Almost Famous Episode 19 Recap
> Almost Famous Recap
As the graduation showcase approached, students gathered to discuss who would play the female lead. Zhang Yiyong openly championed Fang Yali, while Cheng Ming and Qu Shiyun were both eager for the role. Amy, however, seemed indifferent. They turned to Ding Dongdong, the scriptwriter and director of the play, for his opinion. Ding Dongdong stated that Professor Li Shuangbai would make the final decision, but offered his personal evaluations of the candidates.
He noted Cheng Ming's professionalism and hard work over the years, making her a fitting choice for the play, but felt she was too nervous. Fang Yali's ballet skills were exceptional, but she was too shy. Amy's street dance was explosive, yet her focus was often lacking.
When asked about Qu Shiyun, Ding Dongdong simply said she was "quite good," which highly displeased Qu Shiyun, who believed her role as the female lead in the TV version should automatically secure her the part in the graduation performance. Her classmates quietly resumed eating, avoiding further discussion. Suddenly, Amy received a phone call. She was told her mother had returned from the United States and been hospitalized, which shocked Amy. She immediately rushed to the hospital.
She met Wei Feng there, who accompanied her to her mother, Ai Li’s, room. To her relief, Ai Li had only sustained minor scratches from a go-kart collision with a child at a mall. Amy found it amusing and somewhat exasperating that her mother was making such a fuss and insisted on staying for observation. Ai Li then tried to playfully inquire about Wei Feng and Amy's relationship, hinting that Amy's decision to stay was related to him.
When Amy brought up the topic of her father, Ai Li immediately grew agitated, refusing to discuss the past and claiming it had nothing to do with Amy. Frustrated by her mother’s stubbornness, Amy angrily walked out of the room. Wei Feng stayed behind and informed Ai Li that he had met Mi Dongnan. Ai Li then revealed her long-held secret: Mi Dongnan was Amy’s biological father.
She explained that she and Mi Dongnan had been deeply in love, but he was a poor young man while her family was wealthy. When her family arranged for her to study abroad, Mi Dongnan, not wanting to hinder her future, cruelly pushed her away and disappeared. Ai Li, heartbroken and angry, went abroad alone and later gave birth to Amy.
She had kept Amy's father a secret for all these years, fearing that knowing the story of their failed love would disappoint Amy. Ai Li pleaded with Wei Feng not to tell Amy about Mi Dongnan yet, and he reluctantly agreed. Wei Feng found Amy, who was still upset, and tried to console her. Amy admitted her impulsiveness, realizing her mother must be feeling hurt.
She shared her reasons for seeking her father: she had witnessed her strong mother’s hidden sorrow over the years and understood that her mother had remained single out of lingering affection for him. Amy hoped to understand the man her mother couldn’t forget and, if possible, even reconcile them.
Wei Feng gently suggested that Ai Li's hospital stay might have been a desperate attempt to see Amy, especially since the hospital was near the school and Amy hadn't been answering her calls. Amy reflected on this, realizing her mother's deeper intention. Meanwhile, You Zhiqi had finished reading the novel for the movie "Never Let You Go" and was deeply moved by the character Du Chuan.
He felt a profound connection to the role, believing his own childhood experience of being kidnapped and his struggle with nyctophobia made him the perfect fit. Convinced he was the character's true prototype, You Zhiqi went directly to the film set to audition, presenting his unique understanding of Du Chuan to Director Lan. His passionate explanation of how his own suffering mirrored the character's despair and grief successfully convinced the director, and he secured the male lead role.
His manager, You You, was furious to learn that You Zhiqi had agreed to play the role with zero pay. She tried to persuade him to reconsider, arguing that it would damage his image, which appealed to "girlfriend and mother fans," and make it difficult to secure future commercial endorsements. However, You Zhiqi was resolute, stating that fleeting popularity was less important than acting, which leaves a lasting impression.
He insisted he had waited years for such a role and was determined to prove his acting ability, especially since the character's nyctophobia resonated deeply with his own experience. His mind was made up. Back at the hospital, Wei Feng brought local specialty snacks to Ai Li, hoping to mend the rift between her and Amy.
Ai Li playfully asked Wei Feng about his relationship with Amy, teasing him for not having kissed her yet, and encouraged him to be more proactive. Wei Feng promised to always treat Amy well, earning Ai Li's trust. Ai Li then decided to check out of the hospital and asked Wei Feng to take her on a tour of the Starry Arts Academy campus.
At the same time, Qu Shiyun sent a text message to Mi Dongnan, informing him that Amy's mother had been hit by a car and was in the hospital. Shortly after, Amy returned and clarified that her mother was hit by a go-kart, causing Qu Shiyun to quickly send a revised message to Mi Dongnan. Amy noticed Qu Shiyun's strange demeanor but dismissed it.
Zhang Yiyong, observing Ding Dongdong's depressed state ever since the rumor about Qu Shiyun being Mi Dongnan's daughter spread, suspected that Ding Dongdong harbored feelings for Qu Shiyun. Deep in thought about whether to acknowledge Amy, Mi Dongnan, prompted by Qu Shiyun’s messages, made his way to the dance classroom at the academy where Amy was rehearsing a poignant piece about parental love.
He introduced himself as an investor for "Almost Famous" and an alumnus, then asked Amy for directions to the administrative building. Amy was surprised when he used her name, but he quickly covered, explaining that he had learned about her from Professor Li Shuangbai through their collaboration. Amy, delighted, began to guide him, sharing campus stories and listening to Mi Dongnan's nostalgic recollections of the old campus, including a lotus pond and the cafeteria's red braised pork.
As they walked, Amy and Mi Dongnan unexpectedly encountered Ai Li and Wei Feng. The expressions on Mi Dongnan and Ai Li’s faces immediately made Amy realize that Mi Dongnan was her father. Wei Feng quickly led a bewildered Amy away, leaving Ai Li and Mi Dongnan to confront each other. Ai Li, still guarded, claimed she had lived a comfortable life abroad, dismissing his regret for not knowing about her pregnancy.
Mi Dongnan confessed he recognized Amy because she resembled a younger Ai Li and spoke of Amy's passion for street dance, but Ai Li reiterated that their past was over and she and Amy were doing well on their own. Amy was heartbroken and furious that Wei Feng had known the truth about her father all along and kept it from her.
She felt betrayed, seeing herself as a joke in their eyes, especially since she had trusted him above all. Wei Feng desperately apologized, saying he hadn't found the right moment to tell her. Amy declared that if a relationship lacked such fundamental trust, she didn’t want it. In a moment of desperation, Wei Feng confessed his four-year-long feelings for her and then kissed her.
Meanwhile, Qu Shiyun, having learned from Fang Yali that Mi Dongnan was at the school and had spent time with Amy, felt a growing suspicion about Mi Dongnan's true intentions towards Amy.
