T-Drama
At the cinema, Shao Xi bought popcorn and drinks while waiting for Li Zheng to come. Shao Xi texted Li Zheng to ask if he was coming. Little did she know, Li Zheng was just outside the cinema talking to Da Mao. He wanted company as he was feeling down. He demanded Li Zheng to care for him since he remained loyal to Li Zheng by not telling the teachers that Li Zheng helped him cheat. Back in the cinema, Shao Xi went inside the theater first as the movie was starting. She wanted to contact Li Zheng again but could not come up with an appropriate text so decided not to send anything. Outside, Li Zheng enlightened Da Mao that he planned all this specifically to trap him. Shao Xi realized that Li Zheng was not coming so became sad. Jin Li came in to sit near Shao Xi. Jin Li noticed that Shao Xi was bawling in her seat.
Da Mao threatened to tell the teachers that Li Zheng helped him cheat. Li Zheng urged him on but reminded Da Mao should he do that, Li Zheng would say Da Mao forced him to take on the blame for stealing and cheating. Li Zheng challenged him to consider who would believe a delinquent student’s word over his. Back again in the cinema, Jin Li was clearly concerned over the bawling Shao Xi so he offered some tissues. Shao Xi wiped her tears and walked out of the cinema. Outside, Li Zheng told Da Mao to transfer school before the disciplinary session was held. He would need to repeat a year but it should not matter since he was already prepared to do so. Li Zheng left the stunned Da Mao but Da Mao chased him and asked why he did all these. Li Zheng came clean and said it was all because Da Mao made Shao Xi cry. And right on cue, Li Zheng saw a red-eyed Shao Xi coming out of the cinema. The irony! Shao Xi remembered Mama Zhong telling her that Li Zheng also went to the movies with his friend to celebrate the end of exams. So when she saw Li Zheng together with Da Mao, she thought Da Mao was the friend with whom Li Zheng was meeting. Sigh… Another misunderstanding.
Shao Xi quickly ran and Li Zheng lost her amongst the people. He tried to chase her but missed her. Da Mao caught up to Li Zheng on a footbridge and demanded explanation. Da Mao could not have chosen the wrong time and place for this because what was next was beyond terrifying. Li Zheng became almost psychotic as he released his repressed anger on Da Mao. He grabbed Da Mao by the neck and threatened to push him down from the bridge. He used statistics and his intelligence to basically scare the living daylights out of Da Mao. Li Zheng was evil personified. He even systematically narrated, in his mater-of-fact tone, what he would do to convince everyone that it was all just an accident. It was a dark scene, a little too dark for a romantic comedy but it supports my hypothesis from the last recap: Li Zheng hid a crazy psycho underneath his stoic persona. And of course, Da Mao was left in shock. Alive but shocked.
Back in her room, Shao Xi took off her pink dress and was crumpling reminders of the bet. Li Zheng knocked on her door and asked if he made her cry. Shao Xi denied it and wanted to slam the door on him but he blocked it. Li Zheng asked for a time to resolve their issues and Shao Xi agreed. The twosome went to a park to discuss. Li Zheng began by asking if her anger was because he stood her up. Shao Xi explained that she missed past interactions before all the misunderstandings. She had hoped this movie date would become a turning point that mended their relationship. But she realized this was merely a wishful thinking, as he never said he would accompany her to the movie bet. This is so sad! Shao Xi continued that she also could not blame him for not understanding her because she too, had not been completely honest with him. And wait for it: Shao Xi confessed! I love this show! Episode 4 and we get a confession.
Shao Xi explained that out of fear of many uncertainties, she always held back. She now realized that avoidance was not the way to go. So to clear the air, she proceeded to ask him if he liked her too. Listening to Shao Xi’s confession, Li Zheng was dazed for a moment. Li Zheng gets on my nerve a bit for his lack of reactions but I have to remind myself repeatedly that when it comes to emotional age, he is equivalent to a newborn.
Shao Xi wanted to leave the park because it seemed like she was talking only to herself. But then, Li Zheng grabbed her wrist to stop her. Who doesn’t love an on-point wrist grab?! Hehehe… Similar to Shao Xi, Li Zheng gave a long speech over how he never thought he was lovable since he had no memories, friends, or emotions. But since knowing her, he had changed. He cared for her but did not like her back. Confession rejected. Sigh… Shao Xi proposed a pact that the two of them will forget about this confession and remain first and foremost, a friend and family always. She promised that from now on, she would not like him anymore. Li Zheng stamped it in agreement. Stupid! Let’s see who will regret this promise first. Both Li Zheng and Shao Xi were in denial. On the way home, they talked about everything except the very thing that Shao Xi wanted to discuss.
Li Zheng picked Shao Xi up after class and Shao Xi informed Li Zheng that Da Mao was transferring school. Shao Xi was surprised over Li Zheng’s lack of reaction to the news since Shao Xi thought Da Mao was Li Zheng’s best friend. Li Zheng denied this and clarified that Shao Xi was his one and only friend. Why does Li Zheng keep friend-zoning Shao Xi? Soon, he will never be able to un-friend her anymore. This frustrates me! Are not they engaged? Where is the second lead? Again, back at school and home, they continued this pretense. They hang a family photo together. Shao Xi decorated Li Zheng’s room with her stuffs to warm it up because she viewed his room lacking humanity. They studied together in a café. Shao Xi and Li Zheng’s relationship appeared closer on the surface because they were always together but because they did not talk about things that matter, there was a big distance between them.
Shao Xi was practicing to improve her performance. On her third try, she injured her ankle and fell. Li Zheng who had been watching this whole time, dashed down. He carried her when Xiao Yu refused to. But he introduced himself as Shao Xi’s older brother. Dude, you so will regret this! A friend is bad enough but a brother? That is even worse. Girls do not date their brothers. You are digging your own graves. Still, the way he carries her. Oh, the butterflies!
The doctor declared that Shao Xi lightly sprained her ankle but would be fine after a few rest days. Xiao Yu, the loyal friend (note the sarcasm), asked how the school team would fare without its ace. The wise coach advised Shao Xi to rest because her health was more important than any competition. The conversation ended there but Li Zheng noted the pressure that Shao Xi was under. Back at home, Papa and Mama Zhong also shared similar sentiments as Xiao Yu. They wondered if Shao Xi could still compete because they had invited Shao Xi’s aunt and uncle to support her. Shao Xi put on a brave face, lied to her parents, and said she would not be competing because she forgot to register.
Shao Xi was skipping class on the school rooftop when Li Zheng approached her. Li Zheng asked her to leave the school together. Li Zheng intended to help her catch her as she climbed down the school wall but she avoided him. Not very wise considering that her ankle is sprained. But he managed to hold her once she was down and they shared a brief awkward moment. Li Zheng hailed a taxi and the two of them played around in the city. Li Zheng was starting to send mixed signals to Shao Xi. The whole time they were skipping school, they had a telepathic conversation with each other. Rather weird honestly but it shows how much closer they are with each other.
They finally stopped at a small riverbank. Li Zheng finally asked again if she were ready to tell why she was down. He guessed that she was scared of losing and therefore, did not want to be embarrassed. The guess was spot on so Li Zheng said Papa and Mama Zhong would not care the result of the competition. They merely wanted to support her. But Shao Xi did not want to let her parents see her lose so she preferred if they did not attend. Li Zheng shoved her forehead for over thinking things. He pointed out that if not running were the right path, she would not be this upset. He urged her to think things through before giving up. Shao Xi was finally comforted.
On competition day, at school, Ru Ping was forcing Xiao Yu to skip school and support Shao Xi. Xiao Yu was hesitating because he did not want to be marked absent. But Ru Ping insisted. Ru Ping along with two other female students were climbing up the wall when the Discipline Master caught them. The girls blamed Xiao Yu for ratting them out. Li Zheng overheard and saw this whole exchange and became determined to attend the competition. So he climbed up the wall and ran all the way to the venue. He arrived just in time to see Shao Xi’s event and winning it. The episodes ended with Li Zheng congratulating Shao Xi and Shao Xi expressing her gratitude for his attendance, telepathically.
Comment
Of all the episodes already aired, I find episode 4 to be the most boring and uneventfu plot-wise. Nothing much happened. It seems like something big could happen, especially with Shao Xi’s confession and Li Zheng opening more of his heart. But until the end, nothing! Their relationship stays on the same spot and Li Zheng does not seem to be getting any closer to realizing his growing attractions to Shao Xi. If anything, he starts to see himself more and more as a best friend and a sibling. And who here thinks Li Zheng is going to be first to regret that ridiculous promise? I do! On the other hands, this episode features some of the most scenic filming venues so far: the park overlooking the bridge, the boat ride with the view of the city skyscrapers behind it, the cycling path along the river, and the riverbank. I am impressed with the cinematography.
It is hard to accept the premise that Li Zheng does not like Shao Xi romantically and merely cares for her. Li Zheng’s jealous stare when he watched Shao Xi embracing Xiao Yu to the summarized exercise books for Shao Xi, all point to the fact that Shao Xi is very important to him. A lot more important than merely a friend or a good friend. His actions are more commonly displayed in a boyfriend girlfriend relationship. Li Zheng, please just get there faster. It is about time that the second male lead, Wang Jin Li, enters the picture. He would provide the much needed push in the OTP’s relationship. Especially considering that Shao Xi is now keeping her distance away from Li Zheng to try to get over her crush.
Li Zheng’s confrontation with Da Mao in the footbridge is the most memorable scene of this episode. If one were to watch it without knowing his backstory, Li Zheng does appear psychotic. But I think we all have to remember that firstly, Li Zheng was bullied when he was younger by his peers and secondly, Da Mao bullies Shao Xi, his only friend in the world. So the combination of these two factors really puts him way over the edge. No justification can be made over his action because it really is over the top and I suspect, illegal in most countries, but I can empathize.
thanks for the recap! :) the part with LZ and the bridge gave me chills too!! he really is the type of quiet intelligent psycho
BalasHapus