First Love Again Episode 17 Recap
> First Love Again Recap
Upon returning home, Ye Youning assured Xia Wenxi repeatedly that he would not go abroad. Xia Wenxi confided that she had learned that morning her father had deceived her and now felt no motivation to apply to Jiangcheng University. Ye Youning then revealed his own application form, showing he had also applied to Jiangcheng University. Xia Wenxi was astonished, as she had assumed he was aiming for prestigious universities like Tsinghua or Peking University.
Ye Youning hesitated, wanting to confess that he was staying for her, but Xia Wenxi's father emerged and pulled her away, interrupting him. Xia Wenxi's father then confessed to having impersonated "Mayday" in the letters to her. She told him that while she couldn't forgive him for that deception, she now had renewed motivation to attend Jiangcheng University.
Later, at home, Grandpa Zhou asked Ye Youning if he was truly determined to stay, expressing concern that he might regret such an impulsive decision, especially given his mother's situation abroad. Ye Youning explained that he had grown up and wished to choose his own life. He emphasized that he found a true sense of home and met many supportive friends after moving there, making it the happiest period of his life, and he had no regrets.
He also expressed hope that his mother would start living for herself as well. Grandpa Zhou, seeing his grandson's happiness, expressed contentment and offered to make wontons for him. Flash forward to 2019, Ye Youning was working late when Grandpa Zhou gently reminded him to rest. The next morning, Ye Youning was dressed early and his grandpa offered him milk, asking why he was dressed up so early. Ye Youning was late for a date with Xia Wenxi.
She playfully chastised him for being thirty minutes late and demanded he make amends. He offered her a warm breakfast he'd brought, but she jokingly insisted on wanting buns from a specific shop. After a brief negotiation, she accepted his offering. Later, they went to a pottery studio. The owner, remarking on their compatibility, suggested they looked like a couple and even offered a tarot reading, which Ye Youning politely declined, stating that fate should unfold naturally.
As the owner instructed Xia Wenxi, Ye Youning, appearing jealous, took over teaching her. Xia Wenxi was surprised by his skill, teasing him about secretly practicing, which he denied. He then carved the date of their first date into his pottery, explaining he wanted to preserve all the memories they shared. After their pottery session, they walked by a lighthouse.
Xia Wenxi wistfully recalled that visiting the lighthouse had always been on her wish list when they were together before, lamenting that Ye Youning had left before they could fulfill it. Ye Youning expressed a desire to "make up" for past regrets. This word, "make up," bothered Xia Wenxi, and she questioned if his current kindness was merely an act of compensation.
Ye Youning gently clarified that while his memories of the past were somewhat hazy, it did not diminish his feelings for her. Xia Wenxi, confused as to why his memories were unclear when she remembered every detail, pressed him. Ye Youning, embracing her, declared his unwavering love, stating, "I love you. No matter in the future or in the past, you are my only love."
He then asked if she would still love him if he were not the "old" Ye Youning. Xia Wenxi, confirming she loved the "new" Ye Youning she had reacquainted herself with and had no more doubts, kissed him. As the sea breeze grew chilly, Ye Youning offered her his jacket and went to buy her a hot coffee.
Back in 2006, as students began receiving their university acceptance letters, Chen Tingting was admitted to Huanzhou University of Political Science and Law, while Gao Xiaoai and Ye Youning also received their letters for Jiangcheng University. Gao Xiaoai called Xia Wenxi, who hadn't received hers yet, but Ye Youning confirmed he had. Xia Wenxi, anxious, then went to meet Ye Youning and confirmed he had received his. She then told him she'd check her mailbox.
Xia Wenxi's parents tried to comfort her about the acceptance letter. Later, Ye Youning visited her and, seeing her distress, took her to a park to clear her mind. There, he encouraged her to make a wish, jokingly calling it a "time machine" to fulfill her desires. Xia Wenxi, feeling better, thanked him and resolved that if she didn't get into Jiangcheng University, she would simply retake the exam next year. Ye Youning assured her he would wait.
That evening, Xia Wenxi's parents joyfully presented her with her acceptance letter, explaining it had arrived shortly after she left the house, due to a wrongly written address. She was thrilled to be admitted to Jiangcheng University, though she was surprised to find she had been transferred from her chosen Literature Major to Archeology. Her parents, however, were ecstatic that she had been accepted into a prestigious 985 university, celebrating with a drink.
A graduation dinner was held at Yang Chuang's family restaurant. Prior to the dinner, Lin Jiaqi's mother confirmed he wouldn't be returning, but would transfer from Spain directly to Huanzhou. At the dinner, Yang Chuang called Lin Jiaqi, who revealed he had flown to Spain the previous day with his parents for a spontaneous break and would head directly to Huanzhou for university without returning home.
Yang Chuang expressed frustration at Lin Jiaqi's unreliability and asked if Xia Wenxi knew about his plans. Xia Wenxi admitted she was unaware and voiced her confusion about why he needed a "break." At the dinner, Yang Lechen excitedly announced she had signed up for the "Jiangcheng Talent Show" and received enthusiastic support from her friends, including a blessing from Ye Youning. They also called Chen Tingting, who was already at Huanzhou University.
She told them she was still in her dorm studying and hadn't yet explored the city or met up with Lin Jiaqi. The next day, at Jiangcheng University, Xia Wenxi and her roommates, Hu Ling (also from Archeology) and Yang Lechen (Music Performance), settled into their dorm.
Xia Wenxi was surprised by the poor condition of the dorm and the "Watch out for ghosts" written on the bed, and learned from Hu Ling that Archeology was a "marginal" and "unpopular" major with a low admission score. Hu Ling also learned Xia Wenxi was a local and asked her to be a local food guide. Later, at the freshman orientation ceremony, Ye Youning (Physics) and Yao Siyao (Architecture) gave speeches as student representatives.
Hu Ling casually remarked that the two on stage looked very compatible, "like a perfect match," which noticeably upset Xia Wenxi. Afterward, she and Gao Xiaoai left for dinner at Yang Chuang's, forgetting to invite Ye Youning. He eventually joined them, expressing his dismay at being forgotten and having his messages unread, but Xia Wenxi remained distant. The following day, during the club fair, Xia Wenxi and Ye Youning browsed the booths.
Xia Wenxi, seeing a poster for Huanzhou University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, jokingly called out, "Lin Jiaqi, I'm coming!" She found herself overwhelmed by the many club choices, from drama to gourmet to fashion, while Gao Xiaoai quickly decided on the Gourmet Club. Ye Youning decided to join the Star Observing Club. Xia Wenxi, however, saw Yao Siyao also at the Star Observing Club booth.
Recalling Hu Ling's comments about Ye Youning and Yao Siyao's compatibility, Xia Wenxi grew visibly upset, abruptly leaving Ye Youning behind and running off with Gao Xiaoai. Ye Youning tried to follow, but Xia Wenxi deliberately avoided him. He tried to offer her a burger for lunch, but she refused, claiming she wasn't hungry. When Yang Chuang called, asking Ye Youning to accompany him to the talent show, Xia Wenxi urged Ye Youning to go, pretending that she was fine.
Ye Youning, still worried about her, left for Yang Chuang. Later, Yang Chuang advised Ye Youning on his dating strategy for Xia Wenxi, commending his detailed "love schedule" and offering to book them a fancy restaurant for lunch. Ye Youning then asked Yang Chuang to help him choose a scarf he had bought for Xia Wenxi, as it was going to be cold. Yang Chuang, however, suggested that a scarf taken directly from Ye Youning's neck would be far more meaningful than one simply handed to her.
