To Embers We Return (焚情) Read Along: Chapters 31-40

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I know the novel has finished serialising and some of you have already finished reading it, but I've been having fun catching up in the comments of the previous chapter-by-chapter discussions so here's another read-along post. Whether you're also planning to binge-read the whole thing now that it's finished, or have already read it and want to relive the fun, or are following via douqi's translation, come and join me!

Note: I will not be writing detailed chapter summaries because I'd like to finish the novel sometime this decade, but I'll try to give at least brief notes on what happens, to help keep track of where in the story we are. I might also switch to 20 chapters at a time rather than 10 to keep the number of posts manageable but want to get to a nice multiple of 20 first.

Discussion of Chapters 1 to 10 can be found here.

Discussion of Chapters 11 to 20 can be found here.

Discussion of Chapters 21 to 30 can be found here.

The link to the novel on JJWXC is here; douqi's ongoing translation is here.

Comments

Re: Chapter 36

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- Shen Ni when will you learn not to start games you aren't willing to finish XD There's a line about how Shen Ni was the one to first suggest their eventual divorce, and now the very stones she tossed in the air are falling on her own head, and honestly that pretty much describes Shen Ni. So clever that most of her problems are entirely of her own making. Love that for her.

- Someone save this poor plushie

- I have to laugh at how Bian Jin can see through Shen Ni's tricks but can't quite manage to see just how desperately Shen Ni wants in her pants.

- Shen Ni calling to the kitchens for popcorn snacks whilst she watches the bounty hunters via spybird livestream is absolutely iconic.

- a highkey mysterious passage about how Bian Jin will leave Chang'an when the time comes, how someone has a lock on her body and soul, and Chang'an was only ever a dream WHAT! DOES! THIS! MEAN!?!?!?!??! WHAT IS IN YOUR HEAD BIAN JIN?

- I see you there, second narrative mention of a top-tier machinist who disappeared several years ago. I see you. (Absolutely wild guess: a time-traveller?)

- I absolutely lost it at 沈乖乖/Shen Guaiguai. Also I so badly want to see Bian Jin actually call her that at some point because I think it would short-circuit Shen Ni's brain.

Re: Chapter 36

[douqi]

Someone save this poor plushie
Worse things happen to the plushie if you can believe it (it was the Black Box all along! Just joking... or am I).

Shen Ni calling to the kitchens for popcorn snacks whilst she watches the bounty hunters via spybird livestream is absolutely iconic.
I absolutely love this and love it becoming a running theme. All Shen Ni has ever wanted is to hang out with shijie, munch on snacks and dabble in non-urgent projects. Instead.

I absolutely lost it at 沈乖乖/Shen Guaiguai. Also I so badly want to see Bian Jin actually call her that at some point because I think it would short-circuit Shen Ni's brain.
POINTEDLY NOT SAYING ANYTHING (but also omg Ning Yuan your callback abilities are LEGEND).

Re: Chapter 36

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it was the Black Box all along
The 黄雀 lurking behind!

All Shen Ni has ever wanted is to hang out with shijie, munch on snacks and dabble in non-urgent projects
And occasionally be a Horrible Goose Fox just for fun! Stop making her go to court!