Ming Yi - Blog Posts

out of all of the genres tgcf could belong to

i always first think of it as a romantic comedy

Bear with me, it’s essay time because crying about beefleaf while rereading some parts of book 4 gave me a LOT of thoughts and emotions.

The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that beefleaf were never going to get a happy ending, not because mxtx didn’t want to give them one, but because their dynamic literally makes it an impossibility. I don’t think it matters that He Xuan genuinely cared for SQX as Ming Yi because he is never going to be able to look at them without recalling what they took from him. Sure, he might not hate SQX, and he might actually wish them a happy life, but that life cannot be with him.

And this is taking into account a scenario in which He Xuan didn’t kill Shi Wudu, because even if he didn’t, I don’t think he himself could ever be truly happy with SQX. There is too much pain associated with them, and even though they were not the direct cause of that pain, I think it’s still fair for He Xuan not to want to be around that reminder. Is that fair to Qingxuan? Not necessarily, but neither was any of this fair to He Xuan.

I don’t think they could ever have a healthy relationship built upon a foundation filled with so much hurt, because they would only end up hurting each other more, whether intentionally or not. I think they both know this, and it’s why I personally believe that the ending mxtx gave them is the best we could have hoped for. In the end, I believe it’s clear that neither of them hates the other, but they do harbor a lot of complicated feelings on the matter that cannot be resolved with apology and forgiveness.

For Qingxuan’s part, I don’t think they blame He Xuan for their present situation. In fact, they are adamant in relaying to Xie Lian that He Xuan didn’t do anything to them after the events of the Black Water Arc. However, they also seem intent on moving forward with their mortal life. As for He Xuan, his dropping SQX off at the royal capital, as well as his willingness to give SQX his spiritual power and the fan (regardless of the dire circumstances) shows that there’s a part of him that still cares about them. He has no desire to interfere with Qingxuan’s chances at happiness in their new life, precisely because of that affection, but he also doesn’t want to be around to grieve over what could have been. Because every time He Xuan sees SQX, there will only be regret, both for his inability to see SQX without the attached pain and for the friend (or even lover) he could have had had their fates not been so maliciously intertwined.

Yes, I love beefleaf, but what I love more than the ship are the incredibly written individuals themselves. And I do firmly believe that, in canon at least, they would both be more at peace by letting go and moving on. Not necessarily happy, but at peace.

Now, in another universe, where these two met outside of these circumstances? Beefleaf most certainly sails.

Side note: In a weird way, writing this was actually kinda cathartic because it gave me peace with and acceptance of beefleaf’s canon ending, while still acknowledging that these two definitely had the potential to be lovers. That potential can be (and already has been) explored through everyone’s lovely fan creations.

Okay, listen. I never read WiPs because I got invested in too many of them before they were discontinued. I have no idea what possessed me to open this one first BUT I AM SO GLAD I DID and you should, too.

This fic takes a somewhat different direction regarding what will happen with Shi Qingxuan after canon, and it's believable and brilliantly executed.

Go on. If you like Beefleaf and slow burn and HELL I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO END but I think it'll be fine because if it isn't I'll cry ... Anyway, if you like those things, then read it.

New cover, same amazing Beef-Leaf fanfic!

Check out the 100k+ word, still-in-progress story now!

Soon We'll Be Found - Chapter 1 - bluberryblurays - 天官赐福 - 墨香铜臭 | Tiān Guān Cì Fú - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù [Archive of Our Own]

http://www.wattpad.com/story/359906100-soon-we%27ll-be-found-tgcf-beefleaf

Watching Heaven Official's Blessing with my Mom - season 2

For the record, she's 70, I'm 40. I introduced her to the Donghua because I knew she'd love it.

"I think your husband* has a few screws loose." (About Shi Qingxuan trying to turn Xie Lian into a woman.)

"Be nicer to him. I'd drop you at once." (About the Earth Master being rescued, then carried.)

"Are you sure this is your husband?" I confirmed this. "Oh honey, I think your husband is gay." (Same as above, pretty much only a blink later.)

She had an eye-rolling contest with Mu Qing when he and Feng Xin fought while Xie Lian was under arrest. She would have won.

"Oh, but he's whipped." (About Hua Cheng helping to free the prisoners in Qi Rong's lair. She believes he might not have bothered. I'm a bit on the fence about this, knowing how he made Eming - and more to the point, how he did not. But I can hardly tell her that.)

There was no verbal response to Qi Rong aside from an exhausted "Pitiful." She observed him with the same expression she might use on a particularly slow dog.

"Now there's a guy you know never got laid." (She said this when Shi Qingxuan threw her breasts at Feng Xin. I was howling with laughter, she thinks it was in agreement, but it was obviously a bit more hysteria-tinged.) She also noted my husband is a brat. I can't argue with that.

She asked me if Xie Lian killed that guy at the end. I told her if she wants to know that she'll either have to be VERY patient until season 3 comes - or be moderately patient and read the books where that answer doesn't come at once, either.

*I told her that on the fuck - marry - kill list Shi Qingxuan is number two. I told her that fuck is Pei Ming because that man has experience. The way Xuan Ji clings to him, he must have some skill, too. Kill is Shi Wudu, but I did not say that to her, just that it's a character she hasn't met. She knows I dislike the Water Master, but she doesn't know how much. I didn't give that answer lightly, in my defence. There are very few characters I resent enough in TGCF, if any, but I had to name someone.)

Watching Heaven Official's Blessing with my Mom

The highlights so far after season 1:

'Why is he scared when someone mentions butterflies?' (I ... honestly can't answer that. Yeah, their wings can cut stuff - or people - but still, it seems so excessive.)

'Idiot woman, have some self respect.' (About Xuan Ji. Not how I would have put it, but I share the sentiment.)

'I want a little ribbon like that.' (About Ruoye, obviously. I tried to explain to her that she might reconsider eventually. She has since produced a white silk band from God-knows-where in her house and keeps fondling when we watch.) 'Aw, come on, how bad can it be?' (Worse. I offered to lend her the books after season 2.)

'I like that snake. I want one.' (She's a biologist.) 'Okay, maybe not that many.' (The scene where they pour down into the sinners' pit.)

'Are we going to see those two women again? They seem fun.' (Wind Master and Earth Master in Banyue arc. I told her yes. I managed not to look like I want to cry.)

'Isn't it a little early to be giving him a ring? Waiiiiit. ARE THOSE HIS ASHES?' (We had a death in the family recently and burning your ashes into a diamond was a VERY present topic of conversation over the past couple of weeks, but I feel so stupid now because I only got that one when HC says if the place where they're kept is destroyed he doesn't care anyway.)

Edit: I'm forty, she's seventy. I swear she knows more anime than me and this is the kind of story she totally digs.