A sick man is uncontrollably addicted to a girl.
Recap Grade: C
First Impression: 3.5/5
First Impression: 3.5/5
Cast
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| Cui Yu Xin: Xie Xin Xu Gu Yan Qing |
Fang Jin: Wu Nong Yu |
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| Wang Yi Jun: Wu Si Yuan |
Gao Wei Man Li Xiang |
Mini Recaps
Intro: Edward meets Bella meets Britney Spears' Toxic. Because this Affinity ♪ is toxic ♪ It's addiction at first sight for him. And for her, just one look and her knees buckle. Except he's arrested, suspected of killing his parents as an Affinity B Virus carrier.
Five years later.
Edward ridiculously dramatic saves Bella and I'm loving every second of it.
"I like your smell. From now on, belong to me, alright?" I like this OST too ♪ You smell like something strange ♪. 100% Twilight. HAHA
Dangerous–ly hot!
But don't knock yourself out cold, FL
Flash forward to 2051, nerds huddle and analyze Edward and Bella – oh right, their real names:: Gu Yan Qing (Cui Yu Xin) and Wu Nong Yu (Fang Jin). This futuristic framing is clearly a move to pass censorship by treating our leads like sci-fi aliens rather than supernatural beings. (You all do know that aliens are allowed because it’s "science," right?)
Back in the present for our "aliens", Gu Yan Qing and Wu Nong Yu are colleagues. She’s an intern at Genus studying the Affinity virus, and he’s the professor, escorting her to her dorm suite.
Suddenly, the tension peaks. OHHHHHH ~ So that he can use her washroom.
Through Ding Suo, we get the Affinity Virus lore dump.
- It’s broken down into types A and B, but the B-types have an elite class called Ren (刃). Pros: Rens have extraordinary supernatural abilities. Cons: Rens have zero emotional intelligence, can’t understand love, and prone to losing total control.
- Gu Yan Qing (clearly a Ren) defends them, saying they’re dispatched to dangerous missions to save humans (or aliens?). But Ding Suo counters that after getting "high" from a mission, Rens are even more dangerous.
- Gu Yan Qing pointedly clarifies that Rens can be controlled by forming a contract with an Affinity A = Yin 引. It sounds like a marriage bond. Basically sex.
- Gu Yan Qin gasps just thinking about sex HAHA
- But Gu Yan Qing – after he recovers – disagrees with the marriage comparison. It's more permanent than that. It's an eternal 1-1 exclusive bond. Once bonded, Rens will develop antibodies against other Yins – the rejection to other Yins is biological. While Yins' essence will become useless to other Rens. It's a high-stakes supernatural extreme monogamy. And anti-homosexual.
The Chinese:
- ML = Affinity B'e elite class: Ren 刃 =edge of blade
- FL = Affinity A: Yin 引 = to draw(e.g. a bow) / to attract / to lead
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| Ding Suo being there, lol. |
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| I wonder if this was a blooper that he acted through |
Gu Yan Qing almost got away with it but Wu Nong Yu does discover his true identity: ♪ Toxic! ♪ Xie Xin Xu
Xie Xin Xu blames those idiots who kidnapped her and ruined the reunion he planned. Then her scent sent him into an uncontrollable spiral of desire. Thankfully, she believed his mushroom story (because they always make so much sense in Cdramas). So what does this lustful man want from her now? Sex
(,,¬﹏¬,,)
Not just Edward Cullen, but DFQC too! With bonus emo bangs. And a criminal record? Where we can admire his biceps too? LOL
Xie Xin Xu explains his feelings as an Affinity B, he was emotionless and treated life like a game. But mimicking emotions got boring – until 5 years ago, when he met Wu Nong Yu. It's like his mind imploded.
Xie Xin Xu: Though time passes, my feelings for you hasn’t weakened in the slightest, so I resolved to win you.
And so Xie Xin Xu became her ideal type after overhearing Wu Nong Yu and her brother (Wu Si Yuan) talking. Her standards are tall, handsome, devoted to her work like it's his own, preferably dead parents (no in-laws). Brother chimes in:. What if his personality is a bit difficult – because we're all thinking about the same guy – with a bit of a temper. Wait a second, is brother talking about himself?!
Wu Nong Yu adds that it's even better if her future husband has a sharp tongue and a hint of "dad flavour." 爹味 (diē wèi) literally translates to “dad flavour,” but means someone who is overprotective or bossy in a patronizing way i.e. “fatherly” with a sense of entitlement.
She was clearly joking to fend off blinddates, but Xie Xin Xu took it extremely seriously. Lol. And honestly didn't it work? She does care about his safety. Though I think she was attracted in Ep1 too. Emo bangs included lol.
Meanwhile Ding Suo hahaha strains his hip, especially ironic after their 🐦🐝 conversation.
Wu Nong Yu comes up with an escape plan: connect cranes to cross the buildings, then hit the subway. Ding Suo praises her to Xie Xin Xu.
Xie Xin Xu: There’s many areas about her I admire…and like. (,,¬﹏¬,,)
He said it loud enough for her to hear.
For this 笨蛋 bendan (dumb like an egg) girl, who tried to save him, Xie Xin Xu jumps down with her. And he's the one amused that she's willing to die with him. Correction: you sir are the one who's willing to die with her. xD
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| Upside down too |
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| And heart balloons!! xD I love this |
After wrecking another Ren, Xie Xin Xu is heaving and riding a combat high. When Wu Nong Yu asks if he’s alright, he drops this line:
Xie Xin Xu: I’m fine, I’m just so excited I’m about to explode — do you want to come calm me down a bit?
Like this:
Breathless, Wu Nong Yu asks if his is bonding. He scoffs. Our guy might not act it, but he's a gentleman. He wouldn't officially bond without the proper rites :D. Though I'm starting to understand exactly what fluids he needs to finalize that contract...(∩´͈ ᵕ `͈∩)
[Ep7] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
Enter shijie. She's a Yin too! She tries to force a bond (read: assault) on Xie Xin Xu. In a display of self-defence, he strangles her to protect his purity lol.
By the time Wu Nong Yu arrives to "rescue" her boy from the girl he’s currently choking out, he’s totally spent. He used every ounce of willpower to remain "untouched" for our FL. He collapses onto her, panting and whispering that she is not allowed to hand him over to another girl. (ㅅ´ ˘ `)
Wu Nong Yu is on the same page. She perks up towards shijie. "Actually, we’re already bonded. So shijie, can you give us some space to resolve his 'loss of control'?" Translation: Get out, we need to make out.
Xie Xin Xu is serious about his "treatment."
Breathless and flustered, Wu Nong Yu asks if that was "deep" enough. Spoiler alert: Far from deep. That was just a temporary patch.
But can we talk about the sweet duality of Xie Xin Xu? One second he’s ravishing her lips like his life depends on it (literally), and the next, he’s smiling like a smitten schoolboy just because she took his hand.
It’s adorable... right up until Wu Nong Yu decides it's time to ditch him because he's safe.
Karma travels fast and she immediately runs into a pack of hostile Rens. But wait – ML Brother enters the obsession game too.
Wu Si Yuan: Other than Nong Yu, kill them all. OUUUU. This obsessive brother is hot too
Xie Xin Xu isn't about to be out-obsessed by a brother. He beats Wu Si Yuan to the punch and gets to Wu Nong Yu first, and he is looking more desperate.
Xie Xin Xu to Wu Nong Yu: Dream on about leaving me behind.
Xie Xin Xu: You are a heartless little liar. I spoiled you too much before. From now on, the relationship between us... I’m leading it. Since when did she lead it??
Xie Xin Xu tries to take Wu Nong Yu’s lips forcefully again. When she yells that she’s in pain, he pauses, but his unfiltered desire wins as he growls, "Withstand it." But the mood shifts instantly when she clarifies: she isn’t talking about herself – she’s talking about his shoulder that's injured. Now Xie Xin Xu is torn. He’s spiraling because she’s oscillating between being "cold" (rejecting his advances) and "hot" (caring for his wounds).
We get an emotional moment where a Ren sheds tears, mourning the death of his friend(s). It’s a reminder that scientists are guilty too. Just as the actor’s performance starts to win my sympathy, Lin Juan (Wu Si Yuan’s lackey) steps in. He kills the Ren under the orders of Wu Si Yuan, who calls that Ren "society’s garbage." Oh. Hot bro. You're making me do a double take.
Now that the immediate danger is gone – and Xie Xin Xu has vanished – he no longer haunts Wu Nong Yu’s nightmares. He has moved into a much steamier neighbourhood: her erotic dreams. The subconscious never lies, girl!
Wu Si Yuan thinks Wu Nong Yu is still “suffering” from her Xie Xin Xu nightmares. He tries to comfort her by revealing there was never actually proof that Xie Xin Xu killed his parents. Then, he offers his "cure" for her fear: Marriage. Marriage? That’s just sending her directly to a different kind of grave. And actually, this brother has always been trying to hook her up with a Ren. Why?
Wu Nong Yu just discovered that she has an expiry date. If a Yin doesn’t marry a Ren by age 25, their organs quit. This turns the Ren/Yin dynamic into mutual dependency where they are essentially each other’s life support systems.
The battle to marry a Yin commences!
It looks like a medieval tournament with Harry Potter cloaks. Cool. Suddenly, walls rise out of the ground – sci-fi arena style! Xie Xin Xu makes a last-minute entrance, and wins the right to propose to his bride of choice: Wu Nong Yu. He drops to one knee before her.
Wu Nong Yu whispers: Didn't you say you understood what I said last time?Xie Xin Xu: Mm. That's why for my most precious freedom, I'm handing it over to you.
Wu Nong Yu considers her options. If she rejects, Xie Xin Xu will certainly be reckless and get himself killed. Reluctantly, she accepts. For his safety.
Wu Nong Yu lays out her terms. 1) They live as husband and wife (in name only). 2) No bonding yet because there's no love for her, which he quickly assures her, "I will try my best to make you love me." And 3) she gets his blood for her research to cure the virus. Xie Xin Xu agrees, but he has one condition. He leans his entire body across the table to say it.
Xie Xin Xu: I need your comfort.
Wu Nong Yu negotiates: Hugs are okay. Kissing requires consent. He nods like a good boy. She signs the paper, muttering that it feels like a trap because he could easily break his word...
Xie Xin Xu taunts: Now you know? Oh xD.
Xie Xin Xu snaps his cuffs, rips off the muzzle, and throws the table away. He pulls her wheely-chair toward him with predatory precision.
Contract Sealed. Wu Nong Yu is so shook she literally falls off her chair while sitting in it. Welcome to married life!
Talk about supportive! ⤴
However, Xie Xin Xu teases Wu Nong Yu that he's still battling those "dirty thoughts". But he also has a solution against for himself: a white jade necklace that contains anesthetics to knock him out if he loses control.
Xie Xin Xu: You must like your wedding present ~ my wife. (Awwwww. The way he said "wife!" And it's after a gifting her a portable tranquilizer lol)
The aisle to the altar is arduous. Right before the ceremony, Wu Nong Yu is drugged by the shijie. Our girl isn't a damsel, though. She fakes a faint and cat-fights her way out. She even throws a vase and thinks she hit the mark... but we see the truth: Xie Xin Xu was hiding there, caught the vase she missed by a mile, and smashed it on shijie for her. He vanishes before she can see him. Hahaha.
Wu Nong Yu finally stumbles onto the wedding aisle, looking all dishevelled. She asks her groom if she looks like a crazy woman. He's too crazy in love to tell, honestly LOL.
The contrast in their vows is amusing. Wu Nong Yu's vow sounds like a woman accepting a life sentence. And his...<3.
Wu Nong Yu: Our lives are bound together in life and death.Xie Xin Xu: In my limited life, my love is endlessly continuous. It sounds really pretty in Chinese 我的愛意無限綿長.
Their official wedding photo is taken in their pyjamas. Cute.
And there's a video recorder perspective that catches Xie Xin Xu leaning down to ask if Wu Nong Yu is okay after choking on her wedding wine. He's so sweet despite all the forcing LOL.
Our bride wasn't drugged, but our groom is – with a stimulant. Xie Xin Xu is drinking water and maxing out the AC, but nothing can quench his erotic desire. He’s about to devour his wife when the bed frame collapses, snapping him back to reality just enough to stop. He doesn't let her leave, though; her fragrance is the only thing calming his system. He asks if she has the tranquilizer anesthetic necklace. She grabs that thing like a lifeline and holds onto it for dear life all night long.
Wu Nong Yu wakes up in her husband’s arms, but the real nightmare is waiting at the door: Big Brother Wu Si Yuan! The two men face off! Mentally. It’s clear they have a dark history. Apparently, the brother tortured Xie Xin Xu in the past, and Xie Xin Xu promised a "surprise gift" for their next meeting.
Surprise! I married your sister.
The brother-in-laws were in a BDSM relationship?! Minus the consent, and so really just Totalitarian Captivity. Wu Si Yuan had tortured Xie Xin Xu and by snapping his fingers, Wu Si Yuan could force Xie Xin Xu to his knees.
Wu Si Yuan coldheartedly: "Remember. I made you. Don't even dream of escaping me in this lifetime (你這輩子都別想從我身邊逃走)."
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| How are these scenes not visually misleading?? xD |
Fast forward to the present: Xie Xin Xu is a master of psychological revenge. He looks at his new wife and repeats those exact same words to her, loud enough for Wu Si Yuan to hear. It’s wicked.
Xie Xin Xu sweetly toWu Si YuanWu Nong Yu:: Don't even dream of escaping me in this lifetime 你這輩子都別想從我身邊逃走
Dishwashing & Dominance. When sister is out of sight, that's when Wu Si Yuan claims dominance again – while washing dishes. So dominate. Kya. Lol! He snaps his fingers, and Xie Xin Xu’s knees automatically buckle. Yikes. It’s a painful reminder that even though Xie Xin Xu is "free," the Brother still holds the remote control to his body. But Xie Xin Xu has a remote control too: he calls for his wife and Wu Nong Yu comes running just to roll up his sleeve – so he can cut fruit. So dominate LOL. Dun dun dun!
Ding Suo – our favourite back-pain specialist! – was playing the long game too. He's actually a Ren who lost his powers and was discarded like trash. He’s the one who saved Xie Xin Xu after his prison break and got him the job at Genus. And his back pain? That was fake too.
But does this mean Xie Xin Xu only approached Wu Nong Yu for revenge against her brother? Noooooo! It's clearly love. And I also keep forgetting Xie Xin Xu is supposed to be "emotionless" because of his mutated Affinity-B/Ren genes: He doesn't know what love is or what it feels like to be loved. But sir, the definition of love is all over your face! The look on him when Wu Ning Yu runs toward him like a ray of sunshine – the literal light in his eyes, the softening of his lips and the tenderness as he lips her hair dry – that's love! It's this!! Your body is already speaking the language.
Wu Nong Yu joins Xie Xin Xu in search of these glass fragments (related to his parent's murder). They arrive in the Wild West...in Europe. LOL. These are cowboys.
Wu Si Yuan sends Li Xiang and Lin Juan to secretly guard Wu Nong Yu (and guard against Xie Xin Xu). Speaking of Li Xiang, Wu Nong Yu suspects she's her brother's bonded Ren. Bingo. The irony though, they say Rens are supposed to be the emotionless ones, but why does it feel like Wu Si Yuan (the Yin) is the one with a heart made of ice while his "blood bag" is the one doing all the loving? Or is she just a plain Affinity B, not a Ren?
Our couple stop for a bite and the receipt they get back is a total robbery (How much € for a single napkin? LOL). Here's the receipt of doom for your reference:
牛氣頂頂霸王堡 Bull Power Top Top Supreme Burger |
€10000 |
香菇燒蘑菇暖暖堡 Braised Mushroom Comfort Comfort Burger |
€10000 |
玉米杯 Corn Cup |
€2000 |
薯條 (大) Fries (Large) |
€1500 |
茶位費 x2 Tea/Seating charge |
€1000 |
紙巾 x1 Tissues |
€500 |
服務費（16%） Service fee (16%) |
€4000 |
清潔費 Cleaning fee |
€800 |
咨詢費 Consultation fee (1 hour) ??? |
€1000 |
停車費 Parking fee (1 hour) |
€1000 |
稅費（8%） Tax (8%) |
€2544 |
| Total: | €34344 |
But the bartender cowboys aren't just here to scam, their real motive is to capture Xie Xin Xu and Wu Nong Yu.
Li Xiang and Lin Juan spot our couple as hostages. Our elite Special Forces are off to save them – but first, they need to secure their seatbelts. Haha. Go! But then Lin Juan's belt is jammed. Help xD. 
Max drugs Wu Nong Yu with stimulants. Wait, Max, buddy, isn't that just helping the couple be more of a couple? Your fan-logic is flawed. She's panting and burning up, pleading with Xie Xin Xu to stay away from her because she's a danger to him. Seeing her in this hot state only makes Xie Xin Xu feel hotter. It's hell for both of them xD. 
[Ep14] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
The kidnapper is Max. He's a Ren, but most importantly, he's Xie Xin Xu's career fan 事業粉. LOL. In Max's eyes, Xie Xin Xu is currently in his flop era. To a career fan, an idol getting married is a career disappointment. And so Max is here to "fix" his idol's trajectory now and get him back on track which is Ren Domination? Lol.
Watching Wu Nong Yu struggle triggers a sensation Xie Xin Xu never felt before: 心疼 (xinteng) = heartache and distress. He looks at his Emotion medicine, and is convinced the pills are effective. He takes another to keep the 心疼 momentum going. His heart is hurting and he's actually taking more medicine to feel that more. For Wu Nong Yu.
Our elite Special Forces are captured too.
Max orders Wu Nong Yu to shoot them. As she trembles, Xie Xin Xu pulls her into his lap and guides her hands on the gun. A volley of shots rings out, but instead of a bloodbath, they leave a perfect bullet-hole outline around Lin Juan’s body on the wall. Our elite Special Forces escape death for one day.
The first marriage fight. Wu Nong Yu is angry at Xie Xin Xu for the betrayal. He’s working with Max to use her friends as leverage for those glass fragments. Then she drops the ultimate insult: "I should have chosen Lin Juan as my husband."Xie Xin Xu is raging. When she tries to kick him away, he grabs her ankle and drags her right back under him. Woah.
The first marriage fight. Wu Nong Yu is angry at Xie Xin Xu for the betrayal. He’s working with Max to use her friends as leverage for those glass fragments. Then she drops the ultimate insult: "I should have chosen Lin Juan as my husband."Xie Xin Xu is raging. When she tries to kick him away, he grabs her ankle and drags her right back under him. Woah.
Wu Nong Yu cries, but before the tears slip out, he cruelly reminds her that her crying makes him more excited. And so right as the tear is about to fall, she subdues him with the necklace. He rolls off to the side and curls into a ball, his body shaking from a cocktail of rage, desire, and the anaesthetic. While she sits up on the bed and curls into a ball, crying for her lost trust (and love?).
Morning comes, and Wu Nong Yu wakes up to a nice breakfast laid out on the bed. But where is the husband? He’s under the bed. Xie Xin Xu's eyes are red and swollen, and he’s rocking some serious dark circles, none of which I can see. Is this him wagging his tail to apologize?
Wu Nong Yu hides dynamites(?) in her ankle (???). It works. But Max isn't that much of an idiot and tries to check her ankle. But Xie Xin Xu enters. No one touches what belongs to him. Period. And he has the perfect cover story: She's walking funny because I grabbed her ankle last night...she was being naughty. That checks xD. Then to shut down Max, Xie Xin Xu flexes by lifting his wifey into his arms with one single arm.
The smiles! (ㅅ´ ˘ `)
Round two of hun lessons. He's not touching her and they're still hot. Xie Xin Xu uses a chopstick to trace the line from her hips to her elbow to her wrist...perfecting her posture. He sets her up for what looks like a kill shot, but – bingo – it's a perfect miss. And Wu Nong Yu trusted Xie Xin Xu to shoot at the spot he aimed for her. Looks like Lin Juan and Li Xiang can live another day.
But that night Wu Nong Yu knocks out Xie Xin Xu to go on a solo rescue mission. Or so she thinks. LOL.
Wu Nong Yu puts on her Harry Potter cape and rescues her friends – using the techniques Xie Xin Xu taught her. Awwww. Go girl!
Wu Nong Yu and Lin Juan :O
Xie Xin Xu isn't far at all. He pops out from the trunk as the ultimate hero! And the rescue mission ends with a bang. It's Xie Xin Xu who's hit with a bullet.
Xie Xin Xu is built different. He's got a fresh bullet wound yet he's in the perfect mood to casually compliment his wife's driving. Meanwhile in the second car the mood is completely different. Li Xiang drives like a real pro, but has zero patience for Lin Juan's aim. When Lin Juan blames his misses on her driving, they decide to settle the argument by swapping seats. – while the vehicle is accelerating at high speed. It turns out Li Xiang is exactly as precise as she claims to be, leaving Lin Juan "Wooow-ing".
Our main CP eventually drives straight into a dreamland fog and wakes up five years in the past. Wu Nong Yu finds herself in 2020, meeting a younger, bullied, and feverish Xie Xin Xu. Being the protective soul she is, she ends up following this version of him all the way home to make sure he’s okay.
Xie Xin Xu thinks he's so smart when he tells his parents he's actively pursuing Wu Nong Yu. He's fully expecting them to forbid him dating a strange, older lady. Instead, his "stern" parents come back with a set of rules that actually APPROVE of the relationship. xD. Despite mom looking emotionless, Mom clearly already loves their (real) future daughter-in-law and wants a family portrait.
Xie Xin Xu’s fever continues to burn. This is the first time in his life his virus has spiralled out of control. Wu Nong Yu hugs him to ease the burn, but this version of the boy knows even fewer boundaries and immediately tries to sneak a hand up her shirt. When she pulls away, he realizes he went over the line and opens a window to cool down. Feeling for him, she finally gives in and initiates a kiss – the very first time she has ever been the one to start it.
Naturally, that’s exactly when Mother Xie knocks on the door. A flustered Wu Nong Yu opens it with very swollen lips. The mom takes one look at her face and asks the question of the century: "Did you two... eat some really spicy snacks?" Is this mom for real? Lol.
[Ep18] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep19] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep20] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep21] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep22] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep23] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
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[Ep27] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep28] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
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[Ep34] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep35] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep36] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep37] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep38] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep39] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
[Ep40] [Jump to: Top | Cast | Comments]
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-5)]
Sold! It’s ridiculously fantastical, and that’s exactly why I love it. Show fully embraces spicy romance, exaggerated supernatural-action, and the vivd colour palettes. ML is completely all over her, openly wants her, and the fact that he’s "supernatural" heightens that intensity. I love the excessiveness.
Warning: Red Flag ML. The premise is upfront about him being dangerous, toxic, and not consent-driven. You need the right lens (i.e. less morals) to enjoy this xD
[Cast&Crew]
This reunited director Chen Jia Jie and FL Fang Jin, both of whom gained their first significant boost in exposure and popularity through Embrace in the Dark Night.
It's 40 episodes, but I think this was meant to be a regular length drama that they cut up.
[Ending]
[A Highlight]
[Review & Rating]
[A Highlight]
[Review & Rating]
Rating: /5
Recommendations
Preliminary recs are random / a peek at the list. These may be updated if drama is completed
| Ridiculous | Toxic | Sexy |
|---|---|---|
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