I fucking love them.

Love how even though they’re not as comfortable around each other as Jianyi and Xixi, He Tian and Mo seem to be moving faster at clearing up their feelings for each other.
This is slow paced indeed, but in these short chapters we get to see so many different developments that further unravel HT and Mo’s emotions.

I really like HT’s twisted personality. He can’t help teasing the one he likes, pushing to get a reaction that satisfies him. I bet he’s anticipating the moment Mo turns the tables, but for now he just enjoys watching him struggle with his mixed feelings. I don’t think the small changes escape him: like how Mo genuinely cried tears of disgust and humiliation back when HT stole a kiss, and now he gives him a warning while trying to avoid an actual fight although he’s angry and unwilling. Mo’s face shows no disgust, but conflict. It’s development.

Speaking of Mo, he’s not just a cute tsundere. There are some serious reasons why he has so much trouble letting others take care of him. His father is in prison. He’s an only son taking care of his mom and himself. He tries to find support in peers and joins She Li’s gang, but in the end he’s not ruthless enough to hurt those he is close to. He’s not ruthless at all, and because of that he’s constantly hurt by the cruelty of those around him. Mo tries really hard to not burden or be burdened by others. He holds on to his pride and sense of justice because these are things that have been trampled on before. His new friends are slowly breaking down his walls, accepting him for himself and showing him that it’s OK to burden others sometimes; that there’s value in reciprocity.

Mo and HT’s story is so unusual. HT used to be interested in Jianyi at the beginning, and we see the exact moment he realizes that they’re not compatible. As he gets to know Mo, he becomes more and more sure that he’s the one who has everything he needs in a lover. What’s odd is that while he’s realizing this, he’s still very close with Jianyi (whom HT had a crush on) and Xixi (whom Mo sent to the hospital). Although arguably HT is close to Jianyi because of their family's ties, it still shows how there is absolutely nothing left of that former attraction after Mo cries in front of him.

HT understands Mo’s struggles, and he deeply values his honesty and independence. With someone like Mo, HT can stand in the light and the truth and that’s very important to him, because he’s always been in a dark world filled with deceptions.
Mo has been in this world too, but he’s so pure and honest that it still hasn’t broken him. On the contrary, he bravely faces it head on. HT is helplessly drawn to that.

As both have been in the dark, they’re the only ones who can truly understand, and therefore truly rely on, one another. They just suit each other so well.