Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 10 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
Shao Xue convened her friends, Lin Shiyin, Zheng Sunian, and Zhang Qi, urging them to participate in her stage play. Despite their reluctance, with Shiyin citing her dance commitments and Zhang Qi expressing time concerns, Shao Xue passionately pleaded for them to help her fulfill her dream of being a director. When polite requests failed, she invoked her "birthday privilege," reminding them of their promise to grant her any wish on her birthday, which coincided with the school anniversary.
Faced with this, they agreed. Shao Xue then began assigning roles. She declared Zheng Sunian the male lead, noting his presence on the school's Prince Ranking, a list of school hunks. Zheng Sunian, though not enthusiastic about acting, accepted. When he inquired about the female lead, Lin Shiyin, mistakenly believing it was her role, boasted about her popularity and busy schedule.
Shao Xue clarified that her new deskmate, Tang Ya, would be the female lead, mentioning Tang Ya's initial nervousness but assuring everyone she would handle it. Lin Shiyin, visibly upset at not being chosen, abruptly left, which Shao Xue chose to ignore as she continued to discuss the play's characters and plot.
She assigned Zheng Sunian the protagonist and Zhang Qi the antagonist, even offering Zhang Qi the example of Granny Rong from "My Fair Princess" to demonstrate how an antagonist could be outstanding. Shao Xue then outlined the play's premise: a beautiful, gravely ill princess, admired by two warriors (Zheng Sunian and Zhang Qi). Meanwhile, at the Restoration Department, a colleague approached Mr. Luo, seeking his help with restoring a particularly challenging color.
Mr. Luo feigned busyness and insisted that Jin Ning take on the task. Despite her hesitation and the fact that she and Zheng Jian were still angry with each other, Jin Ning agreed. Upon her arrival, a colleague expressed relief at "Master Jin's" arrival, explaining they simply couldn't get the color right. Jin Ning quickly identified that while the color mixing ratio was off, the color was achievable through trial and error. This made Zheng Jian very impressed.
After she provided the correct ratio, Mr. Luo, seizing an opportunity, instructed Zheng Jian to walk Jin Ning back. Zheng Jian, initially reluctant, eventually agreed to escort her. Mr. Luo then subtly probed Zheng Jian about how he had won Jin Ning over in the past, to which Zheng Jian curtly responded to mind his own business. Later, Shao Xue discussed roles with Wu Huan, thanking him for his reliability and preparing a suitable character for him.
As they spoke, they heard Tang Ya's beautiful singing. Shao Xue was captivated and immediately confirmed Tang Ya as her female lead, intending to add a solo song for her. Tang Ya, however, was hesitant, confessing that she got embarrassed singing in front of people and felt intimidated, even though she longed for the opportunity. Wu Huan encouraged her, emphasizing that not everyone gets such a chance and that she should pursue what she desires.
Inspired by their support, Tang Ya agreed to try. Shao Xue enthusiastically declared her "Princess Jasmine" and asked her to sing again. Across town, Lin Shiyin was undergoing intense dance training. Her teacher, Mr. Nai, was dissatisfied with the current lead dancer, sternly critiquing her lack of emotional depth, failing to convey the "misery of deaths" and "despair" required by the music. Mr. Nai decided to replace the lead, despite time constraints.
He then called Lin Shiyin forward, asking her name and whether she liked martial heroes, which she confirmed. After observing her dance, Mr. Nai, though finding her movements exaggerated, deemed her superior to the previous dancer and appointed her the new lead, immediately resuming practice. Back at home, Shao Xue's mother, Yu Dongge, voluntarily offered to fund and make the costumes for the play, a gesture Shao Xue deeply appreciated.
As Yu Dongge took measurements, Shao Xue learned that both Jin Ning and Zheng Jian were at the Restoration Department that weekend. Realizing they were still at odds, Shao Xue decided to take her friends to the Restoration Department, ostensibly to have Jin Ning help with props but also to foster reconciliation between Zheng Jian and Jin Ning. When they arrived, Zheng Jian and Jin Ning were observed keeping their distance from each other, with Jin Ning still visibly upset.
They only interacted indirectly through a wild cat Jin Ning was feeding. Jin Ning, however, brightened upon seeing Shao Xue and happily greeted them. Zheng Sunian, prepared for the occasion, presented Jin Ning with her favorite cake. While Jin Ning worked on drawing props, Shao Xue sought her advice, confessing that her script, despite others' feedback about lacking depth and passion, was now being criticized by Jin Ning for not being romantic enough.
Shao Xue admitted she didn't know how to add romance. Jin Ning, noticing the cake, inquired who brought it, knowing her specific taste. Zheng Sunian attempted to speak up, but Jin Ning, with a playful jab, suggested it must have been Shao Xue. Seeing the lingering tension, Zheng Sunian tactfully suggested they leave Jin Ning to her work, as she preferred quiet, which Jin Ning wryly noted was different from Zheng Sunian and his father.
Before leaving, Zheng Sunian advised his mother not to consume too many sweets, to which she simply acknowledged. Seeking inspiration for romance, Shao Xue, Zheng Sunian, and Zhang Qi approached Mr. Luo, who was repairing a watering can. After Zhang Qi managed to fix it, Shao Xue explained her dilemma with the play's romantic elements and asked Mr. Luo to tell them a romantic story.
Mr. Luo agreed but warned them not to guess the identities of the characters, as the story would blend truth and fiction. He began by recounting a tale from many years ago, set in their very courtyard. The story unfolded: Jin Ning, new to the Restoration Department, encountered a wild cat trying to eat something. Zheng Jian, fearing the cat would ingest rodenticide, shooed it away. Misunderstanding his intentions, Jin Ning scolded him for being heartless.
Later, a colleague clarified that Zheng Jian was only trying to protect the cat. Feeling remorseful, Jin Ning later found the cat injured and, hesitant to treat it herself, asked Zheng Jian for help. Concerned the wild cat might scratch Jin Ning, Zheng Jian bravely held it, getting scratched in the process. Jin Ning, feeling responsible, insisted on taking him to the hospital for a shot and walking him home. Through these events, they became acquainted.
Afterward, Jin Ning frequently sought out Zheng Jian to fix various items, including a broken music box she had brought from overseas, as a way to spend time with him. Zheng Jian, a skilled craftsman, quickly repaired it. Jin Ning, remembering a moment when she saw him watching her dance to the music, expressed her awareness of his gaze. She also revealed her plans to leave for an overseas museum job the following year.
As her internship ended, Jin Ning, still hoping for a sign, gave Zheng Jian the repaired music box as a souvenir and asked him to see her off the next day. However, Zheng Jian, citing work his master had assigned, politely declined, wishing her a smooth trip. Jin Ning, heartbroken by his apparent indifference, left. After she was gone, Zheng Jian secretly shed tears, but Jin Ning, unaware of his true feelings, cut off contact.
Over the next year, Zheng Jian became withdrawn, working intensely during the day and drinking heavily at night, concealing his emotional turmoil. Mr. Luo, concerned for his well-being, eventually led Zheng Jian to a room where he found a stack of letters Jin Ning had written to Mr. Luo. In these letters, Jin Ning poured out her heart, expressing regret for leaving in anger, hoping Zheng Jian would pursue her and confess his feelings.
She questioned why she waited for him and wished she had been more direct. She reflected on her disappointment that he didn't ask her to stay or look for her, making her feel unimportant. She now regretted her impulsive departure, feeling they had drifted too far apart and she lacked the courage to rekindle their relationship. Reading these heartfelt words, Zheng Jian realized the depth of Jin Ning's feelings.
He immediately asked Mr. Luo for her overseas work address, determined to go find her. Mr. Luo concluded his story, leaving the children to wonder about the ending. However, as Zheng Jian approached Jin Ning, she teasingly asked why he was there, calling him "cheeky" when he suggested the story was about them. Zheng Jian then reaffirmed his lifelong commitment, recalling his promise to always treat her well when he first brought her back.
Jin Ning, touched, confirmed that he had indeed surpassed his promise, treating her even better. Zheng Jian then sincerely apologized to Jin Ning. Old memories resurfaced, washing away their recent disagreements, and the couple happily reconciled, their love rekindled. The school's literary gala approached. Shao Xue, now confident, reassured Tang Ya, stressing that with their strong script, lead actors, and elaborate costumes and props, their performance would "amaze everyone in the hall." Backstage, Tang Ya was still incredibly nervous.
Zheng Sunian introduced himself as "Liang Chen" and Zhang Qi as "Aotian," while Tang Ya presented herself as "Princess Jasmine." Shao Xue then announced their stage play, "Princess Jasmine," with conviction. Meanwhile, Lin Shiyin continued to endure grueling dance rehearsals. Her teacher, Mr. Nai, relentlessly pushed her, demanding "one more time" repeatedly. Exhausted and on the verge of collapsing, Lin Shiyin protested, saying she was too tired to dance well and questioning his teaching methods.
Mr. Nai challenged her, reminding her that everyone was waiting for her and asking if she intended to waste their efforts. Lin Shiyin, determined, affirmed that she would continue dancing. Mr. Nai, satisfied, commanded her to keep going, as her friends watched and encouraged her from outside the studio.
