Be Yourself Episode 8 Recap
> Be Yourself Recap
With the cheerleading competition approaching in ten days, the team's coach conducted a self-assessment, asking members to step back if they lacked skills, physical competence, or good physique. Huangfu Shumin found herself at the very back. Zhou Yu, also present, playfully teased her by calling her "Boiled Vegetables" and making comments about her "strong body," further chipping away at her confidence. Feeling insecure, Huangfu Shumin decided to get a face-lift injection, following a trend she noticed among other cheerleaders.
Her roommates soon noticed her secretive behavior. When they confronted her, Huangfu Shumin admitted to getting the injection, but lamented that the results were not obvious, making her feel even more disheartened. Her mother's frequent phone calls became a source of immense anxiety for Huangfu Shumin, who had always lived under her parents' overprotective care.
She feared her mother's disapproval, recalling how her parents would prevent her from engaging in activities they deemed dangerous or unladylike, even canceling her dance lessons to prevent her legs from getting "thick." Determined to excel in the cheerleading competition, Huangfu Shumin secretly decided to go on a strict diet, enlisting her roommates' help to hide her plans from her mother. Despite their efforts to cover for her, Huangfu Shumin's extreme dieting led her to faint during practice.
The school doctor later diagnosed her with hypoglycemia. Even while recovering, she pleaded with Xia Langlang to continue her deception from her mother. Meanwhile, Huangfu Shumin remained self-conscious, often lingering in the background during practice. In contrast, Huang Feihong, despite not fitting conventional beauty standards, radiated confidence and eagerly volunteered for a solo performance, earning Huangfu Shumin's admiration. Recognizing Huangfu Shumin's persistent low spirits, Fan Xiaoyu decided to seek help from Fan Qingzhou and Mai Meng.
Fan Xiaoyu explained that Huangfu Shumin possessed a good face and body but lacked confidence, suggesting that male attention could be a significant boost. Huang Feihong also offered encouraging words to Huangfu Shumin, telling her she had great potential but needed to relax and believe in herself, reassuring her that her physique was suitable for cheerleading.
Later, in the quiet of the darkened practice room, Huangfu Shumin allowed herself to dance freely, unaware that Zhou Yu was secretly capturing her movements on camera. Fan Qingzhou's campus social application had gained considerable popularity. Following Fan Xiaoyu's request, Fan Qingzhou featured Huangfu Shumin's account, leading to a surge of friend requests from attractive male students. This newfound attention filled Huangfu Shumin with excitement and confidence, and she meticulously prepared for an upcoming date.
However, Fan Xiaoyu grew suspicious, realizing that her own account had not been featured, despite her similar request to Fan Qingzhou. Huangfu Shumin's date took place at a coffee shop where Zhou Yu worked. She found herself juggling two different online dates at once. Zhou Yu, observing her predicament, deliberately exposed her deception, which greatly humiliated Huangfu Shumin. She stormed out, feeling her fragile confidence shatter, and subsequently withdrew from the cheerleading team.
Upon learning of Huangfu Shumin's decision, Zhou Yu realized the impact of his earlier harsh words. He hurried to apologize, though their initial conversation quickly devolved into another argument. During their exchange, Zhou Yu recognized Huangfu Shumin's deep-seated fear of living outside her parents' expectations. He urged her to stand by her own choices, regardless of her mother's potential disapproval.
To further encourage her, he presented her with the photos he had secretly taken of her dancing joyfully in the practice room. Seeing herself so happy and uninhibited, Huangfu Shumin had a realization: her own lack of confidence was the true obstacle holding her back. She resolved to confront her parents with the truth and embrace this opportunity for personal growth.
She sent a heartfelt message to her mother, explaining her decision to participate in the competition, expressing her desire to make her own choices, and asking for her support. The next day, Huangfu Shumin arrived at the competition, much to the delight of Huang Feihong, who warmly welcomed her back. Just then, an unexpected crisis arose: Fang from the A-team suffered from diarrhea and couldn't perform, leaving a critical gap in the "five plus two move."
Zhou Yu subtly signaled Huangfu Shumin, who, after a moment of hesitation, bravely volunteered. With Huangfu Shumin now in the C-position, the team took to the stage. Her movements were precise, her smile radiant, and her confidence palpable. Zhou Yu watched, momentarily stunned by her transformation. Surrounded by cheers, Huangfu Shumin felt an unprecedented sense of freedom, as if she had grown wings. That day, Huangfu Shumin's mother, who typically made multiple calls a day, chose not to.
Her daughter's recent messages had revealed a deep-seated desire for independence. She recognized that her daughter was growing up and needed to forge her own path, accepting that she must now "fly on her own." Later, Huangfu Shumin saw a friend request from Zhou Yu on her phone.
After initially rejecting it with a playful "It's none of your business," he resent it, identifying himself as "Zhou Yu," and she accepted, a smile playing on her lips as she recalled his annoying yet ultimately supportive demeanor. Meanwhile, Xia Langlang received an exciting call from Mai Meng, who had secured an assistant position for her at a training academy.
