Day 3: Cuddling

Day 3: Cuddling

Daily Star throwing shade like always

Legend behavior from Belle Grace

Wingzun's shading is complete! Now to get a Binghe going 👏

So idk if any of y'all remember the Australian comedian Lewis Spears who last year during a set while telling jokes about Prince Philip learned that he literally just died, and the entire crowd starting cheering.

Well he had another set last night and gave the queen the same treatment

Here's the Philip one in case anyone hasn't seen it

( I have the very lovely @kimalysong to thank for encouraging me to post this bit of overthinking which I greatly appreciate!)

Now that we have a full line up of the EN release for the covers of the main story for MDZS, I was curious to discuss the running theme of them which consists of Wei Wuxian metaphorically looking towards his future (meaning Lan Wangji) throughout the art.

For reference, each of the covers:

In the first, we are given Wei Wuxian's first meeting with Lan Wangji, which was were his subconscious spark started for him and his continued badgering of Lan Wangji under the guise of him wanting to get any other reaction aside from aloof from him. Which is fitting for his later confession of him saying all he did and do was out of want for Lan Wangji to follow him and be with him even all those years ago.

The second is just coming off of Wei Wuxian's musings of him thinking it would have been Jiang Cheng standing by him for equality and protecting each other, only for it to be Lan Wangji, who he thought hated him to show gentleness and care for his well-being. It is after that point that he fully places his trust and listens to Lan Wangji's own input through the volume. As well as Wei Wuxian's own suppressed feelings making themselves known to him more openly now that he feels secure in Lan Wangji's trust in Wei Wuxian as well. This is also the first time Wei Wuxian kisses Lan Wangji only to feel guilt much as Lan Wangji had for taking someone's first kiss, without the other fully knowing and the presumption they don't really like them.

The third, is the one to change that aesthetic visual. It feels colder as Wei Wuxian isn't the one looking longingly at the object of his affection any more , and it is Lan Wangji now instead. Here it is because this is the volume where Wei Wuxian is made to choose other's survival over his wants. He has made his choice to be seen as an enemy of the world despite having not said this himself and trying to remain on the low with the Wens that he helped to protect. By that end he has made terms that he would be unable to ever see Lan Wangji again as he himself is no longer part of the cultivation world needing to lose the ties that he had once held dear for survival of those he has protected. He has been made to feel as if he is the only one able to do this and unable to share the truth of his own sacrifices that had led to it all.

This builds up to the betrayal lead by Jiang Cheng believing others against Wei Wuxian. And, where Wei Wuxian hysterically says he had always known it would be Lan Wangji to stand against him with a sword to cut him down. All while not realizing that Lan Wangji had been there to help and give him more time as to not be killed. Something that Wei Wuxian was unaware of in his grief and hurt due to the world labelling him something he never had been. And it is Lan Wangji's time to take a step forward to do something in regards to his feelings for Wei Wuxian despite what the world and his own doubts say.

And finally, the fourth, which interestingly features Jiang Yanli as well as Jiang Cheng. Unlike the earlier back cover design of two which features Xiao Xingchen, a figure that was mused upon by Wei Wuxian, but not emotionally connected or known to him for his tragedy.

Two figures that had great prominence and hold over Wei Wuxian. Jiang Yanli with her motherly love and tenderness as the good, and Jiang Cheng, the albatross metaphorically that held Wei Wuxian down with regrets, jealousy and debts owed to him and his hurts. Yet he is not looking at either one any longer who he has left to his past, as he chooses to live in the present and the well-being of those he can trust and be trusted in turn.

This is also juxtaposed with the cover symbol on the fourth volume being a lotus. The lotus traditionally represents the breakthrough of worldly harsh adversity, while remaining steadfast to be seen as the growth into the ultimate awakening of purity of heart, mind, and spirituality. Harmony, and unwavering faith for the one you love. He is not looking to the past once again and has become sure of his ending and love with Lan Wangji that had endured despite hardship, unlike many other endings for the people he had cared for in the past. According to Buddhist proverb: to live life with unwavering faith, as the lotus does, ensures the most beautiful of revivals.