Remember My Boy Episode 22 Recap
> Remember My Boy Recap
In the winter of 2009, Zhou Jingmang announced to her parents that she no longer wished to attend Xianan University but instead intended to apply to Huaqing University. Her mother found this decision impulsive and questioned why Zhou Jingmang had gone straight to her teacher without discussing it with them first. Her father, however, believed Zhou Jingmang was merely using the Xianan University entrance exam as practice to assess her current academic standing before the actual college entrance exams.
Zhou Jingmang confirmed this, explaining her desire to test her abilities and her preference for Huaqing University's literature program. Her parents eventually accepted her decision, advising her to work hard and avoid future regrets. While Zhou Jingmang was studying during a meal, Li Yuxiang approached her and sat opposite her. He expressed surprise at her decision to give up her spot at Xianan University after being so motivated to succeed.
He then directly asked if her choice was influenced by Zhang Yang. Zhou Jingmang, without hesitation, admitted that it was, stating that because of Zhang Yang, she aspired to become a better version of herself, which she felt was nothing to be ashamed of. Later, Zhang Yang sent Zhou Jingmang a text message asking her to meet him at the teaching building. She immediately dropped her meal and hurried there.
Zhang Yang confronted her, questioning why she had forfeited her admission to Xianan University. Zhou Jingmang fabricated an excuse, claiming Huaqing University was also excellent and renowned for its dance department. Zhang Yang did not press the matter further. Instead, he handed her an apple, calling it a source of nutrients and an early Christmas Eve gift. Meanwhile, Ling Chen paid for Shen Yinghui's milk tea.
He also presented her with an IOU for his father's medical expenses, explaining that due to upcoming college exams and future expenses, immediate repayment wasn't possible, but he assured her he would pay it back. Shen Yinghui's attitude towards him was noticeably softer than before, and she inquired if he needed a favor from her. Ling Chen gave a self-deprecating laugh, revealing that his father's hospitalization might be long-term, and they might need her parents' assistance again.
He then quickly departed. As Qin Zhen was asking for directions, she noticed Ling Chen struggling with his belongings and kindly offered her help. Ling Chen misinterpreted her offer as pity and reacted rudely, stating that only the weak needed help and he disliked being looked down upon. Qin Zhen waited for him to come out, attempting to explain that her intentions were not as he perceived, and that she had admired him since their tenth year.
She even expressed a desire to be friends with him. However, Ling Chen refused to listen, asserting that he didn't need friends and that she shouldn't waste her time and energy on him, as they were merely classmates. Walking back from school, Zhang Yang presented Zhou Jingmang with a variety of amulets he claimed to have bought from a struggling old man, saying they were colorful and girls would like them, despite being useless.
Zhou Jingmang discovered one labeled "Love" and decided to keep it. She offered to give him a gift in return, but Zhang Yang declined. Instead, he asked to tie her hair, mentioning he had been inspired during dance practice. He meticulously braided her hair, and Zhou Jingmang expressed her surprise that he possessed such a skill. He then playfully told her to look into his eyes, calling them a mirror.
News broke that Qin Zhen, a nursing student, had been hit by a car while saving someone on the street and was hospitalized. Zhou Jingmang, upon hearing the news, rushed to the hospital to see her. Simultaneously, Ling Chen also learned about the incident from his classmates. Feeling uneasy, he feigned a stomachache and requested a day off from Xiao Teacher Ma to visit the hospital. At the hospital, Zhou Jingmang found Shen Yinghui already by Qin Zhen's bedside.
Qin Zhen recounted the events of the previous day, mentioning she saw Ling Chen struggling before the accident. She explained that her parents were away on business, so she had asked the hospital to contact Zhou Jingmang and Shen Yinghui. Zhou Jingmang and Shen Yinghui recounted that their phones were off, but Director Zhou had helped with the hospital procedures.
Qin Zhen downplayed her injuries, though she admitted she was in pain and would need to be hospitalized for several months. Soon after, Zhuang Jie arrived with snacks, but the nurse confiscated them. Zhuang Jie, however, had a hidden bag of snacks in his pocket, which they all shared, laughing and joking despite Qin Zhen's injury. Zhuang Jie even made a playful toast to Qin Zhen for surviving the disaster.
Later, Ling Chen quietly entered Qin Zhen's room, having evaded Zhuang Jie, Shen Yinghui, and Zhou Jingmang. Qin Zhen, ever kind, reassured him that her injury had nothing to do with him, saying it was her choice to follow him. Ling Chen, in his characteristic proud manner, agreed, stating that it was indeed her decision and had no connection to him, reminding her that he had warned her not to follow him.
He expressed relief that she was fine and wished her a swift recovery. Just then, Zhuang Jie, who had been nearby, confronted Ling Chen, accusing him of causing Qin Zhen's injury for selfish reasons and trying to shirk responsibility. Ling Chen defiantly asked if there was anything wrong with acting for oneself. He provoked Zhuang Jie, daring him to hit him and promising to make him pay for his hospital fees, claiming everyone looked down on him anyway.
Qin Zhen intervened, persuading Zhuang Jie to let Ling Chen go, reminding him they were in a hospital and that Ling Chen hadn't acted intentionally. Zhuang Jie, frustrated, called Ling Chen a coward, declaring he wasn't afraid of him. After Ling Chen left, Qin Zhen told Zhuang Jie it was nothing, but Zhuang Jie called her "dumb" for smiling after Ling Chen's behavior.
Qin Zhen replied that with a friend like Zhuang Jie to protect her, she had nothing to fear. Zhuang Jie, again calling her dumb, offered to buy her food, mentioning he was going overseas to study, which meant their shared meals would become fewer. Qin Zhen promised to wait for his return at the hospital and treat him to a meal, sealing their friendship with a deal. Upon Zhang Yang's return to school, he surprised Zhou Jingmang with a necklace.
Zhou Jingmang noticed the letters on it were not a recognizable word. Zhang Yang explained they were the pinyin abbreviation for "Struggle," a Chinese television series, and that the necklace symbolized his wish for her to become "Zhou Jing Mang, the great writer." He suggested she wear it for the upcoming class meeting and group pledge.
As the college entrance exam approached with only a hundred days left, Xiao Teacher Ma organized an event where students could go to the school's highest point to loudly declare their aspirations. Zhang Yang was the first to volunteer. He spoke about his initial days as a rebellious student, uncertain of his path, only knowing what he didn't want.
He then credited a classmate with helping him find direction and solidify his future, which led him to excel in the arts examination. He concluded his heartfelt speech by sharing the encouraging words she had once given him: "No regrets in youth! No fears in youth! Don't be afraid! We can do it!" His words resonated deeply with everyone, and they responded with enthusiastic applause and cheers, repeating the empowering slogan.
In 2015, Shen Yinghui received news that the investors for their ballet performance felt it was "fine" but lacked "highlights," granting them only three more days to revise it. A team member suggested pooling personal funds, but Shen Yinghui dismissed the idea, emphasizing that if their work couldn't move investors, it couldn't move others, thereby negating their efforts to commemorate their youth. Li Yuxiang agreed, reminding them that while they used to struggle alone, they now had each other.
They decided to work overtime to improve the performance. That night, Zhang Yang, unable to sleep due to a creative block in his choreography, walked out of the dance studio. Zhou Jingmang, hearing the commotion, followed him. He expressed his frustration with a particular, consistently problematic part of the dance, admitting he felt disheartened despite working hard. Zhou Jingmang tried to comfort him and urged him to sleep. Zhang Yang then revealed that despite the current heartache, he felt happy.
When asked why, he explained he was thinking about the future, not just the past. This conversation sparked a new idea: to not only dance the story of their past but also their present and future, much like Zhou Jingmang's continuously evolving novel. Zhou Jingmang, however, commented that their past seemed more exciting than their current, seemingly plain life.
Zhang Yang countered, saying that meeting her again had made his life splendid, and he believed she shone even brighter now than in the past. Zhou Jingmang playfully questioned if his words were romantic or a confession, to which he affirmed they were both "romantic words and the most sincere words." Inspired, Zhang Yang gathered the team and presented his new vision for the ballet. Li Yuxiang expressed approval but suggested that Zhang Yang should also participate.
Zhang Yang initially hesitated, citing his leg injury, but Li Yuxiang argued that it was a performance of their shared story—past, present, and future—not a competition, and therefore everyone should be included. Convinced, Zhang Yang agreed to join the performance.
