Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 32 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
Zhang Qi visited Zheng Sunian, and as they chatted and drank, Zhang Qi wondered why Zheng Sunian hadn't contacted Shao Xue in so many years. Zheng Sunian admitted he still harbored feelings for Shao Xue, and that they had already been intimate. Zhang Qi recalled that when Shao Xue gave up her study abroad opportunity for Zheng Sunian, he realized her heart belonged to Zheng Sunian.
Zhang Qi questioned Zheng Sunian about their breakup, speculating that it was to enable Shao Xue to leave. Zheng Sunian confirmed that he broke up with her so she could go abroad and fulfill her dreams, not wanting to constrain her. Realizing Zheng Sunian's sacrifice, Zhang Qi felt Zheng Sunian had been greatly wronged. Angered by Shao Xue's perceived actions, Zhang Qi insisted on confronting her to "clear Zheng Sunian's name," accusing her of taking advantage of his friend.
Zheng Sunian resisted, lamenting that if he were to seek Shao Xue out, he would surely bring her back, but he had broken up with her precisely so she would leave and pursue her dreams. He expressed his desire for her to see, hear, and experience enough of the world before returning to him on her own. A neighbor, Ms. Li, intervened, scolding the two drunk men for their late-night commotion.
Later, Zheng Sunian received a call from his father, Zheng Jian, who wanted to set him up on a blind date. Zheng Sunian immediately refused, but Zhang Qi, concerned for his friend, took the phone and assured Zheng Jian that Zheng Sunian would attend, promising to accompany him just for appearance's sake. After Zheng Sunian left to get more beer, Zhang Qi called Shiyin, asking her to arrange a blind date for Shao Xue at the same time and place.
The next morning, Shao Xue’s mother, Yu Dongge, urged her to go on a blind date, which Shao Xue initially declined, citing jet lag. Shiyin arrived and revealed that Zheng Sunian was also going on a blind date at the same restaurant. Shiyin persuaded Shao Xue to go, suggesting she should at least see what kind of woman Zheng Sunian's date would be.
At the restaurant, Shao Xue sat with her date, Mr. Zhao, and Zheng Sunian with his, Ms. Bai. The two former lovers, seated across the room, began to subtly argue through their dates. Shao Xue complained about being dumped by a "jerk" who wanted her to go abroad, while Zheng Sunian retorted about Shao Xue returning from two years overseas only to go on a blind date, suggesting there were plenty of good men abroad.
Their dates were left bewildered as Shao Xue and Zheng Sunian angrily abandoned their tables and left. Outside, Shiyin and Zhang Qi, observing the scene, commented on their friends' stubbornness. Zhang Qi then explained his "contractual girlfriend" was part of a psychology experiment, which Shiyin suspected was a ploy to stay close to Shao Xue. Zhang Qi confessed his fear of confronting Shao Xue, likening her to a difficult math problem he couldn't solve.
Back in his room, Zheng Sunian put on an old MP3, listening to a recording of Shao Xue’s voice, a comfort whenever he missed her. Meanwhile, Shao Xue continued her work abroad. She initially declined Mo Hai's offer to become his business partner, lacking interest in business. However, during Chinese New Year, Mo Hai and his girlfriend brought her dumplings, which touched Shao Xue, and she agreed to become a formal partner.
Soon after, the company was shut down by the government. Mo Hai had embezzled investment funds and run away, leaving Shao Xue, as a partner, implicated in financial fraud. The police questioned her, causing her to faint. Admitted to the hospital, a lawyer informed her she was facing trial for financial fraud. The lawyer also told her that doctors found a growth in her uterus requiring immediate surgery.
Due to the legal case, her work visa might not be renewed, making her ineligible for medical insurance, and her bank accounts were frozen, leaving her without means to pay for treatment. Back at her residence, Shao Xue ignored her mother’s video call, feigning a work meeting, though her mother noted her weak voice and expressed concern for her health.
Shortly after, a friend called, having been informed by a doctor about Shao Xue's need for surgery, and offered to book a flight to be with her. Shao Xue, reflecting on her life abroad, realized that her pursuit of a bigger, more exciting world had left her without a sense of belonging. She missed her home, her friends, her parents, and Zheng Sunian.
When Zhang Qi visited her, informing her that Mo Hai had been arrested and her case would be dropped, he asked about her health. Shao Xue, without the means to pay for the required uterine surgery, tearfully told him she wanted to go home. After returning home, Shao Xue decided not to go directly to her parents, instead aiming to find a job first to reassure them. Shiyin, who was helping her recover, offered to find her a good job.
Shiyin also urged Shao Xue to reconsider her relationship with Zheng Sunian, explaining that Zhang Qi had inadvertently revealed to Zheng Sunian that Shao Xue had once given up an overseas study opportunity for him. Fearing Shao Xue would sacrifice her dreams again, Zheng Sunian had painfully decided to break up with her. Shiyin added that Zheng Sunian had only gone on blind dates to appease his father, rejecting all genuine interest.
Back in Beijing, Zheng Sunian often found himself looking at Shao Xue's old room, lost in memories. His father, Zheng Jian, eager for him to marry, constantly nudged him about his relationship status. Zheng Sunian would typically deflect these conversations with excuses, like delivering a parcel to Grandpa Sun. Shao Xue's parents also worried about Shao Xue, noting how Zhang Qi sent them health supplements while Shao Xue only called during holidays.
