My Mr. Mermaid Episode 31 Recap
> My Mr. Mermaid Recap
Yun Duo met Lin Zi at a park, confronting him about his secrets and questioning his true motives, specifically if his target was Tang Yibai. Yun Duo revealed she knew his real identity as James Lin and his past entanglements with Tang Yibai, which involved his sister, Lin Sang.
To investigate, Yun Duo had even visited Lin Sang's high school and learned from her teacher how close Tang Yibai, Ouyang Heng, Qi Ruifeng, and Lin Sang were, affectionately calling Lin Sang "Little One" as they were inseparable. Faced with this, Lin Zi decided to finally explain everything. Meanwhile, Xiang Yangyang walked alone, still troubled by the harsh words from her recent argument with Qi Ruifeng. She encountered a boy speaking English who was lost and asked her for directions.
Despite her limited English, she guided him to his destination. To her surprise, the boy, after expressing gratitude and holding her hand tightly, revealed he also knew simple Chinese, leaving Yangyang flustered and remarking on how many overseas returnees insisted on speaking English despite knowing Chinese. He then boldly asked if she had a boyfriend, called her beautiful, and declared his intention to pursue her, causing Yangyang to hastily retreat.
Lin Zi took Yun Duo to Lin Sang's hospital room, where Lin Sang had been in a coma for four years with a minimal chance of recovery (0. 01%). Lin Zi bitterly blamed Tang Yibai for her condition. He recounted that four years prior, Lin Sang, much like Yun Duo now, adored Tang Yibai, but Tang Yibai's top priority was not her.
When Tang Yibai was accused of using banned substances during an Asia Elite Training Team internal test, he claimed innocence, but Lin Sang, who was responsible for his diet, became the primary suspect. Even Tang Yibai seemingly didn't believe her, leaving Lin Sang heartbroken. For days, Lin Sang was in a daze, and then, while crossing the street, she was hit by a car and has been comatose ever since.
Lin Zi adamantly believed Lin Sang would never harm Tang Yibai and concluded that either someone else framed Tang Yibai, or Tang Yibai himself was at fault and shifted the blame onto Lin Sang for his own future. Despite Lin Zi's accusations, Yun Duo maintained her trust in Tang Yibai's character. She questioned if Lin Zi's approach was solely motivated by this incident.
Lin Zi denied it, revealing that he had been repaying Yun Duo for saving him in the past. He also admitted that Yun Duo’s resemblance to Lin Sang, whom he called "Little One," made being by her side feel like both an act of gratitude and atonement. Gradually, he found himself falling deeply in love with Yun Duo. He then urged Yun Duo to keep Lin Sang's true condition a secret from Tang Yibai.
As Yun Duo left Lin Sang's hospital room, she received a call from Tang Yibai but hesitated to answer. Just then, Tang Yibai appeared, excitedly calling out to her. However, seeing him made Yun Duo recall the four-year-old incident and the girl lying comatose. She vaguely explained she was stressed with work. Tang Yibai, smiling foolishly, affectionately stroked her head, assuring her that with him, she had nothing to fear.
He then led her to a beautifully arranged, quiet and elegant space. He announced it was their one-month anniversary and he had specially prepared "One White Cloud Restaurant," a place just for them. He sat at a piano and sang a romantic song.
Yun Duo was deeply moved, reminiscing about their shared past: Tang Yibai, the "Mermaid Prince" at Lake Cui, the swim goggles he gave her as a charm, him blocking a basketball for her on the field, and their many serendipitous encounters. Tang Yibai then placed a watch on Yun Duo's wrist, telling her that whenever she thought of him, her every minute, every second, and every heartbeat would forever be in sync with his.
Though touched, Yun Duo's lingering doubts resurfaced, and she tearfully asked if he had ever said such words to other girls, expressing her fear that she wasn't the only one he treated so well, a fear subtly fueled by Lin Zi's suggestion she might be a replacement for Lin Sang.
Instead of an elaborate explanation, Tang Yibai simply embraced her tightly, affirming she was the first girl he had ever liked this much, and the first girl he truly wanted to hold. All of Yun Duo's anxieties dissolved. Looking into his eyes, she confessed her strong affection for him. Tang Yibai slowly leaned in and kissed her, and Yun Duo returned the sweet kiss, feeling as though their small world was the only thing that existed.
The next day, at the swimming pool, athletes resumed their rigorous training. The Yisuo College swim team, led by captain Lin Haoyang, was borrowing South Physical's pool. The South Physical girls were captivated by the handsome visiting swimmers. Xiang Yangyang was surprised to see Lin Haoyang, recognizing him as the boy she had helped with directions. She excitedly greeted him, and he expressed happiness at seeing her again. Qi Ruifeng, observing their cheerful conversation, instantly became jealous.
He angrily stepped between them. Before he could speak much, Lin Haoyang boldly declared his intention to pursue Yangyang, placing his hand on her shoulder and making her jump. He looked into her eyes and confessed his feelings, inviting her to dinner after training. Startled, Yangyang quickly retreated to the bathroom. In the bathroom, Yangyang panicked, wondering how Lin Haoyang could be so direct in front of Qi Ruifeng and what Qi Ruifeng would think.
Qi Ruifeng then entered the bathroom, telling her not to worry about his thoughts regarding others pursuing her. He then revealed he was waiting for her answer regarding the dinner invitation, clarifying that he meant Lin Haoyang's offer. He surprisingly urged her to accept, joking that South Physical's female swim team captain was finally getting "marketed" and they should celebrate. Conflicted, Yangyang agreed, and Qi Ruifeng offered to accompany her to dinner after training.
Later, Yun Duo sought out Lin Zi again, wanting to talk privately. She confirmed her relationship with Tang Yibai and admitted Lin Zi's previous words about Tang Yibai and Lin Sang had caused her some doubt. However, she affirmed her belief in Tang Yibai and expressed her desire to be transparent with him, wanting to tell him about Lin Sang's situation.
Lin Zi cautioned her about the potential impact on her relationship with Tang Yibai, but Yun Duo insisted that facing unknown fears was better than avoiding them, even if the truth was painful. She urged Lin Zi to allow Tang Yibai to see Lin Sang. Lin Zi strongly opposed it, arguing that Lin Sang couldn't speak for herself and implying that Yun Duo's desire to reveal the truth was more about alleviating her own guilt.
Yun Duo countered, asking him to consider Lin Sang's perspective: if Lin Sang loved Tang Yibai so deeply, not being able to see him again due to a misunderstanding would be far more painful than Tang Yibai seeing her current condition. She reminded him of Lin Sang's desperation when Tang Yibai misunderstood her. Yun Duo insisted that Lin Zi's current resentment was unfair to both Tang Yibai and Lin Sang.
When Lin Zi angrily told her to stop, Yun Duo asserted that while she wasn't Lin Sang, she understood the pain of being hated by someone you care about and the intense desire to resolve such grudges. She reiterated that she respected his decision but implored him to truly consider what was best for Lin Sang. Yun Duo then promised to keep the secret until he made his decision and left.
Later, during dinner with Lin Haoyang, Yangyang apologized, admitting she had used him to provoke Qi Ruifeng. She confessed that she liked Qi Ruifeng, describing him as narcissistic, silly, and prone to arguments, yet paradoxically, she found herself liking him more as she discovered his flaws. She revealed that Qi Ruifeng liked their campus beauty and that they often argued, but she still worried about him.
Lin Haoyang, hearing her confession, offered to prove his genuine affection for her, claiming Qi Ruifeng didn't deserve her. Despite Lin Haoyang's plea, Yangyang gently refused his romantic advances, reiterating her feelings for Qi Ruifeng. Later, Yangyang visited her auntie, borrowing the kitchen to cook for Qi Ruifeng, cleverly mincing vegetables he disliked into his favorite braised meatballs to ensure he received proper nutrition.
At the swimming pool, Tang Yibai encountered Zhang Yang, who enthusiastically declared Tang Yibai his idol, especially recalling his high school gold medal win. Zhang Yang then brought up the "evil girl" who caused Tang Yibai's suspension, mentioning hearsay that she didn't explain herself and later got into a car accident, making it impossible for her to clear his name. Tang Yibai was shocked to hear about a car accident, asking where Zhang Yang heard this.
Zhang Yang cited a senior from Tang Yibai's high school swim team, confirming the girl's name as Lin Sang. Tang Yibai claimed Lin Sang was studying abroad. Zhang Yang persisted, claiming it was a ruse to avoid him and that the senior had seen her injured in an accident. Zhang Yang then challenged Tang Yibai to their upcoming competition, expressing his long-held desire to defeat his idol in a fair match.
Disturbed by Zhang Yang's words, Tang Yibai submerged himself in the pool. Yun Duo found him there and, noticing his distress, urged him to come out. Tang Yibai explained that he had just heard rumors that his close high school friend, Lin Sang, had not gone abroad but had been in a car accident. He lamented his last angry words to her, where he refused to hear her explanations, and feared he might never get the chance to apologize.
Yun Duo comforted him, dismissing "hearsay" as largely unreliable and urging him not to let such unfounded rumors affect his focus on the upcoming competition. She offered to time him during his training, and Tang Yibai, reassured, agreed and resumed his practice. Later, before the afternoon competition, Yun Duo noticed Qi Ruifeng seemed unusually subdued, lacking his usual energy. She wondered if something was wrong, and Tang Yibai promised to keep an eye on him.
Yun Duo reminded Tang Yibai of his current ranking and the crucial need to win the upcoming points accumulation race to qualify for the finals. Tang Yibai, with a playful smile, vowed to win for her as he went to prepare for his race.
