Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao’s Story and Romance

 liddi:

Ultimately, I think it best to just support their works and wish that they find happiness in all areas of their lives.

THIS.  I just want the actors to be happy in whatever relationship they are fortunate enough to find.

@Kokuto

"Okay, Jing is blinder than XY if he didn't realize CX was jealous as heck." 

"In the drama at least, I think the problem is that TSJ just doesn't pay attention to much around him, except XY. " 

I so agree with you on this. Also, it is kind of funny if you think about it, altough he didn't realize CX's jealousy, he was quite aware about XY-XL, since there were quite a few scenes where he's obvious jealous or/and scared of XL. As you said, all of his attention was towards XY, so he wasn't afraid of XL per se, more like of what XL meant to XY. 

@nathsketch 

I'm with you in the not shipping real life people thing. I personally find it a bit odd being this invested in the romantic life of strangers. I keep my interest to fictional characters and ships, safer that way. However, I am a bit nosy and love some celebrity gossips 😄

@atmospheres

I don't think shipping  real life public figures is something that is exclusive to C-fandom. You get it across the board. And interest in celebrity dating and personal lives is also prevalent across the entertainment landscapes be it Hollywood, Bollywood, South Korea etc. Does anyone remembered Twilight and the insane Robert Patterson and Kristen Stewart shippers? When those pictures of her and that director was release, their meltdown was epic. And the Sherlock fandom also spawn crazy Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman shippers.  

And just because culturally, many Asian countries are communal that doesn't makes the more intrusive behaviour healthy or acceptable.  Everything within reason,. It's one thing to think so and so are cute together and would be nice if they are dating. It's another to engage in the unhinge behaviour that some of these real-life shippers does. 

I hope you won't take my comments as criticism. And please continue to share your knowledge and understanding of the C-fandom etc. There are a number of TJC fan here and I'm sure they appreciate the information about him from a long time fan like you. Ít's really nice to get insight into the industry since for people who don't speak Chinese, we don't get a whole lot outside of the little that's is available in English. 

 atmospheres:

It's common in Chinese fandom because culturally, Chinese people are communal and community-based, so everyone is all up in everyone else's business, we're not an individualistic, don't get into my private life or business society like Western cultures are.

Oh, I thought it was the complete opposite! I thought Chinese people were more reserved about those matters. Nice to have your perspective on this! I'm always complaining that we don't get to know many Chinese views here on our MDL forums :)

 HeadInTheClouds:

I don't think shipping real life public figures is something that is exclusive to C-fandom. You get it across the board. And interest in celebrity dating and personal lives is also prevalent across the entertainment landscapes be it Hollywood, Bollywood, South Korea etc. Does anyone remembered Twilight and the insane Robert Patterson and Kristen Stewart shippers?

Exactly, that's why I assumed this was something more prevalent in other cultures, but not with the Chinese, considering celebrities usually keep things very hush-hush about their personal lives :)

LOL the Twilight era was epic indeed.

 HeadInTheClouds:

And please continue to share your knowledge and understanding of the C-fandom etc. There are a number of TJC fan here and I'm sure they appreciate the information about him from a long time fan like you. Ít's really nice to get insight into the industry since for people who don't speak Chinese, we don't get a whole lot outside of the little that's is available in English.

Yes.

 atmospheres:

Sorry if me talking about it offends or makes anyone uncomfortable, sometimes when I engage with non-Chinese fans I have to remember what is normal to discuss in Chinese fandom can be unwelcome topics elsewhere.

No, not at all. You can talk about whatever you like. No unwelcome topics here. After all those horrid photos of Xiang Liu's ending, what could possibly be worse lol! I'm getting quite thick-skinned 😹 

Well, not really. But I digress haha

 liddi:

Seeing he is on such a tight filming schedule, has there been any news about him being a part of the rumoured Lost You Forever concert?

Nothing new yet, but hoping that he'll be present! <3

 atmospheres:

(as well as the dating lives of our friends, family members, everyone around us, we Chinese are in love with love and live to be nosy).

And finally, my aunts (no, most of my family) would like to have a word with you. I guess we're more similar than I thought 🤣

 Elise:

He's my second favorite (XL being first of course). I think he had a higher chance than the other guys at the beginning. It was CX that XY thought about when she was imprisoned by that nine-tailed fox and it was CX that she thought about when she was tortured by him.

Agreed.

How come I never thought of coming here

Seeing Yang Zi's voice break during her 入戏 interview (1;52-54min mark) when she talked about the last time Xiao Yao and Xiang Liu met, I went back to look at the leaked script for that scene.  As expected, Left Ear is not in the scene. 

Leaked script Ep19  scene 16-17 (Vol 3 Ch13 / Chapter 46)

[This scene takes place after Feng Long's death. Xiao Yao realised that the bug inside her must have clued Xiang Liu in that she, and by extension, Cang Xuan was at Qingshui town, resulting in the attack]

Beneath the bright, clear moon, the ripples on Gourd Lake shimmered. A white-haired Xiao Yao came alone to the bank of the lake, and shouted in a loud voice.

XY: Xiang Liu, I know you can sense me. Get out here and see me! Xiang Liu--

Dressed in white robes, Xiang Liu appeared on the surface of the lake, treading the waves as he walked towards Xiao Yao.

XY (demanding to know): Do you understand? If you kill Cang Xuan, you are not only causing his death alone but that of the people of the world, countless lives!
XL  (cold expression, unmoved in the slightest): What of it?

Xiao Yao raised her hand and the bow appeared in her grasp, which she aimed straight at Xiang Liu.

XY: Hong Jiang cherishes his homeland, resolutely refusing to surrender. That is definitely worthy of respect. However, people cannot fight against the momentum of the world. Now Xuan Yuan, Shen Nong and Gao Xin have united. If you kill Cang Xuan, the Great Wilderness will fall apart, and war will break out again. Sacrificing the good of the world for the sake of personal righteousness. Is this what Hong Jiang's loyalty amounts to?

Xiang Liu broke into a careless smile.

XL: If Cang Xuan dies by my hand, that would mean that the world is not yet united, so how can one be fighting against the momentum of the world?
XY: You know in your heart whether what I said is right or not!
XL (faint smile): You want to use the archery skills I taught you to kill me?
XY (hands shaking): Stop right there!

Xiang Liu continued to walk towards Xiao Yao.

XL: Who would have thought you would avenge Chishui Feng Long. Since you cared so deeply for him, why didn't you marry him? After all, Tushan Jing is already dead...

Xiao Yao gritted her teeth in fury, and a silver arrow flew out with a whoosh.
The distance between them was not far and in a blink of an eye, the arrow embedded itself in Xiang Liu's chest. Xiang Liu's body shook slightly but he continued walking towards her, pulling out the arrow and flinging it aside as he did so.

XL: Don't forget I am called Nine-Lives Xiang Liu! If you wish to kill me, you must shoot a few more arrows! Be more precise! Aim here!

Xiang Liu pointed at his heart, dashing and unrestrained, his sleeves billowing in the wind.

XY: Do you think I won't dare to?

Xiao Yao endured her hurt as she nocked another arrow and drew the bow. However... dark red blood like peach blossoms in full bloom was spreading across his white robes. Unable to bear it, Xiao Yao closed her eyes, and the aim of the arrow that flew forth was off, grazing his arm as it flew by. Xiang Liu stopped in his tracks and gave her an insouciant smile as if in mockery, hiding a sliver of joy.
Her murderous urge exhausted at last, Xiao Yao lowered her hands in dejection.

XY: It is true that I can't kill you to avenge Feng Long. However, take note! If you dare to do anything to Cang Xuan, I will kill Hong Jiang! My archery skills were taught by you, and you taught me how to kill. My poisons, you have sampled countless. Those may be useless against you, but killing Hong Jiang will be child's play!

Xiao Yao turned to leave.

XL (coldly): Did I say you could go?
XY (stopped in her tracks and turned): What do you want?
XL: Over the years, you have received many favours from me. Have you ever truly repaid me?

Xiao Yao stared at Xiang Liu in disbelief.

XY (trying hard to appear calm): How do you want me to repay you?
XL (coldly): Your blood.

Shrouded in moonlight, Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao faced each other on the rippling surface of the lake. With a wave of the hand, Xiang Liu used his powers to shape a delicate container.

XL: Your blood has excellent healing properties. The war will only intensify, so there is no harm in making some healing pills.
XY: Fine, I'll give you!

Xiao Yao viciously sliced her wrist with the string of the bow, and her blood gushed out.

XY: How much do you want?
XL (coldly): As long as you don't end up dead, the more the better.

Xiao Yao slashed her wrist viciously again and again, ending up with three bleeding wounds while Xiang Liu looked on, appearing not to care. Her expression was resolute, as if without any trace of hesitation or weakness, but her eyes betrayed her desolation.

XY: Apart from Hong Jiang, is everyone else but a chess piece to you? They have no worth apart from whether they can be of use to you or not? In the past, everyone said that Nine Lives Xiang Liu is cold and cruel but I never believed them... now I do!
XL (as if looking at an idiot with pity and ridicule): I have always been a cold-blooded demon. It is not that I am heartless, but rather you are too foolish!
XY: Yes, I am too much of a fool!

As her blood continued to flow, scenes from the past flash past, stained in red.

[Flashback]
Xiang Liu and her watching the moon rise on the surface of the ocean; Xiang Liu bringing her to stroll in the ocean depths; Fangfeng Bei putting his hand on hers to teach her archery; Fangfeng Bei bringing her to eat grilled meat; Fangfeng Bei eating her poisons like delicious delicacies; Xiang Liu accompanying her in the cold dark water for 37 years.  

Xiao Yao's face turned pale from too much loss of blood, and her body swayed, but Xiang Liu  remained stony faced and stared at her coldly.

XY (devastated inside, stubbornly remaining calm outwardly): Is it enough?

Xiang Liu was silent but did not refute her words. Casting a spell with a raised hand, Xiao Yao's blood was transformed into glowing blood droplets before finally merging and solidifying into a blood red pill the size of a longan which landed on his palm.
Xiao Yao gave Xiang Liu an indifferent stare.

XY: I have repaid all your favours in blood. After tonight, you and I are strangers, and I do not wish to ever see you again in this life and this lifetime!

Having said that, Xiao Yao turned to leave, staggering as she did so. As the cold front she had forcibly maintained dissipated, tears welled up in her eyes.
Expressionless, Xiang Liu watched Xiao Yao stagger, walking out of his life with each step.
As she continued to walk, her knees buckled beneath her and she collapsed in a faint.
Xiang Liu immediately rushed to her side and held her in his arms. While his face remained uncaring, his attention was solely fixed on her. The tears brimming in her eyes told him that her coldness was a front and his own cold mask finally shattered. Xiang Liu lifted her arm. Xiao Yao had not spared herself and while the blood had dried, the three terrible slash wounds remained. Unable to bear it, Xiang Liu kissed her wounds with love and tenderness, and the wounds healed as if it had never been. However, what stood between them now was an insurmountable gulf.
Beneath the moonlight amid the ripples of the lake, Xiang Liu cradled the unconscious Xiao Yao in his arms in desolation.

*************************

[Miao Pu who was looking for Xiao Yao who gave her the slip previously, came upon her, unconscious from loss of blood. Now that Xiao Yao knew what Xin Yue had done, Cang Xuan dared not bring her back to Shen Nong mountain. Since A Nian happened to be in Qingshui town with Ru Shou who was taking over the command of the army, Cang Xuan arranged for A Nian to bring Xiao Yao back to Xuan Yuan mountain.

In the cloud carriage, Xiao Yao woke up only to find she was with A Nian, who told her she volunteered to bring Xiao Yao back to recuperate from her injuries. As Xiao Yao lapsed into unconsciousness once more, a shadow passed over A Nian's face, as if hiding some secret.]