Out Of The Dream Episode 23 Recap
> Out Of The Dream Recap
Mr. Nan encouraged Yu Fei to perform exceptionally well at the Talking Stage, emphasizing that she needed to live up to her recent impassioned speech and bring glory to the traditional opera circle. He also cautioned her about her foot injury, urging her not to overexert herself and jeopardize her training. Yu Fei, feeling the significance of the event, meticulously chose a sophisticated outfit, complete with high heels, despite the discomfort they caused her injured foot.
She even wished her eloquent exchange with Mr. Nan had been recorded for her autobiography. Upon arriving at the conference room for the program, Yu Fei noticed Bai Feili's name card but was disappointed to learn he would not be attending, his meeting having been rescheduled due to other commitments.
This made her visibly angry, a reaction that Shuji later pointed out as typical, noting Yu Fei would be upset whether Bai Feili attended or not, comparing women and high-level math as equally difficult to comprehend. Yu Fei, frustrated, jabbed at a small lion plushie. At a cafe shortly after, Brother Dao arrived, interrupting Yu Fei and Shuji. He jokingly offered Yu Fei a free drink.
When Yu Fei found the drink peculiar, Brother Dao explained it contained cinnamon, suggesting she wouldn't understand. He then attempted to discuss plans for the weekend, but Yu Fei, feeling stressed, cut him off. Brother Dao clarified he meant Sunday, knowing she had a show recording with Bai Feili on Saturday. Shuji then added that given Bai Feili's absence from the day's meeting, he might be resting his injuries on Sunday, which further agitated Yu Fei.
Shuji philosophized about love's fluid nature and the inability to think clearly until one has been hurt, words implicitly directed at Yu Fei. Annoyed, Yu Fei abruptly left the cafe, finding it challenging to walk in her high heels. The live recording of the Talking Stage began. Brother Dao enthusiastically promoted Yu Fei to the audience, acknowledging that many were drawn by Jiubai's recent exposure rather than traditional opera, but he hoped to convert them.
Backstage, Yu Fei, despite her excitement and nervousness, told the makeup artist she couldn't wear traditional stage makeup due to a past restriction preventing her from performing in full costume for three years. However, she confidently declared she would still outperform her rivals. Staff members expressed concern about her foot with the protector, but Yu Fei dismissed their worries. The host introduced the program's theme: a discussion comparing Beijing Opera and modern Chinoiserie stage plays.
Tutor Mr. Zhou praised Beijing Opera as China's "quintessence," holding an "overwhelming position," while Miss Luo declared that their emerging art represented "the future." Bai Feili, performing as Guanshan Qianchong, was the first to take the stage. His handsome appearance and powerful voice captivated the audience, earning continuous applause, even mesmerizing Guan Jiu. Hao Shi, sitting in the audience, downplayed Bai Feili's act, insisting Yu Fei's upcoming performance would be superior.
Yu Fei’s performance of a modified "The Empty City Trick" also garnered enthusiastic applause. She skillfully blended Beijing Opera with modern instruments and electronic music, creating an innovative and resonant act that was lauded as "fantastic" and emblematic of "Beijing Opera's summer." Hao Shi proudly highlighted her as the "best senior male," predicting she would amaze everyone.
Reflecting on the performance, Guan Jiu remarked on the uniqueness of Liu Xichan, while Hao Shi playfully countered that Guan Jiu herself was a "super limited edition" worthy of any collection. Yu Fei then formally introduced herself as Yu Fei, a performer of senior male roles. Afterward, Yu Fei went backstage, where a staff member handed her a cue card for the upcoming tutor Q&A.
Noticing her discomfort, the staff asked about her foot injury and offered to loosen her tight shoes and protective bandages, but Yu Fei politely insisted on handling it herself. During the debate segment, Yu Fei, instead of following the cue card, asked Bai Feili a personal question: if his original intent for creating Chinoiserie stage plays remained, especially now that he had stepped into the spotlight, having previously advocated for working behind the scenes.
Bai Feili affirmed his initial passion, explaining his desire to share his art with a wider audience. He highlighted that while the rise of Chinoiserie stage plays had unfortunately marginalized some dedicated artists due to financial constraints, he was fortunate to have a supportive team who shared his vision. Yu Fei then shifted to a more pointed question, asking if collaborations with different types of entertainers, particularly from the mainstream entertainment industry, benefited his creative process.
Bai Feili, understanding her unspoken implication about "hype," invited her to be direct. He confirmed that such collaborations were indeed helpful, clarifying that Lingjiu, a current collaborator, was a long-time friend and an original member of Jiubai from its inception. When Yu Fei pressed further about whether this extended to "spreading gossip," Bai Feili retorted by asking if she cared about gossip.
He acknowledged that some Jiubai fans were concerned about the rumors but stressed that a play should be judged by its quality, not by external speculation, and reaffirmed his willingness to work with diverse artists to achieve artistic excellence. Bai Feili then turned the debate back to Yu Fei, asking if she believed "art needs providers." He emphasized that this was a personal question, not one pre-arranged for the show.
Yu Fei responded that "pure art needs providers" and is independent. Bai Feili challenged this, asking how art, if supported by external providers, could truly remain independent, especially when providers often have expectations. This line of questioning made Yu Fei recall Lou Shitang's expensive gift of a quill from Meng Xiaodong's opera helmet, and his advice, "May good wind arrive to help me succeed." The memory helped her understand Bai Feili’s subtle warning about being leveraged.
Yu Fei then asked if he considered himself to be "taking advantage of art," to which he admitted he was, explaining that the act of "utilizing" itself wasn't inherently wrong. He concluded by expressing his hope that Yu Fei would "dispel doubts" and clearly discern what she truly desired. Watching the debate, Hao Shi grew increasingly agitated, openly questioning whether the intense exchange was genuine or a marketing ploy, and predicting Bai Feili's loss.
Guan Jiu, however, believed Bai Feili was genuinely concerned for Yu Fei, fearing her exploitation. Hao Shi, disagreeing, accused Bai Feili of hypocrisy and leveraging others, even mentioning his association with someone who had "betrayed Jiubai." Their loud argument disrupted the recording, leading to security escorting them out.
Later, at a restaurant, a visibly angry Hao Shi, asserting his adulthood, ordered beer and vented his frustration to Guan Jiu about Bai Feili's harshness towards Yu Fei, especially since Bai Feili had initiated their breakup. He questioned why adults often become the very people they once despised. Guan Jiu then reminded Hao Shi of his dream to design clothes for comic characters, to which he admitted a more ambitious goal: designing every beautiful dress she wore.
When Guan Jiu asked if he would abandon his dream if she never reciprocated his feelings, Hao Shi conceded it would hurt but wouldn't entirely derail him. Guan Jiu then reflected on the heavy burden of dreams, especially for Guanshan Qianchong, who carries the collective dreams of Jiubai. She explained that having witnessed others abandon or alter their dreams due to harsh realities, Guanshan strives to maintain Jiubai, offering a sanctuary for others to pursue their aspirations.
Hao Shi, still puzzled, asked why Guanshan understood so many but not Guan Jiu. She calmly replied that it wasn't a lack of understanding, but a lack of love, a truth she accepted. Now tipsy, Guan Jiu began to complain about Bai Feili's "cool act," skipping the victory banquet, and how he still seemed to care for her despite their breakup, wondering why they couldn't be together. The program moved to its final segment, the closing statements.
Tutor Mr. Zhou directly challenged Bai Feili, asking if his Chinoiserie stage plays could succeed, and immediately declared his belief that "your generation won't make it." He criticized young artists for being too eager for fame and lacking substance, contrasting them with his generation's dedicated pursuit of art's fundamental principles. He dismissed Chinoiserie stage plays as "callow" and "immature," lacking the depth to be considered true art. Before Yu Fei could respond on his behalf, Bai Feili took the stage.
He thanked the seniors for establishing a clear "track for life," but argued that this also constrained possibilities, turning life into a mere "speed competition." He passionately asserted that life should offer "many different directions," with "as many routes and possibilities as people." He pleaded with the seniors to "allow them to make mistakes," "allow them to wander," and "allow them to be broken."
He acknowledged that historical precedents often forced choices between love and career, but stressed the importance of at least trying to achieve both to avoid regret. He concluded by declaring that making detours or even failing didn't matter, because "we live in the world not to surpass others but to become ourselves." Finally, he turned to Yu Fei, urging her not to "be afraid of being broken."
He reminded her that there was "more than one path, and more than one destination," advising her not to compare herself to others, for "You won't be Queen Dong. You won't be anyone else. You are yourself." In the background, Brother Dao visited a jewelry store, where he picked out a ring, intending to propose to Yu Fei.
His friend, Xiao Zhu, gave him a precise fortune-telling: for his best chance, he must leave for Yu Fei's house at exactly nine o'clock on the morning of November 3rd, a weekend, and all traffic lights would be green. Concurrently, Lou Shitang was engaged in shady dealings. On the phone, he confirmed a gift had been purchased for a "responsible person."
He was also seen receiving Bai Feili's psychiatric evaluation report, stating that he always upheld the principle of "merry meet, merry part" with his partners and was offering a "gift" for their cooperation, hinting at his manipulative nature. Later, as Yu Fei walked down the street, she overheard a group of fans slandering Bai Feili, calling him a "kept man" who used "low tricks" and was "riding the wave of Lingjiu." They even threatened to target his family.
Infuriated, Yu Fei confronted them. Recognizing her from the "Talking Stage" program, the fans accused her of hypocrisy for defending him. Yu Fei fiercely rebuked them, calling them "keyboard warriors" who caused immense harm with their online words and were "nothing without the shield of keyboard." She passionately defended Bai Feili, asserting that he was "not who they claimed."
She proclaimed him "the bravest and most responsible person" she had ever known, someone who tirelessly "carries everyone's dream" despite the immense burden, calling him "a very, very good person." As she poured out her heartfelt defense, Bai Feili suddenly appeared before her, telling her to stop.
