A Girl Like Me Episode 17 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
Mr. Yao reported to Shi Chonghai that Count Cheng’an had refused the matchmaking proposal, and he dared not press further. Mr. Yao then inquired if Shi Chonghai recalled the eloquent and loyal servant who used to accompany the old Count Rong. Shi Chonghai confirmed he remembered him, prompting Mr. Yao to mention that the old butler at Cheng’an’s Mansion strikingly resembled the former servant, yet he seemed not to recognize Mr. Yao at all.
Shi Chonghai speculated that perhaps they were both old and might have simply misremembered. Meanwhile, at a shop, Xie Wanyu was selecting plates, dissatisfied despite being shown the best options. Ban Heng, demonstrating his expertise, advised her on the value of a specific glazed plate, calling it a "limited edition." He then taught her his four-step method for assessing quality: "look, listen, compare, and touch."
The shop assistant, observing their friendly banter, remarked on their intimacy and guessed they were choosing a dowry. Xie Wanyu vehemently denied she would marry Ban Heng, who retorted that he wouldn't marry her either. Annoyed, Xie Wanyu stomped on his foot, calling him a "rogue" before storming out. Ban Hua awoke from a terrifying nightmare, her face pale. She had dreamt of Rong Xia being stabbed.
Moments later, Rocky rushed in with alarming news: something terrible had happened at Cheng’an’s Mansion, and someone had died. Ban Heng, overhearing, fretted that if Count Cheng’an had truly died, his sister’s reputation for bringing misfortune to her fiancés would be sealed. Panicked, Ban Hua hurried to the mansion. There, she found a coffin and, believing Rong Xia was inside, wept hysterically, demanding Du Jiu reveal the murderer's identity.
Du Jiu calmly explained that Butler Rong had been struck by an out-of-control carriage the previous day and had died from his injuries. Only then did Ban Hua realize that Rong Xia was alive and the deceased was his butler. Seeing her distress, Rong Xia led her away for a private talk. Rong Xia pressed Ban Hua for an explanation, and she finally confessed her secret: she possessed the ability to foresee the future through her dreams.
She recounted a series of premonitions that had all come true, including her broken engagement, Xie Qilin’s blindness, and her grandmother’s death. Her most recent nightmare depicted Rong Xia being killed and the Ban family’s downfall, which was why she had deliberately kept her distance from him, fearing she would bring him harm. His heart unburdened by the truth, Rong Xia embraced her tightly.
He confessed that he had been alone his whole life until he met her and that he did not fear death as long as they could be together. He vowed that with him by her side, the Ban family would never fall, and he would protect her and her family as his own. Overwhelmed by emotion and exhaustion, Ban Hua fainted. Rong Xia carried her to his residence and summoned a physician.
Later, he gently coaxed her to drink her medicine, playfully teasing that her reluctance was a ploy to spend more time with him. Afterward, Rong Xia asked Du Jiu about Butler Rong’s death. Du Jiu expressed his suspicion that the incident was not a simple accident, and Rong Xia ordered him to investigate thoroughly. At the Ban residence, Ban Huai, Yin Shi, and Ban Heng were discussing Rong Xia’s potential proposal when he arrived with a recovering Ban Hua.
After Rocky took Ban Hua to her room to rest, Rong Xia formally addressed her parents, announcing his intention to fulfill the late Grand Princess’s wish by marrying Ban Hua. Despite Ban Huai’s initial playful reluctance, Rong Xia’s heartfelt vows—promising a lifetime of love and protection, and swearing to face ruin and a lonely death if he ever broke his word—won them over.
Yin Shi raised a concern about Ban Hua’s lack of interest in poetry and books, but Rong Xia assured her that he loved Ban Hua for her unique spirit and would never try to change her. Moved, Yin Shi and Ban Huai gave their blessing, reminding him that winning Ban Hua's own consent was now his task. Later, Rong Xia invited Ban Hua to his residence to listen to him play the zither.
He then led her to a balcony with a beautiful view of the city at night. Struggling for words, he finally blurted out, "Marry me." Just then, Ban Heng, who had secretly followed them, appeared, declaring he couldn't miss his sister's "big moment." Ban Hua joked that she wasn't ready to give up her single life, but Rong Xia earnestly replied that the wedding date would be entirely her decision, and he would wait for her.
Curious, Ban Hua asked when he first fell for her. Rong Xia stumbled over his answer, first mentioning the autumn hunt, which prompted Ban Hua to tease that he meant the time he "took advantage" of her in the bush. He then cited shooting arrows while drunk, before finally settling on the ice-skating incident, admitting he was unknowingly drawn to her even then.
He added that getting to know her family gave him a sense of home he had long missed, solidifying his conviction that she was his only match. Ban Hua then asked what he would do if the Ban family faced disaster, and he vowed to protect them. Moved by his sincerity, she finally agreed. Overjoyed, Rong Xia called for Du Jiu to bring the love knots he had prepared.
Ban Heng and Rocky cheered as Ban Hua and Rong Xia exchanged the knots, promising to be inseparable. Rong Xia promptly informed the Emperor that Ban Hua had accepted his proposal. The Emperor was delighted, noting that this union fulfilled the Grand Princess’s dying wish. He then urged Rong Xia to continue investigating the Grand Princess's assassination to bring the Ban family justice. Meanwhile, Softy continued to train Ban Heng in sword practice.
Ban Heng complained and tried to distract Ban Hua, suggesting she had agreed to the marriage too quickly and should have involved Shi Jin to make things more dramatic. Ban Hua dismissed the idea, expressing suspicion that Shi Jin might be the "man in black," and ordered Ban Heng to resume his training. Later, Rong Xia took Ban Hua to a popular noodle shop. As he went to order dumplings, Shi Jin arrived and greeted Ban Hua.
When Rong Xia returned, he affectionately put his arm around Ban Hua and bluntly informed Shi Jin that they were engaged. Ban Hua confirmed it, leaving Shi Jin heartbroken. As it began to rain, Rong Xia and Ban Hua left hand-in-hand, while a devastated Shi Jin walked home, completely drenched. At the Shi mansion, Shi Feixian was dismayed to find her brother soaked and quickly learned of Rong Xia's engagement.
Heartbroken, she refused to believe Rong Xia could love anyone but her, convinced his fiancée must have manipulated him. Shi Jin suggested that it might be true love, but Shi Feixian rejected the thought, vowing to prove to all of Daye that she was Rong Xia's only true match. Later, at a poetry party she was hosting, other ladies speculated about the identity of Rong Xia's mysterious fiancée.
To everyone’s surprise, Ban Hua arrived, explaining that Rong Xia had insisted she come. Rong Xia then entered, thanked Shi Feixian for the invitation, and formally introduced Ban Hua as his fiancée. Shi Feixian’s face fell as she realized her rival was none other than Ban Hua.
