My Huckleberry Friends Episode 16 Recap
> My Huckleberry Friends Recap
Yu Zhouzhou felt unwell on New Year's Eve during the Spring Festival Gala, attributing it to having run too much earlier in the day, and decided to rest. While resting, she thought about her father, feeling he also seemed unhappy. She had a high fever and was diagnosed with acute inflammation. The doctor recommended hospitalization and several days of IV drips.
Her maternal grandmother readily agreed, though also mentioned Zhouzhou had seen her father that afternoon, referring to him as a "hoodoo." Reflecting on her situation, Yu Zhouzhou wished she had chosen to live with her father and mother. Despite the doctor's suggestion, she only stayed for a few IV drips. The next morning, back home after a short hospital stay, Yu Zhouzhou, still recovering, insisted on helping her Auntie by taking out the trash.
As she did, Zhou Shenran's mother confronted her, accompanied by several other women. She accused Yu Zhouzhou of being a "bitch" and secretly contacting her husband on New Year's Eve, despite Yu Zhouzhou's explanation that she was hospitalized. Zhou Shenran's mother pushed Yu Zhouzhou and vehemently warned her to stay away from the Zhou family.
Just then, Chen An, who was on his way to Xinhua community before heading to the airport, arrived and quickly intervened, putting an arm around her shoulder and leading her away from the confrontation. Yu Zhouzhou had left her phone at home. Her Uncle noticed her absence and sent Yu Fei downstairs to look for her.
Yu Fei returned, reporting that he heard neighbors discussing a girl being verbally attacked by several older women and called a "bitch," prompting her Uncle to conclude it was Zhou Shenran's mother. Furious, her Uncle called Zhouzhou's father to confront him, while Yu Fei began contacting Yu Zhouzhou's classmates. Mi Qiao, upon hearing from Yu Fei about the incident and Yu Zhouzhou's disappearance, worried that she might do something rash.
Lin Yang, however, urged her to focus on finding Yu Zhouzhou first. Chen An took Yu Zhouzhou to the beach. He told her he was leaving for the airport that day and would not be returning, which saddened her. He presented her with his cherished collection of music notations, explaining he no longer intended to play music.
He also observed that her kind-hearted nature often led her to be hurt, referencing her recent encounter with Zhou Shenran's mother after meeting her father. While they were at the beach, Yu Fei called Chen An using Yu Zhouzhou's phone. Yu Zhouzhou assured Yu Fei she was safe and at the beach with Chen An, and Yu Fei reminded Chen An to ensure she didn't catch a cold, given her recent illness.
Yu Fei promised to pick her up when she was ready to come home. Mi Qiao then relayed this information to Lin Yang, mentioning that Chen An had taken Yu Zhouzhou to the beach after she was bullied. Lin Yang, sounding unsettled, asked if they were alone before abruptly ending the call. He then called Chen An directly to confirm Yu Zhouzhou's well-being.
Chen An, busy with his film shooting, briefly confirmed she was fine and then quickly ended the call. A film crew was shooting at the beach, and Chen An and Yu Zhouzhou were unexpectedly recruited as extras. During a scene, Lin Yang called Chen An, briefly interrupting the shoot. After their scene, two veteran extras praised their performance, particularly Chen An's "fist of resistance," suggesting he consider acting as a career.
Yu Zhouzhou reflected on acting, noting that it seemed troublesome despite the glamour, and admitted that perhaps not being a protagonist wasn't so bad after all. She confessed to Chen An that she sometimes envied and even worshipped him, seeing him as an "immortal" who always guided her. She recalled escaping past family troubles by moving to a new school and transforming herself into a "heroine."
Chen An then revealed his true feelings, stating he was leaving and would not return. He had signed a contract with his family, formally severing their father-son relationship for 200,000 yuan to ensure their peace of mind. He asked Yu Zhouzhou if she thought he had gone too far. Chen An clarified that he wasn't an immortal, just six years older than her.
He passionately explained his desire to be the "protagonist" of his own life, not a "supporting role" who constantly accommodates others' decisions. He expressed his frustration with how his father could abandon his family at will and then expect a few words to undo everything. As dusk fell, the filming concluded, and Chen An prepared for his flight.
Yu Zhouzhou expressed her perspective, telling him that being a protagonist or a supporting role wasn't important, but rather, as a friend once told her, the key was to live without regrets. Chen An remarked on her maturity, hinting that she might no longer need his guidance. Before leaving, he showed her a number on his phone, indicating numerous calls, including one from that afternoon, implying they were from Lin Yang.
He then embraced her, advising her to find someone to love or hate, to ensure she wasn't alone. After Chen An's departure, Yu Zhouzhou remained at the beach, feeling isolated until Yu Fei arrived to pick her up. Seeing her brother, she smiled, reminded that she had family. That evening, back home, Yu Zhouzhou was enjoying dinner with her family when Lin Yang called.
He expressed his deep worry and frustration, accusing her of finding it more interesting to be with Chen An and neglecting him. Exhausted from the day's events, Yu Zhouzhou gave a brief, tired response and hung up. Feeling disheartened by Yu Zhouzhou's distant demeanor and the perceived imbalance in their relationship, Lin Yang confided in Jiang Chuan, expressing his frustration that Yu Zhouzhou seemed to prioritize Chen An over his worries.
Jiang Chuan questioned why Yu Zhouzhou should be accountable to him, prompting Lin Yang to realize he had "lost himself" by focusing too much on her. Determined to reclaim his autonomy, Lin Yang resolved to immerse himself in academics. He bought piles of study materials, including Huanggang Simulating Tests and Haidian Tests, and enrolled in the Lantian High School Tuition Class, much to Jiang Chuan's bewilderment.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhouzhou met her father for what would be their final encounter before he left. He sincerely apologized for Zhou Shenran's mother's behavior, explaining he had only just learned of it. Yu Zhouzhou, accustomed to such incidents, acknowledged his apology and even showed empathy for Zhou Shenran's mother, believing she "also had it hard."
Her father brought her favorite childhood drink, which she had missed the last time, and performed a clumsy magic trick to try and cheer her up. Yu Zhouzhou playfully scored him 90 out of 100 as a good father, to which he asked about the missing 10 points. Her father, recalling a waltz he had seen danced beautifully at the beach, asked if she knew how to dance it.
They shared a waltz together, after which he asked for a final hug and bid her farewell. Later, at the Lantian High School Tuition Class, Lin Yang was surprised to find Xin Rui, who had evidently transformed into a confident and impressive student, answering complex English questions with remarkable fluency.
