Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 2 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
Jin Ning's birthday was approaching, and Zheng Jin was diligently working at the repair shop. He was meticulously restoring an antique music box, intending it as a special birthday gift for Jin Ning, so engrossed in his task that he skipped meals. As he fixed the music box, he recalled their first encounter, when Jin Ning, looking like a fairy, captivated everyone in the facsimile division upon her arrival.
Meanwhile, Zheng Sunian, a popular student, was often approached by a senior. This irked Zhuang Dada, a classmate and 'little hooligan,' who also liked the senior and warned Sunian to stay away from her. Sunian ignored him, and Zhuang Dada, in a fit of rage, later removed the valve cap from his bicycle, forcing Sunian to push it all the way home.
Later that evening, while doing homework with friends, Zhang Qi discovered his own schoolbag had also been damaged by Zhuang Dada. He told his mother about Sunian being bullied, which she found hard to believe, as Sunian was such a good kid. She cautioned Zhang Qi not to meddle in others' affairs. Zhang Qi, however, urged Sunian to fight back, but Sunian, being academically inclined, preferred to avoid trouble.
Seeing Sunian's passive approach, Shao Xue and Zhang Qi secretly decided to take matters into their own hands and confront Zhuang Dada. Shao Xue declared that Sunian was in charge of learning, while they would "protect the world's peace." She planned to send Zhuang Dada a "love letter" to lure him out. The next day, Shao Xue passed a note to one of Zhuang Dada's classmates, asking him to meet her at the North Gate.
Sunian, learning that Shao Xue had gone alone to confront Zhuang Dada, rushed to find her, worried she might be bullied. He found Zhuang Dada by himself and, assuming Shao Xue was in trouble, immediately restrained him, warning him that he could bully Sunian but not Shao Xue. Just then, Shao Xue returned, revealing she had already handled the situation.
She had flattered Zhuang Dada, telling him he was quite good-looking but needed to improve his "temperament" to win the affection of the school's belle. Zhuang Dada, eager to impress the belle, agreed to stop bullying Sunian in exchange for Shao Xue's guidance. Zhang Qi, who had mistakenly gone to a different "North Gate" (of an opposite community), arrived late, missing the confrontation.
Separately, Lin Shiyin was caught by their teacher, Mr. Liu, for bringing nail polish to school and was punished to stand outside the classroom. Wu Huan tried to take the blame, claiming the nail polish was his, but Mr. Liu dismissed him. Shiyin was furious with Wu Huan for not speaking up effectively and told him to stop being a busybody.
Shao Xue then decided to find a "Winter Sonata" movie disc as a birthday gift for Aunt Jinning, knowing she had been sad when the show stopped broadcasting. Zhang Qi boasted about his "connections" and offered to help her find it. They went to a music store where the owner, Haonan, jokingly showed them inappropriate films before providing the correct disc. On their way back, Mrs. Li from the Neighborhood Committee stopped them, scolding them for neglecting community service.
She assigned them to put up posters at the Neighborhood Committee Activity Center. Finding the door locked and Mrs. Li having gone to buy soy sauce, Shao Xue proposed climbing the wall. As she climbed, she saw Sunian talking to the senior. Upset by the sight, Shao Xue fell, spraining her leg.
Sunian quickly came to her aid, carrying her, but Shao Xue, still angry, demanded to be put down and insisted that Zhang Qi carry her instead, claiming she was "scared of heights" and subtly implying Sunian was too tall. At the neighborhood clinic, Dr. Liu examined Shao Xue and assured them it was just a sprain, no need for a hospital.
When Shao Xue's mother arrived to take her home, Sunian tried to talk to Shao Xue, asking what he had done to upset her. Shao Xue responded that he "doesn't treat us like buddies anymore." Later, Sunian confided in Zhang Qi, wondering if Shao Xue was "sick" for getting angry without apparent reason, and concluded that "girls are such a hassle." Zhang Qi humorously suggested he think of Shao Xue as "a guy who gets a monthly period."
Despite his frustration, Sunian couldn't shake the feeling that Shao Xue was different, remembering how "soft" she felt when he carried her. The next day, Sunian went to Shao Xue's home to apologize and gifted her a new "Winter Sonata" disc to replace the broken one. Shao Xue, pleased with the gesture, reluctantly forgave him. At Aunt Jinning's birthday celebration, Shao Xue presented the disc, which Jin Ning adored, exclaiming how thoughtful it was.
Zhang Qi gave her an "Errand ticket," promising to be at her service anytime. Shiyin gave a delicate hairpin she had secretly modified from her mother's pendant, and Wu Huan presented a folded paper gift that Jin Ning particularly cherished. When asked about his gift, Sunian kept it a secret.
Later, to everyone's surprise, Sunian's senior appeared and performed a song, revealing that Sunian had arranged this musical performance as a special birthday surprise for his mother, explaining his recent secret meetings with the senior. The senior spoke about how Aunt Jinning was her inspiration, often telling stories of her time abroad, fostering a dream to see faraway places and discover her own landscapes and stories.
