First Love Episode 18 Recap
> First Love Recap
After the confrontation, Ren Chu quickly pulls Lu Wanwan away, telling her they will deal with the thugs later. He scolds her for being foolish and not protecting herself, reminding her that her hands are meant to hold a scalpel. As he tends to her injured arm, Ren Chu privately decides that a simple convenience store, without even flowers, is not a fitting place for a confession.
Instead, he tells Lu Wanwan he has a 400-meter swimming competition the next day and will give her his answer if he wins, insisting she must be there to see it. Later, Lu Wanwan shares her confusion with Gu Qiao, who explains that a top student like Ren Chu would want the person he likes to witness his "highlight moment" and confirm their relationship when he is at his most impressive.
Gu Qiao is certain Ren Chu is interested after his heroic rescue and assures Lu Wanwan he won't lose the race. Back in his dorm, Ren Chu's cheerful mood stuns his roommates. He praises one's hairstyle and another's pronunciation, a stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor. When they guess he successfully confessed, Ren Chu corrects them, revealing he was the one confessed to.
He explains he delayed his answer because he wants to give her more happiness than a small convenience store can contain and asks them for a favor, leaving them bewildered by his sudden kindness. Meanwhile, An Jiaxian walks Liang Xia home. Liang Xia, acknowledging his indecisiveness, asks for a clear answer about their future.
With her departure date for studying abroad set, she tells him she will accept any decision, whether he wants her to stay, join her later, or break up. An Jiaxian promises to consider it carefully. The next morning, Ren Chu has Fan Yi buy flowers. Near the pool, Fan Yi presents a limited-edition bouquet to Gu Qiao, telling her he bought one for her after getting Ren Chu's.
He reveals that the bouquet for Lu Wanwan is also a carefully chosen limited edition. He then coaxes Gu Qiao into getting breakfast, urging her to return alone to watch Ren Chu's race so he isn't a "third wheel." At the swim meet, Ren Chu is met with roaring cheers from the crowd, particularly from girls admiring his physique. He easily wins the 400-meter race, emerging from the pool triumphantly.
Afterward, Lu Wanwan goes to the changing room but stops at the door when she sees Guan Ai inside, holding a bouquet and thanking Ren Chu. Believing Ren Chu chose Guan Ai, she is about to leave when Ren Chu spots her and immediately tells Guan Ai to leave, clarifying the flowers are for Lu Wanwan. Guan Ai brazenly admits she knew Lu Wanwan was outside and said those words deliberately.
Ren Chu dismisses her, but Guan Ai tries to stop him, reminding him of their agreement to compete fairly. At that moment, Lu Wanwan enters, stating she heard everything. She directly confronts Ren Chu, reminding him of his promise to give her an answer and demanding a sincere reason for his rejection, even if he likes Guan Ai. Amused by her assertiveness, Ren Chu calls her "cute" and hands her the bouquet, explaining that liking someone doesn't need a reason.
He then formally asks Lu Wanwan to be his girlfriend, and she joyfully accepts. Annoyed, Guan Ai leaves. Ecstatic, Lu Wanwan walks out but trips on the stairs, with the passing Wang Yuyang unfortunately breaking her fall and injuring himself. Ren Chu rushes to the hospital after learning of the accident from Fan Yi, realizing he had hung up on Wang Xinyu before she could explain who was actually hurt. He is relieved to find Lu Wanwan unharmed.
Soon, Fan Yi, Gu Qiao, and Wang Xinyu arrive. Fan Yi teases that love makes even straight-A students stupid, then boldly asks Gu Qiao to try dating him. To everyone's delight, Gu Qiao agrees. On the ride back, Wang Xinyu insists on joining the new couple, revealing the QR code on her shirt is a ploy to make her ex, Xibai, jealous.
After Ren Chu tells her to stop her games, she retorts that love is a "battle" before finally leaving them alone. Ren Chu clarifies to Lu Wanwan that he has no relationship with Guan Ai and wouldn't even know her name if not for their club. When Lu Wanwan laments losing the flowers in the fall, he reassures her they have plenty of time.
Outside her dorm, Ren Chu presents Lu Wanwan with all his awards, patents, and academic records, declaring that with his good grades and looks, he is her "only standard answer." Lu Wanwan agrees, asking him to guide her in their "first love." Later, Lu Wanwan finds Guan Ai crying and approaches her, insisting she doesn't want them to be enemies. She comforts Guan Ai, praising her as someone she has always looked up to.
Though Guan Ai refuses to apologize, she softens and accepts Lu Wanwan's apology for pushing her earlier, then leaves for her "beauty sleep." Back in their dorm, Fan Yi calls Ren Chu's confession method "reckless" but fitting. Happy that they are both now in relationships, Fan Yi suggests a double date to avoid any potential awkwardness, admitting he has prepared jokes just in case.
