#weiding shijian bu

[angstmongertina]

Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart

2023 is gonna be the year when I finish fic and actually post them. Or at least the first part of the year is. We don’t talk about how long this fic has been in progress. Like, yes, I do know that the card came out nearly a full year ago now. I’m just a hot mess. It’s fine. Let’s just say I was inspired by the sweet chapter or something. :P

AO3 Link

By the time Artem finally makes it into the office, it is already in what could only generously be considered a mild uproar.

That, in it of itself, is not entirely unusual; he has been informed by Celestine on more than one occasion, in a tone that somehow makes the sentence a complaint rather than a statement of fact, that he is one of the most efficient and integral members of the firm, given his position and general workload, and one whose consistency is nearly paramount to the entire operation. Typically, it is not an issue, but between the jet lag and his recovery from the physical manifestations of his most recent… exertions, even the scant minutes late he has arrived have apparently resulted in chaos, especially considering his propensity for arriving an hour in advance. But even while the pandemonium itself is not wholly unexpected, the focal point to the whole chaos is.

Sitting at her desk, shifting somewhat under the intense gazes of at least a dozen other interns, is Eliana. It is not exactly a surprise, given that their combined absence was no doubt readily apparent, but the intensity of the crowd surrounding her, hanging onto her every word, seems to be too much, even for her friendly disposition.

For a moment, he hesitates, because he knows, of course he knows, that one of the big reasons for their interest is him. He has seen time and time again that, at least aside from Celestine and Eliana, the rest of Themis views him as some… cold machine, an unfeeling robot whose only concern is success in the courtroom, so he does not need to move closer to know that they must be asking her about the experience, about, perhaps, whether he is as uptight in travel as he is at work. Even Celestine, as much as she has befriended him, no doubt still thinks of him as a stick-in-the-mud, who can’t even get through the most basic conversation with the girl he likes. So naturally, if they are curious about the trip, it must be about him.

And since it is almost certainly about him, then it is even more inexcusable for him to abandon her to the wolves.

Sighing inwardly, he steps into the room, clearing his throat, but before the interns can do much so much as turn to eye him with a mix of shock and apprehension, the sharp tapping of heels echoes throughout the room. Very familiar tapping…

“What’s going on?”

It is almost comical how quickly everyone twists around to stare at Celestine, and as the silence grows increasingly awkward, she crosses her arms with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, then, I’m sure your friend’s return is very exciting but I believe you all have cases to work on?”

Much to his internal relief, and Eliana’s visible one, the others scatter immediately, leaving only Celestine, speaking in a low voice that he has no hope of making out. He pauses, debating on whether he needs to run interference, but when a smile blossoms across the girl’s face, brilliant and warm, he finds himself relaxing, even as he has to look away, and makes his way towards his office.

Perhaps, for once, he may escape a confrontation.

Unfortunately, that hope is dashed almost instantly, when he hears the rapid footsteps following him, and he fights another sigh as he lets himself into his office, briefly contemplating the wisdom of locking the door behind him.

Then again, knowing Celestine, she would only demand entry anyway, and in a way that will only draw even more attention to the situation.

Instead, he sits at his desk, willing his face into inscrutability as she pushes in without so much as a knock.

“What is it?”

When she only crosses her arms, stepping closer in silence, he gives into the urge to sigh. “Look, if it’s nothing, there is work that I would like to—”

“‘What is it?’ What is it?” She stops at his desk only to step around it and he finds himself leaning back to avoid the finger she directs at his chest. “Is that all you have to say for yourself after that stunt you pulled?”

Ah. Right. That.

He lets out a slow breath, stares at the finger practically prodding him on his breast pocket, and resigns himself to his fate. “You’re right, my apologies.”

“Of course I’m right! You could have— wait, what?”

If the entire situation weren’t so serious, her sudden blinking might have even been funny. Instead, he only bows his head in contrition, because she is right and he knows it, knows that he was wrong, that of course he was wrong, and it is only sheer luck that prevented his error from affecting his clients. “You’re right,” he repeats, before looking up to fix his gaze on her. “It was foolish and unprofessional.”

“It was.” Her voice is cool and serious, though something in the quirk of her eyebrow seems to be mocking him, just a little. “And also dangerous for your health. You could have said something, you know. That work was meant to be manageable for two people working part time, not one idiot pulling multiple all-nighters while going out during the day. If I had known…”

“You weren’t supposed to know.”

“I figured as much when I didn’t realize until she had to reach out to ask.” She audibly sighs, her posturing seeming to soften, just a little. “Then again, I guess it’s partially on me for not seeing it coming, huh?”

He makes a noise that isn’t quite assenting, but it’s apparently enough for her as she shakes her head. “You realize that you’re going to be damn lucky if I don’t tell your foolishness to your mother, right? I’m certain she would have more than a few things to say about the matter and maybe you’d even listen to her.”

“Celestine!”

“Relax.” It isn’t until she pats him on the shoulder, visible smirk tucked into the corners of her lips, that he realizes he has tensed, body stiffening at the sheer thought of his mother discovering his stupidity. “Just promise me you learned your lesson—”

“I have.”

She quirks an eyebrow. “And that you’ll tell her how you feel before that yarn you both have around your wrists disintegrates.” She squints down at his hand, eyes narrowed in clearly feigned focus. “I recognize that color. Isn’t that your favorite sweater?”

“Celestine, you—”

Ignoring his protest entirely, she chuckles, breezing her way back towards the door before he can so much as organize his thoughts into some sort of order, let alone stop her. “Just tell her, Artem. And before either your mother or I have to stage some sort of intervention on your behalf, if you please?”

In the abrupt silence that follows, he takes a deep breath, resists the urge to massage his temples. Celestine means well. He knows this, knows that it’s only concern for his future, for his own existing feelings, that encourages her to speak out, to threaten meddling in his personal affairs as often as she does. But this he must do on his own, he must make his own pace, for fear of disrupting the carefully achieved balance he has found with her, of pushing her too far too quickly.

Instead, he rises to his feet and moves to his doorway, where Celestine left it ajar in her dramatic exit. He hesitates, considering, but curiosity wins out, and he makes his way to the break room, empty mug in hand and hoping that Celestine hasn’t taken it upon herself to set up there once again in the hopes of catching him out.

To his great relief, the coast is clear, and he sets up at the machine, taking advantage of its slow brewing to look across the office. It seems as though Celestine’s implied message was taken to heart; their coworkers have returned to their work, leaving her free at her desk, brow furrowed as she peruses the discovery files of their newest case, mouth moving along in silence to her focused reading. She pauses, frowns deeper, her free hand worrying with something resting on her wrist, and Celestine’s earlier words register.

Instinctively, he straightens, brushes the soft yarn still tied around his own wrist, and nods to himself. He’ll tell her. Between their NXX investigations, their work, and even their travels, there is momentum now, a progress that he needs to take advantage of, before someone else does it first. He’ll tell her, and soon. But first…

As the machine sputters to a stop, he grabs his coffee and turns back towards his office. First, he has some planning to do.

[wedreamedlove]

Mo Yi in Love - Character Study

I just read Mo Yi's [SSR Brewing Thoughts] card and, not only am I an emotional mess, but I also hit an epiphany regarding understanding his character and now I have to write about this. I know I'm going to repeat this at the end, but understand that Mo Yi is just a man who wants his first love to be his last love and who has relatable fears over failure, haha.

SPOILERS go up to chapter 3 of Mo Yi's personal route, [SSR Brewing Thoughts], [SR Fake Tears], [SSR Dangerous Invitation], and reveal Mo Yi's family background. In addition, while the lines are in order, I chose to remove some descriptions to keep things shorter.

First, I want to talk about Mo Yi's view towards love.

It's really positive, which is ironic given his background and what he grew up around. However, he's always been a rational person and the object or feeling itself has no crime, it's what people choose to do with it that matters.

[Personal Route Ch.1]

MY: True love brings light and hope to life and makes a person better and better.

MY: At any time, you could meet with that person who would make you a better person, but you may not be aware of it at the time.

[Personal Route Ch.3]

MY: Alright, quiet... What everyone here has said is all "love".

MY: Love itself is a concept that cannot be clearly defined because, for every person, their feelings and preferences are different.

MY: So, this student here, I apologize sincerely but I may not be able to give you an accurate answer.

Student: Professor, what do you feel is love then?

MY: Me...?

Mo Yi faintly smiled.

His eyes passed through the sea of people and met mine.

MY: To me, it is a unique miracle.

MY: She makes me unable to control wanting to investigate, to touch, and to figure out everything.

MY: There are even times where, for a short moment, I am unable to distinguish the divide between reason and emotion.

MY: In this world, there are too many people who are fair on the outside but foul on the inside, however there will always be that one person...

MY: She will make you become better, make you believe everything is wonderful, make you start to look forward... to the future.

Look, he's an utter romantic! But, like I mentioned above, he's also a rational person and he needs to make sure that this love is The One for him.

Second, what's important to mention here is his view on Love At First Sight because that's what he admits to himself that he has for his heroine.

However, he has a huge scar about Love At First Sight because of the tragedy that was his parents. His father, a nobleman, and his mother, a foreign woman from a background of scholars, fell in love with each other at first sight. However, due to his father's poor handling of the church in his country, which basically denied their relationship unless Mo Yi's mother converted to their religion, Mo Yi's mother left his father and his father lost the love of his life and has been regretting it to this day.

So, what does he think about Love At First Sight?

[Personal Route Ch.2]

MY: ...Personally, I believe in "love at first sight".

Student: Really? I thought someone rational and calm like you wouldn't believe in this sort of illusion.

MY: "Love at first sight" has uncertain factors, but that doesn't mean its existence itself is a mistake.

MY: Furthermore, isn't it human nature to harbor hope for this wonderful and sincere emotion? I am no exception.

MY: Only...

Mo Yi paused slightly and, when he opened his mouth again, there seemed to be some unclear emotion in his tone.

MY: When "love at first sight" arrives, I am more inclined to make a particular judgment first rather than walk eagerly towards love.

MY: Those wonderful things that are unforgettable for people, are they for real or are they "ephemeral"? This is more important, is it not?

Student: Oh, can this sort of thing be tested? Professor, can you teach me?

MY: It's not a peculiar method, you just need to make observations.

Student: Observations?

MY: Correct, observe the other party's attitude and thoughts when facing matters, especially the things that really threaten their lives or safety.

MY: To a certain extent, a person's behavior can reflect their personality.

As a top psychiatrist, Mo Yi is extremely honest to himself with his own emotions and thoughts. Heck, that's why he always records voiced diary logs because he uses those to examine his own mental state. So, this determination on whether or not the target of his Love At First Sight is The One means a lot to him, because he will throw himself fully into this love.

One huge thing about Mo Yi is that he chases perfection and has an aversion to imperfect things. This stems from his deathly fear of failure because he doesn't believe there is a "next time" after failure. Once something fails, that's the end. This is due to his parents again and how, while it takes time to nurture emotions, it only takes an instant to lose emotions or trust.

Third, because of the above, it is incredibly important for Mo Yi minimize as much "risks" as possible.

The translations below are going to be paired together for consistency, but they will be addressing two points at the same time. One, that Mo Yi may exaggerate the emotions he reveals, but they are genuine. Two, that he is showing his "imperfect" and "ugly" sides to his heroine in controlled settings because he doesn't want her to hate him.

(On a minor note, I think it should be kept in mind that he's also observing her through all of this to determine whether or not she's The One, but honestly she just keeps surprising him throughout the game and making him fall harder and harder for her).

[SR Fake Tears]

In those gold eyes of his, the usual gentle smile was replaced by another emotion.

MC: Dr. M-Mo...?

That expression... was not sadness and was not relief, but...

A kind of inevitable self-confidence, the satisfaction of seeing through everything, or... an unfathomable control.

That glance... was it my misconception?

In the flickering light, that expression was gone in a flash. I was incapable of determining it, but instinctively a hint of a chill rose from the bottom of my heart...

MY: Did I scare you?

MY: I just... don't want to hide myself in front of you. I just want to be honest about my weakness in front of you alone.

MY: You won't hate me, right?

Before I could answer, he smiled softly.

MY: Let me indulge myself this once, alright?

MY: Just for this short while...

[SR Fake Tears]

Mo Yi sat at his desk and turned on his digital voice recorder.

The time on the recorder slowly moved forward, but Mo Yi only watched that changing number without saying a word.

After a long time, a soft sigh came from the quiet room.

MY: I shouldn't have done that...

MY: Just for a moment of warmth, I deliberately showed her that appearance, even exaggerating my sadness and weakness...

MY: I even fully enjoyed indulging myself... I sought even more from her, hoping she would... feel even more sorry for me.

MY: But, at that time, I really didn't want to use reason to control my emotions.

MY: This is the first time I've been so... contradictory, chaotic...

His voice became lighter and lighter.

MY: The yearning I have for her... is already... an addiction I cannot give up...

[SSR Brewing Thoughts]

MY: Saying you wouldn't be able to sleep tonight was only an excuse, wasn't it? You were afraid I would have a sleepless night because I would think about past matters.

MC: Dr. Mo, you—

MY: I'm really happy.

MY: I won't be sad because of those things, but I truly am really happy.

His fingertips gently caressed my wrist.

MY: A child who has tasted candy would have a hard time enduring the loss. Can I be insatiable and rely on you more?

MY: Or is it that people who are too strong, who don't feel sad, have no way of receiving concern?

MY: Are you... going to leave and ignore me?

There was a hint of pretend grievance in his voice, and also a deep belief and certainty that I couldn't refuse him.

MC: (Too unfair! There's no way to refuse...)

Before I could answer, Mo Yi held my wrist and pulled me even closer to him.

MY: Just stay here, right with me.

Some context here is that he was acting "drunk" in the translation above. Below was the reveal that he wasn't actually drunk.

[SSR Brewing Thoughts]

The bud of feelings needed to be raised with the utmost care, but how could he let it grow strong in an unpredictable environment?

Of course he had to control it himself rather than allowing it to happen naturally.

Just like adjusting the sun and rain when a grapevine was growing, and just like controlling every timing of winemaking.

Furthermore, if someone wanted a grape seedling, which was imperfect to begin with, to produce the desired fruit, to brew the perfect wine, then it needed even more precise control.

Otherwise... just like wine, a small error might lead to serious consequences.

As you can see, the god complex and obsession over control is strong here. He cannot and does not believe to leaving things to random nature. He's not willing to lose this love and will do anything to give him and his heroine a happy ending (unlike his parents).

That's not to say that he HAS to control everything though. He actually doesn't care about the process (nature vs. nurture) so long as the results are good. But, like I mentioned above, he is certainly a master of reducing "risks".

However, and this was the whole point of [SSR Brewing Thoughts], Mo Yi's heroine teaches him that there is a "next time" after failure. She teaches him that, sometimes, the journey along the way is more important than the conclusion and that what's most important is whether or not the person he loves is beside him.

What is extremely touching is how matter-of-factly she tells him that they can just try again if they fail at something. He does not need to chase perfection when he is around her and a lot of his dates are seeing him in various states of failure. Practicing failure is such a relatable thing for us all to learn in life.

Fourth, I am going to repeat myself a little here after these translations but, in my opinion, Mo Yi carries a childlike honesty and purity regarding his emotions. The thing that makes him so charming is that while he plays these manipulative tricks, he is also extremely blunt about his own emotions. He expresses his jealousy, his possessiveness, his blunders, etc. He wants her to be the only one who can see these different sides of him and perceive his moods when he normally keeps everyone else at a polite distance. The ONLY disguise he wears is a flimsy one that hides what, in his eyes, are the "ugliest" sides of himself because he doesn't want his heroine to hate him; but he doesn't hide the fact that he has these ugly sides at all.

Fifth, basically, go ahead and fall in love with Mo Yi! He looks dangerous and he sort of is (extremely grey morality, does not adhere to the Hippocratic Oath, literally amassed power to have the choice to do what he wants, and uses his own scale of judgment, but that's another essay for another time) but he is never dangerous to you and is just as invested in this love as you are.

I suppose one thing you do have to watch out for is his arrogant god complex and believing he knows what's best LOL.

[Personal Route Ch.3]

MY: Because the mother eagle knows that, only after experiencing the pain and torment of a broken wing, the young eagle will truly have the ability to soar in the sky.

MY: Although this is just a metaphor that is somewhat different from reality, when it comes to her...

MY: This is the path she chose and, not only will I let her walk on it, but I will also let her become the most dazzling presence on this road.

MY: But, Constable Yan, you should know better than me what sort of end most people who pursue light in the chaos have.

MY: So, to recognize the darkness in front of her and face it directly is something she must learn.

MY: If she was always huddled under the wings of others, then her road would end here.

YW: But aren't you afraid of something happening by chance?

MY: "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions."

MY: Since I chose to do this I naturally have enough certainty. Besides... I am here, so who could hurt her?

However, this is not a one-way street and the same goes for the heroine and what she can do to him. In fact, I am going to end this essay with one of my favorite quotes ever in this game (even still to this day), because it honestly shows how Mo Yi fell in love with the dazzling justice the heroine upholds and how he will accept anything of her.

One thing he says in a beta PV, the prologue of the game, and [SSR Border of Light and Darkness] is that he hopes she can stick with the choice she makes, even if it runs counter to the world and everyone is against her.

So, anyway, the context of the quote below is important because [SSR Dangerous Invitation] is essentially a microcosm of their relationship. They roleplay a locked-room mystery and, in the end, the heroine chooses to throw Mo Yi (her lover in the game) into jail because he's a murderer (even though he did it for her). She chooses the truth and her version of justice over them living together in a lie (by pushing the blame to someone else). Before the lover is executed, he writes one last love letter and this is what Mo Yi reads out to his heroine at the end of the date.

[SSR Dangerous Invitation]

MY: Perhaps what he was infatuated with was this kind of you.

MC: !!!

Hearing his words, I looked up in astonishment.

Those gold eyes suddenly became profound and intense. I couldn't understand his emotions, only feeling that I was about to fall into his eyes.

The noisy wind and the voices of people on the long street gradually faded away at his words.

Only my heartbeat remained in my ears and the last love letter the duke wrote to the viscountess before the gallows that he read out slowly.

MY: "I will always open wide my arms and accept all your beauty and cruelty."

MY: "I hope that you will, with this heart, embrace the one and only truth you pursue."

Sorry, I can't resist finishing off by saying some more sappy words but, again, Mo Yi is just a simple man who wishes his first love to be his last love and he's so invested in this love. You are the once-in-a-lifetime stirring of his heart.

[iustitiacried]

marius would be the type to show up at your doorstep at midnight to ask you if you'd be up for a late night drive. you don't have to though! he understands he might be bothering you, visiting uninvited at an ungodly time but he just really wanted to see you, even for just a moment after such a long week. and how could you ever disagree? when he shows you that vulnerable side of his that never fails to make you weak in the knees. 

"it won't take long anyway," you say but a small, nagging part of you knows it's because you miss him, too.

the luxurious touch of his leather seat a bit foreign and his suit leaving you feeling a little underdressed but all that apprehension lasts but a moment, awash by the comfort his presence gives you.

the night goes by with just the two of you sitting next to each other in silence, the street lights reflecting in your eyes, each sneaking glances at the other whenever they think the other isn't looking. the solemn look on his face as he drives makes you wonder what he's thinking.

and as the trip comes to a close and the glowing city lights dim as daniel caesar's voice echoes in the background, marius slows down by a nearby park. "to take a breather and properly take in the sights," he says but he's only looking at you.

[diavoliklouvre]

my contribution to the sasa lele meme

[tiramisiyu]

hi tira, im new to tear of themis and have recently heard about the game!!! first off, thank you so much for translations ;w; they are very very helpful 💖 i wanted to ask though, who the boys are in terms of personality??? if,, that makes sense wah,,, they all look very handsome but still very confused about who they are as people. im very interested in vyn specifically because he seems very mysterious to me. sorry for the weird ask aaaaaaa pls ignore if rude,,,

Hi! Below is a quick summary of what they've displayed from the closed beta, and under the cut I'm going to be going into a more detailed list on their personalities based on the CN server's content~ (although keep in mind that this is only from my perspective which means that my knowledge is heavily weighted towards Xia Yan and might not be as well rounded for the other three hahaha)

From Closed Beta:

Xia Yan/Luke: the sunshiny childhood friend who's hiding many things

Zuo Ran/Artem: the work senior everyone looks up to and fears, but actually has a gentle and awkward side

Mo Yi/Vyn: the refined, polite man with a tendency for jealousy and wanting to present his best side

Lu Jinghe/Marius: a cottequish, smug young artist who's simultaneously carrying the weight of his family's heavy legacy

From the CN Server:

Xia Yan:

Sunshiny side, yes, but he really only shows that to MC. He's polite and mature with most people and can be casually sarcastic with friends.

He's a... very selfless person who tries to take on everything himself if he can... 😢

His development right now focuses on handling the many things he's hiding, and how he gradually shifts from trying to handle everything alone

And then there's his "Raven" side oh my god. Super hot. When facing dangerous people, he gets reaaally scary and it's amazing to watch.

Indulgent with his pet myna bird

Good at everything, except for love~ (this is not an exaggeration)

Zuo Ran:

Well as far as I can tell, he still maintains those aspects displayed in the closed beta. Zuo Ran is what I consider to be the most straightforward in terms of personality between the four guys - not a good or a bad thing, just an observation.

Straightforward development of getting to know MC and getting closer

Sir pls stop reading that book, you're great as you are

A very considerate man!

Writes movie reviews, likes movies

Swims, shoots guns, likes speedy driving... likes bridge

Good at staying calm in a bad situation, as expected of a top lawyer like him

Mo Yi:

Dude is quite the complex character, I don't think I can adequately sum him up and most of the points I can put down is thanks to other friends' analyses on him

He tries to put on his best face forward, a man who is refined and highly capable

A lot of his development has to do with realizing that imperfection is not necessarily a bad thing, and that it's alright to go beyond what he's skilled at

The most prone to jealousy in the team, such that he's called 醋王 in the CN fandom - "King of Jealousy" (literally King of Vinegar)

Something I like to note about him is how he believes that law cannot adjudicate all, in contrast with the main cast's two lawyers

Lu Jinghe:

He's got lots going on

He's at heart an artist and a dreamer, but his heavy family identity pulls him down to earth

He's quite a selfless person - he takes on the mantle of Pax CEO at such a young age because he feels that his dad deserves a rest... and his brother is [redacted]. Simultaneously, he tries to help out other artists if possible, knowing that a position of power like his can be used for good things, even if it's not necessarily a good thing for himself

Cottequish and sly with MC (unless if MC can land a verbal attack back)

When the NXX boys argue, he's probably the one who gets bullied most haha

Impressively mature and professional as the CEO, and can be quite imposing

[hallowsivy]

@humi-and-co got us these gorgeous Zuo Ran themed bracelets by Twi: @witchtomez/Insta: @witchs_crafts for my birthday & I’m in loove 🥺💕

Added a little Zuo Ran hehe ~u~

Here’s a little homey Yoosung for Witch as well~~

[sinful-liesel]

✨[Tears of Themis Merch] USA/Worldwide Group Order✨ #lieselGOs

Hello everyone! I’m hosting a group order for Tears of Themis Official Goods! (TOTH GO#02)

📄 GENERAL INFO: - Order Form: bit.ly/3ikQeVn - Deadline: Oct 13 (11PM CST) - Paypal, Venmo & other payment methods 🆗 - DM for more info

Reblogs & shares are appreciated too! ❤

── ⋆ PRODUCT DETAILS ⋆ ──

💕 Tears of Themis Mid-Autumn Festival Series – Q-ver. Acrylic Stand

Please read the order form for additional details such as pricing, etc ☆

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

💸 PAYMENT (Payment Extension Requests 🆗): - Payment 1: Item Price - Payment 2: EMS (split between participants) + shipping to you

📦 SHIPPING: - Worldwide Shipping Available (I’m based in the US) - Tracking Included - Consolidate Orders 🆗

[tea-and-otome-games]

4 days!!!

[vynegar]

you know how when you open the game, one of the boys says “Tears of Themis”? i didn’t even think about it before, but the chinese version of the game has them saying the chinese game title instead, 未定事件簿 (weiding shijian bu/x-note)

video here

[angstmongertina]

Worth a Thousand Words

Inspired by a conversation in the ToT Discord server months ago with Jem, and only finally finished writing it up now. If you're not sure what it's referencing, look carefully at Artem's tablet, the one that can be used to level up his skills.

Can you tell I love the Autumn Dreams card?

Cross-posted to AO3.

At first, it seemed like the best way to keep a remembrance of that day with him, no matter where he is. The painting he keeps, of course, but he knows his luck and a certain coworker’s tenacity well enough to know that if he keeps it in his office, sooner or later, Celestine will find it, and the ensuing conversation is not one he is, or honestly will ever be, ready for.

Especially if she sees fit to tell his mother.

No, when it comes to his personal life, he is barely able to hold the onslaught of their combined inquiries at bay as it is. The added fuel from a painting, especially one as intimate, as easily misunderstood, as that one, would only serve to create an inferno that he has no hope of controlling. An inferno that would surely consume everything, including these first, tentative buds of something more than just a friendship, than just a work relationship, in its path.

And yet he still cannot bring himself to remove all traces of it from his office. Not when the warm autumn sunlight bathes his room in gold, when colorful leaves dance outside the window in the cool breeze. When, if he closes his eyes, he can still feel the soft weight of her head on his shoulder, the gentle rise and fall of her chest…

When he knows that moment will be, when he wants that moment to be, imprinted in his memory forever.

And so, he saves it to his tablet, a carefully taken picture capturing that warm afternoon so indelibly etched into his mind, that immediately transports him back to that bench, with the young couple and the gentle sunlight and her, soft and sweet and serene. It is his secret, this wallpaper, safe from the prying gazes of conniving firm co-founders and desperate parents and anyone else who might treat him differently for it. A small keepsake for his eyes and his eyes only.

Or, at least, so he thinks.

He doesn’t even realize at first. In the time since he’s saved it, she has visited his office, has bent her head over the tablet screen, many times, a constant confirmation of her skill, her hard work and dedication as his junior partner. And with each time, he slowly, gradually, relaxes, forgetting his anxiety over her potential discovery until…

“Mister… Mr. Wing?”

It takes a moment for her voice to register and he raises his head from his notes, blinking to dislodge the scribbles still swimming in his vision. She was studying the interview transcript, searching for any clue they might have missed so far in the investigation, but suddenly…

Suddenly, she has fixed her gaze on him, and rather than the focused, or even excited, expression he might expect, there is hesitation, or perhaps embarrassment, flitting across her features, as she shifts her attention from him to the tablet in her hands, its screen dark.

“What is it?” The question falls naturally from his lips but he doesn’t need to wait for her answer. He knows the answer, he knows, because it was inevitable, because it is only logical that at some point, the screen would go dark or one of them would turn it off or she would find it lying around, or a thousand other clearly very plausible scenarios that he somehow managed to forget about.

Perhaps he should be thankful that it is now and her, rather than a different day, a different coworker.

Except it is hard to convince himself of that in this moment, not when she is visibly struggling to meet his eyes, her cheeks colored a vibrant red, and he abruptly remembers her reaction when she first saw the painting, her discomfort and mortification at their pose, at the concept of being so intimate with him, all evident in her voice, in the changes to her face. And now, he has put the image before her again, only this time, it is a thing of weeks past, a distant memory of hers, perhaps, brought back to vivid, humiliating life.

“I…” Her voice is a lifeline in his rapidly swirling thoughts and he clings to it desperately despite what he knows she must be feeling, even as she offers him a small, awkward smile. “I accidentally let the screen go dark and I can’t get back in.”

He clears his throat, tugging gently at his tie in an attempt to release some of the pressure around his neck.

It doesn’t work.

“Uh. Right.” She makes no comment as he shifts the screen closer, though he does not fail to miss, could not possibly fail to miss, the speed with which she shrinks away, as though she is suddenly nervous to touch him. As though she suddenly is no longer comfortable around him.

Not that he can blame her, of course. Not after that.

Barely managing to repress a sigh, he keys in the passcode, mentally releasing a slow breath of relief as his wallpaper is replaced by the document she has been perusing.

“Here.” It’s too loud in the silent office and he can feel her jump, just a little bit, though whether it’s in response to the volume or just him, he can’t say. Then again, if he’s being honest with himself, he’s not entirely sure he wants to know.

“Oh! Thanks.” Instead of turning her attention back to the transcript, however, she continues to watch him, a hint of a blush still dusting her cheeks and fingers nervously toying with a loose strand of hair.

“Is something the matter?”

Halfway through shaking her head, she pauses and he has to actively force himself to keep his face impassive at the way she worries at her lip. “Not really. I just…” She visibly steels herself, drawing a deep breath, though her gaze remains focused on a point past his shoulder, out of sight. “I was thinking that it might be easier if you sent this to me? We can both look over it that way and…”

She trails off, but he doesn’t need to hear the rest of it to know what decorum is stopping her from saying. “Of course. Besides, I’m sure you have other cases to work on. And I’m sure you…” He pauses, watches the way she continues to studiously avoid his gaze, and clears his throat. “Um, I mean, my apologies, I didn’t mean to keep you.”

At that, she smiles at him, and his chest tightens at the glimmer of something resembling relief in her eyes. “Thank you. And it’s fine. I’ll just…”

He is already reaching for the tablet when she does; their fingers brush and he jerks away without thinking, an apology on his lips, but before he can, she catches his gaze again, cheeks darkening as she chuckles, a quiet, nervous noise.

“My apologies. I… Umm.” She shakes her head, sending her bangs flying past her eyes. “Go ahead.”

He swallows the words on the tip of his tongue with some difficulty, instead settling for unlocking the tablet and pushing it towards her. “Here, you can do it.”

“Oh.” Her eyes catch his before darting away again, but her hand is faster, pulling it to her and tapping at the screen quickly. “Thank you.”

He knows he should wave it away, should say something, anything, in response, but now she’s smiling, a small, shy curve of the lips, as she hands the tablet back to him, and suddenly, despite her earlier discomfort, despite the awkwardness of the past few moments, all he can focus on, all that he knows, is the warmth in her eyes, is the light blush on her cheeks.

Is her.

She is back on her feet and most of the way to the door before his brain manages to catch up, and her name is out of his mouth before he can think better of it.

“What is it?”

“I…” Soft green eyes narrow at him with concern and he tugs at his tie again, swallowing a sigh. He’s made yet another mistake, stopping her like this, and he knows it, but then again, it seems like he’s always fumbling around her at times like these, when the line between work partners and… and whatever their relationship is has been crossed.

“Mr. Wing?”

Even her voice is worried now, and he has to consciously smooth his face out of its frown, to consciously release the tension between his brows. Instead, he smiles, though he doesn’t need to see it to know that it is tinged with that familiar helplessness he feels, that he so often feels, at his own predicament.

“It’s nothing. I just… I wanted to apologize, if it made you uncomfortable.” There is no need to say what it is—he can see it in her eyes, in the way her gaze darts to his tablet before fixing back on his face, and he takes a deep breath, pressing on before she can interrupt. “I promise nobody else has seen it but I know you didn’t really like it when you first saw it so I can change it and delete—”

“No!” His jaw nearly snaps shut at her vehemence and even she looks taken aback as she shakes her head. “I mean… I don’t mind. I’m happy. I mean, I really enjoyed it.”

He blinks, though he’s not sure if it’s in response to her words or the way her face is slowly turning brighter. Regardless, she seems to notice, if the sudden panic in her expression is any indication.

“No! Not the part where I fell asleep on you! Just helping them and the studying and just… thank you. For that day.”

“Oh.” His throat is strangely dry at the sincerity in her expression, at the trust and admiration he’s not sure he deserves, and he swallows. “There’s no need for such formality. Besides, it’s the least that I could do for you.”

“Mr. Wing?”

His brain catches up with his mouth a heartbeat too slow and he suddenly finds himself unable to meet those piercing green eyes, to see if he has finally pushed her too far out of her comfort zone. “I mean… We are partners, after all.”

“Right. Partners.” Is it his imagination or is her response strangely flat? But it must be his imagination, because the next minute, she laughs and shakes her head, a familiar spark of focus tightening her expression, settling onto her shoulders as she shifts back into work mode. “I guess I better live up to that, then.”

“You are already doing more than enough.”

She shakes her head, mouth set in a stubborn line. “Not compared to you.”

He opens his mouth without knowing entirely what it is he wants to say, but before he can, she flashes him another quick, nervous smile, small but still blinding, all-encompassing, shattering his thoughts into oblivion. “Thank you. Again. For, um, everything.”

She’s gone before he can get his thoughts back in order, before he can even think to ask what she is referring to, and he is only left staring at the closed door in her wake, left wondering whether he has finally, finally overstepped his bounds, whether he has finally managed to push her away for good.

Given the speed with which she left the conversation and vanished from view, he rather suspects that it isn’t a bad guess.

Sighing yet again, he thumbs his tablet open, contemplating the wisdom of sending her something—a follow-up, maybe, or perhaps an apology?—before he processes the screen before him. Still open to his email, the last message to her is at the top of the screen, complete with… two attachments?

He frowns, tapping at the message before he can think better of it. She should have already had all of the other paperwork for the case, other than the transcript, so, then what—

Oh.

The photo from his background fills the screen in all of its vivid splendor. The paint strokes and colors, now almost as familiar to him as her face itself, dance before him, encased in warm, gentle memories of golden sunlight and autumn breezes.

“Artem.”

He jerks upright, instinctively closing the screen at the teasing, too-familiar voice. Celestine stands with arms crossed over her chest as she leans against his doorway, one eyebrow raised and a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

“What do you want?”

She laughs, shaking a finger at him as though he is nothing more than an unruly toddler. “Now, now, I’m only saying hello and you’ve already got so much attitude. One would think you weren’t just staring at your screen with a truly besotted expression on your face.”

Barely managing to keep his face impassive, he sits up with a sigh. Years of working with her at Themis has taught him that she will only get more insufferable until he has let her say her piece, and he has no doubt that this time will be like every other. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Fine.” She pouts, though it does nothing to hide the glint of mischief still dancing in her eyes. “Guess who I ran into as she was leaving your office earlier.”

And of course, she intends to draw the conversation out, no doubt in the hopes to provoke him into revealing something. Shaking his head, he sighs again. “She is my partner, as you well know.”

She waved her hand airily. “Naturally, naturally. It would be strange if she did not meet you in your office. But,” and here she grins, an almost predatory expression, as she walks closer to look down at his thankfully blank tablet, leaning her hip against his desk, “that doesn’t explain why she was so red in the face, now, does it? Surely nothing in the interview could have been so… provoking?”

“Of course not.” He clears his throat, leaning back to meet her teasing gaze with a calm one of his own. “Whatever it is is none of our business.”

“Isn’t it?” When he doesn’t rise to her bait, her face turns more impish. “I believe Professor An—”

“Professor An would probably have more questions about why you are gossiping about your coworkers instead of working on the merger contract that we need to present next week,” he retorts.

Clearly undeterred by the sharpness of his voice, she only raises her eyebrow. “Not if it’s about you.” When he remains silent, she leans over, as though hoping to get a glimpse of the screen. “But stop changing the subject. What exactly were you looking at with such intensity, hm?”

He only barely manages to stop himself from flinching, instead rising to his feet with a suddenness that even has Celestine taking a step back. “Work. Just like you ought to be.”

The disapproval in the click of her tongue, paired with the crossing of her arms, almost seems to echo in his office. “Of course. It’s always work, work, work with you. No wonder at least half of the office is terrified of you. You’re no fun.”

He doesn’t manage to hide his sigh. “Celestine…”

“Fine, fine. I’m leaving. Focus on your work. Keep your secrets. Whatever.” She pauses, halfway to the door, and he feels a sliver of foreboding as she turns to wink at him. “Though maybe she will be more forthcoming…”

“Celestine, wait, you—”

She smirks, checking her conspicuously bare wrist in a very deliberate show. “My apologies, Artem, no time to chat. I have a contract to review, you know.”

Before he can respond, she practically skips out of the room and he is once again left staring at his closed office door. He pauses for a heartbeat, considers the wisdom of hurrying after her and getting to her before Celestine does, but…

But thankfully, rationality asserts itself after another second, because he knows Celestine, has helped her organize and run Themis Law Firm for years and known her for longer still, from when she was his senior in school. And more than that, he knows that, while she might tease and pressure him on occasion—or perhaps more often than just on occasion, she is truly trying to look out for his best interests, and as such surely knows better than to actually interfere.

Not like this.

Sighing, he sinks back into his chair, letting his head drop into his hands. In some ways, he can’t blame Celestine, or his mother. Not when they have borne witness to his hesitance for years, since she first settled in, with her sincerity and determination and boundless compassion, at Themis Law… and into his heart.

Then again, what else can he do, when he is nothing but a coworker, her work partner? Just her strict, straight-laced, boring pseudo-boss.

Or so he thought, at least, but…

Sitting back up, he casts his gaze back on his tablet, absently unlocking it and staring once more at the email. The email and its inexplicable, unbelievable, beloved attachment.

Or maybe, just maybe, he has a reason for hope.

[wedreamedlove]

Lu Jinghe SSR [Honorable Crowning]

Transient lights and shadows and colorful dreams.

Drawing hand in hand, memories enter lingeringly into paintings.

Granting steadfast companionship, go forward side by side with him.

Using sweet and warm feelings, crown him with honor.

Lu Jinghe, happy birthday.

The charity Mihoyo picked this time was the China Youth Development Foundation, which is basically an art foundation for children. Some extremely touching prose again:

If an unstained piece of white paper by chance runs into many colors, it will reveal the splendid colors of life at the end.

If an unopened brush encounters gorgeous scenery, it will definitely be able to paint extraordinary future sights.

He is a magician in control of colors and conceals passionate love behind his delicate paintings.

He is a paladin who protects art and uses both hands to support the dreams and freedom of the youth.

“No matter if your age is large or small, if you’re poor or rich, or if you’re noble or common, everyone has the right to enjoy the beauty of art. “

[iustitiacried]

i kind of feel embarrassed rambling here but it's just....the moment i saw this photo it just struck me god i can never win against him.

cliche as it is, i genuinely can't find the words that i feel can give justice in describing just how much i love this man. which is ironic, really, as a self-proclaimed writer in my free time.

the way he looks at his art so fondly and lovingly makes my heart ache in both the sweetest and most bitter of ways. i want to be the art he so carefully makes, i want to be the knight that stands gallant by his side...forfeiting all mortal possesions in the name of protecting the king and the little moments like this.

i want to rub his shoulders and temples and encourage him between breaks as we both work. i want to kiss the gap between his eyes and remind him that all will be alright in time.... romantically or otherwise, i just want to him to always be able to experience the happiness he has here.

tl;dr: this one photo is giving me brainworms and making me lose my mind

[tiramisiyu]

Tears of Themis: 夏彦 Xia Yan Translation Masterlist

Complete Masterlist

Note: All items here are for content unreleased in Global! Please refer to the Archives for translated items that have an official equivalent in Global.

【夏彦思绪故事】 Xia Yan’s Card Dates/Monologues

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼ SSR ✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

暗漪 | Dark Ripple (2nd Birthday)

瑰色余温 | Rosy Warmth (Snowfallen Secrets)

戏影入梦 | Dreamland Drama (Ancient China Event)

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼ SR ✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

纸间情眷 | Love Between Papers (Revisiting Youth)

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼ MR ✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

明熹 | Bright Warmth 

囚月 | Imprisoning Moon (Bewitching Night Rave)

[tearsofthemis]

[Symphony of the Night] Lu JingHe’s SSR 【Absurd Banquet】

“The night won’t extend for anyone, but a new night will always arrive as scheduled. As long as I wish for it, there are still many things that are possible to do.”

Take all the showy fame and wealth and throw it behind you, and hold close the hand of the person next to you—— “The only restrictions after escaping all the rules is you and me.”

[sinful-liesel]

✨[Tears of Themis Merch] USA/Worldwide Group Order✨ #lieselGOs

Hello everyone! I’m hosting a group order for Tears of Themis Official Goods! (TOTH GO#01)

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── ⋆ PRODUCT DETAILS ⋆ ──

💕 Tears of Themis Hidden Feelings Series – Mo Yi Birthday Gift Box (Gift Box + Can Badge + Brooch + Acrylic Keychain) – Mo Yi Birthday Poster – Mo Yi Birthday Shikishi Illustration Board – Mo Yi Birthday Can Badge

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