#let's not talk about cdramas hahaha

[mendimore]

The Danmei Series 01: Tf is Danmei?

Note: This is an effort to convert more unsuspecting fandom children into danmei because I need more people to talk to about this. Enjoy!

Danmei.

If you haven't heard of it before, HAHAHA, you are in for a ride.

Basically, Danmei is a Chinese fiction genre (the name directly translates to indulging in beauty)that features m/m relationships.

Mendi, isn't that just bl? Yes, but specifically Chinese.

Well, Mendi, what difference does that even make? It's all the same thing.

No. It is not.

...Okay, it is a little bit.

BUT, danmei is its own genre for a reason. China, just like any other country is rich in culture. I acknowledge this may be a bit biased, but I am overjoyed that Danmei is flourishing. But, anyway, let's talk about it.

If you have heard about Danmei media in the West, even just a little, It's pretty likely that you came across one of MXTX's works. MXTX or Mo Xiang Tong Xiu is the pseudonym for a popular Danmei author on Jin Jian Wen Xue Cheng (jjwxc) a popular web novel site(a whole lot of Danmei authors publish their work on this site).

MXTX has three novels, and if you hear about the MXTX fandom, it refers to the enjoyers of all three of her novels. These three works consist of Scum Villain's Self Saving System(svsss), The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation(aka Mo Dao Zu Shi, or mdzs), Heaven Official's Blessing(aka Tian Guan Ci Fu, or tgcf). The first of their works to become very popular was mdzs, which has several adaptations(basically any adaptation you can think of). If you were into cdramas at all around 2019, you might have heard of The Untamed. The majorly successful live-action adaptation of mdzs. Or maybe if you are in the anime/donghua community, you heard about the mdzs donghua adaptation. And if you were a fandom child who found Ao3 at the right time, you might know of "Sexy Times with WangXian" which broke Ao3 with the number of tags it had and forced Ao3 to have a tag limit, or a fanfic of the lead actors of The Untamed making Ao3 illegal in China.

Have I scared you? Sorry. Truly, the mdzs fandom is not as problematic as it sounds. I started my own Danmei journey with mdzs, and it holds a soft spot in my heart. I also have way too many opinions on the adaptations and how new viewers of mdzs should approach it to get the maximum emotional value, but that is a discussion for another time.

Anyway, Heaven Official's Blessing, also skyrocketed in popularity when it came out. It has its own donghua that you can find on Netflix with a fully English dub. As well as an extremely beautiful manhua and audiodrama. But of course, I encourage you to read the novels first, especialy because these adaptations are not finished, unlike mdzs.

Scum Villain is the heavily underrated middle child as far as adaptations go. It absolutely does not mean that it is bad. It isn't. I don't wanna get into the debate about how someone isn't a true mxtx fan if they haven't read it, and how it's so much better than the other books. I personally disagree with the last statement. I do also hold a lot of love for Scum Villain, Shen Qingqiu is one of my favorite MCs of all time, the premise is a lot more relatable than the other two, but it's pretty clear that svsss is Mxtx's oldest work. She has definitely been improving. Obviously. go read it, especially if you enjoy her other two works.

But, before you come at me for only talking about one author out of ALL the Danmei out there, I would like to point out that MXTX works are probably the most accessible in the West in regards to Danmeis. They were the first to get a full English translation and along with 2ha (The Dumb Husky and His White Cat Shizun, another very popular danmei written my an author under the name Meatbun), I was able to see them perching on their own little stand in Barnes and Noble.

So, you may have noticed something. I talk a lot about the web novels. maybe if you're into bl or yaoi, you will notice that a lot of those adaptations are in the form of graphic novels. Why is it that there is more emphasis on the actual novel? I know I know, why do these people want to make us actually just READ words instead of look at pretty pictures of pretty people. Disgusting. I understand your pain. I actually do not have anything largely conclusive to tell you why this is, but based on my observations here are two contributing factors: 1. it's easier to hide subtext, specific cue words, and satire in text media(I mean it's pretty clear when a character is desperately holding on to another character, yelling "My, love, when will you return," when you skim through a manhua, then if there are just a bunch of words), this also means its easier to hide from censorship; 2. the Chinese language itself is very poetic and if you have interacted with Chinese people, the number of references and idioms will drive you nuts as a language learner, in manhua form it can lose some of its humor and imagery, particularly with Danmei because a lot of the subject matter and the nature of the romances is kind of idealized and poetic; 3. Danmei is actually very plot-centric, the romance is often like a little cherry on top of the mounds of story, drama, and character, and so when you see even manhua or donghua adaptations of the stories, I would say that often quite a bit of the depth gets lost for the characters and the story, it's the same as what happens with a lot of blockbuster films. I'm sorry but book >>> movie almost every time.

Of course, there are options for you if you are stuck on graphic novel-style stories. Chinese manhua generally has a distinctly pretty and clean style. It does depend on the artist, obviously, but if you are a huge fan of pretty art, I tell you Manhua knows what's up, just give it a shot.

Anyway, all this yammering and I haven't talked about the actual content.

Many things set a lot of Danmei apart, content-wise. Chinese fiction has its own fantasy genres of wuxia and Xianxia. Wuxia, translating directly to martial hero, is a low fantasy genre that centers around martial arts in a historical au including sects, master-apprentice relationships, cool fights, etc. It has a lot less supernatural or magical elements, and instead often focuses on what is feasible with the human body alone. Xianxia on the other hand(translating directly to immortal Hero), can vary with very cool magic systems and worldbuilding based on Daoist and/or Buddhist influences. Xianxia is high fantasy and often includes supernatural themes, immortality, spiritual cultivation, etc. It may include mentions of the three realms. where you can ascend to godhood, haunt the mortal realms being unable to find the land of the dead, or go through the cycle of reincarnation.

Danmei can be based in some Chinese historical settings as well, separate from wuxia and can be from ancient times or during the more recent period of militant china, often with some emphasis on Peking opera.

Of course, Danmei has plenty of works set in contemporary or futuristic timelines as well that are similarly unique in their own way.(right now I just started Little Mushroom, and I really enjoy the futuristic worldbuilding so far)

Additionally, I mentioned before that Danmei is in fact very plot and character-centric.

Ha, yeah right, Mendi. Plot. The plot is romance, that is the genre, what plot could there possibly be.

Well. A whole lot.

I gave you a little taste with the mentions of some cool worldbuilding, but you will get a taste of insurmountable joy and boundless despair, reading some of this stuff. Many of your favorite tropes appear often, from enemies to lovers to pretty guys with long hair falling down cliffs(ok that is just an MXTX thing, I don't care if you think my taste is basic because i love MXTX, the stories are good). Also, you get a dose of east asian ideals and culture. For Asian Americans like me, it was very refreshing to feel somewhat understood in a way that I didn't see in Western media. The emphasis on family relationships, age hierarchies, reputation, and the way your asian aunties will gossip about you both right in front of you and behind you and have no sense of boundaries, and dramatic-ass idioms(iykyk). The way that these relationships are built is through the plot, and that is something I miss sometimes with a lot of the romances I've read. There are plenty of points of interest, from being do-gooders trying to be a good person and then getting roped into and wrongfully blamed for some elaborate scheme, or a hefty, intricate revenge plot based on some deep hatred and a not so healthy does of body horror. You will have a blast.

So, now that I have sold you on danmei content. Let's talk about another factor why you may not already be a Danmei enjoyer.

Danmei is enjoyed by many women in China and internationally, which also means there is a lot of controversy regarding the fetishization of m/m relationships. While I agree that this is a problem, I disagree that enjoying a gay romance is fetishization. it can be, but it more than often is not. Just like how I can enjoy a poetic, well-set-up, straight romance, I enjoy a lot of really beautiful Danmei stories in much the same way. For a lot of Chinese women, Danmei allows them to remove the societal constraints put on women in a relationship. it's a way of escapism, this might also be a reason as to why a lot of these romances are so poetic, even if tragic at times. Having the stigmatism of fetishization might push more heteronormativity into media. As long as you can enjoy the romance healthily, appreciating the characters as characters, and the plot as plot, and not specifically enjoy the fact that the relationship is between two gay men, you should be in the clear. The fact that some people are driven away from these stories because of the stigmas around boy's love saddens me. You don't have to be a connoisseur or anything, but if the sole reason you reject a piece of media is because it has a gay pairing in it, that is pretty homophobic. Although I will say, there is a difference between not wanting to read it because it's gay and not wanting to read it because you don't want to read smut. I understand some Danmei has smut, and some people aren't comfortable reading that, ok. But if you are intrigued by the premise, I would say just do your best to skip the smut scenes, if you really don't wanna, ok, but I think for things like smut, you can really get away with not reading it usually. Also if you think all danmei has smut, you are sorely mistaken. There are plenty of Danmei fics with no smut, and a lot of the adaptations sometimes don't even have real romance, which is sad, but if that is your concern, seriously don't. Also, in regards to censorship, if that is your issue. Unfortunately yes, it is an issue, but, there are plenty of options in the Danmei world, I'm certain you will find something.

Anyway, some of this is just my opinion, I am still actually relatively new to Danmei, I have read my fair share, but if this encouraged you to get into some Danmei, I have fulfilled my mission.

I will be back, probably talking about mdzs adaptations next time or some recs or working on some reviews, but I hope you enjoyed!

NOTE: About MXTX official translations, I have heard some mixed reviews. I, personally, read all three of the works as popular fan translations online, so I have not reread the full official translation. I have heard there are some distinct changes, including smushing some of the chapters together, which is something I am not sure about. it's unfortunate, but its only something to keep in mind. The novels should still be faithful to the original story.

[princeharukoji]

2HA REVIEW/ THOUGHTS

SPOILERS AHEAD

So where shall I start? I really liked this story. Book 1 and 2 was a slow burn. I didn't mind it. Because we need to see Moran's personality changes, the love blossoming between the 2 main lead. It was slow, but did a great work. Because actually in the beginning (not Taxian Jun, but the reborn Moran) I couldn't stand the MC...well okay maybe I couldn't stand TXJ actually 😂 but the thing is real. I really liked how every character i disliked slowly started to like, love, and then wanted to protecc 🥺 Ok Chu Wanning has my heart from the beginning to the end. But I disliked Moran, Xue Meng, Nangong Si, Nangong Xu, the ghost girl from the start, Jiang Xi, Mei Hanxue. And I love them all. I even wanted a heart breaking Xue Meng and Jiang Xin father and son moment aaaaaaa. But what I got in the end was a knife in my heart by seeing Xue Meng get to know about Jiang Xi's adooted son 😭 So actually every character I was uninterested I became interested.

I get to like Moran more and more, and wanted them to be together. When Chu Wanning died, i cried. Twice, bc first the present Shizun then the previous Shizun life were taken away. But when Moran learned the truth about wontons, when he went to catch CWN's soul to the underworld...when his affection started to bloom again. Oh God, i could see sparkling eyes, and red ears Shizun.

After 5 yrs Shizun wake up. Ok so tbh the thirst they got made me crazy. At least it keot going on like 40 chapters and i was like OMFG HORNY TEENAGERS 😂 I couldn't bear their pain and thirst hahaha it was a long way to get togetheger. But they live was blooming, it got deeper and deeper.

Tho we were half at the story and they get together... Tho CWN didn't know Moran's secrets yet. Definetely it can't be a happy end like this... I started to train my soul, from now on it will be hell. And yes, actually hell happened through the 3rd book.

Nangong Si and Ye Wangxi storyline broke my heart. I wanted them to be happy together so much they would deserve it. Xue Meng's parents were so strong, they amazed me especially the Madam with her sacrifice. There was a lot of time when I thought YES go and get them. When Nangong Xi told his story I wished he could get his revenge. When Sisheng peak fall I wished they would let the world end. The 3rd book was amazing. I didn't mind that i couldn't breath. It was full of actions, it was fast, it was running at full speed, and I liked it. I liked that I couldn't read at one moment because I was hungry reading and scan readed a lot of things to get to the important part so i had to stop but i couldn't.

Until the last 2 chapters. Because the last 2 chapters gave me a headache. Chapter 309 made me cry I cried so hard. The reborn Moran's death was through 3 chapters. I felt my heart was taken out. Seeing CWN care for him and when he died he didn't want to let it go... I cried like a child. The whole situation with the judgments, the humiliating... It was hard to read. CWN came to save him I.... I cried. The same reborn technique can't be used twice on a soul, and Shizu already made him reborn in the previous life. When he gave his spirit to the body and made the same thing like TXJ in previous life to keep his body alive, until they're living the other's body won't rot- i kinda sensed that it will be used. But after his spirit core were fused in TXJ, the emperor met Moran, give his reborn memories to the 10 yrs old dead body and his soul, I was afraid his soul will merge in that body. But Taxian Jun has one soul, and he changed too, saved everybody and saved Shizun. When he was dying I asked my phone "HOW WILL THIS BE HAPPY END ITS OVER HIS BODY WILL TURN TO ASHES".

And then he woke up at a demon palace. Plot armor. Not dead, not alive. In one chapter "the last card" ironically REALLY is a last card. We get to know that not just Shi Mei, but Mo Ran is actually ACTUALLY A SPECIAL BUTTERFLY-BONED BEAUTY like WHAAAAT 😂😂 you... You can't just throw something so special so randomly. It doesn't work like that. It's totally a PLOT ARMOR! I can think that Taxian Jun was made to look like a demon but... It is not enough clue in the story to make me feel that it is a well builded line.

And the other thing.. why I have mixed feelings is the split personality. Like Moran and Taxian Jun exist. Both of them in one person. Mo Ran is too good while Taxian Jun is too agressive and possessive. This is why i would love to see his personality fused, like a normal human. It was a bit meh. I don't really like it. I would like to see a bit more agressive and possessive Moran, who is grey. Not just 3 days good Moran and 1 day his Majesty. But I will see how will this threesome work in the extras...

+1 Chu Xun'a story was really good, i thought it will be more into it, when they met in the underworld too, I really love how everything is connected!! And the thing that Chu Wanning is a divide wood spirit..... And áll the tree puns.... I cry 😂

I have to mention the antagonist too. Well from the start I didn't liked him. Shi Mei was fake. So fake I could see it. I had a feeling he will be the protagonist, and I spoiled it to later too. His story... Did not touch my heart so much. I thought I will like him, but I just like the present and alive Shi Mei! He chosen a different path. But previous shimei, Hua Binan....he was cruel. He didn't care about humans, just demons, and after knowing her mother story... It just didn't hit the right spots. He wasn't that much of a grey character i love.

This is it for now, maybe i will edit it, or write a part 2 when I feel it. I really love this story, I dont know what to do after it, tho i still have the extras fortunately. I can't wait the cdrama from it, Im so excited to see my 2 fav Shizun and disciple!!

PS pls feel free to talk to me, I don't really have ppl near me who read it, so im happy to chat about it with anybody 😭

[hawopro]

Thoughts of a rare soul who enjoyed DMBJ’s Time Raiders 2016 adaptation (1/2)

[SPOILERS]

So I got into DMBJ bc of Reboot Zhu Yilong’s Wu Xie, I’ve been comparing all the Wu Xie, and came to check out Luhan’s. I just didn’t expect to fall in love with Jing Boran’s ZQL/MYP and catch feels for Pingxie?? Once again falling into niche fandom life??

Apparently within the niche DMBJ fandom, there’s a tinier, almost nonexistent niche for Time Raiders, so I have to rant about it.

Incredibly long post, so here’s a summary:

Action, A-Ning’s insole blade

My favorite Wu Xie adaptation

MYP whump and his damned smiles

A-Ning & PangZi + Badass tomb-raiding crews

Questionables things, prop & plot

Pingxie + 2/2

Foremost, this is an action movie. The action sequences are very nice, even with the occasional flying/floating people/objects in cdrama. As an action movie nerd, I approved and gave it 6.5/10 (and my standard is The Old Guard okay.) There’s everything--swords, guns, grenades, A-Ning’s insole blade. I particularly enjoyed ZQL vs Da Kui & Pan Zi, and ZQL vs A-Ning cut.

Characters are pretty fleshed out for a movie, motives and development are clearly established. 

I really like this Wu Xie, personally I think he came closest to what I imagined to be novel’s WX. He is inexperienced, incredibly curious, and daring, but knowledgeable, he thinks outside the box and pulls his own weight, even aiding the crew. He’s BABY, naive, kind, and cheeky af. Refer to How to make friends--a guide by Wu Xie.

But by the end, you know that he matured, he’d seen deaths, hell, he broke his promise to take care of MYP, he grew up. STILL, he made me so protective over him, I finally understand how the entire Reboot casts feel about ZYL’s WX now.

Zhang Qiling/Men You Ping is still mysterious, indifferent; he’s very lost in life, has a goal but almost no will to live. Still OP af, but the WHUMP--so much ZQL whumps with bloody mouth, self-sacrificing tendency and everything. But he appreciates his experience more after knowing WX, like even without shipper eyes, you can tell he cares for WX--the first person who insisted to be his friend, who told him ‘I’d take care of you.’

I like drama MYP but, I completely fell in love with this angsty boy who needs some good sleep. Also probably bc of HIS DAMNED SMILES!! I’m a sucker for poker-face characters who can smile/laugh naturally. Bonus that he only did so with WX! Refer to ZQL smiling at Wu Xie.

I also dedicated an entire gifset on him because uhh I accidentally got attached?? LOOK AT HIM HE’S BEAUTIFUL

ANYWAY 

Here is our favorite forced-to-cooperate gang again. Sadly, the Iron Triangle dynamic isn’t developed in here at all. 

A-Ning has a bigger role than Pangzi, she’s still freaking competent, badass af, almost equal to ZQL. She is not so heartless at the end, obviously cares for her men, somewhat for WX. Seems to have a mild connection with ZQL over their fighting prowess LOL, and somehow bonds with PZ. 

Pangzi is still comedic relief, unfortunately, has little motives and developments. His interactions with WX are hilarious though. They’re dorks together. Although, I found an easter egg: PZ wearing pot on his head again.

I appreciate the side characters in this movie a lot (especially Pan Zi with his kickass martial art). I think they made very badass tomb-raiding crews, both San Shu’s and A-Ning’s; it's clear that (some of) these men know what they were doing, and they aren’t afraid to die. 

Also the props in here, holy cow, elaborated af. CGI is better than drama, but can always be improved... 

BUT the time period is confusing as hell? This looks like old-school vibes, but they had incredibly high tech, drones and holograms? Uhh okay. Xie Yu Hua’s people used drones in The Lost Tomb 2, but this is a whole new level of sci-fi blue-screen computer stuff. And it’s probably very historically inaccurate, bc what queen back in the day had steampunk technology installed in her tomb?? The coiled machinery-ness bothers me. Ignore it if you can. 

English is only better than The Lost Tomb 2’s English hahaha, but not so unbearable that I had to give up the movie. What hit me out of the left field is WX’s flute ability?? LMAO he pulled a Wei Wuxian bc what the heck? How does that even work? But I let it slide.

The plot is very basic: heroes go on quest, heroes face typical mastermind villain and powerful endgame monster. Featuring not-immoral-enough-to-destroy-humanity Hendrix, also known as, can’t-say-no-to-WX-baby-face Hendrix. And final boss: worms-queen with armors and tentacles and everything.

There are plot holes, but it’s an action movie, come on, nobody watches action movies for the plot.

But if you're a shipper, you should watch this movie for the SOFT AND WHOLESOME Pingxie content! 

I didn’t expect it. I honestly didn’t watch the movie for Pingxie because I didn’t even ship Pingxie prior to this. I knew it existed, I liked the idea of it and I would read fic of it, but I didn’t feel a lot for it until now. 

And then BAM, pokerface MYP with a very visible soft spot for WX? Hell yes. Worried and protective MYP who will catch WX when he falls? Also there.

MYP telling WX about his existential crisis of forgetting who he is? “If I totally lost myself one day, there’s still someone who would remember me.” WX insisting on being MYP's friends, and walking around recording memories for him with his little camera?“You won’t be lost.” YEP.

MYP and WX saving each other? “I said I’d take care of you.” Oh, for sure. Not to forget my standard for (b)romance: prolonged eye contact, smiles, so much smiles, and HANDS! They're all there!

Now, there are even more subtle things that told Pingxie’s story on a deeper level, which I talked about in continuation post 2/2 here.

Anyway, I know Time Raiders isn’t related to the main story aside from the characters and certain tropes. BUT as someone who just dipped their toes in DMBJ, out of everything I’ve seen--Lost Tomb 1, 2, Reboot, I’m in the middle of reading Book 3-- this installment is my favorite, barely beat out Lost Tomb 2 and only below the novel. 

[adversitybloomed-a]

——CHARACTER  STUDY.

LAYER 001 :    THE OUTSIDE.

NAME  :     Hua Mulan

EYE   COLOUR  :      dark brown almost black.

HAIR   STYLE   /   COLOUR  :     in the main verse, mulan has long thick black straight silky hair, that falls past her lower back. It is held up either half way, or fully in a ponytail ( depending if she is on a mission or not ) by a silk ribbon that matches her outfit. it is rarely down unless she has complete trust in the person she is with. More modern verses, her hair is still long but falls to her lower back & will most likely be down, unless on business, in which it might be in a bun held up by a clip or ribbon. 

HEIGHT  :   5′2″.

CLOTHING   STYLE  :   Mulan prefers, in the main verse, to be wearing hanfu, mostly white, due to the fact that it is breathable & still gives her plenty of room to fight & hide weapons on her person. She is known to wear black, should she be on a mission or working, most likely fighting gear for stealth. She does have imperial armor, that has a golden phoenix design that she wears while in the military & or at war. In the modern verses, she will be seen wearing dresses & skirts. & while at home, she will tend to steal her lovers clothing & wear them around the house/apartment for comfort. 

BEST   PHYSICAL   FEATURE  :    her bright smile, that tends to light up her features. 

LAYER 002 :    THE  INSIDE.

FEARS  :     thanatophobia, but she does not fear for her own death, but instead of losing someone she loves. Not being strong enough to protect the people she cares for. Not being good enough. being left behind. 

GUILTY   PLEASURE  :    Going out to eat, instead of learning how to cook ( except the yakuza verse where she does enjoy cooking as a hobby ), watching a cdrama instead of focusing on her work ( it can never just be one episode... ), randomly starts singing when she thinks she’s alone.

BIGGEST   PET   PEEVE  :      being lied to, being over protected, her jealousy ( she really hates feeling that emotion ), making a mistake. having someone she loves threatened or just talking badly about someone she cares for.

AMBITIONS   FOR   THE   FUTURE  :    verse dependent. but for the most part, continue to take care of the people she loves. perhaps, ( with her SO only ) start a family & be able to slow down a little to take proper care of them. 

LAYER 003 :   THOUGHTS.

FIRST   THOUGHTS   WAKING   UP  :      depends. if she wakes up from a peaceful sleep, grateful to have rested & ready to start the day. if she wakes up from a night terror, trying to forget about everything & instead dresses to train so she can get rid of the stress.

WHAT   THEY   THINK   ABOUT   MOST  :    it depends again. if she is at work, she will try to focus in on her tasks. but for the most part, she thinks about the people she cares for, such as; if they are okay, if they have enough food, money, are they safe, etc... 

WHAT   THEY   THINK   ABOUT   BEFORE   BED  :     sometimes she’s too tired to think about anything, and hopes she can just get at the very least 3 hours. Other times, whatever happened through the day, her mind replaying it in her head. 

WHAT   THEY   THINK   THEIR   BEST   QUALITY   IS  :      she believes her best quality is her quiet nature. she likes knowing others are willing to come to her & ask her to listen to their problems & perhaps help them come up with a better solution.

LAYER 004 :    WHAT’S BETTER ?

SINGLE   OR   GROUP   DATES  :     single. she prefers one on one time with her SO. its not that she does not mind group dates, but she finds that sometimes its easy to lose her voice when so many other people are around her & so, she would much rather be able to spend that quality time alone. 

TO   BE   LOVED   OR   RESPECTED  :     to be loved & respected. lets face facts, she comes from a culture where respect is earned. & even then, it is difficult for a woman to earn it. she finds herself fortunate that she has & is eager to maintain that level of respect, if not gain more of it. Plus, she goes out of her way to show kindness to someone, & she likes the fact that so many show her such affections.  

BEAUTY   OR   BRAINS  :    brains. gotta be smart to keep her interested, not going to lie. she values intelligence & likes to surround herself with people who can stand out. 

DOGS   OR   CATS  :      both. she cannot resist either one of them. however, she does want a dog very badly. 

LAYER 005 :    DO THEY…

LIE  :    not very often. she usually has a good reason to tell a lie & or keep a secret. she has told lies within her past & always feels guilty for doing so. however, on most occasions, she is honest with those around her. 

BELIEVE   IN   THEMSELVES  :      no. this is one of her many struggles, because she does not hold a believe that she will ever be good enough. 

BELIEVE   IN   LOVE  :      yes.

WANT   SOMEONE  :      yes.

LAYER 006 :    HAVE THEY EVER…

BEEN   ON   STAGE  :      only in modern verse, where she has sung before in a crowd ( certain verses only ) & or for business purposes. to tell you the truth, she does not like it, especially since all eyes are on her which makes her feel self conscious. 

DONE   DRUGS  :      no.

CHANGED   WHO   THEY   WERE   TO   FIT   IN  :      hahaha yes. she has done so to appease her family & the people around her. 

LAYER 007 :    FAVOURITES.

FAVOURITE   COLOUR  :      pink & white

FAVOURITE   ANIMAL  :      wolf. tigers. spiritual creatures a phoenix & dragons. 

FAVOURITE   BOOK  :      when she has the time to read, she prefers to read something of fantasy novels. she does not have a favorite series, but she does also prefer romance too. 

FAVOURITE   GAME  :      .... the sims. she enjoys creating the world & can sit there for hours most likely completely engrossed. 

LAYER 008 :    AGE.

DAY   THEIR   NEXT   BIRTHDAY   WILL   BE  :      April 26th.

HOW   OLD   WILL   THEY   BE  :      verse dependent

LAYER 010 :    FINISH THE SENTENCE.

I   LOVE  :     my family, friends and lovers. 

I   FEEL  :      tired and alone.

I   HIDE  :      my fears, injuries and depression. 

I   MISS  :      those i care for.

I   WISH  :      to be able to protect everyone around me. to shelter them from their pain and take it on as my own.i wish to be able to see them smile and enjoy life around them. i wish too, that i did not have to feel so lonely at times, yet know that it is the path i must walk.

TAGGED  BY: stolen by @manaborn​ TAGGING: @skjebne​  @huckleberrytm​  @xthesparequeen​  @ka-go-me​  @archeracrosstime​ @purextheart​  @daikusedai​ @slayerled​  @dokusedai​  @kukyc​​  @swordsmithtotosai​ @silverhanyou​  @redratrobed​ @chxmpionofjustice​​ & idk just steal it from me & tag me <3

[watch-grok-brainrot]

hey!! it's snowbunny!! 🐇 so i've been talking to my mutuals and just y'know doing stuff to feel better, which is a bit hard bcs i'm lowkey stressed, but i talked to a close irl friend (or... who was close? idk what we're now but we had a fall out this year, then kinda reconciled but yeah it's awkward now. she's still the first person i turn to (if possible) when i know that i'm getting a panic attack. she just knows how to handle me and the situation and idk but we get through these things together pretty easy.) anwyays!! what have you been up to? how are you? and your husband too? idk you've mentioned him a couple of times i think and yeah i really have no inspiration today so take this lame questions, if you could speak a language of your choice fluently, which one would it be? it can be something like latin, old norse or ancient greek too! do you have comfort songs? if yes, what are your comfort songs? favorite songs (name as many as you like! idc about genre or language just throw it out). also idk but like what did you do during quarantine? i just watched tv shows and basked in the fact that society is letting me stay at home without being judged for it. - ❄🐇

Hey snowbunny! Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you for a couple of days. i’m good. i started reading another danmei novel and it kinda sucked me in. oops. it’s called  The Wife is First. It’s really cute and sweet. my husband is good too. :) thank you for asking. 

oh god, speak a language of my choosing... idk. maybe arabic only because it seems SO DIFFERENT from chinese and english. i’m really incompetent at picking up languages... but you did say speak... and i’d like the choice to include reading... since i don’t think i’d ever speak arabic... lol. and idk what variety of it... o.O 

i don’t music well. i don’t really have comfort songs? i don’t go back to the same stuff. I just put things on as bkgd noise. currently my bkgd work playlist is a lot of kpop and cdrama soundtracks. i really like the end theme to Ever Night and the CQL soundtrack and the end theme of Joy of Life. Idk. just things i come across i’ll shove in a playlist and remove them if they annoy me. It’s not well curated. 

i think quarantine is still present tense. and tbh, i joined tumblr and *waves hand* this. this is what i’m doing in quarantine. lol. i miss friends. i miss cooking for people and hosting parties at home... and i really really miss traveling and planning adventures. oooof. it’s ok. i like having my husband around. he keeps my mental health fairly stable. hahaha. 

do you have comfort songs snowbunny? what language do you want to just know? 

[nikosomething]

HEYYYY I'm back, very late, I know! But *distressed gurgling noises*. Sorry?? As for fic recs and sangcheng, I'm going to wait until the reveal so I can DM you about it, if you would like? Yess, it's precisely sweating that makes me hate summer haha. It is, truly, yes, the time between Christmas and new year is so sweet, the liminal days as some Tumblr post put it. OMG I'M CACKLING. That was a ride!! dfgdhjshxjdjd yes it's Heaven's official blessing, or TGCF (shortened Chinese title). Yes, I have read both of mxtx's other works- TGCF and svsss. TGCF is my favorite of all three of her books!

Oh yeah, having Meng Yao realise earlier what a douche his dick of a father is would be most wonderful for him AND other characters. Much less grief, surely. I'm alright with any canon divergence with the side characters. I just don't like wwx and lwj making different choices lol. ANYTHING ELSE is super fine! Omg that sounds beautiful. I hope you had a merry Christmas, Niko! Ah we don't celebrate xmas, no! But my holidays have been delightful! Oh wow, that's such a detailed answer. (2)

I prefer tea these days. Back in college, I used to drink coffee on the regular. Now, however, I'm more interested in ginger tea these days. I make it fresh each time- grate fresh ginger, boil it in water with tea powder and some sugar on the stove. I haven't really tried fancy teas, I don't think I'm much of a teabag person. I'd need loose tea haha. I like the ritual of making it, you know? As it so happens, Niko, this bunny is allergic to apples. I start sneezing as soon as I eat even a single bite of an apple, same with pears as well. Guess what my favorite fruit is? Apples! *saddest bunny sniff* green apples more so but I can't eat them! 😔

Cooking shows are soooo good, but it's been years since I have seen a proper cooking show. All of your recs sound amazing, I might check them out next year when I have time (busy with college work, you see). Oooh what all have I watched? Mostly Netflix shows and cdramas. Cdramas first cuz those are the ones I recently watched and hence, also remember - Joy of Life, Nirvana in Fire, the romance of tiger and rose, Hikaru No Go, Go ahead, TGCF donghua. Western shows- locke and key, Euphoria, Sex Education, (ohmygod I seriously can't recall any other. Rip my memory but I watched SO MANY shows ahhhhhh), I'm currently watching Bridgerton. If I remember, I shall tell you when the reveal happens. NIKO, even I watched the pillowbook and it's prequel, and yes, I have to agree that they aren't my favourites too. They were mehhh. I only liked it cuz of Dijun (purple robes, silver hair fella)! (3)

I'm pretty sure I messed up the numbering. I hope you can figure them out AHHHHHHH I don't even know the number of this text dfgdjdhdjdhdhd

Questions now! Idk have many questions honestly haha. I'm just excited for the reveal lmao. Who amongst the MDZS characters, would be your best friend and who would be your enemy? Kiss marry kill- JC, NHS, WWX? What's your favorite and least favorite arc/subplot in MDZS/cql? Alright, that's all for now! Talk to you soon- 🐰

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Heyyyyy my dear bunny, I missed you!! But don't worry, life happens! I understand haha Alright, let's wait for the big reveal so you can give me all da SangCheng fic recs! I am EXCITED! Omg okay yes, TGCF, I recognise that. And SVSS, taht one too. That was one crazy ride it's true hahaha If TGCF is your fav then it's all the more reason for me to get to TGCF next! Who is your fav character in TGCF (I wanna have that in mind when I read it haha) Ohhh! Now that's interesting! Why don't you like canon divergence for WangXian? I am intrigued! And thank youuu! I had a great Xmas and great stomachache cause I just didn't stop eating hahaha I lay awake with cramps regretting everything just to do it all over again the next day oops... talk about learning from your mistakes and stuff... hahaha May I ask where you come from? Is it a personal decision that you don't celebrate, is it religiously influenced or is it because of where you live? I hope that didn't sound disrespectful, if so (if I ever sound disrespectful for that matter) please let me know. I am always willing to learn and improve! <3 Ohhh yes, fresh ginger tea is amazing! I have never tried it with sugar, though, but now I am curious. And I actually have a teashop right around the corner where I can get fancy loose tea. Tell me what you like and I'll send you something ;)

Ohhhh noooooes you are allergic to apples! Nooooo! I am so sorry, esp since you like them! I have a friend who is allergic to tomatoes but loves tomato sauce. Ahhh it always breaks my heart Oh! I watched the first episodes of Euphoria but then I didn't have access anymore and I was so sad about that. And I think I also watched Sex Ed! And Netflix recommended Bridgerton to me only yesterday. It seemed interesting! Do you like it so far? (Also Imma so gonan check out your recommendations!!) HAHAHAHA OMGGG BUNNY! YES; I ONLY WATCHED IT FOR DIJUN! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT hahahahahaha Also I was so confused when everything was different in Pillowbook. Like they took great care to build it all up in Eternal Love and then EVERYTHING. IS. DIFFERENT. Ohh but I loved the General. What's his name... the one who was by Dijun's side as his right hand man and leader of the troops during that one life. Do you know who I mean? The sweet sweet boy ahhh man I took a bazillion screenshots of him hahaha I enjoyed your numbering haha it was almost perfect hahaha

My Answers

Who yould be my best friend? Uhmmmm... I guess someone who supports me, likes my enthusiasm but also helps me remember how the world works and sprinkles in a tad of realism. Lan Xichen perhaps! And I'd also have a great time with Lan Jingyi! haha omg all the LansBut I'd enjoy the presence of most characters tbh!!Enemywise... I only dislike people who hurt others so I guess if I witnessed one of them hurting my friends they'd become my enemy? Sadly I guess it'd be Xue Yang then. Or my baby Meng Yao if I had been close with NHS and or NMJ. I mean JGS and WRH are a given so I don't really mention them.Now tell me about you! I can't wait to hear about it!!omggg why are you giving me that super hard choice!!? Uhmmm... Kiss them all, have them marry their loved ones and pls, pls let them live! xDDDDD *sneakily sneaking out of this one*As for arc/subplot please let me know your thoughts on this! I honestly can't tell, I's have to watch it all over again cause I forget way too quickly. But there were defo parts I enjoyed mor ethan others. I'll think about it!Feel hugged!!!

[youtiaoshutiao]

Tagged by @cdrama-for-breakfast, thanks for the tag ♥ sorry it took so long!

Rules: Answer all the questions and tag 21 people you would like to get to know better!

nickname: my name is short enough that usually no one bothers!

real name: amy

zodiac: gemini

favourite musicians or groups: probably yuquan (羽泉) considering i have almost their entire discography on my shelf :P 

favourite sports teams: nahhhh not a sports person at all O:

other blogs: nope!

do I get asks: occasionally!

how many blogs do I follow: 148

tumblr crushes: dudeeeee.... everyone i follow?? i remain in permanent awe of all the gif makers, all the ppl who post thought provoking metas, all the fanfic writers, and the random academics/studyblrs i follow haha 

lucky numbers: hmmm, never had one?? i like 45 for personal reasons

what am i wearing: nondescript green t-shirt and orange shorts for lounging about at home :P

dream vacation: suzhou/hangzhou/chengdu/sichuan/northwest china

dream car: haha i don’t really pay attention to cars, maybe a 5-seater that’s easy to drive and has the camera for reversing

favourite food: nil! i am very undiscerning when it comes to food

drink of choice: milk tea/chinese tea (v partial to tie guanyin lately)/osthmanthus or lychee flavoured drinks? and embarrassed to admit that i am very much addicted to coke zero

instruments: piano till abrsm grade 6, self-taught basic guitar, now learning guqin!

languages: english (1st language), chinese (mother tongue, generally comfortable with it), malay (learnt for 4 years and forgot most of it, but i guess i still can manage basic malay??)

celebrity crushes: if you’re talking about hardcore celeb crushes like the kind where i save pictures and videos of every event they attend and reblog all related posts on my weibo and aggressively read forums discussing them... hu ge, alec su and hu haiquan (of yuquan) from my teenage days. these past few years i’ve kind of mellowed out HAHA (i hope) and just follow celebs i like casually, in which case i’ll add on ren jialun, zhang xincheng, zhou yutong, tan songyun, bai yu, bu guanjin to this list as celebrities whom i follow a bit more closely :3

random facts: i'm currently making my way through the poem 长恨歌 and went to read up more about yang guifei, and learnt that yang guifei was first married to emperor xuanzong’s son?! till the consort that birthed said son died and xuanzong took interest in yang guifei then made her a taoist nun first so that it wouldn’t seem so scandalous before taking her in as imperial consort and giving the son a new wife. seriously... /facepalm/

---- (and your additional questions!)

what’s your favourite drama: this kills me tbh hahaha i can’t choose five let alone one!! ... i can’t answer this HAHA T_T

your favorite drama look: not sure what this means haha sorry!!

your unpopular drama opinion: ok this is a really unpopular almost blasphemous opinion lolol esp in international cdrama fandom but i think daylight entertainment can be pretty hit or miss and sometimes the way they handle female characters can be pretty headdesky (depends)

an ending you would have changed: probably that of With You/最好的我们. it was a happy ending but they wasted too much time post time skip in the last 2 eps on the 2nd male lead and it came at the expense of the main OTP whose characterisations suffered consequently imo

your MBTI type: INFP!

tagging: haha anyone interested in this feel free to say i tagged you! i don’t think i can hit 21 people :P