Lovely Us Episode 15 Recap
> Lovely Us Recap
The class homeroom teacher, Mr. Fang, instructed students to write their names and ideal universities on the blackboard. Zhu Jinxiao and Chen Zui both chose Tsinghua University or Peking University. Tan Song and Huang Chengzi arrived late, finding little space left. Tan Song quickly took what remained and deliberately filled it up. Huang Chengzi had to squeeze her name into a corner next to his, but couldn't write her university.
Tan Song then drew a heart around both their names, explaining that since they both aimed for Beihua University, it was "resource sharing"—a confession wall and a university choice wall combined. During the final hundred days before the college entrance examination, Huang Chengzi constantly heard phrases like "hurry up," whether it was for walking, eating, taking notes, or even going to the toilet. Time seemed to speed by as they tried to grasp it tighter.
Soon, the exams were over, and they graduated. After the examination, the five friends gathered. Zhu Jinxiao presented them with her wish list, which she won in the "Trying Not to Laugh Competition." Huang Chengzi and Tan Song agreed to cover all her movies and ice cream for the entire summer. Chen Zui offered to take Zhu Jinxiao to the aquarium.
He Jinzhao protested his assigned wish to accompany Zhu Jinxiao to the library to study, expressing a desire to relax after exams, suggesting places like internet cafes or bars instead. Meanwhile, Director Yan met with Mrs. Cheng to seek her approval for Huang Chengzi to participate in the New Thinking Composition Contest in Jiangxia City. Mrs. Cheng understood the importance of the competition but worried about Chengzi traveling alone.
Director Yan reassured her that the homeroom teacher's nephew, Liu Gaoxu, who Chengzi knew and was a studious and thoughtful boy, would also be attending and could look after her. At home, He Jinzhao’s mother reviewed his estimated exam scores, which were disappointing, and urged him to repeat a year of schooling. He Jinzhao refused, telling his mother that he was not cut out for academics. He declared this was his first and last attempt at the college entrance examination.
He just wanted to lead an ordinary life, perhaps opening a small fruit stand or continuing to run their family's small shop. He believed knowing himself and not pursuing things he wasn't good at was his way of being responsible for his own life. Tan Song, having learned from He Jinzhao about Huang Chengzi and Liu Gaoxu's trip to Jiangxia, grew concerned. He rushed to Mrs. Cheng and Zhenwu, Chengzi's parents, to voice his worries.
Mrs. Cheng initially dismissed his concerns about Liu Gaoxu, remarking that if the boy were to fancy Chengzi, his taste would need improvement. However, Zhenwu, swayed by Tan Song's analysis of the potential dangers, agreed that it was unsafe and suggested Tan Song accompany Huang Chengzi. Mrs. Cheng then quickly arranged everything, giving Tan Song some money for the trip. Huang Chengzi complained about Tan Song "supervising" her, but her parents insisted he was there to protect her.
Zhenwu reiterated to Tan Song to ensure Liu Gaoxu maintained a distance from Chengzi, to which Tan Song promised to comply. Mrs. Cheng then expressed her private thoughts to Zhenwu that she found the two of them, Tan Song and Chengzi, looked quite suitable together. On the bus to Jiangxia, Huang Chengzi repeatedly mentioned Liu Gaoxu, irritating Tan Song. When Liu Gaoxu boarded, he immediately asked Tan Song to switch seats so he could discuss tomorrow's competition topic with Chengzi.
Tan Song feigned social phobia, claiming he couldn't sit or talk with strangers without getting goosebumps and foaming at the mouth. A sympathetic bus attendant then offered him an entire empty row at the back. Unwilling to see Huang Chengzi and Liu Gaoxu seated together, Tan Song pretended to have a fever, prompting Huang Chengzi to come to the back to check on him.
She genuinely believed he was sick, showing great concern and allowing him to lean on her shoulder to rest. Upon arrival, they discovered the hotel only had two double rooms. Tan Song and Liu Gaoxu were forced to share one. Tan Song, still using his fake fever as an excuse, suggested Liu Gaoxu sleep on the sofa to avoid contagion. Liu Gaoxu casually replied that he didn't mind, as he also had a slight cold.
Shortly after, Huang Chengzi came to Tan Song’s room, bringing him medicine she had specifically bought. Liu Gaoxu then asked Huang Chengzi if they could discuss the competition essay. Huang Chengzi suggested they go to her room so as not to disturb Tan Song's rest. Hearing this, Tan Song, unwilling to let them be alone, quickly claimed he was scared to be by himself and followed them to Huang Chengzi's room.
As Jiangxia had more mosquitoes than Qingshui, Huang Chengzi was frequently bitten while discussing the essay with Liu Gaoxu. She then pulled Tan Song to sit beside her, explaining that since he had O-type blood, he could "feed" the mosquitoes for them. A call from the front desk soon informed them that Huang Chengzi had left her ID card.
Tan Song offered to retrieve it, and Huang Chengzi, without hesitation, asked him to bring back dinner, specifically noodles with shredded meat and pickled cabbage, with chili and coriander. Though he initially grumbled, Tan Song returned with the food. While eating, Tan Song jokingly imposed a fine for any leftover food. Huang Chengzi remarked to Liu Gaoxu that he didn't know Tan Song well, implying that he would always come through for her.
Later that night, Tan Song, wary of Liu Gaoxu approaching Chengzi, kept his arm draped over him. Liu Gaoxu, sensing Tan Song’s possessiveness, asked if he liked Chengzi. Tan Song deflected the question back at him. Liu Gaoxu then confessed his affection for Chengzi, revealing his plan to tell her his feelings in a few days. As mosquitoes continued to bother Liu Gaoxu, Tan Song got up to light a mosquito coil for him.
Liu Gaoxu asked if they should also take one to Chengzi's room, unaware that Tan Song had already placed one there earlier, and she was sleeping soundly. The next morning, Tan Song saw Huang Chengzi and Liu Gaoxu into the examination room, then left, his emotions visibly troubled by Liu Gaoxu's words from the night before. Huang Chengzi noted Tan Song's unusual behavior to Liu Gaoxu.
Meanwhile, Chen Zui accompanied Zhu Jinxiao to the aquarium, fulfilling his part of the wish list. He educated her about clownfish hermaphroditism, explaining how male clownfish could change to female but not vice versa, and the social hierarchy. A young boy nearby overheard, mistakenly believing he too might become female when he grew up. He later gifted Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao toy rings, wishing them a happy life together and to grow old.
Zhu Jinxiao gently corrected his address, asking him to call them "brother and sister." On a rainy day, Tan Song waited patiently outside the examination venue with an umbrella he had specifically bought. His heart sank when he saw Huang Chengzi emerge, sharing an umbrella with Liu Gaoxu. Noticing his disappointment, Huang Chengzi quickly moved under Tan Song's umbrella. Tan Song then playfully teased her with the umbrella, their shared laughter and unspoken connection bringing them closer.
On the journey home, Tan Song gazed at Huang Chengzi's back from the rear seat, finding peace in the moment. The following weekend, Liu Gaoxu called Huang Chengzi, arranging to meet her at the science museum, where he intended to confess his feelings. Tan Song, watching from downstairs, grew visibly upset as Liu Gaoxu appeared.
Chen Zui, discerning Tan Song’s true emotions, confronted him about his feelings for Huang Chengzi and urged him to pursue her, suggesting that she might reciprocate his feelings. Realizing the potential of losing Huang Chengzi, Tan Song raced out of the house to find her. The word "friend" had always carried significant weight for Tan Song. It allowed them immense closeness while simultaneously holding him back.
He often deluded himself into thinking that merely being by her side as a friend was enough. However, the taxi he couldn't catch, the phone call that went unanswered, the diminishing time, and his own distraught heart all seemed to urgently impress upon him that there was no such thing as a "second-best" friendship in this world. Every little detail related to Huang Chengzi served as a stark reminder that they couldn't simply remain ordinary friends.
As Liu Gaoxu prepared to confess his feelings to Huang Chengzi at the science museum, Tan Song ran faster and faster, desperate to convey his own urgent words before it was too late.
