im once again going to talk about the jade guanyin and shen qingqiu symbolism because it roundhouse kicked me in my face and I can’t get over it
The necklace makes its first appearance when Binghe is being bullied by Ming Fan. This is also the first time we see SQQ actively standing up for LBH, actively attacking Ming Fan and gang and scaring them away from LBH. This is also how he acquires the necklace and keeps it with him.
Every time the necklace is mentioned afterwards, it is the system suggesting the necklace as a means to pacify LBH’s anger. However SQQ doesn’t feel it’s the right time to use it. Also each of these scenes are extremely emotionally charged, with SQQ facing a choice to show his true emotions or fake it. SQQ keeps the fake jade pendant with him and fakes his emotions. In all of these scenes, had SQQ revealed his true feelings it could have actually changed the entire trajectory of the story. I’m talking about their reunion in Jinlan City and the water prison. Had SQQ shown LBH just how devastated he’d been after he’d pushed LBH into the abyss, we all know LBH would’ve crumbled like a sandcastle.
And in the end when SQQ finally gives the pendant to LBH it is also the time he finally comes to terms with his feelings for LBH, when he decides that he needs to show LBH that he has always been his first choice and that he is so loved by him. This is the time when he lets go of the fake exterior he showed to everyone.
Took me a long time, but here it is - Rapture from Bioshock on a slice of jade for @xxkyuubimonxx . It was a painstaking work, but it helped taking my mind off the war's "anniversary"