Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 25 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
Shao Xue confronted Zheng Sunian, calling him by his full name, which showed her anger. She accused him of badmouthing Mo Hai behind his back, stating that the Sunian she knew wouldn't do such a thing. Zheng Sunian admitted it was wrong but insisted that Mo Hai harbored ill intentions towards her.
Shao Xue dismissed his concerns, explaining that Mo Hai treated her merely as a junior and already had a girl he liked, though he hadn't confessed to her yet. Zheng Sunian questioned if Mo Hai had made up the story to lower her guard, which Shao Xue found despicable. Shao Xue then accused him of embarrassing her under the guise of worrying, but Zheng Sunian clarified that he only worried she might grow distant from him.
Shao Xue explained her busy schedule as a university student and student committee member. Zheng Sunian asked her to at least keep in touch. Shao Xue promised to return to her dorm early every day and call him to say good night, which pleased Zheng Sunian before he left with his two roommates. Later, Shiyin listened to Shao Xue's story and immediately concluded that Zheng Sunian was jealous because he liked her.
Shao Xue initially only felt a sibling-like affection for Sunian, but Shiyin's playful "love expert" test made her realize her true feelings. Shiyin had Shao Xue first imagine a boy named Zhang Qi and answer questions about seeing him, missing him, and if another girl stole him. Shao Xue answered indifferently. Then, Shiyin asked her to replace Zhang Qi with Sunian, and Shao Xue's emotional reaction, including pinching Shiyin, confirmed her deeper feelings.
Although Shao Xue found the idea of being his girlfriend awkward and feared changing their current comfortable relationship, she was curious about Shiyin's advice. Shiyin then laid out a "seduction" strategy for Shao Xue: start by giving him the cold shoulder to create a sense of distance, then become passionate, staring into his eyes, holding his hands, uttering a pickup line, and then pulling back.
After that, Shao Xue should tease him with her expressions, act delicate, touch him accidentally, and finally, show her willful side without warning to make him confess. Meanwhile, Zheng Sunian consulted Pei Sheng, who emphatically told him that even blind Bai Yunsheng could see his love for Shao Xue and urged him to confess, warning that if he didn didn't express his feelings, "it'll never begin."
Pei Sheng vividly described the joys of a relationship – holding hands, kissing, getting married, and consummating – which Zheng Sunian found embarrassing. Pei Sheng pressed on, emphasizing that in college, many "wolves" like Mo Hai would pursue Shao Xue, and he would regret not acting. Zheng Sunian, however, was hesitant to change their long-standing relationship, fearing Shao Xue wouldn't accept it, preferring to let "nature take its course."
Pei Sheng insisted he needed to know if Shao Xue liked him and how much. He then advised Zheng Sunian on a male version of "seduction" with the principle: "If you desire her, that means you've fallen for her. But if you can hold it in, that means you're serious about her." His strategy was to show initial passion, then act cool and collected.
When Zheng Sunian asked what if he couldn't hold back, Pei Sheng taught him to chant the "Enduring Mantra": "Endure for a moment and the wind will calm; a man must be calm and collected." Pei Sheng even demonstrated his techniques, first to a waitress by being demanding then coy, and then to a random girl by counting "fingerprint rings" on her hand and reciting a cheesy line about destiny.
The girl revealed she only had "loops" on her fingers, not "rings," but Pei Sheng, sticking to his script, told her he would count her "three rings" another day, then abruptly left, showcasing his "withdraw" strategy. Shiyin's parents hosted a dinner, where Yu Dongge and her husband were present. Shiyin's mother proudly spoke of Shiyin's beauty and popularity, but firmly stated that Shiyin was forbidden from dating during university, threatening to "break her legs" if she dared.
Just then, Shao Xue's voice rang out from outside, calling for Sunian. Zheng Sunian had prepared a homemade dinner and invited Shao Xue over, hoping to confess. Shao Xue, remembering Shiyin's "cold shoulder" advice, called his cooking "so ordinary," dampening his enthusiasm. He tried to serve her, but she insisted on serving herself.
Then, Zheng Sunian attempted Pei Sheng's hand-reading trick, counting her "fingerprint rings," but Shao Xue revealed she had no "rings," only "loops," making his line about their destiny fall flat. Embarrassed, Zheng Sunian tried to withdraw, awkwardly stating he would count her rings another day. Shao Xue then tried her own seduction moves, teasing him with her eyes, acting pitiful, and sitting close to him, complimenting his appearance.
Zheng Sunian, remembering Pei Sheng's "Enduring Mantra" and advice to stay calm, resisted her advances, pushing her hand away, telling her to serve herself, and questioning why she was sitting so close. Shao Xue's last attempt was to tickle him, but Zheng Sunian caught her hands, pulled her into a hug, and leaned in for a kiss before stopping himself. After their failed attempts, Shao Xue confided in Shiyin, regretting not asking Zheng Sunian directly about his feelings.
Shiyin, however, believed her strategy had frightened him and that he would eventually come around, advising Shao Xue to "stick to her principles." On the other side, Zheng Sunian recounted the evening to Pei Sheng, who, despite the awkward outcome, declared Zheng Sunian had succeeded in showing his seriousness. Pei Sheng, eager to further their progress, announced a paintball game, calling it "War and Love," an "ultimate technique."
He initially planned for Zheng Sunian and Shao Xue to be on the same team, with the others acting as "reinforcements" to highlight Zheng Sunian's bravery. However, Mo Hai unexpectedly arrived and insisted on splitting teams by university affiliation, which Shao Xue also agreed to. This resulted in Shao Xue and Mo Hai on one team, and Zheng Sunian and Pei Sheng on the opposing team.
Shiyin, now on Shao Xue's team, advised Shao Xue that to test a man's true feelings, one must stand on the opposite side; if he truly liked her, winning or losing wouldn't matter, only her happiness would. Shiyin then told Shao Xue she would be the "bait" for their team to draw out the enemy. Meanwhile, Pei Sheng rallied his team for "Plan B," vowing to win. In the game, Zheng Sunian's team successfully cornered Mo Hai.
Zheng Sunian ordered Mo Hai to choose a number between one and 100 as a penalty for how many times they would shoot him. When Mo Hai complained it would hurt, Zheng Sunian replied, "That's our goal." Mo Hai refused, so Zheng Sunian's team "eliminated" him. After Mo Hai's "sacrifice," Shiyin executed her plan, going out to draw fire from Zheng Sunian's team. She was quickly eliminated. Shao Xue then ran out, but, unable to shoot, simply yelled.
As Pei Sheng aimed at her, Zheng Sunian immediately shielded Shao Xue, taking the "shot" himself and crying out in pain. Their "Plan B" was deemed a success by Pei Sheng, as Zheng Sunian had once again protected Shao Xue. Following the game, everyone went to a hot spring. The friends intentionally left the sauna room one by one to give Zheng Sunian and Shao Xue some privacy.
Pei Sheng then re-entered, feigning a hand cramp, and handed Shao Xue ointment for Zheng Sunian's "wound," urging her to apply it before leaving again. Shao Xue, concerned, began applying the medicine. As her hair brushed against Zheng Sunian, he gently suggested she tie it up, saying he felt "ticklish." Misunderstanding his subtle hint, Shao Xue playfully began tickling him. Zheng Sunian caught her hands, pulled her close into an embrace, and leaned in for a kiss.
At that moment, Pei Sheng burst back in, asking about the ointment. Seeing their close proximity, he quickly backed out, telling them to "continue" and that he was still thirsty, excusing himself to the washroom. Embarrassed, Shao Xue ran out of the room. Zheng Sunian, seeking advice, found Bai Yunsheng and asked how he knew he loved Yunjin. Bai Yunsheng shared a story of how seeing Yunjin in a red cheongsam made him realize he wanted to marry her.
He advised Zheng Sunian that to confirm his feelings, he should imagine his wedding with Shao Xue; if his heart was entirely for her, then she was the one. Shiyin also pondered Shao Xue's feelings, asking if she truly liked Zheng Sunian and if she was ready for their relationship to change. Soon after, Zheng Sunian approached Shao Xue and presented her with a gift: a new mobile phone.
He explained it would make it easier for them to stay in contact. Shao Xue was delighted with the gift and happily declared she would make him her "first contact person" when he asked her to make him hers. She thanked him, embracing the new connection with her Sunian.
