Everytime A Shixiong Denies His Shidi A Horse, The World Loses A Horse Girl

this might just be a tiktok issue but every time i see someone say “shen jiu deserved a chance at happiness!” i explode. he had many. his entire life he could’ve made different decisions, he could’ve just not abused lbh, or spoken to yqy, but he never did. that’s his whole thing. he’s even aware of it, it’s like his WHOLE final speech in the extras. he would NEVER EVER take a chance at being better/happy, he’s far too comfortable in his own misery, he has absolutely no idea what to do without it. and he doesn’t want to find out either. THATS THE WHOLE POINT. it’s what makes him such a good character, because he’s realistic in his principles. he doesn’t just hate the antagonist, he hates literally fucking everything and everyone, especially himself. makes me scream idk lmao

Yue Qingyuan headcanon that I don’t see used often enough? The man has PTSD and dissociates and the main reason he doesn’t tell Shen Jiu why he didn’t return is because he literally can’t get the words out. He chokes every time. I’ve seen this take ONCE (you can find it here) now and it was beautifully written.

If YQY is a big fluffy livestock guardian dog that’s happy just being in the presence of SJ, and LBH is one of those hellspawn Pomeranians that is only content when being held by SY and will attempt to maul anyone else that touches him, LQG is one of those border collies that will herd a completely random herd of sheep and maybe a couple of children directly into the bamboo house

Qijiu Week 2024 Day 4 - Feast (of your touch) 🌸

One thing that kinda frustrates me about Shen Jiu fics is that they so often try to sanitize him. Make him nicer/more misunderstood than he actually is.

Like, he was definitely very misunderstood in source material, but he also was straight up a terrible person too, y'know? Both things can be true at once.

The biggest thing is his treatment of Luo Binghe, playing on the idea that it wasn't *as* bad as the characters thought it was. Now, this is just plain wrong cause we know from the extras that SJ gave Binghe the fake cultivation manual with the intent that it would literally explode him. He really wanted to murder that kid, yall. Loony toonz ass villain. Keep this man away from children

And he was definitely a total asshole to all his coworkers, even during disciple days. The other Peak Lords are under no expectation to like him nor tolerate his behavior, especially since they (except Yue Qingyuan) don't know about his backstory (very intentional on SJs part)! SJ very deliberately ostracized himself. His nasty reputation didn't just spring up out of nowhere. He has agency even in other people's opinions of him.

This is particularly notable in his interactions with Liu Qingge. It wasn't "LQG bullies poor SJ and spreads nasty rumors about him." It was a rivalry, a give and take between the both of them. They were both assholes to each other, but clearly, despite the animosity, there was some deeper feeling (SJ being so affected after LQG's murder accusations and then later death). Again, agency is key here.

He's also completely unrepentant until the very end! He will never apologize ever, so no sudden "oh god, what have I done?" heel-turns for him, buddy. If it was that easy, then he wouldn't have gotten human sticked in the first place.

SJ is tragic and sympathetic. SJ is also an awful person and a complete asshole. He's allowed to be both, and both of these sides of him are what makes him an interesting and engaging character.

Edit: holy shit stop interacting with this post everytime I open my notifications I think I’m getting reactions to my more recent shit and instead it’s just this bs. Anyways thanks for 1k notes

just like you

day 7

The way Yue Qingyuan is a strong and just person, except for when it comes to Shen Qingqiu at which point he is so full of remorse and guilt and would destroy himself in order to protect him- even to the point of going against his own beliefs.

started rereading svsss bc I missed shen jiu and qijiu only to be brutally reminded there is only pain and suffering within those pages

Shen Jiu: That's it! You're head disciple!

Shen Yuan: I REFUSE!

Shen Jiu: Your refusal doesn't matter

Shen Yuan: This is ridiculous! I don't want to be head disciple! Make Ming Fan be Head Disciple

Shen Jiu: I am the Peak Lord of Qing Jing Peak and it is my decision and my decision alone who is or is not my head disciple and your objections and protestations are irrelevant

Shen Yuan: *quiet and threatening* Fine. I'll be Head Disciple. I'll be the best fucking Head Disciple this peak ever had

Shen Jiu: *also threatening* I look forward to it

Ning Yingying: ...I don't think that's how appointments of head disciples usually go.

(inspired by this post)