Volume two of Run Wild Sa Ye is here, and man, it did not disappoint! I devoured this book, and it made me so happy. Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei are making so much progress, slowly closing the distance between them. In this video, I dive into all of my favorite parts!
Video Notes:
Please note, these are my rough notes for recording! Grammatical errors will exist!
Cold Open
- At the end of volume one of Run Wild: Sa Ye, we are left on a cliffhanger after JiangCheng drunkenly kisses Gu Fei on the cheek. The boys are steadily closing the distance between them and find themselves curious on what exactly it is they are feeling for each other. From hate to team mates, to friends, and then what? Volume 2 of Run Wild picks up right where we left of, with Jiang Chen and Gu Fei grappling with the “kiss.” Both want to know more about the other, but also feel guarded revealing themselves in this way. Volume two feels like pealing off the layers of an onion, page by page, getting to the core of the story of Jiang Chen and Gu Fei. Two boys with a lot of pain coming together to find love and friendship.
My Feelings
- as a manhua reader, the entirety of volume two is not new to me. However, its a completely different story being told in the novel, with a more in-depth look at everything. Even though I “knew” what would happen, being able to see the inner workings of Jiang Chen and Gu Fei’s thoughts more clearly made the story feel fresh and exciting.
Points to Hit
- basketball game: glazed over it when I was reading the manhua but the novel did such a great job of making it fun and exciting. didn’t realize how much of a part the class basketball games play in making JiangChen feel “normal” again and brings the class together. He goes from being this outsider everyone is wary of to being someone the class trusts and depends on. JiangChen and Gui Fei working together also brings them closer and we see how much they admire each other in this aspect
- Sexuality: in this volume, we get Jiang Cheng an Gu Gei talking or not talking about their sexualities, both testing the waters to see what the other one is. I think it’s interesting how during that exchange, Gu Fei doesn’t want to come out because he knows once he does, there’s no turning back on whatever is happening between him and Jiang Cheng. I like that for Jiang Chen, this conversation basically gives him the greenlight, whether he realizes it or not, with Gu Fei.
- Opening up about the past: This volume makes HUGE strides in the boys coming together and opening up about the past. Gu Fei tells Jiang Cheng what really happened with his dad, more insight on Er Miao’s conditions, his mom, and just life. They both start relying on each other a bit more because of this.
- Finally Kissing (drunk and then sober): THE MOMENT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! Jiang Cheng finally makes the first move, albiet fueled on liquid courage and Gu Fei returns the kiss! In the manhua this took about 60 something chapters. but in the novel, the build up feels like the perfect length. i think it was a great climactic moment and it was just so well done. It felt like a moment
- Jiang Chen moves out: Jiang Cheng moving out is a real turning point in the story. Although now he has to worry about bringing in money, he doesn’t have the burden of living with his father and dealing with his drunk antics. Its also kind of sad he has to resort to this in the first place but i like that hes prioritizing himself and doing what is best for his mental health
Conclusion
Run Wild Volume two had me blushing, giggling, and kicking my feet in happiness, rooting Jiang Chen on! I’m so proud of him for being bold and unapologetic in the pursuit of what or should I say WHO he wants! I know theres a bit more pain on the horizon for both of them, but with them now inching towards “more than friends” territory, I know they’ll be okay.
