Work Text:
I'll start by briefly describing how Li Daikun (who played the role of Xie Wang) and Wang Ruolin (who played the role of Zhao Jing) interpreted their characters since in this analysis, I will rely primarily on their interpretations. In the case of Word of Honor, the opinion of the actors is of particular importance, since the director gave them more freedom of action, and the original book differs significantly from the series. Links to interviews and other sources are provided at the end of the post.
Li Daikun and Wang Ruolin deliberately did not discuss with each other in advance how they would play their scenes together: each moved in his own direction to make the dissonance, the misunderstanding between Zhao Jing and Xie Wang more obvious.
According to Li Daikun, Xie Wang has no desires and goals of his own (no ego), he never lived for himself, only looked at Zhao Jing and implemented his ideas: his dreams are those of his yifu. Xie Wang sought to repay Zhao Jing for saving him. He believed that Zhao Jing saw in him only a useful tool, an instrument, and experienced constant insecurity - the uncertainty of a pet that was once abandoned, and now it fears that it will be abandoned again. At the same time, Xie Wang is stubborn, and his attitude towards Zhao Jing remained unchanged throughout the plot. Li Daikun believes that Zhao Jing did not betray Xie Wang. Happiness for Xie Wang is when his yifu does not lie to him. For him, Zhao Jing was "the light that he could not catch."
When asked to describe Xie Wang in three words, Li Daikun replied as follows:
- 迷 - confused: because he does not know himself, he has no self. In another interview, Li Daikun used the word 痴 - obsessed with smth, suffering from mania; enamored.
- 狠 - cruel: towards everyone except Zhao Jing. Xie Wang always acts carefully, prudently, and cruelly and does not like to waste time.
- 惨 - tragic: because he never lived for himself.
According to Wang Ruolin, for Zhao Jing, Xie Wang was his son and heir, the only "piece of Pure Land" (Buddhist paradise) in his soul. Zhao Jing never intended to harm Xie Wang, much less to kill him. Xie Wang is naïve, so Zhao Jing wanted to teach him how to survive in the cruel world of Jianghu. In addition, Zhao Jing saw in him something of his young self and wanted to give Xie Wang what he himself was deprived of in his teenage years.
Wang Ruolin said in an interview that when he first read the script, Zhao Jing's character seemed rather banal and flat to him, and he tried, on the one hand, to make him more disgusting for the viewer, on the other, to add humanity to him. For example, tears in Zhao Jing's eyes when he hits Xie Wang for the first time, the phrase "Grow up sooner, Xie'er", tears when Xie Wang hugs the immobilized Zhao Jing after his monologue, and several other things designed to show, that Xie Wang is dear to Zhao Jing, were added by Wang Ruolin. He argued with the director several times when the director insisted that in certain scenes Zhao Jing should behave coldly and cruelly with Xie Wang. In Wang Ruolin's interpretation, Zhao Jing sincerely loves Xie Wang and considers him his heir, the successor of all his work.
At the same time, according to Wang Ruolin, Zhao Jing is domineering and cruel, towards Xie Wang as well. He can pamper Xie Wang, compensating for what life did not give him in his own youth, or indulge Xie Wang’s whims, but at the same time, he always strives to subjugate and emotionally control him.
Concerning the final point of the relationship between Zhao Jing and Xie Wang - the scene of their death under an avalanche: the impression that Xie Wang is going to run away at the last moment was due to a post-production error. The script implied that he would remain with Zhao Jing until the end, but at the time of filming it was not known exactly how the avalanche would be added. It was planned that they should be blown away by the snow, so Li Daikun jumped to the side. However, in the final cut, it looks as if he first runs to Zhao Jing, and then changes his mind and tries to save himself.
About terms yifu and yizi: https://archiveofourown.org/works/34778644
***
Just in case, a clarification about my attitude towards Zhao Jing: of course, he is a bad guy and a scoundrel, and this analysis isn't meant to be his apology.
Unlike many antagonists in other popular works, Zhao Jing does not have a history of psychological trauma severe enough to justify his crimes (although it should be remembered that there is no universal assessment of the severity of psychological trauma). Yes, Gao Xiaolian says that he led a "miserable existence", but the details remain unknown to the viewer. It is possible that Zhao Jing lost his parents early: he was a pupil in the Zhao school, and then he was adopted by Zhao Wenda, but this is only an assumption. Wang Ruolin imagined Zhao Jing as a victim of bullying (he was led to this idea by the performance of the actor who portrayed the young Zhao Jing): such an attitude towards students is not uncommon in the jianghu world, which we see in the example of how Xie Wuyang treated Zhang Chengling. This attitude haunts Zhao Jing even in the present when Shen Shen - the youngest of the five sworn brothers - allows himself to berate Zhao Jing, which is a blatant violation of the hierarchy.
(I write more about the social status of Zhao Jing and the attitude towards him in the company of Rong Xuan here (in Russian): https://archiveofourown.org/works/33997582/chapters/84560371)
Still, compared to, for example, Jin Guangyao from Modao Zushi , even as a son of a servant or a bastard child of Sect Leader Zhao, Zhao Jing had a relatively good start - definitely not much worse than most of his peers. He is not devoid of talent and charm, he knows how to win the love of women, which is shown by the story of Luo Fumeng. His ability in martial arts had to be only relatively weak, otherwise, the head of the Taihu Sect would not have made him his successor. He is appreciated by his sworn brothers - at least, enough to invite him into the "book-stealing" group of Rong Xuan. In short, Zhao Jing cannot be called unlucky or a loser. And yet his main motives are envy and an inferiority complex: even after many years he remembers how his wife, Li Yao, said that he would not achieve anything, and spits on her memorial tablet (by the way, in the original script this scene wasn’t present - it was added by Wang Ruolin during filming).
Maniacal desire to prove that he is better, unresolved teenage complexes - that's what drives Zhao Jing. The presence of sincere human feelings (attachment to Xie Wang) makes the image of Zhao Jing more realistic but does not justify or excuse his actions.
***
Based on Li Daikun's words about a pet that was once abandoned, and that fears that it will be abandoned again, it can be assumed that Xie Wang was abandoned by his parents. Apparently, as a child, he had to go through a lot, since the fact that Zhao Jing saved his life and took him in left such a deep impact on his personality.
It is unlikely that Zhao Jing took Xie Wang out of purely humane motives: most likely, at first, he saw the potential in this child to become a useful asset, and only later became truly attached to him. It is possible that this happened because Xie Wang, according to Wang Ruolin, somehow reminded Zhao Jing of himself - for an egoist like Zhao Jing, this could be a weighty argument.
Zhao Jing and Xie Wang are indeed similar: both are driven by strong obsessions in life, beyond which they have no interests or human attachments. Zhao Jing (allegedly) killed the son of the head of his school to become heir; Xie Wang killed other "sons" of his yifu to be the only one for Zhao Jing (Li Daikun mentioned that Xie Wuyang did not survive, so I write "sons", not "son"). I wonder when Xie Wang lied to Zhao Jing about the murder of Song Huairen, did Zhao Jing feel at that moment a sense of paternal pride that Xie Wang was following in his footsteps?
Zhao Jing has "trophies" and memorial tablets, Xie Wang in the end has Zhao Jing himself as a "trophy". But the desire to prove something to those who can no longer answer them is the same.
***
In Li Daikun's interpretation, it is not Zhao Jing who is deceiving Xie Wang - Xie Wang is lying to himself. Wang Ruolin said the same thing: with Xie Wang, Zhao Jing does not need to resort to tricks or cunning manipulations - Zhao Jing speaks, and Xie Wang believes.
Yet, no matter how much Xie Wang wants to trust Zhao Jing, deep down he cannot help but believe that he is only a tool that Zhao Jing can get rid of at any moment. How can you trust any words of a person for whom lies and duplicity are an integral part of his personality, who has built his entire career on first using people and then striking them in the back? It's impossible. Xie Wang tries very hard to believe Zhao Jing, but doubts always remain. His romantic crush on Zhao Jing (Li Daikun's acting is difficult to interpret otherwise) is, at least in part, an attempt to receive something real from his yifu, at least a physiological "truth". But he doesn't get even that.
It is noteworthy how readily Xie Wang associates himself with women suffering from unrequited love and feels a spiritual kinship with Luo Fumeng and Liu Qianqiao. He longs for official adoption by Zhao Jing in the same way as a secret mistress longs for the status of a legal wife: by recognizing Xie Wang as his son and by giving him his surname, Zhao Jing in practice will prove that Xie Wang is dear to him. The final choice of Xie Wang is opposed to the choice of Liu Qianqiao: while she lets her beloved free, Xie Wang chooses possession and total control. Here he again follows in the footsteps of his yifu, except that Zhao Jing used emotional control, and Xie Wang - physical: crude, but much more reliable.
Although Wang Ruolin was initially surprised by the appearance of Zhaoxie pairing (according to him, he didn't intend to portray Zhao Jing's feelings to Xie Wang as romantic, only as fatherly), it is impossible to say with certainty that in the series Zhao Jing does not notice Xie Wang's infatuation: consciously or not, but every time he needs to convince Xie Wang of something, he uses tactile contact. After Xie Wang spontaneously and publicly kills the head of the Giant Whale Sect, later in the same episode Zhao Jing "punishes" him by causing jealousy (the scene with manicure). With this, Zhao Jing at the same time also signs the death warrant for Xie Wuyang, who isn't needed anymore and who also failed an important task: two birds with one stone. (On the other hand, this interpretation is based on the fact that Zhao Jing knew that Xie Wang should come, but in the series, Xie Wang just barges in without warning.)
At the same time, Zhao Jing unequivocally makes Xie Wang understand that for him he is only a child, a son, but not a potential romantic partner: when Xie Wang puts his hand on Zhao Jing's knee, Zhao Jing removes his hand and pats him fatherly on the head with the words "Grow up sooner, Xie’er." (Wang Ruolin called this gesture “rejection”.) It can be said that Zhao Jing keeps Xie Wang in a constant friend-zone, denying the very possibility of a romantic relationship between them, but at the same time using Xie Wang's feelings to control him.
Zhao Jing teaches Xie Wang how to survive in the treacherous world of Jianghu, explains his cunning moves - but the more he shows his skills in intrigue, manipulation, and lies before Xie Wang, the more terrified Xie Wang becomes, that he is also just another object of manipulation. Xie Wang simultaneously admires the talents of his yifu and feels an increasingly oppressive fear.
From Xie Wang’s point of view, as long as he remains a useful tool for Zhao Jing, he will receive at least the illusion of love - this is better than nothing, right? But even this illusion is shattered when Zhao Jing begins to shout at Xie Wang, slaps him in the face. It's all over: Xie Wang is no longer needed, he has outlived his usefulness even as a tool! Yifu doesn't even feel like pretending to love him anymore!
It is interesting that, while gradually losing confidence in Zhao Jing's sincerity, Xie Wang proposes to kill someone for Zhao Jing in almost every scene together - after all, this has always been his main function in their tandem. But Zhao Jing stops him every time, and for Xie Wang it becomes another frightening sign of his own needlessness.
But Zhao Jing simply behaves with Xie Wang as he would with his son, without taking into account his inner turmoil. Besides, he is sincerely attached to him, he is indeed going to make him his official adopted son - his conscience concerning Xie Wang is clear. If Xie Wang had really outlived his usefulness as a dangerous tool, Zhao Jing would have pretended to be the most tender and loving person ever until it was time for a decisive finishing blow. To slap his son, to demand obedience without questions is the sacred right of any Chinese father (I mean, in older times of course, when a father could even kill his child without many repercussions). Even if Zhao Jing promises someone to kill Xie Wang - so what? Just another empty promise. "Zhao Jing keeps his word" is an oxymoron.
Zhao Jing's sincerity to Xie Wang is indicated by the “token of feelings” that Zhao Jing gave to him, and which, after Luo Fumeng's words, becomes for Xie Wang the proof that yifu is going to betray him: this is not some kind of nonsense like letters or bracelets that have only sentimental value. The token given to Xie Wang is critically important for Zhao Jing.
However, sincere affection does not negate the fact that Zhao Jing is extremely selfish towards Xie Wang. His love is manipulative, controlling, possessive. "To lie" and "to breathe" are the same for Zhao Jing. He lies and withholds the truth, even when it seems to be unnecessary- with fatal consequences for himself. For him, Xie Wang is not an equal, not a partner who can be trusted.
Zhao Jing does not realize that Xie Wang is the only one with whom he can be honest, who will carry out any of his orders, even to jump into the abyss, like Luo Binghe from "Scum Villain Self-Saving System" (according to Li Daikun, there is no such order from his yifu, which Xie Wang would not have fulfilled). Xie Wang will always accept Zhao Jing, even when he is peeing on memorial tablets. Next to Xie Wang, Zhao Jing doesn't need to pretend - he can simply "be". Alas, understanding comes too late for Zhao Jing.
***
In the relationship with Zhao Jing, Xie Wang is a victim, but he is not a victim in the story told in the series. Yes, he has a history of both serious psychological trauma and more than dubious upbringing - but where do justifying circumstances end and personal responsibility begins? If we look at the present, then both Zhao Jing and Xie Wang are nasty and cruel people. It is easy to forget about it in the case of Xie Wang, because his portrayal by Li Daikun is extremely sweet, the scenes of his suffering because of Zhao Jing take much longer time than the murders he commits, and most of those killed by him are either utterly unpleasant people or faceless mooks. In the end, he finishes the carnage at the wedding of Cao Weining and Gu Xiang - but he isn't the one who started it, so it cannot be said that the deaths of Luo Fumeng and Liu Qianqiao are his fault. His attempt to kill Wen Kexing fails, so for the viewer, this also doesn't count.
In his relationship with Zhao Jing, Xie Wang is by no means only a passive suffering side: as a tool, he is unpredictable and dangerous. Xie Wang is openly jealous when Zhao Jing just pays attention to someone other than him (Zhao Jing's conversation with the Ghosts, during which Xie Wang was demonstratively sitting with such a face as if he had drunk a jug of vinegar), slanders other "sons", kills them secretly, fails an important task because of jealousy (missed a fragment of Liulujia by killing Song Huairen and being late for the meeting because of this - as a result, Lu Taichong's fragment went to Wen Kexing), kills without an order in front of everyone disrupting Zhao Jing's plans (most likely, after that Zhao Jing had to kill that entire sect, which he obviously did not intend to do), kills those whom he was directly ordered not to harm (Cao Weining's sect)...
Zhao Jing has other "sons" - more obedient, more disciplined, like Song Huairen. But they are not Xie Wang. Therefore, Zhao Jing does not have a replacement for Xie Wang, he turns a blind eye to Xie Wang’s little pranks like reducing the number of other "sons", his personal guard consists of the Venomous Scorpions who obey directly to Xie Wang.
Maybe Zhao Jing would like to "legitimize" their relationship - to make Xie Wang his adopted son (to turn from "named father" yifu 义父 into "adoptive father" yangfu 养父), but how could he present Xie Wang to the respectable public, if Xie Wang is ready any time to put a knife in the back of anyone who badmouths his yifu? Judging by Zhao Jing's words, “You promised to improve!”, this is not the first time such spontaneous killings have occurred. And even if Jianghu turns a blind eye to organizing an assassin's guild, they certainly won't tolerate "black magic": if Xie Wang wants to become the official son of Zhao Jing, he can no longer use it.
But Zhao Jing does not consider it necessary to explain all this to Xie Wang, leaving him tormented by the unknown and forcing him to make mistakes.
***
If the relationship between Zhao Jing and Xie Wang was platonic, as Wang Ruolin believed, then Xie Wang lived for many years with the inability to get what he wanted, in the "friend-zone", in the destructive cycle of hope and rejection. And if their relationship was physical, then Xie Wang, of course, could believe that he is better and more unique than other "sons"-yizi - but only until he learned Luo Fumeng's story (and he already knew about Li Yao).
Platonic or not their relations were, but the main problem is that Zhao Jing sees them primarily as father and son, and Xie Wang - as partners, as a couple.
For Zhao Jing Xie Wang is, first and foremost, an heir, a son, his own continuation in this world. For Zhao Jing, the thought of leaving Xie Wang is impossible in principle: it is the same as giving up his own future. On the other hand, Zhao Jing does everything to ensure that Xie Wang continues to depend on him emotionally: this is how he tries to prevent Xie Wang from leaving him. As a result, Zhao Jing constantly strengthens Xie Wang's already huge insecurity.
For Xie Wang, in turn, the idea to leave Zhao Jing is unthinkable, but the possibility that Zhao Jing will leave him is very high. Xie Wang sees himself mainly not as a son, but as a mistress, a wife - and a wife or a mistress can very well be abandoned, betrayed, and killed, which Zhao Jing has done more than once: first with Luo Fumeng, then with Li Yao. Even sex would not solve the problem: it would solidify Xie Wang's status as a mistress - i.e. the status of a "disposable object".
In addition, judging by Li Daikun's words ("an animal that has already been abandoned once, and now it fears that it will be abandoned again"), Xie Wang was deeply traumatized by parents abandonment: Xie Wang knows that he is disposable even as a son!
Two dangerous psychopaths with an inferiority complex, feeling insecure about their partner - a tragedy is bound to happen, and even sincere and mutual affection will not help.
***
Karma works perfectly: all his life Zhao Jing lied to others and used them, and when he finally found a person to whom he became sincerely attached, that person naturally could not trust him. Zhao Jing himself incurs Xie Wang's betrayal.
Both love each other, both are the only close people in the world for each other. They could talk and explain themselves, but the situation is stalemate: Xie Wang will not dare to openly revolt, to be completely frank with Zhao Jing out of fear that he will be rejected and driven away (sine qua non for his frankness - the dumb and immobilized Zhao Jing, who certainly will not go anywhere and will not break Xie Wang's heart by saying that he never really loved him). And anything Zhao Jing will say a priori will be perceived as "most likely a lie."
In such a situation, the only way for Xie Wang to make sure that Zhao Jing really loves him is if Zhao Jing sacrifices something valuable for him. For example, his life: Wang Ruolin, when asked how he sees the ideal ending for his character, voiced the following option - Xie Wang is trying to save Zhao Jing from the avalanche, but Zhao Jing makes him understand that he should leave and save himself, and as a result, Zhao Jing dies, and Xie Wang lives.
However, to make a conscious sacrifice Zhao Jing had a long way to go. In the end, the fact that he loved Xie Wang did not prevent him from easily putting Xie Wang's life on the line, as when Xie Wang offered to take the risk of collaborating with Prince Jin and being accused of treason. Zhao Jing did not hesitate.
Perhaps, blinded by ambition, Zhao Jing himself did not suspect how dear Xie Wang was to him, and would have woken up only after losing him. Perhaps he did not understand how much he meant to Xie Wang and realized this only after Xie Wang dumped on him all his feelings, after having him already immobilized.
On the other hand, later Zhao Jing himself sabotaged this plan (to put the blame on Xie Wang if Prince Jin's revolt fails) by publicly declaring Xie Wang his son and giving him his last name. The punishment for high treason in China since ancient times was the extermination of the traitor's family. The degree of kinship of the executed depended on the historical era and the severity of treason, but parents were always executed, even in the mildest versions. Therefore, the execution of Zhao Xie will inevitably entail the execution of Zhao Jing. That's why Xie Wang looks so shocked at the feast, that's why he arranges later a test for Zhao Jing with the help of Liu Qianqiao, despite he has already set the trap for Zhao Jing together with Wen Kexing.
I'd like to remind, that in Wang Ruolin's interpretation, Zhao Jing is not going to kill Xie Wang: he is lying to Mo Huaiyang, and to Duan Pengju as well if Liu Qianqiao told the truth (which isn’t necessarily the case, since she had plenty of motives to destroy Zhao Jing and Xie Wang's cooperation). By giving Xie Wang his last name, Zhao Jing demonstrates on practice that he is ready to share with Xie Wang all the future risks, just as he said before.
During the 2nd conference, Zhao Jing found words of lies and threats for everyone, but he did not say anything to Xie Wang, did not attack him, did not accuse him of betrayal. At that moment Zhao Jing could easily drag Xie Wang down with him, reminding the audience of black magic and murders (undoubtedly, he had a lot of "compromising evidence" in regards to Xie Wang), but chose not to do so. He did not hold a grudge at Xie Wang for this betrayal, and at that last moment, he tried to dissociate himself from Xie Wang, not stain Xie Wang with himself.
Wang Ruolin explained that Zhao Jing voluntarily swallows the pill that Xie Wang gives him because he thinks that it is poison, and Xie Wang wants to kill him: the parent in such a situation has no choice but to die (in that interview, he also reasoned that for the parent of any biological species, the survival of the offspring is a priority). According to Wang Ruolin, before swallowing the alleged poison, Zhao Jing with a glance says goodbye to Xie Wang. Xie Wang is his heir, his pride, and his future in this world, but Xie Wang will never learn about it.
In the end, Xie Wang, despite believing that he has always been only a tool for Zhao Jing, still thinks not about his own salvation but tries to save his yifu. He dies, not knowing that yifu has always loved him.
Note 1:
One can only regret that the scene in the mountains before the avalanche was not included in the final cut: Xie Wang looks into Zhao Jing's litter, asks if he is cold and covers him with a blanket, and Zhao Jing warmly smiles at him. This episode would show that Zhao Jing and Xie Wang finally managed to achieve some kind of harmony and mutual understanding.
Note 2:
Yifu 义父 and yizi 义子 are neither father and son, nor even adoptive father and his foster child:
The Chinese word yifu 义父 is often translated as “adoptive father” but this is not entirely correct. An adoptive father is yangfu 养父: a person who adopts a child, takes care of his upbringing and his daily needs, and performs other duties of a father. And yifu is something like a "named father"(?): a person who, as a sign of great respect, is sort of put on a par with the real father. Unlike adoptive father-yangfu, in the case of yifu, various paternal responsibilities are not implied.
Also, the existence of yifu (and/or "named mother" imu 义母) does not mean that yizi has no living parents - same as having godparents in Christianity doesn't mean that the person in question is an orphan.
Baidupedia also says that if a person has a sworn sibling (义结) then for that person's children, their sworn brother becomes yifu.
Usually, yifu is about the same age as the real father, although not necessarily: in the main pairing of Sha Po Lan yifu, Gu Yun, is only a few years older than his yizi, Changgeng. (Also, Changgeng has both parents - a mother and a stepfather.)
In general, yifu is a person whom you respect very much (like your own father), and for whom you have great reverence. In turn, yifu has the responsibility to be a moral guide for the yizi - similar to godparents in Christianity.
Note 3:
Originally, Wang Ruolin was supposed to play the Changing Ghost. At the auditions, the producers thought that the role of Zhao Jing would suit him more, but it was planned to invite a more famous actor to play that role. However, the coronavirus crisis struck, and the two actors who were planned for this role refused to act or could not because of their changed schedules. As a result, the role went to Wang Ruolin.
Li Daikun came to audition for the role of Wen Kexing. After reading the script, he asked if the role of Xie Wang could be given to him.
Note 4:
Li Daikun is the only actor in Word of Honor who dubbed himself.
Note 5:
Xie Wang’s words after Song Huairen's murder were changed.
Final version: “How can I let someone ruin my plans? I can achieve my goals on my own. "
Initial words (lips reading): “On the edge of [your] bed, how can you let a stranger sleep sweetly? I should be the only one next to yifu. "
The idiom on the edge of [your] bed, how can you let a stranger sleep sweetly? 卧榻之侧，岂容他人酣睡 means that you cannot allow others to interfere with your sphere of influence. But, of course, in this context, the mention of sleeping in the same bed sounded very ambiguous, so the initial phrases had to be changed.
Note 6:
In the final monologue of Zhao Jing, Wang Ruolin added on his own: “I’ve made a wrong move, but I didn’t lose. You're the one who failed in this case. You've been fooled by me for more than 20 years. The whole martial arts world has been turned upside down by me. I feel content. I live at will and freedom, and I die with vigor and vitality. This is not the end of the story. If you kill me, you’ll all live under my shadow. "
Initially, the script was: “I lost. You can kill me."
Note 7:
Just a fun fact: in the Chinese fandom, pairing Zhao Jing x Xie Wang is called 找鞋 - "finding shoes", because when you type the first characters of their names (zhao xie) in pinyin, this phrase comes out first in the prompt.
The pairing nicknames of Zhao Jing and Xie'er are “If” (“Eve”) and “Share”.
Sources:
(The descriptions before the links are not complete retellings of the content, only those facts that were used when creating the article.)
About the scene before the avalanche that was not included in the final editing.
https://milosdinosaur.tumblr.com/post/652711015529791488/i-found-a-post-on-wang-ruo-lins-weibo-talking
More about the pre-avalanche scene that was not included in the final editing.
https://xinxiaojie.tumblr.com/post/646822075662827520/in-the-end-xieer-will-not-abandon-his
Zhao Jing sees in Xie'er something of his young self.
https://xinxiaojie.tumblr.com/post/646822080125534208/our-dear-zhaoxie-%E6%89%BE%E9%9E%8B-saga-finale
About death under an avalanche, about the scene with the first face slap, etc.
https://xinxiaojie.tumblr.com/post/647502772344897536/zhaoxie-sage-continues
Wang Ruolin about Zhao Jing: he always loved Xie Wang and did not want him to be hurt.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1389190178921717763
On the set, Wang Ruolin and Li Daikun did not discuss their scenes to increase the feeling of misunderstanding between the characters. About the scene with the pill, etc.
https://www.sohu.com/a/459382111_99932294
Xie Wang has no goals of its own. Even if he gets Liulijia, it’s not for himself.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1394443434983821320
Xie Wang is a tragic figure since never lived for himself. Li Daikun about Xie Wang: 痴, 狠, 惨.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1394842670560956423
Xie Wang lied to himself. He took away Zhao Jing's voice so as not to hear lies.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1394448113474093062
Li Daikun about Xie'er: 痴, 狠, 惨.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1394443434983821320
The main feature of the Xie Wang is the lack of self. Li Daikun added the behavior of an animal afraid of being abandoned.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1394875587274186752
Xie Wang is stubborn, he did not change from beginning to end.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1398207621283393538
Li Daikun added animal features to Xie Wang, similar to a puppy. At the time of the scene with the first face slap, the actors had known each other for half an hour - this was their first scene on the set and the first scene together.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1398471999786303488
Xie Wang never wanted to hit Zhao Jing back. He believes that Zhao Jing never betrayed him, and is always ready to give him a second chance. Didn't want to give him Meng-po Soup. Xie Wang's dream is to unite Jianghu for yifu. He never lived for himself, only looked at Zhao Jing and carried out his ideas.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1398552607204036609
Abandoned animals feel insecure: they are afraid that they will be thrown out again - Xie Wang is also very insecure. Xie Wang wants to repay Zhao Jing for saving him.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1398626528762765315
How Xie Wang sees Zhao Jing, in 3 words: 高 - tall, 大 - chief, 师 - mentor. Xie Wang will do anything Zhao Jing asks. Happiness for Xie Wang is when Zhao Jing does not lie to him. Xie Wang believes that Zhao Jing sees him as a tool
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1398947354439454722
Xie Wang is easily deceived since he is naïve and innocent. His main motivation is "Yifu, look at me."
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1399557859248062464
Xie Wang - naive, innocent, and cruel.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1401061397535113219
Question: "How long will Xie Wuyang live?" Li Daikun: "Is he still alive?"
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1401736952735543296
Xie Wang's attitude to yifu did not change.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1401814276021522438
In the finale, Zhao Jing accepted what had happened and resigned himself. He was worried about Xie Wang and wished him success with Liulijia.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1402578833820299267
About the final cut scene. Zhao Jing's attitude towards Xie Wang in the final: "Go ahead, I will support you." Xie Wang believes that Zhao Jing did not betray him.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1402583425845022722
Xie Wang ran to the yifu before the avalanche, because wanted to save him.
https://twitter.com/kHqV6N0gd9MiqcK/status/1402585933476663310
Zhao Jing for Xie Wang is the light that he could not catch.
https://twitter.com/supertingg/status/1374750671526711302
Xie Wang’s initial lines after the assassination of Song Huairen read from the lips.
https://ilacion.tumblr.com/post/650405389512343552/soooo-this-is-a-thing-that-i-just-learned-about
Zhao Jing sees in Xie Wang an heir and something of his young self.
https://xinxiaojie.tumblr.com/post/646822080125534208/our-dear-zhaoxie-%E6%89%BE%E9%9E%8B-saga-finale
Wang Ruolin about working on the image of Zhao Jing.
https://qnmlgb.tech/articles/608189afa573cd0067a875bb/