First Love Again Episode 12 Recap
> First Love Again Recap
In 2006, Xia Wenxi arrived at the debate finals venue with an urgent message for the manager. She insisted it was a matter of life and death, pointing to "Seat 19 on the right row" where a specific light fixture was poised to fall, potentially causing a fatal accident. The manager initially dismissed her, assuring her that maintenance workers were ensuring safety. However, as Xia Wenxi continued to plead, emphasizing that "a light will definitely fall off! Someone will die!"
, the fixture indeed dropped. Startled, the manager asked who had told her this, to which Xia Wenxi replied, "My boss." She also relayed that her "boss also said that my four friends and I would sit in the first row to watch." This intervention changed Lin Jiaqi's fate, subsequently altering Ye Youning's future timeline. In this new 2019 timeline, Ye Youning encountered Lin Jiaqi, who greeted him coldly.
Ye Youning was surprised, remarking, "Never thought I could meet you here after many years. Lin Jiaqi? How are you? When did you return to China?" Lin Jiaqi curtly replied, "Not your business." Ye Youning speculated that his saving Lin Jiaqi might have caused this new timeline and immediately asked where Xia Wenxi was. Lin Jiaqi informed him, "What's the use? You've already broken up."
This left Ye Youning confused, wondering if they had ever been a couple, which triggered a flashback of Xia Wenxi telling him, "I've decided… We're done." He desperately tried to call her, but her phone was unreachable. Ye Youning pressed Lin Jiaqi, "There's no time to explain further. Where is she?" Lin Jiaqi accused him, saying, "You've already chosen your study over her. Where she is has nothing to do with you."
Despite the harsh words, Ye Youning insisted, "Lin Jiaqi, tell me where she is!" Lin Jiaqi eventually revealed that Xia Wenxi was in Venice, working as a resident writer. Ye Youning, determined to win her back, declared, "I need to find Xia Wenxi. After I explain it to her, we can start over again. She will understand me." He immediately booked a flight to Venice and a copy of the book "Venice Boat."
While getting directions, he met Wang Anton, a fellow Chinese person who offered his help. Guided by Wang Anton, Ye Youning found Xia Wenxi at a Masked Book Club, described as a "new form of carnival" in Venice. To draw her attention, he chose to share her own book, "Venice Boat." He read a passage, describing Venice as "a bright stage stand on the water… Tourists are full of laughter, leaving only noise to the natives.
Until the end of the night, the bright stage left only the rising tide." Hearing her words read aloud, Xia Wenxi stood up and introduced herself as the author, saying, "Hello, I'm the author of this book, Xia Wenxi." Ye Youning, still masked, recognized her, thinking, "Xia Wenxi, I finally found you." Ye Youning invited Xia Wenxi for a drink, though she insisted on treating him.
She asked where he found her book, and he explained it was on an advertisement rack in a Japanese restaurant in China. He praised her work, stating that it "broke my stereotype of Venice" and that "realism is the real beauty. I saw romance in this book. The real romance. It's not a young couple kissing under the streetlight, but reuniting in a foreign country after many years, walking and drinking together."
When Xia Wenxi asked if he was a writer, Ye Youning revealed he was a physicist, adding, "This is what physicists are like. Have you met any physicists that are not romantic?" Xia Wenxi replied, "I have. It's all in the past though." Taking the opportunity, Ye Youning then asked, "If everything can start again and he has a chance to make amends, will you forgive him?" Xia Wenxi, sensing the intensity, deflected by suggesting they order drinks.
She then excused herself to the restroom and called Chen Tingting, excitedly telling her she might have met her "Prince Charming" at the book club, a tall and gentlemanly reader who specifically shared her book. However, she noted he wouldn't take off his mask. Chen Tingting, hearing this, advised her, "You took it down but he didn't. That's his problem. Maybe he is not good-looking enough. Your priority is to take down his mask. Or you can just leave."
Back at the table, Xia Wenxi confronted Ye Youning, stating, "I have taken my mask down. Don't you think it's only fair that you do that too?" When she removed his mask, she was stunned to see Ye Youning. Memories flooded back—of him saying, "I won't go abroad. Ye Youning won't go abroad!" and of her own words, "I've decided… We're done." Xia Wenxi immediately tried to leave, but Ye Youning grabbed her arm, pleading, "Wenxi, Xia Wenxi!
I mean no harm. Trust me." Furious, Xia Wenxi retorted, "You mean no harm? You've disappeared for such a long time. Now you're here to laugh at me? Laughing at me behind your mask, are you happy now?" She slapped him and demanded, "Ye Youning, leave me alone. Or I'll call for help." Ye Youning continued to pursue her, saying, "Wenxi, there are some misunderstandings between us. I'll explain." But Xia Wenxi was resolute, "Why do you think I'll listen?
Ye Youning disappeared from my world ten years ago. Who are you?" Ye Youning was left in despair, pondering, "Xia Wenxi used to be my girlfriend, but I remember little about her. Instead, I remember lots of things about work and exams. Why does she hate me so much now?" Desperate for answers, Ye Youning used his old phone to communicate with Xia Wenxi in 2006. He asked her about her wishes, "How's the feeling of studying hard?
Did your parents reward you? What do you want as a reward?" Young Xia Wenxi enthusiastically replied, "MayDay, of course. Everything about MayDay," and then specifically requested, "I want the yellow dress on Belle in Beauty and Beast." Ye Youning went to a store to purchase the dress. After a lengthy process involving three different bank cards to cover the cost, he managed to buy the display sample. Wang Anton helped him deliver the expensive dress to Xia Wenxi.
Upon arrival, Chen Tingting confronted Ye Youning, accusing him, "She's not your Wenxi, you don't deserve her. Leave. Or I'll call for help." Ye Youning explained, "I'm just here to give her the dress." However, Xia Wenxi rejected the gift, stating, "Who would like this princessy dress? Not anymore." She then challenged him, "Ye Youning, do you remember what day it is today?"
When he confessed he didn't, Chen Tingting angrily revealed, "Thirteen years ago today, you left Wenxi and went abroad. Ye Youning, how can you be so cruel? Wenxi is unable to let go. She still keeps the ticket of MayDay concert." Xia Wenxi quickly interrupted Chen Tingting and left with her friend, who affirmed that Xia Wenxi was right to be harsh. Shortly after, Ye Youning received a call from his assistant, informing him that his company, Maxwell, was bankrupt.
The capital chain was broken, bank accounts frozen, and his house and car had been mortgaged. He declined his assistant's offer to mortgage their own property, recognizing the dire situation. Due to his financial distress, Ye Youning had to ask Wang Anton to find him a cheap hostel instead of a luxury hotel. He then read from Xia Wenxi's book that "In the Little John's Cathedral, there is a mysterious jigsaw. But no one has ever solved it.
To solve the mystery, the locals set up an event. Whoever solves the jigsaw during the opening time of the Cathedral can receive prize money." Back in 2006, the results for the second mock exam were released. Xia Wenxi was celebrated as the most improved student, even scoring 90 in physics. However, Yang Shiyi, the class monitor, publicly accused her of cheating. Xia Wenxi vehemently denied it, asserting, "I improved because I wake up early to study every day.
You are such a sore loser." Lin Jiaqi stepped in to defend Xia Wenxi, asking Yang Shiyi, "What's your problem? Why don't you just mind your own business?" Yang Shiyi persisted, highlighting Xia Wenxi's rapid climb from 210th place and her 90 in physics as "impossible." Ye Youning then intervened, declaring, "Her physics tutor. What's wrong with the mark?" silencing Yang Shiyi. To celebrate Xia Wenxi's achievement, her parents planned a dinner.
Her father proudly presented a "signed poster of MayDay," and admitted to Xia Wenxi's mother that he had forged the signature and even written a letter from the band himself, sending it to Taiwan and back to make it seem authentic. He bemoaned that their daughter "All she's thinking is those five boys." At the restaurant, decorated with many balloons, some people began popping them. The sudden loud noises caused Ye Youning's heart rate to quicken.
Seeing his distress, Xia Wenxi quickly pulled him aside, covered his ears, and offered him a candy, reassuring him, "It's not just a candy. It can be really relieving." This mirrored a similar event in 2019, where Xia Wenxi, despite her earlier anger and telling Ye Youning, "Please don't come here again. Leave me alone. I really don't want to see you," still softened and comforted him after a balloon pop triggered his panic. She asked, "Feeling better?"
