(I don’t know what’s wrong but my pics are so darn big! Sorry.)

Add this to the list of things I like about this show: it’s a clean romance but the innuendoes are easily picked up by degenerates like me and @agdr03.

We got this, @agdr03. lol.

For instance, in the last episode, we saw the girls asking Weiwei how far she’s gone with Nai in their relationship.

Erxi: Weiwei, how far have you and Master gotten?
WW: Meeting the parents.
Erxi: So soon?
WW: I’m kidding. It’s only been a week since we met. How could that possibly happen so fast? I meant I just had Professor Xiao’s class today.
Sisi: You guys established a relationship after only two hours. At that rate, it wouldn’t be strange to meet the parents after a week.
WW: I haven’t met his parents, I swear.
Erxi: Really?
WW: I really haven’t. Why did I have to make that joke?
ZiaoLing: That’s not possible. Has Master Xiao changed his strategy and is taking it slow now? He’s planning on cooking a frog with warm water?

There are several ways to interpret Erxi’s question, “How far have you gone?”

Weiwei understands the “clean” version of levels in a relationship. If you want a visual image, just picture Dante’s nine concentric circles of Hell: meeting their friends, then going to couple events, then meeting the parents, being invited to family events, getting engaged, going to engagement parties, and getting married. Weiwei and Nai start from the outermost circle and as they move through the circles going inward, their stress level increases exponentially. That’s why Weiwei worried about meeting Nai’s dad in her archaeology class. She knows that encounter is “leveling up.” However, as soon as Weiwei relates to her friends that she’s gone as far as meeting Nai’s parents, she realizes that this disclosure, even said jokingly, is a bit too bold so she walks it back.

Now, I think her friend Sisi understands the romantic version so she waxed lyrical about the rain, “First, it’s howling winds and torrential rain so he can’t find his path. And then a fine drizzle to leave him confused and disoriented. And what kind of rain comes last?” (Really, what the heck is she talking about?)

As for Erxi, she understands the sexual connotation of her question. She undoubtedly acquired her knowledge theoretically, that is, from reading about it on the internet. She’s aware that there are stages to the physical intimacy that a couple goes through. If you want an analogy, the baseball game is often used.

The couple goes to first base, second base, third base and finally, homerun. As far as I know (Hey! I’ve sons!), in middle school here in the US, first base means holding hands, second base is hugging, third base is you-don’t-want-to-know-Mom! and homerun is a kiss on the lips. But for older couples, the bar is raised and the starting point is kissing, then groping, then a mixture of kissing and groping (hahaha, just use your imagination), homerun is consummation. (Why am I giving sex ed classes now??) 

It’s noteworthy that of all the four girls, only ZiaoLing has the empirical knowledge of “bases” because she’s the one with a boyfriend. ZiaoLing knows first-hand what to expect as she’s gone through the levels of relationship herself. Hence she’s skeptical that Master Xiao changed his strategy and wonders whether he’s taking it slowly.

I’m explaining the girls’ conversation in Episode 13 because we find the answers in Episode 14 to both Erxi’s and Ziaoling’s questions.

Here are highlights:

1. Telling her to stop bullying the guys

I like the guys’ unsuccessful attempt to fan Weiwei’s jealousy while Nai’s away in Shanghai. But I also like the guys’ successful attempt to defend Weiwei’s honor from malicious gossip in Nai’s absence.

Thanks, Mozarta!

But most of all, I like their successful attempt to stir up Nai’s suspicions on Weiwei. lol.

Throughout the day, they’ve been texting him to complain about Weiwei.

Remember? The first time was Mozarta at lunchtime. The first time was Mozarta during lunch. Mozarta reported that Weiwei’s coming on to him, and Nai replied to enjoy it and he didn’t mind.

The second text came on his way to the gala. This time he didn’t reply. He ignored the text but I can detect a tinge of sullenness when he sat in the car thinking, “Looks like you guys are having fun without me.”

The third time came on his way out of the gala. Friend #1 texted that his wife is bullying him again. And immediately, he called up Weiwei. Not texted, but CALLED her up.

Nai: It seems that when I’m away you’re having fun with Old Man Yu and the boys?

Weiwei: No, not at all. I’ve been busy studying. (and she’s right.) I just got online for a few minutes to sent them their guardian beasts.
Nai: Then why have I been getting complaints from them?

Weiwei: Complaints? Shouldn’t it be compliments? I gave them graduation gifts. Next time I log in, I’ll beat them up.

She’s really annoyed and that must have reassured him.

Nai: Weiwei.

Weiwei: I mean PK (PK = Player Kill).
Nai: Don’t hang out with them too often. They led you astray. You don’t have to beat them up. Get them to beat themselves up.
Weiwei: The truth is you led me astray, didn’t you?
Nai: I’m glad to be your role model.

Weiwei: Well, I’m running out of time. Take care of yourself out there.
Nai: I will
Weiwei: Bye bye.

2. The French Restaurant

Weiwei finds out that Erxi finagled an invitation an invitation from her husband to dine out en famille. When Weiwei attempts to cancel the dinner, Nai refuses, saying that she should have reminded him earlier of this matter.

The impression I got here is that he was unaware of his obligations as a boyfriend and he wanted Weiwei to guide him. Treat out his girlfriend’s friends to dinner as a way to introduce himself is probably one of these obligations, and he wanted to do this right.

Nai waits for the girls.

He opens the car door for Weiwei (bonus points!)

but he ignores her girlfriends (minus points!). Weirdo. Would it have killed him to open the car door for them, too? The girls want to eat at a new French restaurant and Weiwei asks them suspiciously, “Don’t you pride yourself as Chinese food lovers who don’t like western cuisine?” Her friends say that they can switch to a new flavor too so Nai steps in and says, “Weiwei, let’s just go along with our guests.”

When they arrive at their destination, Nai tells them to get out first and he’ll join them after he parks the car. Weiwei asks to go with him and he reminds her again of their duties as hosts. “Weiwei, at least one host needs to stay with our guests.”

Okay. Let me get this off my chest. I understand that Nai wants to put his best foot forward, too, and leave a good impression on his girlfriend’s BFFs. But frankly, he annoys me when he spouts these etiquette rules of a good host.

This is probably the first and last time in the whole romcom that I feel like punching Nai. He overhears the tail end of Weiwei’s rebuke of her friends’ scheme to discomfit Ai Chanel in the French restaurant. And he jumps to conclusion that she’s being stingy.

But she’s in the right. She’s protecting him.

She doesn’t want to go along with her girlfriends’ petty plan to teach Ai Chanel a lesson because she doesn’t want to use her Nai as a counter-attack. She doesn’t want to parade him like he’s a trophy for bragging. He has no inkling he’s going to be used like that.

Weiwei can’t tell him nor her friends her real reason for rejecting the French restaurant. She doesn’t want to exploit Nai and their relationship like that. But she knows her friends mean well.

Thus, she tells her friends, “We’re just here for dinner. But now that you’ve arranged this, a simple dinner has just got complicated. Forget it. (meaning, “Fine, let’s just go through with this.”) Let’s just pretend that they aren’t here. We just happen to be in the same restaurant. (The girlfriends all smile.) Later on, you’re all going to be busy eating instead of uttering a word. Hear me? (meaning, she doesn’t want them to discuss Ai Chanel at all and ruin their dinner). You’re not to eat too much either. (To me, she said this half-jokingly to punish them for putting in her this spot.)

That’s when Nai comes striding in with his “Host Etiquette Rules.” He doesn’t know the backstory and he doesn’t get the dynamics of the girls. He probably assumes that Weiwei is scolding them because she doesn’t want to impose on him or something.

And it doesn’t help that Erxi and company are ganging up together and pretending to be “abused” by Weiwei to gain sympathy (and more food, lol) from Nai.

Erxi: Senior! Look at your Weiwei.
Nai: Who treats guest like this?
Sisi: Senior, now that Weiwei said so we won’t dare to order any food.
Nai: It’s all right. Weiwei isn’t in charge of my wallet yet.

Xiaoling: We have to eat more now. When Weiwei takes over our senior’s wallet we won’t even get to eat pickles.

Ughhh. I’m triggered. If a guy said that to me when I was Weiwei’s age, I’d probably respond, “Thank you but I won’t be needing your wallet. I’ve a trust fund.”

The only reason I’m forgiving his insolent comment about his wallet is that he relents the second that Weiwei tells him that she doesn’t want to the restaurant. He says, “Okay, I’ll get the car” with no questions asked.

But I really admire Weiwei’s sincerity and respect for Nai. As they walk to the restaurant, she keeps worrying, “What was Master thinking when he came straight from the airport to pick us up? He must have thought that he was just meeting us for dinner. Who knew that there’s actually another motive behind it?” This really bothers her.

Weiwei: Let’s not go in there.

Thinking to herself: Exactly, why should I go there? Why should I dine in there for my dignity (meaning to restore her dignity and her pride)? Why should I dine in there to vex and annoy someone? Why shouldn’t I have a good time quietly and enjoy dinner with Nai and my friends?

Weiwei: I don’t like it here. Let’s go somewhere else.
Nai: Okay. I’ll get the car.

See that?? That’s the reason I’m forgiving his asshattery with the “Host Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts” and that “wallet” remark. When Weiwei says she doesn’t want to go to the French restaurant, he stops and makes a u-turn.

Weiwei: Thanks.
Nai: If you’re embarrassed you can come with me.

Weiwei: Just be quick. At least one of the hosts should stay behind with them?

Touche! I think she’s poking fun at his “Host’s Rules” because she gave him a wry smile and he looked sheepish. He should know that he comes off as officious when he tries to please her friends and chides Weiwei for not showing good manners as a host.

I also like how she and friends easily made it up.

Weiwei: Will you girls blame me?
Sisi: We won’t. Let’s not eat here if you don’t want to. You didn’t blame us for planning this behind your back either. We showed up. That’s all that matters. I’m pleased with that.
Erxi: Weiwei, you don’t have to mind them.
Weiwei: It isn’t that. If this was a Sichuan spicy poached fish restaurant where I wanted to eat, I’d still go in there even if there were ten Ai Chanels in it. But that’s a French restaurant. You don’t like it, and I don’t either. Why should we make ourselves eat what we don’t like to just to annoy someone? (meaning cut off nose to spite someone.) It’s just not worth it. You might not digest it well. Most importantly, we still had to share Master’s good looks with them. That’s such a huge loss.

To the end, she doesn’t mention that she dislikes using Nai to promote herself.

3. I believe in your appetite.

No explanation necessary here.

credit: xehun’s tumblr

lol. She’s been trolled by her own boyfriend!

Anyway, how much food did he order anyway?

4. The spicy food

All the food he ordered were spicy. But Weiwei didn’t allow him to drink anything but water.

A bottle of beer or that sweet wine cooler could have counteracted or at least alleviated the burning sensation on his tongue. Weiwei thought she was being attentive to him by not allowing him to drink and drive. She didn’t know that she made him suffer through that dinner that he was “ordered” to host and that he paid for.  Also, as he said in Episode 11, he could handle one bottle of the wine cooler.

But I guess he could have considered this whole experience with the spicy food as a necessary part of the his Induction Ceremony. To be formally recognized by Weiwei’s friends, he had to endure the initiation and pass the “test of fire.”

5. He’s angry.

Alone in the car, Nai halts it parking lot.

Nai: Weiwei.
WW: What is it? Why are are stopping here?
Nai: No reason in particular. I just find it rare to see you like this. So, I stopped to look at you a while longer.

Aha! This is where he got the idea of the red wedding dress! He likes seeing her in red. It’s a good thing she also gravitates towards red, seeing that she chose the red outfit in the store although it had a plunging neckline.

But I think he’s just flattering her because he wants to understand what happened earlier.

Nai: Why didn’t you want to go to the French restaurant?
Weiwei: Two days ago, someone posted in the school forum saying that all I have is my good looks.
Nai: Go on.

He looks fierce when he gives terse commands.

Weiwei: That’s pretty much it. They’re dining at that restaurant today. Erxi found out about it. That’s why she chose that place.

Nai: Names?
Weiwei: Ai Chanel.
Nai: And?
Weiwei: There’s another one but I’m not sure about it.

Weiwei hesitates to tell him about Meng Yiran, “Should I say Meng Yiran? It’s only a guess after all. If it wasn’t her, would that be a false accusation? Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.”

I thought this was nice of Weiwei. I would have blabbed her name in a heartbeat.

Weiwei: It’s okay. You can read it online. But don’t comment on it, just let it go. I’m not that hurt anyway. Ai Chanel was embarrassed enough, anyway.
Nai: Let it go? I’m afraid I’m not that magnanimous.

Weiwei: Are you upset for real? I’m fine. It hurt, at first. But later on, I tried to take those comments as motivation to keep me improving. But now, those meaningless comments are just too lame to be of any significance to me. What motivates me now is…

“you.”

lol. I don’t understand Chinese, but I don’t think she actually said the word “You.” She left it unsaid. That’s why they’re staring at each other like looneybirds.

Anyway, why do I think this moment is swoony?

Because this is the first time she’s seen him defend her in real life. Yes, she’s seen him online get angry at people who malign her and he makes them pay for it. But this is the first time she’s seen his anger face-to-face.

Online, he was willing to PK the offenders, even if they were girls. But in real life, he can hardly go around challenging everybody to a duel, including girls like Ai Chanel, each time Weiwei is insulted. It’s best that Weiwei tells him now that she ignores these spiteful comments.

6. The hug

Weiwei and Nai drop the car off at Nai’s home and he escorts her home. Notice that they aren’t holding hands. Both his hands are in his jeans’ pockets, while she holds her purse in one hand, and the other hand located closest to Nai is safely behind her back.

They walk in companionable silence.

Weiwei thinks walking round and round is good because all that food she ate for dinner is digested. But I think Nai’s delaying their separation because he doesn’t want to part from her company just yet. Then, he breaks their silence.

Nai: Let’s have dinner with my roommates after your exams.
WW: What? (she’s startled) Oh.
Nai: You don’t want to?
WW: It’s not that. It’s just…

She clams up as she processes her thoughts. She thinks to herself, “I keep thinking that we’re just about to get into a relationship, but now after what my roommates did, we seem to be officially in a relationship. It feels so unreal. What’s more…he’s Xiao Nai.”

To me, she’s saying that she thought that they were still in THAT courtship stage before the “going steady” stage. Because Nai didn’t “technically” court her and simply declared unilaterally that they’ve always been in “that” kind of relationship, she can’t tell exactly where they’re at in the relationship.  She didn’t get to say “Yes, let’s date.” or “Yes, let’s go steady” so she doesn’t know in what Circle of Hell she’s currently in.

“Uhhh…are we in limbo, Nai?”

To compound her confusion, her friends already met him and ate with him so he’s been officially welcomed into the fold as a couple.

Furthermore, although she’s long accepted him as her online spouse, being an offline or real couple with him still feels surreal to her. Unlike the food that she ate for dinner, she still can’t digest that she’s dating the campus god, Xiao Nai.

Now, while she’s busily pondering all this, she happens to glance at Nai who’s been waiting patiently for her to finish her answer.

He raises an eyebrow and coaxes her for a response, “Hmm?”

WW: It just feels a bit unreal.

He stops then and looks at her seriously. Then, he pulls her into a hug while he explains.

Nai: I didn’t want to move this fast. Does it feel real now?

She smiles.

So, the answer to Erxi’s question, “How far have you gone with Nai?” is a hug, and the answer XiaoLing’s question, “Is he planning on cooking a frog with warm water?” is yes, he’s taking the slow burn for her. Nai originally intended to give her time to get used to them as a couple, especially the physical aspect of it, but he realized that he was taking it tooooo slow that she became unsure and tentative of their status herself.

And the “cherry on top” of the entire evening is afterward rumor circulated that “a guy ran into Xiao Nai in the dorms. He rushed up to Xiao Nai and asked, ‘What do you think about the post on the forum?’”

According to gossipers (and Erxi, the purveyor of gossips), his answer was a very pithy, “Better to have than be without.”

Erxi: Here’s the problem. What did he mean by that?
ZiaoLing: These six words don’t seem much at first glance, but once you think about it, it’s mean and hurtful. Especially for a girl, the insult really sinks in.
Sisi: (ever the innocent) So what is it that Ai Chanel and Meng Yiran are without?
Ziaoling: As a student of Marxism, you must learn to perceive the essence through the appearance (or in other words, you should go past the appearance of things, to perceive the essence of things). Ai Chanel attacked Weiwei probably because she’s lacking in that regard.

Now, I can give the classy, puerile, Marxist and fruity interpretations to his comment, “Better to have than be without.”

Classy: With great breasts, come great responsibilities.
Puerile: I’d rather be a D cup than a T cup. (Get it? The size of a teacup.)
Marxist: There’s a heavy progressive and graduated tax on brains as manifested by the increased size of mammary glands. The bigger the brains, the bigger the boobs.
Fruity: Their complaints are just a case of sour grapes. They’re just sour because their tatas are the size of grapes.

lol. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nai had a hand in spreading the rumor. He would be the type to fight fire with fire, or in this case, rumor with rumor. Ai Chanel (and Yiran) would be hurt by the gossip and insinuation that they attacked Weiwei only because they were envious of her. They’re flat-chested themselves and hence unattractive to guys like him.

credit: fondodepantallatumblr.blogspot.com

Sisi: Can it be true?
ZiaoLing: It must be.
Erxi: Weiwei, how does Lord Xiao Nai know that you do have it? (meaning the body in general and boobs to be specific). Has he hugged you?

Weiwei tickles her.

Erxi: You’re killing me! My mask is falling off. Alright! I won’t ask anymore about your figure but as things stand right now, you must tell us whether he’s hugged you or not.
WW: I thought about it. I think it’s best to leave it a mystery for you.
Erxi: That’s a yes then.

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

Gotta rest now.