Lovely Us Episode 7 Recap
> Lovely Us Recap
Tan Song playfully reversed his brother Ouyang’s car, but Ouyang tapped on the window, telling him to move to the passenger seat. Ouyang informed him that he was just going to join the army and would return, so there was no need to tell everyone. Tan Song expressed his worry about Ouyang, a new driver who barely knew the gears, taking five teenagers camping for New Year's Day, especially on his birthday.
Ouyang, annoyed by Tan Song’s concerns, told him to either shut up or get out of the car, leaving Tan Song feeling helpless about his brother’s confidence. The five teenagers later went shopping for camping essentials. Tan Song was in charge of the money, planning to buy a Bucket Meal and game top-up cards, despite Huang Chengzi's protests that they needed practical camping supplies.
Huang Chengzi was thrilled with her new cosmetic contact lenses, while Zhu Jinxiao admired a crystal ball but didn't buy it. Before they left, they met Mr. Lin, who wished them a happy New Year’s Day and an early happy birthday to Ouyang, offering to make him noodles upon his return from the army. As they prepared to leave, the others realized Tan Song had only brought money, convinced it would solve all their needs.
During the drive, Huang Chengzi tried to sell a drumstick to Tan Song at an inflated price, but he refused, playfully insulting her, which she quickly retorted. Spotting a small shop, Tan Song instructed Ouyang to stop the car, announcing he would treat everyone, "except" Huang Chengzi. Annoyed, Huang Chengzi took her instant noodles to an old woman near the shop for hot water.
She enthusiastically told the grandmother about camping with her "best friends," describing their close-knit, childhood bond despite their playful fights. To her shock, she turned around to find Tan Song and the others had driven off. Clutching her instant noodles, she ran after the car. Inside, Tan Song, reaching for snacks to offer Huang Chengzi, suddenly realized she wasn’t there.
Despite Tan Song and He Jinzhao's attempts to lure her back with treats, Huang Chengzi refused, feeling deeply betrayed that they had forgotten her. Eventually, they had to physically pull her back into the car. Inside the car, Huang Chengzi, exhausted, fell asleep with her head on Tan Song's shoulder. A radio announcement played, mentioning the impending first snowfall and the importance of being with loved ones.
Zhu Jinxiao frequently glanced at Ouyang, while Chen Zui subtly watched Zhu Jinxiao in the rearview mirror, hinting at the unspoken feelings between them. Upon arriving at their destination, Tan Song jokingly commented on Huang Chengzi's messy hair, saying she didn't look like a girl. Later, while retrieving luggage, Huang Chengzi discovered a crystal ball. She confronted Chen Zui, questioning why he would buy such a feminine gift for Ouyang, a "man."
Chen Zui denied it, claiming he had merely "picked it up" from the ground. After Chen Zui walked away, Huang Chengzi found a greeting card on the ground addressed to "Jinxiao," revealing Chen Zui's secret affection for Zhu Jinxiao. During the group activities, Huang Chengzi deliberately partnered with Chen Zui, determined to uncover his secret. She pressed him about the crystal ball and Jinxiao, and Chen Zui, after receiving her promise of secrecy, revealed his feelings for Zhu Jinxiao.
He then noticed Huang Chengzi's cosmetic contact lens was askew and helped her adjust it, asking her to keep this secret from Tan Song to avoid his teasing. Tan Song, observing their interaction, mistakenly assumed they were in a romantic relationship. Later, at the barbecue, Huang Chengzi lavished praise on Chen Zui's cooking, especially his seasoned potatoes, in front of Zhu Jinxiao, greatly irritating Tan Song, who insisted he had grilled most of the food.
Tan Song then tried to make Huang Chengzi eat more meat to "store fat" for warmth, teasing her about being "weak" and not wanting her to get sick and infect him in their shared tent. He Jinzhao brought out sparklers from his family's shop for New Year's Eve. As they prepared to light them, Tan Song pulled Huang Chengzi aside.
After an initial lecture on her academics, he put a scarf and hat on her, feigning concern for his own health in the tent rather than her comfort. Huang Chengzi was touched by his gentle gesture, despite his characteristic teasing. They lit the sparklers and shared their New Year’s wishes. Ouyang wished for everyone's health and dreams, Huang Chengzi for becoming a writer and attending the Olympics, while Tan Song pointedly wished for "no puppy love in the world."
Chen Zui initially had no wish prepared. Later that night, Zhu Jinxiao, unable to sleep due to He Jinzhao's loud snoring, stepped out of the tent for fresh air. She found Chen Zui stargazing and asked about his New Year's wish. He, in turn, asked her to make a wish for him, emphasizing he would only grant this privilege to "someone important."
Zhu Jinxiao playfully wished for Chen Zui to excel in his studies and gain admission to THU-PKU, then shared her own ambitious dreams of global travel, volunteer teaching, and even shaving her head, encouraging Chen Zui to pursue his own desires rather than simply following a "prescribed order." Chen Zui then presented her with the crystal ball she had admired earlier, wishing her success in her THU-PKU study camp. As snow began to fall, they shared a quiet, smiling moment.
Chen Zui’s internal monologue revealed he found the snowy night profoundly quiet, so much so that he could hear his own heartbeat, wishing for more noise to drown out his newly discovered feelings. Meanwhile, back in the tent, Tan Song gently looked at Huang Chengzi's sleeping face and softly whispered, "Happy New Year." With the new semester beginning, Zhu Jinxiao left for the THU-PKU study camp.
During a class discussion about her success, Huang Chengzi declared Chen Zui an exception, destined to "soar up high to meet Jinxiao." Tan Song, irked, defended his brother, accidentally revealing that Ouyang would be joining the army. Ouyang had preferred to keep this quiet, mentioning he would have home leave anyway, but Tan Song defended his brother's right to keep it secret. Huang Chengzi, He Jinzhao, and the others immediately planned to see Ouyang off.
In Ouyang's room, Huang Chengzi and He Jinzhao tried to claim Ouyang's MP4 player and game console, but Tan Song quickly intervened. Huang Chengzi then playfully bargained to touch Ouyang's muscles, calling it her "only wish" and admiring his "six-pack, eight-pack." However, Tan Song physically carried her out of the room when her enthusiasm grew too bold. Later that day, Huang Chengzi called Zhu Jinxiao to share the news about Ouyang.
Hearing he was leaving, Zhu Jinxiao decided to return from her THU-PKU study camp to see him off. At Qingshui Station, she found Ouyang. He expressed mild frustration that his secret was revealed but explained that joining the army wasn't a sudden decision, but a long-held desire to pursue his ambitions while he still had the chance. Zhu Jinxiao confessed to feeling "confused" and "out of breath" in the competitive environment of the study camp, feeling constant pressure to "sprint."
Ouyang encouraged her, reminding her of her strength as "Zhu Jinxiao" and the importance of seeing her journey through to the end. Before boarding his bus, he gently placed a hat on her head, advising her to be careful in the windy weather. The narrator reflected on their seventeen-year-old secrets: carefully hidden, yet inevitably discovered; often denied, yet conspicuously obvious; and ultimately, transforming into cherished memories, all born from unexpected feelings.
