Beautiful Time With You Episode 18 Recap
> Beautiful Time With You Recap
On Chinese New Year's Eve, Lin Xingchen’s mother was expected to return home. Lin Xingchen, in high spirits, messaged Lu Yibai to wish him a Happy New Year, and he was delighted. Earlier, Zhang Haotian was at his cousin Liu Jian’s auto repair shop, where Liu Jian was handling a severely damaged vehicle. Zhang Haotian asked Liu Jian for an advance on his salary, explaining it was to buy a birthday gift for a classmate.
Liu Jian, after warning him to stay out of his father’s debt issues, agreed to the advance. Meanwhile, Lu Yibai was at a hardware store, purchasing materials, including a wireless remote control, to make a gift. Lin Xingchen messaged Lu Yibai, who was studying, asking what he was doing and if he was happy about her mother coming back. She replied that her mother hadn’t arrived yet.
At home, Lin Xingchen's Grandma was joyfully preparing to make dumplings and asked Lin Xingchen to clean the house, anticipating her mother’s arrival. Lin Xingchen informed Lu Yibai she needed to clean and wished him a Happy New Year, to which he reciprocated. Lin Xingchen suggested making leek and egg dumplings, a favorite of her mother's, which Grandma appreciated.
However, Grandma then received a call from Lin Xingchen’s mother, who announced she would not be returning due to her son falling ill. Grandma expressed deep disappointment, mentioning it had been over two years since her last visit and questioning her lack of concern for Lin Xingchen. Lin Xingchen’s mother simply told her to do as she liked. Seeing her Grandma in tears, Lin Xingchen comforted her, assuring her that their celebration together was wonderful.
They decided to make dumplings and watch the Spring Festival Gala, wishing each other health and happiness, promising to always be by each other's side. Soon after the Lunar New Year, Lin Xingchen’s birthday arrived. Her mother had pre-ordered a cake. Lu Yibai, Luo Qinge, Chen Yimu, Yang Ruoying, and Cai Weiming came to celebrate.
While Lin Xingchen was setting out drinks and candies prepared by her Grandma, her Grandma proudly showed her the cake, which pleased Lin Xingchen, who was touched her mother remembered her. Cai Weiming, unaware of Lin Xingchen’s family situation, asked about her parents. To divert the conversation and prevent Lin Xingchen from feeling sad, Luo Qinge and Lu Yibai quickly suggested they play a game of blind man's bluff.
During the game, Yang Ruoying, while blindfolded, accidentally tripped and knocked over the cake. Lin Xingchen was visibly distressed, emphasizing it was a gift from her mother. Yang Ruoying apologized profusely and offered to buy a replacement. Lu Yibai volunteered to go with Yang Ruoying to buy a new one, telling the others to continue playing. Around this time, Zhang Haotian was visiting his father, Zhang Bosun, in prison.
He brought him gifts, cheerfully told him he was doing well and had grown taller, and reassured him that debt collectors were no longer bothering him. Zhang Haotian promised to visit again. At the cake shop, Yang Ruoying remarked on how slow the service was. Luo Qinge called Yang Ruoying, informing her that the others had finished dinner and were going to the movies. Feeling guilty, Yang Ruoying apologized to Lu Yibai for spoiling Lin Xingchen’s birthday.
Lu Yibai reassured her that Lin Xingchen’s reaction was just an emotional one and suggested she leave for her piano lesson, stating he could wait alone. After Yang Ruoying left, the cake shop staff apologized again for the delay and, more critically, informed Lu Yibai they were out of cherries for the cake. Lu Yibai immediately went out to find a fruit store to buy a box of cherries himself.
Back at Lin Xingchen’s home, she told Luo Qinge she would stay to accompany her Grandma instead of going to the movies. Luo Qinge, suspecting Lin Xingchen was waiting for Lu Yibai, expressed frustration that Lu Yibai and Yang Ruoying were taking so long. Lin Xingchen then received a call from Zhang Haotian, who announced he was on his way. Relieved, Luo Qinge decided to join the others. Zhang Haotian soon arrived, presenting Lin Xingchen with a beautiful dress.
Lin Xingchen loved it but was concerned about the cost; he assured her he earned the money working. Since there was no cake, Zhang Haotian improvised by arranging six buns, placing cherries on them, and lighting six candles, explaining that six was Lin Xingchen's lucky number. He and Grandma then sang "Happy Birthday" to Lin Xingchen. They were all laughing and enjoying themselves. Lu Yibai, returning with the cherry cake, heard their joyous celebration from the doorway.
Not wanting to interrupt Lin Xingchen's good mood, he quietly placed the cake box at the door and left. Later, as Lin Xingchen went out to dispose of trash, she spotted the cake box. She brought it inside and was pleasantly surprised to find a cherry cake. She then opened another gift from Lu Yibai, a warm star lamp, along with a greeting card.
The card read, "Lin Xingchen, may your life shine as bright as daylight, and may it be radiant like the stars. Happy birthday." She was overjoyed by the thoughtful gifts. A day before the last day of the holiday, Zhang Haotian was at his cousin Liu Jian’s repair shop. Liu Jian was explaining the repair of a car's brake distribution pipe, noting it could cause uneven braking.
Liu Jian paid Zhang Haotian, insisting the amount was more than what a temporary mechanic would earn. Liu Jian then invited Zhang Haotian to celebrate Lantern Festival with him and his wife, but Zhang Haotian declined, stating he had plans with classmates, whom Liu Jian jokingly suspected were female. Zhang Haotian later received a text confirming his monthly living expenses had been transferred, but he seemed unenthusiastic.
In their group chat, the classmates were deciding on plans for the last day of the holiday. Lin Xingchen, Lu Yibai, and Zhang Haotian voted for an amusement park, overriding initial suggestions for arcade games. At their agreed meeting spot, the boys (Lu Yibai, Zhang Haotian, Chen Yimu, and Cai Weiming) awaited the girls.
Cai Weiming called Luo Qinge, who informed him that Lin Xingchen's Grandma had suddenly fallen ill, and her aunt was visiting, so neither of them could make it. Cai Weiming was surprised to hear about Luo Qinge's aunt. With their original plans canceled, the boys decided to go to an arcade to play shooting games. They ultimately won the game, with Lu Yibai being the top performer. During the game, a message flashed on Lu Yibai's phone screen.
Meanwhile, Luo Qinge called Lin Xingchen to check on her Grandma, who was recovering from a slight fever. Lin Xingchen then asked Luo Qinge if she had found Fang Qi, and Luo Qinge mentioned a senior told her about a street basketball game that afternoon. Luo Qinge said she couldn't ask Chen Yimu about it, fearing he'd tease her for ditching them to watch Fang Qi.
She then arrived at the basketball court, which was mostly empty except for one person playing. After confirming the street basketball game was scheduled for 2 PM, she joined the person to play. Soon, three other players arrived, stating they were there to warm up for a game and demanded Luo Qinge and the other player vacate the court. Luo Qinge refused, asserting the principle of "first come, first served."
