Arsenal Military Academy episode 30 – random mini rant in comments as I have some bones to pick with Gu Yanzhen, but don’t want to spoil anything for anyone:

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    This could very well be a cultural disconnect and I’m missing something, but it seems like Yanzhen is doing everything he possibly can to blow Xiang’s cover. Like, I love that he’s finally acknowledged that he’s in love with her and he’s going all out with his confession(s), but DUDE! Pretty sure feeding a fellow soldier, blowing kissy faces and putting together elaborate candlelit public displays of romantic piano playing is NOT something men do for other men. In the early 1900s. As much as I love Yanzhen being in love, you’d think he’d show a little more chill if only to protect Xiang from being a) kicked out of school, b) getting their collective asses kicked or c) getting her killed.

    /end rant

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      This was my exact thoughts! Even though it was super fun and cute all I could think was ‘you are going to blow her cover!’ which is why she was so annoyed and angry at him. She has every right to be angry at him. And even though I thought his antics were hilarious I also found them selfish. He was just thinking of himself and not her and her situation.

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        Selfish, yes! Absolutely true. Y’know I keep forgetting that he’s not even really thinking about her. He’s got major tunnel vision, he loves her, but hasn’t thought beyond that.

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      Well yes he was! And it totally makes sense that she doesn’t reciprocate and doesn’t take his feelings seriously because he is annoying af and he puts her on the spot.

      He had never cared what people think of him, and he didn’t stop and think how his confessions would affect her either. When he told her that no one could stop him now, he literally meant that.

      She had called him out on this, yet he disregarded her worry. That was my main gripe about him. While He’s spontaneous and bold, but he sometimes doesn’t stop and think how this will affect what’s around him. And this also mirrors my main gripe with Manting. She’s been told no and to stop many times, but was still persistent. That’s the flaw in their characters. They can’t be too perfect.

      Boy Love during their time might be a stretch even if it’s coming from the wacko Gu Yanzhen and how the rest of the boys are giving them the looks but think since it’s him it’s probably fine and he can get away with it, but again I don’t take this show seriously. The show doesn’t, to begin with as apparently it is inaccurate with history. Anyways he’s gonna grow up eventually. And When it happens, His extreme crazy antics will be missed.

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      He went way overboard. I was both laughing and screaming that he’s going to blow her cover. Fortunately everyone accepts his weird antics as “just Gu Yanzhen” and think he’s teasing Liangchen to death. He’s still immature. I thought he’d become more serious after the Beijing events, and the way he hugged and confessed to her just last episode. But playful and vain Gu Yanzhen is never gone for long. I guess that’s his main flaw: he doesn’t care what people think of him, but he forgets to think about the consequences for others.

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        I guess it’s that character flaw that makes him so fun to watch, right? @13infamyss made this point too. Probably why Junshan’s the perfect foil for him.

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          Oh, keep watching, you’ll see Junshan isn’t so perfect either 😉 The writer makes it a point who’s the better man for Xiang Xiang.

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            Junshan isn’t perfect but he is the perfect contrast to Yanzhen.

            Funny how Gu Yanzhen is in the middle of two love triangles with the Shen Brothers, but I don’t think Shen Tingbai has ever even talked to him, except for that confrontation in Ep. 1.

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            I dunno… I’ve zoomed through to ep38 and I kind of feel like Junshan’s putting up a pretty good fight in the romance department. Now that he’s smiling more, he’s proving to be pretty swoon-worthy, too.

            Don’t get me wrong, still hardcore on Team Yanzhen.

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            I find Junshan’s courting manipulative, took advantage of her secret by making her run around the town from academy to girl’s school changing from man to women’s clothing, just so he could go on dates with her. He turned territorial on her, asking her to button up her shirt and be mindful of her clothes since she is a woman in his eyes now, plotted to get her move out of her room without asking her opinion on it because sharing a room with Gu Yanzhen doesn’t sit well with him now……..

            Her changing from man to woman everytime he wanted to date will likely result to somebody they know from the academy running into her thus blowing up her cover too. I feel like this is more dangerous than Yanzhen’s gay love.

            Yes @wishfultoki now that I think of it don’t I’ve seen tingbai and Yanzhen together again in once scene.

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            Junshan was always swoonworthy @thetinyl, especially his profile. 😉 He only made a few decisions that I find slightly questionable… but I won’t spoil you on that.

            In the romance department he’s more territorial than big bro, though I’ve read comments elsewhere of Shen Tingbai basically stalking Manting. I don’t think that’s the case because he’s never tried to control her, just be there when she needs him. Anyway, I’ve gone off topic. *gives Tingbai critics a Gu Yanzhen stink eye*

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