Flourish In Time Episode 5 Recap
> Flourish In Time Recap
Jiang Haoyue won first place in the Chemistry Competition, surprising those who had expected him to lose to Qu Wei. His victory earned him more admirers. Shi Che, who admired Jiang Haoyue, saw him as a potential asset in his efforts to get closer to Lu Miao, affectionately called Meng by Shi Che. However, a friend warned Shi Che that Jiang Haoyue might not be as easy to manipulate as he seemed.
Shi Che, confident in his own cunning, dismissed the warning, believing he could outwit Jiang Haoyue with his proactive approach. Meanwhile, Qu Wei congratulated Jiang Haoyue, acknowledging that he had underestimated his rival this time but vowed not to lose again. Jiang Haoyue accepted the challenge, and despite their academic rivalry, the two top students displayed a mutual respect.
Observing Jiang Haoyue’s discomfort on crowded buses due to his prosthetic leg, which felt nothing when stepped on, Lu Miao decided to find a solution. She secretly took her mother's cherished bicycle, intending to learn to ride it herself so she could carry her brother to and from school. Her father initially forbade it, fearing for the bike's safety, but Lu Miao's persistence convinced him to let her try.
Despite a few falls and a bent handlebar, which her father reluctantly fixed, Lu Miao remained determined. She even rode off to continue practicing after her father offered to drive them to school instead. As part of a bet Lu Miao won against Shi Che regarding the chemistry competition, she requested him to help her practice riding the bicycle. Thrilled at the chance to spend more time with her, Shi Che readily agreed and even offered to be her "teacher."
He initially thought Lu Miao was learning to carry him, only to be surprised when she revealed her true intention was to surprise Jiang Haoyue, whose weight was similar to Shi Che's. Lu Miao asked him to keep it a secret, explaining that her bond with Jiang Haoyue was like a lifelong companionship. Shi Che agreed to keep her secret. Concurrently, Jiang Haoyue also decided to learn how to ride a bicycle.
He approached Qu Wei, borrowing his bike and asking for tips. Qu Wei, already familiar with Jiang Haoyue as his academic opponent, knew of his challenges. They initially tried a scientific approach, calculating force points, but soon realized that consistent practice and body adaptation were more crucial than mere calculations, especially given Jiang Haoyue’s leg. They engaged in firm stance exercises, like horse stance, to build leg strength and endurance.
Despite the difficulty and the need for caution, Jiang Haoyue slowly progressed, eventually mastering the skill of riding while carrying someone, transforming their academic rivalry into a supportive friendship in daily life. One evening, Shi Che walked Lu Miao home and was warmly invited for dinner by her mother. Shi Che charmingly complimented the food, especially the secret recipe braised pork with brown sauce, and politely engaged with Lu Miao’s parents, even as they teased Lu Miao about her grades.
Jiang Haoyue also joined them for dinner. After the meal, Jiang Haoyue walked Shi Che out and inquired about bicycle riding techniques. Shi Che inadvertently let slip that Lu Miao had learned to ride specifically to carry Jiang Haoyue, surprising Jiang Haoyue with the revelation. Shi Che instantly regretted breaking his promise to Lu Miao.
On the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jiang Haoyue's father, frustrated by his lottery losses, lashed out at him, even suggesting he ask Lu Miao's father for food since he had no money despite winning a competition prize. Distraught, Jiang Haoyue left the house and messaged his mother, who was busy caring for his sick younger half-brother and could not talk much. Holding a watch his mother had left him, he felt a profound sense of loneliness.
Lu Miao found him and, recognizing the watch from an old photo of his mother she had seen, comforted him. She shared her perspective on parental love, assuring him that distance did not diminish a mother's affection, which somewhat lifted Jiang Haoyue's spirits. Lu Miao then invited Jiang Haoyue to her home for Mid-Autumn dinner. Lu Miao’s mother, proud of a new large television she bought to boost her sales performance, presented her self-invented dish: fried tomatoes with moon cakes.
Despite its unusual taste and excessive saltiness, everyone, including Jiang Haoyue, enthusiastically praised it to spare Lu Miao’s mother’s feelings, though Lu Miao and her father subtly acknowledged its saltiness and suggested adding vinegar. Witnessing the family's cheerful and supportive dynamic, Jiang Haoyue couldn't help but feel a deep sense of envy.
As both Lu Miao and Jiang Haoyue's riding skills significantly improved, Lu Miao met Jiang Haoyue downstairs one evening, inviting her "Jiang beauty" for a night ride under the moonlight. She skillfully rode, confirming her speed and stability, and excitedly offered to take him to school every day. The next morning, Lu Miao arrived with her bike, ready to give Jiang Haoyue a ride.
To her surprise, he also had a bicycle, which he then revealed was a gift for her, explaining that Aunt Fang’s bike was too high for her. Although her new bike meant she couldn't carry him, they joyfully rode to school together, marking a new chapter in their daily commute.
Later, Jiang Haoyue joined Lu Miao’s family for another meal, where some playful banter ensued, including a younger family member innocently asking for a leg like Jiang Haoyue’s, and lighthearted comments about the food, such as a strong mustard smell and Lu Miao's mother being biased in serving food. One evening, Lu Miao tried to engage Jiang Haoyue in a game of "Terminator," but he found it boring, preferring not to play along.
