The Spirealm is a horror/drama series adapted from Kaleidoscope of Death by Xi Zixu, very much a danmei novel. So what's this drama, when it obviously can't be that? Hella tropey, that's what it is. And don't "bromance" me, I find this pretty damn romantic.
So this adaptation achieves the desired effect by a) amping up the emotional closeness from the get-go, when it develops slowly in the novel, and b) utilizing all the tropes, all the time. All the fanfic and romance tropes and the kitchen sink. So I thought I'd attempt to catch them all! I try to keep these short and fun from now on.
(I managed all of that without a mention of our leads and those devastating, utterly smitten looks and the incredible, amused fondness. This show doesn't rely just on tropes.)
Episode 1 (Winter cabin, 1st door)
Lin Qiushi ends up in the world of doors, a virtual reality game where one must pass through 12 worlds or die trying. He meets a dashing stranger (drama sprite) Ruan Nanzhu... and the tropes are off.
Crossdressing: No, but the hanfu Ruan Nanzhu is wearing for no reason is probably a nod towards book!Nanzhu's crossdressing tendencies.
Backing someone against a wall: A tree. They've barely met, and Nanzhu gets really up close and personal. Intense looks. He's interested. We really don't need an incredibly tall person for this, romance authors everywhere.
Injuries for hurt-comfort purposes: Nanzhu fakes being injured while saving Lin Qiushi to gain his sympathy. He doesn't need it, he's having fun.
Carrying your partner: Lin Qiushi immediately offers to carry him. MY BOY. You do not know this drama person... No carrying. Yet.
Everyone assumes you're together: Everyone does. (Bed)roommates it is, then.
There is only one bed: Ah, the trope most beloved by this series! One (1) bed. It's okay if one person is on top of the covers! Then you can face each other and get really close, of course bc monsters. Sure.
Noodles of love: The eternal trope appears! Nanzhu promises to protect Qiushi from ghosts if he makes noodles. Noodles happen. Qiushi is a good cook.
Taking care of your partner: Nanzhu appears to be cold (doubtful), so Qiushi immediately gets him a coat. While making the noodles.
-> Episode 2
This far, I've numbered the doors according to how many door worlds we've seen in the series. However, that doesn't follow everyone's personal "door count", because the level of the door matters as well. Sometimes it's possible to skip or re-do levels. (The drum sisters door actually counts as Lin Qiushi's 5th door.) Door world logic, what can you do?
For now, we get a break from doors and many discussions in which nothing and no one is straight.
Keeping watch over injured partner: Qiushi wakes up after getting a concussion in the drum door. Nanzhu is sitting on his bed, watching him very, very closely - you can see from his eyes when Qiushi wakes up. He seems to sense this earlier than Qiushi himself. How long has Nanzhu been watching over him, exactly?
Concern over partner's health: Now Nanzhu treats Qiushi as the Sickly Victorian Heroine, being all "health is most important" and "I'll postpone all my plans for you, none of that matters". Where is the cold-hearted boss of Obsidian? Nanzhu's "Your injury was unexpected" just sounds like he's been worried sick. And he doesn't forget to tell Qiushi to rest well and pat his thigh… on top of the covers, so it doesn't count. Right.
The Parent Discussion: Nanzhu brings up Qiushi's parents - how's he going to explain… everything? Qiushi (looking down, distracting himself with the cat): "No need. We're not that close." He says it so casually that something's definitely off. At least Nanzhu doesn't have to meet the relatives. (Would that be a disaster or a success? Would crossdressing help or hinder? I'm getting distracted by Ruan Baijie. Send help.)
Meeting the best friend: Wu Qi insists on visiting Obsidian to see Qiushi isn't involved in anything shady. Cough. Everyone does their best to act super shady… until Nanzhu shows up. Wu Qi's FACE! He's the best! Nanzhu's all business, cold and collected. He wipes his hands after greeting Wu Qi, but that doesn't stop Wu Qi's beaming. After all, he just met the hot boss who introduced himself as Qiushi's friend and promised to take good care of him! +100 approval. Wu Qi, you have a type.
Everyone thinks we're together: Wu Qi's suspicions - or convictions - shift. "I believe you aren't doing a pyramid scheme here", says he, sounding very much like "I know you're doing the boss instead". The unbelievably handsome boss, he doesn't forget to add. Wu Qi is such a delight! He gets plenty of lines to guide the viewer to NSWF conclusions (re: bondage discussion). Nice tactic.
Everyone expects jealousy: Everyone acts like Nanzhu and Qiushi are together. So when Nanzhu starts to spend a lot of time taking a newbie through the doors, people keep checking in on Qiushi. Even Cheng Qianli asks whether he's jealous or upset! And he refuses to believe Qiushi's not bothered! (Generally a good principle: do not believe Qiushi who is "fine".) But even better - Nanzhu feels the need to reassure Qiushi! "Hang in there", he says, promising it won't take long. Everyone's so considerate of Qiushi's feelings, I'm touched.
Boop: Nanzhu also feels the need to touch. I simply must record every instance of Nanzhu poking Qiushi's forehead, because how cute is that? He does it so fondly, too.
Noodles of love (variant): Qiushi regularly cooks for everyone at Obsidian (besides Nanzhu, specifically). Glad to see he's taking care of the family.
Crossdressing comedy of errors: Li Dongyan calls Nanzhu to curse him, because Nanzhu drove away the spy Dongyan sent to find Baijie. (Who's really at fault here?) It's all too easy for Nanzhu to invoke Baijie's presence - suddenly Li Dongyan is at his best behaviour, professing his love. Nanzhu: "Baijie doesn't like men who talk too much. Bye." It's fascinating to hear him talk about himself/herself in the third person like this. Actually, it's a very nice way to let Nanzhu make statements about what he likes in men! Well done, clever little adaptation.
Crossdressing (serious): Qiushi's amused, which suddenly makes Nanzhu serious: "So what? Isn't Baijie good?" (I spy a hint of "am I not good enough" here.) Qiushi admits easily that Baijie's good… only to trigger the drama sprite! "Who is better, Baijie or me?" asks Nanzhu, gravely. He might as well ask do you prefer men or women. Qiushi, at his oblivious best, gets it right: "But you are the same person." Nanzhu is always equally awesome! Also, Linlin's statement kind of implies that Baijie's preferences = Nanzhu's preferences.
Approval from the family: Chen Fei, totally not deflecting questions: "Ruan-ge is lucky to meet a newcomer like you." Chen Fei's seal of approval! I really like Chen Fei. A couple of lingering shots also suggest that he might have more of an interest in Nanzhu than he lets on.
Jealousy (real): Qiushi and Nanzhu meet Zaozao in the real world. She's awfully friendly, calls Qiushi cute and even tries to hire him as her assistant! This is Not On. When she gets to asking about Qiushi's hobbies, Nanzhu's expression grows more and more sinister. "No need to ask so many questions," he cuts her off. It's "unnecessary" for her to know Linlin any better.
Plot item of significance: The bracelets! Nanzhu, again in a gift-giving mood, gives Qiushi a bracelet that enables them to enter the same door, wherever they are. It's only practical, like all his surely-not-romantic gifts.
Crossdressing comedy of errors (cont.): Nanzhu informs Li Dongyan that "Baijie adores competent men". I'm sure that's true. Let's see how long it takes for Linlin to show his competence again… Nanzhu has also, apparently, called Li Dongyan as Baijie and cursed the hell out of him. Unfortunately, that's his kink. "What an attractive tyrant", comments Qiushi, making me nearly choke on my tea.
Discussing being single: "No wonder Li Dongyan is still single", says Nanzhu, pissed off. Cheng Qianli observes that Nanzhu's single, too… At which point everyone scatters, leaving him alone with Qiushi. Nanzhu might have Some Kind of Feeling about this. "Is it funny?" he asks, sounding like he finds it remarkably unfunny. Qiushi, bless him, actually thinks about it and tries to make him feel better: Nanzhu's not unable to get a girlfriend, he just doesn't want one (hint hint). Surprising insight from Linlin! Perhaps the fact that Nanzhu has been hitting on him since episode one has enlighted him a bit.
Stop being tragic, get a boyfriend: Nanzhu isn't done: "Are you single because you choose so?" Qiushi looks like he's trying to solve a math problem. "Can't think of an answer?" guesses Nanzhu. Qiushi, again, blames work and all non-girlfriend-shaped things. Nanzhu's managed to turn this discussion around completely. "You're in your twenties, but you haven't had a girlfriend", he says. It's tragic! But not to worry. If Qiushi can't find a grilfriend, he can always find something else. Qiushi: "Like a cat?" What is this show, what is this discussion? Nanzhu's smoldering look and the subsequent eyeroll are perfection. "And to think why you're single", says he like a man who finds himself inferior to felines.
They're preparing for the next door, which is apparently about mental fortitude. Mine is zero when it comes to anything resembling Japanese horror. Perhaps third time's the charm and I'll actually manage to watch all of it. Next up is episode -> 12.
Giving your partner a key (meaningful): Nanzhu's SECOND attempt to give this key to Qiushi succeeds. "It's still yours", he says, smiling fondly. I CANNOT with the gifting. The key gives the player an advantage in the next door; Nanzhu is trying to keep Qiushi alive. Nanzhu/Baijie cares a lot about this stranger, when he seems to disregard all the other door-breakers (I like this translation).
Reluctant parting: A beautiful shot of Qiushi lingering at the door, looking wistfully at Nanzhu. Again Nanzhu's little smile, which seems to be reserved for Qiushi. And all that LIGHT. Am I sensing foreshadowing?
Calling your partner's name when lost in thought: Lin Qiushi, who doesn't do subtle. Nice to see Nanzhu isn't the only one affected.
Suspected kink: Roommate comments on the wounds on Qiushi's neck (left by the door ghost). Roommate isn't allowed to be handsy (Nanzhu has been handsy for 3 episodes).
Roommate: "You found a new game?" (mind, gutter)
Qiushi: "I fell." (…)
Roommate, with the most suspicious expression ever: "It looks like rope burns."
Doesn't matter it isn't true. Now we're all THINKING about it.
Appearing in your partner's bedroom: Nanzhu does. Apparently bedroom doors are easy. And this is the real world Ruan Nanzhu, not Baijie. "The name you're too shy to ask." Well, Mr. Bedroom Crasher isn't shy.
Injury for hurt-comfort purposes (REAL): In Obsidian, Lin Qiushi hastens to dress Ruan Nanzhu's wound, despite the man doing well on his own. Romantic music is playing. One manhandling point for Qiushi!
No one has ever cared for me like this: Nanzhu looks like no one has ever taken such care of him. The puzzlement, staring at the bandage, staring at Qiushi… Oh.
Noodles of love: Qiushi casually makes himself at home and cooks for Nanzhu (and only him). Later, when discussing Qiushi's potential, Nanzhu keeps staring at the noodles and fondling the chopsticks. "Intuition" tells him he wants a man who feeds him!
I'll accompany you (anywhere): Qiushi feels apprehensive about his 2nd door.
Nanzhu: "Don't worry. I'll pass this door with you."
Qiushi: "We can pass it together?"
Nanzhu: "Of course", comparing them to the pair from the 1st door. More parallels to this m/f couple!
Complimenting your partner (Nanzhu edition):
Qiushi: "Am I so good?"
Nanzhu: "Not you, but me. Because I can see your value."
Has he realized Qiushi can't accept direct compliments? Smart. Nanzhu, please keep telling him he's precious.
Meeting your partner's other persona: Second door time, and it's ZHU MENG! I love him to bits starting from that little, teasing wave. He's so dynamic and clearly different from Nanzhu or Baijie.
Non-verbal communication: Qiushi is about to say his real name, when he sees Nanzhu's FACE and immediately changes to Yu Linlin. Aw.
Scheming to be alone with your partner: Nanzu maneuvers them into the elevator by scaring everyone off. Smooth going. Drama sprite Nanzhu is at it again.
Complimenting your partner: You just got into that elevator to flirt, right? Nanzhu's client is an actress.
Qiushi (oblivious): "You're a good actor, too. I think you two are a perfect match."
Nanzhu (shakes head, fond/exasperated): "Her acting is not as good as yours."
Shoulder-grabbing: Nanzu simply MUST hold onto Qiushi when the lights are flickering. This elevator sure is convenient.
A bit of domesticity at Obsidian, and then it's time to play tourist in Cheng Qianli's door! What could be a better attraction than a human skin drum?
It's hard to come up with trope labels when they are saying things and it's not even flirting, just straightforward statements. I suffer as tragically as Ruan Nanzhu.
Taking care of partner: Nanzhu looks maybe the tiniest bit tired, and Lin Qiushi is immediately on it. We're shown how carefully he observes Nanzhu (who really wasn't trying to play it up for once). Love the acting here!
Crashing partner's bedroom & bedroom conversation: Nanzhu is waiting in Qiushi's room. "I need you," he declares. Okay then! Qiushi: "What do you mean?" Nanzhu: "I mean it literally… I mean, you cannot die." That's certainly A Way to put it. Romantic piano music is playing. Qiushi is still confused. How long can he possibly remain confused?
Giving significant gifts: Nanzhu gives Qiushi a very pretty kaleidoscope, which can be brought inside the doors. What does it all mean? The romantic atmosphere persists.
Complimenting partner (ambiguous): "Some people are naturally meant for the door", says Nanzhu to Qiushi. YES, I scream into the void, having read the novel.
Everyone thinks you're together: Cheng Yixie questions Nanzhu's decision to accompany Qiushi and Cheng Qianli to the next door, rather bluntly. "If Lin Qiushi were not there, would you still insist on leading the team?" Nanzhu, equally bluntly: "No." Because Qiushi is special in a way that's no one else's concern. Yixie continues probing: "Are you choosing him to be your partner?" One might get that impression, considering how fixated Nanzhu is on him.
Sickly Victorian heroine: Qiushi meets Nanzhu inside the door - or rather the weak, sickly Zhu Meng, who greets him by coughing tragically. "I've been in poor health since I was little," says the little drama sprite. Nanzhu will have fun with this.
Sharing a room (show of initiative): Now Qiushi's suggesting that he and Nanzhu share a room, earning a Look from Nanzhu. Unfortunately, Qiushi doesn't understand Propriety in the face of death, and they get a (not at all creepy) third wheel…
Unnecessary number of beds & sickly Victorian heroine (cont.): Despite the sad bed situation, Nanzhu wakes up promptly when Qiushi's hearing creepy voices. On his part, Qiushi worries Nanzhu might have a fever. The bed divide means nothing! Qiushi absolutely must reach out from his own bed to touch Nanzhu's cheek, tuck him in and pat his shoulder to comfort him.
We think we're together, too: The annoying spy lady wants to team up with Nanzhu. Naturally, he's already teamed up with Qiushi. Lady: "Do you mind having one more person?" Nanzhu: "Yes." Such a Nanzhu moment. I love him.
I'm so scared: The creepy girl, Xu Jin, has latched onto Qiushi. "This place makes me feel so depressed and scared, Linlin-ge," says she, clearly fishing for comfort. She doesn't know who she's up against. Nanzhu is in his element: "Linlin-ge, I'm scared too," says he with a little gasp. Xu Jin grumbles about grown men being scared. Nanzhu: "Who says men can't be easily frightened?" Preach that, drama sprite.
Sickly Victorian heroine (cont.): Qiushi is concerned (yet again), because Nanzhu's looking a bit pale. Protect partner mode activates, probably every time Nanzhu says he's "fine". Qiushi simply must support him!
Protecting partner: It's raining needles. Nanzhu stops Qiushi from going outside with strategic hand placement. He's touching Qiushi's thigh, narrowly missing his crotch... And Qiushi never lets go of his wrist, I can't even.
Adventures in the creepy drum land continue in -> Episode 9
People are… actually reading these? I'm pleasantly surprised! This is the last complete episode in the 2nd door. The egg drama continues, romantically.
Sleight of hand: Lin Qiushi unknowingly breaks his egg, which is a death condition. Nanzhu sneakily switches their eggs, hoping he'll be the target instead. So very… touching.
Propriety in the face of death: Tan Zaozao is scared and wants to share the room. Qiushi offers to sleep on the floor, but Nanzhu immediately, absolutely forbids this. Zaozao should sleep on the floor - because it's still improper for men and women to sleep in the same room! It's not at all because he wants to sleep with Qiushi.
There is only one bed (variant): It is also fine to share the bed if you're both on top of the covers and wearing clothes. Even if you're sort of gravitating towards each other. Distance between elbows: 2 cm.
Holding hands: Totally proper in the face of danger! It evolves in a beautiful sequence from a shoulder grab to mutual wrist-grabbing to what I think is off-screen hand-holding. If you don't obsessively pause the video, it looks like hand-holding, that's for sure. There's also comforting shoulder-touching to complement this. Nanzhu just can't let go.
Lying to protect partner (egg edition): Qiushi realises someone's triggered the death condition. But his egg is fine… "Whose egg is broken?!" Nanzhu, the lying liar, claims it's his.
Worrying about reckless partner: So that's why Nanzhu didn't sleep (Qiushi noticed): he thought he'd be murdered. Qiushi, understandably, would have liked to know. Nanzhu: "It was meaningless to tell you that." Oh dear. Worrying intensifies.
Someone cares about me???: Nanzhu (enjoying this): "You care that much about my life?" Luckily, frustration triggers Qiushi's logical thinking.
Shoulder-touching (lingering): Qiushi has started doing it, too. Carry on.
Plot item of innuendo, cont.: Qiushi: "Protecting our eggs is the most important thing." Didn't you tell Nanzhu off for saying about the same..?
Lying to protect partner - caught!: Qiushi realises someone's trying to kill him. And he pays A Lot of attention to eggs - this isn't his egg, his had a tiny black spot!
Worrying about partner: Nanzhu actually admits to being nervous when his attempt to switch eggs and targets fails. This is Nanzhu we're talking about.
Romantic egg exchange (I can't even): Qiushi wants to switch eggs back (though it doesn't even matter). But we get a beautiful scene where they exhange eggs in a very romantic fashion, crossing wrists and all! The camera makes sure to capture that.
Breaking eggs for your beloved: AND THEN Nanzhu, the perfect, beloved drama sprite that he is, drops his egg on purpose. "It slipped." Yes, I'm sure that's what he said. Now they're… egg-mates. Egg equals. About to be murder-killed anyway! (Nanzhu's puppy dog eyes may kill me first.)
No one has ever cared for me like this: Qiushi STILL can't fathom why Nanzhu would care about him, but he is starting to think this is a pretty extreme hiring tactic. Nanzhu: "I think you're talented, and I want to be your friend. Not everyone gets to be my friend." (Says the man who doesn't do friends.) Qiushi is wising up: "So you entered the door just to help me?" (Nanzhu totally did.)
There is a light in you: Nanzhu believes in Qiushi. "I see a light in you that others don't have." Shameless. Meta-level. Flirting. And eye-contact that just lasts forever.
Clasping hands: How is this gesture so romantic? Is it because Nanzhu's hand nearly covers Qiushi's? Is it the staring? Is it the duration? Forgetting to let go? The soft piano music? Yes.
Am I the prettiest: Nanzhu, upon realising he was the only one who slept: "So do you think my sleeping posture looks good, or does Xu Xiaocheng's look better?" Qiushi tells him they're both pretty. This is acceptable… for now.
Partners in arson: Excellent teamwork again - Nanzhu gets to do the dramatic cannibal cake reveal, while Qiushi and Zaozao light the kitchen on fire. Nanzhu also gets to throw the door god in there. Sadly, arson isn't the answer.
The conclusion to this arc and more dramatics follow in -> Episode 07
Most important thing in the episode: Nanzhu and Chestnut blackmail Qiushi into moving house! Was there a door? Right.
Competence kink: Lin Qiushi figures out all the time travel nonsense. He's got a chalkboard and everything, and gets mad when his nerdery is interrupted! Hot. They're both so appreciative of each other's cleverness.
Bop: Nanzhu pokes Qiushi, and not for the last time. Cute. Qiushi's inner geek is triggered.
Arming your partner (matching set): While apprehending the door god, Nanzhu sneakily hands Qiushi a metal book end and keeps one for himself.
Synchronized action: Plans have been planned. Nanzhu snaps his fingers, and Qiushi follows the plan flawlessly… To the point of catching Nanzhu when the door god hits him. Unfortunately, the plan fails.
Never has anyone apologised to me (so romantically): Time's running out. Qiushi apologises to Nanzhu for the fact that they're about to die. Nanzhu: "Why?" Qiushi: "This is my door. It has nothing to do with you. You came because of me." I'm so proud of Qiushi for Getting A Clue! Nanzhu: "Not entirely because of you." Why are you so bashful then, sir? Nanzhu will never recover from this.
Giving your partner a ring (cont.): Qiushi puts his ring on again! Nanzhu: "It looks good on you." Subtle, he is not. He looks incredibly soft when handing Qiushi the key.
Breaking into partner's home: The door opens to Qiushi's flat. Nanzhu is already chilling on his couch, petting his cat (!). They both ended up there for Reasons.
Asking partner to move in (coersion): Qiushi agrees to join Obsidian. "Move to Obsidian", corrects Nanzhu. As one does. Nanzhu uses underhanded tactics, including bedroom eyes and holding Qiushi's cat hostage. Look, doesn't petting him look nice… Nanzhu and the cat are even colour-coded. Can't have one without the other: "When you move to Obsidian, Chestnut might let you get closer to him." Nanzhu's completely sure this will work and tells Qiushi to pack up. He's right.
Who's the wife?: Cheng Qianli to Qiushi, still cat-related: "You look like a wife who's been abandoned by his husband." Sure, Qianli means nothing by it. The writers, on the other hand… They'll play around with family/gender quite a bit, quite soon.
What's yours is mine: Qiushi: "My cat is quite close to you." Nanzhu: "What's yours is mine. What's mine is still mine." So perfect. So Nanzhu. No one is at all possessive.
Taking care of hurt partner: Qiushi finds Nanzhu when he's come out of a door, about to collapse. He's just overexerted himself, which doesn't stop Qiushi from worrying and waiting at his bedside. When he does wake up, Qiushi chills on his bed, offers him water etc. Looking at the positioning, Qiushi is starting to take up more space. You get the impression of two people who are comfortable with each other.
Holding onto hurt partner (unnecessary): Qiushi helps Nanzhu downstairs. He's not even supporting Nanzhu, just holding his arm and wrist, more like escorting him… Nanzhu is certainly not protesting.
Next up: -> Episode 8, new door, sickly-since-childhood Nanzhu, new beds (plural)
The Fitcher's Bird arc isn't the scariest one for me, but it is extremely anxiety-inducing. Must be the oppressive 1970s vibes. Or the creepy triplets.
Plot item of innuendo: Eggs. So many eggs. Everyone has to carry one, and it has to be protected. It's hilarious to me because languages are silly - to me they just keep repeating "balls". No ambiguity there. (Thanks to my Chinese teacher who explained the connection between eggs & birthdays. In her family, they didn't get birthday cake as kids; they got eggs instead (meaning birth, rebirth etc.))
Propriety in the face of death: Nanzhu's client tries to share their room. No dice! Nanzhu: "It's improper for men and women to stay in the same room." Lin Qiushi is naturally the proper choice.
There is only one bed: Dear recurring trope! How could this happen? (again)
Propriety in the face of death (challenged): Qiushi has Opinions on roommates. Nanzhu doesn't budge: "It's improper." Qiushi: "It's meaningless to care too much when you're dying." This could be used against him in so many ways...
Isn't this just plain old flirting: Qiushi, on Nazhu's way with clients: "Your user experience is so poor." Nanzhu: "Do you want to switch with her?" See, it doesn't sound innocent when you stare at him with such intensity. That user experience would be way different...
Closer: Guys, do you have to sit so close? Nanzhu is making those eyes again. Their elbows are touching. Appreciate the setup; the bed isn't that small, but Nanzhu is crowding Qiushi. While being intense.
Balls: HERE it is. They had to, with so many eggs around. Nanzhu: "Literally speaking, we should protect our balls first." (He's having fun.) I thought I'd misunderstood the first time around, what with near-zero language skills, but no.
Competence kink: Nazhu's hairpin! lockpicking skills are shown for the first time. Qiushi: "You know how to unlock a door?" Nanzhu: "I learned it to make a living." Qiushi is starting to sound like Nanzhu could unlock him.
Protecting your partner: Nanzhu blocks the guy who's about to hit Qiushi, grabs his wrist and sends him sprawling. He is pissed off & assertive. "I told you not to be a good man. Come back with me," he tells Qiushi (hopefully). Oh, these lines.
Begging kink: Nanzhu knows how to tell the triplets apart. "Beg me, and I'll tell you how." These. Lines. But Qiushi knows, because he watches Nanzhu so very closely. "I missed a chance for you to beg me", laments Nanzhu (pleased).
Everyone thinks you're together: They do. "Don't you think they have a special relationship?" Even Qiushi is getting on with the program: "Isn't it obvious to see that we're on the same side?"
What a great episode! Powerful tropes and excellent lines. Lin Qiushi is smart, Nanzhu is doing heart eyes all the time, and the romance is developing nicely. They are even more touchy-feely than I remembered.
Episode 3 (Winter cabin, 1st door)
Saving your partner: Ruan Nanzhu pulls Lin Qiushi back from the railing, when he's about to get eaten by the creepy well ghost.
Failing to return partner's ring: Qiushi tries to find out Ruan Baijie's real name: he's going to send the ring to Nanzhu in the real world. Subtle… except this is Lin Qiushi. He's earnest. I cannot. Luckily, Nanzhu doesn't accept returns: "I gave it to you. It's yours." (That line's going to be funny when combined with Nanzhu's future thoughts on ownership!)
Helping your partner climb: Nanzhu helps Qiushi up from the well. No help is needed. (Both pairs of partners do this anyway. Nice parallel!)
Defending your partner: Nanzhu: "Don't you know that fortune favours fools?" I swear it's a compliment.
Attracted by intelligence: Lin Qiushi figures out the taboo conditions. Nanzhu gives him these looks. And smiles. Nanzhu: "I was right about you." (He knew the conditions all along.)
Touching your partner when in peril: All the time. They bait the ghost, which is a bad idea. Cue all the shoulder-grabbing! Wrist-grabbing! Nanzhu even changes hands when holding Qiushi's wrist when he turns! He does. Not. Let. Go. Even when it requires dance moves.
Fake injuries (hurt-comfort): Qiushi is concerned about Nanzhu's health. Nanzhu has FORGOTTEN his fake wound, but that doesn't stop him being THEATRICAL about it. Also one MANHANDLING point for Qiushi, who pulls Nanzhu's coat off enough to call his bluff. Qiushi seems amused.
Fake injuries (seduction): I CANNOT WITH THIS CONVERSATION.
Nanzhu: "You need to get used to others' kindness." (MINE)
Qiushi: "Pretending to be hurt is a part of it?"
Nanzhu: "Because it's fun. To bring us closer."
Qiushi: "You chose to protect me just for fun?" (MISSING THE POINT)
Complimenting your partner (shameless meta-level flirting): That come hither gesture! Qiushi's immediate willingness to lean extremely close to let Nanzhu whisper secrets into his ear! And Nanzhu delivers answers: "Because you have light in you." My heart. This scene is perfect. Sweet and lingering.
Giving your partner a ring, cont.: Qiushi doesn't stop questioning why. Nanzhu doesn't stop vagueflirting. "Because you're you."
Power of empathy (loneliness): Qiushi gives the ghost a speech. "Although you seem alive, your heart is already dead. I'm just like you." The LOOK Nanzhu gives him…
That was fun! In episode 4 we'll get out of winter wonderland.
-> Episode 4
