jingliu and jing yuan...!!! to me, i don't think that their relationship is strictly maternal per say... but that, it's a sort of a unique relationship that transcends the usual family structure. they are family in their own unique way, a teacher and student that had grown to be fond of each other without needing any more words to be said... and to me, it's not that jing yuan is unsatisfied with his relationship with jingliu when he wishes that he was closer to her but that it exemplifies the most human, ordinary, and yet... completely, vulnerable side of jing yuan that shows how despite his apparent confidence and stability in handling things, he too, would wish to have someone equally dependable by his side. which is...jingliu!! the one who had seen him and taught him to be the way that he is but not completely a copy of jingliu. rather, it's that jingliu who was distinctly aware of jing yuan's gentleness and kindness where instead of squashing it, she helped him manage it (remember her words to jing yuan about the marastruck in his animated trailer) and remind him of when to weaponize such a thing (as evident by his pardon decree to dan heng). that jingliu could have had many negative things to say to jing yuan like she does to the rest of hcq (barring baiheng) and yet, she chose to say how much jing yuan means to her... her shining star,,, i think that jingliu had known that jing yuan loves her so dearly...that this love had never wavered even if jing yuan had to do his duty (when he struck her down) and in a way, i like to think that this also comforts jingliu in a way... after all this time 🤲🏻

hehe, hope you like my take about jing yuan and jingliu's relationship!!!