Fifteen Years to Wait for Migratory Birds Episode 22 Recap
> Fifteen Years to Wait for Migratory Birds Recap
Pei Shangxuan unexpectedly encounters Li Li and Liu Qianren at a bird-watching art exhibition, seven years after Li Li's sudden disappearance. Pei Shangxuan is shocked to see Li Li, who he believed had vanished without a trace, now being embraced by Liu Qianren. Seven years prior, Pei Shangxuan had planned to go to Beijing to find Li Li after finishing his work, but she disappeared, cutting all contact with him and their friend Li Jun.
Still resentful and confused by her vanishing act, Pei Shangxuan demands an explanation, insisting he doesn't want any excuses. He reminds Li Li of their kiss on Christmas Eve seven years ago, convinced that her feelings then were genuine and that she had truly loved him. However, Li Li remains silent, adopting a cold and indifferent demeanor.
She advises Pei Shangxuan to let go of the past and move on with his new life, completely denying their former relationship and stating that memories should simply remain memories as people become more rational with age. She declares that her relationship with Pei Shangxuan ended long ago. As Pei Shangxuan looks on in anger and sorrow, Li Li, with tears in her eyes, resolutely departs accompanied by Liu Qianren. Liu Qianren advises Li Li not to run away anymore.
Unknown to Pei Shangxuan, Li Li has been battling leukemia for seven years. Her health has steadily deteriorated since she underwent chemotherapy, leaving her with frequent and severe back pain, and a fear that the illness could take her life at any moment. This fear and her condition were the true reasons she broke up with Pei Shangxuan and disappeared, as she didn't want her illness to impede his entrepreneurial endeavors.
Li Li believes she is not destined to be with Pei Shangxuan and feels compelled to hurt him again to keep him at a distance. Although she went for a recent medical check-up where her doctor concealed the full severity of her condition, attributing her back pain and insomnia to mere chemotherapy after-effects, the truth is that her leukemia cells have further infiltrated her bone marrow, indicating a worsening prognosis.
Unaware of the gravity of her own condition, Li Li confides in her best friend, Li Jun, revealing her leukemia and requesting that Li Jun keep it a secret from Pei Shangxuan. Meanwhile, Daniel returns to China after seven years of studies in Korea, having achieved international superstardom through immense dedication, harsh training, and hard work. As an entertainment reporter, Li Jun tries to interview him at the airport, but his tight schedule prevents him from answering her questions.
During a subsequent comeback press conference, David, Daniel's manager, attempts to prevent Li Jun from asking questions, but Daniel deliberately gives her the opportunity. His answers are profound and contain hidden messages, revealing his deep regret for having focused solely on struggle in his youth, which caused him to miss many beautiful moments. He cryptically states that the person who inspired him during those years is someone he will cherish for a lifetime.
These words are clearly aimed at Li Jun, who shows a mix of surprise and confusion, understanding the underlying sentiment. Li Jun has since moved on from her past relationship with Daniel, and she later discusses him with Pei Shangxuan during a phone call, expressing her dislike for Daniel's new celebrity status and the entourage that surrounds him. Pei Shangxuan, however, is too preoccupied with Li Li's mysterious reappearance and her past actions to dwell on Daniel.
Still seeking answers and a way to reconnect, Pei Shangxuan uses Li Jun's name to invite Li Li out. He takes her to the reed marsh, a place where they once watched migratory birds and shared a dream of building a small bird-watching platform. However, Li Li coldly dismisses these cherished memories, stating that the paper on which they wrote their wish is gone, rendering the past meaningless. Pei Shangxuan is left to grapple with Li Li's persistent evasiveness and her outwardly "thorny" demeanor.
