#the reason why I don't think it's Li Tianchen's is because of the line “So get ready I'm already here”. It fits Liu Xiao more since he

[butterfirefly]

Hang on. It seems like Mastermind isn't Lu Guang's song like I thought it was but Liu Xiao's. Lyrics below with the Chinese parts translated via Google.

Time is a hypocritical construct

Righteously it wipes out all of us

But I keep rising back from the dust

Again and again again and again

无数碎片 [countless fragments]

不停缠绕相连 [Continuously entwined and connected]

The shadows they whisper in your head

I let them linger and you will like it

You're tied on my strings like a puppet

Before you even notice

I made a deal with the demons

I crave the feel of true desire

There's nothing real 终究走向黑暗 [Eventually heading towards darkness]

Listening all your desperation sounding like a song

Destiny is just my game but is all you counting on right now

Joining the game

Killing spree I'm enjoying the game

So get ready I'm here

Get ready for it for it

Again and again again and again

Take my hand let's set this world on fire

Light it up for the show

Pain will get to you when the night arrives

Like the hunter when a prey lies

It's just how the world's like

Dadadada dadadada

Got nothing holding me back

Dadadada dadadada

Mastermind stays in the dark

Let my flame be your redemption

If you ever get helpless

Just take it in and we'll have some fun

在雷鸣之间我不计代价 [Between the thunder I don't care about the cost]

承受无限电压太蛊惑的力量 [The power to withstand infinite voltage is too bewitching]

在每个时间都呈现我推演结局 [Show me the ending of my deduction every time]

没人能改变或阻挡 [No one can change or stop]

You're down on your knees 'cause u can feel the pressure when I'm taking over

Ain't no too hard to see so u better believe

我就是唯一信仰 [I am the only faith]

一切熟悉的全坍塌 [Everything familiar collapsed]

棋盘上未知的玩家 [Unknown player on the board]

Joining the game

Killing spree I'm enjoying the game

So get ready I'm already here

Can't you see it's a checkmate uh

Take my hand let's set this world on fire

Light it up for the show

Pain will get to you when the night arrives

Like the hunter when a prey lies

It's just how the world's like

Dadadada dadadada

Got nothing holding me back

Dadadada dadadada

Mastermind stays in the dark

Let my flame be your redemption

If you ever get helpless

Just take it in and we'll have some fun

[mimicha-arts]

S2 Spoilers, ep7-8, probably ep9

Since I still don't understand the s2e8 intensions, as well as many of the elements regarding who was in Lu Guang's place, I just put together a list of questions that concern me when it comes to whether it was Lu Guang or Cheng Xiaoshi after all. I still have a feeling this is going to be retwisted, but idk.

Following Qiao Ling's speculation, the episode guides us down the path that it was Cheng Xiaoshi, but the plot does not provide direct confirmation. In all other (so far) moments, we were shown, as a result, redrawn frames with a changed eye color, where the character was possessed, in this case this did not happen, the intrigue was deliberately warmed up again. At some point, of course, the visual rules of the setting have been broken, so it's no longer a detail that can be trusted. Like, everyone understands that this way the audience will be more confident that Qiao Ling's words here are the fact (that Lu Guang is possessed by Cheng Xiaoshi), but at the same time there is no 100% confirmation. For what. Okay, well, next I'll split this post into two parts: the actual questions/moments and the motivations of the characters.

Actual questions/moments

1. The call

A very small hidden moment that almost went out of sight. In fact, when Qiao Ling and Xiaoshi looked through Lu Guang's phone, we were shown the contact details of the calls. Qiao Ling called him at 18:42 , but there was no answer (other calls were answered). Since Qiao Ling's call was 50 minutes ago, we understand - Lu Guang's phone viewing time is 19:33.

And then... Pay attention. The previous call received was from Cheng Xiaoshi. The part of the screen where the time is displayed is blocked by the thumb, but it is possible to catch a small frame. 2小時之前 - Two hours ago, so the time was about 17:33 pm (probably after they left the hospital and before they began interrogating Li Tianchen).

THE F actually, cause we weren't shown any calls between Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, nothing about it were mentioned in any other moment. Another missed scene? I need to know.

2. Password, plan and phone The position of the phone is also different in both chronologies. If this was all Lu Guang's plan, and Lu Guang himself left a phone with a clue for Cheng Xiaoshi, then Lu Guang putted the phone face down in the bathroom. But in the second chronology, when Cheng Xiaoshi definitely dives in the photo, Cheng Xiaoshi himself leaves the phone in a different position, he puts it face up. So, if the position of the phone has changed, Lu Guang himself left the phone for Cheng Xiaoshi in the 1st line, it was not part of the "loop" where Cheng Xiaoshi (technically) leaves the phone in the same place himself.

So, if all this is Lu Guang's plan: Plan or not If so, Lu Guang must have known that Cheng Xiaoshi found out about his password, so generally able to access his phone and photos inside. Technically, if Lu Guang was unaware of Cheng Xiaoshi knowing his password, the photo wasn't left for Cheng Xiaoshi - Lu Guang hadn't planned it at all. But I think, this was planned by him, because otherwise he could have simply delete that single photo (for the safety reasons) from the phone, knowing well what Cheng Xiaoshi would do when he found the photo. Qiao Ling He needed Qiao Ling's participation, which is why he left her the right coordinates. Although I still do not understand why only for her, only because of distrust of the police? In fact, I still don’t understand why it was necessary to put Qiao Ling in such danger, but then again, if it makes sense, then perhaps in the rewritten/alternate events, she should have a bigger role. The reasons The biggest question. Would Lu Guang himself leave the photo as a part of the plan, put Cheng Xiaoshi himself in such danger? Knowing that Cheng Xiaoshi s does not know the real chronology of events, and without a hint with foresight, he can simply change events. Why take such a risk, knowing that Cheng Xiaoshi will not know the correct chronology. Again, if Lu Guang able to see the future, the main point - to save Cheng Xiaoshi and probably get more information about their enemies (if he "followed" the Li Tianchen voluntarily). The only reason (in my mind) he could leave a photo for Cheng Xiaoshi intentionally - because technically Cheng Xiaoshi's already saved, and Lu Guang intentionally need Cheng Xiaoshi to rewrite these events, to jump into photo and radically messed it up due to banal ignorance of the situation in advance. Idk, I think this makes sense, although I don't understand the final point yet. And, if Lu Guang is able to see the future from the present, is he also able to see alternative events?

3. DAMN BOAT

Idk, but the boat thing seems so off. Like, I kinda get why Lu Guang himself is able to drive a boat, but when it comes to Cheng Xiaoshi , I'm just confused. Because, if Lu Guang was possessed here, it means, that Cheng Xiaoshi knows how to drive a boat. And if he is able to jump like this, the boat itself is still next to the shore. So it wasn't that hard just jump on it once again, and if he knows how to drive a boat, he could at least try to keep up with Li Tianchen's boat to save Lu Guang. No?

4. DAMN KETTLE OK. If we assume that it was Cheng Xiaoshi from the future who saved Cheng Xiaoshi from the past, then, in theory, all his actions, although he does not know them for sure without Lu Guang, they should initially lead to success, idk? The only thing he did the same for now - waited for 18:55. But now we have inaccuracies, in particular, a broken window, in the "first" timeline of events, a KETTLE was definitely not used to create such a hole. And Cheng Xiaoshi obviously did not know what exactly he should throw for the same result.

5. "Hide and seek" Okay, it was said that Lu Guang hid in the restroom, waiting for the police to be distracted by the window after kicking the door. Again, these were the words of the characters, not the fact. We see that the restroom's door opens to the inside of the restroom, not to the outside, btw.

Initially, it is said that they did not check the restroom, which means that no one paid attention to it in the first line of events, while the second version of events already leads to the fact that even if Cheng Xiaoshi is not found, the policeman paid his attention.

On camera footage: Lu Guang from the first line of events, does not leave the restroom, just walks down the hallway of the room, the restroom door is closed (but could this be an animation error? idk). Technically, he had to open the door of the restroom on himself, go around it and only after that go out into the corridor of the room, and then go out into the corridor of the hospital. I can't tell if it's a bug, but if not, the details of what Lu Guang did once again are different and doesn't match what Cheng Xiaoshi does.

6. Combat skills. What bothers me the most is his physical condition. Why he was able to jump around so quickly, but then again, we don't know how much time passed between eps, how much his wounds could heal. If we can trust these frames, then his bandages have already been removed (or is he just a wild man and took them off himself ???). I know this is somewhat speculative, again, this is the most confusing part for me. The conclusions about Lu Guang's physical condition and ability to fight are the words of Qiao Ling. But that's also a guess. Since we don't know (almost) anything about Lu Guang, it's hard to guess what skills he has. Because if he saw the future from a photo, then he could simply know and see/remember Li Tianchen's attacks and actions in advance (just like in the special episode form s1) Moreover, all this fight on the shore is an attempt to repel Li Tianchen's punches, not beat him up. In particular, when he tries to grab Cheng Xiaoshi again. Don't give him a chance to touch, take control.

Afterwards, set him aside. Like, the whole fight scene was to protect Cheng Xiaoshi. The man in Lu Guang's place is a person who knew what Li Tianchen was capable of. Technically, Lu Guang may foresaw the future, while if in his place was Cheng Xiaoshi, with full understanding of the situation, the way he puts Lu Guang in danger just destroys the whole point of the story, since Cheng Xiaoshi from the future already wants to avoid Lu Guang's kidnapping.

Despite the fact that Li Tianchen, even if he has good skills, is a-ahem-twink, and even a kick from the foot did not have enough strength to topple him, while Cheng Xiaoshi with just a punch could knock over, and then even lift and throw away a full grown man engaged in martial arts. Literally in episode 2. Idk? Is this really Xiaoshi's physical strength / fighting level in this moment with Li Tianchen?

We all saw Lu Guang's wounds reopen. It was probably because of the fight and such physical activity. Like, the idea that his wounds were opened because of Cheng Xiaoshi's actions... Is somewhat strange? Given that Cheng Xiaoshi from the future is already aware of the danger to Lu Guang. I don't think Cheng Xiaoshi would do something so reckless as to get into a fight, let that happen. Even if the wounds were opened due to the fact that he was no longer possessed by Cheng Xiaoshi… Would Cheng Xiaoshi himself allow this, knowing that this would be the third time Lu Guang had bled to death? 7. Sound There is difference in the same scene from different eps. In ep8, when Li Tianchen is looking at Lu Guang, there is a specific sound similar to sound of ability use, but there is nothing like this in ep7. You can check it yourself: ep8 (04:36) and ep7 (21:13).

We still have speculation that the photo was actually passed on by the brother, given that in the new teaser, it was Li Tianchen who was shown holding the photo. That's why. Is there a possibility that he prepared this trap from the very beginning or also acts as a separate side from Qian Jin, following his own interests. Maybe there is something invisible that connects his plotline with Lu Guang's actions. There are no conclusions. Just suspicious.

Motivation

Probably the most important part. Cheng Xiaoshi and his attitude towards Lu Guang is the main reason why I think that in the first chronology of events it was Lu Guang himself, not Cheng Xiaoshi. If Cheng Xiaoshi really possessed Lu Guang during the first chronology... It just doesn't fit in my head in terms of the character's motivation and personality. Because if its canon: Why on earth Cheng Xiaosh would decide to do it all, while possessing Lu Guang, with whole knowing and awareness that his friend was almost killed, physically suffered, at the same time, knowing that he may bleed again? Like, literally, force him to fight, knowing the wounds might open after it? What, then, is the motivation for while being Lu Guang, not just to put him in danger, but literally risk his life, like, to engage in a FIGHT with the person who almost killed him! And then not only let go of the Li Tianchen, but also rush after him, directly almost voluntarily handing over Lu Guang to the enemy.

It's even has to be *future* Cheng Xiaoshi that way - what is the point for Cheng Xiaoshi, who already has the knowledge of danger, of kidnapping, to do such a thing at all? Again! To save himself? He just handed Lu Guang over to his probable death with his own hands? One of the closest people in his life? This boy, who saw Lu Guang dying?

Who literally thought Lu Guang was dead? Who was willing to rewrite the past for Lu Guang?

The boy who weighed all the blame on his own shoulders? THIS boy?

Sound nothing like Cheng Xiaoshi to me. Not at all, especially when we see throughout all the episodes of his experience, his guilt, his understanding of what Lu Guang is ready to do for him. It just literally killing his entire personality in that way. Like. Am I misunderstanding something? Where is the logic in that case - beyond of my understanding. This, this is the problem I have with "possessing" thing. Because if so, it's either a white hole in the narrative or so out of character that I really hope there is more to unpack. Otherwise, honestly, it's a very bad writing. I hope it's not.

I really don't understand the meaning of some things in the last episode rn, but the current plot likes to play with "misperceptions", so I'm chill enough about them until the last episode of the season comes out.

I don't know, I feel like I spent like 10 or even 12 hours discussing the plot and eps, all this is a collected meta post from discussions with my friend @wrathyforest ， who shares with me both grief and joy, ahaha. Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss.

[saelterlude]

I'm probably overthinking but I've been thinking of the powers in Link Click as a see-possess pair since that's how it seems to work between Lu Guang-Cheng Xiaoshi and Li Tianxi-Li Tianchen but at the same time what if it's not.

One of the reasons Lu Guang is strict on the rules is that (according to him) if Cheng Xiaoshi change a major node then he might return to a different 'present' to where he came from. But that doesn't make sense since we know CXS changed Chen Xiao's past. Not just by winning the basketball game (A node LG was very wary about) but also by talking with the captain, his crush, and mother.

This isn't like the previous two missions where the information was gathered in the past but only shared in the present. This was actively changing the past by saying CX's regrets out loud. Things won't change for the village, people still die, but winning the game and saying what he does meant that CX shouldn't have any regrets that makes him approach QL to solve them. Realistically CXS would have return to a 'present' where CX never gave them the job simply because he doesn't have those regrets.

Instead CXS returns to the same present he came from. And the changes CXS did? They only become dreams for CX. That's how he described them in his letter to the captain.

"I've been dreaming recently about the tournament with Long Yang. As your substitute, scoring three pointers and dunks." Exactly as Cheng Xiaoshi did.

So why did Cheng Xiaoshi return to this 'present' meanwhile we have Lu Guang who somehow shifted into a different 'present' where CXS didn't die. And we know he's actually in a different 'present' and not actively possessing his own body for years because both CXS and LTC have possessed him. Two people can't possess the same person at the same time, one of them will get kicked out. We've seen that twice.

In both of these CXS was possessing LTX and LG and both time was kicked the moment LTC possess them.

So we know Lu Guang is no longer 'diving' but has actively 'shifted' his present. So what's the difference between CXS's dive as CX and LG's dive? Easy, CXS was connected to 'present' LG while LG dived alone.

So in tandem, instead of being a see-possess pair, it's more of a anchor line-diver pair (an analogy the show itself uses). I don't know a lot about diving so this might be wrong but I've snorkeled a few times. And when you're snorkeling in rough waves, the boat you came from would typically throw a line out so you can hold on and follow it back to the correct boat (and not yknow drift away and enter a stranger's boat). I assume an anchor line does something similar to divers, follow it and you'll find your boat on the surface.

So Cheng Xiaoshi dived, swim around in the water, make some waves, probably splash CX a bit, and followed Lu Guang back to his present. Meanwhile Lu Guang dived, swim around in the water, make some waves, and instead of returning to boat 1 he boards boat 2, a new timeline where Cheng Xiaoshi is alive.

For Li Tianxi and Li Tianchen, I guess it's more of a "Hey, you're already in the water surrounded by boats but lemme guide you to the boat you're supposed to drive." or something.

I don't know where I'm going with this. This isn't a speculation on how the show will goes, this is just a mechanical exploration of Link Click's time travel because I love exploring stuff like that.

[chubphoe-linkclick]

A Defense of Li Tianchen

BECAUSE HE SUCKS BUT SO DOES HIS LIFE

At some point, I started thinking about how the twin's consciousnesses actually work when Li Tianchen possesses Li Tianxi, because it's implied that LTX is aware somehow when they're combining powers. And while LTC is doing the actions, it also kinda raises the question of how responsible LTX is for this since she is an accessory to a series of murders. Which lead to me remembering: she's 12.

But, like, they're twins.

They were both 12 at the same time when they were orphaned, an incredibly vulnerable point in their lives, and then pushed into this line of work by the very person who was charged with caring for them. We met LTC being the pos he is as an adult, but Qian Jin had been their parental figure, getting them to assassinate people from such an early age, likely deploying the emotionally manipulating even earlier with play pretend kindness that LTC had to resist against by himself. Like LTC's options were incredibly limited, I'm not gonna beef with the 12 y/o who's just trying his best here.

Especially after being asked to carry out the murder of the alleged adulterer, LTC realises that QJ is the type of person he despises the most: a woman-abusing husband that runs off his own paranoia. To LTC, he is garbage and stinky stinky doo doo, leaving LTC nor LTX with only each other to trust in the world. Only Xixi is in need of someone (LTC) to care for her due to her disability. And being mute, she's never able to provide LTC with the much needed emotional warmth to help his heart survive the dark road they're forced to walk, the road he's forced to navigate by himself.

This leaves LTC stuck in this weird situation where he just has to accept this life and the line of work QJ is giving to him despite detesting the bastard probably more than anything else. He can't really tell anyone because it sounds batshit insane. LTC also has benevolent reasons to stay with QJ and keep doing what he asks of them because QJ can guarantee LTX's wellbeing (e.g. access to a special school so she can finally get education and support). The only person who cares about him can't do anything to help because life is cruel. Like holy shit this tween isn't gonna have the balls to confront QJ about this even though he's sussed the rat bastard out. All the twins know are toxic, abusive adults that can’t be trusted; why would the next foster family be any different? “A familiar devil is better than an unfamiliar angel” is often a saying that rings painfully true for a lot of people in an abusive situation; more uncertainty and powerlessness is the last thing victims need in their lives. Even more so since QJ clearly has mafia connections. Especially so since LTC choosing to cooperate with QJ ensures that LTX will have the building blocks of good life. Safety, sheltered, food, and clothing can look like luxury when you’re use to so much less.

By the time LTC is big enough to have a chance of breaking free of his circumstances, he doesn't.

Why?

Because that's how it's always been. Because he and Xixi never talk about anything. Because they're both messed up kids on the inside that have no one to guide them and are still running on the same infantile survival mode that they have been before being orphaned. Because even if LTC does has the power to change things, how can he have any belief that his actions will ever be enough; enough to escape the grips of the darkness that he's forced to live with, enough to hope for happy and fulfilling lives, enough for the siblings to finally go back home.

LTC is ten types of awful and he should probably get the death penalty, but wow has his life been a special type of hell. I have so much beef when people don't give due sympathy when it's sorely needed, which imo I see a lot in the fandom with it's favouring of Xixi even when we only knew about the twins as children.

I don’t think he’s redeemable nor do I want him to be, but I do think he’s misunderstood as heck. But I will admit that the OTT characterisation season 2 decided to give him and QJ early on wasn’t doing him any damn favours.