Meteor Garden 2018 Episode 10 Recap
> Meteor Garden 2018 Recaps
At Daoming Si's house, F4 and Shancai gathered for a celebratory dinner with Zhuang. Shancai admitted her anxiety over the bridge game against Daoming Si, but the others clarified that the intimidating "Joker card" rumors were simply fabricated by challengers who couldn't accept defeat.
With the mood lightened, Zhuang delighted in sharing embarrassing childhood stories of F4, revealing how Ximen and Meizuo used to bite each other's toes and demand pacifiers, and how Huaze Lei once got his head stuck in a toilet while washing his hair. Despite the F4 boys' protests, the lighthearted reminiscing continued. Meanwhile, Daoming Si wandered the streets alone. He bumped into a drunk man who complained about being "tired."
Misinterpreting the word "tired" (lèi) as Huaze Lei's name (Lei), Daoming Si angrily confronted the man, almost assaulting him. He then muttered to himself, declaring that he, Daoming Si, could not be dejected over a mere girl. Back at the house, Ximen and Meizuo were jokingly competing to recall their ex-girlfriends' phone numbers. Zhuang then turned to Shancai and Huaze Lei, inquiring about the progress of their relationship. Shancai bashfully admitted they had been on a date.
Seeing they had made little progress, Zhuang playfully chided them for being too slow, suggesting their lack of progress had allowed Daoming Si to interfere. She proposed that Shancai and Huaze Lei spend the night alone together to foster their relationship. Huaze Lei readily agreed, expressing a desire for a private conversation with Shancai. Alone in the room, Shancai, feeling awkward, tried to initiate a conversation about high school graduation trips, sharing fond memories of Chongming Island.
Huaze Lei, however, remained mostly silent, only briefly mentioning "Prague" when asked about his own trip. He then stared at Shancai, jokingly calling her an "ugly freak" before admitting that while she appeared ordinary at first glance, he found her charming and captivating when she was seriously playing cards. He confessed that he finally understood Daoming Si's intense fixation on her.
Huaze Lei then admitted his own uncertainty about his feelings for Shancai, suggesting it might be an emotional rebound after being hurt by Jing. Shancai, with empathy, assured Huaze Lei that she understood his deep feelings for Jing and how special Jing was to him. Huaze Lei recalled that only Jing had appreciated his childhood drawings, a testament to her unique place in his heart.
He then somberly admitted he wasn't sure if he "can love someone else" and clarified that his feelings for Shancai, while strong, were "not love." Shancai graciously accepted this, reassuring him that it was perfectly fine. Huaze Lei apologized, feeling that if he hadn't returned, Shancai might have ended up with Daoming Si.
Shancai quickly countered, saying she had no desire to be with Daoming Si and was, in fact, grateful for the turn of events, as it allowed her to see the "current" Huaze Lei, who had shed his previous distant and cold demeanor. She declared her affection for this transformed Huaze Lei and vowed to remain his good friend forever, keeping her deeper feelings hidden. Touched by her understanding, Huaze Lei kissed her forehead in gratitude.
When Daoming Si returned home, he overheard Ximen, Meizuo, and Zhuang discussing him. They criticized his difficult temper, with Zhuang remarking that only she could truly manage him. Zhuang added that their family inherited a "difficult, troublesome, hard to get along with" trait. They then shifted their conversation to Shancai and Huaze Lei, musing about what they might be doing together in the room.
Zhuang, without hesitation, informed Daoming Si that Shancai and Huaze Lei were in the room, challenging him, as a "real man," to sincerely wish them well. Though Daoming Si's demeanor remained outwardly calm, his inner rage seethed. He coolly commented on Huaze Lei's newfound "ways" and abruptly demanded food, masking his intense emotional turmoil. Daoming Si spent a restless night. The next morning, he confided in Ximen, recalling a childhood incident where he had taken Huaze Lei's favorite toy.
He felt a lingering guilt, believing it was time to atone for his past actions. Ximen, understanding his underlying meaning, correctly guessed that Daoming Si was referring to Shancai. Daoming Si confirmed his decision: he would no longer torment Shancai and would, instead, let her go. Meanwhile, Shancai returned home to an unexpected announcement from her parents: they were moving. Her father had secured a new position at an investment consultant company, a firm he optimistically described as guaranteeing profits.
While excited about his new venture, her parents expressed sadness about leaving their home of over ten years. They also mentioned the new house was smaller, which concerned her mother who planned to start a home cook and food delivery business. They urged Shancai to pack quickly, as the move was scheduled for the next day. Despite the smaller size, the family was happy that their new home was much closer to Mingde University. At school, Shancai encountered Daoming Si.
He returned a textbook she had left at his house, his attitude cold yet unusually normal. He chided her for her forgetfulness, reminding her to thank him for personally delivering it. Shancai found his behavior perplexing. Soon after, she spotted an advertisement for a kitchen helper at a French Restaurant near her school. She applied and was immediately hired.
She witnessed another candidate, a top cooking school student, being rejected for lateness, with the chef emphasizing that attitude was more important than experience, which secured Shancai's position despite her lack of professional cooking experience. Later, Daoming Si, Ximen, and Meizuo were playing pool. Daoming Si boasted that he was completely over Shancai, callously stating that anyone who liked such a "rude woman" could have her, and he'd even "tie a bow" on her for Huaze Lei.
Just then, Huaze Lei arrived. Daoming Si's earlier pretense crumbled; his anger reignited, and he threw his pool cue, storming out. Ximen and Meizuo questioned Huaze Lei about his night with Shancai. Huaze Lei explained that he would not do anything to Shancai because he would never betray his friendship with Daoming Si. He believed that if Daoming Si learned to cherish what he had and understood that not everything could be obtained, then the recent events would be worthwhile.
Until then, he intended to keep his distance from Shancai but decided not to inform Daoming Si yet. Back at home, Zhuang informed Daoming Si that their mother wanted him to accompany her to London, but Zhuang had already declined on his behalf. To Zhuang's surprise, Daoming Si declared his intention to go, saying, "the sooner the better," and asked his sister to handle the necessary paperwork.
Zhuang, believing he was merely fleeing his feelings for Shancai, called him out for being so easily defeated and "not like a Daoming." Shancai learned from other students about Daoming Si's impending departure for London. She rushed to confront him at school, where he was with the other F4 members. She demanded to know why he hadn't told her.
Daoming Si, deliberately trying to hurt her, retorted that his absence would simply clear the way for her and Huaze Lei to "cultivate feelings." He added that he would find a "blonde girl" in London and lead a romantic life along the Thames. Enraged, Shancai fired back that she would be "happier without seeing him" and "live better without him," declaring they should never see each other again.
At the French Restaurant, Shancai, still reeling from the confrontation, became distracted and accidentally burned her hand. Tian Ye, a kind colleague, immediately helped her with first aid. Shortly after, Daoming Si arrived at the restaurant. He created a scene, claiming the food was "not fresh" and demanded to see Shancai. Tian Ye intervened, defending the restaurant's reputation and politely telling Daoming Si that Shancai was working. Daoming Si rudely dismissed Tian Ye.
When Shancai emerged, Daoming Si noticed her bandaged hand and angrily chastised her for her carelessness. Shancai, equally furious, snapped that it was none of his business. Tian Ye stepped in again, demanding Daoming Si show respect. Daoming Si arrogantly dismissed Tian Ye as "unworthy" to speak to him. Shancai, fed up with his disrespect, firmly told him to leave. Daoming Si, clearly hurt, retorted that he had come to say goodbye, but now it was "unnecessary."
He declared he would "never come back again" and bid her a final "goodbye." Shancai was visibly distraught. When Tian Ye later asked if Daoming Si was her boyfriend, Shancai emphatically denied it, stating she would have nothing to do with him in the future.
