Chasing the Wind Episode 18 Recap
> Chasing the Wind Recap
Wei thought about her grandma, who had wished for her safety and happiness and for her to win a championship, even making colorful ropes as charms. Feeling her mood was now more stable, Wei decided it was time to resume training. The next morning, she happily told Lin Ge that she could go to the training rink, but she asked Lin Ge to go ahead without her.
Wei explained that she wanted to tidy up her things first and could manage herself, promising to join soon after. Lin Ge was delighted by her decision. Wei then spoke with Coach Li Haifeng, formally requesting to rejoin the team for training. She assured him she was feeling better. However, she also told the coach that she no longer wanted to cooperate with Lin Ge on the ice.
She explained that Lin Ge had encouraged her to try being independent, and she wanted to test her own abilities. Additionally, she felt it was unfair to Lin Ge, who had consistently covered for her in competitions, and believed competition should be based on individual skill.
Coach Li Haifeng rejected the idea of her competing alone, stating it was only possible if she became so strong she didn't need tactical support, or if Lin Ge surpassed her to the point where Wei would cover for Lin Ge. Until either of those situations occurred, he insisted she could not work independently. Wei understood and agreed. Coach Li Haifeng also advised Wei to call her parents, as he knew she hadn't been answering their calls.
Wei called her mother, who expressed immense joy at hearing Wei was back in training, reassured her that she was doing well, and told Wei she loved her. During the men's 500-meter final, Nie Chi, a top contender, suffered an injury when he fell during the final sprint, leaving fans worried.
Lin Ge reacted with immediate alarm upon seeing him fall and tried to go to his side, but Coach Li Haifeng stopped her, reminding her that she was there as an athlete to compete and assuring her that the team doctor and Nie Chi's parents were attending to him. After completing her own race, Lin Ge learned that Nie Chi had been taken back to Beijing, where his mother had arranged hospital treatment, suspected to be for a meniscus injury.
Distressed by the news and uncertain details, Lin Ge sent Nie Chi many messages, none of which received a reply. Overhearing Coach Li Haifeng discussing Nie Chi's condition on the phone, Lin Ge learned that a definite diagnosis was still pending and treatment was uncertain. Upset and confused, Lin Ge confided her worries, questioning if she was somehow responsible for his injury, oscillating between feeling like a lucky charm and a jinx.
She was further distressed by Nie Chi's lack of communication. Lin Ge remained anxious about Nie Chi's silence. Fang Chao was present and tried to explain Nie Chi was likely unavailable due to surgery and recovery procedures. Lin Ge's mood changed abruptly when she received a message from Nie Chi confirming his surgery was over and he was fine, expressing her relief. Meanwhile, Gao Kai visited Nie Chi in the hospital.
He spoke with an arrogant tone, suggesting Nie Chi would be stuck recovering while watching him win medals. Nie Chi found his attitude unpleasant. Gao Kai eventually changed his demeanor, acknowledging that as team captain, he needed Nie Chi back. He offered unsolicited advice, warning Nie Chi that meniscus injuries are difficult and he should avoid watching races, particularly Gao Kai's own performances, suggesting it might be too upsetting.
Nie Chi challenged him, suggesting Gao Kai should focus on his own performance when Nie Chi returns. Gao Kai left, expressing hope that Nie Chi's abilities would match his defiant attitude upon his return. Shortly after, Fang Chao arrived to visit and noticed someone resembling Gao Kai acting stealthily. He joked that Nie Chi must feel special having the captain visit secretly. Later, Lin Ge visited Nie Chi, who admitted to some pain now that the anesthesia had worn off.
Lin Ge again expressed guilt, wondering if her not sharing her "luck" before the race had contributed to his fall. Nie Chi brushed off her concerns and suggested she share her luck with him now. Lin Ge proposed visiting him every weekend, but Nie Chi pointed out that Coach Li Haifeng wouldn't allow unscheduled trips.
They agreed to rely on calls and messages for now and planned to visit their former master and his wife together after Nie Chi had recovered and the current season concluded. The doctor later requested to speak privately with Nie Chi's mother about his condition. Nie Chi, however, insisted on being present, stating that as the athlete, he needed to understand his rehabilitation plan.
The doctor revealed that the assessment of his knee function was not ideal, noting clear popping sounds and restricted movement. He emphasized that recovery required patience and that the current focus was on reducing pain, restoring range of motion, and preventing stiffness, rather than immediate weight-bearing exercises. Nie Chi asked about the possibility of weight training, but the doctor explained it would depend on his future recovery progress, suggesting they start with basic rehabilitation first.
Nie Chi's mother told him that multiple doctors had confirmed the surgery was successful, but Nie Chi felt his condition was still poor. His parents also began pushing the idea of studying abroad, presenting it as a necessary "backup plan" since he was injured and couldn't skate, showing him study materials. Nie Chi seemed resistant. Lin Ge, unsettled by Nie Chi's situation, spoke with Fang Chao, expressing worry about the upcoming competition in Montreal and Nie Chi's health.
She resolved to focus on her competition and visit Nie Chi upon her return. Back in the hospital, Nie Chi was caught by the doctor secretly doing weighted leg exercises, which caused his knee to lock. The doctor explained this indicated his meniscus was far from healed and rushing could be detrimental.
Acknowledging Nie Chi's anxiety about losing muscle and sensitivity crucial for skating, the doctor agreed to cautiously incorporate a small amount of weight training into his plan, with strict warnings against practicing on his own and emphasizing the need to stop immediately if he felt any pain. While Lin Ge was competing in Montreal, she kept in touch with Nie Chi via messages, informing him of their arrival and activities.
During one of his rehabilitation sessions, Nie Chi asked the doctor about the worst possible outcome if his recovery didn't go well. The doctor reiterated that the surgery was successful and that following the plan could allow him to return to a "normal" state. Nie Chi clarified his concern: "normal" state might mean he wouldn't be able to handle the high-intensity training required for competitive sport, viewing this outcome as the worst result "for him".
Simultaneously, Nie Chi's parents discussed their determination to send him abroad, even if he resisted, believing it was the only way to shift his focus away from skating and prepare him to take over their business. Later, Lin Ge visited Nie Chi and found him looking at TOFEL materials. Interpreting this as a decision to give up skating and possibly their relationship, she confronted him.
Nie Chi denied wanting to break up but admitted his post-operative evaluations were discouraging and he was uncertain about the extent and timeline of his recovery, particularly for balance and explosive power. He explained he hadn't told her to avoid affecting her competition and because he didn't want her to see him in a vulnerable state or be disappointed by his potential limitations. Lin Ge reminded him that she had always been there through his difficulties.
Nie Chi explained that being confined to bed led to anxiety and overthinking, compounded by parental pressure. He confessed that looking at study materials was a "backup plan" to reassure his parents, but Lin Ge argued that having a backup plan made it easier to give up. Lin Ge then reminded him of their shared dream of reaching the national team and becoming world champions together.
She gave him a colorful rope, a symbol of luck, and asked him to believe in his full recovery for the sake of their shared future. Nie Chi agreed to try. Lin Ge later met Nie Chi's mother, who acknowledged their relationship and surprisingly asked Lin Ge to help persuade Nie Chi, specifically to study abroad. She even offered to include Lin Ge in the plan.
Lin Ge questioned the necessity of him going abroad, suggesting the Nie Chi she knew wanted to be a world champion, not a businessman. Nie Chi's mother explained that given his age as an athlete and current injury, studying abroad to get a degree was a practical path for him to eventually take over their family business, citing her and his father's age and their wish to prevent further injuries.
She dismissed Lin Ge's point about Nie Chi's dreams, stating that while parents know what their children want, his injured state left him without options. She abruptly ended the conversation. Lin Ge privately reflected on the struggle to balance her ambitions with the realities of Nie Chi's injury and his family's influence, feeling overwhelmed by the obstacles threatening their future together and questioning if she had the strength to pursue her dreams without him.
