Be Yourself Episode 19 Recap
> Be Yourself Recap
The dormmates buzzed with curiosity after noticing Fan Qingzhou's ex-girlfriend, Tang Wanqi, consistently liking his social media posts. They quickly scrolled through her pictures, concluding that her looks were not to be underestimated. Fan Xiaoyu, feeling a surge of insecurity, sought out Dongqiang to inquire about Tang Wanqi. Dongqiang, seemingly smitten, praised Tang Wanqi endlessly, describing her as gentle, intellectual, and wise, with a temperament reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn.
He added that she had pursued postgraduate studies at Tsinghua University and was highly regarded there. Xiaoyu's unease escalated when she saw Tang Wanqi’s social media post confirming her arrival in Chongqing. The roommates collectively declared a state of emergency, rallying to Xiaoyu’s side, vowing to "punish those who hurt their roommates." During a date with Fan Qingzhou, Xiaoyu subtly probed about his past relationships, specifically mentioning ideal types.
Fan Qingzhou, a bit oblivious, initially suggested Madame Curie as an academic ideal, then complimented Xiaoyu's beauty. When Xiaoyu expressed a desire for more public displays of affection, he reluctantly agreed. Eventually, Xiaoyu directly asked about Tang Wanqi, learning she was Fan Qingzhou's first love and they broke up after graduation because they "weren't for each other."
Despite Xiaoyu’s persistent questions about whether he still thought of her, Fan Qingzhou dismissed the topic, stating Tang Wanqi was "already history" and irrelevant to their relationship. Xiaoyu perceived his dismissal as avoidance. The conversation ended with Fan Qingzhou mentioning a university classmate reunion that weekend, which immediately reignited Xiaoyu's anxiety. Determined to prevent Fan Qingzhou from attending the reunion, Xiaoyu pleaded with him to accompany her to a career guidance lecture, emphasizing its crucial importance to her future.
Fan Qingzhou agreed, promising to meet her at the auditorium. To Xiaoyu's horror, the featured speaker at the event turned out to be Tang Wanqi, who, as an accomplished alumna with a PhD from Tsinghua, eloquently shared her journey and achievements.
Tang Wanqi spoke of leaving Chongqing for Beijing, the challenges she faced as one of only three female students in her computer science department, and how she and her two female classmates, "the Three Hotties," each earned the Tsinghua Special Scholarship. She reminisced about her youth, old friends, and former love in Chongqing, concluding with inspiring words about pursuing dreams. Overwhelmed by Tang Wanqi's brilliance, a disheartened Xiaoyu quietly slipped out of the lecture.
Fan Qingzhou followed, sensing her distress, and offered to skip the reunion to have dinner with her instead. They decided to get Chongqing's famous spicy noodles. As they were about to leave, they encountered Tang Wanqi, who gracefully introduced herself to Xiaoyu and extended an invitation for them to join the reunion. Wanting to appear gracious, Xiaoyu reluctantly accepted. At the reunion, Fan Qingzhou made a point of formally introducing Xiaoyu as his girlfriend to everyone.
The evening proceeded until Tang Wanqi sought to introduce Fan Qingzhou and Dongqiang to her boss, hoping to provide them with greater opportunities. Uneasy, Xiaoyu followed, and seeing Fan Qingzhou and Tang Wanqi engaged in close conversation at the table, she feigned a sneeze. Fan Qingzhou immediately attended to her, removing his jacket and draping it over her shoulders, offering a small measure of reassurance.
Meanwhile, at the coffee shop where Xia Langlang worked, her colleague Bin showed her special attention. He would discreetly store her postgraduate entrance exam study materials to avoid their manager, Ms. Ni, discovering them. He also tried to invite Xia Langlang to a movie, but she cited her exam preparations. Knowing her birthday was approaching, Bin surprised her with an early gift and wished her a happy birthday, making her the first person to do so that year.
Despite Bin's kindness, Xia Langlang remained preoccupied with Mai Meng, having decided to pursue postgraduate studies solely for him. She called Mai Meng to discuss her exam plans, but he scolded her for working part-time instead of focusing on her studies. He warned her against being distracted, urging her to think long-term and make her own choices.
Xia Langlang later confided in Xiaoyu, confessing that she couldn't forget Mai Meng and all her future decisions revolved around him, even though she knew it was futile. Xiaoyu advised her to let go of this "mirage" and embrace a real relationship. Influenced by Xiaoyu, Xia Langlang considered Bin’s invitation. However, Mai Meng then messaged her, offering to meet and discuss her exam, pulling her back into his orbit.
Later, a phone call to her family revealed that her mother had taken on an additional job to save money for Xia Langlang's postgraduate studies. This news plunged Xia Langlang into despair, making her despise herself for her "self-willed" choices. Xiaoyu, overhearing this, expressed her own self-loathing, questioning how they had both become so lost and listless. Consumed by suspicion, Xiaoyu went directly to Fan Qingzhou's apartment after he failed to answer her calls.
She overheard Tang Wanqi's voice and what sounded like a nostalgic and intimate conversation about calligraphy, followed by a discussion about something to be "resolved as soon as possible." Convinced of infidelity, Xiaoyu burst into the apartment like a "crazy woman," accusing them of being alone together and having an affair.
Dongqiang, emerging from the bathroom, clarified the situation: Tang Wanqi had simply been discussing a work opportunity with Fan Qingzhou and Dongqiang, trying to persuade them to join a larger company, an offer Fan Qingzhou had already declined but hadn't yet told Xiaoyu about. Fan Qingzhou explained his phone was charging, which was why he missed her calls.
Mortified by her rash behavior, Xiaoyu fled in embarrassment, returning to the dorm to weep to Xia Langlang, recounting the humiliating incident and her deep-seated insecurities. She also regretted changing her hairstyle to match Tang Wanqi's "fake black long straight style" and expressed her frustration about Fan Qingzhou's dismissive emoji response. After a night of self-reflection, Xiaoyu realized that her own insecurity and jealousy had distorted her perception and behavior.
The next day, she invited Fan Qingzhou to lunch, where she sincerely apologized for her unfounded accusations and general distrust, acknowledging that her lack of self-confidence had poisoned their relationship. Fan Qingzhou gently laughed, comparing her to a self-critiquing elementary student, and reassured her that everyone has flaws, but his affection for her was unwavering.
Xiaoyu then invited Tang Wanqi to join them, offering a heartfelt apology for her behavior and treating her to spicy noodles as a farewell before Tang Wanqi’s flight back to Beijing. Tang Wanqi graciously accepted the apology and clarified her intentions to Xiaoyu, explaining her genuine desire to help Fan Qingzhou and Dongqiang find success on bigger platforms. With all misunderstandings cleared, Xiaoyu felt a newfound lightness.
Fan Qingzhou presented her with a unique, handmade doll that he said resembled her "puffed up" hair when she got angry, affectionately adding that Tang Wanqi's biggest flaw was simply not being Fan Xiaoyu. Inspired by her journey, Xiaoyu reflected that she had not lost herself in the process. Xia Langlang, witnessing this resolution, also made a decisive change. She informed Mai Meng that she would no longer pursue postgraduate studies and would instead seek a job.
She resolved to listen only to her inner voice, no longer relying on external opinions or seeking validation for her choices. As an unrelated side note much later, Dongqiang asked Fan Qingzhou for Ruiyang's phone number. When Fan Qingzhou told him to use his phone, Dongqiang tried to unlock it. He first guessed the password was his own birthday, "Six one eight zero," but quickly corrected himself, stating his actual birthday was "August 16th."
The phone screen briefly displayed the attempted passwords "Six one eight zero" and "Zero eight one six," leaving Xiaoyu to wonder aloud whose birthday the original password "Six one eight zero" might be.
