#and nothing makes him lose his composure more than the threat of losing xiao yao

[starcrossed591]

Alright, everyone brace yourselves! The first big crack in their relationship has appeared, and it can only be downhill from here!

But also, I really do love how the cinematography is used to support the storytelling in this show. The way the development in the relationships between these characters is physically shown in how they're positioned onscreen, and what angle we see them from, and how the set either puts them together or, as here, keeps them apart them, is so lovely and intentionally done.

I only took the one screenshot, but the timing of this sequence was also important to the experience of it. We spent a long, long time with them as they stayed locked in place for the whole night--Xiao Yao keeping Cang Xuan firmly locked out after their mutual breakdowns, but not going anywhere further away from him, either. We spent longer on this one, interminable night than we have in sequences in which seasons and even years have passed (something else I love about how LYF is put together).

Also, Cang Xuan only stays locked out because he chooses to be--his spirit power is still much stronger than hers, lest we forget, and he could break in if he wanted to! As with many other aspects of his relationship with Xiao Yao, the only thing stopping him from using his power on her is his own willpower, which is rapidly waning the further Xiao Yao takes herself away from him.