A Love So Beautiful Episode 17 Recap
> A Love So Beautiful Recap
The prolonged journey of high school culminated with the final bell of the college entrance exam. As students left the examination hall, Chen Xiaoxi called out to Jiang Chen, who teased her for being "super slow." Later, during Class 8's last class meeting, their usually stern teacher, Zhang Xinxia, wearing a vibrant red dress for good luck, told them it was the final time they would all be together.
She acknowledged their naughtiness but found it endearing, concluding by wishing them all a bright future and good luck, advising them that her scoldings came from care, unlike those they might encounter later in life. Two weeks later, the exam results were released. Chen Xiaoxi's mother, having earlier tried to ensure good luck with "talisman water" blessed by Confucius, anxiously checked her daughter's score, announcing 549 points. Elated, Chen Xiaoxi rushed to Jiang Chen's house.
Finding him alone, she playfully suggested he invite her in for tea. Jiang Chen instead took her out for cold drinks. On their way, Chen Xiaoxi revealed her intention to attend Hangzhou Normal University, strategically chosen for its proximity to Zhejiang University.
At the shop, Jiang Chen, noticing her gaze on his watermelon juice, offered it to her, claiming it was "too sweet," which Chen Xiaoxi eagerly accepted, making him smile as he playfully warned her she might get "beaten one day." When it was time to submit university applications, Jiang Chen's mother arrived, insisting he change his first choice to Tsinghua University's mathematics department.
Jiang Chen, however, firmly stated his preference for Zhejiang University and, when his mother threatened to alter his form, he countered with a threat to quit school if she interfered. His mother ultimately relented. As Jiang Chen left the classroom, he saw Chen Xiaoxi waiting, and he gently adjusted her backpack strap before they walked away together.
Chen Xiaoxi commented on his rebellious decision not to go to Tsinghua, calling it a "pity," unaware of his deeper motivations, which were to stay close to her. Around the same time, Lu Yang, despite his health concerns, finally opened up to Lin Jingxiao. When he expressed hesitation about having a girlfriend due to his sickness, Lin Jingxiao, tired of his indecision, grabbed his bag and declared, "Lu Yang, you don't have a girlfriend, right?
Then you have one now," making their relationship official. Jiang Chen and Lin Jingxiao both received admission to Zhejiang University, and Lu Yang secured a spot at a nearby university, just two bus stops away from Lin Jingxiao's. Chen Xiaoxi, however, was heartbroken to find she had not been admitted. Her parents tried to console her, suggesting they could send her abroad.
Jiang Chen, unable to reach her by phone, went to her house, where her mother told him Chen Xiaoxi had been crying in her room all day. He went in and, identifying himself after she mistook him for her parents, took her outside. Chen Xiaoxi, tearfully, expressed her fear and confusion about her future. Jiang Chen encouraged her to try again by taking the art exam, reminding her of her passion for painting.
He confidently offered to help her get into Zhejiang University and even dangled the prospect of them graduating together, as his medicine major would take five years. Chen Xiaoxi, in her typical fashion, immediately worried about failing to graduate, prompting Jiang Chen to gently remind her to focus on getting admitted first. Soon after, Chen Xiaoxi informed her parents of her decision to retake her exams through the fine arts pathway, expressing confidence in her ability to handle the challenge.
Meanwhile, Wu Baisong competed in the national swimming championship. Drawing confidence from the cheer-up card Chen Xiaoxi had given him, he swam despite recent injuries and won the 100-meter freestyle. After his victory, he learned from Lu Yang that Chen Xiaoxi was planning to restudy. In a televised post-competition interview, Wu Baisong delivered a heartfelt message directly to Chen Xiaoxi, telling her that "to restudy is not terrifying" and expressing his belief in her success.
Chen Xiaoxi, watching from home, was greatly encouraged. Jiang Chen, also watching the interview, dismissively muttered, "Old fashion," turning off the television, clearly annoyed by Wu Baisong's public declaration. Jiang Chen soon left for Zhejiang University. Chen Xiaoxi saw him off downstairs, where he gently adjusted her bangs and told her, "I'll wait for you at Zhejiang University," encouraging her with "Fighting." Meanwhile, Chen Xiaoxi began her art exam preparation.
In a humorous incident, her art teacher warned against eating still life objects, a taboo among art students, just as Chen Xiaoxi was seen attempting to vomit, having apparently consumed grapes meant for a drawing. At university, Jiang Chen remained aloof, rejecting a female student's attempts to flirt by telling her that medicine was a subject "unsuited for people with low scores." That evening, agitated that Chen Xiaoxi hadn't contacted him all day, Jiang Chen called her.
When she asked if he had called, he unconvincingly claimed he "dialed the wrong number." Frustrated, he said he had "nothing to say" and threatened to hang up. Chen Xiaoxi's indifferent response, "Alright, I'm going home to do my homework anyway," led him to end the call, visibly annoyed as he kicked a nearby step.
As the art exam countdown hit 100 days, Jiang Chen, Lu Yang, and Lin Jingxiao visited Chen Xiaoxi at her art school, jokingly referring to her as a "prisoner." Wu Baisong also returned, completing their reunion. During their playful banter, which included Lu Yang's protective remarks to Wu Baisong regarding Lin Jingxiao, Chen Xiaoxi diligently studied, often calling Jiang Chen for help with her math homework.
With Jiang Chen's consistent tutoring and her own hard work, Chen Xiaoxi successfully passed her art exams. A month later, she received her admission letter, officially accepted into Zhejiang University. During the summer holiday, Chen Xiaoxi, overjoyed by her admission, asked Jiang Chen to sign her backpack as a souvenir, a request he found uninteresting and declined. At Alumni Bookstore, she playfully feigned numb legs, asking for a princess carry.
Jiang Chen, amused, retorted that he might just knock her out and drag her home. Their playful exchange was interrupted by the appearance of Wu Baisong, who had returned for a competition. He informed them that Lu Yang had organized a KTV party to celebrate Chen Xiaoxi's admission, a detail that slightly annoyed her, as she hadn't been informed. At the party, Chen Xiaoxi was repeatedly pressured to drink. Jiang Chen stepped in protectively, shielding her from consuming more alcohol.
As the party wound down, only Jiang Chen, Chen Xiaoxi, and Wu Baisong remained. In her drunken state, Chen Xiaoxi failed to recognize Wu Baisong, calling him an "asshole" and only acknowledging Jiang Chen. Understanding the situation, Wu Baisong reluctantly left. Jiang Chen then offered Chen Xiaoxi a choice: walk home or be carried. She defiantly chose to walk, so Jiang Chen gently took her hand, and they slowly walked home together.
Outside her home, Jiang Chen looked at the flushed Chen Xiaoxi and asked if she would remember the events of the night. When she replied, "I don't know," he instructed her, "If you remember, just call me." After she agreed, Jiang Chen leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips. Completely oblivious in her drunken state, Chen Xiaoxi simply yawned.
