Decubri que en tiktok puedo ponerles audios sin necesidad de tener que hacer un video hahaha asi que, pasate por mi tiktok c: y ganaras 1000 años de fortuna *aplican términos y condiciones* hahaha
SVSSS | The absolute GENIUS meanings behind the name Shen Yuan 沈垣
Ok so most of us already know the meaning of SY 'cause it's in the appendix of the official translation books but I was today years old when I realised just how much meaning MXTX embedded into this name. *spoilers ahead*
Level 1 Meta
Official translation of the word Yuan垣 means wall. But not just any wall, a wall that surrounds something else. It would be specifically used to describe city wall 城垣 or garden fence 花垣 would use this character. This is incredibly fitting for Shen Yuan because his whole story arc is his battle between his logical conscience for survival and his compassionate gut instinct to protect LBH, in other words, to surround and to shield LBH from harm. But this wall of protection functioned against Bingqiu psychologically because SY kept on making decisions without talking to LBH and decided a lot of things on his own. SVSSS is a novel about achieving that balance, to allow both partners to take agency and face life side by side.
Level 2 Meta
Normally, surnames don't have any meaning. Shen沈 is largely used as a name for things/people buttttttt it can also mean liquid or to pour. Guess what, Luo Binghe 洛冰河 means Luo frozen river. So it could be interpreted that Shen Yuan's entire job in the novel is to make LBH achieve his final crybaby form by getting the frozen river Luo to melt, to "pour".
Also, SY made himself melt as well in a way, his internalized homophobia potential toxic masculinity as well as his need to maintain a cool composure were also things he needed to overcome. We finally see him cry for real in the 3rd book, right after LBH scolds him out of anger and worry. Our protagonist learns to break his own walls down and show emotionally vulnerable parts of himself to LBH.
Level 3 Meta
Chinese characters are made up of radicals, meaning more complicated looking characters are made up of simpler characters (radicals) that give clues to their meaning and pronunciation.
Shen沈 is made up of the radicals:
氵 [ shuǐ ] water 💦
冘 [ yín ] can mean to move on OR doubtful of something/someone
The water radical氵💦 occurs in all three characters in Luo Binghe 洛冰河. This can mean that Shen has influence on Luo Binghe's development and overall life. It also reaffirms their compatibility as as couple. I mean let’s be honest, SQQ cries inwardly and LBH cries outwardly, they are both crybabies.
yín冘 perfect describes the base functionality of SY's character; he has a strong survival instinct but is also extremely doubtful of everyone's intentions, especially LBH's.
Yuan垣 is made up of the radicals:
土 [ tǔ ] soil, earth; items made of earth 🌎
亘 [ gèn ] to extend across (dimension/space), through; from 🚀
I find it so fucking funny that MXTX took the tǔ土 soil radical seriously and literally just had SY zombie-himself out of the dirt after 5 years. But it's also really poetic that it once again goes perfectly with LBH's name; the river and earth go hand-in-hand. no wonder LBH asked for Shizun's hand in marriage. 😳😳😳
gèn亘 perfectly describes SY as a transmigrator, someone who travelled across dimension and space. But also SY is really the ultimate sightseer of SVSSS, casually crossing between the human realm and demon realm while also going on road trips with SQH. It's honestly so fucking mint. But I'm here to point out to you how Xin Mo 心魔 LBH's sword (heart demon) is how LBH travels across dimension/space for the majority of the book.
Ultimately, Yuan垣 highlights the importance of finding a home in the people you love. Bingqiu both enjoy that sightseeing lifestyle but the book constantly has important relationship developments, smexy times and domestic Bingqiu set in the Bamboo House. Ultimately, no matter how far you travel, run or chase, you cannot get away from your problems. You need to extend and make effort in understanding and communicating with your SO 🚀 and work on feeling grounded 🌎 in your relationship together.
Fielmente creo que Shen Jiu es uno de los personajes más complejos que escribió Sqh, y siempre tuvo razón sobre que Binghe iba a ser el fin del mundo como lo conocíamos.
(se arrancaría el otro ojo si viera a Shen Yuan con Binghe haha)
Pd. Me tropecé y caí en el mundo del danmei 🤸🏽♀️ ayuda.
pls pls pls pls make a list of all danmei people should read. I am thirsty for love and angst and pls be my salvation
Omg I can't say no to that!
Full disclosure, I've only been reading danmei since May. Also, I only read official translations. Others may be able to give a wider range.
But since you asked so nicely, let's go!
1) Yuwu/Remnants of Filth
Obviously, my number 1 is going to be the danmei I spend 80% of my time here trying to convince people to read.
Yuwu is a gift for fans of angst, literally opens with the MC getting stabbed in the heart and Meatbun doesn't let up from there.
Fun fact - the only Meatbun without non-con elements in the primary ship.
Sad fact - it also lacks her usual comedy.
Why I love it: Mo Xi, my princess, genuinely the saddest boy in all of danmei. I'm ridiculously invested in Ximang's quest for happiness.
2) 2ha/Erha/The Husky and his White Cat Shizun
At it's heart (at least to where the official translations are up to) 2ha is a romantic comedy. Tropes you may have found in other danmei hit so good (ghost weddings and shizun fucking).
Fun fact - Has my favourite confession scene out of all danmei I've read.
Sad fact - Being Meatbun's most popular work, you can basically collect spoilers like pokemon cards. Not even ao3 tags are safe.
Why I love it - Meatbun's smut writing is S tier and Mo Ran is one of my favourite protaganists... although he has some competition.
3) Ballad of Sword and Wine
I feel like I need to formally apologise for sleeping on this series after reading the first volume. It’s so, so juicy! Obsessed with the character dynamics and it’s always a winner when the main couple starts to dabble with each other in the first volume. It’s not Meatbun levels of smut peddling but I appreciate Tang Jiu Qing’s hustle. If you love courtly politics, graphic descriptions of violence and the most insane levels of sexual tension you will ever read. You need this danmei in your life.
Fun fact - I am as obsessed with Cezhou as Xiao Chiye is with the nape of Shen Lanzhou’s neck.
Sad fact - The sheer amount of characters will drive you insane.
4) To Rule in a Turbulent World
Enter You Miao! His introduction made me fall in love with him just as fast as I did Mo Ran! There's a reason everyone raves about chapter 3. Hilarious, horny and wholesome. The side characters are amazing, the main couple is adorable and it's giving hints of political powerplays. Also the first danmei I've read that seems to really deliver when it comes to skinship. The main couple literally can't keep their hands to themselves.
Fun fact - I'm only 50% through but I am buying every single Fei Tian Ye Xiang 7 seas is about to release day 1.
Sad fact - there's no pictures. Also I'm not sure how angsty it's going to get.
Bonus: For the toxic yaoi fan in your life
Meatbun's most unhinged work. She's peddling all the toxic smut fans of bl mangas and manhwas will be familiar with. Even though it's modern it made me nostalgic for that reason. He Yu is a clown and I adore him. Meatbun is airing all her kinks with this one and I'm not mad about it.
Fun fact- This is the first modern danmei I've read. Also, one of the more fun uses of the straight man trope I've read.
Sad fact - Vol 3 cliffhanger!
Why I love it - It's just pure Meatbun chaos.
(Am I just exposing myself as a Meatbun stan, probably, but she delivers every time.)
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