Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 13 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
Zheng Sunian arrived early in the morning to take Shao Xue shopping. As Shao Xue rushed out, her father remarked to her mother that Zheng Sunian and Shao Xue were like innocent childhood sweethearts. Her mother, annoyed, retorted that her father, a middle-aged man, shouldn't interfere, and that he wasn't taking their daughter seriously enough. Zheng Sunian and Zhang Qi accompanied Shao Xue to buy hairpins to match her cheongsam.
Shao Xue tried on several, but Zhang Qi and Zheng Sunian were brutally honest about their dislike. The salesperson suggested they choose, and after they each picked one, Shao Xue decided to try them on with a cheongsam at a shop across the street. When Shao Xue emerged in a Hangzhou silk cheongsam, both boys were stunned by her beauty. Zhang Qi remarked that Sunian's choice was much better than his own.
Zheng Sunian admitted he hadn't seen her dressed like that before. Suddenly, a young boy named Tom rushed into the shop, hugging Shao Xue and calling her "Grandma." Mr. Sun then appeared, looking for Tom, revealing that Tom was his son. Mr. Sun explained that he had brought Tom back from overseas for a visit, as Tom, who grew up abroad, wanted to see China. Recognizing the children, Mr. Sun invited them to eat lamb hotpot.
During dinner, the children asked Tom why he called Shao Xue "Grandma," and they learned it was a misunderstanding caused by Shao Xue wearing a cheongsam, which reminded him of his own grandmother. Mr. Sun shared his regrets about studying abroad, recalling the financial hardships his family faced to support him, his own struggles working day and night, and the emotional toll of being separated from loved ones.
He lamented that despite being a doctor, he couldn't be there for his father, Sun Qirui, who had always been looked after by the neighbors. He felt he had let his father down. Mr. Sun's tales of life abroad made Shao Xue understand her mother's concerns: the financial burden, the hardships, and the growing distance from family. Despite these worries, her dream of studying abroad, of exploring other countries' histories and cultures, remained strong.
She confided in Zheng Sunian, expressing her struggle between her dream and her worry for her parents. Zheng Sunian supported her fully. He presented her with a recipe book, emphasizing the importance of self-care while abroad, and assured her that he would look after her parents. Shao Xue, touched by his warmth, felt grateful for his presence. Her mother, overhearing this heartfelt conversation, realized the depth of Shao Xue's desire to study abroad and decided to support her.
Upon returning home, Shao Xue's mother initiated a family meeting, proposing a democratic vote on Shao Xue's study abroad plans. Shao Xue initially resisted, fearing her father would side with her mother, but realizing this was her last chance, she agreed. During the vote, Shao Xue cast her vote for going abroad, and her mother, as expected, voted against it.
After a subtle glance from her mother, her father, to Shao Xue's delight, voted in favor, thus allowing Shao Xue's dream to move forward. Sun Qirui was suddenly hospitalized due to a heart attack from excessive smoking, having called emergency services himself the previous night. He insisted that no one tell his son, Mr. Sun, threatening to cut ties if they did.
Neighbors quickly visited, but Sun Qirui, acting like a "naughty old child," kept sending them away, fearing they would trouble the hospital. After most visitors left, Shao Xue and Zheng Sunian arrived with food. Sun Qirui tried to dismiss them too, but Fu Qiaomu and Siyuan, who were also there, insisted on staying to look after him, with Fu Qiaomu confiscating his lighter, suspecting he wanted to smoke.
Shao Xue and Zheng Sunian eventually left, with Siyuan offering to escort them, jokingly doubting Zheng Sunian's practical skills despite his intelligence. When Shao Xue and Zheng Sunian returned home, Zhang Qi was waiting for them, feeling left out because they hadn't informed him about Sun Qirui's hospitalization. Despite his initial annoyance, they quickly reconciled and decided to go shopping for snacks before picking up Wu Huan.
At the convenience store where Wu Huan was working, they found him being harassed by two classmates of Wang Haoran. Shao Xue and Zhang Qi immediately intervened, which led the bullies to summon their leader, Wang Haoran. To their surprise, Lin Shiyin was with Wang Haoran. Shao Xue tried to pull Lin Shiyin away, questioning her association with them, but Lin Shiyin appeared to side with Wang Haoran.
Wang Haoran, aiming to avoid a direct confrontation, challenged them to a basketball match the next afternoon, which Zhang Qi readily accepted. Zheng Sunian expressed concern, knowing Wang Haoran and his friends were skilled school basketball team members. Wu Huan was visibly heartbroken to see Lin Shiyin allied with Wang Haoran. The next day, the basketball match began. Wang Haoran proposed a wager: the loser would kneel and call the winner "Boss."
Zhang Qi countered, demanding Wang Haoran and his friends apologize to Wu Huan if they lost. Surprisingly, Wu Huan stepped forward, insisting on a one-on-one challenge with Wang Haoran. The rules were "first to four points." Wang Haoran initially dominated, scoring several points. However, when it came to the deciding shot, Wu Huan blocked it and then made an impressive comeback, scoring all subsequent points and ultimately winning the game, much to the jubilation of Shao Xue and Zhang Qi.
After Wu Huan's victory, Zhang Qi demanded Wang Haoran honor the wager and apologize. However, Lin Shiyin intervened, asking them to "forget it," much to the group's dismay. When pressed by Shao Xue, Wang Haoran retorted that Wu Huan had been "annoying Lin Shiyin," implying his actions were to "teach Wu Huan a lesson." Deeply hurt by Lin Shiyin's lack of support and Wang Haoran's words, Wu Huan silently walked away.
Shao Xue expressed her profound disappointment in Lin Shiyin, feeling she had completely changed. Zheng Sunian, observing the situation, commented that everyone has the right to make their own choices, but he believed Lin Shiyin would eventually realize who truly cared for her. Later, Tang Ya visited Wu Huan at his home to comfort him.
She reassured him that his supervisor understood the situation at the convenience store and hadn't blamed him, advising him to call security in the future, as employees have rights too. Tang Ya also brought him bread, and while he ate, she candidly asked why he continued to treat Lin Shiyin so well, suggesting Lin Shiyin might not be worth his devotion.
Wu Huan then shared a childhood memory: in kindergarten, ostracized due to his family background, he was often bullied and alone. It was Lin Shiyin, his first friend, who reached out to him and asked him to walk the "red carpet" with her during a performance. He described Lin Shiyin as the "light that shone into his life." When Tang Ya questioned if that light might eventually hurt him, Wu Huan bravely responded that he wasn't afraid of being hurt, only afraid of that light disappearing.
