First Love Again Episode 14 Recap
> First Love Again Recap
In 2019, Yang Chuang hosted a class reunion at his restaurant, which he had recently renovated. He greeted Leizi and other classmates, including Gao Xiaoai. Chen Tingting, who frequently changed boyfriends but secretly still thought of Lin Jiaqi, also arrived. Lin Jiaqi was also present. Yang Chuang was skeptical that Xia Wenxi would arrive on time. However, to everyone's surprise, Xia Wenxi arrived, having been followed there by Ye Youning.
Ye Youning insisted on speaking with her later, much to Xia Wenxi's annoyance, as she denied inviting him or knowing why he was there. Their shared arrival immediately sparked gossip among their old friends, who wondered if they had reconciled. Later, Yang Shiyi and Xie Zhenyu made a joint announcement: they were engaged and planned to hold their wedding at the end of the year, inviting everyone.
Yang Shiyi explained that after graduation, she became a teacher at their old school, and Xie Zhenyu had followed her there to also teach. Their old teacher, Mr. Wang, was also mentioned by the classmates who playfully gossiped about his marriage to Ms. Zhao, their physics teacher. Later, Mr. Wang himself made an appearance. When it was time to eat, Ye Youning attempted to sit next to Xia Wenxi, but she deliberately avoided him, choosing a seat further away.
Once Yang Chuang had served all the special dishes, everyone raised their glasses to toast Mr. Wang. Yang Shiyi then proposed a special toast to Xia Wenxi, expressing deep gratitude for an incident in 2006. She recounted how she had been cornered by a group of thugs demanding money. Xia Wenxi, despite being "annoyingly loud" at times, had bravely intervened, fighting off the thugs and chasing them away.
Yang Shiyi admitted that if not for Xia Wenxi's quick actions, she might not have been there today. After finishing her drink, Xia Wenxi excused herself to use the restroom. Ye Youning, his attention fixed on her, immediately rose to follow. As Xia Wenxi walked, she slipped, nearly falling, but Ye Youning swiftly caught her before she quickly disentangled herself and continued to the restroom, while their classmates began to playfully tease them.
While Xia Wenxi was away, her classmates reminisced about another time she had shown her warmhearted nature. They recalled a physical exam in 2006 where their classmate, Yu Huan, was so exhausted she collapsed, fearing she wouldn't graduate. Xia Wenxi went to her side, encouraging her to stand up and finish the race, reminding her of their shared goal to graduate together. Inspired by Xia Wenxi's encouragement and the cheers of their classmates, Yu Huan found the strength to finish.
When Xia Wenxi returned from the restroom, Yu Huan immediately proposed a toast, expressing her heartfelt gratitude for Xia Wenxi's timely support that ensured she could graduate. Yang Chuang then brought up the infamous "ghost event" from their high school graduation party. Xie Zhenyu recounted how he had spent an entire night decorating the classroom with balloons to surprise Yang Shiyi, only to find them all mysteriously gone the next morning.
A sheepish Xia Wenxi, glancing at Ye Youning, confessed that she was the culprit. She admitted to secretly releasing all the balloons that night because she feared they would trigger Ye Youning's phobia. Ye Youning was astonished to learn of her thoughtful act, prompting him to reflect on how deeply he truly knew Xia Wenxi.
He mused that while her attitude toward him varied across the many timelines he had experienced, her inherent kindness and warmth toward others remained a constant. Gao Xiaoai then brought up another "mischievous" act by Xia Wenxi. During a senior year evening study session, the power suddenly went out, sparking excitement among students hoping to be dismissed early. To their dismay, Xia Wenxi, carrying a fuse in her bag, quickly fixed the problem.
When questioned about her actions, Xia Wenxi offered a vague explanation. However, Ye Youning recalled that she had done it specifically so he could complete his outstanding physics homework, a revelation that deeply moved him. During her repair, Xia Wenxi had gotten her face smudged, and Ye Youning had thoughtfully used a tissue to clean it for her. As the reunion drew to a close, the friends took a new group photo.
Someone also shared their old high school graduation photo in the chat group. This prompted reminiscing about the day the photo was taken, when Gao Xiaoai and Xia Wenxi had attempted to do each other's makeup, resulting in comically exaggerated looks. Ye Youning had kindly helped Xia Wenxi remove her thick eyeliner before the picture. In the old photo, everyone noticed Ye Youning's exceptionally wide smile, a rare sight.
They speculated, given the direction of his gaze, that he must have been looking at Xia Wenxi, wondering what he was thinking at that moment. Before leaving, Mr. Wang offered some advice, urging his former students to cherish the present moment and the people around them. He politely declined requests for more drinks, joking that Ms. Zhao was very serious, especially at home, before departing early.
After the reunion, Yang Shiyi approached Xia Wenxi, asking if she and Ye Youning were getting back together. Xia Wenxi quickly denied it, diverting the conversation to Yang Shiyi and Xie Zhenyu. Xia Wenxi expressed surprise, recalling how much Yang Shiyi used to dislike Xie Zhenyu in high school.
Yang Shiyi admitted her initial aversion but explained that Xie Zhenyu had dedicated himself to her, retaking exams to attend a normal university and then following her back to their high school to become a teacher. He was consistently present whenever she needed him, and eventually, she found herself feeling a sense of emptiness in his absence. Realizing her feelings, Yang Shiyi confessed her love to him, a revelation that astonished Xia Wenxi.
Yang Shiyi then advised Xia Wenxi not to hesitate when it comes to love, to avoid future regrets, and to genuinely consider if she truly no longer held feelings for Ye Youning. That evening, Yang Chuang encouraged a disheartened Ye Youning not to give up on Xia Wenxi. Ye Youning followed Xia Wenxi all the way home, asking for another chance and offering her tickets to a MayDay concert. Xia Wenxi firmly declined, stating she had already made herself clear.
She acknowledged the beautiful memories they shared and her nostalgia for their past, but asserted that she wished for their past to remain exactly that: in the past. With those words, she closed the door, leaving Ye Youning outside. Alone in the stairwell, Xia Wenxi broke down in tears. Her mind replayed the painful memory of Ye Youning's decision to study abroad.
He had informed her abruptly, without any prior discussion, and dismissed her pleas for him to stay as "childish" and "selfish" before closing the door on her. Moments later, Chen Tingting called to check on her. Xia Wenxi admitted she was "not good" and felt conflicted. She explained that she hated feeling this way, but every encounter with Ye Youning brought back the sting of his departure.
She found herself questioning the truthfulness of his current words, wondering if he was merely trying to win her over or if he would abandon her again. Meanwhile, Ye Youning overheard Chen Tingting telling Lin Jiaqi and Yang Chuang that Xia Wenxi was scared and hadn't fully thought things through. Lin Jiaqi advised that past mistakes could only be slowly mended.
Confused, Ye Youning struggled to recall what specific hurtful actions he had taken against Xia Wenxi in this particular timeline. He had a flashback to his past self, who had abruptly broken up with Xia Wenxi and then decided to study abroad, telling his mother about his change of heart. Despite Xia Wenxi's evident resistance, Ye Youning was determined not to give up. The very next morning, he waited outside her home with a bag full of egg pancakes.
Xia Wenxi was surprised to see him again, and he explained he had bought her favorite egg pancakes – a variety of fillings including sausage, chicken fillet, spicy strips, and bacon – from the stall near their old school. Though she initially feigned disinterest, Xia Wenxi couldn't resist her old favorite, noting that it still tasted just as it used to. Ye Youning seized the moment to apologize for his past shortcomings and declared his only desire now was to treat her well.
