Lovely Us Episode 12 Recap
> Lovely Us Recap
As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games approached with only two months remaining, Tan Song's grandmother inquired if outstanding teaching staff received Olympic tickets, but his grandfather explained that as retirees, they were unlikely to receive any, suggesting younger generations would. Meanwhile, Huang Chengzi and her friends encountered a neighborhood child proudly displaying their Olympic tickets.
Zhu Jinxiao realized her New Year's money was just enough for travel and a ticket, unlike Huang Chengzi, who couldn't even afford half a train ticket. Unexpectedly, money seemed to drop from the sky. When Mrs. Cheng asked Huang Chengzi to buy vinegar, Huang Chengzi saw it as a sign and returned home to ask her mother to buy her an Olympic ticket. However, the frugal Mrs. Cheng refused, insisting that family money should not be wasted on such things.
Separately, He Jinzhao attempted to persuade his parents, but his mother only agreed to let Zhu Jinxiao go, urging He Jinzhao to reflect on his abysmal academic performance, citing his failure in eight out of nine mid-term exams. Huang Chengzi and He Jinzhao were distressed by their inability to attend the Olympics in Beijing. Tan Song, however, devised a plan.
He would help Huang Chengzi earn money, while Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao would tutor He Jinzhao, hoping his improved final exam scores would convince his mother. Tan Song instructed Huang Chengzi to gather all her magazines, novels, and dolls, claiming these items were merely "money-making lures" for his "Make a rapid fortune without capital" scheme, promising to return them later.
Meanwhile, Zhu Jinxiao was skeptical about her brother's academic prospects, recalling how six math tutors in elementary school and a junior high tutor had given up on him. Chen Zui, however, remained optimistic. During their study session at the library, He Jinzhao demonstrated a unique, albeit incorrect, understanding of history, stating the May Fourth Movement occurred in 1954 and was led by Wei Xiaobao.
He also offered a peculiar interpretation of a Chinese writing prompt, suggesting he would "turn uncooked rice into cooked rice" if he were coal, and misidentified Su Shi as "Dongpo Pork." Despite these eccentricities, He Jinzhao claimed the "long-lost feeling of being concerned and accepted" motivated him to study. Chen Zui gently urged him to listen more attentively to his teachers. Deciding they needed more resources, the trio went to a secondhand bookstore.
The books were surprisingly expensive at 120 yuan, and the store owner refused a discount. As they prepared to leave, they witnessed another girl successfully bargaining for a book. Encouraged by He Jinzhao and Chen Zui, the normally reserved Zhu Jinxiao, with feigned cuteness, managed to negotiate the price down from 120 yuan to just 50 yuan.
He Jinzhao then remarked that he understood why Zhu Jinxiao and Huang Chengzi got along so well, to which Chen Zui added that Zhu Jinxiao's act seemed more natural. He Jinzhao jokingly offered to sell Zhu Jinxiao to Chen Zui at a low price. Back at Huang Chengzi's home, Tan Song meticulously collected all her possessions, including her magazines, novels, dolls, a desk lamp, and a photo frame, assuring her they would be returned.
He also demanded 50 yuan from her as initial capital. Later, Mrs. Cheng was shocked to find her daughter's room empty, suspecting a break-in. Tan Song used the 50 yuan to buy various idle items from classmates, confidently proclaiming that on Saturday, Huang Chengzi would witness "rapid fortune" at the pedestrian street. He even borrowed a tricycle from his grandfather, adorned with a "Ring Toss" sign.
On Saturday, before leaving, Huang Chengzi boasted to Mrs. Cheng about earning enough for an Olympic ticket. However, their ring toss stall saw no customers for a long time, causing Huang Chengzi to worry about her 50 yuan investment and even jokingly threatening Tan Song's life if it wasn't recovered. Eventually, an older man approached, paid 30 yuan for rings, and, to their dismay, perfectly tossed rings over nearly half of their inventory.
Tan Song tried to stop him, but the man insisted on continuing, revealing he was a retired sniper. He proceeded to win all their remaining items, leaving Huang Chengzi with no money and no possessions. Frustrated, Huang Chengzi complained about her lost autographed novel, lamp, and birthday gift, while Tan Song expressed surprise at encountering a sniper. Seeing a street musician, Tan Song had a new idea.
He borrowed a guitar and began to sing, with Huang Chengzi joining in to encourage the crowd. Their performance was a success, and they earned a significant amount of money. Meanwhile, He Jinzhao's dedication to studying gained his mother's approval. He promised to pass all his final exams in exchange for an Olympic ticket, to which his mother exaggeratedly replied she would even arrange for him to attend the National Congress sessions if he succeeded.
However, Chen Zui, exhausted from tutoring He Jinzhao, was later found in his room listening to Buddhist chants, attempting to "cleanse his soul." Huang Chengzi returned home triumphantly, counting her earnings in front of Mrs. Cheng and bragging that she would soon be comfortably seated at the Bird's Nest for the opening ceremony, while her mother would be left drooling in front of the TV.
She then asked her mother to find her childhood maracas to use as an accompaniment for Tan Song. Her attitude towards Tan Song had completely transformed; she became exceptionally attentive, offering him tea and massages. That evening, they performed again. Tan Song sang a new song, specifically for Huang Chengzi, making eye contact with her at key moments. They earned a considerable sum, but their success was interrupted by urban management officers.
Tan Song quickly grabbed his guitar, seized Huang Chengzi's hand, and they fled. They hid behind a cabinet, and to avoid detection, Tan Song held Huang Chengzi tightly. Even after the officers had passed, he continued to hold her, claiming they hadn't left yet. This thrilling escape profoundly affected the sixteen-year-old Huang Chengzi, causing her palms to sweat and her vision to narrow, until only Tan Song filled her sight.
Much later, she understood this moment as a "miracle," and the person within that narrow view, "irreplaceable." Their joy, however, was short-lived. Tan Song's grandmother, discussing the tickets, was informed by a neighbor that tickets to the Olympic opening ceremony had been presold in 2007 and were now completely unavailable, only a month before the event. Despite their hard-earned money and He Jinzhao's academic efforts, their dream of attending the Olympics was impossible. Their money-making and studying endeavors had been in vain.
