Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 29 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
As Shao Xue was on her way back, she mentioned it was getting late and she still needed to pack for her trip the next day, deciding it was time to head home. Meanwhile, Zheng Sunian and Shao Hua were waiting for her to arrive. Sunian knew exactly when she would get home, at 8:45 PM, much to Shao Hua's surprise.
Shao Hua admitted he hadn't considered who he would want his daughter to marry, but after Sunian inquired, Shao Hua mused that someone like Sunian would be a good match, adding sincerely, "Silly boy, would I joke about my own daughter?" This delighted Sunian. Shortly after, Zhang Qi arrived back in town to prepare for his postgraduate exams and went to see Sunian.
Upon entering Sunian's apartment, Zhang Qi commented on how cozy it looked and immediately guessed that Sunian intended for Shao Xue to move in with him. Zhang Qi, who was still single, advised Sunian that girls appreciate a "sense of ceremony" for such an invitation, warning that a simple request could lead to future arguments.
Sunian was skeptical of Zhang Qi's advice, given his lack of dating experience, but Zhang Qi suggested he consult Lin Shiyin, who had more experience in relationships. Sunian later sought Shiyin’s opinion, and she affirmed Zhang Qi's point about the importance of ceremony. Shiyin, knowing Shao Xue's love for Harry Potter, proposed a grand romantic gesture: Sunian, dressed as Harry Potter, would descend on a Nimbus 2000 broomstick and ask Shao Xue to move into their shared home.
Sunian agreed to the elaborate plan, and several friends worked together to set up the wire harness. While Sunian and his friends prepared the surprise, Shao Xue was in a taxi with Mo Hai on her way home. Sunian had earlier texted her, saying he was busy and couldn't pick her up.
Mo Hai, who had recently secured an overseas job offer and planned to pursue the woman he loved, encouraged Shao Xue to accept her potential job offer from Huanyu's headquarters if she was successful in her interview. He suggested they could look out for each other if they were in the same city abroad.
Shao Xue, whose dream of going abroad had faded since starting her relationship with Sunian, found herself considering the idea again after Mo Hai's persuasion, telling him she needed more time to think. She still hadn't told Sunian about her job interview abroad. As Shao Xue’s taxi pulled up to her home, the surprise went awry. Mo Hai exited the car first, greeting Sunian (who was suspended in the air in his Harry Potter costume).
Shao Xue, meanwhile, exited from the other side of the car. The grand romantic gesture was exposed to curious neighbors, creating an awkward scene for everyone involved, with Sunian lowering his head in embarrassment, still tied up with ropes. After the commotion, Shao Xue acknowledged she was indeed surprised, especially by Sunian's outfit, and thanked him for the thought, noting it was Shiyin's idea.
Sunian then tried to steer the conversation to a serious topic, asking Shao Xue about her post-graduation work plans and offering to buy a house wherever she chose to work. Shao Xue, still processing Mo Hai's words and feeling tired from her flight, evaded the conversation, saying she needed to rest. Later, Wu Huan waited for Shiyin in a phone booth to break up with her.
He told her she had always been a "ray of light" to him, but he realized he could never catch up to her. Feeling guilty that she had rejected many good opportunities because of him, and wanting to spare her further embarrassment, he decided to let go. Shiyin was devastated, tearing up his farewell letter and desperately calling after him as he walked away.
She later pieced the letter back together, weeping as she reread his heartfelt words, which expressed his sense of never closing the distance between them, his guilt over her sacrifices, and his wish for them to part ways peacefully and be well. That night, Shao Xue, unable to sleep due to her worries about her job opportunity, found her father, Shao Hua, also awake.
She confessed that she and Sunian were already together, which initially startled Shao Hua, making him ask if Sunian had done anything inappropriate. Shao Xue then revealed her dilemma about the Huanyu job offer, which would require her to live abroad and only return once a year.
While Shao Hua expressed his reluctance to see her go, fearing her mother Yu Dongge's reaction and feeling lonely without her, he ultimately advised her to make her own decision, promising his full support. He reassured her that parents often compromise for their children's happiness.
Shao Xue wondered if it was selfish to pursue her dreams at the expense of those who loved her, but Shao Hua told her not to feel burdened, encouraging her to follow her heart, assuring her he would handle everything else. The next day, Shao Xue met with her friends and learned the full extent of Sunian's surprise proposal—that he had rented an apartment with the intention of asking her to live with him.
Shiyin urged Shao Xue to tell Sunian about the job offer soon, reminding her not to give up such a good opportunity like she did in high school. Unbeknownst to Shao Xue, Sunian accidentally overheard Shao Hua discussing Shao Xue's overseas job interview with his colleague, Mr. Sun, at the conservation institute. Shao Hua was seeking advice on whether Shao Xue should go abroad, expressing his reluctance.
Sunian realized Shao Xue had interviewed abroad without his knowledge, despite his previous offer to support her dreams. Sunian confronted Shao Xue, expressing his hurt that she had kept the job offer a secret. He accused her of planning her future with Mo Hai while he was busy preparing a home for them. Shao Xue, emotional, retorted that the home he planned wasn't what "she" wanted. The argument left Sunian deeply wounded, feeling unimportant to her.
Shao Xue, regretting her words, apologized and left. She later ran into Zhang Qi, confiding in him about the difficult choice between her loved one and her dreams, and regretting her secrecy. Zhang Qi then sought out Sunian, explaining that Shao Xue had once given up a valuable overseas study opportunity in high school to stay by his side after his mother, Jin Ning, passed away, because she feared he would be alone and depressed.
He urged Sunian not to prevent her from pursuing her dreams again. Deeply affected by this revelation, Sunian visited Jin Ning's grave. He confessed his inner turmoil to his late mother, acknowledging Shao Xue's past sacrifice and his current fear of holding her back. He pondered whether it would be selfish to ask her to stay, as his father had done with Jin Ning, promising to treat her with the same boundless love.
Meanwhile, Shao Xue visited Sunian's father, Mr. Zheng (Zheng Jian), who seemed withdrawn and was eating instant noodles, his eyes reflecting the emptiness since Jin Ning's passing. This made Shao Xue worry that Sunian would become similarly lost if she left. In Sunian's room, she discovered his detailed drawings for their planned home, filled with her favorite colors and designs, further emphasizing his commitment to their shared future.
Back at the grave, Sunian reflected that he was the reason Shao Xue continually abandoned her dreams, especially one that was clearly within reach. He couldn't bear to see her suffer, realizing that it was better for him to endure the pain than for Shao Xue to sacrifice her aspirations. He silently resolved to support her.
Shao Xue, deeply touched by Sunian's drawings and his unwavering love, ultimately made her decision: she left a note for Sunian, stating, "Sunian, I've made my decision. I've decided not to go abroad."
