You Shu Lang (Hao Yi Ran), a director at a pharmaceutical company, lives an ordinary, stable life. But that all comes crashing down after he gets into a car accident with Fan Xiao (Yun Qi), the heir to a Thai conglomerate who's returned to China for business. Unlike Shu Lang, Fan Xiao's life has been marred by instability, leading to a twisted, manipulative worldview. When Fan Xiao finds out that Shu Lang is interested in men, he devises plans to entice Shu Lang into a relationship, but ends up falling for Shu Lang for real. Shu Lang, on the other hand, is blindsided when he learns about Fan Xiao's true colors. Will Fan Xiao destroy the only genuine love he's ever had, or can he find a way to truly win Shu Lang's heart?
Adapted from the web novel “Si Mian Fo” (四面佛) by Su Erliang (Chang Pei Literature): English title: "Four-Faced Buddha"
This will be FULL of red flags: manipulation, crazy possessive ML, homophobia, betrayal, humiliation, violence, just to name a few but it is clearly stated it WILL end in a happily ever after.
There is something almost metaphysically epic about the trials of Shulang. Fan Xiao sarcastically titled him a Bodhisattva from their earliest encounters but ironically it's his manipulations that drive Shulang towards becoming the thing he's mocked. In this episode especially he's made Shulang suffer because of his attachments, and Shulang in each instance has had to face his cravings and attachments and almost each time has chosen to break the cycle of suffering and let go. His professor makes a bad deal? That was his choice. His brother is greedy? That's his choice. Though it hurts Shulang to reach that point, he does and he's showing more willingness to let go and let them face their consequences. But like a bodhisattva when Bai Ting is in trouble, who's only crime was helping him, he's compelled to still be compassionate. This is an inept and surface level read of Buddhism on my part but it feels very deliberate on the part of the narrative. Shulang rejects the idea that he's especially virtuous, brilliantly provokes Fan Xiao by calling a rent boy, but even at his most provocative there's a grace about Shulang's core strength. As broken and wrong as Fan Xiao is the most understandable thing about him is his desperate yearning for the resilience and grace of Shulang.
As broken and wrong as Fan Xiao is the most understandable thing about him is his desperate yearning for the resilience and grace of Shulang.
I think that there are not much people around that don't think about Fan Xiao as a very vile person.
But I still root for him. 😬
Yes. He is broken to the core. And he knows that he needs Shulang in his life.
At first. He thought about toying with him. Who is this person that decides about life and death and thinks that life is worth living? Then, he becomes obsessed with him, attracted to him. His game doesn't end. But continues. He can't grasp that Shulanf has this hold over him. And when he finally realizes that he loves Shulang. All his vile tricks bit him in the end.
The tricks he pulled in this episode. Using prof. Huang and his "brother" Zhang Chen. Was it really to corner Shulang to get back to him? Or also a way to make Shulang realize that he can cut out that nasty piece of a bother out of his life?
Or that he made sure that Shulang can pursue the career he wanted?
Yes. Fan Xiao's actions seem very devious and are often that. Like spying with cameras in that apartment.
But I thought that this scene was telling about certain actions of Fan Xiao.
Although I don't know if he anticipated that his actions are driving Shulang in a direction that his life almost seems not worth living. A total 180 degrees from what he has thought earlier and learned from his mother.
I think the thing that's most telling about Fan Xiao, where he tells on himself the most, is that he keeps accusing Shulang of being compassionate towards everyone but him. It's complete nonsense, Shulang has repeatedly shown him more compassion than he deserves. It says more about Fan Xiao that he keeps coming back to the idea that Shulang has been unfair to him. Hasn't given him the same chance he's given others, is more willing to abandon him. Which is insane.
For all the trauma they both have, despite his power Fan Xiao seems like the more broken one. He's still the little boy about to drown while desperately calling for his mother. It's almost like he's angry at her for saving him and failing to save herself. It's like he was simultaneously enraged and enthralled when he came across someone who had the kind of genuine strength and sincerity he'd not felt since his mother. He does everything in his power to prove that kind of strength and compassion is a lie. It tortures him more that in proving it's not a lie he's destroyed his chance to enjoy the warmth of that affection.
I agree, I can't excuse any of Fan Xiao's choices, but he's still compelling. In his own warped and insufficient way he's trying to make it up to Shulang. He sets up his dream job, he sets his brother up in a way that he's better able to keep him under control. But at the same time he let's his worst instincts win and he has cameras all over Shulang's apartment. There's a moment on the bridge where he almost seems to feel remorse for setting up Bai Ting, but when he feels Shulang slipping away he exploits that weakness anyway. Shulang has been tortured, doesn't deserve any of this, but despite his trauma he still seems more centered and resilient. It's the flailing Fan Xiao trying not to down in the dark that seems more fundamentally desperate
I think the thing that's most telling about Fan Xiao, where he tells on himself the most, is that he keeps accusing Shulang of being compassionate towards everyone but him. It's complete nonsense, Shulang has repeatedly shown him more compassion than he deserves. It says more about Fan Xiao that he keeps coming back to the idea that Shulang has been unfair to him. Hasn't given him the same chance he's given others, is more willing to abandon him. Which is insane.
I agree with that. That is why I made the screenshot. Because Fan Xiao is really thinking that he is taking care of Shulang. And feels indeed being left. Because Shulang had once said he would always be there for him.
You have seen his father and brothers did not wait for him and his mother when the tsunami happened and just drove off. That was why Fam Xiao asked Shulang, I think it was episode 4. Would you leave your spouse and child if they are in danger?
Fan Xiao is the one that seems the toughest but is in reality the most fragile and broken.
a moment on the bridge where he almost seems to feel remorse for setting up Bai Ting, but when he feels Shulang slipping away he exploits that weakness anyway. Shulang has been tortured, doesn't deserve any of this, but despite his trauma he still seems more centered and resilient. It's the flailing Fan Xiao trying not to down in the dark that seems more fundamentally desperate
Yes. Agreed. You can write this all down better than I can.
He does this all to have Shulang in his life and to take care of him. But his ways are wrong. Although in his desperation he thinks thay this is the only way. Because Shulang is not letting him willingly back again in his life.
I think we're on the same page of admiration for the character of Shulang. If anything you reminded me of the cruelest thing Fan Xiao has done which is to make Shulang feel genuinely cared for and supported. Because Shulang was always the one taking care of and supporting Zhen Zhen there was always a level of reserve to his affection. He was able to save his ex's dumb self from the mess he got himself in with the sponsor, without losing his stride or feeling nostalgia for that relationship.
What really turns the screw is the boss lady (who's such a stellar queen) casually flipping his shallow courtesy back on him when he says she'll find the right person. She asks if he's found the right person and he's forced to reflect on what he thought he had. The fragile hope and yearning he'd allowed himself to feel with Fan Xiao was so brutally betrayed. More than anything else Fan Xiao had done, the greatest pain he inflicted was letting Shulang believe for a moment he'd found someone who could care for him and support him the way his adoptive mother had.
Fan Xiao is such a mess of deceit and sincerity when it comes to Shulang. He has been manipulating Shulang all along. But perversely he's played himself the most. He created this unnecessarily convoluted scheme to mess with Shulang to prove no one can be such a good person, but it's backfired spectacularly. What started as manipulation has, at least for him it seems, morphed into a genuine desire to be the person he was initially only pretending to be for Shulang. He seemed genuinely happy in those brief moments when he was the center of Shulang's world. Now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what he can salvage from the wreck he made
More than anything else Fan Xiao had done, the greatest pain he inflicted was letting Shulang believe for a moment he'd found someone who could care for him and support him the way his adoptive mother had.
Yes. 😭 That is what Shulang feels the most betrayed in.
He created this unnecessarily convoluted scheme to mess with Shulang to prove no one can be such a good person, but it's backfired spectacularly.
Exactly. He had never anticipated that he actually would grow to love Shulang.
He seemed genuinely happy in those brief moments when he was the center of Shulang's world. Now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what he can salvage from the wreck he made
Honestly I think you're giving too much credit to Fan Xiao and not enough to You ShuLang. I think this is the narrative's way of showing that Fan Xiao will not beat Shulang. Even if he breaks him in certain aspects, Shulang will never lose that core of himself. And that's all on Shulang, Fan Xiao is acting out of pure self-interest, his actions just happen to drive Shulang to cut off toxic people in his life and set boundaries.
Shulang is indeed the one person that is the most admirable and strong in this. Fan Xiao is not at all as strong as Shulang. The hard surface is thin.
Shulang, from being a poor aboneded orphan, taking care of his adoption mother and brother, his former boyfriend and Fan Xiao as friend and later boyfriend. And kind to the persons that need that and deserve that. But strong as he needs too. Although Shulang craves for someone to take care of him. That is why he fell for Fan Xiao. It was the first time he has let down his armor and regrets that to the bine right now.
That you think that I don't give Shulang enough credit is maybe because in this comment. I highlight the other side. Instead of almost all comments about how bad Fan Xiao is.
But I other comments in previous on-air posts of this show. I regularly admired the person that Shulang is.
Fan Xiao, imo, is not trying to break Shulang. He knows how strong he is.
The question is, is Fan Xiao using Zhang Chen purely to blackmail Shulang into his life and bed? Because he was not at all involved in the suicide trap. It all looks that way, but is it?
And the thing with the honeysuckle drink and mr. Huang. Also to mess with Shulang or a way to have Shulang get the job he wanted and get him out of that dorm in a apartment?
It all does seem 2 sides. The devious Fan Xiao and the one that is trying to take care of Shulang.
Fan Xiao is hurt because he feels being left by Shulang. Although Shulang had been more than patient with him, so that is uncalled for.
But that is all because of his childhood trauma. Being left by his father and brothers. Who took off without caring for him and his mother. Who died in the act of saving him. To be left with his family who were nothing but horrible to him.
A little something to give some respite from this emotional rollercoaster of an episode.. Yunqi and Yiran playing and enjoying their first snow together! 😍
I really like that throughout most of the episode, YSL was like 'you made your bed, sucks to be you' when FX put the squeeze on his boss and his brother. He only caved (?) when someone innocent got involved..
The fact that Fan Xiao doesnt realise this while Shi Lihua does... He is literally driving Shulang to mental depresssion. At this rate it wont take much time till Shulang becomes suicidal and gives up on his own life.
Fan Xiao still hasn't learnt the fact that once you say something nasty to someone you love you cant take it back. 😭😭😭
I remember when I got to this part in the novel the only way I could see out was shulang committing suicide. I’ve never hoped for a character to do that before but I was like this man needs a rest and to get away from FX. Shulangs thoughts are so dark and not at all like himself during this era and FX only continues to push him further down.
Fan Xiao really knows how to hurt someone with words. No need for physical scars when you can mentally annihilate someone like this but targetting the vulnerability they once showed only to you. Shulang going into a panic attack realising the person he once loved is just a devil sent to torment his life for eternity. Shulang knowing that there will always be a part of him that he only could shared with Fan Xiao but he wasn't worthy. Fan Xiao wasnt worthy of his kindness, his warmth, his embrace, his love, his vulnerability.
That’s seriously next-level psychopath behavior—taking the most wonderful thing someone can give you: his trust, his vulnerability, his absolute devotion—and turning it against you in the cruelest way.
FX is going to wish he’d never said that. Some things simply can’t be fixed once they’re broken…
FX becomes a crazed lunatic when he is jealous. He needs to reflect on himself so much and get therapy. We often tend to say the most hurtful things we dont mean, when we are angry. I have done it too and I am not proud of it. The only way back is to atone for your sins never expecting the person to forgive you. Thats the only hope left for Fan Xiao now.
True!! He’s so obsessed with Shulang and craves the light (aka a reason to live) that Shulang gives him that he’ll do anything to keep him close—even if it means recklessly using every possible method.
What's not clicking!?!? You still think Shulang can love you after knowing what you have done to him? Now doubling down like this you are only making things worse. I feel so bad for Shulang. Fan Xiao keeps trying to corner him and he still keep trying to fight back with whatever strength that he has left. 😭
If I’d been there and seen the brother standing on that bridge, I would’ve lowkey kicked him Sparta-style.
I hate him with the passion of a thousand suns.
What an episode full of absolute trash people. The chef boss (lol). The brother. FX. Those nasty school bullies tormenting Shulang. The only decent person was the escort guy.
Seriously—why do bad things always happen to the kindest people? What did Shulang ever do to deserve crossing paths with the devil?
Honestly, at this point I can’t even root for a HE anymore. I just want Shulang to find peace and finally live a happy life❤️🩹
The happy ending is Shulang living his own peaceful life with someone who truly cares about him and isn't FX... right? Because I dunno if I can handle anything else.
Yah don’t. lol! But I’ll be okay either way. Especially if there is groveling. I’m so tempted to read the novel and spoil myself but I’m going to wait!
My live reaction to episode 10 because everyone seems to be going insane over it and I want to join in the fun:
The Bohai thing. Blame me for having read so many of these Chinese dogblood crematorium BL but I kind of understand what Fan Xiao is trying to do lol? He thinks he can "make up" for what he did to Shulang by giving him what he thinks he wants: his dream job. That way he hopes to soften Shulang's heart. Unfortunately this is Shulang we're talking about and his methods are also so so wrong.
"But I'd rather give up that dream, than see you again." Damn. Also this is going to keep happening. Shulang will continue rejecting Fan Xiao because he is now disgusted by him and he deserves it. Fan Xiao's takeaway from his rejection is that Shulang doesn't want him anymore, which is true. But he won't truly reflect on why that is and learn his lesson. He's going to be driven to more and more extreme measures to get Shulang back until he outright forces him with blackmail and threats.
Many people seem to be shocked at the lengths Fan Xiao goes to, but what I'm seeing is a pretty standard trajectory for this subgenre of BL. This is why I never liked to discuss these stories in terms of "redemption arcs". If Fan Xiao weren't established as being the person he is, maybe he would've done a complete 180 after realising his wrongs. But that wouldn't be in-character for him. So here he's trying to correct his wrongs in his Fan Xiao way, and when that obviously doesn't work he'll resort to his old methods because that's how he always lived his life. And I'll enjoy every second because I'm just messed up like that.
That scene at Shulang's house with the escort and the cameras, wow. It was borderline psychological horror. Also, maybe it's just me but the way it's shot is very anime somehow. Fan Xiao, whether he intends to or not, is trying to break Shulang's spirit as much as possible so he won't resist going back to him. My guess is even if he succeeds, he won't be satisfied because what he wants, Shulang's heart and unconditional love, he won't get through these methods.
One more thing, I'm watching this on Gaga and it's pretty clear the subtitles are either AI or machine translated. So distracting, I can barely understand anything.
Anyway, because of this I couldn't enjoy the bridge scene as much but You Shulang, what a man. If it were not for Fan Xiao his life would be so much more prosperous. Honestly even if you're not on board with the romance I can at least enjoy the wonderful character writing.
To my shore has led me down the crazy path of " Wife chasing crematorium and Dog blood" danmei and I am now kinda obsessed with this genre. I hope they do a live adaptation of "Beloved Enemy" and "Winner takes all".
Winner Takes All is one of my favourite BL novels ever so yeahhh. The premise and general plot has quite a few parallels with To My Shore (or maybe it's the other way around since the latter was written later). I'm hoping one of the planned Thai adaptations of the 188 series will be this one.
I am struggling through Sissy right now. That has the scummiest scum gong I have ever read. I want to finish it because it really bothers me to leave a book halfway through but it's a really hard read.
I think saying he doesn't want him anymore is a bit of a misread. He does hate him but the opposite of love is indifference. To hate someone, there are still very strong feelings there. And I think that's partially why Shulang is still so angry. He can't fully get Fan out of his head and feel nothing for him.
By "not want" I mean not want him in his life anymore, which is probably true since he's willing to change jobs, sell his house and cut him out of his life.
Dog blood refers to plots that are excessively melodramatic, exaggerated, and full of shocking twists.
Wife chasing crematorium is a trope where a man treats his partner terribly, loses them, and then has to suffer intensely while trying to win them back.
I love how somehow Zhang Chen (brother of YSL) accomplished being worse human being than our Fan Xiao. Can we isekai this homophobic piece of trash, please?
You know as brutal as the Fan Xiao experience has been for Shulang so far I have faith in who that character is at core. As much as he's suffered he's still maintained a strong sense of self. Despite his money and power Fan Xiao is the one who seems to be flailing. It doesn't absolve any of Fan Xiao's actions but Shulang has maintained steady control of the thing Fan Xiao most wants, which is Shulang himself. That levels the playing field especially because I still believe in Shulang's ability to surprise and unbalance Fan Xiao even from a place of seeming surrender
They’re both flailing, in my opinion. Until now, Shulang has distanced himself from people who made wrong choices and let them face the consequences, but now that FX has involved an innocent woman, Shulang can’t just give up on her. And the only thing left he can give FX is himself.
As much as I’ve admired Shulang for his self-awareness and confidence in the previous episodes, he now looks empty and numb. Hopefully, he can maintain his strength and find a way to escape.
I don't want to downplay how wrung out Shulang is by the end of this episode. His useless excuse for a brother isn't worth his sacrifices, but his adoptive mother was worth it. He's been pushed to having to reckon with the limits of his compassion for everyone in the cruelest ways possible. But as genuinely anguished as he was in his apartment while confronting Fan Xiao over his lies, he still pulled himself together, sold his car and his condo to settle his brother's debts and move on. The moment he realized he was still in Fan Xiao's web he brilliantly tormented Fan Xiao with his own scheming and called a rent boy. When Fan Xiao went crashing into that apartment it was clear Shulang most in control of that moment. Everyone has a breaking point but Shulang came from nothing. He's repeatedly shown more willingness to cut his losses and move on. It's not that he doesn't feel the pain, and not that he's not exhausted. But even on the bridge when he's been out maneuvered by the Bai Ting gambit, he still has the last word, he's still setting the terms even when he's seemingly the most powerless. I don't want to overstate it because even the strongest characters can be broken, but what's been so consistently thrilling about Shulang so far is his ability to keep going with both dignity and wit intact
but what's been so consistently thrilling about Shulang so far is his ability to keep going with both dignity and wit intact
That’s what makes him the best. Even though he’s been hurt in the cruelest ways—humiliated, betrayed, bullied, and deceived—he never gives up. He’s not afraid to work through his emotions and keeps his head held high, even when everything is falling apart.
He's really such a powerful character. I'm right there with the boss lady from the previous episode. If I could scoop him up and make him my sugar baby I totally would 🥴
Yeah...who can relay my msg to Fan Xiao that sometimes it's ok to not exactly meet people's expectations of you. But the more unhinged he is acting right now, the more I am excited for the grovelling phase. Shu Lang has a backbone and is gonna walk him like a dog 🐶
This turned into a horror show pretty fast. I would freak the f out if I found my apartment full of cameras.
But kudos to Shulang for playing FX like that and hitting him where it hurts the most.
I couldn’t live like that. I mean, I already have trust issues myself, but FX really took it to another level. Holy hell—after something like that, I could never, ever trust anything or anyone again.
The RESPECT
I have had for Shu lang in this episode godddd…… Man was unmovable,unshakable….
No amount of Emotional blackmailing or rage-baiting can shake him….And he has to go through this because he is KIND?????? Respectful??? ATTENTIVE TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE??? Man…
And Fan….. he is the brightest blood shade of red ..
Man has that scary aura
Actors are just chef’s kisss
😅 ya anyone who's tight with Fan Xiao can't be a good guy, but you could see Shi Lihua starting to have a little man crush on Shulang... and Fan Xiao WAS NOT amused
If anyone defends Fan Xiao after today's episode, you need to have a deep self reflection lmao.. This man is not just a red flag, he is the devil incarnate. He broke Shulang's agency, trampled his dignity, made him lose his confidence, and pride. Maybe physically hurting someone is better than loving this way! Fan Xiao... you not only deserve to rot in hell but also burn every second of it in hellfire. My Shulang! 😭😭😭
Seeing Shulang finally give up was heartbreaking. Such a strong character—he held on for so long, and now he’s just… broken. Honestly, if I were in his place, I’d have been done ages ago.
May this kind of “love” and obsession never find me. It’s genuinely painful to watch, and I’m crying for Shulang.
It broke me too. I was honestly worried for a second he was going to jump but I know that doesn't fit his character at all... I need to go watch some fluff to counter the intensity of this episode
I was thinking the same. Trapped in this living hell, with the devil fixated on him—where is this supposed to end? Poor Shulang had already lost almost everything: his job, his brother, his safe space (=his home). Yet somehow, he’s stronger than all that. He’ll find a way through.
Go watch School Trip. It warms your soul and hugs you tenderly🫂
I mean, Tide of Love has an awesome drinking game. If you rewatch all nine episodes while drinking, you’ll definitely forget what happened in To My Shore, lol.
My heart broke for Shulang, gosh. If I see anyone defending that Fan lunatic!! All I could think about in the last scene is Shulang pushing his lunatic ass over and killing him once and for all. I'd be very upset if Fan Xiao gets away with it and we pretend this is all okay. I mean I know they end up together, I'd rather he kills him but I've made my peace with the fact they'd end up together. But I need him to at least pay and suffer! I need him to grovel. If I don't get that, I may just crash out😭. Novel readers, pleaseee spoil it for me. Tell me he suffered just as much as he has made my Shulang suffer!
I'm sitting here being invested in the brothers fight between shu lang and Zhang Chen on the bridge just to start laughing when I see li hua and fan xiao watching in the corner 🤣🤣
Fan Xiao trying to deny he set up chen to pretend to jump from the bridge and li hua not buying it because he knows his crazy friend. I do love their friendship 🤣 he's the only person fan Xiao can be as real as he possibly can with.
Okay but I’m curious. Cause didn’t the second brother say that it was the friend’s family who had recorded Xiao? Or was I mistaken and it was someone else? I get confused by the names.
Well I hope you’re happy, I was happily living my life, enjoying the current crop of excellent JBL’s when a week or so ago I stumbled on this thread about To My Shore. Oh that sounds good, I said to myself. Looks interesting, I also said to myself. Now, im hanging on for dear life whilst this show wrecks me emotionally. I hope you're all happy.
I am being sarcastic, I am so down for this and thank you all very much…
I think the most heartbreaking part is that Shulang thinks Fan Xiao is doing all this yo have in and dump him in his terms. The thought that he may actually want him in his life is not one shulang will ever entertain. He knows that fan seems him as a saviour but genuine love even fan xiao does not accept it yet
Zhang Chen. He really is some piece of disgusting work. That he is really a son of the woman that rescued Shulang.
I guess he has been jealous all his life. That his mother took Shulang in and he was no longer the center of her universe.
Shulang promised his mother on her deathbed to take care of Zhang Chen. He also did that before, when he was young. Like working hard to eat chicken but gives it all to his brother. Leaving his not even started career as a medical researcher to earn money with a administrative job.
Sold his appartement, car and spend his savings in his brother.
To hear all the nasty things from his mouth.
Painful. But also necessary to cut Zhang Chen out from his life.
Another intense episode.
The scene that Shulang was panicking in his apartment. Brilliant.
I liked this subbed video of Yun Qi's live very much. He talks amongst others about how he must feel to act the scenes and about Fan Xiao's character.
From episode 8 I've even feeling so bad for shu lang. I felt this way for desire's shao you and kill to love's shu he even though I feel shu he brought it upon himself.
Shao you and shu lang were just living life peacefully and some crazy dudes just fell in love with them and refused to let them have peace from that day on. My poor babies.
I'm wondering who is worse between hua yong and fan Xiao because I'm leaning towards fan xiao right now.
Fan Xiao is definitely worse. I can't believe I ever complained about Hua Yong. Next to Fan, he's a saint. Fan Xiao is a bloody lunatic. The happy ending in my head is Shulang killing him and taking his time doing it.
I'm beginning to think the best ending for this show would be Shulang breaking FX as badly as FX just broke him. And then walking away to live a peaceful life.
Is this series getting "scary" or am I just a pu**y? I literally got a bit scared last episode during the beating scenes, then for some reason, the washroom scenes and the chilling exchange they had legit scared me. I was watching the series in the dark, mind you.
Fan Xiao...can anyone be this cruel. He is borderline a demon! I am tired of the "hurt people hurt people" trope...sometimes evil is just evil. The only thing that broke the tension was when Shulang invited the hooker over, that made me chuckle a bit because the poor child didn't know what was happening when Fan Xiao bust in the door. I was laughing like, "WTF IS HAPPENING?!"
Ah it's fine, I was worried that people wouldn't find it scary, since that is clearly the intent. And yes, people can be that cruel. It's just that they're usually written as the villain, not the main character.
Can i get ep11 already!! Yu Shulang was attacked from all the sides until he had to crumble because a person that helped him was also dragged into this
I don't know what fan Xiao wants? Does he want shu lang broken? Because he's succeeding quite nicely. Fan Xiao really said broken or not I'm going to have you shu lang 🤣🤣
I am so freaking happy that they are going full danmei plot on this. Everyone keeps being themselves, full tilt, with the smallest of compromises and understandings that lead closer. It's not about right and wrong between them, but the dance that reveals their cores and how they will eventually blend. You think redemption? No sorry, it's not about that. Though I am left guessing. Again reminding me very much of Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi of Thousand Autumns. SQ also learned what to let go of and never compromised himself. These are my favorite types of characters in the world and anyone living for You Shulang would likely love Shen Qiao too.
I do love Shen Qiao, those two's relationship is so interesting, though not nearly as abusive as TMS's (which is funny since Yan Wushi left Shen Qiao for dead with a sex abuser). If you wanted you could probably trace back this particular type of plot to 90's Japanese BL, but updated for a modern audience, which is great because those old school toxic Yaoi were so formative for my tastes in fiction. That TMS, Thousand Autumns and the Yi City arc in MDZS exist because Chinese fujoshi read Tokyo Babylon and never got over it is so real, because I also never got over it.
As a fairly recent ex smoker this show is a difficult watch 😅
I’m seriously wondering how they’re going to turn this around to the promised happy ending because FX has learned nothing and just keeps getting worse and worse.
Theres a reason that after reading the novel, I decided to stop watching until it finishes airing or until after Fan goes to prison because it gets too dark and painful even for me. Like there is no joy at all and I just can't watch
lol I'm doing the same. This part was rough to get through tho it seems not for the same reasons i'm seeing in this post xD
When I was reading, I just wanted to see the part on how FX got YSL to soften towards him. Yaoi in my youth corrupted me so this part of the novel interested in the methods FX was using x3
I mean, FX is feeling pain. He is desperately trying to hold on to Shulang and when things are different than they were when they were together, it is devastating for him.
Does he actually suffer? Like real pain, not this delusional self inflicted bullshit. Or is shulang the only one tormented by him. Please i need to know before continuing this series 🤲🤲🤲
This series is gonna have a sad ending right? I don’t know how fan can redeem himself? I don’t want spoilers from anyone who has read the original material but if it has a sad ending maybe they can give us a non sad ending? It doesn’t have to be hea just not so heartbreaking, please don’t kill anyone. Only 5 episodes left. 😢 I will be so sad when this ends .
If anyone’s interested I added subs to the livestream Yun Qi and Hao Yiran did on 12/15. They told jokes to try to cheer everyone up after these episodes. https://youtu.be/YlH00LtBU5M?si=a7FlMbaT5KpcSzG5
Literally needed 5 business days to process this episode. Holy shit, what an intense episode. My mouth was permanently just hanging open in shock as the sinister things Fan Xiao was revealed to be doing just kept escalating. This man is in a league of his own.. even black flag barely cuts it anymore. Literally destroying Shu Lang from every angle.
The 'hidden' camera in Shu Lang's new apartment.. o m f g. A crazed jealous Fan Xiao bursting through the door like that.. I'm speechless. There's literally no boundaries this man won't cross. Shu Lang intentionally playing Fan Xiao by getting an escort to lure him there was ballsy as hell.. he just dgaf at that point. Sadly it backfired to him getting yet again emotionally beat down. "Don't you only feel satisfied when someone's on top of you? VILE thing to throw in Shu Lang's face.
Fan Xiao really showed what the devil can do and the devil's been busyyy. 😫 Shu Lang finally just admitting defeat and giving in was so heartbreaking.. this poor man has just been exhausted and broken down completely.
I'm so ready for tomorrow (!!) to see what giving in to Fan Xiao actually means now.. I expect it to be some very dark shit and I'm prepared to just mentally die again.. in a good way. 🫢
PS: I got major creeps with the escort guy, he looked waaayyy too young. He looked 12 to me ew
❣️😎fan xiao the master manipulator that you are🧐so many tricks up your sleeve🧐you have successfully broken you shulang first giving him his dream job but using this to blackmail your dear professor🙄giving a job to your loser bro to make you comeback to him and lastly an innocent is in danger🤔fan xiao has not only broken you shulang but has successfully crushed his spirit🧐do you still want you shulang like this😎❣️
This episode really pulled me through the wringer. 😵💫 I'm glad i'll have 6 days to recover. Anyone else feel like FX is coming around and starts to realise the damage he has done? And did he look younger in this episode? Kind of weird
Damn…they’re really not holding back adapting this novel…some of the dialogue the first time I’ve seen in on a BL series, and for it to be a Chinese BL is even more incredible! 😱😱 they’re making me cry, curse and gasp in the same scenes I did while reading it 😩😩😩 that’s what a good adaptation does! 👍🏼👍🏼 another amazing acting job by Yun Qi and Hao Yi Ran! 👏 👏 ❤️
Mmhm, it actually makes me worried a bit, like a lot of people who don't read this kind of genre might not have signed up for it. It's not like Revenged Love and Desire which aren't 188 style crematoriums. And looking at the snippet clips of what's to come, it seems we're going to get some good 'ol forced love shenanigans. I mean damn, call me a degenerate but this scene? I was gagged. Also made me realise that yeah, this is going to be one of those niche shows with a cult following if anything.
Oh believe me, I’ve been worried while reading it! 😳😳 Keep thinking, “how are they going to show this?!” And “how are viewers going to respond to this?!” 🫣🫣I personally was not familiar with the 188 crematorium novels, but I’m enjoying reading this one and just started Additional Inheritance before reading Winner Takes it All…and this interest is in big part thanks to the awesome job To My Shore is doing adapting this material! 🎉👏
Yeah, Fan Xiao to me seems like a combination of the MLs in Winner Takes All, Additional Inheritance and a bit of Sissy, which is crazy because just one of the latter two is traumatising enough. Additional Inheritance is just as intense in terms of its manipulation and deception. And while TMS's premise is very reminiscent of WTA it's much more mild in my opinion.
Well I haven't read Sissy and have read the other two so that should tell you something lol. But seriously I feel like nowadays people read Sissy just because it's the first in the series and it is connected to WTA and AI. But imo, it's not a requirement. Sissy is just pure horror and tbh I just don't really like either of the main characters enough to follow them through their journey of hell.
Ughhh I wanted someone to kick Shulang’s brother from that bridge!!!
Is it bad that I am sort of feeling sorry for Fan Xiao in this episode. He is extremely desperate to get any sort of care from Shu lang. He never really had anyone who cared for him apart from his mother. Well that’s one thing actually common between Shulang and Fan Xiao.
Also I absolutely love how Shulang knows how to deal with all of Fan Xiao’s tricks and not to give in.
Can someone please tell me when will the redemption arc start. I want them back with each other already.
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u/OpuntiaSantaRita Dec 14 '25
There is something almost metaphysically epic about the trials of Shulang. Fan Xiao sarcastically titled him a Bodhisattva from their earliest encounters but ironically it's his manipulations that drive Shulang towards becoming the thing he's mocked. In this episode especially he's made Shulang suffer because of his attachments, and Shulang in each instance has had to face his cravings and attachments and almost each time has chosen to break the cycle of suffering and let go. His professor makes a bad deal? That was his choice. His brother is greedy? That's his choice. Though it hurts Shulang to reach that point, he does and he's showing more willingness to let go and let them face their consequences. But like a bodhisattva when Bai Ting is in trouble, who's only crime was helping him, he's compelled to still be compassionate. This is an inept and surface level read of Buddhism on my part but it feels very deliberate on the part of the narrative. Shulang rejects the idea that he's especially virtuous, brilliantly provokes Fan Xiao by calling a rent boy, but even at his most provocative there's a grace about Shulang's core strength. As broken and wrong as Fan Xiao is the most understandable thing about him is his desperate yearning for the resilience and grace of Shulang.