Out Of The Dream Episode 29 Recap
> Out Of The Dream Recap
Yu Fei prepared for her performance as her Uncle meticulously applied her makeup. Yu Fei confided that while she feared no physical hardship from her martial arts training since childhood, the "tightening of the head" was her greatest dread. Her Uncle explained that this traditional practice not only enhanced an actor's appearance by lifting their eyebrows but also symbolized the strict discipline and adherence to rules required of performers.
He recited poetic lines, noting that some fates are determined from the start, some missions cannot be forsaken once embraced, and some futures await creation by new talents. During this moment, a flashback showed a young Yu Fei, joined by Shuji, expressing her desire to become a hero by performing Lao Sheng roles, a path her master had deemed impossible for a girl. Yu Fei then took the stage to perform.
Her Uncle and Nan Lao watched with pride, but Nan Lao, observing her costume, commented on the operatic tradition: "you can wear in rags, but not in mistakes." He questioned who taught her to perform a civil play while wearing 'kao' (armor), typically reserved for martial roles. Yu Fei acknowledged the importance of proper costumes but explained that given the limited audition time, she aimed to portray the historically versatile Wu Zixu, showcasing both his civil and martial aspects.
She highlighted that Wu Zixu's hair turning white overnight implied unrecorded events, which led her to combine elements from both the "Wen Zhaoguan" and "Wu Zhaoguan" (which includes the "Chanyu Temple" story) versions. Nan Lao, however, accused her of seeking cheap popularity and deviating from tradition. Yu Fei's Uncle then spoke in her defense, citing Wu Zixu's own philosophy of acting perversely in desperate situations and asserting that Wu Zixu was never one to merely follow the crowd.
Many of the teachers present also agreed with Yu Fei's interpretation. Meanwhile, the Jiubai Studio team faced a crisis. Their vehicle broke down two hours before their performance of "Dream of the South." Everyone got out to push the car. Manager Sun called Guan Jiu, informing her that there were no audience members and advising them not to bother coming. Guan Jiu adamantly refused, declaring they would perform even for a single person.
Bai Feili lightened the mood by listing all the misfortunes they had endured—loss of investment, a studio investigation, numerous revisions for Wuchang's demo, Zhuang Sheng's prop errors, and Gui Deng's departure. Despite the humor, the underlying message was clear: no matter the obstacles, the Jiubai team would face them together. As if on cue, the car finally sputtered to life, and everyone quickly piled in, pulling Bai Feili along.
Inside, Bai Feili swiftly assigned tasks: Guan Jiu and Hao Shi were A-group, Zhuang Sheng and Mengru were B-group, with 50 minutes to complete all setting, props, lighting, and makeup, reserving 20 minutes for final checks. He reminded them that the stage was where their dreams came alive, encouraging them all. After her performance, Yu Fei quickly left the stage and encountered Li Shaoyan. Both were humble and wished each other success, regardless of the outcome.
Li Shaoyan playfully warned her that he wouldn't let go of a good rival, promising to applaud her successes, boo her failures, and even gossip about her if she became famous. He also imagined them reminiscing over old times when they were older. Yu Fei, however, stated she had more important matters to attend to and sincerely congratulated him in advance should he win, assuring him she would not be ashamed to lose to such a formidable opponent.
Li Shaoyan reciprocated her sentiments. Just outside, Yu Fei found her Uncle waiting. He asked if she was rushing to another performance, to which she quietly affirmed. He gently reminded her to always perform her best on any stage and never bring shame to the Shandengting troupe. Understanding, Yu Fei asked if he would like to attend her upcoming show.
Her Uncle replied that the flowers at Shandengting troupe were blooming beautifully and invited her to return and see them once her current commitments were fulfilled, which Yu Fei happily promised to do. The Jiubai Studio team, rushing to their venue, suffered another setback when their car broke down a second time. Without hesitation, Bai Feili instructed everyone to grab their props and run. The team, full of determination, sprinted towards the performance hall.
Upon arrival, they worked feverishly to set up. Backstage, Hao Shi helped Guan Jiu with her costume. Taking the opportunity, Hao Shi officially proposed that they start dating once he returned from studying abroad. Guan Jiu, in a rush but clearly moved, impulsively kissed him and declared they could start dating right then and there. The "Dream of the South" performance began, captivating the audience, whose numbers steadily grew. The use of holographic projection drew gasps of admiration.
Despite the initial setup success, Mengru was concerned that the virtual idol Molly wasn't appearing as planned. The performance featured a poignant narrative about a dream, of meeting someone unforgettable, desiring her happiness, her final performance, and the bittersweet longing to dream of her again. The show's popularity quickly led to a sell-out, prompting Wuchang to shut down the online ticketing system. Amidst the excitement, Dao arrived at the venue.
Spotting police officers at the entrance, he seemed to deliberately avoid them. He paused to write a message on a "Dream of the South" billboard before leaving with the police. A series of flashbacks revealed Dao's undercover role, where he had been secretly gathering crucial evidence against Lou Shitang and Zhang.
It was he who had tipped off Bai Feili about Lou Shitang's meeting with Yu Fei at the Winter Palace, ensuring Yu Fei's safety, and telling him to protect her. Now in police custody, Dao received a message from Yu Fei asking if he was at the performance, but he chose not to reply. He reflected on his decade-long love for her, realizing that true affection needed no reciprocation.
He accepted that he couldn't be her beloved or stand by her side, but vowed to protect her always. He considered these the most profound words he had ever spoken, regretting only that she would never hear them.
