#zhuo yichen

[niyxxe]

i like to think this is about zhuo yichen and zhao yuanzhou. cause.

“whatever the fuck these two characters had going on” is a vastly underrated character dynamic

[ilevio]

大梦归离 fangs of fortune (2024)

[lost-sheep]

I would burn the world to bring some heat to you

[ajaxbell]

Fangs of Fortune (Bai Ze Ling): perfect on pure aesthetics alone, but also it will tear your heart out while being very gay.

I was lured in to this show by Tumblr gifsets and friends on Bluesky talking about how queer and poly this show is. I'm old and I've been in fandom more than half my life. I know how to read queer subtext. I'm also pretty well versed in cdramas, so again, I know how to read subtext. So I went into this ready to, well, read the subtext.

But no this show is just puts the queer it right there in the text. The vague information we have about Chinese censorship repeatedly left me asking, 'wait how are they getting away with this?' Like some of these jokes and implications are just so blatant it seems incredible this show ever made it to being broadcast. It just feels very much like queer media made for queer people even if t's more subtle than something western like Queer as Folk.

Even without the heavy coloring of gay this show is incredible and so much more than I expected from the title and the promo. The premise is essentially the death of the goddess, who governed relations between humans and demons, leads to an influx of demons in the human world. This brings together the goddess's disciple, Wen Xiao--seeking to restore the goddess's power. WX's childhood sweetheart, Zhuo Yichen--seeking to restore the demon-hunting bureau after the powerful demon Zhu Yan killed his father and brother. It opens on Zhu Yan, in human disguise as as Zhao Yuanzhou, volunteering to help the imperial court restore the demon-hunting bureau to quell the chaos. They are joined by Pei Sijing, a retired female general from the rival demon hunting sect, and a very young doctor (and comic relief) named Bai Jiu. It starts off as a sort of monster-of-the-week with a grim Scooby gang doing detective work and fighting monsters. Each major demon has a mini arc that relates to the larger case (restoring the power of the goddess to balance the realms), and they are repeatedly blocked by either the demons or the rival demon hunting sect. Each mini arc also acts as a mirror or parallel story to slowly revealed backstory of all the main characters as well. In true cdrama fashion it's a mix of adventure, intense emotional drama, romance, and comedy. And queer and poly jokes and romance. It also has a kind of manga vibe in the way the comedy is woven into the more serious story, and in the fantastical depiction of the characters and how the story unfolds.

It is also just insanely beautiful. Every single shot is lovely. The costumes, make up, and hair are incredible. The casting director made all the major demons inhumanly beautiful. The sets are spectacular. The effects are nicely done. Every bit of has the vague surreality of a fairytale. The perfection of each shot ads to the manga vibe, as if we're seeing each critical storytelling panel come alive. There's recurring water-based special effects that are just gorgeous. Based on aesthetics alone this show would be worth watching to me. That it is combined with a complex, very emotional story is a spectacular gift to the watcher. A lot of the negative reviews of this complain about the staginess or that it's overly contrived in how each scene is shot. But I think it's gorgeous, works perfectly with the storytelling, and if we criticize art on whether it achieves the goal it intended then this show is doing exactly and perfectly what it means to do and doing it beautifully.

Additionally the acting is also very good, but Neo Hou is the stand out for sure. I enjoyed him in Back from the Brink, especially the later part of the story, but in Fangs of Fortune he's transformed, utterly embodying the role, the way Dylan Wang is Dongfang Qingcang in Love Between Fairy and Devil. Neo Hou has the right look, a slightly uncanny beauty perfect for a gorgeous immortal not of this world. The show does incredible things with his styling between the various looks and personas the role requires. But in acting he somehow manages to utterly transform his face and demeanor to manifest each aspect of the character as story demands changes from him.

There is a lot of crying in this drama. Like early on I joked that there was going to be a character crying a single perfect tear in every ep. Lol nope. Multiple single perfect tears per ep and many outright full on sobbing scenes. This show is just waiting to rip your heart out and you see it right from the beginning. But it was such sweet pain all the way through. Just a truly engaging and utterly wrenching set of intertwined stories.

My only criticism is that the pacing falls apart in the last 3 episodes. But overall the story is solid through the end, though like so many cdramas, it's saved by the epilogue.

You should absolutely watch it if you want the chaotic bi polycule (it's her, her girlfriend, her boyfriend, her boyfriend's boyfriend who is also her boyfriend, their two idiot sons, and her boyfriend's ex-who is also eventually sort of his boyfriend again), or if you want your heart torn out and stomped on. Or even if you just like really gorgeous cinematic things. Also if you watch, please don't skip the ending credits, as they change as the arcs change, and the radiant joy Tian Jiarui has as he dances is an excellent antidote to the emotions of each episode.

[pastlives-brokendreams]

one of the best introduction in drama history AND one of the hottest too 😭

For those among you who find it as hot as I do, here's the fight scene between Zhu Yan and Zhuo Yichen from episode 1 of Fangs of Fortune.

[k-odyssey]

大梦归离 Fangs of Fortune | episode 17

[niyxxe]

we can all consciously consider this scene as them (wx, zy) accidentally mentioning an ex, triggering the new boyfriend (zyc).

also wenxiao looking to zhuyan immediately as if to say, "its your ex, you tell him?" and the silence that follows 😭

[yooooowhf]

Need a long fic of basically Zhuo yichen getting closer and being friends with both Li Lun and Zhao Yuanzhou at the same time but separately.

Like he is getting to know these two but never mention one to another in their name.

And then it got revealed these two are ex. And they did not part in a good ways, so now Zhuo Yichen just don't know what to do. He felt like caught in the middle.

Like they are so bitter with each other, and they find out that the dude they are crushing on is the same person, they turn it into a match of who's getting him first.

And then there's oblivious Zhuo Yichen, who's just happy that he finally got to make friends

[pastlives-brokendreams]

those are all correct.

some fangs of fortune ship rambling bc i started making a chart and then got tired. as always, these are my own personal opinions and not absolute pronouncements; this is just my version of the polycule. please do as you like.

psj

a lesbian

dating wx exclusively

fond of zyc and zyz

does not like ll but figures it's not her business

wx

bi

flirts by using nicknames

dating zyz and psj

loves zyc deeply but not romantically

believes in the redemptive power of love but still sort of judgy about ll at first

zyz

chaotic bi

dating wx and zyc

it's complicated with ll

loves them all in different but equally intense ways

zyc

surprised that he's bi

has lingering childhood sweetheart feelings for wx but is willing to accept it's not happening and loves her regardless

not sure how it happened but dating zyz

it's even more complicated with ll

ll

honestly probably gay

long and very intense relationship with zyz which resulted in an equally intense break up but neither of them could really fully let it go so they keep circling back

initially disdainful of zyc but then finds himself drawn to him

cared deeply for ao yin and treated her and her feelings for him gently

[electricsoul-rpg]

TIAN JIARUI (田嘉瑞) as Zhuo Yichen / Bing Yi

Fangs of Fortune 大梦归离 (2024)

[kandadze]

Still on ep 5 and this little moment when ZYC finds out about what his big brother did for him... ::crying forever::

[ilevio]

“what do you expect me to understand?”

“me.”

大梦归离 fangs of fortune

[pastlives-brokendreams]

i said it before and i will say it again, a better love story than some of the more canon ones

If you watch closely, it's actually funny how Zhao Yuanzhou and Zhuo Yichen hit all the fundamental milestones of a classic doomed enemies-lovers romance.

Phase one: "OK, he's cute, but I guess a little aggressive flirting wouldn't hurt, and would only fuel his determination to kill me".

Phase two: "Oh no, he's not just cute - he's wonderful and hot and kind and brave and... I'm in trouble. But what's one extra trouble for someone who's doomed to die? We continue to flirt like there's no tomorrow, which is kinda true".

Phase Three: "Oh no, he seems to be starting to feel sympathy and affection for me. Not funny anymore, not funny at all! I have to be cool and distant".

Phase Four: "Neither of us are cool anymore, love is made to torture people, time for a big bad breakdown (with some hallucinations about my ex consuming the love of my life)"

Phase Five: "Oh no, now he looks even more doomed than me. Cool and distant is no longer on the table, I need to burn this place down"

Phase Six: "Ok, I guess we're doomed and in love together now. Things are really bad, but at least we can squeeze in some intimate moments of pleasure (in a pile of spruce branches)"

[haifoct]

Just realised Bai Jiu and Xiao Zhuo are both biting wood in this scene. Pretty neat!

[smileandlove21]

Immunity

Cloud Light sword. The sword that is wielded by the chosen one from the Bingyi clan. All men from the family can carry the sword, but only a few can awaken its true powers. Zhuo Yichen never dreamed of wielding the said sword. It was always meant for his older brother. If his brother cannot awaken it, he has zero chances of doing it as well.

He is weak and frail, which is the polar opposite of his brother. That is why, when his brother died, he was hesitant to wield the Cloud Light sword, much less touch it. The sword was the reminder of his brother's death. Every time he touches the sword, Yichen does not feel worthy. That is, until it glowed for him.

From then on, Zhuo Yichen promised himself that he would master it and avenge his family's death. He made a name for himself in Tiandu. He has slayed many demons with the sword, but they are not his main target. It seems that his prayers were answered when Zhu Yan or Zhao Yuanzhou appeared in the newly reinstated Demon Hunting Bureau. He declared what his intentions are, which confused Yichen.

The great demon wanted to die by his hands. Only he and his sword can kill him, which will end the line of vessels for malicious energy. He is more than willing to do it. Not only for revenge for his family but also to ensure the safety of the townspeople.

What Yichen did not expect was that months after spending time with Zhao Yuanzhou, he started to feel emotions he cannot explain. Emotions that will forbid him to reach his goal. Aside from that, he knows that it will never be reciprocated. The great demon only has eyes for his childhood friend, Wen Xiao.

"Xiao Zhuo daren, can someone else hold your sword? Can I hold it?" Bai Jiu suddenly asked. They were done investigating a demon sighting just outside Tiandu when they decided to refill their hungry stomachs with food.

"You can, but do not unsheathe it." Yichen passed the sword to Bai Jiu, who squealed in delight when holding the famous sword.

"I bet the great demon cannot hold it. It is said that the Cloud Light sword repels..." Bai Jiu was unable to finish his sentence when Zhao Yuanzhou grabbed the sword. They all look at Yuanzhou as he easily twirls the sword as if it were just a normal chopstick.

"How?! You are a demon! Demons cannot touch the famous sword!" Bai Jiu exclaims as he looks at Zhuo Yichen for answers.

"There is a special reason why I can hold it." Yuanzhou looks at Yichen with a smirk. The demon hunter raised an eyebrow at him, clearly not amused with where the topic would go.

"I am curious as well, Xiao Zhuo. How come he can touch it? As far as I know, your sword cannot be touched by any demons," Wen Xiao added with a knowing look.

In all honesty, Zhuo Yichen does not even know the answer to their curiosity about his sword. Clearly, his sword only lets the stupid monkey hold it. He personally prefers that Zhao Yuanzhou gets burned by it, but the sword seems to know his true feelings towards the ape demon. It all suddenly dawned on Yichen what could be the reason. His ears turn red, which was noticed by Wen Xiao.

"His sword can feel his emotions. If he is hurt, angry, or in love, the Cloud Light sword responds to it. Am I right, Xiao Zhuo?" Zhao Yuanzhou asked with a smirk on his face. Yichen wanted nothing but to punch that stupid, handsome face.

"I don't know what you are talking about," he replied as he looked away from them. His red ears give him away, which earned a chuckle from the group except Bai Jiu, who is still confused about what they are talking about.

Before anyone can press on the topic, their food arrives, saving Yichen from further embarrassment. The topic was dropped in an instant, and it was never brought up until Zhao Yuanzhou visited Yichen during training.

Three days after their mission, they were allowed to take a break before they ventured for another investigation. Zhuo Yichen uses this time to train more using the Cloud Light sword. He was so focused on his training that he failed to feel another presence in the area.

"We are supposed to take a break, Xiao Zhou. You already exhausted yourself three days ago."

His peace was disturbed yet again by Zhao Yuanzhou. Yichen stops his motions and turns around to face the great demon.

"I can take care of myself. If you wish to relax, then by all means do so. You don't have a shackle to stop you from wandering Tiandu." Yuanzhou scoffs and walks towards Yichen.

Every step Zhao Yuanzhou takes makes Zhuo Yichen's heart tremble. He was so distracted with his heart that Yichen failed to realize that Yuanzhou was already in front of him. The great demon grabs his sword and inspects it.

"My immunity with your sword is much like your immunity with my one-word spell."

"What do you mean? You gave me that immunity while I did nothing of that sort for you to be immune to my sword." Zhao Yuanzhou suddenly leans in towards Zhuo Yichen. Too close for Yichen's liking. He chose not to react to the antics of the ape demon. Yichen knows that he is just provoking him.

"You also gave me this immunity, Xiao Zhou. You are just not aware of it. Or should I say you are aware but you choose to hide it?" There goes again that stupid smirk by Yuanzhou. Yichen really wanted to punch his face right now. Zhao Yuanzhou can see that the demon hunter is close to his breaking point.

"Shut up! I don't know what you are talking about, you stupid monkey!" Yichen grabs the Cloud Light sword from Yuanzhou and starts walking away. Zhuo Yichen was only ten steps away from the exit when Zhao Yuanzhou suddenly said something that made him stop.

"You gave me your heart, Xiao Zhou. Your sword responds to your feelings. You don't want me to be hurt by the sword. That is why I can touch it. Don't worry, I also gave you mine. My energy recognizes you, which is why it will never hurt you as well." Yuanzhou's voice seems pleased with what he just said. They both know it's the truth, but Yichen will never admit it.

Zhuo Yichen did not turn around and started walking away again. Zhao Yuanzhou could see the redness of his ear before he left. He chuckled and decided to move on with his day. He can wait for 500 years for Zhuo Yichen to admit his feelings. 

[phantom248]

Adventures of Zhuo Yichen in Gong family, part 2

(Continuation of this)

Gong Ziyu almost choked on air when he saw a white figure jumping up and down under the only fruit tree in Jue palace's courtyard. This addition was few years old, none of them able to understand why a man like Gong Shangjue who thought of such things as frivolity would plant a tree like that in his courtyard. The small figure continued their attempts at swiping the fruit from the tree, with varying success. Dressed in pale cream and white robes with cream colored fur cloak and a gleaming gold headband, the slim figure looked like a fairy that had deigned to bless the mere peasents like them with its presence.

Curious, Gong Ziyu sneaked closer, because how was it possible Gong Shangjue, who was a notorious stickler for rules, to allow anyone inside the palace? It couldn't even be a servent, with that gleaming gold headband that although looked thin, was expensive for any servent.

Upon closer look, Gong Ziyu really choked on air when he realized that the figure he called ethreal in his heart (ok who was he kidding? He really thought that brat was pretty for a moment) was Gong Yuanzhi.

Feeling mischievous, he snuck up to his brat of a cousin and called his name, delighting in the way the smaller figure let out a shriek and then outright cackling when Gong Yuanzhi ran behind the tree and hugged the trunk, peeking out from the side to look at him.

Gong Ziyu couldn't help but admit that the little brat really looked cute. Only in his heart though because if Yuanzhi could read his thoughts, he would have already taken his head off.

"And what are you doing here instead of the clinic?" He leaned forward, leering at him, having way too much fun.

Yuanzhi stammered out. "I was... I wanted that fruit..."

Gong Ziyu easily jumped up and snagged a plum one, waving it in the air mockingly. "Oh this? But I thought you could already reach the branches by now? Are you still a pip squeak?"

"You-!" Gong Yuanzhi indignantly shouted, his red cheeks puffing up, coming at him. Gong Ziyu jumped back, a smarmy grin appearing on his face. "Ah ah ah! I am older than you, call me gege!"

To his surprise, the brat deflated, looking down at his feet. "... gege."

Gong Ziyu's eyes widened at the low sound. He couldn't believe his ears! The brat who always insulted him and never let a chance to disrepect his entire family was calling him gege! And so adorably too! Maybe the brat was sick, his brain addled with some poison or something.

Perhaps it was the all that wine that he consumed, or maybe the idea that today he could mess with his normally thorny, poisonous hedgehog like cousin was too tempting to let go that he siddled closer. He teased him, enjoying the way his cheeks reddened from embarrassment. He swiped more fruit, finally sharing it with Yuanzhi, and regaling him with embellished tales of his adventures outside the residence that was too tempting to ignore for a child who had never seen the outside world, taking delight in the way Yuanzhi's eyes narrowed and widened like a kitten, letting out oohs and awwhs at the appropriate places.

As he was convincing his younger cousin to go with him outside without informing Gong Shangjue, both of them were caught unawares as a heavy black cloak landed on Yuanzhi's head, who let out an oomf, staggering under the weight of heavy fabric. Before he could even right the fabric, their assailants were on them.

"Didi," Gong Shangjue's voice freeze them both. "Did I not tell you to stay inside?"

Gong Yuanzhi immediately turned, facing his brother. "And I didn't! I stayed in the courtyard, he was the one to come here. I only wanted some fruits! And I met no one else, promise!"

Their older cousin raised an eyebrow, looking pointedly at Gong Ziyu.

"But I thought he was family, not a stranger! Isn't it safe with him? He was talking about some pavilion outside and jiejies there-"

"Jin Fu." Gong Shangjue's voice was so cold that Gong Ziyu shuddered with fright. That's it. This was the end. The man was going to murder him for mentioning the brothel to his didi. Thank you everyone for all the support they gave to him, because today that would end as no one will be able to find his body.

The Jade Guard only nodded and darted forward, easily picking up their youngest cousin like a sack of potatoes who let out a squeak, protesting his treatment. Gong Ziyu only heard a single sentence from the jade guard in answer "And how will we answer your gege if something happened to you outside?"

It was weird thing to say, considering the gege in question was the one to catch them, but he was too worried about his life to care about the mystery. He was frozen like a dear, trapped under the dark gaze of his oldest cousin. Finally, Gong Shangjuebstepped closer, making him wilt even before he opened his mouth.

"I do not care what you get upto on your own, Gong Ziyu, but do not drag Gong Yuanzhi in your antics. Understood?"

"Crystal" he squeaked out, almost breaking out in a run when his older cousin waved his hand dismissively. He finally stopped at some distance, hands braced on his knees, panting. He threw a last look at the Jue residence, catching sight of a pouting Yuanzhi being handed fruit from his gege who was firmly shuffling him inside, not letting him even peek back. His gaze me the Gong Shanjue again, and this time, he bolted, vowing to not even stray close to the brat lest his brother dug out his entrails and hung him from them.

Why had Gong Shangjue forbidden their youngest cousin from meating others? Why was he behaving as if Gong Yuanzhi was a pure maiden though, hiding him from everyone's gaze?

Alas, he loved his entrails inside his body too much to investigate this mystery.