Flight to You Episode 20 Recap
> Flight to You Recap
Following his decision to advocate for female pilots on a television program, Gu Nanting meticulously prepared a speech titled "Discussion on the Dialectical Relationship between Pilot Plasticity and Gender." However, Cheng Xiao found his presentation overly technical, arguing that the general audience, lacking an aviation background, would not comprehend or resonate with such professional details. She stressed the importance of using public opinion to shift societal perceptions.
Gu Nanting, insistent on a rigorous approach, maintained that professional matters demanded serious treatment. Cheng Xiao urged him to adopt a more accessible style, suggesting metaphors to engage the audience. Despite his initial reluctance, he agreed to revise the speech. Cheng Xiao then offered to accompany him the following day, an offer Gu Nanting accepted. Later, in the lounge, Cheng Xiao was still struggling to conceptualize the speech. When Song Song arrived, she sought his help.
Before assisting, Song bought a ticket for the Mercury Dance Troupe's performance, admitting his childhood dream was to be a dancer. He recounted how he abandoned this dream due to ridicule and family circumstances, eventually becoming a pilot. This story, emphasizing the importance of pursuing one's passion despite societal prejudice, deeply inspired Cheng Xiao. Feeling she had gained enough insight, she headed home to outline her new ideas.
As Cheng Xiao worked late into the night, Gu Nanting noticed her lights were still on and messaged her to rest. She turned off her lights, and after seeing his go dark, she secretly continued her work in another room. The next day, Cheng Xiao accompanied Gu Nanting to the venue. She took his USB flash drive, ostensibly to give it to the production crew, but discreetly swapped it with her own revised materials.
The director informed her the episode would be recorded in an hour and aired that same night due to the topic's popularity. Gu Nanting, feeling nervous, expressed concern that his script might have been too dull, but Cheng Xiao reassured him. As the program commenced, the host introduced Gu Nanting, drawing enthusiastic cheers. When the title slide "Profession and Gender" appeared, Gu Nanting was shocked to see it was not his plan.
He courageously proceeded, using Cheng Xiao's simplified slides, and captivated the audience with a humorous and engaging delivery. He challenged the stereotype that piloting is a male-only profession, asserted that individual differences far outweigh gender distinctions, and highlighted that out of 70,000 pilots in China, fewer than 1,000 are female.
He praised Major General Liu Xiaolian, a decorated female air force pilot, and then, implicitly referring to Cheng Xiao, spoke of an eight-year veteran female pilot in his company whose performance consistently surpassed her male counterparts, commending her courage and persistence. He concluded by advocating for equal opportunities, earning a standing ovation. The director, ecstatic, then revealed the recording was live-to-tape and would air that night as planned. After the program, Cheng Xiao apologized for the unauthorized swap.
Gu Nanting, however, sincerely thanked her, praising her script and his own impromptu additions. Noticing her exhaustion, he urged her to rest before leaving to have dinner with his mother. Watching the broadcast, his mother immediately sensed the speech wasn't his work and perceived the special connection between him and Cheng Xiao. She advised Gu Nanting to let go of his guilt over his past with Luo Yi and embrace a new relationship.
The program's broadcast generated a massive public reaction. Song Song, Xia Zhi, and Li Yuheng watched it together, and Song quickly recognized Cheng Xiao's style, playfully claiming to be her muse. He urged Xia Zhi, now a social media influencer, to promote the cause online before the official recruitment plan was released.
Meanwhile, an impressed Lin Yicheng tried to persuade Jiang Tao to reconsider recruiting female pilots, but Jiang Tao, unwilling to yield, preemptively had the recruitment office release the next year's plan, which explicitly stated "Gender requirement: men only." He then smugly informed a stunned Gu Nanting in the elevator, revealing that his efforts had been undermined. Upon returning from a business trip, CEO Xu Ce was intercepted by Cheng Xiao in the elevator.
She showed him the video of Gu Nanting's speech and explained the overwhelming public response. Impressed, Xu Ce summoned Gu Nanting to that afternoon's executive meeting. There, he announced that while Jiang Tao's initial plan was approved based on cost concerns, the public's reaction had changed the board's perspective. He declared that 5% of the next recruitment quota would be allocated to female pilots, instructing a protesting Jiang Tao to recall and amend the already-distributed brochures.
Citing the company's commitment to positive social values, Xu Ce reinstated Gu Nanting as Deputy Director of the Flight Department, commending his vision. Ni Zhan congratulated Gu Nanting, who admitted the speech was Cheng Xiao's. Gu Nanting then eagerly called Cheng Xiao to share the news about the 5% quota. Thrilled, she insisted they celebrate that night at the best restaurant, reasoning that she deserved it for staying up all night writing his script.
Gu Nanting agreed to meet her and Song Song in the garage after work. Meanwhile, Li Yuheng also called to invite Gu Nanting to a celebratory dinner, but he politely declined. Later, as Gu Nanting called Ni Zhan to cancel their dinner plans, Cheng Xiao, who was secretly waiting in the garage, overheard. Her spirits soared as she also heard him decline Li Yuheng's invitation.
She emerged from her hiding spot and cheerfully joined Gu Nanting in his car, where he confirmed that tonight was a celebration for just the three of them—him, her, and Song Song.
