Almost Famous Episode 17 Recap
> Almost Famous Recap
You Zhiqi returned to the dormitory, catching Ding Dongdong and Zhang Yiyong by surprise as they had piled their belongings onto his bed. Seeing the "pigsty" state of his bed, You Zhiqi was both amused and touched by their joyous welcome. They quickly assured him they would clean his bed, making it even tidier than Ding Dongdong's bags, by nightfall, delighted that he was moving back. Shortly after settling in, You Zhiqi called Cheng Ming to invite her to dinner.
She informed him she was off-campus for an interview with an agent. He expressed concern that it might be a fraud, but Cheng Ming reassured him, explaining that all her classmates were interviewing and she finally got an opportunity. She told him she could sense any wrongdoing and urged him to set up his dorm, promising to call after her interview. Meanwhile, Li Shuangbai spoke with Mi Dongnan about Amy.
Dongnan believed Amy’s mother, Aili, had raised her very well and that Amy was both talented and sincere. He worried that his current social status might burden Amy and felt that Aili, who had left him resolutely years ago and never spoken of him to Amy, clearly didn't want them to reconnect. Li Shuangbai, however, argued that familial ties couldn't simply be broken and urged him to reconsider, emphasizing Amy's desire to meet him. Cheng Ming proceeded with her interview.
The person, Si Tuying, praised Cheng Ming’s foundational skills despite noting her "not excellent image." She explained that her company was seeking outstanding graduates for a six-month Broadway training session in the USA, with the promise of becoming Broadway-signed actors. However, Si Tuying stated that tuition and roundtrip airfare would be the individual’s responsibility. Feeling suspicious, Cheng Ming asked for time to consider and promised to reply the next day.
After Cheng Ming left, Si Tuying noted her wariness but confidently vowed to "fix up this girl." Outside the hotel, Cheng Ming ran into Qu Shiyun, who was nervous about a film audition and asked Cheng Ming to accompany her. While Qu Shiyun went in to record an audition excerpt, as Director Lin was busy, Cheng Ming waited outside, softly rehearsing a song.
Director Lin, stepping out for a phone call, noticed her softly rehearsing a song and mistakenly asked if she was there for a screen test, telling her to "go ahead." Qu Shiyun emerged later, disappointed that she hadn't even met the director. Later that evening, Cheng Ming discussed her day with You Zhiqi.
She recounted her interview with Si Tuying and her subsequent encounter with Qu Shiyun at Director Lin's film audition, where she herself had been mistaken for an auditionee. You Zhiqi explained that Director Lin was known for his rigorous selection process, taking months to choose actors who fit roles perfectly.
Cheng Ming then mentioned that she suspected Si Tuying was a fraud for offering "Broadway theatrical performance training" with personal costs, but admitted she still wanted to pursue the opportunity, just in case it was real. You Zhiqi immediately offered to accompany her, even suggesting he postpone his meeting with a producer, but Cheng Ming stopped him, asserting her ability to handle it and her desire for them both to focus on their respective career growth.
The next day, as Si Tuying pressured Cheng Ming to sign the contract, citing it as a "rare opportunity," Yoyo suddenly appeared. Yoyo confronted Si Tuying, exposing her as a notorious fraudster who preys on inexperienced young girls, making false promises of stardom and now lying about Broadway studies. Si Tuying tried to dismiss Yoyo, but Yoyo, revealing Cheng Ming was her friend, expressed her contempt for those who "pollute our profession." Si Tuying quickly left.
Yoyo then explained that You Zhiqi had asked her to check on Cheng Ming, as he was worried while he was busy with a meeting to compose music for a small-budget movie. Cheng Ming confessed she had suspected the scam but still wanted to explore her Broadway dream. Just then, Cheng Ming received a phone call from Qu Shiyun, informing her that Director Lin had selected her. Surprised, Yoyo, who knew Director Lin, immediately took Cheng Ming to meet him.
Director Lin was delighted, explaining they had been searching nationwide for the second female lead. Upon learning Cheng Ming had no prior acting experience, he was even more pleased, stating he was looking for a "blank piece of paper" for the role of a music lover, and her singing had perfectly captured that essence.
He urged her to join the team immediately for next week’s closed-door rehearsals, which would last approximately six months due to the extensive singing and dancing scenes. Cheng Ming was taken aback by the half-year commitment and asked for time to think. Yoyo urged her to seize this "huge leap upwards," reminding her that many art students spend their lives unknown without such opportunities.
However, Cheng Ming felt torn, as the training would mean missing the graduate production she deeply wanted to participate in. Yoyo granted her two days to decide, remarking on how similar Cheng Ming and You Zhiqi were in their stubbornness. Meanwhile, Fang Yali's mother visited, excitedly telling her that her father had arranged for her to become a leading lady at the Haima troupe right after graduation.
Fang Yali reacted with strong disapproval, expressing her frustration that her parents made decisions for her without her input. She stated her desire to earn a role in the graduation play through her own efforts, rather than relying on their connections. Her mother, angrily calling her "stupid" for prioritizing a graduation play, suggested her father could easily arrange a show where she'd still be the lead.
Upset, Fang Yali told her mother to stop making choices for her and said she had dinner plans, leading to her mother's angry departure. Cheng Ming remained distressed by her dilemma. You Zhiqi, finding her upset, advised her to follow her heart, stating that "where your heart is, that's where your dream is!" He also shared how his own meeting went smoothly after playing his music.
Cheng Ming then received a call from Amy, inviting everyone to a diner for a celebration. Cheng Ming felt guilty about Qu Shiyun's disappointment, especially since she had been selected for the role Qu Shiyun had auditioned for. But at the diner, her friends, including Qu Shiyun, encouraged her to embrace the opportunity. Qu Shiyun, though clearly upset, told Cheng Ming to make the best of it and not disappoint her.
Zhang Yiyong even performed a rap to lighten the mood, and everyone toasted to Cheng Ming's future success. At the same time, Mi Dongnan expressed his enthusiasm for Ding Dongdong’s script, stating it reminded him of his own youth and he wanted to invest immediately. Li Shuangbai promised to arrange a meeting and asked Dongnan to mentor Ding Dongdong. While they spoke, Wei Feng arrived.
Li Shuangbai, aware of Wei Feng's efforts to help Amy find her father, introduced Wei Feng to Mi Dongnan as Amy's father, encouraging them to talk. Wei Feng directly asked Dongnan why he refused to meet Amy after she had searched for him for four years.
Dongnan explained that Aili had left him because he was a "poor rascal" unable to provide the life she deserved, and he felt he couldn't intrude upon their lives without Aili's consent, despite having secretly monitored them over the years. Wei Feng countered that Amy still deserved an explanation from her father. Later, Cheng Ming returned home to discuss her decision with her parents.
Her father, a great admirer of Director Lin, was excited by the news and initially hoped she would accept the film role. Her mother, however, questioned how a musical theater student could suddenly act. Cheng Ming explained her confusion, torn between the film and the graduate production. Her parents ultimately told her they would support whatever decision she made, urging her to follow her heart.
Her mother admitted that she had previously been fearful of Cheng Ming pursuing the arts but now saw her determination and promised not to meddle in her life anymore. Cheng Ming emotionally thanked them. Back at school, Li Shuangbai found Cheng Ming still pondering her choice.
Li Shuangbai offered guidance, explaining that many students who pursued industry opportunities had varied outcomes, some finding fame and others struggling because they neglected to practice their skills and later struggled to find performance opportunities on stage. She advised Cheng Ming to carefully consider which path she "wants to do the most"—the film, or completing her studies and performing in the graduate production. Cheng Ming thanked her, stating she now knew what to choose. You Zhiqi then arrived, happy to see that Cheng Ming had found her answer.
