Be Yourself Episode 21 Recap
> Be Yourself Recap
Huangfu Shumin found herself struggling with her thesis topic. After observing the "Black July" phenomenon of couples breaking up, she decided to focus her research on whether college couples break up after graduation, a topic which was subsequently approved by her professor. When asked about her own future plans, she admitted that she would most likely return to Shanghai.
Meanwhile, her roommates discussed how out of ten college couples, nine had already broken up, and the last one was in the process of breaking up, noting that only Huangfu Shumin and another couple were still together. On the day of Huangfu Shumin's father's arrival in Chongqing, she attended a topic selection meeting for her thesis. Afterwards, she went to pick up her father with Zhou Yu. Her father commended Zhou Yu's thoughtfulness in picking him up.
They then proceeded to meet Zhou Yu's family for dinner, a formal occasion that made Huangfu Shumin nervous. Zhou Yu's family, including his grandparents and parents, extended a warm welcome to Huangfu Shumin's father. Despite the enthusiasm, Huangfu Shumin's father, accustomed to Shanghai cuisine, found the spicy Chongqing hotpot challenging, though he politely endured it. Zhou Yu suggested switching to a non-spicy soup, but his father insisted they taste the authentic local flavor.
Throughout the dinner, Zhou Yu’s family enthusiastically encouraged Huangfu Shumin’s father to retire and move to Chongqing, even offering multiple apartments. The conversation also veered into the topic of children, with Zhou Yu’s grandmother expressing hopes for great-grandchildren, which left Huangfu Shumin feeling extremely awkward. After dinner, Huangfu Shumin and Zhou Yu continued their conversation.
Huangfu Shumin chastised Zhou Yu for implicitly encouraging her father to move to Chongqing and for the embarrassing baby talk, suspecting he had colluded with his family. Zhou Yu denied it, explaining his family simply couldn't stop talking once they started. Huangfu Shumin then firmly declared that her father would not be moving to Chongqing. Zhou Yu countered, arguing that her father would be less lonely with them, highlighting his parents' hospitality.
This discussion revealed a hidden tension regarding their post-graduation plans. Over the next few days, Zhou Yu took Huangfu Shumin and her father sightseeing around Chongqing. During a break, Huangfu Shumin’s father spoke of his retirement dream to travel all over China, joking about needing to learn to swim. Zhou Yu eagerly offered to teach him if he moved to Chongqing, further reinforcing the idea.
Later, while admiring the city's night view, Huangfu Shumin’s father inquired about her remote internship with a Shanghai company, noting her plan to report to the Shanghai office after graduation. He also asked Zhou Yu about his advertising internship in Chongqing, where his boss was a family friend, praising his ambition to succeed without pulling strings. He observed that Chongqing was developing well, with high demand in the advertising sector, seemingly implying a future for Zhou Yu there.
After dropping her father off at the hotel, Huangfu Shumin directly confronted Zhou Yu about their future. She reiterated her intention to return to Shanghai. Zhou Yu tried to persuade her to stay in Chongqing, suggesting they could bring her father to live with them or nearby. He emphasized her enjoyment of Chongqing, their shared four years there, their friends, and the high cost of living and competition in Shanghai.
Huangfu Shumin, however, explained that her desire to return to Shanghai was not about disliking Chongqing, but about not leaving her father alone, especially as her mother’s grave was in Shanghai. She stated that her father would never leave Shanghai. The conversation escalated, with Huangfu Shumin asserting that the issue was not a "trifle" for her, and she was determined to return. A rift began to form between the couple.
During these days, Xia Langlang was deeply contemplating Mai Meng’s earlier words. She messaged him, asking to meet to discuss something. Back at the dorm, Huangfu Shumin confided in Xia Langlang about her argument with Zhou Yu. She felt like she had "dug her own grave" by choosing her thesis topic, realizing she was now a "living example."
She reflected on how she, who used to be quick to suggest breaking up, was now calm and mature, but felt that sometimes they were still just children. She confessed that she had to return to Shanghai for her father, having witnessed him crying while looking at her mother's household registration. Her inability to abandon her father or the memory of her mother in Shanghai was a deep personal conviction.
Her roommate listened and provided some insights from an alumna, who said that graduation doesn't cause breakups, but rather provides a reason for couples who are already incompatible to separate. Xia Langlang eventually tracked down Mai Meng at the university. She confronted him about his recent evasiveness and expressed her desire to clarify their previous conversation.
Mai Meng, however, maintained his distance, stating that her feelings were an "illusion" or a "halo effect" brought on by his status as her teacher, and that such feelings would eventually disappear. His definitive rejection, punctuated by the closing of a door, left Xia Langlang heartbroken, and she cried silently, sensing her potential love story with him had ended before it truly began. After seeing her father off at the airport, Huangfu Shumin received a phone call from him.
Her father advised her that life and work would present many choices, but a relationship was between two people, and the person by her side would be her lifelong companion. He urged her not to consider him in her decision. In the car, Huangfu Shumin and Zhou Yu sat in silence, the air heavy with unresolved tension. Huangfu Shumin, despite her prior habit, did not suggest breaking up, but she acutely felt their relationship hanging by a thread.
Zhou Yu, still clinging to the idea of a life in Chongqing, continued to urge her to reconsider, promising frequent visits to Shanghai. Huangfu Shumin brought up the alumna's point about graduation merely providing a reason for incompatible couples to break up, questioning if their differing expectations for the future truly made them unsuitable. Zhou Yu strongly disagreed, recalling their shared dreams of a simple life with a cat and a dog.
Huangfu Shumin reiterated her simple desire to be in Shanghai with her father. Later, Huangfu Shumin’s article on graduation breakups was published and quickly garnered over 100,000 views. Her roommates celebrated by ordering a "sea, land and air combo" dinner, including Griddle Shrimp, Spicy Chicken, and Pigeon Egg Soup, recognizing her talent and hard work. Huangfu Shumin reflected on how insights gained during adversity were more authentic than those from times of ease.
The article, however, caused a stir for Zhou Yu. After reading it and listening to a voice message from Huangfu Shumin, which conveyed her deep love for him despite her anxieties, he was deeply moved. His mother, seeing the article and hearing of Huangfu Shumin's plans, was still adamantly against Zhou Yu moving to Shanghai. However, Zhou Yu managed to convince her, emphasizing his ability to thrive anywhere and that separating from Huangfu Shumin would be his greatest challenge.
Determined, Zhou Yu rushed to meet Huangfu Shumin at a cafe on his motorcycle, bringing a spare helmet for her. Huangfu Shumin shared her father's recent advice: that her personal happiness and her partner were most important, and she shouldn't compromise her relationship for him. She jokingly announced that her father "tolerated" Zhou Yu and so she might "observe" him in Chongqing for a "short period" before deciding.
Zhou Yu, having decided not to give up on their love, proposed a "lottery" to let fate decide their city. He presented two slips of paper, one for Chongqing and one for Shanghai. Huangfu Shumin drew "Shanghai," expressing mock dismay at the challenges of moving there. But then, she revealed the other slip, which simply read "I love you." Overjoyed by his unwavering commitment, Huangfu Shumin embraced Zhou Yu, their relationship rekindling with passion as they began to envision a shared future in Shanghai.
