Meteor Garden 2018 Episode 30 Recap
> Meteor Garden 2018 Recap
Cai Na woke up that morning and asked Meizuo if he had returned home the previous night. Her maid informed her that she had been very drunk, and Meizuo had taken care of her all night. The maid added that Cai Na had been rambling, insisting on throwing out the coconut and claiming she wasn't drunk. Alarmed, Cai Na pressed the maid about where the coconut was, and the maid confirmed it had been tossed into the outdoor trash.
Cai Na rushed out and found the coconut she had kept, holding it like a treasure. Later, she explained her frustration to Meizuo, stating she didn't want to see the coconut because it had Ye Mingchuan's smiling face carved on it, and she wished to never see that annoying person again. Meizuo remained silent, realizing that in Cai Na's heart, he could never compare to Ye Mingchuan.
Shancai's grilled squid stall quickly became famous, even attracting a food blogger, Miss Fang, who highlighted "Dong's Squid King" on a live broadcast. Huaze Lei stumbled upon this video online, seeing Shancai in a cute hat, grilling squid with flair, which had turned Fisherman's Street into a popular spot. Concerned, he immediately called Daoming Si, informing him that Shancai was in a fishing village near Shanghai, working hard, sweating and choking on smoke, yet still full of creativity.
Huaze Lei urged Daoming Si to bring her back. However, Daoming Si refused, stating that Shancai had left him, and they no longer had a relationship. He believed that as her friend, Huaze Lei should go alone, declaring he had no reason to intervene and Huaze Lei did not need his permission. Daoming Si, despite his words, couldn't stop watching Shancai's videos online, his longing for her growing immensely.
On the weekend, Meizuo kept his promise and accompanied Cai Na to a piano concert. The melancholic music moved Cai Na deeply, and she leaned on Meizuo, crying. Meizuo, too, shed tears, recognizing they were for himself. After the performance, Cai Na, with smudged makeup and swollen eyes, found Meizuo’s comment that she looked "especially cute" today to be teasing, but he insisted he was serious.
She then asked why he was so kind to her, to which he replied, "Because you deserve it." Meizuo proposed taking her to a jazz concert next time, asking for her favorite song. Cai Na mentioned "Casablanca," recalling the story of Rick sending his beloved and his rival away, a poignant foreshadowing of Meizuo’s own upcoming sacrifice.
A few days later, Meizuo went to the design institute, identifying himself as Cai Na's boyfriend and insisting on meeting Ye Mingchuan to "end the rivalry" between them. He warned he would wait until closing time if necessary. Upon meeting, Meizuo confronted Ye Mingchuan, asking what he had done to Cai Na to make her so unhappy. Ye Mingchuan dismissively told Meizuo to ask Cai Na herself.
Meizuo retorted that he cared deeply about Cai Na's feelings and always strove to make her happy, making her laugh every day and giving her thoughtful gifts. He accused Ye Mingchuan of "playing with her feelings, then leaving her irresponsibly," causing her continuous sadness. This struck a nerve with Ye Mingchuan, who conceded that he always saw "unease in her eyes."
He then explained the misunderstanding: Cai Na had previously accused him of having an affair after seeing him with his assistant, Ding Qi. He admitted that despite his efforts, he couldn't make her happy, only sad. He then decided to accept a job abroad and leave in a few days, reasoning that if Cai Na believed him to be a playboy, she could "get over it quickly and find happiness again."
He asked Meizuo to deliver a special design to Cai Na, expressing hope that Meizuo could make her happy. Huaze Lei traveled to the fishing village to find Shancai, who was serving customers from her popular stall, selling "Eight Treasure Squid King." Her parents warmly welcomed Huaze Lei, inviting him to stay for a meal. During dinner, Huaze Lei gently inquired about Shancai's return to school, mentioning her seafood survey homework, implying she could return once it was complete.
Shancai's parents, proud of her academic record, agreed. Later, talking by the sea, Shancai asked how Huaze Lei found her, to which he replied he saw her in a popular online video. She then subtly asked about Daoming Si. Huaze Lei encouraged her to return to school to see him. Shancai admitted that she couldn't tell Daoming Si the real reason for their breakup, explaining, "It's because I like him that I can't tell him."
She promised Huaze Lei she would return to school as soon as possible. The next day, Shancai packed up to leave with Huaze Lei. While searching for an apartment on "Pig Short Rent," Huaze Lei surprised her, revealing he and their friends had already found a place. They took her to her original apartment, which had been beautifully redecorated by her friends: Qinghe, Xiaoyou, Li Zhen, Ximen, and Xiaozi.
Qinghe proudly showed her the new sofa he bought, Xiaoyou the stool she acquired, and Li Zhen a knife from her home. He also highlighted a beautiful table he found on "Zhuanzhuan Second-hand Trading Website" at a significant discount, explaining he was careful about price and quality. More furniture was on its way, delivered by a "Zhuanzhuan bear" mascot, who even gave Shancai a plush toy, calling her "so cute."
Shancai was touched by their efforts, particularly Qinghe's gesture of giving her a pillow, telling her it was like hugging him. Xiaozi remarked on Shancai’s good fortune in having so many caring friends. The friends then toasted to her return. Shancai, overwhelmed by their friendship, posted a photo online, thanking Huaze Lei for bringing her back to Shanghai and helping her rent her "little house," and thanking her friends for the wonderful surprise. She declared, "I'm back!"
Daoming Si saw her post, experiencing a complex mix of happiness and pain. Cai Na, still troubled by the misunderstanding, met Meizuo at a bar. She felt foolish for believing in Ye Mingchuan, recalling his past declaration about not settling down and her seeing him with his assistant. She mused about discarding the coconut, admitting she was "crazy."
Meizuo ordered two special drinks from Wei Xun, the bartender, called "Goodbye, old place," specifying they should embody all "sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy" flavors. He announced that this would be their last time at the bar and that he intended to formally "start her happiness." Cai Na found the drink awful, to which Meizuo replied that sometimes not knowing the outcome beforehand provides the courage to begin.
Meizuo noted it was the first time she hadn't gotten drunk after one drink, asserting he needed to face her clearly as they would no longer frequent their "old place." Leaving the bar, Meizuo led Cai Na to her backyard, promising her a gift. Cai Na hesitated, expressing fear of hurting him because she didn't love him enough, despite being touched by his care. Meizuo reassured her, promising to ensure her happiness every day. He then unveiled a stunning treehouse.
Meizuo explained that it was Ye Mingchuan's gift, designed specifically for her birthday. He clarified that Ye Mingchuan knew she desired a dream, not just a house, and had been working with Ding Qi to create this surprise. He emphasized that Cai Na had always held the most important place in Ye Mingchuan's heart. Cai Na broke down, calling herself "a fool who doesn't understand love" and admitting to her insecurities.
Meizuo urged her to "honestly face her heart," asserting that she had "always loved Ye Mingchuan." Cai Na acknowledged her lack of confidence and security. She then asked Meizuo why he was telling her this, especially since he disliked Ye Mingchuan. Meizuo confessed that while he disliked Ye Mingchuan, he "liked her." He explained that he once believed love was about making someone laugh, but through her, he learned that true love makes one cry unconsciously.
He assured her not to worry about his feelings, stating that young people "say love and love, say let go and let go." He then pressed her to chase after Ye Mingchuan, warning that his flight would soon depart, and she might never see her "Coconut Uncle" again. Cai Na tearfully thanked Meizuo and ran off.
She rushed to the design institute, only to be told by an employee that the boss, Ye Mingchuan, had already left for a job in America. The treehouse, a long-held dream of Cai Na's, stood as a testament to Ye Mingchuan's love, having been prepared by him for a long time, meticulously designed with two egg-shaped rooms, a living room, a bedroom, and a large floor-to-ceiling window, just as she had once described her ideal fairytale home.
