Discovery of Romance Episode 3 Recap
> Discovery of Romance Recap
Xia Tian was abruptly woken from a dream where she slapped Xu Zehao, finding the dream surprisingly real and satisfying. Despite this, she focused on reconciling with Guan Xin. Donghao, acting as an intermediary, relayed messages between them, complaining to Xia Tian that she was being a "scheming girl" for deliberately displaying a bracelet Guan Xin had given her and feigning sadness and loss of appetite for days.
Xia Tian, however, felt her conscience was "on vacation" and reminded Donghao of how exhausted he was from their back-and-forth. She reflected on past lessons learned from Xu Zehao, realizing that in love, the person who confesses first often has to back down first in arguments, and that courage alone isn't enough; strategy and skill are also needed, especially when apologizing.
She acknowledged that while five years ago she thought Xu Zehao was awful, and still didn't consider him a good man, she now understood she hadn't known how to properly deal with men. Later, Xia Tian arrived at Guan Xin's messy home and began tidying up. When Guan Xin returned, she playfully hid in his wardrobe.
She initially claimed she only came to clean and was about to leave, but Guan Xin pressed her, asking if she hadn't come because she missed him. Xia Tian hinted at wanting more than just an escort home. Guan Xin insisted she should apologize first for doing wrong, but Xia Tian challenged him, asking why she always had to win and if he couldn't just let her win this once, as she was already there.
Guan Xin admitted that while he found her trick of coaxing him annoying, he didn't dislike it. Xia Tian then asked if their argument was over and promised to try to drink less in the future. Guan Xin clarified she would only drink when she was with him. He then apologized for going on a blind date without telling her.
Xia Tian, in turn, thanked him for always being the one to apologize first, though she immediately teased him, saying that wasn't enough to make her forgive him entirely. Meanwhile, Xu Zehao was in a business meeting, discussing the "Guixin Old House Guesthouse Project," a plan to transform abandoned old houses into a national guesthouse chain. He emphasized the need for an innovative, fresh design team.
His assistant, Yu Hui, presented several candidates, but Xu Zehao quickly dismissed larger, more experienced firms. He paused at a smaller entry: Xia Song Studio. Yu Hui described it as a wood furniture and interior design studio with a natural, special, warm, and ingenious style, despite its limited portfolio. Xu Zehao instructed Yu Hui to contact them.
At Xia Song Studio, Xia Tian and Xiao Song were struggling financially, working on an "emperor cabinet" that yielded little profit compared to the effort. They worried about overdue rent and future expenses. Xu Zehao and Yu Hui then arrived. Xiao Song was surprised, but Xia Tian immediately expressed her reluctance to see him. Yu Hui introduced herself and their firm, Unbounded Space Design Firm.
Xu Zehao looked around the studio and recalled a past conversation where Xia Tian shared her dream of opening her own studio. He had suggested he would gift her a ping-pong table to use as a desk, and to resolve conflicts with clients by playing a game, with the winner's decision prevailing. Xia Tian had loved the idea at the time.
Yu Hui presented the collaboration opportunity, highlighting Xia Song Studio's unique style as a perfect fit for the "Guixin Old House" project. Xia Tian was initially wary, questioning what such a large company saw in their small workshop. Xu Zehao directly praised her furniture designs, noting their individuality, use of natural materials, and bright, fresh, soothing aesthetic. Yu Hui handed over the project details, and Xia Tian recognized it as the specific project she had always wanted to work on.
Xu Zehao confirmed it was his company's project and promised immediate payment upon contract signing due to a tight schedule. Despite Xia Tian's hesitation, Xiao Song enthusiastically accepted the offer on her behalf, assuring Xu Zehao they would successfully complete the project. Xu Zehao then requested a private conversation with Xia Tian, ordering an Americano. While they spoke, Xiao Song informed Yu Hui that Xia Tian and Xu Zehao were ex-lovers who were "dead to each other."
During their private conversation, Xia Tian unequivocally rejected working with Xu Zehao, stating she wouldn't be friends with an ex, let alone collaborate professionally, as seeing him brought back "painful memories." Xu Zehao, however, claimed his memories were "sweet and beautiful," even recalling their kisses. He provocatively asked if she would consider leaving her "blind date guy" and returning to him, promising to never neglect her or cause her pain again.
Xia Tian found his "idol drama" theatrics disgusting, noting he wouldn't have said such "nauseating" things ten years ago. Xu Zehao then switched tactics, claiming he was merely testing her feelings for him; since she apparently had none, they could proceed as professional client and contractor, separating their emotions from work. He told her to consider it and contact him.
Xia Tian found his demeanor "conceited," "naive," and "self-righteous," dismissing his "Kabedon" style as childish and ineffective on her, a woman no longer in her twenties. As Xu Zehao left, he confided in his assistant that he was confident Xia Tian would take the project, knowing her pride and desire to prove herself would drive her to accept and show she had no lingering feelings for him.
Back at the studio, Xiao Song continued to push Xia Tian to accept the lucrative project, comparing it to earning a hundred times their current pay and a chance to turn their fortunes around. Xia Tian still worried about Guan Xin's reaction, especially after their recent reconciliation following an argument involving Xu Zehao.
Xiao Song dismissed her concerns and reminded her of their mounting debts: Xia Tian owed her mother 24,000 yuan for rent, 15,000 for a new computer, and 6,000 for an appendectomy (totaling 45,000 yuan), while Xiao Song herself owed 12,000 yuan in overdue rent. Xia Tian's mother arrived to collect the money, meticulously listing out all the debts. She even chastised Xia Tian for her appendectomy, remarking on her body responsibility.
Observing Xia Tian's frequent nights out, her mother also sternly advised her to "pay attention to contraception." Xia Tian tried to elicit sympathy by mentioning her plans for marriage, but her mother saw through it, telling her to "stop pretending" and pointing out that other mothers bought gifts for their daughters' weddings, whereas Xia Tian only discussed debts. Guan Xin was out exercising with his mother, who inquired about Xia Tian's fitness habits.
He explained Xia Tian's busy schedule as a furniture designer with her own studio. His mother, unexpectedly accepting of Xia Tian's profession, emphasized the importance of a strong, value-aligned relationship, and crucially, finding someone who loved him more, as he always prioritized others. She subtly steered the conversation to "the girl you met last time" from a blind date.
Guan Xin tried to assure her of Xia Tian's love and offered to introduce them, but his mother deflected and asked him to buy her a black coffee. At the coffee shop, Guan Xin encountered Lu Xi, who recognized him as the hospital's coffee delivery recipient. She mentioned having multiple jobs. As she prepared his two Americanos to go, Guan Xin noticed an old scar on her left hand.
Lu Xi explained it was from falling off a bicycle at a welfare house when she was six years old. This revelation visibly unsettled Guan Xin, stirring old memories, before he asked her name. Later, Donghao, upon learning about the potential collaboration with Xu Zehao, excitedly urged Xia Tian and Xiao Song to take the project, stating it was the only way out of their financial woes and insisting they "must never let Guan Xin know about this."
Xiao Song playfully suggested they view it as an "act of revenge": take Xu Zehao's money, maintain a professional distance, and then, after receiving the final payment, tell him they were using his money to get married, but not to him. Xia Tian called her "vicious" but listened.
Xiao Song even proposed a coin toss to decide, but Donghao's coin was comically rigged with "both sides are flowers," leading to an argument about his hidden agenda involving a woman named Tan Xu. Despite her outward refusal, Xia Tian visited the old town where the Guixin Old House project was located. She observed the preserved old trees, taking photos, and reflected on the area's "traces of love for life" and "people who love wood."
Unbeknownst to her, Xu Zehao was secretly following her, observing her quiet contemplation. He recalled a past conversation where Xia Tian passionately explained her love for trees, viewing each as a life that deserved to be treated well, and her dream of opening "Xia Song Studio."
Xia Tian mused that if the project wasn't connected to Xu Zehao, she would "go for it without hesitation," wondering if she truly needed to let her past interfere with an opportunity for something she loved. The next morning, Xu Zehao arrived at Xia Tian's home with breakfast, directly asking about her decision on the collaboration. Xia Tian claimed she hadn't decided, but Xu Zehao revealed he saw her at the old house yesterday, implying her interest.
He then proposed a challenge: a game of table tennis. If he won, she would collaborate with him; if she won, he would "disappear forever." Xia Tian accepted. They played at her studio, an intense match. In the final decisive point, Xia Tian deliberately missed the shot, allowing Xu Zehao to win, a subtle smile playing on her lips as she thought, "Actually, I could have won."
