Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 17 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
Shao Xue and Zhang Qi visited Jin Ning, who told Shao Xue she liked seeing her. Shao Xue promised to visit every day after school and do her homework by Jin Ning's side, despite Jin Ning's concern about her studies. Jin Ning was then overcome with pain but refused any painkillers. Noticing Zhang Qi's quiet demeanor, Jin Ning asked if her current appearance had scared him.
Zhang Qi reassured her, confessing that he had always wanted a wife as pretty as her. He then informed Jin Ning that his mother was on a business trip in Hong Kong, exploring more treatment plans for her condition and even offering to transfer her there. Jin Ning dismissed the idea, stating that Beijing had the best doctors, and if they couldn't cure her, no one could. She advised Zhang Qi to tell his mother to take care of herself.
Shao Xue, to lift Jin Ning's spirits, reminded her that Zhang Qi's mother was waiting for her to plan a trip abroad with her, implying Jin Ning would recover and join. Jin Ning, inspired, agreed to plan the trip. Soon after, Zheng Sunian arrived with food. Jin Ning urged him to take Shao Xue and Zhang Qi out to eat something decent, noticing how much weight he had lost from eating hospital meals.
Zheng Jian, Jin Ning's husband, slipped Zheng Sunian some money for the outing. As they left, Jin Ning reminded Shao Xue to prioritize her studies. Outside, Zheng Sunian told Shao Xue and Zhang Qi to stop being so careful around him, insisting he was the same person and hadn't turned into a "monster." Shao Xue lightened the mood by joking about his Kakashi-like fringe.
Zheng Sunian then led them to buy cat feed for the stray kittens his mother often worried about, explaining he wanted to care for them for her. When they discussed where to eat, Shao Xue and Zhang Qi suggested hotpot or Pizza Hut, but Zheng Sunian opted for roujiamo. At the hutong's roujiamo stall, Ms. Deng, the vendor, recognized them.
Hearing about Jin Ning's illness, she insisted on treating them to four roujiamo, one for Zheng Jian, and expressed her deep sadness for Jin Ning. Shao Xue tried to change the subject, but Ms. Deng continued to worry, offering to make nutritious bone soup. Zheng Sunian quietly revealed that Jin Ning's appetite was poor, and she couldn't eat anything. Ms. Deng offered words of encouragement, saying, "kind people will have good karma," and Jin Ning would surely recover.
Zheng Sunian then sent Shao Xue and Zhang Qi home, explaining he needed to relieve his father at the hospital. They both assured him of their unwavering support. A small shop owner also gave Zheng Sunian some snacks to take to Jin Ning, asking him to convey their regards and inquire about visiting times. At the hospital entrance, Zheng Sunian found his father, Zheng Jian, alone, warming his hands.
Zheng Jian explained that Jin Ning had sent him home to rest. Zheng Sunian understood, admitting he didn't want to go home either because the house reminded him of his mother's healthy past self. Zheng Sunian then asked for the truth about his mother's condition. Zheng Jian revealed the doctor's recommendation to move Jin Ning to the intensive care unit, where visits would be restricted to four hours daily.
He worried Jin Ning couldn't handle such isolation and questioned if she could truly be cured. Despite his fears, Zheng Jian reassured his son that she would recover. Later, Wu Huan visited Jin Ning with his mother, Xin Jie. Wu Huan soon excused himself, giving Jin Ning and Xin Jie privacy to talk. Jin Ning expressed self-reproach, feeling she had tormented her loved ones.
Xin Jie tearfully apologized for her past resentment and ill wishes, admitting she hadn't slept well since hearing about Jin Ning's illness and even wondered if she had "cursed" her. Jin Ning comforted Xin Jie, urging her to prioritize herself and Wu Huan. Xin Jie, however, insisted Jin Ning must recover so she could continue to "hate" her, claiming it gave her life purpose. Their long-standing grievances were finally resolved.
Shao Xue, after reflecting on her initial fear, discussed Jin Ning's illness with her parents. She bravely stated that Jin Ning needed her and she wanted to visit daily after school, promising it wouldn't affect her studies. Her parents were touched by her maturity and agreed to accompany her, deciding that their entire family would visit Jin Ning together to offer support to Zheng Jian and Zheng Sunian.
Back at the hospital, while Zheng Jian was caring for Jin Ning, she was struck by intense pain. Zheng Sunian immediately called the doctor. After the doctor stabilized Jin Ning, she suggested moving her to the intensive care unit soon, as these severe pain episodes would become more frequent.
Zheng Jian, wanting to spare his son the sight of Jin Ning's suffering, urged Zheng Sunian to go home, saying Jin Ning wanted to "save face" and not be seen in such a state. Heartbroken, Zheng Sunian reluctantly left the room. Zheng Jian then presented Jin Ning with a rose after she awoke. They reminisced about their youth, recalling a time when Zheng Jian took her to the hospital on his bike after she was scratched by a cat.
Jin Ning expressed a desire to return to those days, wishing they had cherished every moment. Zheng Jian reaffirmed his commitment to spoil her and insisted she move to the ICU for recovery, promising she would return home once well. Jin Ning, however, resisted, citing the high cost of the ICU, which she felt was meaningless, and she didn't want to burden Zheng Sunian's future education.
Zheng Jian, determined, reiterated that she must live and he would continue to spoil her. Shao Xue later went to the hospital and found Zheng Sunian sitting alone outside, looking distressed. She offered to stay with him, but he dismissed her, claiming to have errands. Unconvinced, Shao Xue secretly followed him and witnessed him breaking down in tears in a secluded hutong.
She realized the extent of his pain, reflecting that in their seventeen years of friendship, she had never seen the usually stoic Zheng Sunian cry. She wished she could be a "shoulder he can rely on" to provide him strength. Shao Xue's emotional distress carried into school, where she was visibly distracted during class.
Her teacher called her out for not paying attention, reminding her and her classmates that as third-year high school students, they needed to focus to avoid falling behind. Shao Xue apologized, admitting it was her own fault for not listening. Meanwhile, in the Textile Division, Yu Dongge was deeply preoccupied with Jin Ning's condition, unable to focus on her work. She lamented how such a wonderful person had become so frail, which she found unbearable.
Another colleague inquired about Mr. Zheng (Zheng Jian), noting his absence due to his wife's illness and the increased workload. The colleague mentioned that Mr. Lu Xun once said, "Time is like water in a sponge. You can always get some by squeezing hard enough," implying they would manage, but the heavy atmosphere due to Jin Ning's illness was palpable throughout the neighborhood and among colleagues.
