A Love So Beautiful Episode 9 Recap
> A Love So Beautiful Recap
Ever since Chen Xiaoxi discovered that the secret slip from the game on her birthday was written by Wu Bosong, she began to avoid him. Wu Bosong, realizing Chen Xiaoxi's heart belonged to Jiang Chen, immersed himself in training at the swimming pool, skipping classes. Chen Xiaoxi confided in Lin Jingxiao, expressing her dilemma about knowing Wu Bosong liked her but being unsure how to confront him, fearing that a direct rejection would end their friendship.
Lin Jingxiao, in turn, suggested that Chen Xiaoxi should consider being with Wu Bosong instead of tirelessly pursuing Jiang Chen. She even highlighted Wu Bosong's good looks, impressive physique, and potential to earn tens of thousands of yuan from a single competition, equating it to a "school canteen." Despite this, Chen Xiaoxi maintained that no matter how good Wu Bosong was, he couldn't compare to Jiang Chen, whom she considered her "supermarket."
With an inspection from school leaders approaching, the school decided to organize a talent show, including a debate competition to foster critical thinking. The teacher appointed Li Wei, Jiang Chen, and Zhao Jinhan to the debate team. After class, Chen Xiaoxi tried to walk home with Jiang Chen, but he informed her that Li Wei was waiting in the ladder classroom to discuss debate matters.
Disappointed, Chen Xiaoxi left, unaware that Jiang Chen briefly glanced at her retreating figure before turning away, his feelings for her subtly shifting. Chen Xiaoxi, feeling frustrated about not walking to and from school with Jiang Chen, confided in Lin Jingxiao, who suggested she join the debate group as a logistic assistant to deliver water and take notes, ensuring Jiang Chen would see her whenever he looked around.
Lin Jingxiao then volunteered Chen Xiaoxi to Li Wei, who agreed to let her join the debate group. During a debate group discussion, the topic was whether a student's grades affect their future, with their group arguing the negative. Qiao Lu deliberately challenged Chen Xiaoxi for her opinion. Li Wei, eager to impress Jiang Chen, spoke up, arguing that while good grades are important, character development is paramount, citing historical examples.
Chen Xiaoxi eagerly added her own example, proudly speaking of Wu Bosong, a national champion who only scored nine points on his last exam. Seeing Chen Xiaoxi’s animated description of Wu Bosong, Jiang Chen’s usually expressionless face tightened, and he abruptly announced his departure. Chen Xiaoxi quickly followed, asking if he was upset because she mentioned Wu Bosong, but Jiang Chen, looking uncomfortable, denied it twice.
The next morning, Chen Xiaoxi woke late and struggled to find matching socks, ultimately wearing mismatched ones. Later, during the debate group's discussion, Jiang Chen secretly watched Chen Xiaoxi, who was dozing off while trying to take notes, finding her adorable. He discreetly smiled behind his hand. After the meeting, Chen Xiaoxi spotted Wu Bosong at the bike shed and immediately fled, leaving her bicycle behind.
Jiang Chen caught up to her, offering her a ride on Jiang Rui's new bike under the pretense of needing to "press the tires." Chen Xiaoxi asked to go to the riverside. Jiang Chen rode swiftly, and Chen Xiaoxi held onto his uniform, pressing her face against his back, bringing a rare smile to Jiang Chen's face. Upon arriving at the riverside, Chen Xiaoxi joyfully ran towards the water, exclaiming, "Ocean, I am coming!"
Jiang Chen, smiling at her enthusiasm, gently corrected her, "This is the river." As they sat on the grass, Chen Xiaoxi started to take off her shoes, but hesitated, remembering the hole in her sock. Jiang Chen, however, pulled her shoe off, revealing her big toe peeking through the torn fabric, much to her embarrassment. When Chen Xiaoxi started to sneeze due to the wind, Jiang Chen initially didn't react.
She deliberately sneezed a few more times, then hinted that a gentleman would offer his jacket to a lady. Jiang Chen, without a word, took off his oversized jacket and gave it to her. Playfully, Chen Xiaoxi tucked her arms inside, leaving the sleeves empty, and twirled to show him. Jiang Chen watched her radiant smile, captivated, until Chen Xiaoxi called his name, making him blush. He quickly tied her empty sleeves into a knot and hurried away.
That evening, Chen Xiaoxi spread out all the gifts Wu Bosong had given her, resolving to clarify things with him. The next day, she found him at the swimming pool but felt guilty and tried to run away. Wu Bosong accidentally slipped, hitting his forehead on a chair. Concerned, Chen Xiaoxi helped him to the infirmary. There, she finally revealed that she had seen his secret slip and confessed that she didn't like him.
Wu Bosong, wishing to preserve their friendship, pretended he was joking, claiming that "nobody would play such a foolish game." Chen Xiaoxi, believing him, was relieved, and their easygoing, playful dynamic was restored. Later, during a debate discussion, Chen Xiaoxi had prepared drinks for the team. Qiao Lu took a sip of one and suddenly complained of a stomachache, implying the drink was problematic. Jiang Chen immediately directed others to take Qiao Lu to the infirmary.
Seeing Chen Xiaoxi's alarm and confusion, he firmly told her, "It's not your problem," instantly calming her anxious heart. On their way home from school, Lu Yang was once again cornered by his childhood bully, Zhao Yue, and his friends, who were demanding money. Lin Jingxiao, happening to pass by, courageously smashed a soda bottle and confronted Zhao Yue, intimidating him and his cronies into fleeing.
Once they were gone, her bravado faltered, and she leaned on Lu Yang for support. She then gathered Chen Xiaoxi and Jiang Chen to discuss the incident with Lu Yang. As they recounted embarrassing childhood stories, Lu Yang shared how he created an imaginary friend named Riz to ward off bullies like Zhao Yue, who once pulled down his pants and threw him into the girls' restroom. Wu Bosong, too, shared an embarrassing moment from his locker room.
When it was Jiang Chen's turn, he confessed that during a summer holiday, he got drunk on his mother's osmanthus wine and spent an entire day at Chen Xiaoxi's house singing "Black Cat Detective." Chen Xiaoxi exclaimed her regret at not being home to witness it. Wu Bosong watched Jiang Chen and Chen Xiaoxi laugh together, a bitter feeling in his heart. Meanwhile, Lin Jingxiao secretly followed Li Xiaoyi, the school doctor, to the cinema.
She cleverly bought a ticket for the same movie and row, feigning that Li Xiaoyi was her mentally unwell brother whom she needed to supervise, all while convinced she was on a date. With Qiao Lu’s absence due to illness, Chen Xiaoxi was suddenly nominated by Lin Jingxiao to take her place in the upcoming debate. During the competition, Chen Xiaoxi was put on the spot by the opposing team and struggled to respond.
Jiang Chen discreetly wrote "Wu Bosong" on a slip of paper and passed it to her, reminding her of their earlier discussion. Inspired, Chen Xiaoxi cited Wu Bosong, highlighting his five points on a math test versus his impressive 27 national swimming championships. When Wu Bosong later heard her statement, he quietly corrected her, stating he only had seven national championships. Nevertheless, Chen Xiaoxi's argument—that grades don't define a person's future, but rather their individual strengths—successfully countered the opponent's points and earned applause from the audience.
