Discovery of Romance Episode 25 Recap
> Discovery of Romance Recap
Xia Tian's studio received the notice that they had won the bid for the old town renovation project. Overjoyed, she immediately messaged Xu Zehao, who replied, confident that he knew she would succeed. Guan Xin, curious about Xia Tian's work, brought snacks to her work site. He even purchased books on woodworking and interior design, offering to help design their wedding house if she was too busy.
He then insisted they have dinner together, promising to wait indefinitely if she refused. Xia Tian eventually agreed, and Xu Zehao observed them leaving side-by-side. During dinner, Xia Tian found it impossible to pretend that nothing had happened between them. She told Guan Xin that she couldn't bring herself to hurt him anymore, nor could she continue to do so.
Guan Xin, however, was resolute in his desire to understand her, clinging to the hope of a future for their relationship. Xia Tian silently reflected on how they had fallen in love in mere moments, yet breaking up felt like an impossible, drawn-out process. Guan Xin kept trying to persuade her, reminding her of her favorite sauce and expressing how much he missed her, even if she hated him.
Despite his pleas, Xia Tian urged him to stop tormenting himself, stating that their problems were not his fault. He asked whose fault it was then, and offered to accept her apology, still believing they could overcome their difficulties if they faced the future together. Xia Tian remained silent. After dinner, she decided to visit her mother, Wu Yue, and Guan Xin insisted on driving her.
As they drove, Guan Xin instinctively reached for her hand, but Xia Tian's grip was unresponsive, reflecting her inner turmoil. Xia Tian told her mother, Wu Yue, that the wedding was off. Wu Yue, surprisingly calm, asked if it was because of Xu Zehao. Xia Tian expressed deep remorse for hurting Guan Xin, but Wu Yue reassured her, stating that problems in a relationship surfacing early were better than later.
She emphasized that Xia Tian's decision was paramount, regardless of what she or Guan Xin might think. Wu Yue advised Xia Tian not to fear being the "bad guy," as those who constantly try to be good often become the biggest source of pain, and that Guan Xin needed the opportunity to grow on his own. She affectionately noted that her daughter had indeed grown up.
Later, Guan Xin sat alone on a soccer field, touching the engagement ring on his finger and recalling his proposal to Xia Tian. He felt a profound sense of loss, lamenting that the Xia Tian of today seemed heartless, and their past was irrevocably gone. The next morning, Dong Hao presented Xiao Song with a new pair of shoes, tenderly helping her try them on. He explained that he had spent the entire night thinking.
He told her these shoes represented her freedom to go anywhere she wished, to choose anyone she desired, whether it was Director Yu, Tan Xu, or someone else. However, he then revealed they were a pair of couple's shoes, subtly suggesting he wanted to accompany her on her journey. Xiao Song feigned ignorance, exasperating Dong Hao, who then went jogging to clear his head, flipping a coin to predict if she would follow him.
Eventually, Xiao Song found him on the beach. She playfully demanded three reasons why he liked her. Dong Hao, with heartfelt sincerity, described her as cool, kind, and self-consistent, adding a fourth reason: "I like you." Xiao Song, though shy, admitted her feelings were mutual, marking a joyful turning point in their relationship. Meanwhile, at the launch event for Wu Yue and Director Jianmin's new book and documentary collaboration, Director Jianmin publicly confessed his feelings for Wu Yue.
Despite her initial reluctance, explaining her philosophy on marriage as a cycle of hope, disappointment, argument, reconciliation, and endurance, Director Jianmin persisted, kneeling and presenting her with roses. With the audience enthusiastically chanting for her to accept, Wu Yue, caught in the moment, agreed to his proposal to form a new family. Separately, Lu Xi had found success with her public service recording channel, garnering over ten thousand followers. Guan Xin received a package from her containing a voice recording.
In it, Lu Xi, addressing him as "Brother Xuan," apologized for her sudden departure from the welfare house. She reflected on how she had often imagined their reunion but never thought he would be by her side for so long without her knowing. She admitted to being angry at first, wondering why he left without saying goodbye and why he didn't reveal his identity upon their reunion.
However, she eventually understood that his gentleness was tinged with timidity and that he carried a heavy burden. Lu Xi forgave him, saying she had started a new life and encouraged him to shed his emotional armor, let go of the past, and live a more relaxed, happy life, loving himself more. Listening to Lu Xi's message, Guan Xin had a profound realization. He understood that he had always struggled with goodbyes, both with Lu Xi and with Xia Tian.
He admitted he had clung to a relationship that was clearly over. He finally comprehended that Xia Tian's seemingly cruel words were her way of helping him come to terms with reality, as she clearly understood her own heart, while he had not. Armed with this newfound clarity, Guan Xin found Xia Tian and, with tears in his eyes, told her, "Let's break up."
He confessed that he had hated her when he first saw the wooden box she wanted to dispose of, but now he acknowledged that their relationship had changed long ago, as had they both, and he had been too afraid to face it. They shared a tearful embrace, finally accepting the end of their difficult journey, both realizing they should have broken up much earlier.
Later, Xia Tian encountered Xu Zehao at the bustling market, where the old town project had been successfully completed. Xu Zehao stated he just wanted to see if there was anything left to help with, but Xia Tian felt he had already done too much, making it impossible to repay him.
Acknowledging the completion of the project and the end of their collaboration, she expressed her gratitude once more, thanking him for helping her find herself after their reunion, and wished him a life free of attachment and regret. Xu Zehao reiterated that his feelings remained unchanged from "that night" but urged her to live the life she truly desired—unfiltered, unconstrained, and authentically happy.
They shared a final, lingering handshake, a moment where the hands they had once so longed to hold met in a bittersweet farewell. Each knew they would likely never touch the other's hand again. As they walked in opposite directions, neither looked back to meet the other's gaze, both pressing forward with stubborn resolve. That night, Xu Zehao stood by the sea, holding the engagement ring he had once planned to give Xia Tian. With a deep breath, he cast it into the ocean, finally letting go of the past and closing that chapter of his life.
