#unwanted commentary

[snakedemonstories]

Their moments in the shell are the most beautiful so far (for me at least). He is finally able to lower his walls and show her tenderness and care, while she can observe him undisturbed. But what amazes me and drives me crazy is the softness in his gaze, a softness he can never reveal under other circumstances. It kills me that he can't show her how much he loves her.

[snakedemonstories]

Most people have left, indifferent to what's going on (after all it's a casino, who cares about the slaves in the arena, right?) but her. She is shouting as loud as she can so that the boy can find the courage to get up.

And I was wondering while watching this scene, why doesn't Xiang Liu do something? He had been in the boy's position. If anything he can relate to him the most. Why doesn't he scream at the top of his lungs? Is it because he is indifferent as the rest of the people around them? The way he looks at her proves otherwise. He is stunned. Who could care about a slave? Who could care about him?

He sees her genuine concern and smiles

When the boy gets up, he is happy. Maybe he sees himself in that boy. Not unwilling to help him, but too nihilistic to hope. He may even thought it was best for the boy to die in the arena. Because what life was waiting for him outside? Could he be entirely free? Or was he going to be bound by further responsibility and duty? (Like he is)

And then. Oh then she hugs him. His face *i am screaming* I mean look at him. He did not expect that at all. He's looking at her all "lady, what are you doing, I am trying to keep a distance here, you can't just hug me and melt me like butter."

But he can't help feeling happy when she is happy. He can't help feeling even for a moment in his imagination that he is freed too from his shackles and it's her who saved him.

How it would have felt if he was truly free.

[snakedemonstories]

I seriously can't with these two. He sees her frowning and he is like "why are you upset? Let me create some snow to cheer you up."

And Xiao Yao likes the snow, but she is worried about him, because he uses his spirit power to heal her for years and doing tricks to make her happy might lead to him overusing his power. Translation: she cares for him

He sees her body frowning again, so Xiao Yao's spirit relaxes her face and smiles. So that he doesn't worry anymore.

And then, Xiao Yao's face relaxes as well. Xiang Liu is so happy *melting* and seeing him happy, her spirit smiles too. Look at them!

[snakedemonstories]

I get why he said this, but still it hurts like hell. There is nothing worse than hearing these words from someone who has actively flirted with you for years and led you on.

😭

He is devastated as she leaves. He breaks the brush as a way to vent his feelings. Does he know she is crying?

I wish he'd walk in and take her in his arms, comfort her, tell her he loves her and that he meant none of what he said. And those lyrics don't make this easier. Uff 💔

[snakedemonstories]

You are killing me, Xiang Liu 💔

And I love that she defends Fangfeng Bei and also that she doesn't pretend that what they had wasn't real.

And one can tell he is dying inside with every word of hers. Because he killed that part of him, that joyful, flirty, teasing part that could start a life with her. And everything she says it's true, he can't deny it. But the more she talks about how great FFB was, the more he feels pain for his loss, for what could have been.

[snakedemonstories]

This scene 🥹

I love that he looks at the box as if it contains a treasure (which it does for him) and how gentle he is when he opens it.

I am not crying, I am not crying.

He remembers their moments in the ocean when they heard the song of the merfolk. Yes, that is the face of a vicious snake demon.

He regards it as if it is the most precious thing, yet intangible, not daring to touch it.

The realization that she is indeed intangible hits him and pulls his hand away.

[snakedemonstories]

As she is thinking of him, he is placing his hand over his heart. He obviously can feel her feelings.

And then we get this and I am dying. "The shared feeling"???? The drama admits the shared feeling? I wish there was more lore about the bugs in the drama. I feel like there was so much left unexplained.

He is on her bed like he was in the past. There is a smile on his face, a smile of gratitude and peace for all that he experienced with her.

[snakedemonstories]

It seems like they are referring to the bugs and what happens if one of them dies. But there is an underlying layer to their conversation and being alive doesn't alude to its literal sense.

Also, is it just me or is this filled with sexual tension and longing?

"Will you still be alive, if I die?"

Will you manage to go on with your life if I am no longer here? Will the pain ever subside and will you learn how to forget me?

Or the parts I awakened in you will die along with me?