My Mr. Mermaid Episode 22 Recap
> My Mr. Mermaid Recap
Tang Yibai informed Director Liu that he would only grant interviews to Yun Duo. Director Liu hesitated, but Tang Yibai emphasized Yun Duo's value as a journalist, explaining that not every reporter earns the complete trust of an interviewee. Outside Director Liu's office, Lin Zi stopped Tang Yibai. The two rivals faced each other, with Tang Yibai showing no weakness.
Lin Zi accused him of being impulsive and potentially causing trouble for Yun Duo, then asked if he had feelings for her. This time, Tang Yibai did not shy away. He openly admitted his affection for Yun Duo, stating that recent events had clarified his feelings, and he intended to protect her in his own way moving forward. Yun Duo woke up, realizing she had overslept. Just then, Tang Yibai entered with breakfast, his face adorned with a doting smile.
He urged her to quickly drink her porridge, promising to accompany her to interview Sun Yang once she was rested. Yun Duo remained bewildered, seemingly unable to adapt to Tang Yibai's sudden, meticulous care. Upon arriving at Sun Yang's hotel, Yun Duo motioned for Tang Yibai to leave quickly, concerned about the crowds of reporters and fans and the potential for new rumors if they were seen together.
However, Tang Yibai, as if by magic, produced a hat and mask, allowing them to disguise themselves. As they waited, sitting and chatting, Tang Yibai observed the throngs of people outside the hotel and understood how Yun Duo had fallen ill from exhaustion. Yun Duo, however, downplayed her own efforts, saying that if it weren't for him, she might have given up long ago.
Hearing this, Tang Yibai reacted like a child who had found candy, surprised and overjoyed, realizing he had given Yun Duo such strength. Yun Duo, worried about delaying Tang Yibai's rest, repeatedly urged him to go back. But Tang Yibai declared he would not leave until he met his idol, Sun Yang, insisting on staying with her. He then went to buy drinks, leaving her to watch his bag. Unexpectedly, Tang Yibai encountered Sun Yang on his way.
Recognizing that Sun Yang was both his idol and the person Yun Duo desperately needed to interview, Tang Yibai seized the opportunity. He introduced himself as Tang Yibai from the Southern Physical University swim team and expressed his admiration, noting that swimming is a monotonous sport and hoping Sun Yang continues to swim without forgetting his original dream. Sun Yang replied that since he chose swimming, he must do his best and prove that Chinese people can do anything.
Tang Yibai then explained that his friend, a hardworking sports reporter, needed an interview, describing Yun Duo’s dedication in waiting outside the hotel and studying Sun Yang’s competition videos and interviews. Sun Yang recalled a persistent, skinny girl waiting outside his hotel. As his private training had just ended, he agreed to the interview. Tang Yibai was ecstatic, grinning all the way back. He found Yun Duo asleep from exhaustion but continued to smile broadly.
Yun Duo woke up to a text message from Sun Yang agreeing to the interview. The cloud of worry that had weighed on her for days immediately lifted. She embraced Tang Yibai, sharing her joy and thanking him, calling him her good luck charm. In a quiet restaurant, Sun Yang granted Yun Duo's interview.
Yun Duo began by highlighting Sun Yang's unparalleled achievements in swimming, noting he was the first in the world to win gold in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle, bridging the gap between short and long distances. She pointed out that he had surpassed all his freestyle predecessors, including Popov and Thorpe, and was one of only two male swimmers in history, along with Phelps, to be consecutively named MVP at the World Championships.
She then asked if he ever thought of giving up. Sun Yang firmly stated he never had, even during setbacks, believing time would prove everything and that he carried the hopes of many, wanting to show that Asian swimmers could be powerful. He revealed that his family and loved ones supported him through the toughest times, even when he swam with a fractured foot during pre-Rio Olympics training, determined to win gold even if he died in the water.
After the interview, Tang Yibai brought his swimming teammates to meet their idol. The teammates were incredibly excited, eagerly shaking Sun Yang's hand. Everyone then happily gathered for a group photo. Back at the company, Director Liu gathered all the intern reporters and noticed Yun Duo's absence. He became angry with Teacher Sun, demanding to know where Yun Duo was and stating that her previous efforts were irrelevant as the results were clear.
He announced that only the top six interns would remain, and the rest were to immediately leave. Just then, Yun Duo rushed in, excitedly announcing that she had secured an exclusive interview with Sun Yang. This news instantly turned the tide; not only did it save her from being dismissed, but Director Liu also placed her at the top of the performance ranking. Director Liu announced that Yun Duo would temporarily stay as Teacher Sun's assistant to manage the interview.
After returning, Tang Yibai was immediately summoned by Coach Wu, who sternly asked if he no longer wanted to train. This time, Tang Yibai did not evade or lie. He directly admitted he had gone to care for Yun Duo and accompanied her to an interview. He declared his love for Yun Duo, stating that even if the whole world deemed them unsuitable, he still wanted her by his side as he became the world's fastest swimmer.
Unexpectedly, Coach Wu did not punish him; instead, he returned Tang Yibai's phone. As Tang Yibai looked confused, Qi Ruifeng burst out, having overheard everything. As a keen supporter of Tang Yibai and Yun Duo, he was even happier than the parties involved to see things progressing. At the company, everyone, from Director Liu to other reporters, watched Yun Duo's interview video and celebrated her success. Amidst the crowd, Cheng Mei appeared uneasy, her resentment and jealousy clearly visible.
Lin Zi noticed her discomfort and approached, telling her that Yun Duo considered her her best friend and worked hard because she wanted to become a reporter alongside Cheng Mei. He advised Cheng Mei not to misunderstand Yun Duo, adding that if anyone had benefited from connections, it was Cheng Mei. Cheng Mei denied it, but Lin Zi insisted Yun Duo never accepted unearned rewards and her work ability was much better than Cheng Mei expected.
As the two had an awkward confrontation, Yun Duo arrived, but to their surprise, she suspected they were dating. Cheng Mei denied a romantic relationship but admitted she indeed had a good impression of Lin Zi. Hearing this, Yun Duo was both happy and surprised, eager for her best friend and effective colleague to be together. Back in their dorm, Qi Ruifeng, Ming Tian, and Lingye, Tang Yibai's good teammates, brainstormed ways for him to confess to Yun Duo.
Unfortunately, their suggestions were bizarre and impractical. Tang Yibai said the confession itself wasn't important; what mattered was understanding Yun Duo's true feelings for him. Lingye commented that if there was no feeling, anything said would be useless; if there was feeling, only "I like you" would be enough. Qi Ruifeng argued that they needed a confession to know her feelings, but Lingye maintained that one doesn't necessarily need to confess to know if the girl likes him.
That evening, to celebrate Yun Duo staying at the company, Lin Zi booked a restaurant for dinner with Yun Duo and Cheng Mei. Throughout the meal, Yun Duo continuously tried to set up Lin Zi and Cheng Mei. Halfway through, she excused herself, hoping to give them some alone time. To her surprise, Lin Zi followed her, leaving Cheng Mei alone. Lin Zi was furious when he and Yun Duo returned to her rented apartment.
He told Yun Duo that her attempt to matchmake him and Cheng Mei was disrespectful. He revealed that he already had someone he liked, and her name was Yun Duo. Just as Yun Duo stood dumbfounded, Tang Yibai arrived, having overheard Lin Zi's confession. The atmosphere became extremely awkward. Tang Yibai controlled his emotions, retreating from the living room to allow Yun Duo and Lin Zi to handle the situation themselves.
Yun Duo was alone in her room, her mind racing with thoughts of both Tang Yibai and Lin Zi, their images intertwining, and past memories flashing before her eyes. When she came back to reality, she found Tang Yibai standing behind her. He took her hand, wanting to talk. Tang Yibai acknowledged her confusion and, to help her and himself, asked her directly what her answer would be if he were the one confessing today. Yun Duo was truly overwhelmed.
She recalled Coach Wu's words that she had become a "stumbling block" on Tang Yibai's path to his dream, and she didn't want that. Additionally, she argued that his priority should be swimming, and their current connection was primarily due to their roles as athlete and reporter, implying that without those roles, their connection might not last. So, she blurted out "impossible," a difficult and insincere answer for herself, and even more painful for Tang Yibai.
He was deeply disappointed and hurt. Finally, he seemed to comfort himself, muttering that he had only asked "what if," implying it didn't mean he truly liked her. Later, Qi Ruifeng found Tang Yibai, asking if he'd found out Yun Duo's feelings. Tang Yibai explained that Lin Zi had confessed to Yun Duo, who responded with "I don't know," but when he himself had posed the hypothetical "what if I liked you," her answer was "impossible."
Qi Ruifeng found this illogical and asked if Tang Yibai would give up. Tang Yibai denied it, but admitted he felt Yun Duo never considered them as anything more than friends. He then pleaded with Qi Ruifeng not to reveal his feelings for Yun Duo, fearing they might not even remain friends. The next morning, Yun Duo met Lin Zi. He observed her, noting that she seemed cute. He then told her not to feel awkward due to his confession.
He asserted that since she hadn't given him an answer, it didn't mean she rejected him. He declared that rejection was a woman's right, but persistence was a man's. He vowed to confess again if she rejected him, and continue until she accepted. He then told her to get to work as the number one intern. Yun Duo was taken aback by his seriousness, wondering how she would interact with him in the future.
Meanwhile, at the pool, Tang Yibai's thoughts drifted back to Lin Zi's declaration that Yun Duo was his girlfriend and Yun Duo's "impossible" response to his own hypothetical confession. Coach Wu's voice then broke through his thoughts, urging him and the team to prepare for frog jumps.
