.” Wei WuXian blew on the ink which hadn’t dried yet and spoke nonchalantly, “I already finished copying, so I won’t be coming tomorrow!” Lan WangJi’s slender fingers seemed to have paused before flipping over the next yellow-tinted page. Surprisingly, Wei WuXian wasn’t silenced. As he didn’t provoke any reaction, Wei WuXian lightly threw the drawing, “It’s yours.”
This is the first scene where I actually thought LWJ might actually like WWX - but I wasn't sure if it was the same way I assumed WWX felt of course. The fact LWJs fingers paused briefly, told me he was a bit disappointed that WWX wouldn't be coming back to the library the next day.
The next scene, where WWX is eager to accompany LWJ and his brother to deal with the water ghouls is pretty cute as well. WWX is very keen to come along and LWJs brother lets us in on a secret - he can tell LWJ wants WWX to come as well. While they're dealing with the water ghouls, we get to see WWX 'flirting' with girls. So obviously this is a significant point for me, because I was starting to think he fancied LWJ.
Wei WuXian assuredly threw a series of charming winks at both sides of the path, “Sisters, how much for half a kilogram of loquats?” His age was young, and his appearance was handsome. With such high spirits, it really was a scene of frivolous peach blossoms pursuing the running stream. One woman lifted her bamboo hat, smiling with her head raised, “Young beau, you needn’t pay. How ’bout I can give you one for free?” The Wu dialect was soft, sounding refreshing and sweet. The speaker’s lips moved melodiously, and the listener’s ears would be enveloped in fragrance. Wei WuXian cupped his hands together, “If it’s given to me by Sister, then I definitely want it!” The woman put her hand into the basket, and threw him a round, golden loquat, “You needn’t be such polite. It’s for how handsome you look!” The boats moved at a fast speed. As the two boats met, they immediately passed each other. Wei WuXian turned around, perfectly catching it, and grinned, “Sister looks even prettier!” As he showed off and flirted on the side, Lan WangJi was staring straight ahead, appearing quite virtuous. Wei WuXian smugly tossed the loquat in his hand, and suddenly pointed at him, “Sisters, do you think that he looks handsome?” Lan WangJi didn’t expect Wei WuXian to suddenly talk about him at all. Just as he was unsure of how to respond, the women on the river spoke in harmony, “Even more handsome!” Amid this, there seemed to be the laughter of a few men. Wei WuXian spoke, “Then, does anyone want to give him one? If you only give me and not him, I’m afraid he might be jealous when we go back!” Chirp-like laughter echoed through the whole river. Another woman came from in front of them, standing on her boat, “Okay, okay, you get two. Heads up, young beau, catch!” After the second one also landed in his hand, Wei WuXian shouted, “Sister, you’re not only pretty, but you’re nice as well. The next time I come here, I’m gonna buy a whole basket!” The woman’s voice was vibrant, and she was more daring than the other. She pointed at Lan WangJi, “Get him to come as well. You all can come here and get them!” Wei WuXian held the loquat in front of Lan WangJi’s eyes. Lan WangJi didn’t move his gaze, “Move.” And, so, Wei WuXian moved it away, “I knew that you definitely wouldn’t accept it, so I never intended to give it to you. Jiang Cheng, catch!”
When I originally read this chapter, I noticed quite a few things. WWX didn't describe the girls in any detail at all, he just wasn't interested in them in that way - all he wanted was some freebies! Then I noticed how he had to mention how good looking LWJ was yet again! It's quite obvious he got the second loquat for LWJ, but because like usual, LWJ acted cold and didn't accept it - he backtracked and said he never intended to give it to him anyway. Which was a lie, WWX is not unkind like that.
There are a few other parts that made me sure there was definitely something developing between them during WWXs time at the CR. When WWX and LWJ were in the cold spring, WWX kept gravitating towards him once again. He then complimented him and admitted how much he admires and respects him. LWJ seemed a little flustered by WWX being close to him without any clothes on, but he did actually talk to him a little bit - which is an improvement from before!
Have you been to Yunmeng? Yunmeng is really fun. Yunmeng’s food is also good. I don’t know if it’s Gusu’s or the Cloud Recess’s problem, but the food in your sect are so bad. If you come to Lotus Pier, you can eat lots of delicious food. I can take you to pick lotus seed pods and water chestnuts. Lan Zhan, do you wanna come?” Lan WangJi, “No.” Wei WuXian, “Don’t answer everything with negative words. You sound so uncaring; girls won’t like it. Let me tell you—the girls in Yunmeng look very pretty, different from the sort of pretty in Gusu.” He winked his left eye at Lan in a proud way, “You sure you don’t wanna come?” Lan WangJi hesitated, but still replied, “No…”
The invitation to come and visit him is so sweet and could be taken in a platonic way. But I noticed that once the offer was dismissed by LWJ, he sounded very rejected and then went on to say 'girls won't like it', when in fact it is himself who doesn't like LWJ answering so negatively to him all the time.
Then there's the scene when WWX gifts him two rabbits. MXTX very clearly intended these two male rabbits to represent WWX and LWJ. With one being described as having emotionless eyes and very still - LWJ. The other, energetic and playful towards the quieter rabbit - WWX. Not long after we are introduced to WWX and LWJ of the bunny world... They hump. Yep... That's when I knew. These two were going to get it on like rampant rabbits. I mean, could you get anymore of a hint that they liked each other than literally having their rabbit counterparts spell it out to the reader! And even if you didn't take that as symbolic, the rest of the flirting and chemistry from previous chapters is enough to indicate to most there is something going on with these two hormonal teenagers.
Don't worry, I won't go through the whole book! But as you can see, I started to think there was some chemistry between them from very early on - even though I didn't know this book had any romance or was a danmei. In fact, this was the first danmei I ever read! I fell in love with them falling in love. No expectations, no judgement, just me reading a truly beautiful, yet unexpected love story unfolding within a brilliant supernatural mystery, with a dash of comedy. I was hooked.
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