Hello, the Sharpshooter Episode 3 Recap
> Hello, the Sharpshooter Recap
Jiang Yitian observes Shen Qingyuan lost in thought and asks if he is preoccupied with Tang Xin, offering himself as a "girl whisperer" for relationship advice, but Shen Qingyuan dismisses him. Undeterred, Jiang Yitian demonstrates the irresistible allure of catnip on a cat and explains the concept of pheromones, noting how male animals are instinctively drawn to certain female pheromones, explicitly comparing this to Shen Qingyuan's connection with Tang Xin.
When Shen Qingyuan questions if this pull can be resisted, Jiang Yitian insists it is a scientifically-proven natural instinct. The Haiya and Rui Live teams gather for a celebration banquet. Beforehand, Coach Zhang privately advises athlete Chen Hai to focus entirely on training, warning him that at his age, any distraction will make winning a medal impossible. At the banquet, Shen Qingyuan notices Tang Xin's belongings on a chair and chooses the seat next to it.
When Tang Xin sits down, she attempts to apologize for the online gossip and comments on his unique scent, which he clarifies comes from soap, not laundry detergent. After Mr. Zhou gives a toast celebrating Shen Qingyuan's championship, a Rui Live staff member tries to toast him, but he abruptly excuses himself and leaves. Tang Xin follows him outside to apologize again for the trouble the online rumors caused.
She explains that after a previous work incident, she was nearly fired, but Mr. Zhou gave her a second chance, meaning their professional paths will continue to cross. She promises not to bother him or bring up their past, but Shen Qingyuan coldly states they have no past together. Their tense conversation is interrupted by fans who recognize Shen Qingyuan and ask for a photo. To escape, Tang Xin grabs his hand and pulls him away.
They find refuge in a whimsical theme park called The Summer Land. A clown greets them, wishing them a happy experience. The fantastical atmosphere makes Tang Xin anxious, reminding her of an old tale where a man was tricked by a fox spirit's illusion. Fearing it's all a dream, Shen Qingyuan reassures her by pointing to a "Stalls for Rent" sign as proof of its reality.
An ice cream vendor mistakes them for a couple and gives them a "buy one, get one free" discount. Although Tang Xin tries to clarify, Shen Qingyuan accepts both ice creams. Later, Shen Qingyuan buys a pair of quirky glasses Tang Xin was trying on. She insists he wear them to avoid being recognized, and he reluctantly agrees. At a dart game stall, Tang Xin encourages him to play.
After several misses, he hits a bullseye on his final throw, winning her a large teddy bear. As they leave, the clown reappears and gives them two "love fortune candies," telling them to combine the candies to reveal their romantic destiny. The next morning, Tang Xin wakes up with the candy still in her hand, relieved that the previous night was real. The wrapper's fortune reads, "You two are inseparable. Your fate is intertwined."
She visits her friend Lizi, who expresses concern that Tang Xin has reconnected with her ex-boyfriend, calling him the "scumbag who dumped you." Tang Xin defends him, insisting he isn't a bad person and that something about his behavior and speech seems different now, suggesting he had his reasons for leaving. She admits she still likes him and feels powerless to resist her feelings.
Lizi, seeing the love fortune candy and realizing Tang Xin is determined, advises her to follow her heart. Tang Xin then rushes off to film a training vlog for the shooting team. At the training facility, Tang Xin begins filming a segment on the 10m Air Rifle. Jiang Yitian, assigned by Coach Zhang to assist, accidentally falls into the pool while trying to stay out of the shot. Shen Qingyuan arrives and takes over the filming duties to help her.
After they finish, he asks Tang Xin if she knows about pheromones, reiterating that like a cat's unavoidable addiction to catnip, he feels irresistibly drawn to her. He then tells her directly, "I think I'm addicted to you," leaving Tang Xin smiling as he walks away. Meanwhile, Du Lingfeng, an aspiring athlete, discusses a plan with his father to market himself as a sports star, leveraging his past shooting achievements from his time in the U. S.
, an idea his father enthusiastically supports. Du Lingfeng later approaches Coach Zhang to discuss joining the team and also attempts to flirt with Shi Xiaoci, the top female shooter. She coldly rebuffs him, later expressing her disdain for "sweet talkers" like him. Online photos of Shen Qingyuan and Tang Xin at The Summer Land begin to circulate, sparking more rumors. Mr. Zhou summons Tang Xin and asks if they are in a relationship.
She denies it, and he informs her she will remain on the project, as she is now "firmly tied" to Shen Qingyuan, a key figure for Rui Live. Concurrently, Shen Qingyuan's performance suffers as he is visibly distracted by thoughts of Tang Xin, which Coach Zhang observes with concern. The coach also consults Shi Xiaoci about Shen Qingyuan's decline, asking if Tang Xin is the cause.
Shi Xiaoci feigns ignorance, but the coach instructs her to spend more time with Shen Qingyuan, believing their partnership is key to his success. Later, Coach Zhang confronts Shen Qingyuan, noting his unprecedented lack of focus. He asks directly if it is because of Tang Xin and if they are dating. Shen Qingyuan denies they are in a relationship.
The coach gives him a stern warning about his immense potential, cautioning him not to end up like other talented athletes who "fall halfway." Shen Qingyuan promises not to be distracted, and Coach Zhang informs him he will issue a joint statement with Rui Live to publicly clarify their relationship is purely professional. Just then, a heavy downpour begins, and Tang Xin is caught in the rain.
Shen Qingyuan finds her, wraps her in a dry bedsheet from a clothesline, and pulls her into his locker room. As he helps her dry her hair, Tang Xin explains that the company's public statement is meant to manage public opinion and not her personal desire to create distance. Shen Qingyuan gives her the love fortune candy and admits that while he feels "addicted" to her like a cat to catnip, he cannot let her affect his shooting.
He declares the need to "draw a line" between them, calling their recent interactions a mistake and stating there can be no future for them. Devastated, Tang Xin tearfully accuses him of never considering her feelings, telling him his words are causing her immense pain. She then runs back out into the storm.
