First Love Episode 22 Recap
> First Love Recap
In the days that followed, Lu Wanwan and Ren Chu maintained their long-distance relationship through their phones, sharing their daily schedules, work, and leisure activities. Ren Chu informed Lu Wanwan that he intended to work overtime to complete his research, hoping to return early for the May 1st holiday, which delighted Lu Wanwan.
To make time for their date, Lu Wanwan deliberately concentrated her shifts in the days leading up to the holiday, asking a senior to help adjust her schedule despite concerns from her clinical teacher about the intense workload. Lu Wanwan was so immersed in her work that she almost forgot it was Wang Yuyang's discharge day. She rushed to give him his medical record, forgetting to reply to Ren Chu's messages in her hurry.
Wang Yuyang was despondent, confiding in Lu Wanwan that his online gaming partner had not contacted him for 24 hours. He believed this signified a silent breakup, contending that true affection would prevent such a long silence. Lu Wanwan playfully teased him, asking why he sounded so sour. Upon returning to her dormitory, Lu Wanwan was so exhausted she fell asleep before replying to Ren Chu's messages, and her phone died.
Unable to reach her, a worried Ren Chu happened upon Wang Yuyang's social media theory that a 24-hour silence in a relationship signifies a lack of love. Growing anxious, he checked when they last spoke and, fearing the worst, called Fan Yi for help. The next morning, Qiao woke Lu Wanwan, telling her about Ren Chu's frantic attempts to reach her.
Realizing it was nearly 7:30 AM, Lu Wanwan rushed to the hospital, briefly answering Ren Chu's call to explain her phone had been off and promising to call him back later. Lu Wanwan was indeed late for work, missing the doctor's morning case lecture. Later, she encountered the mother of a patient, a young ping-pong player with complex arm fractures. The mother, worried about her son's athletic future, pressed Lu Wanwan for information.
Unable to provide clear answers due to her missed lecture, Lu Wanwan's stammering agitated the family member. Her clinical teacher intervened, calming the mother by thoroughly explaining the successful surgery and positive prognosis. The teacher then called Lu Wanwan to her office, admonishing her not for her lack of knowledge, which was normal for a sophomore, but for her ambiguous attitude, which could erode patient trust.
She stressed that Lu Wanwan's intense schedule was risky, as any mistake due to exhaustion could become a "life-and-death matter." Afterward, Ren Chu called, sensing Lu Wanwan's low spirits. Though she initially held back, she soon discovered a surprise he had arranged. Following a trail of decorative lights, she found thoughtful gifts: various hand creams, comfortable shoes for the hospital, and a thermal lunchbox.
She then found her friends Qiao and Fan Yi, who confessed Ren Chu had enlisted them to set everything up since he couldn't reach her. Fan Yi also shared how Ren Chu had meticulously experimented with soy milk recipes for her. Touched by his efforts, Lu Wanwan expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Ren Chu. When Ren Chu video-called again, Lu Wanwan confessed what had happened at the hospital and admitted she had overestimated her capabilities.
Ren Chu encouraged her to share her burdens with him, emphasizing their relationship should be built on honesty and mutual support, not self-sacrifice. Playfully referencing Wang Yuyang's theory, he pledged not to let more than 24 hours pass without contact, confessing that despite knowing the theory was untrustworthy, he couldn't bear any possibility of losing her. On her way to the hospital, Lu Wanwan witnessed an ambulance rushing a patient to the emergency room.
After careful consideration, she informed her clinical teacher that she wished to resume her normal shifts during the holiday. She explained her decision to Ren Chu, stating that both her demanding work and their relationship were her "normal," and they should adapt to their busy lives rather than constantly trying to accommodate each other. Ren Chu fully supported her, affirming that their relationship was about making each other happy, not adding pressure.
Separately, Meng Xibai invited Wang Xinyu to a coffee shop he knew she liked. He admitted his past selfishness in planning their dates and revealed he had written a "paper" analyzing their relationship to prepare for their reconciliation, promising to consider her preferences moving forward. After a tiring shift, Lu Wanwan was surprised to find Ren Chu waiting for her. He had finished his experiment early but hadn't told her to avoid putting pressure on her.
She thanked him for coming and for the homemade soy milk. He, in turn, thanked her for being in his life and proposed a trip after her pre-internship to make their "cloud-based" relationship a reality. Lu Wanwan playfully accused the "straight-A student" of learning to lie, then teased that with him there to back her up, she could finally act like a child, leading to a playful chase.
