Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 19 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
Dou Siyuan approached Mr. Shao, expressing his desire to join the Watchmaker Division, hoping it would give him more opportunities to be close to Fu Qiaomu. Mr. Shao lamented that finding recruits was difficult, as few people these days valued learning such a craft, unlike in his time when it ensured a livelihood. Shortly after, Sun Qirui and Fu Qiaomu joined them, inquiring about the Zheng family.
Mr. Shao sighed, revealing that Zheng Jin had become withdrawn and barely spoke since Jinning's passing, almost like a mute, and was growing thinner, only knowing how to repair watches. He also shared concerns about Zheng Sunian, who was in his final year of high school and whose academic performance had plummeted from first in his grade to over 200th place. Mr. Shao mentioned Sunian's previous ambition to study physics at Tsinghua, and everyone worried about his future.
Meanwhile, Mr. Liu called Shao Xue to his office, delivering both good and bad news. The bad news, he joked, was that she wouldn't see him around much longer. The good news was that she had been selected for the study abroad program. He praised her exceptional performance, reminding her that this had been her dream. Shao Xue, however, appeared conflicted rather than joyful.
Later, Zheng Sunian’s mathematics teacher summoned him to the office, reprimanding him severely for his drastic fall in grades. The teacher expressed disbelief that Sunian, once the top student capable of attending any university, was now risking his academic future. Sunian remained silent, eventually stating he had nothing to say and that the teacher wouldn't understand his feelings anyway, as no one could truly grasp another's pain. He then left, much to the teacher's frustration.
After school, Zhang Qi enthusiastically tried to convince Zheng Sunian to celebrate his birthday, suggesting a dinner at a restaurant Shao Xue was excited about. Sunian, however, flatly refused, stating he was not in the mood to celebrate, and asked them to stop pressing him. Zhang Qi, understanding, suggested they could celebrate another time when Sunian felt ready. Zheng Sunian later went alone to visit the stray cat his mother used to feed.
He confided in the cat, feeling regret for his earlier harshness towards his friends but insisting he couldn't bring himself to celebrate his birthday. He worried about the cat now that his mother was gone, telling it to take care of itself and not to miss her too much. Upon returning home, Zhang Qi asked Shao Xue about her decision to decline the study abroad opportunity, recalling Mr. Liu's praise for her impressive scores (including an IELTS of 8.
5 and placing first in the interview) and the fact that it had always been her dream. Shao Xue explained that her current dream was to help Zheng Sunian find happiness again and suggested they plan a make-up birthday celebration for him that evening. At home, Shao Xue's parents noticed her preoccupation during dinner. When asked, she nervously confessed she no longer wanted to study abroad and feared their disapproval.
Her mother, secretly relieved as she hadn't wanted Shao Xue to leave, happily encouraged her decision, saying she could cook for her every day. Shao Xue, feigning that it was entirely her choice, made her mother even happier, though her father still seemed to sense something deeper was troubling her. That night, Zheng Sunian returned home, looking somber. Shao Xue met him outside, offering a comforting presence and a necklace as a birthday gift.
She told him that if he had any sadness or grievances, he should not keep them bottled up, but cry them out, offering her shoulder as support. When she attempted to leave, he quietly reached out and pulled her hand, indicating he wanted her to stay. Meanwhile, Mr. Liu, the Head of Discipline, called Zheng Jin to school.
He informed Zheng Jin that Sunian had been skipping afternoon classes for a week and was distracted during lessons, remaining unresponsive to criticism. Mr. Liu acknowledged the family's tragedy but stressed that Sunian was in Grade 12, a critical juncture for his future. He urged Zheng Jin to talk to Sunian gently to help him overcome his emotional burden. Zheng Jin promised to speak with his son immediately.
In the hallway, Zheng Jin ran into Zhang Qi and asked if he knew why Sunian was skipping school, but Zhang Qi claimed ignorance. Mr. Liu, the math teacher, also delivered exciting news to Zhang Qi: he had been granted a slot in USTC due to his outstanding performance in the Mathematical Olympiad, where he had won one silver and two gold medals. Zhang Qi, however, was hesitant.
He was only in Grade 11 and worried about leaving home and his friends behind. Mr. Liu was frustrated by his reaction, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He gave Zhang Qi one day to decide, threatening to involve his mother if he didn't comply. Later, Wu Huan found Zhang Qi lost in thought at the sundry shop. He confided in her about his USTC offer but asked her to keep it secret as he hadn't decided whether to accept.
Wu Huan initially thought he was reluctant to leave his mother, Ms. Zhang Ling, or her, but then realized his true hesitation was about leaving Shao Xue. She pressed him to confess his feelings to Shao Xue, but Zhang Qi felt it was "not necessary anymore." Wu Huan then questioned how he would even know Shao Xue's feelings if he hadn't spoken to her, which made Zhang Qi pause.
Shao Xue brought a dish of ribs prepared by her mother to Zheng Jin, who was waiting for Sunian to return. She felt a pang of sadness, recalling how Jinning used to cook for her. Shao Xue worried about Sunian, noting that he had been avoiding everyone. That evening, Shao Xue went to the yard to do her homework, hoping to see Zheng Sunian, as she felt he was deliberately hiding from them.
Her mother expressed concern about the cold, but Shao Xue was determined to wait. Zhang Qi arrived, also looking for Sunian, and saw Shao Xue waiting for him. He decided not to confess his feelings for her, sensing her sole focus was on Sunian. He did, however, tell her about his USTC offer.
Shao Xue was overjoyed for him, enthusiastically urging him to accept the opportunity and jokingly reminding him that his other grades might not be good enough to get in otherwise. Later, Zheng Sunian finally returned. Shao Xue had fallen asleep while waiting. Zhang Qi woke her up and informed Sunian about his admission to USTC. Sunian offered a quiet congratulations.
Zhang Qi, in turn, pressed Sunian to promise to take good care of Shao Xue once he left for university, expressing his worry about Sunian's current dispirited state. He then asked Sunian to walk Shao Xue home. Shao Xue tried to encourage Sunian to smile. Back home, Zheng Jin confronted Sunian about skipping school. Sunian admitted it and said he wasn't hungry. Zheng Jin urged him not to bottle up his emotions and to talk to him.
Sunian replied that his father already knew his feelings, expressing that losing the most important thing in his heart had left him feeling empty and that everything seemed meaningless. Zheng Jin acknowledged his son's pain, admitting he didn't know how to console him, but implored him not to let the wound in his heart fester. He urged Sunian to find a way to "fill the missing spot," assuring him it was possible with enough will.
Separately, Dou Siyuan arrived at work and saw Fu Qiaomu stepping out of a luxurious Mercedes-Benz, which immediately sparked a pang of jealousy in him. Inside the repair shop, Fu Qiaomu excitedly told Siyuan that she had pulled some strings to get his resume to an HR manager at a prestigious company, who was interested in interviewing him. She recalled Siyuan's past ambition to work for a large company.
However, Siyuan reacted coldly, questioning why she would casually give his resume to a "random person" and stating he didn't need favors. He added that he was content with his current job, even if it meant he couldn't afford a Mercedes-Benz. His words visibly hurt Qiaomu, who had put considerable effort into helping him. Siyuan eventually apologized but maintained that he didn't need her help. News of Zhang Qi's acceptance to USTC quickly spread through the hutong.
Neighbors flocked to Ms. Zhang Ling's house, showering her with congratulations and praising Zhang Qi's intelligence. They enthusiastically suggested that Zhang Qi should tutor their children, making Ms. Zhang Ling unsure whether to be happy or dismayed. Zhang Qi, hiding from the "terrifying" neighbors, complained to his mother that they also expected her to treat them to a meal. Ms. Zhang Ling jokingly predicted that next, they would try to get him as a son-in-law. Wu Huan, who was also present, defended Zhang Qi, highlighting his good looks and favorable background.
