Meteor Garden 2018 Episode 19 Recap
> Meteor Garden 2018 Recap
Following their recent rescue, Daoming Si was still upset that Shancai had called him a "puppy." Meizuo and Ximen observed Shancai's seemingly indifferent attitude, finding her too stubborn despite Daoming Si's persistent efforts to win her affection. They mused that Shancai, being a simple person, held unrealistic romantic ideals and resolved to subtly encourage her towards Daoming Si. The next day, Shancai went to school even though her injuries were not fully healed.
Huaze Lei noticed her unwrapped wound and gently applied a band-aid. Shancai felt a familiar warmth from Huaze Lei, but her heart no longer fluttered for him, as she believed he and Jing had resolved their issues. As they talked, Daoming Si arrived, clearly annoyed by their closeness. He snapped at Huaze Lei for interfering and then sarcastically referred to his own "dog-like" recovery. Huaze Lei excused himself, leaving Daoming Si and Shancai alone.
Daoming Si then informed Shancai that his birthday was on the 31st and demanded she attend his party at his house with a gift, announcing he would introduce her to his mother. Shancai was taken aback by this sudden development, feeling she wasn't even his girlfriend. Shancai confided in Xiao You about her dilemma regarding a gift. Xiao You reminded her of her success in the Chinese Cuisine Campus Cooking Competition and suggested making a homemade snack.
Shancai initially hesitated, thinking her simple food wouldn't compare to the gourmet meals in the Daoming household, but ultimately decided on making small snacks. On the day of the party, Shancai dressed in her nicest skirt, but upon seeing Huaze Lei, Meizuo, and Ximen in formal attire, she felt out of place.
The three explained that Daoming Si's birthday wasn't a casual celebration but a major event where politicians and business magnates vied for favor with Daoming Feng, Daoming Si's formidable mother and the true power behind the Daoming Group. They cautioned Shancai that Daoming Feng would scrutinize her as Daoming Si’s first invited guest, viewing her as a potential fiancée.
To help her navigate the evening, they quickly adorned her with jewelry and styled her, urging her to temporarily act like a noble lady for Daoming Si's sake. The lavish birthday banquet was filled with high-profile guests, making Shancai feel like an outsider. Daoming Si spotted her looking uneasy and went to her side, complimenting her "elegant" appearance and saying she looked like a noble lady. Shancai jokingly called herself a "fake" one.
Their conversation was cut short as Daoming Si was called away to greet guests who presented rare and expensive gifts, such as the 1907 "Silent Ship" champagne and nine-eye jade beads from Bhutan. Shancai learned that these gifts were not for Daoming Si to keep but would be donated to a charity auction, a common practice among the wealthy to gain both connections and a reputation for philanthropy. She felt embarrassed about her own simple gift.
Later, Daoming Si tried to lead a reluctant Shancai to meet his mother. Shancai, overwhelmed by fear, resisted, stumbling and knocking over a table. At that moment, Daoming Feng appeared, elegant but stern. She coldly asked who Shancai was and ordered Daoming Si to have her "escorted out." Daoming Si refused, declaring that Dong Shancai was a "very important person" to him and he wanted his mother to accept her. Daoming Feng's demeanor grew even colder.
She interrogated Shancai about her father's profession. Huaze Lei quickly intervened, fabricating a story that Shancai's father was the vice president of the Huangpu Chamber of Commerce's overseas branch, handling business in North Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Meizuo added that his company was soon to be listed. When Daoming Feng inquired about Shancai's talents, Ximen claimed she could play the piano and violin. Daoming Feng then demanded Shancai perform a piano piece for the charity auction.
Despite the F3's attempts to make excuses, Daoming Feng was unyielding. Shancai, with no choice, sat at the piano. After playing the only piece she knew, she bravely addressed Daoming Feng, quoting Tagore to emphasize that human value lies not in class or social status, but in integrity, kindness, and courage, and that true emotions are lost when one is blinded by superficial comparisons.
She openly admitted she was not the noble lady they imagined and only knew one song, but declared her conscience was clear. Daoming Feng, unimpressed, sarcastically remarked on Shancai's "interesting" family education and vowed to visit her "president father." She then admonished Daoming Si for being infatuated with an "unmannered" girl, reminding him he was the family's sole heir. Daoming Si defiantly stated he loved Shancai and would not accept anyone else.
When Daoming Feng threatened him with severe consequences if he left, Daoming Si, overcoming his usual fear of his mother, took Shancai's hand. Ximen showed his support by tossing Daoming Si car keys, and the two left the party. Daoming Si drove Shancai to a vacant club owned by his family, overlooking the Huangpu River. Shancai apologized for causing the scene and the argument with his mother.
Daoming Si dismissed her apology, explaining that he and his mother had always been emotionally distant due to her constant focus on work. He asserted that he would decide his own life. As they stood by the window, admiring the city lights and stars, they briefly forgot their troubles. Meanwhile, Huaze Lei, Meizuo, and Ximen were still shaken by Daoming Feng's intimidating presence, fearing her punishment for their involvement.
They recalled an incident from high school when she severely reprimanded them for skipping class. They worried about the repercussions for Daoming Si and Shancai, especially after Shancai's direct confrontation. Huaze Lei mentioned he had taught Shancai piano only once, implying she had practiced diligently on her own. Back at the club, Daoming Si embraced Shancai and pressed her about her feelings for him. Shancai, feeling ordinary compared to him, questioned why he liked her.
Daoming Si playfully suggested he must be "blind." Shancai then presented him with her birthday gift: handmade cookies she had baked, each shaped to depict his various expressions—laughing, angry, sleeping, and "brain fart." She sheepishly apologized for their imperfections, but Daoming Si, deeply touched, declared them the best gift he had ever received and kissed her cheek, his resolve to be with her firm. The next morning, Daoming Si excitedly woke Huaze Lei to show off Shancai's cookies.
To his dismay, Huaze Lei ate one, much to Daoming Si's extreme annoyance. Unbeknownst to them, Daoming Feng had already launched a thorough investigation into Shancai. Her assistant reported that Shancai was not a president's daughter; her father was a phone sales representative for Li Nisheng Investment Consultant, and her mother ran an online catering service called Dong's Private Kitchen.
The report also highlighted Shancai's average academic record, a past incident where she attacked a school guest speaker, and how Daoming Si had used the family's influence to help her win a special award in the cooking competition. Daoming Feng concluded that Shancai was a clever and capable woman attempting to leverage the Daoming family's prestige for her own advancement, dismissing her efforts as a "joke." Accompanied by her assistant, Daoming Feng then arrived at Shancai's home.
Shancai's parents, unaware of the visit's true purpose, enthusiastically greeted her. Shancai's father tried to pitch an investment opportunity, while her mother praised Shancai's cooking award. Daoming Feng cut them short and, through her assistant, presented a five-million check, unequivocally demanding that Shancai leave Daoming Si.
