A Girl Like Me Episode 2 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
Ban Heng arrived at Rong Xia’s mansion, offering a special gift as gratitude for Rong Xia’s assistance to the Ban family in court. Despite Rong Xia's initial reluctance, Ban Heng insisted, presenting two prized fighting crickets. Ban Heng passionately described their impressive combat records, leading Ban Hua and Rong Xia to engage in playful banter over which cricket was superior. They agreed to a match, and with Ban Heng's enthusiastic support, Rong Xia’s cricket won.
Furious at the loss, Ban Hua declared her departure and dragged Ban Heng away, while Rong Xia, new to the pastime, found it surprisingly amusing. Later, Ban Hua experienced another prophetic dream, this time seeing Rong Xia at a fabric store. Determined to prove her premonitions were real, she persuaded her skeptical mother, Yin Shi, to accompany her to the store to wait for him.
Yin Shi had to leave early for other commitments, but Ban Hua stayed and, to her astonishment, Rong Xia arrived just as she had dreamed. She urgently asked him to wait while she fetched her mother, but Rong Xia, who was merely passing through to buy brushes and ink, did not linger.
In the carriage, his guard Du Jiu expressed concern that getting close to the Ban family was risky, but Rong Xia affirmed it was necessary to uncover the truth. Shortly after, Ban Hua intercepted her family's carriage and excitedly told her father, Ban Huai, and Ban Heng about her dream’s fulfillment. After she left, the two decided to investigate the part of her dream about Xie Qilin going blind and headed to the Xie Mansion.
Spying from a rooftop, they saw Xie Qilin speaking with a woman. After she left, Xie Qilin was reciting poetry in a pavilion when he tripped over a bamboo stalk, severely injuring his eye. Ban Huai immediately jumped down, but Ban Heng stumbled, fell into the compound, and was captured by the Xie family as a trespasser.
Later, Ban Huai knelt before Yin Shi, pleading for forgiveness for his recklessness, but she, worried about their son, left him to his penance. When news spread that Ban Heng had injured Xie Qilin, Rong Xia instructed his men not to get involved publicly but began a secret investigation into the Xie family. The next day in court, Count Xie accused Ban Heng of blinding his son and demanded justice.
Concerned about the political machinations of the rival Shi and Yan families, the Princess Royal visited the Ban Mansion. She and Yin Shi agreed that the only person impartial and trustworthy enough to handle the case was Rong Xia. Despite Ban Hua’s strong objections due to her past encounters with him, the decision was made. Ban Hua visited Ban Heng in prison, dismayed to find him feasting as if on holiday.
There, she met Shi Jin, the official in charge of the case and grandson of the Right Prime Minister. Surprised by his handsome appearance, Ban Hua earnestly pleaded for his help, saying that she found him to be a straightforward person like herself. Shi Jin, who harbored feelings for her, readily agreed. At a poetry gathering, Shi Feixian elegantly completed a difficult couplet posed by Rong Xia, earning widespread praise.
A jealous lady, Li Xiaoru, then disparaged Ban Hua, claiming Xie Qilin's injury was a result of her curse. Overhearing this, Ban Hua stepped out to confront her, and Rong Xia intervened. Believing Rong Xia favored Shi Feixian's refined demeanor, Ban Hua decided to cater to his tastes to secure his help for her brother.
She awkwardly adopted a demure manner to speak with him privately, but unable to remember the lines her mother had prepared, she simply handed him a note with her request. Rong Xia understood her intent but left without a clear answer. The next day, Ban Hua found Rong Xia at a teahouse inquiring about a rare book, the "Collection of Poems." She pressed him for an answer, but he remained evasive.
Determined, she followed him to a stationery shop and began outbidding him on every item he touched. When Du Jiu revealed Rong Xia only intended to buy one brush, a frustrated Ban Hua tossed her purchases aside. She continued to pester him, even having her makeup done beside him as he tried to read, only for him to bluntly state that her heavy makeup was unsuitable.
Meanwhile, Shi Jin’s investigation at the Xie Mansion led him to question Xie Wanyu, who lied that she had been home all day. Her alibi was corroborated by her maid. Afterwards, Count Xie instructed Xie Wanyu to tell Shi Feixian not to mention visiting Xie Qilin on the day of the incident. Already suspicious, Shi Jin waited outside and witnessed Xie Wanyu rushing to Shi Feixian's residence.
That night, a desperate Ban Hua snuck into the Xie Mansion and encountered Rong Xia, who was also investigating. She accused him of being bought off, but he assured her he was on the case. Ignoring his warning against using force, Ban Hua entered Xie Qilin's room. Brandishing a dagger, she urged him to tell the truth, vowing to take responsibility herself if he was simply seeking revenge.
When he refused to cooperate, she showed him a letter from Rong Xia that read: "I have 'Collection of Poems.' I would like to meet with you, Mr. Xie." The following day in court, Shi Jin reported that his investigation had uncovered new information. When the Emperor asked Xie Qilin to recount the incident, Xie Qilin, who had previously been resolute in his accusation, stunned everyone by hesitantly claiming he could no longer remember the details.
