It’s very tragic in the end. She would have been better off alone. Emotional and character growth wise, you…
Ok, let's do this. First of all, Xiao Yao needs to learn how to love herself whether she's alone or not. That's the main point here and the point people seem to overlook. You shouldn't need to rely on others to fill a void you can't fill yourself. If we bring this to real life, it is why so many marriages fail. Because people place unreasonable expectations on their partners, hoping that the other one can bring them the happiness they can't find themselves.
Xiao Yao is a classic example of a codependent person whose ultimate fear is to be left alone, to be abandoned. You pointed out how she lived a lifetime of fear and trauma. That's true. She did. Her story arc ended with her desire to have someone who can accompany her for all eternity being fulfilled. Okay. That doesn't necessarily mean she had character growth. We can only say that she got what she wanted. Good for her.
As for the second part, absolutely nothing I said is related to cutting off ties with people and being a hermit. It may surprise you to know that these so-called hermits are much more prone to find enlightenment and happiness than many of us will ever be able to. But I digress. What I said has everything to do with maybe being single or maybe choosing to be in a relationship, but being comfortable with herself in any situation and not in a desperate state of having someone fill a void, which is our FL most prominent character trait.
The question is: are her final decisions still motivated by a fear of abandonment and crippling trauma? Has she really addressed these issues? You asked me: "That does not mean Xiaoyao never grew just because she chose what she had always wanted". What do you think about this? Do you honestly believe she had character development going from someone who started this story crippled by fears of being abandoned to someone who still wished to have a lifelong companion who could never abandon her because she was still afraid of being abandoned? I particularly think she went through many centuries of hardships and trials still retaining the same mindset. I could never understand how this could be considered character growth.
By the end of her journey, she was still clinging to the notion of having someone who would never abandon her. I can understand why she would long for that, after suffering as much as she did. What I can't understand is how keeping that same unreasonable expectation (you called it "the journey to the same goal") represents her facing her childhood issues and overcoming them. By forces not attributed to her own, she happened to end up with an equally codependent guy who considered her his only reason to live. I find it somewhat unhealthy but some folks seem to think it's romantic. It's all a matter of perspective.
TL;DR: No, I don't think Xiao Yao had any significant character development throughout the 51 chapters of the novel. I think her story is more of a cautionary tale, and I think Tong Hua was particularly cruel to her character, from the moment she was introduced to us to the moment we bid her farewell.
No wonder the novel ends with Xiang Liu's epilogue. Only by knowing the things Xiao Yao would never fully grasp can we see how much she lost forever.
Good evening, XiangLiulers! Welcome to Monday Night Live on XLFFB, where we’re cranking up the volume and bringing you the best hits from the ’80s, ’90s, and '00s.
Get ready to rock out the shell with some Xiang Liu-inspired classics. Put on your nine headphones on all your 18 ears and let's kick off the party with a classic from the early 2000s, "White Flag".
Our Xiang Liu Nation's anthem. The words we sing in our darkest moments.
We will go down with this ship. And we won't put our hands up and surrender. There will be no white flag above our door. We are in love and always will be.
If you are excited about the show after watching the trailer, great! Enjoy! I'm pretty excited too. But as far…
Kokuto, homie, we have been through a lot with that first wave of Jingers. But it was a good bonding experience. War-like stuff. I got arrows shot at my butt. Had to sit on pillows for weeks.
Remember that crazy one who went nuts in all caps? TAKE HIS NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH LOL my thoughts and prayers were with her capslock key. Girl. Embarrassinggg.
Yo, I didn't know they initially planned to cut Jing off. LOLOLOL I promise I wasn't in any way involved in that production. But imagine that. Wow. Absolute Cinema. Scorcese agrees.
2
Him coming to General Xiao’s aid is my weakness. 🫡✋🏻
The cinematography is beautiful indeed. Always the rain to make the important moments even more poignant.
Xiao Yao is a classic example of a codependent person whose ultimate fear is to be left alone, to be abandoned. You pointed out how she lived a lifetime of fear and trauma. That's true. She did. Her story arc ended with her desire to have someone who can accompany her for all eternity being fulfilled. Okay. That doesn't necessarily mean she had character growth. We can only say that she got what she wanted. Good for her.
As for the second part, absolutely nothing I said is related to cutting off ties with people and being a hermit. It may surprise you to know that these so-called hermits are much more prone to find enlightenment and happiness than many of us will ever be able to. But I digress. What I said has everything to do with maybe being single or maybe choosing to be in a relationship, but being comfortable with herself in any situation and not in a desperate state of having someone fill a void, which is our FL most prominent character trait.
The question is: are her final decisions still motivated by a fear of abandonment and crippling trauma? Has she really addressed these issues? You asked me: "That does not mean Xiaoyao never grew just because she chose what she had always wanted". What do you think about this? Do you honestly believe she had character development going from someone who started this story crippled by fears of being abandoned to someone who still wished to have a lifelong companion who could never abandon her because she was still afraid of being abandoned? I particularly think she went through many centuries of hardships and trials still retaining the same mindset. I could never understand how this could be considered character growth.
By the end of her journey, she was still clinging to the notion of having someone who would never abandon her. I can understand why she would long for that, after suffering as much as she did. What I can't understand is how keeping that same unreasonable expectation (you called it "the journey to the same goal") represents her facing her childhood issues and overcoming them. By forces not attributed to her own, she happened to end up with an equally codependent guy who considered her his only reason to live. I find it somewhat unhealthy but some folks seem to think it's romantic. It's all a matter of perspective.
TL;DR: No, I don't think Xiao Yao had any significant character development throughout the 51 chapters of the novel. I think her story is more of a cautionary tale, and I think Tong Hua was particularly cruel to her character, from the moment she was introduced to us to the moment we bid her farewell.
No wonder the novel ends with Xiang Liu's epilogue. Only by knowing the things Xiao Yao would never fully grasp can we see how much she lost forever.
Get ready to rock out the shell with some Xiang Liu-inspired classics. Put on your nine headphones on all your 18 ears and let's kick off the party with a classic from the early 2000s, "White Flag".
Our Xiang Liu Nation's anthem. The words we sing in our darkest moments.
We will go down with this ship. And we won't put our hands up and surrender. There will be no white flag above our door. We are in love and always will be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-fWDrZSiZs
More chart-topping favorites tomorrow, only here, on XLFFB, every night at 9. 🎙
Me writing ten paragraphs just to have a Jinger come at me like: TL;DR but you're a 12 year-old and Jing is the best, yay!
Yeehaw, what a ride. Never thought I would use my Law degree again. Good times.
Remember that crazy one who went nuts in all caps? TAKE HIS NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH LOL my thoughts and prayers were with her capslock key. Girl. Embarrassinggg.
Yo, I didn't know they initially planned to cut Jing off. LOLOLOL I promise I wasn't in any way involved in that production. But imagine that. Wow. Absolute Cinema. Scorcese agrees.
The beginning tho. I can barely remember the person I was before Xiang Liu. Scary stuff, me as a Jinger. Thinking it was all sunshine and rainbows.
LOL the maid. Low blow.