Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 27 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
Zheng Sunian decided he would confess his feelings to Shao Xue but wanted to practice his lines first. He went to a park, rehearsing various approaches from direct declarations like, "Do you prefer being my girlfriend or my fiancee?" which startled nearby couples into thinking he was "unsound," to more subtle suggestions such as, "We can… be together?" After much practice, feeling more confident, he called Shao Xue to ask her out.
However, Shao Xue, remembering advice that a relationship might change their existing beautiful friendship and make it impossible to go back to being just friends, was hesitant. She gave a series of excuses, saying she was busy with homework, presentations, or school events. She even cut off calls, claiming to be in the library with bad signal or needing to retrieve things before closing.
Zheng Sunian called her repeatedly, but each time Shao Xue found a reason not to meet or talk, leaving him feeling dejected and wondering if he had made a mistake by taking a step forward in their relationship. Feeling down, Zheng Sunian met up with his friends, Pei Sheng and Bai YunSheng, for drinks.
Bai YunSheng, who was starting his own business and planning to move out of their dorm because he returned late every night, empathized with Zheng Sunian's situation. Pei Sheng, who was going abroad, noted that with him studying abroad, Zheng Sunian interning, and Bai YunSheng starting a business, it felt like they had already graduated. Despite the bittersweet farewell, they advised Zheng Sunian to persist in pursuing Shao Xue.
He then sent Shao Xue a message, asking to see her every day. The next morning, Zheng Sunian received an urgent call from Yu Dongge, Shao Xue's mother, who said she hadn't been able to reach Shao Xue for days and was worried. Zheng Sunian reassured her, mentioning that Shao Xue sometimes forgot her phone, and promised to find her.
He went to Shao Xue's school, where a classmate informed him that Shao Xue had left yesterday with a team of students for a volunteer teaching program in a small, remote village called Bama County in Guangxi. Hearing this, Zheng Sunian immediately headed to the airport and booked the earliest flight to Nanning, Guangxi. Upon arriving in Guangxi, Zheng Sunian learned that the bus to Bama County was canceled due to heavy rainfall and a road collapse.
Taxis also refused to go because of the dangerous conditions. Determined, Zheng Sunian offered 1,000 yuan to a driver, who eventually agreed to take him. However, their journey was cut short when they encountered another road blockage due to active repairs. A repair crew member informed Zheng Sunian that a group of college students, consistent with Shao Xue’s description, had passed through the area the previous night during the heaviest rain and were likely trapped in the mountains.
The repair crew leader, recognizing the danger, dispatched Li, Wang, and Zhang to accompany Zheng Sunian into the mountains. Zheng Sunian, receiving a walkie-talkie for communication, decided to split up to cover more ground. After a long search through the pouring rain, he finally heard their shouts for help and located Shao Xue and the other shivering, soaked students. Upon finding Shao Xue safe, Zheng Sunian embraced her tightly.
He then turned his anger towards Mo Hai, demanding, "Who's the leader?" Mo Hai nervously admitted it was his idea to lead them, but Zheng Sunian, grabbing him by the collar, reprimanded him for his irresponsibility, questioning how he could bear the consequences if something serious had happened. He then used the walkie-talkie to inform the repair team leader that he had found everyone and they were on their way back.
Meanwhile, Yu Dongge had managed to contact Shao Xue and was scolding her severely over the phone, expressing her terror and asking how she and Shao Hua would live if anything happened to her. Shao Xue, apologetic and hoarse from the ordeal, begged her mother to stop. Shao Hua then took the phone, kindly telling Shao Xue that her mother was just worried, and then thanked Zheng Sunian for rescuing their daughter and ensuring her safe return.
Once they reached the city, the group checked into a hotel. With only one room left after accommodating everyone else, the hotel staff, assuming Shao Xue and Zheng Sunian were a couple, assigned them to the same room. After Shao Xue took a shower, she urged Zheng Sunian to do the same to avoid catching a cold. Still fuming over her reckless actions, Zheng Sunian initially intended to find another place to stay.
However, Shao Xue, confessing she was scared to be alone, held him back. He reluctantly agreed to stay, offering her the bed while he would sit. Seeing his stern expression, Shao Xue’s eyes welled up, feeling that he had never been so "fierce" with her. Zheng Sunian, softened by her tears, let go of his anger and began to comfort her, asking if she was afraid.
Shao Xue tearfully admitted her fear and loneliness, describing her overwhelming relief at seeing him, only to be upset when he then yelled at her. Zheng Sunian apologized, explaining his intense fear and anxiety on the way to find her, constantly imagining her in danger. Moved by his words, Shao Xue confessed her deep affection, telling him, "I like you so much. . . I've always liked you."
She added, "From four, eight, sixteen… two to the power of six," playfully alluding to how long and deeply she had liked him. When Zheng Sunian questioned why she had been avoiding him after their previous kiss if she liked him, Shao Xue explained her fear that their relationship might change. However, the day's ordeal made her realize she "actually longed for the changes" and wanted to be with him.
She then pulled him onto the bed, wanting to act on their feelings. Zheng Sunian, wanting their first intimate moment to be more special than an impulsive act, initially resisted, but eventually, they gave in to their emotions and kissed passionately. The next morning, Shao Xue, shyly hiding under the covers, was gently coaxed out of bed by Zheng Sunian, who playfully teased her about "girlfriend privileges."
He had already made arrangements, contacting government officials and the school principal, to ensure the volunteer teaching program could continue with proper support. They took photos together to send to their parents, reassuring them of their safety. Yu Dongge, still annoyed at Shao Xue for going to Guangxi, softened when she saw the photos. However, as she and Zheng Jian looked through the pictures, they noticed the increasing intimacy between Shao Xue and Zheng Sunian.
Zheng Jian remarked that Shao Xue, who usually seemed like "a boy," was now "always sticking with Sunian," while Zheng Sunian himself "was not being sensitive enough." They decided to "remind him to keep his distance" once he returned home, acknowledging that they were no longer children.
Later, Zheng Sunian's art teacher praised his latest painting, noting how the addition of a human figure—implicitly Shao Xue—brought the entire piece to life, a significant improvement from his previous works, suggesting a profound shift in his inspiration.
