First Love Episode 17 Recap
> First Love Recap
Rumors spread that Ren Chu had publicly confessed to Guan Ai during a debate, which deeply angered Lu Wanwan. She and her friend Qiaoqiao complained that Ren Chu was merely expressing his views and that people were misinterpreting his words, with some even claiming he and Guan Ai were already in a relationship under the guise of research. Feeling that she couldn't afford to be passive any longer, Lu Wanwan resolved to confess her own feelings to Ren Chu.
She told Qiaoqiao that her feelings were genuine and that even if Ren Chu liked Guan Ai, she wanted him to know her true heart. Meanwhile, feeling he had missed too many opportunities, Ren Chu also decided to confess to Lu Wanwan. He gathered his senior lab mates to help him plan the perfect moment. After discarding several unhelpful suggestions, they settled on the "3W" rule: finding the right "Where, When, and What" (the right words).
Ren Chu tasked his seniors with conducting a data analysis to identify the most romantic location within an hour of the university. Later, Wang Yuyang shared the disheartening news with Lu Wanwan that he had lost the exchange student spot to Liang Xia, who gained an advantage because she was planning to pursue a postgraduate degree. This surprised Lu Wanwan, as Liang Xia had previously only mentioned a one-year exchange. An Jiaxian, who arrived at the bakery, overheard the news.
He later told Lu Wanwan that he had planned to introduce Liang Xia to his parents before her trip, knowing she was sensitive and insecure. Worried about revealing Liang Xia's plans, Lu Wanwan tried to avoid An Jiaxian during her hospital internship. There, she ran into Wang Xinyu, who was accompanying a classmate with a twisted back. While Lu Wanwan helped the classmate, a bored Wang Xinyu picked up a cancer prevention pamphlet.
Meng Xibai, passing by, saw the pamphlet and mistakenly concluded Wang Xinyu was ill, anxiously trying to get her to a check-up. After Wang Xinyu clarified she was fine, she recognized his genuine concern but chose to leave, leaving him somewhat disappointed. Desperate for advice, Lu Wanwan consulted Wang Xinyu about confessing. Wang Xinyu advocated for a bold and direct approach, advising Lu Wanwan to rush up to Ren Chu and declare her feelings without worrying about gifts or venues.
She also stressed the importance of a perfect appearance to "amaze him at first glance," prompting Lu Wanwan, who admitted to having no makeup skills, to hire a professional artist. Elsewhere, An Jiaxian confronted Liang Xia about her graduate school plans. Liang Xia explained that her father works abroad and her mother wanted her to study there for a few more years so the family could be reunited, though she stressed nothing was final.
She then asked An Jiaxian if he would go abroad with her after graduation. Caught off guard, An Jiaxian admitted he hadn't considered it, leading Liang Xia to accuse him of never thinking about their future. Full of remorse, she suggested that if he had been with Lu Wanwan, they wouldn't face this issue, confessing she felt she had "stolen" him since Lu Wanwan had also liked him. Overwhelmed, Liang Xia asked him to leave.
Soon after, An Jiaxian ran into Lu Wanwan at a mall and asked if she had ever liked him. Lu Wanwan calmly told him to let go of the past and cherish those around him. She admitted she was sad at the time but had moved on and now likes someone new—a person she always thinks about and who makes her feel safe. As she rushed to leave, she slipped, and An Jiaxian quickly steadied her.
Liang Xia arrived at that moment and, misinterpreting the gesture, was devastated. She furiously reminded An Jiaxian that it was their third anniversary and hurled the cake she had bought at them, hitting Lu Wanwan and covering her in cream. Liang Xia accused them of betrayal and stormed off. Embarrassed and messy, Lu Wanwan ran into Ren Chu. He kindly took her to the swimming pool to clean up, reassuring her that no one would laugh while he was there.
As he helped wash the cream out of her hair, Lu Wanwan recounted the misunderstanding. She confirmed to him that her old feelings for An Jiaxian were gone and that she now likes someone else. Ren Chu then revealed he had planned to ask her out anyway, inviting her to a rooftop to watch the Leonid meteor shower that night, an invitation she eagerly accepted.
As Ren Chu's lab seniors decorated a rooftop with balloons and electronic candles for the confession, Lu Wanwan received a frantic call from An Jiaxian. He couldn't find Liang Xia and feared she might do something drastic, pleading for Lu Wanwan's help. Lu Wanwan prioritized her friend's safety and messaged Ren Chu that she would be late. After learning her location—the rooftop of Qiandao Lake—Ren Chu immediately set off to find her.
Lu Wanwan found Liang Xia on the rooftop, a place Liang Xia said she used to hide when she was upset. Liang Xia accused Lu Wanwan of always living in the light while she was a "coward" in the shadows. She then called Lu Wanwan the real coward for never confessing her feelings for An Jiaxian or Ren Chu. Lu Wanwan admitted she was a coward in love but was ready to face her problems.
As they tried to leave, a group of drunken men accosted them. Lu Wanwan bluffed that she knew Wing Chun and that her friend was drunk and skilled in self-defense, but the men were undeterred. As the situation escalated, Lu Wanwan silently prayed for Ren Chu to appear, promising herself she would confess if he did. Just then, Ren Chu arrived, and seizing the moment, Lu Wanwan shouted, "Ren Chu, I like you!"
