Lovely Us Episode 16 (Ending) Recap
> Lovely Us Recap
Arriving at the science museum, Tan Song found only Huang Chengzi waiting. He rushed to her and asked if she knew a book titled “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.” Huang Chengzi dismissed it, listing other fruits like apples and pears, but Tan Song declared, “Oranges are not the only fruit, Chengzi is. Huang Chengzi, I like you.”
He then poured out his heart, explaining how her presence in his life had grown beyond friendship, citing moments like his jealousy when she studied with Liu Gaoxu, his annoyance when she stood close to Chen Zui, and his intense worry when she was sick. He confessed his regret for not explicitly telling Liu Gaoxu that he liked her because it was his place to confess, fearing she might never meet anyone as wonderful as him.
Moved by his heartfelt declaration, Huang Chengzi stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. She quickly attributed it to a moment of impulsive excitement, to which Tan Song delightedly responded that their synchronicity even extended to their impulsive moments. He then took her hand and kissed her again, solidifying their unspoken feelings into an open romance. On their way home, Tan Song hesitated to hold Huang Chengzi’s hand, so she took his hand, officially marking them as a couple.
Tan Song showered her with compliments, asking why she looked so pretty and concluding it was because she was now his girlfriend. He sweetly asked if she would be his girlfriend, and she playfully accepted. He then suggested they wear matching couple’s outfits the next day, which he had initially bought for his grandparents. As they were about to share another kiss, He Jinzhao suddenly appeared, interrupting them.
Later, Zhu Jinxiao called Chen Zui and learned about Tan Song and Huang Chengzi's relationship. She immediately confronted Tan Song, demanding details. Tan Song admitted they had just made it official that afternoon, having held hands and shared three small kisses, with Huang Chengzi initiating the first one. He mentioned that only Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao knew, as they hadn't planned on going public yet.
Chen Zui interjected, revealing he had encouraged Tan Song to confess at the science museum, having known of Tan Song's feelings for a long time. Zhu Jinxiao claimed she knew all along too, just waiting for them to make it official. Tan Song then playfully blamed Chen Zui for previously saying Zhu Jinxiao had "low EQ" for not noticing.
Concerned about her standing in Huang Chengzi’s heart, Zhu Jinxiao threatened to ask Huang Chengzi directly if Tan Song had replaced her. To stop her, Tan Song urged Chen Zui to intervene, and Chen Zui impulsively hugged Zhu Jinxiao to hold her back. Unbeknownst to them, He Jinzhao witnessed this embrace and mistakenly believed that Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao were now in a relationship.
The next morning, He Jinzhao excitedly relayed the "news" of Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao's supposed romance to Huang Chengzi, recounting how he found Chen Zui hugging Zhu Jinxiao and claiming Zhu Jinxiao hadn't come home that night. Huang Chengzi quickly corrected him, explaining Zhu Jinxiao had stayed at her house and they had simply talked about life. Despite Huang Chengzi's clarifications, He Jinzhao remained convinced, insisting he had seen enough evidence.
He declared Chen Zui the only suitable partner for Zhu Jinxiao and urged Huang Chengzi to join him in an "alliance" to support their relationship, warning against any betrayal among their group of five. Meanwhile, Chen Zui, after receiving a call about his volunteer work, discussed it with his mother, skillfully avoiding her probing questions about whether his outing with Zhu Jinxiao was a date.
Later, still obsessed with his sister's perceived new relationship, He Jinzhao tried to bond with Chen Zui, even jokingly calling him "brother-in-law." Determined to foster their romance, He Jinzhao then locked Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao in his room, leaving them a note with movies, snacks, and a suggestive offer for them to share his bed, much to their exasperation. He Jinzhao's mother eventually let them out, confused about why they were locked in.
Huang Chengzi, having taken extra care with her appearance for her date, went downstairs to meet Tan Song. She was surprised he hadn't worn the couple's outfit and urged him to hurry before her father saw them. Just then, her father, Mr. Huang, appeared, proudly wearing one of the matching shirts, believing his wife had bought him a "father and son" outfit similar to Tan Song's.
Tan Song, quick on his feet, showered Mr. Huang with compliments, even affectionately calling him "Dad," much to Huang Chengzi's astonishment. Tan Song took Huang Chengzi to an amusement park. While he was buying snacks, Huang Chengzi glanced into his wallet and discovered a photo of "Fairy Goddess Liu Yifei."
Feeling stung, she retorted that she wasn't as pretty as the goddess and sarcastically told him not to bother changing the photo, implying he would end up with the goddess anyway. They playfully bickered over his past compliment of her being "cute," which she interpreted as him implying she wasn't pretty, gentle, or sexy. To silence her complaints, Tan Song kissed her, and she instantly brightened, only asking him not to make her jealous again.
On the third day of their relationship, Tan Song's protective instincts for Huang Chengzi extended to actual oranges. When his grandmother tried to cut an orange, Tan Song stopped her, exclaiming how cute oranges were and gathered all the oranges, urging his grandparents to eat other fruits instead, declaring "Everyone should be responsible for protecting oranges."
Later, Tan Song visited Huang Chengzi and, finding her alone, discreetly told her to meet him at seven o'clock by the old tree in the backyard for a "three whole days anniversary" surprise. He then casually mentioned that his brother, Ouyang, would be returning to visit the family the next day. Huang Chengzi initially expressed excited surprise, but quickly feigned indifference, asking what Ouyang's return had to do with her.
Meanwhile, Chen Zui took Zhu Jinxiao to the aquarium to see white whales, fulfilling one of her wishes. He explained that white whales are sociable creatures capable of making hundreds of sounds and understanding human hearts, often transmitting people's wishes to the world. He encouraged Zhu Jinxiao to make her own wish. Chen Zui then quietly made a wish for "the girl I like," hoping she would always be authentic, brave, and joyful in pursuing her dreams.
Zhu Jinxiao picked up on his words, asking if the girl knew and if he had confessed. Chen Zui admitted he had told her, but she hadn't taken him seriously, adding that he had dedicated all his wishes to her, hoping one would eventually come true. Huang Chengzi called Zhu Jinxiao to share the news of Ouyang's return, and Zhu Jinxiao expressed immense happiness.
As they left, Chen Zui asked if she wanted to know who the girl he liked was, but she politely declined, saying she would wait until he was ready to tell her. On their way back, they ran into He Jinzhao, who still mistakenly believed they were a couple. That evening, Tan Song had meticulously decorated his backyard with romantic lighting and oranges adorned with emojis, ready for another grand confession to Huang Chengzi.
As they shared a tender moment and leaned in for a kiss, they were once again interrupted, this time by the unexpected arrival of He Jinzhao, Chen Zui, and Zhu Jinxiao. He Jinzhao, finally seeing Tan Song and Huang Chengzi in an intimate moment, dramatically realized his misunderstanding and accused Huang Chengzi of being a "betrayal alliance" member, having earlier sworn loyalty to his plan.
To prevent He Jinzhao from exposing their relationship, Tan Song offered him anything from his room. He Jinzhao, after much consideration, chose Tan Song's childhood diary. Huang Chengzi tried to intervene, remembering a time Tan Song had publicly read her diary in elementary school, causing her embarrassment. Tan Song himself was reluctant, knowing the diary contained his unflattering observations and mischievous deeds related to his friends. However, He Jinzhao insisted on him reading it aloud.
Tan Song begrudgingly read excerpts from his diary: childhood cunning where he tricked his grandfather for extra pocket money, betraying He Jinzhao's secret about wetting the bed which led to a girl ignoring him, a mean entry about Huang Chengzi's bad haircut comparing her to a pug-dog and hoping her male classmate wouldn't like her "except me," and his harsh descriptions of Zhu Jinxiao as "fierce" and "like a shrew" after Chen Zui called her pretty.
The final entry he read listed all four friends' "deficiencies"—Huang Chengzi as "insane," Chen Zui as "dull," Zhu Jinxiao as "fierce," and He Jinzhao as a "dumbass"—while praising himself as a "flawless handsome guy." Enraged by these revelations, his friends chased him around the room with pillows, initiating a playful brawl. Amidst their laughter, Huang Chengzi wondered if they would all be friends in their next lives.
Tan Song assured her they would be good friends "this lifetime, next lifetime and the ones after that," emphasizing that none of them would ever escape their bond. The group then reflected on their shared journey, acknowledging that the world cherishes those who are lovable, and they, indeed, were.
