Granting You a Dreamlike Life Episode 4 Recap
> Granting You a Dreamlike Life Recap
Lin Qikai sits alone, drinking and reminiscing about his missing sister, Lin Ruomeng. He muses that she would be older than Xu Xingyuan now. Feeling a pang of loneliness, he pens a letter to Xu Xingyuan, encouraging her to embrace life with cheer and courage. The letter promises that dreams will guide her to an ideal future, keeping ignorance at bay and allowing her to grow happily.
It urges her to believe in her ability to overcome any challenge, and states that a bright future belongs to her. Inspired by Tianying, Xu Xingcheng has developed a fondness for opera. He playfully insists that Luo Fusheng teach him Peking Opera, highlighting how the plays at Longfu Theater now sound better than any songs. Luo Fusheng finds the idea amusing and questions Xu Xingcheng's sanity, claiming that his MGM performances are "new" while Peking Opera is "old."
Undeterred, Xu Xingcheng declares his intent to learn these traditional arts and demands immediate instruction. After a brief demonstration from Luo Fusheng, Xu Xingcheng dozes off in his chair. Elsewhere, Tianying reflects on Xu Xingcheng's fervent support. She finds him to be the most unconventional and yet the most devout audience member she has ever encountered, clapping enthusiastically even at odd moments.
She notes his flushed hands and hoarse voice from cheering, concluding that he is a "silly person" but cherishes the warmth his devotion brings to her heart. Tianying's exceptional talent has made her the star of the troupe, performing to packed houses daily. Hu Qi, resentful of her success and noting Luo Fusheng’s absence, decides to cause trouble, planning to "settle accounts" with them regarding the box office.
As Tianying and Tianci joke backstage about getting their ailing father some Crystal Sugar Turtle from Suzhou and Hangzhou building, Hu Qi bursts in. He seizes the troupe's money bag, demanding protection fees. Tianci attempts to appease him, suggesting they give him some money to avoid further conflict. However, Tianying fiercely objects, arguing that the money is hard-earned and they still need to compensate Manager Ma.
Hu Qi taunts Tianying and attempts to forcibly abduct her, stating he will release her when this month's money is collected. Tianci desperately pleads for his sister's release, offering to suffer in her place, but Hu Qi refuses. Just as Hu Qi's men are about to take Tianying away, Xu Xingcheng arrives, chastising Hu Qi for bullying a young woman.
Hu Qi's henchmen recognize Xu Xingcheng as an associate of Luo Fusheng and note his influential background, making Hu Qi cautious. Xu Xingcheng, advocating for non-violence, preaches about equality, regardless of physical strength, knowledge, or wealth. He asserts that if he, with his advantages, does not bully others, Hu Qi should not exploit the weaker troupe or women, for people are born equal.
Hu Qi, noticing bodyguards discreetly positioned behind Xu Xingcheng, perceives the unspoken threat, describing Xu Xingcheng's approach as "hiding needles in cotton" and "killing with a soft knife." Praising Xu Xingcheng's "cultured" approach, he reluctantly backs down, warning of future encounters before departing. Xu Xingcheng, unaware of the hidden bodyguards, mistakenly believes his rhetoric alone swayed Hu Qi, thinking, "this trick is much more effective than Luo Fusheng's fists and feet."
Xu Xingcheng returns the recovered money bag to Tianying and then presents her with her lost necklace, explaining he found it outside the hospital. Tianying, surprised to learn he possessed it, accepts it with gratitude. Moments later, police officers arrive and apprehend Xu Xingcheng. He calmly reassures Tianying and Tianci that he will explain the situation and there's no need to worry. Worried, Tianying decides to use the troupe's earnings to bail him out.
Tianci vehemently stops Tianying from using their hard-earned money to rescue Xu Xingcheng. He argues that their meager funds wouldn't suffice and that someone of Xu Xingcheng's apparent status would have others to assist him. Realizing the truth in Tianci's words, Tianying rushes to the MGM to seek Luo Fusheng's help. Luo Cheng initially tries to turn her away, but Luo Fusheng, pleased by her visit, allows her to stay.
Tianying explains that Xu Xingcheng was arrested by the police for helping her and implores Luo Fusheng to intervene. Feigning powerlessness, Luo Fusheng claims the Hong family avoids conflict with the police, stating they dare not provoke them regardless of their influence. He then points to a woman in a blue dress, falsely identifying her as the Police Director's wife, and advises Tianying to plead with her directly. The "Madam Director" playfully instructs Tianying to ask Luo Fusheng to intercede.
Distressed and fearing Xu Xingcheng might be beaten, Tianying humbly kneels and begs Luo Fusheng for help. Luo Fusheng, taking advantage of her innocence, makes her perform an embarrassing dance in a camisole dress with the showgirls on stage, to the amusement of the audience. After the performance, Tianying renews her plea.
Luo Fusheng then states that police assistance requires a substantial amount of money, suggesting she sell her "small sample" – her cherished necklace – as her current money "isn't even enough to fill the police's teeth." Outraged by his cruel jest and the demand to sell her most valuable possession, Tianying shoves Luo Fusheng and storms off to a pawn shop to hock her necklace. Armed with the pawned money, Tianying nervously enters the police station.
To her astonishment, she finds Hu Qi and his men severely beaten and locked in a cell. Hu Qi complains from the cell that he was "tortured into confession" by the police, and warns Tianying that "a tiger's backside cannot be touched" referring to Xu Xingcheng.
When she finally states that she is there to bail out Xu Xingcheng, the officers reveal that Xu Xingcheng is Xu Ruian, the Police Director's eldest son, and thus perfectly safe, adding that "the whole Dongjiang could be in trouble, but our Young Master Xu will be fine."
Meanwhile, Director Xu sternly reprimands Xu Xingcheng for associating with "disreputable people" and orders him to begin working at the police station in a junior role, dismissing Xu Xingcheng's ambition to be a doctor, stating that in the Xu family, "only an official career is the sole ideal, with no other choice." He also urges Xu Xingcheng to visit his sister, Xu Xingyuan, whose autism has worsened and she barely speaks since his departure.
Relieved but also shocked, Tianying returns home. Upon learning Xu Xingcheng's true identity, Tianci expresses deep concern, warning Tianying to distance herself from him. He explains that their worlds are too different, and Xu Xingcheng, as the Director's son, possesses a destructive potential far greater than Luo Fusheng's, which could imperil their troupe. He concludes that Xu Xingcheng is "no easy-going person." Following his father's stern words, Xu Xingcheng visits his sister, Xu Xingyuan (whom he affectionately calls Yuan Yuan).
He presents her with a cat toy and recounts meeting Tianying on his first day back from abroad. Later, Luo Cheng quietly enters Luo Fusheng's room at the MGM, startling him. Luo Fusheng, despite his tough exterior, admits to a fear of the dark, explaining why he resides in the lively MGM. Luo Cheng hands him a live recording of Tianying's opera performance, complete with a complimentary poster.
Luo Fusheng listens contentedly, the sound of Tianying's singing eventually lulling him to sleep. At the same time, Tianying, though she misses Xu Xingcheng and acknowledges the clarity of his character, decides to keep her distance for the well-being of her troupe, hoping he can understand and forgive her decision.
