I’m doing Episode 17 in bits and pieces because I intend to explain that “controversial” kiss and I want to separate that discussion from the rest. (lol. I know I like doing kiss analysis.) My gut feel is that the actress, contrary to popular opinion, performed the kiss scene according to script. She was following the director’s orders and the writer’s intention to a T. For comparison then, I must read the script (or novel) first that was posted here.

In the meanwhile, let’s discuss the pet tigers.

Bluntly speaking, I found this side plot about their “spiritual beast” weird and out-of-place. I didn’t get its significance but I thought it should be included in the Episode 17’s highlight. But after re-watching this scene, I think I got this, too.

The scene begins with Friend #1 Old Man asking whether Nai and Weiwei are still in a long-distance relationship.

The subs for Nai’s answer are confusing. Netflix had, “We don’t have the status and we haven’t been dating that long.” Kissasian had “I have not official title or experience.”

I’m combining both to give us the best interpretation. To me, Nai replies, “What can I do? I have no official title and we haven’t been dating that long. What do you want me to do?”

This is a first for Nai. I don’t think he’s ever VERBALIZED frustration although I pointed out in the previous episode that he was visibly frustrated that he couldn’t make Weiwei to stay and delay her departure for at least one more day. Now, he’s confiding in his friend that his hands are tied. He can’t do anything but play the waiting game.

For one, as far as Weiwei’s parents are concerned, Weiwei has no boyfriend. He can’t claim the “official title” of a boyfriend because he doesn’t exist. His parents know that he has a girlfriend, but Weiwei doesn’t want her parents informed of their relationship.

For another, they haven’t been dating long enough for him to make demands on her or to insist on being recognized as her boyfriend. They’ve no “experience,” as Kissasian said, lol. She even felt awkward when he suggested getting plane tickets.

Friend #1 teases him, “This resignation, this tone of voice…who knew you’d end up like this?” and invites him to eat out together as a sign of solidarity.

But Nai ignores his offer and stands up to leave. When asked where he’s off to, Nai says smugly, “Wedding and babies.”

In the next scene, the officiant of the wedding begins the wedding ceremony with “Fate brings together lovers destined to meet, same with spirit monsters.”

Naihe and Weiwei are praised for raising their pets well.

Nai looks proudly at Weiwei (because she’s the one who took the time to train their pets)

and she smiles back at him.

The two pets signed on the marriage certificate by putting a paw on the paper.

I notice that Nai looks thoughtfully at their pets signing on the marriage certificate.

Either he realizes that his virtual pets are in the same boat as he is or he’s envying their virtual reality. His pets have an “official status” like his, but he didn’t get to put his stamp or thumbprint on anything.

Remember what he said before?

I say I agree.

Weiwei is excited that their pets can move in together.

They can build a dwelling place for their monsters in their house. She read in the forums that “when spirit monsters move in together, pink hearts will pop up from the roof.”

To be honest, the first time I watched this scene, I cringed. I thought I was going to be treated to some fantasy, avant-garde, bestial porn. Like, Hey, Chinese Ministry of Culture, di you really approve of this scene???!! What happened to your censors?

Nai types, “We can try.”

But when they attempt to move their pets together, the game notifies them that their pets are underage as they’ve logged less than 150 hours of playing time, or a little bit over 6 days. Their pets cannot cohabit.

Her eye-rolling!

About this time, the thought crossed my mind that the writer had lost control of the plot. Like, why is this scene even relevant to the story? What’s the big deal?  

Weiwei is indignant so she texts Nai wondering why can’t they cohabit when they’re already married.

lol. This tells me Weiwei is naive. She’s asking her online husband and real-life boyfriend why her virtual pets can’t “live in” like married couples when they’re already at the level to get married but she doesn’t stop for a second and think that her question can apply to her too in real life.

Over at his end, Nai winces. lol. How does a gentleman answer her question?

Weiwei types again, “Would your ‘A New Chinese Ghost Story’ be this unreasonable?” In Kissasian, she asks, “If you work on ‘New Chinese Ghost Story,’ you won’t be so sadistic, will you?”)

Nai types. “No. This is nothing.” In Kissasian’s version: “No. Just to this extent?”

Weiwei makes a body movement suggesting that she gives up in frustration.

She tells him to get back to work and she’ll take the pets out so they can accumulate online hours and pass the requirement. Nai agrees to auto-follow her. Since he’s on auto-follow, she thinks he’d have no idea what she’s doing so she makes her avatar dance to pass the time.

Nai notices her dancing and takes a screenshot.

So there, that’s the whole scene.

On one level, that scene looked ludicrous. Why did we have to watch this tiger cub version of “The Lion King”?

But on another level, I recognize that this whole silly sideshow of the pets mirrors the predicament of Nai. Like pets, like owners.

Both the couple the humans and the animals, are married but they can’t be together because they lack “experience.”

The tigers are hampered by their insufficient online hours, and Nai and Weiwei haven’t been dating long.

Of course, Weiwei doesn’t SEE the similarity in their circumstances but Nai does.

That’s why he winced when Weiwei complained that her pets couldn’t live together. Weiwei thinks this game rule is unreasonable, but to him, “It’s nothing” because HIS plight is more unreasonable and absurd. Get it? The new game he’s developing is nowhere near as frustrating and sadistic as his current situation. As he revealed to Friend #1 Old Man, he can’t be with her and he has to suffer through the long distance separation, but what can he do? Nothing. lol.

Thus, to me, this tiger side plot highlights the parallel lives of Nai’s spiritual beast and hahaha… his “inner beast.”  Look:

1) Nai has no official status because he’s an “invisible” boyfriend,

2) he hasn’t been dating her long so he has no experience,

3) he’s living a thousand miles away from her, and

4) he can’t demand that she stay with him, much more live together.

Hmmm… when you think about this, their tiger pets have it easier than Nai.  The tigers have an official status, they’re young, they’re together in the virtual world, and, most importantly, they don’t know any better. 

But it’s also interesting to note that Weiwei doesn’t feel the frustration of their long-distance affair like he does. She’s happily immersed in her gaming world and content with chatting with him online.

By the way, THAT’s the whole point of Erxi’s teasing the other day. Remember this dialogue from last episode?

WW: By the way, Erxi teased me today.
Nai: Why?
WW: She teased me about both of us still chatting through the online game during summer game even after we’ve met up in person.
Nai: Whose fault is that?
WW: Mine. Mine. — No it should be mom’s. She confiscated my scholarship money.
Nai: I wouldn’t dare blame your mom.
WW: You only bully kind people. But I think that it’s nice chatting online. There are mountains, lakes and great scenery. (And she thinks, “And then there’s you.”)

Erxi GETS Nai’s situation. And she’s trying to make Weiwei see their comical state of affairs.

Look: Weiwei and Nai have already met in person and are dating in real life. So why are they content to go back to their original online relationship? Weiwei is satisfied with the VIRTUAL world of mountains, lakes and great scenery when she can be spending the SUMMER break with him or vacationing WITH HIM in REAL places with mountains, lakes and great scenery. 

And I think Nai agrees with Erxi. When he asks her “Whose fault is THAT?” I don’t think he isn’t ONLY referring to the cellphone. Of course, Weiwei knows that the cellphone is her fault. But she totally misses the OTHER FAULT Nai is alluding to here.

He means the plane ticket. It’s also Weiwei’s fault that they’re only chatting online game instead of being together. She didn’t want that plane ticket.

Weiwei =  red ball, Nai = orange ball

And I think that’s one reason Nai takes a screenshot of his wife dancing with their pet tigers. In more ways than one, she IS goofy.  She’s still a young innocent girl who’s into imaginary pets and pink hearts coming out of rooftops.