After a week-long absence, I’m a bit rusty at writing my opinion pieces so bear with me now.

Chapter 20. Safeguard. One path, two people
Featured Object: Broken heart

To me, the title has four interpretations. I’ll explain three for now because I’ll tie up the fourth with my IOU #1 in a separate thread.

The link to the fourth explanation is here: Hidden Love: Ep 20 The Fourth Explanation

The first interpretation: Sang Yan is safeguarding his sister from Duan Jiaxu. He’s broken-hearted to discover that his sister was lying about her boyfriend’s true identity. Sang Yan and Jiaxu are seen literally walking on one path together.

Sang Yan thows the first punch.

SY: Of all the girls, why my sister?
DJ: I’m not fooling around. I’m serious about her. (gets kicked)

I like that Jiaxu goes to the heart of the matter. He understands that Sang Yan’s primary objection stems from his assumption that Jiaxu’s only toying around Sang Zhi. He accepts more beating from Sang Yan as his “just” punishment for dating his sister behind his back.

DJ: Come at me. (gets punched) Come on. Don’t stop. (gets shoulder-checked)
SY: How long has it been going on?
DJ: Two and a half months.
SY: Do you even have a conscience? If you want to date a girl her age or even younger than her, I wouldn’t object to it. But this is my sister. She met you in middle school and took you as a brother. How could you target her?

My comments:

a. Hmmm…he doesn’t disapprove of their age difference.

b. His primary objection is that his best friend appears to have inveigled himself into his family and “targeted” his innocent sister.

c. Because he has a blinkered view of courtship and gender relations, he cannot envisage his sister chasing after Jiaxu herself, too.

d. He couldn’t be more mistaken that Sang Zhi “took” Jiaxu as a brother. She never regarded Jaixu platonically as a brother. She was smitten with him from the first moment she laid eyes on him.

e. I stand by what I said about the word “pursue.” Though it might be the literal translation of the Chinese word, its usage perpetuates the gender stereotype that men are indomitable chasers and hunters, and women are helpless targets and preys. I’m glad that in this cdrama Sang Zhi chases after Duan Jiaxu as dedicatedly as he chases her. She isn’t only a willing participant in her own courtship; she’s also an enthusiastic advocate. Part of the fun of the last few episodes is watching her instruct Jiaxu on how she wanted to be wooed and stage her kiss at the skating rink.

f. Jiaxu can’t clarify the situation because he already admitted that he “pursued” Sang Zhi.

While in Sang Yan’s eyes, his actions are indefensible, he isn’t sorry at all that he pursued her.

All he can do is apologize for not letting Sang Yan know earlier.

DJ: Last time, I said I would visit you in Nanwu. It was for this. I did handle this improperly. Sorry, buddy.
SY: Who’s your buddy?
DJ: I know you’re upset. How about this? You can beat me up however you like.
SY: Idiot.
DJ: Okay, my brother?

I think he called him “Ge.”

SY: Don’t call me that. My goodness. Forget it. Go home and clean yourself up first. (helping DJ stand up)
DJ: Thank you, my brother.

One path, two people. Metaphorically, the path is Sang Zhi. The path isn’t wide enough for both Sang Yan and Jiaxu to walk on together in the same direction (or different directions, for that matter) because they have opposing goals for her. Sang Yan wants to keep her safe and innocent. Jiaxu wants to keep her safe by his side.

Which brings me to the second interpretation.

The second interpretation: Jiaxu is safeguarding his girlfriend. He’s worried that she’ll be broken-hearted once she finds out that he and her brother are fighting over her. To avoid this, he lies to her and keeps reassuring her that the situation is fine.

Sang Yan is ignoring Sang Zhi’s calls so she texts Jiaxu.

SZ: Is everything fine between you two?
DJ: Everything is fine. Don’t worry.
SZ: Call me when you can.

DJ: Buddy. I’ve given serious thought to this matter. I will be good to my Zhizhi for the rest of my life. You don’t need to worry about that.
SY: (muttering) “My Zhizhi”? YourZhizhi?

I like that he mentions “for the rest of my life” for two reasons. One, there’s a finality to it that indicates how serious he is about his relationship with Sang Zhi. And two, he’s repeating what Sang Zhi told him on another day. She said that she could be nice to him for the rest of her life.

Unconsciously or consciously, he was imitating her.

DJ: Fine. She’s still yours for now.

I like that he’s conceding that for now, Sang Yan’s relationship with his sister takes precedence over his.

SY: Let me ask you something. Are you sure you’re serious about it?
DJ: If not, I would be a total jerk.

This makes Sang Yan stop and think. He’s always considered Jiaxu to be a decent guy.

SY: Let me ask you this. How far have you two taken it? Don’t tell me you’ve already…
DJ: Buddy….

My comments:

a. This personal question is intrusive. His sister’s and friend’s sex life is off limits. It’s none of his business.

b. Since the camera is fixed (always!) on their faces, the viewers don’t get to see Jiaxu tapping his friend. But we can hear the sound of it.

DJ: Do you see me as someone like that?
SY: Do you wish to hear the truth?
DJ: Mmm.
SY: You are someone like that in my eyes.
DJ: (giving him a stern look)
SY: Besides, you’re already 26. You went after a college freshman. Are there no limits to your shamelessness?
DJ: Buddy, I’m serious about her. I’m serious about pursuing her. Moreover, we’re only five years apart.

Sometimes, I wish he would just reveal to him that he had every intention of marrying her if she would have him.

One path, two people. Instead of the two guys literally walking down a path, they’re in a cab driving through the empty street. But there’s still a visual metaphor to be found here. Although there’s one path and two guys, the road is wide enough for the guys to find a middle ground and reconcile their differences.

Later that night, he texts Sang Zhi. He can’t call her up as she demanded because she’ll see his facial bruises, so he opts to text her. He declines her video call on the pretext that he’s preparing to go to sleep and isn’t wearing clothes. (lol. This reminds me of the time he accidentally took a screenshot of his chest because his shirt was unbuttoned. Sang Zhi must think that he sleeps in the nude.)

SZ: Did something happen between you and Sang Yan?
DJ: No. He just told me off.
SZ: That’s good. Wait! It’s not good! Just let him tell you off first. I’ll find a chance to tell him off later.

Awww. This is Sang Zhi safeguarding her boyfriend. She’s promising to even the score with her big brother for Jiaxu as she knows how.

DJ: (chuckling) Okay. I’ll be waiting.
SZ: By the way, did he tell you why he came here?
DJ: Your brother is just concerned about you. I think he’s here to see if you’re cohabiting with your postgraduate boyfriend.

Well, what was Sang Yan going to do if they were cohabiting? Drag her home by the hair? Stone her to death? Burn her at the stake?

SZ: He’s so annoying! I’m not that easy.

Famous last words….

SZ: Did he say long he’s staying?
DJ: He will probably stay for some time. All right, don’t worry. I’ve already explained it to him. Don’t you have work tomorrow? Sleep early.
SZ: You should sleep early, too.
DJ: Good night.
SZ: Good night.
DJ: You can hang up.

Jiaxu knows that the next day will be a showdown for the two siblings.

The third interpretation: Sang Zhi is safeguarding her boyfriend from her brother. She’s broken-hearted that Sang Yan can’t accept her choice while Sang Yan is broken-hearted that she lays down the ultimatum to him. To me, that’s the meaning of “One path, two people.” Metaphorically, the path here is Jiaxu. As long as Sang Yan refuses to accept Sang Zhi’s decision to date Jiaxu, the path isn’t wide enough for the siblings to walk on together.

Sang Zhi sees the bruises on Jiaxu’s face and immediately puts two and two together. She charges like a bull to their meeting place. Jiaxu tries to hold her back and calm her down, but nothing can stop her from dragging her big brother out of his chair and down the aisle.

SZ: Come out!
SY: What?
SZ: Come!
SY: What are you doing?
SZ: Come out!
SY: What are you doing? This is a restaurant. What are you doing?
SZ: Why did you hit him?

She’s so furious. This reminds me of that time she water-slapped the Psycho in the restaurant and told her that if she ever assaulted Jiaxu again, she’d “return the favor.”

SY: Why can’t I hit him?
SZ: I would’ve called the cops if I were there. I would’ve told the cops to arrest you!
SY: Go ahead. Call the cops on me if you dare!
SZ: (tearing up) I’m cutting ties with you. You’re done for! From now on, you’re no longer my brother! (stalking out of the room)

Yes. This is the heartbreak that Jiaxu doesn’t want for Sang Zhi. He kept quiet about the fight and tried to make peace with Sang Yan in order to avoid exactly this situation where Sang Zhi is forced to choose between him or Sang Yan.

SY: Wait.
DJ: (chasing her) Sang Zhi!

This is when it finally dawns on Sang Yan what “One path; two people” means. Jiaxu returns to the restaurant without Sang Zhi.

SY: Is she okay?
DJ: She’s fine. She went to the restroom.
SY: (grumbling) Have you been spoiling her rotten? Her temper has gotten even worse. Listen. Don’t try to stop me later. I have to teach her a lesson today.
DJ: (quickly) I have to stop you. Why are you squabbling with a young girl?
SY: Cut it out.
DJ: Buddy, tell me when you’re free.
SY: Why?
DJ: So you can beat me up again. (smiling) To be honest, having my girlfriend defend me just now was pretty touching.

My comments:

a. He wants Sang Yan to take his anger out on him instead of his little sister. He takes full responsibility for pursuing Sang Zhi thus Sang Yan shouldn’t get mad at her for dating him behind his back.

b. He’s never had someone beside him defending him fiercely as Sang Zhi. I think he likes saying that she’s “his girlfriend”/”his girl” over and over again, not to rub it in that she’s his, but because he’s very proud of her.

c. While it amuses Sang Yan, too, it’s finally sinking in that his sister loves this fellow. “One path, two people.” There’s room for only two people on the path, and he’s the superfluous third wheel. That’s why he drops the idea of teaching her a lesson anymore or lecturing her about her lies.

One path, two people.

SZ: Since you’re in Yihe, is there any place you want to visit? I’m busy for the next few days. I have work. I’m free on the weekend.
SY: (whiny voice) I’m here to visit my buddy. I don’t need your company. I want my buddy’s company.
DJ: I’ll keep you company. But I’m bringing my girlfriend.

He exchanges looks with Sang Zhi. It’s clear that he’s establishing the groundwork here. For one, Sang Zhi is coming along as his girlfriend, and not as Sang Yan’s “little sister.” For another, Sang Yan has no choice but to accept and acknowledge that his sister and buddy are dating.

SY: Suit yourself.
DJ: I’ll bring her with me then.
SZ: (smiling)

DJ: (peeling a shrimp) Try this shrimp.
SY: (stealing it off her plate) I want some shrimp too.
SZ: (stealing it back)
SY: Are you a thief?
SZ: Aren’t you? You’re irritating.
DJ: (offering her more) Try this, too.
SY: Enough already! Stop peeling it for her. Who are you guys trying to show off to?
DJ: It’s not like I’m peeling it for you.
SZ: (feeding him some greens) Ahhh. Isn’t it tasty?
DJ: Mmm.
SZ: Isn’t it yummy?
DJ: It’s delicious.
SY: Ugh. Enough already. Stop.

My comments:

a. Jiaxu isn’t showing off. The problem with Sang Yan is that he didn’t notice how attentive the guy had been to his sister. Back in Episode 2, Jiaxu got her hot water for her tummy pain then took out all the beef from her noodle dish after overhearing about her allergies. He did it without calling attention to himself.

b. But Sang Zhi is showing off to get back at Sang Yan.

c. In the end, this is what “One path, two people” means. One path evokes a romantic relationship. Only two people can be in a romantic relationship. And Sang Zhi is teaching her older brother how de trop he is.