First Love Episode 16 Recap
> First Love Recap
As the school term resumed, the students returned for a new semester. In class, the teacher announced that the clinical department had secured several pre-internship spots at a hospital. Although not a true internship, it offered a chance to experience a real medical environment, and interested students could sign up. Lu Wanwan was the first to volunteer.
Later, the class was informed that the Student Union had organized a debate competition, requiring each class to send one representative chosen by an anonymous vote. Despite her reluctance, feeling that a "war among the top students has nothing to do with her," Lu Wanwan was ultimately chosen by a narrow margin. Meanwhile, Fan Yi was diligently trying to convince Ren Chu to represent the Math Department.
Ren Chu, however, dismissed such debates as a "waste of time" due to their lack of "standard answers." Fan Yi persisted, emphasizing the event's prestige and suggesting a compelling topic about AI love to pique Ren Chu's interest. Not long after, Lu Wanwan visited Ren Chu at the lab, bringing a heart-shaped cake specifically for him and other cakes for his six senior lab mates.
There, she encountered Fan Yi, who was trying to persuade Ren Chu with the AI debate topic: "I'm finally in love, but he is AI. My friend says it is not love." When Fan Yi learned Lu Wanwan was also a participant, he revealed the topic was "customized for Ren Chu." Lu Wanwan, though unenthusiastic, confirmed she would participate as her class had chosen her, and she selected the affirmative side.
Hearing this, Ren Chu immediately agreed to join the debate, also choosing the affirmative side. Fan Yi was overjoyed and, much to Lu Wanwan's chagrin, mistakenly took the heart-shaped cake, believing it was for him. However, Lu Wanwan's annoyance turned to delight when Ren Chu, unconcerned about using a spoon she had just used, tried some of her other desserts.
He then asked about her new semester, to which Lu Wanwan replied she was "quite busy," preparing for the debate, her pre-internship, and also "to pursue" him. Ren Chu congratulated her on her ambition. The next day, Lu Wanwan was determined to be punctual for her hospital pre-internship. To her surprise, Ren Chu was waiting outside her dorm to drive her, explaining that what he brought for her was "specially for you."
At the hospital, Lu Wanwan realized the other pre-intern from a different class was An Jiaxian. Her first day proved frustrating, as her tasks were limited to fetching packages and take-out orders. She felt useless compared to Meng Xibai, an intern who was already in charge of patients. Afterward, An Jiaxian mentioned that his girlfriend, Liang Xia, would be studying abroad for a year and, due to her insecurity, he planned for their parents to meet to reassure her.
He then asked about Lu Wanwan and Ren Chu, but just as Lu Wanwan began to explain their relationship was fake, Ren Chu arrived to pick her up, interrupting her. As they returned to school, Guan Ai, who was organizing the debate, asked Lu Wanwan to use her position as Ren Chu's partner to gather information about his preferences for her. Lu Wanwan apologized, confessing that she could no longer help because she also had feelings for Ren Chu.
Admitting she had long tried to deny it, she proposed they engage in "fair competition." A surprised Guan Ai retorted that Ren Chu would "definitely choose me." At the hospital, Meng Xibai advised a frustrated Lu Wanwan to be more proactive to get real experience. He informed her that his teacher, Dr. Li, would be performing a complex ten-hour surgery—a "total aortic arch replacement"—and that she could apply to observe it.
Lu Wanwan immediately messaged Ren Chu, who wanted to discuss the debate, telling him she might be observing a long surgery and not to wait. During the operation, Dr. Li was initially stern when he saw her on her phone, but Meng Xibai explained she was a pre-intern eager to learn. Dr. Li allowed her to stay, warning her the surgery would last all night.
Lu Wanwan observed the entire ten-hour procedure, impressing Dr. Li and Meng Xibai by staying until morning. Afterward, she formally introduced herself to Dr. Li, who, acknowledging her dedication, told her, "If you want to learn more, you must take the initiative," and added, "Girl, you'll have a bright future." Outside, Lu Wanwan found Ren Chu waiting. He had stayed up all night in the hospital lobby studying, worried about her returning to the dorm alone so late.
When he noticed she had dark circles and a nosebleed from exhaustion, he gently helped her and gave her soy milk, making her wonder if he secretly liked her. Upon returning to her dorm, Lu Wanwan was shocked to discover the debate roster had been changed, placing her on the opposing team. Her friends explained it was officially deemed a "mistake" but they suspected Guan Ai was behind it.
They urged her to withdraw, arguing she couldn't win against Ren Chu, especially with Guan Ai on his team. However, Lu Wanwan defiantly refused, declaring that if she wanted to stand beside him, she had to do it with her "own strength." Ren Chu later approached her, acknowledging their new roles as opponents and offering to withdraw. Lu Wanwan refused, challenging him to compete. The debate commenced with Ren Chu's affirmative team facing Lu Wanwan's opposing team.
After the initial arguments, Ren Chu presented his case, asserting that an AI could be a "perfect lover." In her rebuttal, Lu Wanwan confidently countered that "love itself is not perfect," arguing that its flaws and the raw emotions of a human connection are what make it real, and that a perfect AI lover would merely be a "service." Her speech earned widespread applause, even from Ren Chu.
During the free debate, a debater asked Ren Chu if he had dating experience. Ren Chu openly admitted, "Yes, I do like someone. And she's right here." Though visibly stirred, Lu Wanwan pressed him, questioning if he was "sure" he truly knew what love felt like. Looking directly at her, Ren Chu firmly replied, "I'm sure. I know."
