Beautiful Time With You Episode 21 Recap
> Beautiful Time With You Recap
The hourglass shattered, and Lin Xingchen immediately apologized to Lu Yibai, offering to help clean up the broken glass. However, Lu Yibai gently stopped her, worried she might hurt herself. At that moment, a classmate informed Lin Xingchen that Teacher Yang needed to see her in the office, so she offered a final apology and left. In the office, Teacher Yang expressed her concern over Lin Xingchen's recent decline in academic performance, which had been impressive the previous semester.
She noted that sitting with Luo Qinge and Zhang Haotian led to too much chitchat in class, which was detrimental to her studies. Teacher Yang acknowledged Lin Xingchen's independence but felt a greater need to supervise her due to her parents' absence. She stressed the critical importance of the final year, urging Lin Xingchen to focus entirely on her studies for her future.
She also suggested Lin Xingchen visit the senior year hallway to immerse herself in the serious exam preparation atmosphere. Lin Xingchen assured her that she understood and would not disappoint. As Lin Xingchen exited, Zhang Haotian entered the office. Teacher Yang addressed him about his "special case," reminding him of his previous repeated year and urging him to apply himself diligently this time. Zhang Haotian agreed. Outside, Lin Xingchen questioned him about his conversation with Teacher Yang.
He casually confirmed it was the "usual clichés" about repeating a year and studying. When Lin Xingchen asked if he truly repeated a grade, he confirmed it, playfully suggesting it was why she called him "bro," and attributed it to "terrible grades." However, Lin Xingchen, recalling his high physics score of 95, didn't believe him. Noticing her downcast mood, Zhang Haotian enthusiastically offered to take her somewhere "super fun" that weekend, promising it would motivate her to study.
Despite her initial reluctance, citing her promise to Teacher Yang to focus on studies, Zhang Haotian persuaded her, and they went to grab some snacks. Later, after school, Lu Yibai approached Lin Xingchen, intending to inquire about her weekend availability. Before she could answer, Zhang Haotian quickly interjected, reminding Lin Xingchen of their plans and warning her not to break them.
Lu Yibai, visibly annoyed, was about to leave when Lin Xingchen asked him what he had been about to say, but he simply replied "nothing." Yang Ruoying then invited Lu Yibai to physics class, and he joined her. As they walked away, Zhang Haotian jokingly commented on their public display of affection.
During basketball practice, Fang Qi noticed Chen Yimu's sulking behavior and sternly told him to "cheer up" and not let personal issues interfere with his performance on the court. Later, Chen Yimu, still feeling guilty, asked if Fang Qi was still angry about their previous altercation. Fang Qi, despite still feeling a lingering ache from Chen Yimu's punch, assured him he wasn't. Chen Yimu apologized for the punch.
Fang Qi accepted, but reiterated that while matters concerning Luo Qinge could be discussed privately, Chen Yimu needed to maintain a professional attitude on the basketball court and not become a spectacle. Chen Yimu promised he would not repeat his actions. That weekend, Zhang Haotian picked up Lin Xingchen on an electric bike. He confidently stated that at eighteen, with a C1 driver's license, he was legally capable of driving.
They first visited his cousin's garage, where Zhang Haotian works part-time. His cousin greeted them warmly, already knowing Lin Xingchen by name. He playfully revealed that Zhang Haotian had worked tirelessly for a month to earn money for Lin Xingchen's birthday gift, a detail Zhang Haotian tried to brush off. The cousin also teased Zhang Haotian about copying Lin Xingchen's homework, a fact Lin Xingchen confirmed, before Zhang Haotian quickly ushered her out.
They then headed to a nearby beach for an exhilarating ATV ride. Later, at a scenic viewpoint overlooking Jiangcheng, Zhang Haotian shared his method for coping with sadness: a wild ATV ride followed by shouting his frustrations to the wind. He encouraged Lin Xingchen to try, though she found the idea silly. He then revealed his dream of becoming a race car driver and traveling the world.
Inspired by his passion, Lin Xingchen, who hadn't considered it deeply before, declared her new dream of becoming a famous novelist, traveling across the country to see "beautiful stars." Zhang Haotian playfully offered her a permanent spot in the back of his race car. Realizing he had brought her there to help her regain her confidence, Lin Xingchen loudly declared her determination to "study hard and get into college."
Zhang Haotian, in turn, vowed to study equally hard to get into the same university as her. Meanwhile, Lu Yibai waited downstairs at Lin Xingchen's building. He overheard her grandma telling a neighbor that Lin Xingchen was out with a classmate. He waited until nightfall and eventually saw Zhang Haotian drop Lin Xingchen off. After Lin Xingchen went inside, having thanked Zhang Haotian and told him to be careful, Lu Yibai confronted Zhang Haotian.
He angrily blamed Zhang Haotian for Lin Xingchen's declining grades. Zhang Haotian retorted that Lu Yibai's presence wouldn't necessarily improve her situation either. He then bluntly told Lu Yibai to "be straightforward," criticizing his ambiguous behavior: if he cared about Lin Xingchen, he should stop "messing with others," and if not, he should stay away.
When Lu Yibai protested that his relationship with Lin Xingchen was "none of your business," Zhang Haotian agreed, but countered that Lin Xingchen was important to more people than just him, and if she was unhappy, he would "step in." Though frustrated, Lu Yibai seemed to acknowledge the truth in Zhang Haotian's words. Later that night, at home, Lin Xingchen, feeling resolute, wrote "Goodbye Lu Yibai" as a symbolic commitment to focusing solely on her studies.
The next day, during a short break, Zhang Haotian convinced a reluctant Lin Xingchen to join him for snacks, arguing it was better to recharge than to study during such a brief period. As they returned, they overheard Yang Ruoying speaking with Lu Yibai. Yang Ruoying confirmed Lu Yibai had registered for the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), whose registration was closing that day, and suggested they book flights together for the exam in the UK.
She then inquired if he would forego his final year of high school in China if accepted, to which Lu Yibai confirmed he probably would not stay in China, and Yang Ruoying added that she would "stay there too." Overhearing this, Lin Xingchen, deeply saddened, asked Zhang Haotian about the BMAT. He explained it was the entrance exam for high school students worldwide seeking medical programs at UK universities.
Realizing the significant implications, Lin Xingchen, feeling overwhelmed, lost her appetite and excused herself to the restroom, pondering if this truly meant "goodbye" to Lu Yibai. In the school garden, Lin Xingchen discussed with Luo Qinge how difficult it was to move on from unrequited feelings, lamenting that "what you can't have will always just be an obsession." Luo Qinge, however, countered that "unforgettable memories make people stronger" and are essential for growth.
They then encountered Ding Yi and Fang Qi. Ding Yi informed Fang Qi that she would not be taking the college entrance exam; instead, she was heading to Paris next week to study French for a year before applying to the Paris Dance Academy. A visibly saddened Fang Qi told her he wouldn't see her off, but urged her to return if she was unhappy.
Luo Qinge, observing their poignant farewell, later brought some snacks to Fang Qi while he was studying. Despite his polite refusal, she insisted he take them, declaring herself his "number one fan" and promising to bring him daily provisions without any burden, before quickly leaving. Lin Xingchen later asked Luo Qinge for details, but Luo Qinge said she hadn't asked directly, though she felt that Fang Qi and Ding Yi were "in the same boat" of unrequited love.
During lunch, Lin Xingchen, despite her desire for braised pork, found only tomato scrambled eggs available in the cafeteria. Zhang Haotian, observing her unhappiness and noticing Lu Yibai and Cai Weiming approaching, sat down opposite Lin Xingchen, joining her and Luo Qinge. Cai Weiming suggested there was no other seating available, prompting Lu Yibai to join them at their table.
Zhang Haotian, trying to cheer Lin Xingchen up, offered her a piece of braised pork from his own plate, remarking on her recent weight loss. Lin Xingchen initially refused, citing her diet, and attempted to pass it to Luo Qinge, who playfully declined. With nowhere else to put it, Lin Xingchen instinctively placed the braised pork into Lu Yibai's bowl.
