First Love Episode 2 Recap
> First Love Recap
Ren Chu, concerned Lu Wanwan might catch a cold, urged her to take a shower and change into clean clothes he provided. Lu Wanwan, however, misinterpreted his intentions, thinking he was making an inappropriate suggestion. She internally feared being seen and even considered suing him for sexual harassment.
Ren Chu, explaining that sneezing is an uncontrollable reflex from a medical perspective, stated she could leave if she didn't want to shower but warned her not to blame him if she got sick. The misunderstanding was cleared only after Lu Wanwan saw he was directing her to the women's shower room. After showering, Lu Wanwan emerged wearing Ren Chu's oversized jacket. Annoyed, she chastised him for not waiting ten minutes before coming out as she had requested.
Ren Chu dismissed her, remarking on her short legs and slow walking speed. As they walked across campus, students noticed their matching outfits, speculating they were dating or that Lu Wanwan was "crazy about love" for chasing after Ren Chu. Lu Wanwan, however, felt her dignity was at stake, not love, and insisted she was not following him.
During class, the teacher, Miss Song, warned students against neglecting their studies for romance, specifically mentioning "falling in love with the school hunk." Lu Wanwan felt implicated, despite not being in a relationship. Moments later, Ren Chu unexpectedly entered the classroom, and Miss Song announced he would be auditing their class. Ren Chu's presence and frequent smiles made Lu Wanwan feel as if she had a "thorn in her back," making it impossible for her to concentrate.
After class, Lu Wanwan hurried home to avoid Ren Chu. Her mother warmly greeted her and suggested she take some pears to An Jiaxian, stating she and Lu Wanwan's father were open-minded about them being together as "childhood sweethearts." Lu Wanwan corrected her, revealing that An Jiaxian already had a girlfriend. Her mother quickly changed her tune, asserting that An Jiaxian was "indecisive" and unworthy of her "too good" daughter.
Ren Chu's social practice grade was a 59, which he refused to accept as a failing grade as it was a reference for his postgraduate recommendation. The teaching assistant advised him to "practice being friendly" for his re-do, which involved tutoring orphanage children. Lu Wanwan remarked this was unsuitable for him, as his "contemptuous eyes" would cause "childhood trauma."
Ren Chu revealed he was auditing clinical classes to supplement his knowledge for a postgraduate program in computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence and human action recognition. Just then, An Jiaxian arrived to apologize to Lu Wanwan for abandoning her at the restaurant, revealing he and Liang Xia had reconciled thanks to her. He invited Lu Wanwan to a dinner with them. Lu Wanwan declined, calling their dinner a "stranger's" affair to her.
Hearing this, Ren Chu interjected that he would go. Fearing Ren Chu might reveal her drunken gibberish, Lu Wanwan reluctantly agreed to attend as well. At the dinner, An Jiaxian formally apologized to Lu Wanwan for hiding his relationship. Lu Wanwan accepted, wished him and Liang Xia well, and advised him to stop sending her soy milk to avoid misunderstandings. Liang Xia playfully asked if the rumors about her and Ren Chu were true.
She then offered Lu Wanwan a new lipstick, reminiscing about their past and subtly linking Lu Wanwan's lack of focus on her appearance to her two-year-long unrequited feelings for An Jiaxian. After Liang Xia commented that Lu Wanwan wasn't "stupid" for liking a great guy like Ren Chu, Lu Wanwan finally snapped. She confronted Liang Xia, revealing her pain over Liang Xia pursuing An Jiaxian despite knowing her feelings and hiding their relationship for two years.
Overwhelmed, Lu Wanwan declared she was the "big fool" and, while she valued their friendship, it didn't mean she wasn't sad. Ren Chu intervened, leading the distressed Lu Wanwan away. On the way back, Ren Chu offered a dejected Lu Wanwan his jacket and asked for feedback on his "friendly mode," wanting to know if his smile was "normal" enough for children.
Seeing Lu Wanwan's pained expression as she watched An Jiaxian dote on Liang Xia, Ren Chu bluntly told her, "Don't look if you don't like it. Go home." He then surprised her by picking her up and carrying her over his shoulder, remarking on her weight. Lu Wanwan immediately demanded he put her down. The next day, Lu Wanwan's friend showed her An Jiaxian's public display of affection on social media.
Lu Wanwan affirmed her resolve to "completely forget about An Jiaxian." Later, in the cafeteria, she found Ren Chu at a nearby table while other students whispered that they must have fought. To settle their "debt," Lu Wanwan passed Ren Chu a note offering to bake him a cake as thanks and asking for his address. A student who had joined their table read the note aloud, causing a scene.
Ren Chu asked why she didn't just use WeChat, and Lu Wanwan admitted she didn't have his contact. Ren Chu then stated he would have his friend Fan Yi send the address to "avoid suspicion." Ren Chu directed Lu Wanwan to a KTV bar, where his classmates were celebrating his postgraduate recommendation. A senior encouraged her to sing, and she surprised everyone with a powerful rendition of "My Horseman," a song whose rough style contrasted with her appearance.
During her song, Ren Chu arrived with a girl, looking intimate. Panicking that this was his real girlfriend arriving to confront a "mistress," Lu Wanwan tried to hide. Ren Chu called her over, and she frantically called the girl "sister-in-law" while denying any affair.
Ren Chu clarified that the girl was his cousin, Wang Xinyu, who was delighted to meet the girl her cousin had supposedly "fallen for" and insisted on taking a photo, calling Lu Wanwan "sister-in-law" despite her protests. Finding the KTV too noisy, Ren Chu decided to leave. He asked Lu Wanwan to drive him, explaining that the wine cherry cake she made had raised his blood alcohol level. Lu Wanwan admitted she hadn't driven since getting her license.
During the drive, Ren Chu bluntly criticized her singing. When she retorted about his own harsh words, he questioned how she, with her sharp tongue, could pass the social practice exam. Lu Wanwan informed him that she had already passed the make-up test, thanks to his sweets. Ren Chu then philosophized that a person's energy for kindness is limited and should be reserved for "true friends," while others are merely "ordinary classmates or passers-by."
When Lu Wanwan asked if that's what they were, he confirmed, calling her "an ordinary classmate that makes good dessert." They arrived back at the dormitory past curfew and found the doors locked. Ren Chu called the dorm teacher to let Lu Wanwan in. Back in her room, Liang Xia sent a message suggesting they hang out.
Recalling Ren Chu's words, Lu Wanwan sent a voice message sincerely wishing Liang Xia well but also admitting she didn't want to see her public displays of affection. Stating her "smiles are limited," she proposed they become "ordinary classmates." Meanwhile, Ren Chu’s friend urged him to clear up the scandal. Ren Chu ambiguously remarked that her skills were "too bad," referring to her singing and driving.
The next morning, Lu Wanwan's friend woke her with news that a new rumor, sourced from the dorm teacher, was spreading: she and Ren Chu had "spent the night outside" together. Distressed that the rumors were severely affecting her life, Lu Wanwan declared that if the soft approach didn't work, she would have to try a "hard way," presenting a "Scandal Elimination Plan."
