u/Man_Royan

It's not really a question, it's more like me wanting to have a small conversation with others in this Reddit who might have different answers, explanations or just want to agree with what I'm about to say.

I have read volum 5 - 16 (I skipped 1 - 4 because I watched the anime, don't worry I'll read all of it again in order after my final exam) and I can see that Lahan really wants JinMao to have a children. But the reason for it?

One of the reason I read from other fan is he's obsessed with Jinshi's look and wants to have a copy of his genes. BUT!! When I scanned the whole books, I don't find evidence that he wants to marry that child if it's a girl. Maomao is the one who thought he wants to marry that child. So I guess his motive is more like wanting to surrounded himself with beautiful genes (of Jinshi's) in his household, hence why he's open to take care of them if Maomao doesn't want to.

This is the scene I found to back this up:

“I promise to take care of it and raise it for my entire life,” Lahan said. Meaning, bring her up until he could make her his bride. He was certainly taking the long view, if nothing else. Maomao might have marked him as a pedophile at that moment, but perhaps it simply demonstrated the depth of his devotion to Jinshi’s beauty. She didn’t doubt his faith that a woman who inherited even a fraction of Jinshi’s looks would be among the most beautiful who ever lived. She also didn’t doubt that Lahan was completely hopeless, totally worthless, and that if anyone ever asked her if she knew any nice men, he was the one person she would never, ever introduce to them. Ever.

This is from Maomao's perspective btw so the narrative is from her thoughts, not Lahan's thoughts. Even though it's evidently that Maomao knows Lahan through and through (like she knows how he sees the world, how he thinks) idk if this narrative specifically is the real Lahan or just her insulting Lahan.

What do you think about this? I'm open to hear your thoughts. In peace. ✌🏻

So I vaguely remember that there are certain scenes where Lahan knows where Maomao went and who she met, but how? If it's Miss Chue, it makes sense since she's a spy, but Lahan?

This is one of the moments I remembered, Volume 9 Chapter 1:

“Just see that you’re more accommodating than that to the Moon Prince,” Lahan said, rubbing his foot even though Maomao hadn’t stepped on it. What a drama queen. This son of a... Maomao glared at Lahan, but he only gave her a meaningful grin. “Now then, I think you’ll soon have another visitor, so I’m going to take these two and be on my way.” He winked. Did he know Jinshi had summoned Maomao the night before? For that matter, did he still maintain some secret connection with Jinshi? Maomao wanted to corner him about it, but she didn’t want to draw Yao and En’en’s attention by making a scene. This guy is too smart for his own good. She decided she had better change the subject. “I know it’s a little late to ask, since you’ve already agreed, but did you get permission to bring the two of them home?” Permission from whom? Why, from the one whose name she didn’t wish to say. “You needn’t worry on that count. My honored father is out, and won’t be back for several days. Hence why they were able to keep last night a secret too.”
Just how much does he know?! She doubted Lahan had all the details, but she was afraid of what could turn into a very unpleasant misunderstanding.

I'm sure there's at least one more scene, but I couldn't remember which volume and which arc.

Idk if someone already asked this before or not, I searched it on Google and there's no Reddit post related to this topic. I'm not sure Lahan's connection is that vast, but since he mentioned that Lakan isn't there and that's why the meeting is stay as a secret, maybe that means whoever is working to spy on Maomao isn't working for Lahan only? Idk 🤔

So, I have read LN volume 5 - 16. I skipped 1 - 4 because I rely on anime, though I am planning to read from volume 1 until 16 again so I can document my thoughts on every scenes that I might missed before in Reddit.

This topic is about Lahan.

After reading volume 5, I started to like Lahan's character. But not like a crush , more like "family love" kind of thing. But at the same time I do wonder some things about him.

One of the good side is he's a nice talker. Not a sweet talker like giving high praises or anything, but nice enough to make people comfortable. Like during that scene in volume 5 chapter 15:

>!She looked like a stalk of shepherd’s purse among a field of roses and peonies. Just one thing helped calm her in this otherwise unfamiliar and unsuitable ensemble: a fine silver hair stick. “I wouldn’t worry too much. You qualify as a dandelion at least.” Maomao couldn’t understand how her cousin could read her mind like that, at least at moments like this. She didn’t say anything, but gave him a glare before they headed into the banquet hall.!<

He didn't over claim, but enough to try reassure her that she's not that out of place in that banquet.

Next, he believes women can do works that men does (not all works, and some come with inevitable limitation). This shows in volume 9 chapter 7 (this one is long one but I don't want to cut anything so that you could understand his POV):

>!“However, making such a practice public at this moment would invite persecution. People fear the unorthodox and they hate minorities. If you want a nice, quiet life, I would suggest quitting this harebrained practice of involving yourself with the medical staff immediately.”!<
>!“I thought you at least would be above such things, Master Lahan! So you believe women should stay at home, then?!” Yao jumped to her feet, incensed. The table shook, and Maomao grabbed the teacups to steady them. “I thought you would judge people on their merits—not their sex!”!<
>!“Lady Yao,” En’en said placatingly. Lahan, for his part, wasn’t bothered. “You’re correct: it’s more difficult for a woman to work than a man. A man can’t bear children—although he can raise them.” That’s stating the obvious. Men and women were biologically different, and the roles they took on were likewise different. “It’s fundamentally not possible for men and women to do the same work. I recognize, however, that there are a great many women of exceptional abilities out there.”!<

In this scene, while staying neutral, he's state the fact on what women can and can't do. It didn't make him bias (at least to me) because he says factual things.

Next is he's a good family member. He showed more than once that he's opened with the idea to keep family together — the good people, specifically. Like Junjie, who is now staying in that mansion farming tomato and other plants. He also try to asked Luomen and Maomao to stay in there too. He even offer a carriage to bring Luomen to work everyday, but Luomen refused because it's not convenient. And Maomao? Well, she just doesn't want to do anything with the old fart. But that's not only the example. To me (at least) he kinda wants to bring Kan family together — exclude his grandfather maybe. There's also a scene where he wants to bring Maomao to meet his dad (Lahan's biological father a.k.a Maomao's uncle a.k.a Lakan's half brother). Actually, he didn't mention anything other than “I guarantee you’ll be very interested in where I’m going. Well, we might turn out to be counting our chickens before they hatch.” But, he seemed to be saying, it was worth a shot.“We’re going to go see my dad.” so idk if he just wants to visit the family and introduce Maomao, or have other motive. But I think it worth mentioning. I would like to mention the scene during "the meeting of the named" but I don't think he's doing it for the family. It's more like a scheme of his to butt in other Clan's family drama and want Maomao to help him. So I won't count that.

Now that we talk about the good of him, how about the bad one?

Idk if 'bad' is the right word for him. But I couldn't think of other words that's suitable to describe this side of him.

One thing I can think of is he's obsessed with perfection and beauty. And Jinshi is one of the kind that caught his attention. It's not love, but admiration I guess? Idk, he's persistent to ask Maomao to bear Jinshi's child, ask her when he'll meet that child, convince her that he'll take care of the child. People says he wants that child so bad because he wants to marry her (if it's a girl). I read that part again in volume 5, and the one who says he'll marry that child is Maomao. He didn't verbally says he wants to marry that child. My opinion? He wants to surround himself with Jinshi's offspring. Girls, boys, doesn't matter. What he aims for is to have such beauty add with Kan family's genius genetics to be in Kan family bloodline. Still don't know whay he'll gain here, except he need to take care of that child.

But there's a drawback. If that beauty turn out ill and lose their number, he's no longer interested. Idk his perception towards Yao when she insisted to stay in the mansion again, but he did stated in his mind that "those who ravenously devoured whatever they could were decidedly not beautiful." That's what he thought when Yao said she wants to stay there with reason that she wants to read Luomen's books. Could it be possible Yao's number decreased when she show her persistence? Well never know. Oh, about the sick people, I couldn't find which volume and chapter it is.

We ll these are the 'bad' that make people think he's a red flag. Heck, even I couldn't imagine to have a partner like him. It's either I'm stressing out try to reach his beauty standards all the time or make up for it with something else that. Whatever it is, it must be tiring. Idk how far he'll act as a gentleman with women with "not beautiful" number and how different his treatment will be.

But after all this, he's still one of my favourite character in the series. Well, all La Clan members are my favourites. But I'm eager to choose Lahan for this post other than other members.

What do you think about Lahan? Do you think he's more in a "good character" side or "bad character" side?

Idk what flair to use for this one. I think the right label is concept art or official art but there's none so I put in Light Novel. But keep in mind this is not limited to that only.

So, in LN I think it mentioned twice that Lahan looks like Maomao's male version. But looking at the art inside LN, manga (both manga style) and anime, I couldn't see the "resemblance" at all. Maybe I expect something similar on their face shape, face expression and so on, but so far nada. I didn't read manga version (both manga) but I did saw Lahan's manga version in my Google search. He's definitely looks lot like Lakan himself than Maomao. Yes, yes, there are people who says that their face look like their aunt and uncle more than their own parents. But what I'm trying to make sense is when in LN it says clearly he looks like Maomao. It didn't write 'SAME' or 'IDENTICAL'. But I expect something similar (like I said) such as face shape and face expression.

Idk, maybe it's because of his eyes shape that makes it hard for me to see the resemblance. Is there a fan art, character art book English translation, Reddit discussion or anything that helps me make sense on this?

I too, was one of those who were so confused (maybe furious too) on why Maomao treated Lakan that way. But after trying to think from other perspective, I think I can make an answer that at least make sense to me and to you too (if you're looking for an answer yourself).

My first point is just same with many of us. Lakan didn't give a good first impression when meeting little Maomao (when she was toddler/ kid). Take what Maomao said to Jinshi to your heart. "How would you feel if that man suddenly showed up one day asking to be called 'Daddy'?"

To further strengthen this answer, I tried to look at my real life. I, too was adopted. Not by granduncle, aunties, uncles or anyone inside family like Maomao, but still, adopted. And I too, have met my biological mother when I was little. And after some digging in my own memory, I remembered how it felt when she suddenly approached me and asked me to called her 'mama'. The only difference between me and Maomao is I agree, even though I was uncomfortable with it. She even introduced me to her friends and saying that I'm her child, which makes it even more uncomfortable. Because why? Because I'm too comfortable with my adopted parents. So I can understand that part of discomfort that Maomao had.

Then we found out that he tried to drag her out from Verdigris House a few times, just to get beaten up and Lahan needs to come and take him away. That, too, give a bad impression to Maomao. Even though Luomen already told her about her biological parents (especially Lakan), his obsessive and persistent act to take Maomao makes her feel even more uncomfortable to the point maybe become the root of why she makes that scary pissed off face whenever people said his name. Well, fortunately this part I couldn't relate as I never been kidnapped by my own biological mother. But I can see how disgusted she must feel about it.

Maybe, just maybe, if she (my biological mother) raised me instead of my adopted parents, I wouldn't have the same discomfort towards her. Though I'm more than glad she didn't. But as a third person in this series, I also wondered and kinda love the possibility if Maomao will love Lakan more if he raises her instead of Luomen. As much as I like his character, making her growing up with Luomen is the best path. And author's confirmation on how Maomao can be evil if she's being raised with Lakan convinced me more.

Though that's not gonna change my love towards all Kan family (or La Clan). They're just sooooo interesting and I LOVE good written genius characters! Especially Lahan and Lahan's brother since I like math and I took agriculture course in my local university! I can talk more about my interest on those two but that'll be too long and out of topic so I'll stop here.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this too!

So I'm at volume 11. Until now I couldn't imagine how the map looks like. When they says "West", I imagine Europe. But when they mentioned some of the culture and places (sit and eat on the floor, well, on the carpet, description about the clothes of the servants, cry place, rarely have rain) makes me think of anywhere around Arab.

So I wonder if there is any fan-made map or official map of the whole place, including Li, Shaoh, Anan, another place that I forgot what it is called but it was when Jinshi anda the gang comes to the west for the second time.

Maybe a bit late to realise but after I finished reading volume 5, I realised that Lakan's children (Maomao and Lahan) have many similarities with him.

1. They have hyper focus and obsession. Maomao with her obsession with medicine and poison, Lahan with his obsession with money and numbers, and Lakan with his obsession with Go and Shogi (and maybe include Fengxian and Maomao too)

2. They have selective attention. No matter how brilliant is Lakan, he'll rather sit and do nothing or at the very least ask someone else to do something for him. Lahan, to him everything has a score or number so something with low score won't get his attention. And Maomao, in LN it keeps repeating that she just sucks at memorising anything that's not interesting to her, hence become one of the reason she failed the court exam.

3. Difficulty with social etiquette. Lakan didn't see people as people (that's what Lahan says), For Lahan, he kinda suck at social cues I guess. And Maomao, she just oblivious to people's feelings towards her, both good and bad.

For point number one, I called it obsession instead of genius or talent because all La clan are geniuses, not limited to these 3 only (for example, Luomen) and it keeps repeating (when related to the story) that all La clan are eccentric (or odd).

Also I don't include physical appearance because that apply to all kinds of family, not La clan only or Lakan's small family tree only. Though we can mention that Lahan looks exactly like Lakan even though he's his nephew and not directly his biological son. And in LN there was once mentioned that Lahan looks like Maomao as a male.

As much as I want to see AU where Maomao was raised by Lakan from little, I don't want her obsession towards meds got altered because of it. Even author herself said that if that happened, Maomao would not be interested in medicine, instead he would be more interested in politics because the exposure being in the outer court, surrounded by many officials. That means she'll inherit Lakan's way of thinking and not Luomen. She'll also never meet Jinshi and if they met, I don't think he'll fall in love with her.