[RECAP/ EN] 稍息立正我愛你 (Attention, Love!) Ep. 8

Jin Li rushed over to the café to help Xiao Ciao with her ex-boyfriend. But when he arrived, Xiao Ciao was alone and seemed to have everything under control. He wanted to leave but Xiao Ciao begged him to a meal. Xiao Ciao excused herself to freshen up in the toilet. She was annoyed that Jin Li happily accompanied Shao Xi to study but only reluctantly, accompanied her for dinner. Jin Li asked Xiao Ciao to order because he ate already with Shao Xi. Xiao Ciao posed provocatively to entice him but instead, was scolded for wearing revealing clothing. Hilarious that he does not even seem to blink an eye!

Shao Xi and Li Zheng went to a night market to play an arcade game. Li Zheng boasted his throwing skills but instead missed the mark completely. He made Shao Xi try her luck and she hit all the marks consecutively and accurately. Shao Xi gave him the last ball to hit the last mark and he did. Li Zheng smiled sweetly as he saw Shao Xi’s happy face. Awww… I think he intentionally took her there to take her mind off the runners that they saw earlier in the park.

Jin Li and Xiao Ciao came out of the café and Jin Li asked Xiao Ciao how she would ride his motorcycle wearing a short skirt. Xiao Ciao said she would tie his jacket around her waist for modesty. Jin Li was doubtful and Xiao Ciao said she would go home with her car instead. Feeling bad, Jin Li called her back to ride on his motorcycle. Jin Li reasoned that it would be more dangerous for the other drivers on the road if she drove. Hahaha… Xiao Ciao is a very bad driver so she totally deserves that comment. But hold on, she is leaving her car somewhere overnight to go home with a guy?! Hmmm… I guess in Taipei, car theft or car towing do not exist.

Li Zheng and Shao Xi waited for a bus and Shao Xi felt cold. So, Li Zheng took off his coat and place it on her shoulder to warm her up. Jin Li and Xiao Ciao arrived home but Xiao Ciao waited and did not let go of his waist. She was waiting for Jin Li to say that he had a good time, to thank her for her time, and to give her a romantic kiss goodbye. Jin Li looked at her incredulously. Hahaha… Well, she does have a point. Merely telling her to get off is rather rude but, she basically forces him to give her a ride so what to expect?! Xiao Ciao got off and walked to her front gate. Jin Li called her back. Xiao Ciao turned around and waited anxiously. 

Unfortunately, Jin Li was only coming for his jacket around her waist. Lol. She again told him off for not considering the cold weather and promised would personally return it once it is washed. He nonchalantly said to just send it through express delivery and he would pay for it. Again, lol! Jin Li got on his motorcycle and Xiao Ciao rudely told him to leave. But when he was out of sight, she smiled brightly. I really like the comedic dynamics of the second pairing. Xiao Ciao is such a refreshing contrast to our melancholic and introspective leads.

Shao Xi and Li Zheng were on a bus to go home. Shao Xi fell asleep and Li Zheng gently placed her head on his shoulder. Over time, Shao Xi slid down and slept on Li Zheng’s lap. She drooled all over his pants! Hahaha… She was startled awake and started to wipe her saliva off his pants when she noticed a pool of its remains on them. She stopped herself uneasily and Li Zheng remarked that her sleeping habit was very bad. Ok, so many dirty thoughts rushed in after this scene. Hahaha… Li Zheng noticed that they were nearing their stop and pressed the bell to alert the driver. They got up and as the bus was braking, Li Zheng grabbed Shao Xi who was losing her balance. Accidentally, they shared their first kiss here. 

Li Zheng and Shao Xi ended up missing the stop as they were too stunned after the accidental peck. They had to walk a bit further to get home. Shao Xi was in front and Li Zheng followed in the back happily. I really wonder why they are not walking side by side. This front and back business is so awkward. At home, Li Zheng tried to engage Shao Xi in a conversation about what just happened. But Shao Xi brushed it off saying it was not a big deal and said her good night. What?! This is an opportunity wasted.

Shao Xi laid down on her bed and started to feel melancholic over her unrequited love for Li Zheng. Sigh, just when it seems we find a strong female lead, the writer seems to be falling back into the weepy stereotypical female lead. She started remembering her shared sweet moments with Li Zheng and sadly remarked that liking Li Zheng was making her lonely. This is a reminiscent of the drama’s opening monologue. I wonder if this is a signal that things are at its lowest and will only improve or…?

  

It was graduation day. Li Zheng gave an inspiring speech to the whole school about the bittersweet realities of what were to come. Shao Xi wrote a few sad sentences on a paper plane and threw it off a roof. Li Zheng saw and picked it up.

Xiao Yu dragged Ru Ping aside to confess his feelings. She yelled at him for being insensitive. Although he had already finished with his college application process, she still had to sit for the Advanced Subjects Test. She did not want to be distracted. Xiao Yu was crying on the stairs when Li Zheng passed him. Li Zheng pretended not to see. Xiao Yu called Li Zheng and was annoyed because he was ignored. Li Zheng asked then, why he cried. Xiao Yu claimed that Ru Ping rejected him so he felt sad. Li Zheng proceeded to tell him 3 reasons why he should have expected Ru Ping’s rejection and should not be sad. Li Zheng is really an insensitive robot. 

Angry, Xiao Yu then explained to Li Zheng that for someone with a crush, graduation meant sad goodbye. The simple pleasures of going to school everyday and seeing your crush around school would no longer exist as they were going to different universities. It started to dawn on Li Zheng, why Shao Xi wrote such melancholic words on the paper airplane. He ran all the way to Shao Xi’s class to look for her.

He found her in class browsing through pictures on her phone. Again, she looked sad. Shao Xi decided that today, she was graduating from high school and from her one-sided crush on Li Zheng. Li Zheng, come on! ♫ Say something she’s giving up on you ♫ This is getting ridiculous. Had it not been almost more than a year?! She noticed Li Zheng. Li Zheng approached her. Shao Xi asked for a graduation gift and forcefully pulled Li Zheng’s tie to get a kiss from him. 2 kisses in an episode! But why do I not feel satisfied with either kiss? Jin Li, who was coming to congratulate her with a bouquet of flowers in hand, saw the kiss too and left, disappointed. Shao Xi declared that from now on, she would stop imagining that he liked her every time he did something nice and would give up trying to get together with him. Li Zheng was shocked and pulled her into his embrace and said, “Who said you can give up?” I get that this is a butterfly moment, but maybe it is the cynics in me but I think Li Zheng no longer has any right to say this. It’s just been way too long.

Papa Zhong came to break the hug and when Shao Xi wanted to explain, he said that an explanation was not necessary. I really like how Papa Zhong is written. He can be surprisingly poignant and insightful at times. Papa Zhong asked the two youngsters to meet Mama Zhong downstairs for a graduation photo. In the school garden, and what a picturesque garden it is, Li Zheng joined the Zhong family for a photo. At the photo, Li Zheng looked meaningfully at Shao Xi instead of looking at the camera.

Papa Zhong invited Li Zheng for some tea. He explained that before their passing, his parents and Papa and Mama Zhong agreed that Li Zheng and Shao Xi would marry each other in the future. Papa Zhong asked if Li Zheng liked Shao Xi. He hesitated and Papa Zhong noticed again how similar Li Zheng was to his late father. His father too, thought a long time before pursuing his mother. Papa Zhong remarked that his father was the type that did not give up once he made up his mind. He was happy if Shao Xi ended up with such a person. But he advised Li Zheng to carefully thought first if he wanted to start dating her. Papa Zhong did not want to lose him, who he already considered a son, and Shao Xi, too, should not be distracted as she still had to prepare for the Advanced Subjects Test. Is Papa Zhong rationalizing indecision? Is he helping or hindering? Hmmm… Li Zheng voiced his understanding. He hoped that if they were to start dating, it would only happen when they were in college. Papa Zhong continued that love needed time to mature, just like tea. 

Tea has long been symbol for loyalty in Chinese culture. At weddings, brides serve tea to their husbands’ families as a sign of filial piety and loyalty. Maybe I am reading too much into this but Papa Zhong serving Li Zheng a cup of tea and Li Zheng drinking the cup, reminded me a little bit of this. It appears that Papa Zhong is vowing his loyalty regardless of his relationship with Shao Xi. As beautiful as it is, this rather upsets me a little bit. The engagement plot really seems to be just a trick to draw viewers to the drama. Nobody seems to be taking it seriously.

Li Zheng was again brooding in his room when Shao Xi knocked. She asked if he had something more to say before Papa Zhong interrupted them earlier in class. Li Zheng was reminded of Papa Zhong’s advice and so he said that he had nothing else to say. Embarrassed, Shao Xi went out awkwardly as she scolded herself for again misreading things. Well girl, it is not your fault. Friends do not grab a friend’s wrist and pull you into his embrace like that. Li Zheng, how can you claim that you care for her when you repeatedly make her cry?

Shao Xi went to her room and was determined to pass her upcoming test, get into a good college, and find a better boyfriend. She started gathering up Li Zheng’s mementos, including the books that he prepared for her, in a trash bag. But she slowly realized that memories, though painful, could not be erased so easily. Time was needed to dissipate them. She returned them to their rightful places and concentrated on studying.

It’s finally test day and her nerves started to affect her digestion. Lol… Another crude toilet joke here. Mama Zhong urged Papa Zhong to take Li Zheng first because Shao Xi was not ready. At the test venue, Li Zheng waited worriedly. He did not start on his test and was transfixed at the door. Shao Xi finally came and Li Zheng breathed out in relief.

The test was long gone. Shao Xi managed a decent score due to Li Zheng’s study plan. She was hopeful that she would be accepted into a reasonable university. At mealtime, Papa Zhong asked for the list of universities that she was applying for. Shao Xi listed them and Mama Zhong was worried that her selections seemed too competitive. Li Zheng noted Shao Xi’s list of universities. Papa Zhong reminded her to thank Li Zheng for tutoring her. Shao Xi did and he replied it was all because of her hard work. Awww… In his room, Li Zheng was contemplating which university to apply.

Shao Xi opened the mailbox and saw her acceptance letter to Lunghwa University. Please note that this is university that Jin Li and Xiao Ciao are attending. I cannot wait for how the love rectangle would unfold now that everyone goes to the same school. She informed her parents who were in the garden. Mama and Papa Zhong congratulated her and Mama Zhong was excited that she could boast to her friends. Li Zheng came down and Papa Zhong asked if he too, had received his acceptance notice. Mama Zhong assumed that he was accepted to the best university in the country. He corrected her and said that he was attending Lunghwa. I really hope the plot would pick up its pace now that everyone is attending the same school. Papa and Mama Zhong were disappointed and advised him to re-take the exam and apply to a more prestigious university. Shao Xi complained because they were both accepted to the same school but yet, her parents’ reaction to Li Zheng’s news was vastly different. Ouch…

Shao Xi asked Li Zheng why he too, was going to Lunghwa. She wondered if he made a mistake. Li Zheng asked if she had forgotten her words. Shao Xi was confused and Li Zheng told her that it did not matter. Back in his room, Li Zheng was reading Shao Xi’s paper plane note while he flashbacked to Shao Xi’s New Year wish. Apparently, she wished that they would attend the same university and always be together. By going to Lunghwa, Li Zheng was actually fulfilling her wish. Swoon. Li Zheng smiled softly in his room.

Papa and Mama Zhong were busy cleaning their room to prepare for Li Zheng’s uncle who was coming for a visit. Mama Zhong wondered if he were coming to Taiwan to take Li Zheng back to Japan. Li Zheng came down from his room to greet his uncle who was already outside the door. They all convened in the living room and Papa and Mama Zhong stood up to express an apology to Zi Xiang, Li Zheng’s uncle. They felt guilty because Li Zheng was going to a second rate university that was below his standard. Shao Xi told off her parents yet again because she was confused over her parents’ double standards. Zi Xiang realized that both Li Zheng and Shao Xi were going to the same university and began suspecting that Li Zheng had feelings for Shao Xi.

Li Zheng and his uncle were on the way to his hotel. Uncle asked Li Zheng to sit on a bench. He plainly asked if Li Zheng liked Shao Xi. He explained that through their interactions, he suspected he liked her. And if he did, he would be making his late parents very happy as they too, wanted them to be together since they were still in their mothers’ wombs. Li Zheng explained that he was not sure if he liked her or just considered her as a friend and family. He elaborated that he never felt this way before, Shao Xi was special to him because she was his first friend and family. She was someone that he could not lose.  Uncle asked if he had confessed how he felt. Li Zheng said no because he did not want to say anything yet until he was certain. Uncle advised him to use his heart to find the answer. Uncle felt relieved seeing Li Zheng’s emotional growth and noted that going home to Taiwan was the right decision.

Jin Li flashbacked to when he saw Li Zheng and Shao Xi kissing in class. He counted the days, to the hours and minutes, since he last saw Shao Xi. He warned himself not to pursue a girl who already had a boyfriend. But he reasoned finding out which university a friend was attending was not against anyone’s principle. He contacted Shao Xi through online message using his fake account as a female novice in the game that they both played. Shao Xi admitted that she was going to Lunghwa University to study Business Administration. Jin Li was happy over this news but he then wondered, the Heavens was forcing him to be around his crush who was already attached. Li Zheng suspected that Shao Xi was not in a good mood even though she was accepted to a fairly good university. Shao Xi admitted that though her academic career was promising, her personal life was in a mess. 

She liked a guy who did not return her feelings. Her crush, i.e., Li Zheng, was also going to Lunghwa. Jin Li congratulated her since she would be together with her crush. Shao Xi however, replied with a sad emoji. Jin Li asked directly whether Shao Xi and her crush were together. Jin Li assumed that after that kiss, they would begin a relationship. When Shao Xi admitted that they were not together, Jin Li screamed with joy and started to bad mouth Li Zheng: how he did not like her and only saw her as a friend. Jin Li predicted that Shao Xi was awkward around Li Zheng and he suggested that to rid her feelings, she should distance herself from him. Jin Li wanted to direct her attention to a handsome upperclassman, named Wang Jin Li, who was a better boyfriend material. Lol… But Shao Xi went offline before he finished typing. The advice to keep a distance seemed to resonate well with Shao Xi.

Shao Xi told her parents that she wished to move out for college. Mama Zhong originally disagreed since Lunghwa was close to home and was easily accessible via public transport. But Papa Zhong agreed and encouraged her. Hmmm… I wonder if Papa Zhong had an ulterior motive. Li Zheng overheard their whole discussion and seemed cross.

Shao Xi searched for a student housing for rent with Ru Ping. A landlord, Auntie Li Ying, showed her a room. She commented that the room was nice but wondered if the room next door was available. Landlord said that that room was just rented out earlier. Hmmm… Suspicious. She promised that should the room ever become available, she would keep it for her. Shao Xi agreed and started to move in. Ru Ping was going to another university in Taichung and the two best friends were sad that they would not be together for college. They promised to keep in touch. Ru Ping went out to buy some food for them while Shao Xi stayed behind to unpack. Shao Xi went out of her room to throw trash. She passed by the bigger room and went inside to look around. Just as she was coming out, Li Zheng walked in with a box in hand. I knew it!!!

Comment

I am starting to lose interests on the main leads. After this episode, I am not sure I even want Li Zheng and Shao Xi to get together. And I am not rooting for the Jin Li, either. It is just becoming too obvious that he does not have a chance. He cannot even present flowers to her on her graduation. It really seems as if fate is against him. With this declining romantic pull, I really hope next week’s episode is a game changer. There are not 1, but 2, kissing scenes in this episode but neither is satisfying. Writer, please introduce a more believable suitor for Shao Xi’s heart. This drama is very much inspired by Itazura Na Kiss, I wonder if the character Keita Kamogari will make an appearance? And if so, quickly please!

I, however, am rooting for Xiao Ciao. I appreciate her straightforward and go-getter attitude. I do not necessarily want her with Jin Li. I just want a happy ending for her.

The whole engagement plot starts to feel gimmicky; that it is put there just as an excuse to draw fairytale-loving, romance-addicts, like me, into the show. The writer does not take it seriously at all. Papa Zhong who has always been the sole defender for it, now, in this episode, seems to change his attitude. He is throwing the ball in Li Zheng’s court and is willing to accept whatever he decides, even if the decision is to remain friends. To a certain degree, I can understand some indecision because Li Zheng does have a lot to lose if his relationship with Shao Xi falls through. But it has been 1.5 years! Either let her go or make your move. These series of misunderstandings need to end. I want to see Shao Xi moving on to a handsome college boy, someone nicer, kinder, and smarter than Li Zheng, someone that can seriously challenge him.

Papa Zhong’s fast agreement to Shao Xi’s move is suspicious. I think that he has something to do with Li Zheng moving in right next door. I find this progress disappointing. This episode seems to going in a circle. It starts and ends with both leads not knowing how Li Zheng feel for Shao Xi. Even their living arrangement, remains the same now that Li Zheng is moving to the room next door. I actually think that if they separate, that is a game changer. It is so unfair how every time she decides to forget him, he does a little something to keep her hanging. Li Zheng is generally quick to understand other people’s emotions but when it comes to his own, sigh… I generally like how every conflict in this drama is resolved quickly but this episode lacks something. All the conflicts here do not move the story along. Now, in my opinion, is starting to drag. When kissing scenes do not excite me, that is not usually a good sign. Welcome to angst…