Meteor Garden 2018 Episode 22 Recap
> Meteor Garden 2018 Recap
Daoming Si telling Xiaozizi that despite her playful demeanor, he's serious about not having feelings for her. Xiaozizi, in a bathrobe, suggests he might prefer something more "subtle" or a different style. When Daoming Si tries to explain that his mind is full of Shancai, Xiaozizi covers her ears, refusing to listen. He then clearly states his regret and inability to be with her, despite his promise to try.
Meanwhile, Shancai, who had heard noises and worried that Daoming Si might be forcing himself on Xiaozizi, opens the door to their room and sees Daoming Si and Xiaozizi embracing. Shancai quickly apologizes for disturbing them and flees, upset that she saw something she shouldn't have. Daoming Si, having gently rejected Xiaozizi, tells her she can beat him until her anger subsides.
Xiaozizi tearfully expresses how much she wants to hit him, to make him remember her with pain, but ultimately admits she can't bring herself to hurt him. She cries that she's no longer herself since falling in love with him. Daoming Si apologizes again for not being able to be with her. Shancai, unable to sleep, cries in the hallway, expressing her distress over seeing Daoming Si and Xiaozizi together and feeling like she ruined their moment.
Huaze Lei finds her and notes that her strong reaction is because the person involved is Daoming Si. Shancai denies caring, pretending it's good they are happy, but Huaze Lei encourages her to cry if she needs to. Shancai then leans on his back. The next morning, Daoming Si finds Shancai by the pool and tells her he's heading home, asking her to inform Huaze Lei. Shancai struggles to look at him, realizing their previously combative relationship has become awkward.
She notes her ease with Huaze Lei contrasts sharply with her discomfort around Daoming Si. After Daoming Si leaves, Shancai bids farewell to Xiaozizi, who, trying to save face, implies Daoming Si left because he was shy after "last night." This deeply pains Shancai, who assumes the worst. Alone, Xiaozizi recalls Daoming Si's unambiguous rejection, where he confessed his heart was entirely focused on Shancai, confirming her realization that he would never love her.
Upon returning home, Shancai discovers her parents packing their belongings. Her mother explains that her father's boss absconded with company funds, plunging their family into financial crisis. To cope, her parents plan to temporarily move to a fishing village to care for Shancai's sick uncle. He is out of danger but requires long-term attention, and Shancai's aunt cannot fish and care for him simultaneously.
Shancai, wishing to accompany them, is told she must stay to continue her studies at Mingde University, as it's part of their family's dream for "Dong's Private Kitchen." They promise to call frequently and return once her uncle recovers and they save enough money. Shancai, though saddened by their departure, assures them she will be strong and take care of herself.
Later that night, after carefully securing her house on her first night alone, Shancai is startled by a knock at the door. It's Xiaozizi, who comments on the darkness outside. Shancai, presuming Xiaozizi is there to confide in her about Daoming Si, tries to ward her off, explaining she'll be too busy living alone to offer advice or engage in others' problems. Xiaozizi, understanding Shancai's situation, insists on speaking.
She confesses that she lied about what happened with Daoming Si; in reality, nothing intimate occurred, and he broke up with her, explicitly stating his thoughts were solely of Shancai. Xiaozizi admits her initial confidence that Daoming Si would choose her proved misguided, as he remained indifferent. She has now decided to stop pursuing someone who doesn't love her. Expressing gratitude for meeting Shancai through Daoming Si, Xiaozizi asks if they can remain good friends, which Shancai readily accepts.
Xiaozizi then sincerely urges Shancai to pursue a relationship with Daoming Si without hesitation and to be true to her own feelings, before departing. Daoming Si calls his mother, Daoming Feng, interrupting her conversation. He firmly tells her that a relationship with Xiaozizi is impossible, as he has made it clear he doesn't love her and will not marry her. Daoming Feng, outraged, orders him to apologize to Xiaozizi immediately, but Daoming Si refuses, asserting he did nothing wrong.
He declares his love for Shancai and vows not to marry anyone else. Daoming Feng, in turn, adamantly states that Shancai will never marry into their family, neither in this lifetime nor the next. Daoming Si challenges the purpose of corporate marriages, asking if it's fair to Xiaozizi if he's unhappy. Daoming Feng dismisses his views as youthful ignorance of life and love, insisting he must obey her because she gave birth to him.
Daoming Si retorts that while he can follow her in most things, he cannot in this, adding that he would rather not be her son or even be Daoming Si. He then walks away as his mother demands he stop. Later, Huaze Lei, Meizuo, and Ximen visit Shancai, advising her to install a more secure lock given she lives alone. Suddenly, Daoming Feng arrives unannounced, her demeanor haughty.
She directly accuses Shancai of using "despicable means" to sabotage Daoming Si's relationship with Xiaozizi. Huaze Lei attempts to intervene, suggesting a misunderstanding, but Daoming Feng silences him. She continues her tirade, declaring Shancai and Daoming Si belong to different worlds due to their contrasting backgrounds and lifestyles. She implies Shancai would be humiliated at high-society events and accuses her of clinging to Daoming Si purely for social climbing.
Daoming Feng then refers to Shancai's parents returning to the fishing village, suggesting Shancai should have taken the money offered to her previously. She further insinuates that Shancai brought Huaze Lei, Meizuo, and Ximen to her house as a tactic. Shancai, no longer able to tolerate the insults, defiantly calls Daoming Feng an "old hag." Daoming Feng is taken aback and demands Shancai repeat herself.
Shancai reiterates the insult and tells her to put a dog leash on Daoming Si and tie him to her waist if she cherishes him so much. Daoming Feng, trying to maintain her composure, states that Shancai clearly lacks proper upbringing. Shancai retorts that Daoming Feng has no right to judge her and that while Daoming Feng might see her as mere "weed," Shancai prides herself on her integrity.
She then declares her utter contempt for Daoming Feng, calling her the worst person she's ever met, someone who only cares about herself and her son, and disregards everyone else. Shancai then firmly orders Daoming Feng to leave. Daoming Feng, rendered speechless, eventually departs. Huaze Lei, Meizuo, and Ximen are amazed by Shancai's courage, applauding her for standing up to Daoming Feng, something even they wouldn't dare to do.
The F3 members then caution her about Daoming Feng's immense power as the "superwoman" of Asia's chain hotels and the "Empress of Daoming Group," capable of crushing Shancai effortlessly. Shancai becomes anxious, questioning their mixed signals of support and intimidation. They explain they are analyzing the situation to find solutions. Meizuo suggests Shancai date Daoming Si and directly tell his mother of their serious intentions. Shancai dismisses the idea, stating she has no plans to be with Daoming Si.
Ximen jokingly adds that having a child would secure her victory, but Huaze Lei sarcastically notes that Daoming Si's mother would likely throw the baby off a bridge. Shancai expresses her exasperation and wonders if she can retract her "big words," but Ximen informs her that words, once spoken, cannot be unsaid. Huaze Lei reassures her that a conflict with Daoming Feng was unavoidable, and they will stand by her.
Shancai finds herself contemplating the immense challenge of confronting Daoming Si's mother and the difficult life path intertwined with Daoming Si. At school, Shancai watches Huaze Lei play the violin. She recalls her initial admiration for him when they first met, acknowledging that he is now her most important friend. She reflects that watching him play brings a sense of calm, making her feel that no problem is insurmountable. That evening, Shancai returns to her empty home.
While eating instant noodles, she listens to a voice message from her mother, who misses her and apologizes for not being able to send money. Her father is struggling with seasickness while trying to learn fishing to help her uncle, resulting in little income. Her mother urges Shancai to be strong and take care of herself.
Shancai, tearfully, records a reply, assuring her parents she knows, misses them and her father, and tells them not to worry, as everything will get better. Late at night, Shancai's landlord, Uncle Wang, unexpectedly visits. He apologetically informs her that he needs to reclaim the house as his daughter's mother-in-law requires urgent surgery, and he needs to sell the property to cover the medical expenses.
He offers to refund Shancai's rent and provide an additional 500 yuan as compensation, pleading with her to find temporary lodging with relatives or friends. Shancai is left in a difficult position, with nowhere to go.
