#laugh or cry

[malsperanza]

TGCF Heaven Official's Blessing - first reread - more things I'm noticing, and how the clues hidden in plain sight work (spoilers)

It's so much fun to discover all the easter eggs. Vols. 1 and 2 are chock full of things you can't possibly remember to connect to events that happen 4 or 5 vols. later. For example, in vol. 2 (Seven Seas edition) at the end of the scene where Hua Cheng beats up Qi Rong in his cave, we learn that Qi Rong is Xie Lian's cousin. This is presented as a big reveal, and it leads us to rethink the whole scene, as we realize that Xie Lian knew all along that the perpetrator of the Gilded Banquet massacre was his own family member. This kind of reveal does two things: 1) It gives us a blueprint for how MXTX is going to unpack her story, to alert us to expect important information to be withheld and then dropped for greatest effect. 2) It distracts us from noticing what *else* might be hidden in plain sight while we're busy unpacking the supposed big reveal. Because there's probably at least one other reveal in there. So, in the cave scene, after we learn about Qi Rong, we get some backstory about him - but it's full of omissions, which we don't realize. We are told that Qi Rong was a big headache for Xie Lian even back in Xianle days. Xie Lian had to fix his messes constantly. For example: "There was even an incident where Xie Lian saved a child, not even 10 years of age, from Qi Rong's clutches. The poor boy had been beaten to a bloody pulp, miserable to the bone." (p. 260) It's only quite a lot later that we get a flashback where we see this event and learn that the child is Hua Cheng, but I did not remember that we are told about it this early. And here it's mentioned as if it's just one more small bit of bad behavior, with no consequences. In reality, it's a pivotal event in the formation of Hua Cheng. Most of that we can put together during the first read. But it's only on this reread that I now see that Qi Rong's vicious attack on a defenseless child is the central crime of his character - the most terrible, indefensible thing, done on a whim. But wait, there's more! Because a bit earlier in the cave scene, when we first see Guzi and his father, here's how he's described: "The one child in the group was probably not even ten years of age." (p. 218) In case we didn't get the parallel to HC, MXTX tells us as clearly as possible. Except we miss it because we don't realize it's important. Guzi is the same age that Hua Cheng was when Xie Lian rescued him from Qi Rong. [Edit: technically, HC is a little older, around 10, but looks much younger because his growth was stunted by maltreatment. The parallel remains intact, though.] So what's even more important is this: later, when Qi Rong adopts Guzi and very gradually becomes a real father to him, he is redeeming his original attack on the child Hua Cheng. And at the very end, If Qi Rong has a hope of regaining corporeal form, it's because he protected Guzi at his own expense, saving the child's life. Or else, even better: when he selflessly protected Guzi, perhaps for the first time in all his centuries as a ghost he stopped being resentful. Perhaps he has dissipated, and is at peace.

#Xie Lian #Hua Cheng #heaven official's blessing #tgcf #MXTX meta #MXTX is a sadist #Laugh or cry #qi rong and guzi #Connecting the dots in TCGF

[bilbopaggins]

#bipolar disorder #actually bipolar #bipolar 2 #bipolar ii #mental health memes #dissociation #mood swings #why is this my life #lol my life #laugh or cry

[quadruple-a]

So I got two tickets to see Hamilton on tour in my hometown, and having my made the joke that “if I can’t find a date to HAMILTON, I’m just gonna die alone” knowing full well that i wasn’t getting a date.

Not only was it postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, but it was rescheduled AGAIN in 2022 so yeah be careful what you wish for I guess

Update: I’m finally supposed to see if this Saturday but I just got sick with a stomach virus

Y’all if I miss this after waiting THREE WHOLE YEARS

(It’s chill tho, I’ve already seen it live once which I’m very grateful for! Don’t worry about me, just laugh at my pain 🤣)

#hamilton musical #musicals #broadway #ironic #funny #musical #musica theater #alexander hamilton #lin manuel miranda #chronic illness #autoimmine disease #arthritis #immunosuppressants #lololol #laugh or cry #I choose laughter

[hakygtu9]

I’ve been reading this quote for a while now and since Xie Lian has so much trouble deciding whether to laugh or cry, I’m giving him a coin! xD Next time maybe we can flip the coin to make this decision. owo Don’t spoil me, I’m still reading!  (Btw, I’m collecting funds to release my merch, but if you can support me with commissions or others, let me know! :3 )

#xie lian #tgcf xie lian #xielian #tgcf #tian guan ci fu #digital art #laugh or cry #天官赐福 #谢怜

[josephinevella]

Its been a looney tunes kinda day ! 🤣 Fixed my car this morning ...it broke this evening....moved my furniture around for my Xmas tree....shop has sold out of trees

Alanis Morissette...I feel ya today 🤣🤣

#90s music #ironic #adhdlife #thickwomen #juicyboobs #laugh or cry #tazmanian devil #bugs bunny #vintage #retro #red hair

[dementiadad]

Out of the blue today, Pops told me that I was starting to show my age. I replied "Is that nice?"

Well Dads have to tell the hard truths...

#alzheimer #dementia #caretaker #caregiver #laugh or cry #caring for dad #parenting your parent #dementiadad #sometimes humor is the only way to deal with it all

[discoveringmyself88]

This is an email I just received from a student. This is the entire thing.

🤦‍♀️

#words #quote #life #writing #what even #confused #college #university #math professor #professor #math teacher #teacher #educator #email #end of the semester #hahaha #haha #ha ha funny #laugh or cry #oh my gosh

[oof-i-did-it-agaaiiin]

Beautiful from Ordinary Days

#EDIT: I added links to the post’s caption go click them. #I did this because people were mistaking the words as a poem. I love poems. it’s not a poem. #it’s a song from a musical that deserves more attention. go listen to the song. if you like it go listen to the musical. it’s fantastic #it’ll make you laugh and it’ll make you cry. could not recommend enough. #okay edit over. back to my og tags #long post #and I'm talking LONG like do you love the color of the sky long #today I am a nuisance to your dash #but it's in the name of art and beauty #ordinary days #musicals #paintings #art museum #post i made #i love lyrics #greatest hits

[angelinthesnow666]

#girlblogging #lizzy grant #female manipulator #female rage #girl interrupted syndrome #girl things #hell is a teenage girl #girlhood #female hysteria #femcel #lobotomy chic #live laugh lobotomy #i need a lobotomy #princesscore #pretty when you cry #put me in a movie #the virgin suicides #tumblr girls #girl interrupted #manic pixie dream girl #cinnamon girl #girlcore #im just a girl #girlblog #girlblogger #girlrotting #lana is god #lana del ray aka lizzy grant #lana del rey #this is what makes us girls

[malsperanza]

Rereading Heaven Official's Blessing - spoilers here

I love rereading books, especially for the first time, when I see so many connections I missed on the first read. The first time you read a book, you're intent on discovering what happens next, worrying about the characters, and skipping past things you don't fully understand.

The first reread is all about looking at the structure, the patterns, the way things unfold, and learning more about character motivations. MXTX is a master at the meta, and she loves to seed innumerable hints and clues in her books, knowing they will not mean anything until the second reading. Plus, she lies like a rug and leaves out key info. This makes a first reread loads of fun.

Seven Seas edition, volume 1, p. 369:

At the end of the Banyue arc Xie Lian and Hua Cheng are finally alone in Puqi Shrine, and Xie Lian has let HC know that he knows who he is. Things are peaceful, and we finally get a sweet moment of flirting - which we have been hoping for through the whole volume. So is it any wonder that we completely miss the massive foreshadowing?

Xie Lian is unburdening some of his most private thoughts, memories of the past, and feelings about his history to this man he has just met. And HC is coming close to declaring why he is XL's devotee.

After a while, San Lang said quietly, "Something like saving the common people, it really doesn't matter how you do it. But, although brave, it's foolish." "Yeah," Xie Lian agreed. Hua Cheng continued, "Although foolish, it's brave." "..." "Xie Lian grinned. "Thanks." "You're welcome," Hua Cheng said. The two stared at the holey ceiling of Puqi Shrine in amiable silence, and Hua Cheng spoke up again after a while. "You know, Your Highness, we've only known each other for a few days. Is it all right for you to say so much to me?" "Well," Xie Lian huffed, "what's the problem? Whatever. Those who have known each other for decades can become strangers in a day. We met by chance, and we may part by chance. If we like each other, then we shall continue to meet; if we don't, then we shall part. At the end of the day, there's no banquet in the world that doesn't come to an end."

And now vol. 8, p. 118:

Xie Lian could no longer hold back the tears in his eyes, and they began to pour. As if he were hanging on to the last thread of his life, he pleaded, "You said ... you would never leave me." But Hua Cheng replied, "There is no banquet in this world that doesn't come to an end."

MXTX, you absolute fucking sadist.

The entirety of Xie Lian's little lighthearted comment, "Those who have known each other for decades can become strangers in a day. We met by chance, and we may part by chance" is the whole backstory of who HC is and is the absolutely most incorrect thing XL has ever said.

The space between vol. 1 and vol. 8 is so vast that there's no way to remember that HC is quoting XL when he is dying, which means that MXTX has built the necessity to reread into the book.

I'm also continuing to notice how often Hua Cheng is described as smiling, laughing, chuckling, snickering. If Xie Lian ever should happen to wonder whether he should laugh or cry, Hua Cheng has the answer.

#Xie Lian #Hua Cheng #heaven official's blessing #tgcf #MXTX meta #MXTX is a sadist #Laugh or cry

[bilbopaggins]

#lol my life #bipolar disorder #bipolar 2 #bipolar ii #actually bipolar #bipolar memes #bipolar mania #manic episode #depressive episode #mental health memes #laugh or cry

[kkbardd]

madohomu

#curious cat request #homura cry laughing bc she can’t believe it’s real #then madoka reassuring her (this yuri isn’t doomed wym?) #yippeeeee a non-asurei yuri request #pmmm #madohomu #yuri #puella magi madoka magica #madoka #madoka magica #madoka kaname #homura #homura akemi #akemi homura #madoka x homura #gl

[jetrocks]

Non-Britons! Instead of being distracted by the pomp and fanfare of the coronation, here’s a reminder that:

The coronation was funded by tax-payer money. This same tax could have gone towards the cost of living crisis. People are starving and freezing to death as this is going on.

Protests (peaceful or otherwise) are illegal now. A lot of anti-monarchists are being arrested for simply holding signs.

Our government is currently trying to push through a revision to the Equality Act that will exclude trans and non-binary individuals.

Oil companies have made a record profit in the past couple of years. Oil and gas prices aren’t rising because of an inflation issue.

Our NHS is crumbling because funding is going to stupid projects like this coronation.

#uk politics #coronation #I have to laugh otherwise I’ll cry #at least the Tories are losing

[hansoeii]

stede bunnet

#no thoughts just ed and his emotional support bunny #i felt like a genius coming up with stede bunnet this better make you laugh #because im still giggling over it #praying that his name is anything close to this because i need it #fun fact my bunny who sadly passed away in 2020 looked exactly like the one ed adopts and it made me cry a bit seeing that scene #her name was soe and I changed my username for her #she was the most prcious baby she got me through all the hardships #so I believe stede bunnet can do that for ed too #ofmd #ofmd 2 #our flag means death #our flag means death 2 #ofmd fanart #edward teach #taika waititi #blackbeard #ofmd 2 fanart #my art #digital art

[dementiadad]

Dad told me he figured out how to cure his loneliness--He'll just marry me!! I reminded him that would be beyond gross, immoral, illegal and I'm already married.

Well if it's illegal I guess it's a no go...🤪

#alzheimer #dementia #caretaker #caregiver #laugh or cry #parenting your parent #caring for dad #dementiadad #using laughter to cope #coping mechanism

[otaku553]

Luffy week day 4:

Emotion

#luffy week 2024 #luffy week #one piece #monkey d luffy #sabo #they’re brothers your honor #they make me so ill #I saw a lot of ace and luffy stuff today so drawing this was healing :) #wish I’d figured out a way to see sabo’s face as well but oh well #dressrosa luffy is so goofy i teared up while drawing luffy’s crying face and then zoomed out and laughed