Memory of Encaustic Tile Episode 7 Recap
> Memory of Encaustic Tile Recap
Zhang Qi was released from isolation, and Zheng Sunian and Shao Xue brought him home. However, they remained concerned about Mr. Sun's safety as he continued to treat patients in the hospital. Meanwhile, Kou Siyuan, knowing that Qiaomu was also isolated at her art school and couldn't leave, visited her outside the campus walls. He brought her various delicious foods and even some isatis root infusion. Qiaomu was touched by his thoughtfulness.
Upon returning to her dorm, her roommates, seeing all the food, jokingly suggested it was from a boyfriend. Qiaomu, however, clarified that they were merely intern colleagues and hadn't confessed any romantic feelings. As they opened the food bags, they discovered a brand-new, red mobile phone. Her roommates were amazed by Kou Siyuan's generosity, but Qiaomu, finding the gift too valuable for mere friends, rushed out to return it, only to find that he had already left.
Soon, the epidemic came to an end, and life gradually returned to normal. Shao Xue's mother, hearing the news, quickly gathered her family to visit the Restoration Department, where Mr. Sun had urged them to pick ripe cherries. Everyone from the alley gathered, enjoying the cherry picking and celebrating the return to normalcy after the long lockdown. Later, Wu Huan invited everyone to Pizza Hut for a meal. Zheng Sunian sensed something was amiss.
Wu Huan revealed that he hadn't been able to find work during the epidemic, and his family was in a difficult financial situation. He had decided to drop out of school to work and support his family. He clarified that after this meal, they would no longer be classmates but would remain friends forever. That evening, Shao Xue confided in her parents about Wu Huan's decision. Her mother empathized, remarking on the family's long-standing struggles, barely surviving on government aid.
Shao Xue proposed secretly organizing a donation to help Wu Huan return to school. Her mother strongly supported the idea and promised to be the first to contribute if Shao Xue successfully organized it. Just then, Zhang Qi arrived and whisked Shao Xue away, revealing that he and the others were also planning a donation to help Wu Huan continue his studies.
However, Lin Shiyin chose not to participate, believing that everyone has the right to make their own choices without interference, a stance Zhang Qi found difficult to understand. Zheng Sunian initially agreed with Lin Shiyin about respecting Wu Huan's choice but, seeing Shao Xue and Zhang Qi's determination, agreed to help. Shao Xue, Zhang Qi, and Zheng Sunian launched the donation drive at the community center. Many neighbors, touched by the cause, contributed generously.
With a substantial amount collected, the three friends went to Wu Huan's house to present the money. Wu Huan was happy to see them but, out of pride, politely declined their donation, though he appreciated their kindness. Just then, Wu Huan's mother, Xin Jie, emerged. Upon seeing Zheng Sunian, she became agitated, angrily scolding him and demanding he leave their house. She accused him of being spoiled and claimed his family was responsible for her and her son's misfortunes.
After being driven away, Zheng Sunian told Shao Xue and Zhang Qi that Wu Huan's refusal was a matter of his dignity. He suggested that Lin Shiyin was the only person Wu Huan might accept help from. Meanwhile, Jin Ning visited Xin Jie, carrying one of Xin Jie's old paintings.
Jin Ning gently reminded Xin Jie of their master's high praise for her artistic talent and urged her to let go of past grievances, for her son's future and her own well-being. Lin Shiyin then approached Wu Huan, explaining that she hadn't donated money because she anticipated his refusal. Zheng Sunian had entrusted her with the collected funds from their friends, emphasizing that Wu Huan could accept it from her without compromising his dignity.
Lin Shiyin persuaded Wu Huan about the importance of a university education for a better future and expressed her sincere desire to continue seeing him at school, as they were friends. Moved by her words, Wu Huan finally agreed to accept the donation. Back at school, during math class, Mr. Liu, the language teacher, noticed Zhang Qi secretly reading a book. When he confiscated it, he was surprised to find it was a Math Olympiad textbook.
Believing Zhang Qi couldn't possibly understand such advanced material, Mr. Liu challenged him to solve a problem, asking the math teacher, Mr. Zhang, to provide one. Zhang Qi effortlessly solved complex cubic and quartic equations, even discussing Galois groups for quintic equations, much to Mr. Liu's embarrassment. Mr. Zhang, recognizing Zhang Qi's exceptional talent, invited him to his office after class to discuss entering the Math Olympiad competition.
Later, Mr. Zhang called Shao Xue to the board to solve a simple math problem, but she struggled. He expressed frustration at the stark academic disparity between students, implicitly contrasting Shao Xue with Zhang Qi. Soon after, the placement test results were posted. Shao Xue's score was mediocre, ranking over 100th, meaning she could no longer sit with Lin Shiyin (who ranked around 50th). Wu Huan was also among the lower-ranked students.
Zhang Qi was called to Mr. Liu's office, where he was informed of his transfer to the competition class, which comprised the school's brightest students. Mr. Liu revealed that he had personally pleaded with the principal on Zhang Qi's behalf. Despite Zhang Qi's poor performance in other subjects, Mr. Liu had highlighted his extraordinary mathematical genius, convincing the principal to make an exception for him.
Mr. Liu also warned Zhang Qi that the competition class was very demanding and he must not relax his efforts. Upset by her poor test results, Shao Xue didn't go home after school, causing her mother, Dongge, great worry. Dongge heard from neighbors about Shao Xue's low score and immediately went to look for her. She found Shao Xue lost in thought at the sundry shop and quickly pulled her home. The neighbors observed the scene, speculating that Shao Xue would likely face a severe scolding and implying she wouldn't easily escape this predicament.
