Meteor Garden 2018 Episode 9 Recap
> Meteor Garden 2018 Recap
Shancai, attempting to avoid Daoming Si, unexpectedly encountered him at his house. Mistaking her presence as an act to flaunt a new relationship, Daoming Si aggressively grabbed Shancai, accidentally hurting her existing wound. Just then, Zhuang, Daoming Si’s sister, intervened forcefully, kicking Daoming Si away. She then solicitously tended to Shancai’s injury and insisted that she stay for dinner. Daoming Si, embarrassed, initially tried to leave the house to avoid the awkward situation.
After some wine, Shancai, believing Daoming Si was out, confessed her feelings of guilt to Zhuang. She lamented causing Daoming Si pain and driving a wedge between him and Huaze Lei, admitting that his anger was justified and that it was all her fault. Unknown to her, Daoming Si had returned and overheard her entire confession from the doorway. He then joined them at the dining table, pretending indifference while playfully complaining to his sister about Shancai.
Recognizing the underlying affection, Zhuang cleverly created an opportunity for them to be alone, instructing Daoming Si to carry the intoxicated Shancai to a guest room to rest. As he carried her, Daoming Si grumbled about her weight and her ability to sleep so soundly, but his frustration masked his true feelings. Later that evening, Zhuang sought out Shancai, having gathered information about her and Daoming Si.
She encouraged Shancai to seriously consider Daoming Si, emphasizing that she could see his genuine affection. Zhuang explained that despite their wealthy background, both she and Daoming Si had lacked parental guidance and companionship, leading to their often overbearing personalities. She revealed that Daoming Si, despite his bravado, was a kind-hearted boy who struggled to express his true emotions, craving attention and friendship beyond his immediate F4 circle.
Zhuang expressed her hope that Shancai, who she believed wasn't completely indifferent to Daoming Si, would reconsider her feelings for him. The next day at school, as Shancai and Huaze Lei walked together, they encountered Daoming Si and the other F4 members. Daoming Si was still seething with resentment. Meizuo and Ximen, concerned about the potential dissolution of F4, urged him to stop being stubborn.
Daoming Si, in a show of defiance, declared his intention to make Huaze Lei and Shancai miserable. He then announced that Chen Qinghe would be joining F4, on the condition that Chen Qinghe no longer speak to Shancai or Huaze Lei. This act only heightened the tension. Shancai, feeling the escalating animosity, bravely confronted Daoming Si and apologized for everything, taking full responsibility.
However, her apology only fueled his anger, as he believed she was only doing it for Huaze Lei’s sake. Huaze Lei then stepped forward, offering to bear the consequences alone. Daoming Si then challenged Huaze Lei to a bridge match, a fair bet, to resolve their conflict. News of the rift between Huaze Lei and Daoming Si quickly spread throughout the school. Shancai, deeply troubled, sought out Zhuang for help, hoping she could mediate.
Zhuang, however, understood that Shancai was at the heart of the problem and was the only one who could truly influence Daoming Si. She advised Shancai to use her heart to resolve the impasse. Taking Zhuang's words to heart, Shancai immediately sought out Huaze Lei to learn bridge, only to find Daoming Si waiting for her. Shancai confronted Daoming Si, declaring her intention to team up with Huaze Lei to challenge him in bridge, despite her inexperience.
Daoming Si, listening in silence, suddenly embraced her and offered to cancel the bet if she would just say she liked him. His plea turned into a demand, but Shancai, struggling in his arms, found herself unable to utter the words. Disappointed, Daoming Si released her, vowing to show no mercy in the upcoming bridge match. Shancai, equally stubborn, asserted that she would never give up. Huaze Lei began teaching Shancai the intricacies of bridge, emphasizing the importance of deception.
To test her ability to bluff, he asked her if she liked Daoming Si. Shancai's immediate response was to deny it, indicating her underlying conflict. When he then asked if she liked him, Shancai paused before definitively saying no, a response Huaze Lei perceived as genuine. He then asked if she truly wanted him to stay, and Shancai nodded. Huaze Lei promised to remain by her side and protect her.
Meanwhile, Chen Qinghe confronted Daoming Si, arguing that true affection doesn't demand reciprocation and that Daoming Si should prioritize Shancai's happiness. Ximen, impressed by Chen Qinghe's "manly" words, suggested he start practicing bridge as a potential F4 substitute. The bridge match commenced. Shancai, no longer feeling disheartened after Huaze Lei’s encouragement, stated her stake: if she won, Daoming Si would forgive her. Huaze Lei added that if Daoming Si won, he would agree to never see Shancai again.
Despite Shancai’s initial inexperience, she played surprisingly well under Huaze Lei's guidance. Daoming Si, however, seemed distracted, his attention fixed more on Huaze Lei and Shancai than the cards. In the final round, although Daoming Si held the winning card, he threw it down in a feigned fit of pique, declaring he was "not playing anymore." Shancai was overjoyed, believing she and Huaze Lei had won. However, Huaze Lei and Meizuo revealed that Daoming Si had deliberately forfeited the game.
His true intention was not to have anyone leave Mingde as a consequence of the bet, and thus he chose to give up his winning hand. That evening, Zhuang hosted a celebratory dinner. Shancai was still preoccupied with the consequences of the bet, but Zhuang reassured her, explaining that many rumors about F4 and the Joker card were exaggerated stories perpetuated by jealous challengers who couldn't accept defeat.
Meizuo and Ximen chimed in, confirming that the high stakes were a deterrent against constant, frivolous challenges. The atmosphere lightened as they shared amusing childhood anecdotes, including how Daoming Si used to wear open-crotch pants and wet his bed, and how Huaze Lei once got his head stuck in a toilet. The evening concluded with everyone in good spirits, celebrating their camaraderie and newfound understanding.
