I tried really hard to talk myself out of writing this post since I am swamped right now…but I obviously failed. I have been following Ever Night the last bit and re-reading the novel at the same time. The drama actually follows the novel quite closely but of course there are still some small changes. I won’t cover all the little small changes and omissions the drama makes but I thought it would be cool to go over some of the more meaningful bits in the novel the drama wasn’t able to put in. By the way, this post will be on going but not on a regular schedule like my other posts (the two novel translations and Friday Drama Roundup), so I will just bump it to the top whenever I update it- the updates probably won’t be in big chunks either.
1. In the novel, our hero is actually from the modern time period…or at least retained his memory from his previous life in the modern time. The author didn’t exactly explain everything in detail, but it seemed like when our hero was born as a baby in this particular world he either retained his previous lifetime’s memory or his soul was plucked from his own time period and put into the baby’s body.
2. Ning Que’s life with Sang Sang was really difficult when they were young. The one part the drama skipped (I think…) was that Ning Que and Sang Sang spent the very early part of childhood with an old man they called grandpa. The old man bought Ning Que and Sang Sang from the slave seller so he made them gather food and do all the work in the house while cursing at them. After a few years of constant physical abuse (Ning Que took all the beating and protected Sang Sang the best he could), young Ning Que and Sang Sang finally kills the old man on the eve before he planned on selling Sang Sang to a brothel. After this, Ning Que and Sang Sang were taken in by Ma general which is how our two leads ended up in the army.
3. One big change the drama made was how Ning Que killed his first revenge victim in the brothel. In the drama, the man managed to run away from our hero but ended up dying when he fell and hit his head. In the novel, the man was in Ning Que’s control the whole time since he had planned the whole thing very carefully. First, Ning Que made friends at the brothel and frequents it often so his appearance that particular night would not look out of place. Second, Ning Que figured out the man’s habit of taking a bath before he goes home from the brothel. Third, Ning Que sets it up so the man’s wife would find out about the man’s whereabouts and would be on her way to the brothel just when Ning Que plunged a long nail into the man’s head. The nail doesn’t kill the man right away so when Ning Que whispers “I will spare your life if you can make it to your carriage…”, the man stumbles out into the street heading right for his carriage just as his panicked servant yells “Master, your wife is coming!” Dazed with pain, the man’s only remaining thought was to make it to his carriage…only to be crushed by his own carriage when he stumbles against it and the whole thing just falls apart right on top of him. Ning Que had learned the nail trick during his military days from those who used it on killing cows but this was the first time he tried it on a human so our hero was fairly nervous about how the whole thing would go down. Fortunately for Ning Que, his plan worked beautifully and the man ended up as the government official who got crushed to death by his own carriage when he was trying to escape from being caught at the brothel by his jealous wife.
I personally like the novel’s version of this particular scene a whole lot better than the drama’s since it seemed rather strange someone as good at killing people (and as careful) as our hero would almost lose his prey and had to chase after the man through the brothel.
4. In the drama, the villains catch on fairly quickly about Ning Que especially because it wasn’t too difficult to link the three deaths to General Lin (the family whose deaths Ning Que is trying to avenge). In contrast, the villains in the novel had a much harder time focusing in on Ning Que since he was so careful at hiding his track. They still do eventually narrow it down to Ning Que but it was more out of a gut instinct that Ning Que is someone they should get rid of before he becomes too strong.
5. On the topic of our hero’s revenge… In the novel, Ning Que actually comes right out and admits he really is not sure why he has made it his life’s mission to avenge General Lin’s family’s wrongful deaths. The only thing Ning Que could figure is that life was too hard and pointless all those years ago so revenge was the only thing that made staying alive meaningful. One important thing to remember about our hero is that he still retained a lot of his previous self (of the modern world) which means while he is fully immersed as Ning Que, part of him will always look at this particular world from an outsider’s lens.
Some differences in Episode 36
- The vibe between Ning Que and Mo Shan Shan (Bookworm Maniac) is really sweet and almost lovey dovey in the drama but that’s not the case in the novel. Mo Shan Shan obviously has a thing for our hero, but Ning Que actually feels a bit unsettled by her feelings for him and unconsciously shy away from it.
- One important thing to point out is that neither Ning Que and Sang Sang are too clear on what romantic love is. Like any young man(despite living two lifetimes), Ning Que has naturally assumed he wants what most men want: a gentle and pretty girl as his future wife. Our hero will meet various women who seem to match his ideal in one way or another…and his heart will sway from time to time, but he will of course learn eventually who is really the one in his heart.
- In studying Ning Que’s famous note to Sang Sang, Mo Shan Shan actually thought to herself that the writer has not figured out the depth of his feelings to this Sang Sang. (I believe this is before she found out who Ning Que is.)
- For those of you who were sad to see the nice mother and son killed in this episode, you will be happy to know that Ning Que actually managed to save both of them in the novel. In fact, thanks to Mo Shan Shan’s help, Ning Que killed both of the attackers from Xiling. Mo Shan Shan was in shock after because in her world view, people of Xiling were the good guy so in essence, she killed two good guys because she had instinctively tried to protect Ning Que.
- The meeting between Prince Long Qing and Tang Xiao Tang was a bit different. In the novel, Prince Long Qing automatically wanted to kill Xiao Tang once he sees that she is from the Huangren tribe (thus considered a worshiper of demons). In fact, he had planned to be extra careful to not harm Xiao Tang’s baby wolf since he planned on gifting the wolf to his girlfriend, Lu Chenjia. Xiao Tang is very powerful in the novel so she easily beat Prince Long Qing but ended up running off to avoid Ye Hongyu (Taoism Maniac).
Episode 37-38
- The bet more or less happened the way the drama portrayed except with a few minor differences. For example, Mo Shan Shan used her power to catch fish from the lake so that’s what our hero ate when he got hungry. The fish was especially meaningful because it was while our hero was pan frying the fish that he won his bet with Prince Long Qing (somehow the whole art of cooking the fish helped our hero step into the next level). The other difference was that Prince Long Qing actually wasn’t the one who attacked Ning Que first. Our hero was the one who shot the arrow into Long Qing knowing that he can’t afford to let Long Qing get any stronger. (To be fair, Long Qing also had no intention of keeping his end of the bet. He didn’t care at all the Ning Que had won the bet since he was planning on killing our hero once he got stronger anyway.)
- The whole conversation between Ning Que and Mo Shan Shan in the beginning of ep. 38 about why our hero felt the need to destroy Prince Long Qing allowed us a glimpse into what Sang Sang means to Ning Que. The conversation stayed fairly true to the novel but I thought the novel’s wording was even more powerful than the drama’s so I will translate that particular part:
With a serious expression, Mo Shan Shan asks “You had already won the bet, so why did you still shoot that arrow?”
“The point of a battle is not to win but to defeat your enemy.”
Looking at the young woman’s still confused expression, Ning Que continues “If your enemy wasn’t defeated, then it is a fake victory. If you could make it look like you didn’t win but your enemy has lost then that’s a true victory.”
Despite the many changes to her thinking after traveling around with Ning Que, Mo Shan Shan still can’t understand his view on battles…among many other things, one of them being why he must defeat Prince Long Qing in such a horrifying manner?
“Prince Long Qing is the Son of Light, the hope of Xilin and their most promising general. Have you not thought of the consequences of destroying him in such a manner?”
His face devoid of expression, Ning Que replies “If this was a bet then he has to pay the cost of the bet. If this was a battle, then before I can be certain the absolute defeat of my enemy I never consider the consequences.”
Staring into Ning Que’s eyes for a long moment, Mo Shan Shan shakes her head and says “That is not an adequate answer. You are very smart. You should’ve known that even if he stepped into that next level, he would not have dared to kill you and you would also understand clearly the consequences of killing him. However, you still chose to shoot that arrow without a moment of hesitation. Why?”
Silent for a moment, Ning Que smiles and replies ” He should not have mentioned Sang Sang at that time.”
………the world’s most cruel, most scary and unprincipled Ning Que is the Ning Que who hears someone bringing up Sang Sang. Whoever tries to use Sang Sang to control or threaten him, is the person Ning Que will kill no matter what it takes. Why? Because that is the only way he can make sure a threat like that will never come true. That’s the only way to make sure he doesn’t have to live in constant worry and pain. This has become his habit and basic instinct in his life.
This instinct started 14 years ago. From trekking through the land of famine, to fighting off those who wanted to eat them, to the old hunter in the wilderness, to killing countless horse thieves…that habit has continued on to now.
This is the thing that Ning Que will never bend on. A single rule without any exception. No matter if that person is Prince Long Qing, or the Emperor or even if it was Fu Zi.
Back in the Capital, the Princess once thought she had discovered Sang Sang to be Ning Que’s weakness. On top of that snow mountain, Prince Long Qing had used what information his men had gathered to test out his guess that Sang Sang is Ning Que’s Achilles’ heel.
However, they were all wrong.
Sang Sang is not Ning Que’s Achilles’ heel.
Sang Sang is Ning Que’s life itself.
…………So, Ning Que who treasures his own life greatly will risk his own life to stay alive. If he is willing to risk his own life then of course he could care less about other people’s life. The war of this world or peace is nothing when his own life is on the line. So, even if it is Prince Long Qing, he will still gleefully destroy him with a single arrow without any concern for the consequences.
Episode 39-41
- The search for Wei Guangming (Sang Sang’s teacher) had a lot less fanfare in the novel…in fact, it was a bit comical. Before our hero left, he had asked everyone he trusted to keep an eye on Sang Sang. After a while, various people belatedly remembered their promise to Ning Que and showed up around the same time to check in on Sang Sang…only to see Wei Guangming looking very comfy in Sang Sang’s home. Yan Se (our hero’s 2nd Master) was also one that had showed up to check on Sang Sang and ended up finding Wei Guangming. Completely surprised, Yan Se promptly started a game of chess mixed with lots of friendly bickering with Wei Guangming.
- The big battle between the creepy guy and our three leads was actually even more epic…and disgusting in the novel. In the drama, Ye Hongyu was bitten by the creepy guy’s phantom animal but in the novel, it was the creepy guy himself who dined on Ye Hongyu’s flash one bite at a time. This was also a big part why Ning Que developed a huge respect for Ye Hongyu from this point on. Instead of giving in to fear and disgust, Ye Hongyu was a fighter from beginning to the very end. In fact, Ye Hongyu even managed to fight off the creepy guy while Ning Que was in a trance, saving our hero’s life (well, her own as well since she knew Ning Que was their only hope at that point).
- Before Ning Que left on his big adventure with Mo Shan Shan, he actually had befriended a young girl from her group first. The young girl had reminded Ning Que of Sang Sang so that’s why he was extra nice to her and spent most of his time with the girl.
- In the drama it looks like Sang Sang was the only one missing Ning Que while he is too busy to even think much about her but in the novel, Ning Que is constantly thinking and talking about Sang Sang. So much so that Mo Shan Shan always felt a slight discomfort when Ning Que mentions Sang Sang. (Mo Shan Shan lived a very sheltered existence so while she instinctively understood that Sang Sang is someone VERY important to Ning Que and there is a desire in her that one day she could also be that important to our hero, but jealousy is not in Mo Shan Shan’s vocabulary yet.)
- In the show, Ning Que seems to be quite pleased by Mo Shan Shan’s feelings for him but in the novel our hero was flustered and instinctively wanted to avoid the situation even though he already regards Mo Shan Shan as a friend. One big difference between the drama and the novel is our hero’s mental age. In the drama, our hero is a young man who suddenly meets lots of beautiful women and is understandably pleased and shaken when these beautiful women begin to show interest in him. Our hero in the novel is on a slightly different boat. In the novel, our hero has all the memory from his previous life time so strictly speaking, he is not exactly a young man mentally. However, without any romantic experience either in this life or the previous ones, our hero is still very green and unsure of how to handle himself when it comes to love. Which is why unlike our hero in the drama who gets all shaken by Mo Shan Shan, our hero in the novel is only slightly shaken but mostly filled with a sense of unease that something is not quite right.
- In the drama, Ning Que was very eager for Mo Shan Shan to come back to the Captial with him but in the novel, he really didn’t give it much thought and was mildly surprised when Senior Brother invited Mo Shan Shan to go back to the academy with them.
- Mo Shan Shan was very wary of Sang Sang because she had always known Ning Que himself is clueless of his feelings towards his little maid. (Mo Shan Shan had copied Ning Que’s note to Sang Sang over and over again before she even met our hero. Through closely studying the note, Mo Shan Shan understood how the writer must feel towards the girl name Sang Sang. Now, Mo Shan Shan didn’t necessarily equate the feelings as romantic but she understood perfectly that Sang Sang is very important to Ning Que…to the point that Ning Que himself perhaps still hasn’t fully figured out yet.) Surprised once she meets Sang Sang to see that the Ning Que’s maid is actually a rather ordinary looking girl, Mo Shan Shan feel much more assured that her worry has been for nothing.
Senior Brother rubs his sore back that is still aching as he looks at a Ning Que who is full of excitement and asks with a woeful smile “Why are you in such a hurry to get back to the Captial?”
In all seriousness, Ning Que replies “If I tell you, then Senior Brother can’t make fun of me. Even though I am not choosey when it comes to beds but I can’t sleep soundly if am not home. So I am eager to go home and get a good night sleep.”
Despite feeling a sense of closeness with Senior Brother, Ning Que’s words weren’t exactly true. Only himself knows the real reason why he couldn’t get a good night sleep and is so eager to get back home.
If he is not home then there is no one to bring him a basin of water to wash his feet. No one to cook egg noodles, no one to hand him the toothbrush, no one to laugh with, no one to mourn with, no Sang Sang…and he can’t not have Sang Sang.
- Belatedly realizing his fame has been noised both at home and abroad, Ning Que listens with dismay as Senior Brother matter of factly informs him that many people will be coming to challenge the “weakest disciple of Fu Zi”. (Most people are convinced that Ning Que became Fu Zi’s disciple by luck and that he only beat Prince Long Qing because of the super weapon given to him by the academy.)
- In the drama, Ning Que was all lovey dovey with Mo Shan Shan so that’s why he spent all his time with her in the Capital but his reason for doing so was completely different in the novel. None too excited by the prospect that formidable foes could come knocking at any moment, Ning Que promptly decides that his best chance of getting himself a free bodyguard is to just stick by Mo Shan Shan’s side.
- When Mo Shan Shan confessed again and straight out asked Ning Que if he likes her, Ning Que answered yes, that he does like her. However, in the novel, Ning Que’s answer was given more because he knew when a girl confesses, it is a terrible thing if the boy doesn’t answer her back. In the drama, our hero was smitten with Mo Shan Shan, but in the novel, Ning Que really spent most of his time avoiding any self reflection of what his feelings towards Mo Shan Shan are. It is obvious that he does admire Mo Shan Shan and is shaken by her somewhat, but Ning Que also can’t ignore the sense of unease that nags at him. In the drama, Ning Que was full of excitement as he asks Sang Sang what she thinks of Mo Shan Shan and was rewarded by Sang Sang’s reply that she thinks Mo Shan Shan is very good. In the novel, the conversation between our two leads was the same but Ning Que asked his questions in an uncertain tone and was filled with a disappointment that he himself didn’t understand when Sang Sang gave her approval.
- In the drama, Sang Sang freaked out a bit when Ning Que told her that he is officially on the demon path. Sang Sang’s reaction in the drama actually didn’t fit her character at all. Sang Sang is Ning Que’s little maid, she is the one who trusts Ning Que no matter what he says, she is the one who will support him no matter what happens…Ning Que is her world. So in the novel, Sang Sang didn’t freak out at all but simply accepts Ning Que’s words matter of factly. In fact, Sang Sang’s first concern is that she remembers her Master’s search for the Prince of Darkness and warns Ning Que to be careful. As much as Sang Sang came to care for her Master, there was never a question in the novel who she would stand by if she ever had to choose between her Master or Ning Que. Ning Que’s confession to Sang Sang of his darkest secret at the first chance he found also says a lot about how he feels about her.
- In the drama, it seems like Senior Brother and Fu Zi only found out about Ning Que’s secret later but that’s not the case in the novel. Both Senior Brother and Fu Zi knew all along (and dropped VERY obvious hints for our hero that he eventually figures out that his secret is really not that big of a deal to them) but was only giving Ning Que time for him to tell them himself.
- One thing the drama didn’t cover was the real reason why Senior Brother seems so keen on pairing off Ning Que and Mo Shan Shan. Seemingly catching a glimpse of the future for Ning Que if he chooses Sang Sang, Senior Brother hoped that by pushing Ning Que towards Mo Shan Shan then perhaps the hardship awaiting for our hero could be avoided. Second Senior Brother didn’t catch the same prophecy of future for Ning Que, but he stubbornly believes that no matter what could be waiting for our hero down the line, Ning Que should still follow his heart. Later on, after a gentle reprimand by Fu Zi, Senior Brother would quickly admit that he was in error.
- One thing the drama wasn’t able to show well is Ning Que’s desperation and panic when Sang Sang left the house. Here is a translation of it to give you a flavor of Ning Que’s state of mind at that point:
If it was a normal day then he should be heading to the academy or go wonder around the capital, but Ning Que didn’t do either of that today. Walking to the front of the store silently, Ning Que sits down in his chair, looks over at the shining clean table and shelves then proceeds to stare into space.
After sitting in silence for a long long time, Ning Que’s expression appears wooden. There are many passersby in the alleyway and Ning Que would look up every time a shadow reflects onto the front door but none walks through that door.
None walked through that door to come home.
Ning Que waited in silence until it was almost lunchtime before he suddenly walked out.
Walking to the north of the town, Ning Que bought a roasted duck then some vegetables at the market before returning to the store.
Pausing for a second when the store is still devoid of Sang Sang’s busy figure, Ning Que enters into the kitchen in silence, quickly cooked a pot of rice, stir-fried the vegetable and lay out the roast duck carefully onto a plate.
Setting the plates on the dining table along with two pairs of chopsticks, Ning Que looks over at the grand spread on the table with satisfaction then rests his hands on his knees to continue his waiting.
However, after a long time no one came home to eat.
There are still two pairs of chopsticks with only one person sitting in front of a meal that is already stone cold.
Staring at the food on the table for a long moment, Ning Que finally picks up a pair of chopsticks and begins to eat.
Yet, for some reason, his hand is trembling so that after several attempts he still failed to pick up a single thing with his chopsticks.
Forcefully suppressing the urge to toss the chopsticks, Ning Que slowly sets them down on the table.
Standing up suddenly, Ning Que walks back to the bedroom and rips open the floorboard violently. Taking out a wooden box, Ning Que tosses the contents onto the bed. With one look at the money, he is finally certain that she left on her own.
Without any expression, Ning Que puts the money into his pocket, pulls out his bow and arrow, stuffs all the talisman in his sleeve, slides his sword into his waist, then finally puts the black umbrella on his back.
He knows that Sang Sang is most likely not in any danger. But he also knows clearly this will be the toughest fight he will face in this life so that’s why he is bringing everything that is important to him…this seemed like the only way to give himself some comfort. He must bring back the thing that is most important to him. If he can’t…then there is no reason for him to come back either.—————————————
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Sang Sang feels the person staring back at her seems like a stranger. Suddenly disliking the person in the mirror, Sang Sang shakes her head and says “You are a very very dislikable kid.”
The Sang Sang in the mirror lowers her head and asks “Why would you say that?”
“Because you made him worry.”
“I was trying to make room for him to get married.”
“But you knew very well that he wouldn’t leave you behind so you are forcing him to choose. He is already really good to you so how could you be so cruel?”
“But he said we will be together for life. How can we call it together for life if there is someone else? If there is someone else, can we still be together for life?”
“Why must you try to take from someone else?”
The Sang Sang in the mirror answers sorrowfully “But it was mine to begin with.”
The Sang Sang outside of the mirror says solemnly “But he will be very sad.”
“I have never taken from one someone else but this time is different. Even if he will be sad, even if I will become a dislikable kid, even if I will become even more ugly…I am still going to take him back.”
The Sang Sang in the mirror and the Sang Sang outside of the mirror wipe away the tears on their face as they declare in unison like a stubborn child.
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I stopped watching Ever Night because what I liked was his relationship with Sing Sing, not necessarily romantic but they have such chemistry and care for each other so deeply. I’ve been fast forwarding through some of the later episodes and they’re not even together but seem to have gone their own separate ways so I lost interest. This is one drama I’m usually in it for the male lead and will follow his story and I do love the young actor, but was so disappointed in the direction it took, which doesn’t follow the synopsis either. I might read your novel translations since they sound more interesting. The other thing that kind of ruined it for me was reading he won’t be the lead in the second season.
Sorry, I meant Sang Sang.
Sang Sang IS the female lead in the novel so I am assuming the story will soon circle back to her.
Yes, the whole season 2 thing is kinda a mess which makes me wonder if they will actually go ahead with it now. However, judging by how that whole thing went down (it wasn’t a good thing for his image to declare so early that he won’t be in season 2. It came off like he completely threw the show along with everyone working on it under the bus, without any regard for what his words would do to the ratings and viewer interest.) it also makes me wonder if he will eventually change his mind to do season 2 if there are enough public demand for it.
Kinda like what happened with Pillow Book (aka season 2 of Ten miles of Peach Blossom/Eternal Love). The rights to Pillow Book was originally bought by another actress who wanted to star in it, but there were so much complaints from the viewers who wanted the original actors from Eternal Love that eventually they got exactly what they demanded. (Which I am extremely excited about…)
I haven’t read the novel, just excerpts posted on forums or blogs. Drama Ning Que seems to be toned down from novel Ning Que. I’m thinking it can be attributed to:
a) They want to have a likable main character, which viewers will root for. I guess that’s also the reason they make Sang Sang much cuter in the drama version vis-a-vis novel’s.
b) I’ve read somewhere about a regulation (not sure if it’s official SARFT or sort of a gentlemen’s agreement) that main characters aren’t supposed to show bad trait. It probably explains why, for instance, the first meeting between Feng Zhiwei and Ning Yi was changed. (IIRC, in the novel the first meeting was when Feng Zhiwei killed someone?)
i’m waiting the next translation
“Ever Night”
Are you following the show? With the lack of responses I was starting to think this show is flying under the radar.
yes, i’m following the show
even though I prefer the novel version
when the next “ever night” translation?
i’m waiting
Sorry about the delay. I am planning on it but I am currently on the road traveling…and completely exhausted at the end of the day so I probably won’t be able to update this one for a bit (like a week and a half). In the meantime, let me know if you have some specific questions and I will see if I can answer them.
i don’t have question, thanks for translate
waiting the next translate <3
i'm done watching the drama (Season 1)
but still want read the translate (novel version) too
lol 😀