Out Of The Dream Episode 26 Recap
> Out Of The Dream Recap
The doctor informed Yu Fei that Bai Feili wished to confide in her personally, with the rest of his story detailed in a letter. The doctor clarified that mental illnesses are no different from common physical ailments like colds or fevers, and patients often conceal them due to fear of judgment. However, Bai Feili’s trust in Yu Fei showed she had successfully entered his world, for which the doctor expressed gratitude. Yu Fei thanked the doctor in return.
Sitting by Bai Feili’s bed, Yu Fei began to read his letter. He started by saying he hoped the letter didn't feel like a suicide note reflecting on his life. He wrote that his mother, Shang Dong, was a rising star in Beijing Opera, famous for her role as Yu Ji, captivating countless admirers. His father, Bai Juyuan, was one of them. Sadly, their love couldn't withstand the mundane realities of life.
His father became increasingly busy, spending less and less time at home, leaving his dinner untouched at their three-person table. His mother had suffered from depression since his birth, a condition that, like a broken glass, grew harder to mend. He longed for her joyous smile and the happiness of her holding him and twirling him around. In primary school, Bai Feili was perceived as delicate.
Classmates often teased him for looking like a girl and deliberately cast him in female roles for the graduation play. He cried to his mother, who reassured him that in her operas, male actors played female roles (Dan) and female actors played male roles (Senior Male), emphasizing that beauty in art transcends gender.
She told him those who mocked him were cowards who didn't understand beauty, encouraging him to bravely be the most beautiful Ophelia in his graduation yearbook, always her "best Xiao Bai." The graduation performance was a success, and he was happy. Yet, this became the final straw that broke their family. His father erupted in anger over him wearing a dress, and it was then that his mother discovered his father was having an affair.
Later, his father brought a strange woman home. Bai Feili began to hear noises in the closet and saw his mother walking around the house in her opera costume. When he told his father about this, he was sent to the hospital, where he took colorful pills, lost sight of his mother, and, like her, became devoid of joy or sorrow.
He later moved to Zhan Garden for regular medication and psychological counseling, resolving to become a braver, stronger person for his mother's sake, though he worried if his path would lead to a different outcome than hers. He expressed that Yu Fei was different—brave, relaxed, and uncompromising. She didn't try to shatter his vulnerability, and because of her, his overwhelming fears seemed less terrible. He found joy in their connection, but also a new fear: could he protect her?
Would she accept all of him? Could he take her beyond his confined world? He mused about writing his will, then asked Yu Fei if he could leave himself to her, to stay with him forever, wondering if that would be too much pressure. He declared her the biggest surprise of his life, whose presence crumbled his strength, making him fear even his happiest moments as fleeting. Yu Fei, deeply moved and heartbroken, held Bai Feili's hand.
She told him he had been incredibly brave to endure everything, but urged him not to be selfish in the future. She promised to share his burdens, no matter what he was going through. Later, Yu Fei approached Mr. Nan, stating her intention to withdraw from the "Golden Age of Spring and Autumn Period" rehearsals. She believed her opportunity came through Lou Shitang, making her a "connection," and felt she wasn't even fit to be a training partner.
Mr. Nan, exasperated by her prolonged "rebellion," reminded her that he only kept her because she consistently demonstrated her talent, not due to connections. He then revealed that Lou Shitang was not the one who recommended her. Meanwhile, the members of Jiubai were temporarily working at Shuji's shop after their studio was sealed. Hao Shi was measuring Guan Jiu for a costume. Zhuang Sheng teased Hao Shi about juggling both work and romance.
Hao Shi playfully asked Guan Jiu if they should make their relationship public, to which Guan Jiu playfully hit his head, asserting there was nothing to announce. As Shuji delivered milk tea, Guan Jiu noticed Hao Shi's drawings of her and a school application form. She remarked playfully that the "stinky kid" was quite impressive, heading to Tom Ford's school (Parsons). Yu Fei later spoke to Hao Shi, encouraging him to call home frequently after he goes to Parsons.
Hao Shi, however, stated he wasn't going, wanting to stay and face Jiubai's difficulties alongside Guan Jiu. Yu Fei countered that Guan Jiu was a top talent, and for them to truly "co-exist," he needed to make a name for himself at a prestigious school. Hao Shi assured her he was no longer a child and would make his own decisions.
Yu Fei visited Bai Feili's grandparents, bringing gifts and thanking them for recommending her for the "Golden Age of Spring and Autumn Period". His grandparents were surprised by her formality, stating they merely gave a "push" because they feared Mr. Nan, being elderly, might overlook her, but emphasized that her talent was the real reason. Yu Fei inquired about Bai Feili's recovery post-discharge. They reported he was doing well, highlighting their experience in managing his condition.
They thanked Yu Fei, believing her presence encouraged him to accept help and treatment instead of merely struggling alone. Yu Fei expressed her gratitude to them for making it possible for her to meet Bai Feili and for his healthy upbringing, calling them the world's "most powerful grandparents." His grandparents then told her that she was now the crucial factor in Bai Feili's recovery. Yu Fei then went to Bai Feili’s room.
She told him not to open the door, as she just wanted to sit outside and be near him. She explained she brought her "star launcher" to talk to the stars and asked him to knock if he agreed. Bai Feili, trying to get up to open the door, stumbled and fell due to his weakness. Yu Fei heard the thud and felt a pang of distress.
Through the door, he apologized for his slow speech, attributing it to medication, and expressed a strong desire to hug her, then asked if her hand still hurt. Yu Fei reassured him that her hand was fine. She then spoke to the "stars," apologizing for her past anger at Bai Feili, during which she had "taken away his star usage rights" and consequently missed many of his secrets.
She realized that despite this, Bai Feili, with his innate talent, had become the person who understood her best. Now, understanding his fears, she felt she finally had a "complete Bai Feili." She no longer needed to be cautious when hugging him, fearing she might touch his wounds, realizing that confronting these realities was the true beginning of healing—a lesson Bai Feili had taught her.
Yu Fei declared that it was now her turn to protect him, promising to always be there. In her mind, she saw the dream lion again, brave and fearless, capable of protecting others. Meanwhile, Li Shaoyan, who had assumed the role of Wu Zixu was his, now felt a sense of crisis with Yu Fei as a strong contender for the final selection next month. Lou Shitang arranged a meeting with Yu Fei.
She brought back the quill he had gifted her, attempting to return it. He refused, reiterating his offer to give her a "leg up" to success. Yu Fei accused him of exploiting charity and Peking Opera as mere stepping stones for his ambition, declaring she needed no one's leverage, as her own voice was loud enough. Lou Shitang then threatened Shandengting, but Yu Fei expressed confidence that it would not fall.
He then revealed his control over the fate of Shang&Shan Group and Bai Juyuan's future, explaining this was why Bai Feili had willingly performed at his private party, despite being publicly humiliated. Yu Fei was aghast, realizing Lou Shitang had used Bai Feili's father as bait and treated art as a toy for his amusement. She angrily accused him of not understanding art or love, defining his actions as pure exploitation and destruction.
Lou Shitang dismissed her as a "loser," claiming only successful people saw a beautiful world. Yu Fei then realized he had long known about Bai Feili's mental condition and had still manipulated him. Enraged, she shattered the quill, stating he didn't deserve to even mention Bai Feili's name, and turned to leave. As Lou Shitang attempted to stop her, Bai Feili dramatically appeared.
A flashback showed a younger Lou Shitang regretfully reflecting on pushing his love, Shang Dong, towards Bai Juyuan, which he felt ultimately harmed her. He vowed to make Bai Juyuan pay.
