Almost Famous Episode 23 Recap
> Almost Famous Recap
The friends gathered to discuss their aspirations after graduation. Ding Dongdong shared his hope for the graduation play to be a success, leading to its adaptation into a film, which would bring him closer to his dream of becoming a director. Qu Shiyun playfully requested a role in his future film, a suggestion Ding Dongdong gladly accepted, and their friends commented on them being a well-matched director and actress.
Meanwhile, Amy wanted to see Wei Feng, who rarely showed signs of intoxication, drunk, and everyone else enthusiastically agreed. When the group realized they were out of beer, Cheng Ming and You Zhiqi volunteered to retrieve more from the cellar. As the cellar was dark, Cheng Ming suggested You Zhiqi wait at the top of the stairs while she went down alone.
However, a sudden scream from Cheng Ming, who fell to the ground in the dark, prompted You Zhiqi to rush down without hesitation. In that moment, he realized he was no longer afraid of the dark, empowered by his concern for Cheng Ming, and believed his recovery was only a matter of time.
The following morning, Ding Dongdong, sporting dark circles under his eyes, recounted his restless night, complaining that Zhang Yiyong had repeatedly kicked him out of bed and later clung to him like an octopus. He humorously revealed that Zhang Yiyong had been talking in his sleep, professing eternal love for Fang Yali as his lifelong idol. Fang Yali, overhearing this, feigned ignorance with embarrassment, while Zhang Yiyong continued to show his affection by bringing her breakfast.
You Zhiqi's film, "Never Let You Go," had a successful preview screening. Despite being a small production, its unique concept, focusing on the problem of PTSD, and You Zhiqi's exceptional performance garnered significant praise from industry professionals. Many predicted the film's success and potential awards, restoring You Zhiqi's reputation. His manager, You You, confidently entertained collaboration offers from directors eager to work with You Zhiqi, ensuring that future projects would come with appropriate compensation for his time.
Back at the university, Ding Dongdong announced a major revision to the graduation play's script. After consulting with the professors, he had decided to rework it so that every student would have a significant role, ensuring everyone felt like a protagonist. This news was met with excitement by most, though Fang Yali, who was initially the sole female lead, felt a pang of disappointment despite still being a central figure in the re-imagined production.
The pressure on her intensified, particularly after a phone call from her mother, who, having heard she was no longer the sole female lead, scolded her for causing embarrassment to the family and prioritizing her own feelings over their reputation. Fang Yali, already overwhelmed, retaliated by accusing her mother of always caring more about "face" than her daughter, before hanging up the phone in distress.
Cheng Ming later found Fang Yali in tears and offered comfort, reassuring her of her talent and telling her not to succumb to excessive pressure. As rehearsals for the graduation play intensified, Fang Yali's anxiety mounted. Despite her strong background in dance, the musical format presented a new challenge, and she felt immense pressure not to let her classmates down. Zhang Yiyong patiently offered words of encouragement, while Cheng Ming reminded her to believe in herself.
You Zhiqi shared a personal trick for handling stage fright, advising her to imagine she was simply in a practice studio rather than performing for an audience. However, during a full rehearsal, as the spotlight illuminated her on stage, the cumulative weight of expectations and self-doubt overwhelmed her, triggering a cascade of past criticisms and encouragements in her mind, causing her to faint. Fang Yali was quickly attended to and diagnosed with low blood sugar and extreme stress.
After regaining consciousness, she reflected on her life, recalling how her mother had always pushed her to excel, even making her achieve top academic marks as a condition for pursuing her passion for ballet. Realizing the immense pressure she constantly felt, Fang Yali made a decisive choice: she would step down from the finale of the graduation project. She explained that she wanted to ensure the play's success and prevent her personal struggles from affecting the collective effort.
While her classmates expressed regret, they also understood her decision. You Zhiqi then encouraged Cheng Ming to pursue the lead role in the finale, reminding her that her passion and hard work for the stage were undeniable, even if she had struggled in previous auditions. Inspired by his belief in her, Cheng Ming decided to give it her best shot. Meanwhile, Zhang Yiyong continued to provide steadfast support to Fang Yali.
She confided in him about her mother's persistent control and her desire to forge her own path. Zhang Yiyong assured her of his belief in her bravery and promised her that her hard work would eventually lead to fulfillment. Ding Dongdong and Qu Shiyun envisioned their shared future: he as a renowned director and she as a celebrated actress, accepting awards together, with Ding Dongdong promising she would always be the female lead in his heart.
Wei Feng and Amy also shared a harmonious relationship, with more casual expectations for the future, as they were both financially secure, and Wei Feng was even an investor in "Never Let You Go." You Zhiqi also shared with Cheng Ming how she had been his guiding light during his most painful moments of illness, vowing to always support her and be in the audience for every one of her performances.
On the day of the graduation photo shoot, Fang Yali was surprised to see her mother arrive. Anticipating a lecture, she pulled her mother aside. However, her mother, after speaking with Fang Yali's professors, unexpectedly apologized for misjudging her about the play and for the immense pressure she had placed on her throughout her life. A tearful reconciliation ensued, and Fang Yali joyfully revealed that she had passed the preliminary examination for the Royal Academy of Dance in the UK.
Her mother, ecstatic, immediately pulled out her phone to take celebratory photos. In a separate meeting, You Zhiqi received the best news: his doctor, Zhou Yuan, confirmed his complete recovery from his condition. The doctor also shared that his research paper on You Zhiqi's case would be published in "The Lancet." As the graduation musical was about to begin, proud parents gathered in the audience, including Cheng Ming's mother, who watched her daughter perform with deep emotion. You You and Xiao Liu were also there, offering their support to You Zhiqi.
