Never-Ending Summer Episode 9 Recap
> Never-Ending Summer Recaps
One evening, Lu Xixiao knocked on Zhou Wan’s bedroom door. Standing before her like a child who had done something wrong, he hesitantly asked if she would continue helping him search for artistic inspiration the next day. Zhou Wan, unwilling to see his artistic dreams wither from a lack of perseverance, readily agreed. Lu Xixiao explained that Jiang Fan had planned an outing to an amusement park, and Gu Meng would be joining them as well.
The next day, the four of them arrived at the amusement park. Jiang Fan enthusiastically claimed that inspiration stems from happiness, making the park the perfect destination. Lu Xixiao jokingly called out Jiang Fan for using them as a cover to ask Gu Meng out. During their time there, they played bumper cars, went on the swings, and played military games.
During the bumper car game, a highly competitive Lu Xixiao ended up making a little boy cry over a blue car. After Zhou Wan smoothed things over by giving the child some candy, she scolded Lu Xixiao, who defensively claimed the kid had called him a noob. As they walked past the Ferris wheel, Gu Meng expressed her excitement to ride it. However, Zhou Wan noticed that Lu Xixiao grew visibly tense and anxious because of the strong winds.
Realizing the proud young man might be afraid of heights, she quietly smiled to herself and tactfully steered him away, suggesting they go eat ice cream and popcorn instead under the pretense of being hungry. Later, while Jiang Fan and Gu Meng went to ride a roller coaster, they left their digital camcorder with Lu Xixiao. As Zhou Wan stood amidst a dreamlike flurry of bubbles blown by a nearby child, Lu Xixiao was deeply moved by the sight.
He pointed the camera at her and conducted a playful interview, questioning if she had an ulterior motive for helping him find inspiration so earnestly. Feeling slightly embarrassed due to her past actions, Zhou Wan looked into the lens and sincerely stated that she simply wanted him to be able to do what he loved. When the camera battery died, Lu Xixiao bought a flower from a passing child and presented it to her as a reward for her honesty.
That night, Lu Xixiao repeatedly watched the video of Zhou Wan on his camera. Hearing her wish for him to pursue his passion, he realized she was being completely genuine. Later, Zhou Wan entered his room and urged him to check his phone, as Jiang Fan had been messaging him urgently about a pressing matter.
It turned out that Jiang Fan had realized his feelings for Gu Meng during their amusement park trip and wanted to confess to her on her upcoming eighteenth birthday. He struggled to record a video blessing for her, stumblingly admitting his feelings in front of Lu Xixiao and Zhou Wan. Jiang Fan then began planning a grand confession at their school, which would be empty for the summer break.
He bought candles and flowers and even secured the cooperation of the school security guard. His plan involved hiding inside a giant gift box, while Lu Xixiao was supposed to dress up in a thick mascot bear suit to push him out at the perfect moment. Due to the scorching summer heat, Lu Xixiao flatly refused to wear the suffocating costume, claiming he needed to prepare his portfolio for an upcoming meeting with a professor.
Left with no choice, Jiang Fan asked the security guard to wear the mascot suit instead. On the night of the birthday, Zhou Wan successfully brought Gu Meng to the school under the pretext of visiting their teachers. Jiang Fan had meticulously decorated the path with hanging wind chimes and lights. However, Gu Meng did not follow the planned route and walked straight toward the sports field.
Meanwhile, Jiang Fan was trapped inside the giant box when the built-in oxygen and fog machine malfunctioned. With his phone dead and the air growing thin, he began to suffocate. To make matters worse, the security guard was called away by his captain and left for the restroom. At this critical moment, Lu Xixiao appeared like a savior. Putting aside his previous refusal, he donned the heavy mascot suit to rescue his friend.
He rolled the box to the field just in time, warning Jiang Fan not to tell anyone who had saved him. The confession proceeded in the middle of the field. Although the cake had melted and the fog machine had caused chaos, Gu Meng was deeply touched by Jiang Fan’s sincerity. Even though she teased him about the practicalities of a future long-distance relationship, she happily agreed to be his girlfriend.
Watching the couple celebrate, Zhou Wan and Lu Xixiao quietly left the field. Zhou Wan quickly noticed that the unusually tall mascot was actually Lu Xixiao. She helped him open a drink and teased him about how well the suit became him, realizing that beneath his aloof exterior lay a deeply caring heart. To save money, they decided to ride an electric scooter back home.
Zhou Wan sat behind Lu Xixiao, holding onto him as they enjoyed the cool night breeze. Lu Xixiao filmed a video of her on the ride, but they were soon stopped by a police officer. The officer reprimanded them because electric scooters are not allowed to carry passengers and they were not wearing proper helmets. After offering their polite apologies and promising not to repeat the mistake, they were allowed to leave.
Later, Lu Xixiao took Zhou Wan to a small convenience store he frequented. The owner, Uncle Li, greeted them warmly and treated them to sodas. Inside the shop, Zhou Wan was drawn to a collection of beautiful paintings. Uncle Li explained that these were the works of Lu Xixiao's late mother. Zhou Wan spotted a painting of a young boy and guessed it was Lu Xixiao.
Although Lu Xixiao bitterly claimed his mother had abandoned him, Zhou Wan comforted him by sharing her own experiences of her fading memories of her father. She gently assured him that his mother's love was real, pointing out that his constant return to this place was proof of his deep affection for her. Nearby, a young boy named Muyi got his kite stuck in a large hackberry tree.
Seeing Lu Xixiao hesitate, Zhou Wan bravely scaled the tree herself to retrieve it, earning the playful admiration of the child. Watching her run around with the children under the sky, Lu Xixiao felt a sudden surge of inspiration. Uncle Li remarked to Zhou Wan that this was the first time Lu Xixiao had ever brought a friend to the store, noting how much happier and more open the young man seemed.
Lu Xixiao sat beneath the hackberry tree and began to draw, with Zhou Wan quietly keeping him company. In a short time, his pencil brought a beautiful image to life: a pure, happy child smiling peacefully under the tree. Zhou Wan was deeply moved by the artwork. When she asked if this was the piece he would submit to his professor, Lu Xixiao smiled and told her that she was his source of inspiration.
