Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 12 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
The performance of Shao Xue's play concluded successfully, with Tang Ya singing beautifully and receiving enthusiastic applause, despite the power outage caused by Wang Hao Ran. Afterward, Shao Xue, Zheng Sunian, and Zhang Qi walked home, feeling satisfied with the day. Zhang Qi had to leave first to head home. As Zheng Sunian continued walking with Shao Xue, he recalled the lines from the play and recited the knight's confession to the princess, saying, "My Princess. . .
You are my everything. Your voice made me believe that all suffering will come to an end. The look in your eyes made me believe that all the goodness is eternal. I'm not one to seek any dispute, but if anyone wants to take you from me, I will put everything I have on the line and fight to the very end."
Shao Xue playfully chided him, asking why he performed with such emotion now when he had been so lifeless during rehearsals. Zheng Sunian explained that he didn't enjoy acting but didn't mind trying it with her. He then presented her with a sketchbook filled with drawings of places she wanted to visit, telling her, "Happy birthday," and promising to take her to those places when they were older. Shao Xue was delighted by the thoughtful gift.
Unseen by them, Zhang Qi watched the interaction from his window, holding a snow globe he had intended to give to Shao Xue, lost in thought. His mother entered his room and noticed his quiet demeanor. Zhang Qi mentioned giving away a favorite scarf, and his mother advised him that sometimes one must fight for what they want, and other times, they must learn to let go.
With the Olympics approaching, a public announcement encouraged citizens to learn English to welcome foreign visitors. Neighbors practiced English greetings, often comically. Yu Dongge, too, was diligently studying English words related to silk and embroidery for potential foreign customers. She expressed her frustration over the complexity of English words, noting that Shao Xue's success in scoring third in English in her grade was a remarkable feat.
Amidst this, Yu Dongge received a call from Mr. Liu, who informed her that Shao Xue had passed the preliminary selection for the overseas study program, ranking among the top few out of thousands of applicants. He added that a team of foreign teachers would conduct interviews, and success would require meeting both interview and IELTS score standards, mentioning Shao Xue's 8. 5 IELTS score. Meanwhile, Shao Xue, Zheng Sunian, and Zhang Qi went to buy barbecue.
Despite Shao Xue's recent low math score and her mother's disappointment, her appetite remained unaffected, prompting teasing from Zheng Sunian and Zhang Qi. Yu Dongge returned home, worried about Shao Xue's potential overseas study. She voiced her concerns to Shao Hua, fearing Shao Xue would be alone in an unfamiliar country, unable to cope. When Shao Xue arrived home, Yu Dongge directly stated her opposition, leading to a heated argument.
Shao Xue vehemently insisted on pursuing her dream, accusing her mother of being selfish and uncaring. The argument escalated, with Shao Xue threatening a hunger strike if her parents tried to block her. Hearing the commotion, Zheng Sunian rushed to Shao Xue's house to mediate. Shao Xue had locked herself in her room, refusing to eat. Yu Dongge and Shao Hua prepared a large bowl of food, including extra meat, and asked Zheng Sunian to take it to her.
Shao Xue, hearing Zheng Sunian's voice, finally opened the door. Inside, Shao Xue poured out her frustration, calling her mother a "tyrant" who didn't care about her feelings. Zheng Sunian acknowledged her mother's concerns were born from love and fear of the unknown. Shao Xue showed him her detailed study plan, extending into her thirties, emphasizing that this was not a whim but a long-cherished dream. Together, they decided that Ms. Jinning was the best person to persuade Yu Dongge.
At the convenience store where Wu Huan was working, Lin Shiyin found him. They chatted briefly, and Lin Shiyin mentioned how successful their play was, crediting Shao Xue's direction. She also brought up the dance studio incident. Just then, Fu Qiaomu walked over. Lin Shiyin was surprised to see him, and he explained that he was working there. A look of disappointment crossed Lin Shiyin's face before she quickly excused herself and left the store.
Wu Huan then asked Fu Qiaomu about his relationship with Lin Shiyin, to which Fu Qiaomu replied that she was his most precious friend. Shao Xue went to Ms. Jinning's house. Ms. Jinning welcomed her with chocolate cake, knowing it was her favorite. Shao Xue admired Ms. Jinning's collection of old novels and cassettes from abroad, remarking on her exciting past compared to her mother's. Shao Xue confided in Ms. Jinning about her argument with Yu Dongge.
Ms. Jinning, understanding a mother's worries, promised to speak with Yu Dongge. While Shao Xue was there, Zheng Sunian was out sketching. An elderly neighbor, Mr. Luo, approached him and praised his artistic improvement. He advised Zheng Sunian to imbue his art with emotion and encouraged him to read classical love poems.
Mr. Luo recalled teaching Zheng Sunian a line from the "Classic of Poetry" describing a woman as beautiful as a flower, but unlike the typical frail depiction, this woman was resilient, like a hibiscus flower – not dazzling but full of vitality and capable of enduring hardships. He suggested Zheng Sunian should find a wife like that.
Soon after, Ms. Jinning brought out a beautiful qipao, explaining it was a precious piece made by a highly-skilled tailor in Shanghai, which she no longer wore. Shao Xue initially hesitated to accept such a valuable gift but was convinced when Ms. Jinning playfully suggested giving it to Zheng Sunian if Shao Xue didn't take it. Just then, Zheng Sunian returned home. Ms. Jinning kept him waiting for a "surprise" before Shao Xue emerged, wearing the qipao.
Zheng Sunian was captivated by her appearance. Shao Xue asked how she looked, and Zheng Sunian, visibly flustered, managed to say "It's okay," though Ms. Jinning quickly corrected him, asserting Shao Xue looked "amazing." Noticing the qipao was slightly large, Ms. Jinning suggested Shao Xue's mother could alter it. However, Shao Xue, fearing another lecture, decided to take it to Ms. Kang instead during the National Day holiday.
At Ms. Kang's house, Shao Xue admired her embroidery and asked Ms. Kang to adjust the qipao. Ms. Kang recognized the garment's excellent fabric and tailoring. While Ms. Kang was taking measurements, Shao Xue noticed a photograph on her table of Ms. Kang smiling brightly with an unfamiliar man. Curious, Shao Xue asked if he was her husband, to which Ms. Kang replied he wasn't.
Shao Xue then observed that Ms. Kang's smile in the picture was exceptionally sweet, unlike any she had seen, leading her to believe the man was very important. Ms. Kang responded cryptically, saying, "Some people were precious at some point, but the pain could last forever. I wish we had never known each other," before quickly dismissing her words as rambling and returning to her work. Later, Yu Dongge arrived at Ms. Jinning’s house, searching for Shao Xue.
Ms. Jinning told her Shao Xue had just left but convinced Yu Dongge to stay and chat, offering her a piece of chocolate cake. Ms. Jinning gently brought up Shao Xue's study abroad plans, asking Yu Dongge why she was always at odds with her daughter despite caring for her so much. Yu Dongge reiterated her fears: Shao Xue’s lack of self-sufficiency, her allergies, and potential academic struggles abroad. She wished Shao Xue were as obedient as Zheng Sunian.
Ms. Jinning countered, expressing her desire for Zheng Sunian to be more outgoing like Shao Xue or Zhang Qi, to experience the joys of parenting through their youthful antics. She then sincerely appealed to Yu Dongge, emphasizing Shao Xue’s exceptional talent in languages, evident in her 8. 5 IELTS score, a feat even Zheng Sunian couldn't achieve.
Ms. Jinning highlighted that living abroad was the best way to master a language and reminded Yu Dongge of all the effort Shao Xue had put in, concluding that it would be a great pity, and a source of future regret, if Shao Xue had to give up this opportunity. That evening, Shao Xue returned home for dinner. She expressed her continued desire to go abroad.
Shao Hua, attempting to mediate, told Shao Xue, "My idea is difficult to change, but if you speak to Mom properly, Mom can still listen to suggestions." Yu Dongge then noticed the qipao Shao Xue carried. When Shao Xue explained Ms. Jinning had given it to her, Yu Dongge scolded her for accepting such a valuable gift and owing favors. Then, upon noticing the qipao had been altered, Yu Dongge asked who had done the work.
Upon learning it was Ms. Kang, Yu Dongge was furious, revealing that Ms. Kang was an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, officially invited by her department. Shao Xue explained she sought Ms. Kang's help to avoid Yu Dongge's scolding. Shao Hua remarked that Ms. Kang's alterations made the qipao even more precious. Shao Xue playfully implied her mother was not on the same "level" as Ms. Kang.
Yu Dongge, though initially annoyed, agreed that Ms. Kang was a master from whom she still had much to learn. She then advised Shao Xue on how to style her hair with the qipao and took money from Shao Hua to buy hair accessories for Shao Xue. Shao Xue then left to go shopping with Zhang Qi, telling him he was the first person she thought of, boosting his spirits.
