Rattan Episode 28 Recap
> Rattan Recap
Si Teng appeared in Qin Fang's dream, declaring her intention to return to her original form as a rattan. She expressed deep weariness from her time in the human world, abruptly brought there by Qiu Shan, and having to do many things she hated. She desired a long, peaceful rest and believed that everyone, including Qin Fang and herself, should return to their respective places.
Qin Fang, unwilling to accept this separation, pressed to know if he could ever see her again. Si Teng explained that once she transforms back, she will lose her senses and won't be able to perceive him, suggesting he instead visit old friends. Qin Fang insisted on only wanting to see her, even as Si Teng jokingly threatened to end his dream.
Si Teng then elaborated on her predicament, mentioning that she didn't know how many years it would take to mutate again and that this time, there was no one to assist her. Qin Fang inferred that she, too, wished for another mutation. Si Teng confirmed that she would be at ease if she could mutate without the interference of Qiu Shan, Bai Ying, or other annoying people, but stressed it was merely a wish.
Qin Fang, however, vowed to find a way for her to mutate. Si Teng responded positively, telling him to find her when he succeeded and to bring her new human clothes, which she found appealing. After his dream, Qin Fang remained at the site where Si Teng had vanished.
Yan Furui accompanied him, urging him to take care of himself and focus on living a healthy life, reminding him that Si Teng had given him Bai Ying's power and he would be fine. He tried to persuade Qin Fang to go inside from the wind, but Qin Fang wished to linger, reflecting on how he used to foolishly speak to the rattans there, believing Si Teng was hiding among them.
Yan Furui advised Qin Fang to live his own life peacefully, reminding him of his youth, success, and the potential future development of Bai Ying's power within him. Qin Fang offered to invest in a restaurant for Yan Furui in Yuhang, even offering to design it and share profits. However, Yan Furui preferred to return to Mount Cangcheng, considering it his true home. Qin Fang accepted his decision but assured him of support if he ever needed it.
Despite Yan Furui's concern about Qin Fang's fluctuating health and desire to stay for a few days, Qin Fang reassured him he was feeling much better. He asserted that a person is never truly alone as long as they hold onto hope. Yan Furui and Wang Qiankun then departed. Along the way, Yan Furui encountered Jia Lingling, who initially seemed to ignore him.
He thanked her for her long-standing care and invited her to join him on his journey back to Mount Cangcheng. Jia Lingling finally acknowledged him, offering him a bun and remarking that they couldn't travel on an empty stomach, which Yan Furui took as a positive sign. Qin Fang spent a long time calming himself. He returned to the desolate place where Si Teng had vanished, a place now devoid of any trace of her.
He knelt, scooped up a handful of earth, and then left. Shortly after his departure, a small vine subtly emerged from the ground at that very spot. Five years later, Bai Jin, addressing a group of children, recounted a tale of a prince and princess. When questioned by the children why the characters couldn't be together, Bai Jin explained that just as a rattan must separate from a tree, their paths diverged.
The children expressed their strong dislike for this ending. To appease them, Bai Jin promised a new, more satisfying conclusion, revealing that the story was not over and that Qin Fang had searched extensively for Si Teng, eventually finding her traces after five years. Five years later, Yan Furui was working at a kindergarten, where children affectionately called him "Uncle Yan," a title he jovially rejected. He was confronted with a recurring issue: the delivery of spoiled vegetables.
He angrily confronted the supplier, pointing out the shriveled greens and sprouting potatoes, emphasizing that these foods were for children. The supplier dismissed his concerns, implying Yan Furui was too particular and that he should "not take it too serious" since he was offering such a low price for food "for the kids." Enraged by the supplier's dismissive attitude, Yan Furui pursued him, but in his haste, he tripped and hit his head, leading to his hospitalization.
At the hospital, the dean was concerned about Yan Furui, especially since his wife and child were away at her mother's home. Noticing "Master Wang" among his phone contacts, and with no other close relatives apparent, the dean decided to contact Qin Fang instead. Qin Fang, who happened to be in the vicinity of Mount Cangcheng for a friend's business, arrived at the hospital.
Yan Furui, downplaying his injury, assured Qin Fang he was fine and that the dean had overreacted by hospitalizing him for a simple bump. Qin Fang explained that the dean was simply being cautious in case of a serious injury, especially with Yan Furui's family away. Qin Fang then urged Yan Furui not to hesitate to ask for financial help, contrasting his reluctance with Si Teng's straightforwardness in using his resources.
Yan Furui insisted he was living a good life, with a family and all his needs met, and joked about Qin Fang's generous wedding gift despite his absence. Yan Furui then tentatively inquired if there were any leads on Si Teng. Qin Fang admitted his uncertainty about her ability to mutate again, noting the lack of precedent, but affirmed that he had been searching for her for the past five years, hoping that time would eventually reveal the answer.
When asked if he felt any internal changes from Bai Ying's power, Qin Fang said he felt no different, eating and sleeping as usual. Yan Furui then gently urged Qin Fang to move on and live a better life, suggesting that as Si Teng was a rattan, her perspective might differ from humans, and her current state might be the best outcome. Qin Fang, however, sighed, indicating his unwillingness to let go.
Meanwhile, at the Aigensi Kindergarten, a teacher, Ms. Lin, called out a child named Xixi. Ms. Lin confronted Xixi about complaints from three other children who claimed Xixi had forcibly taken their snacks and had also threatened anyone who dared to report her. When asked where she learned such behavior, Xixi casually replied, "From TV."
Ms. Lin warned Xixi that such conduct would prevent her from earning a "golden star," to which Xixi indifferently responded that it couldn't be eaten anyway. Ms. Lin, exasperated, banished Xixi to her office to stand as punishment. Later, another teacher approached Ms. Lin, recounting a frightening incident involving Xixi. The teacher, who admitted to being timid, explained that she had been alone in the office when she suddenly heard a faint, off-key singing.
She had been terrified, with her hairs standing on end, only to discover Xixi, hidden behind a desk, was the source. When Xixi claimed she was singing a nursery rhyme, the terrified teacher scoffed, declaring it was far from a nursery rhyme and insisted that Xixi's parents be summoned immediately. Qin Fang left the hospital with his friend Yiru to attend to some business. Their destination brought them to the Aigensi Kindergarten, where they observed Xixi's adoptive mother approaching.
Inside, Ms. Lin was speaking with Xixi's adoptive mother, briefing her on Xixi's behavior and requesting cooperation to help Xixi integrate better into kindergarten life. The adoptive mother candidly revealed that Xixi was her adopted daughter, found in the mountains by a college couple.
She confessed that she, too, was struggling to adjust to Xixi's unique temperament, noting that Xixi was unusually mature for her age and disobedient, though the adoptive mother herself spoiled her in hopes of a longer mother-daughter bond. Ms. Lin, surprised by this revelation, apologized for not knowing Xixi was adopted. The adoptive mother mentioned Xixi's apparent inability to grow much despite eating well.
Ms. Lin then inquired about Xixi's TV habits, explaining that young children, especially those aged four or five, are prone to imitation, and suggested that parents encourage outdoor activities rather than prolonged screen time. As Xixi's adoptive mother prepared to leave with Xixi, she seemed to sense Qin Fang and Yiru's parked car across the street, causing Yiru to quickly duck out of sight.
Qin Fang, observing Yiru's prosthetic leg, attempted to persuade her to reconcile with her past trauma, arguing that while one can never truly return to what was lost, accepting the worst parts can lead to a better future. Yiru challenged him, questioning his right to advise her to accept her past when he himself seemed unable to do so.
Qin Fang acknowledged his own struggle, admitting that acceptance was his only choice, and that his own mother likely considered him dead, having adopted another child. Meanwhile, back inside the kindergarten, the other teacher expressed suspicion about Xixi's adoptive mother, Kong Jinghua, to Ms. Lin. The teacher found it peculiar that Kong Jinghua, nearing fifty, would adopt a child and had not disclosed information about Xixi's father.
She also doubted Xixi's claim that the haunting song she sang was a nursery rhyme, revealing that she had searched the lyrics online and discovered it was a demoralizing song from the 1930s or 1940s, implying Kong Jinghua might be responsible for exposing Xixi to such music. At home, Xixi's adoptive mother, Kong Jinghua, tried to enforce stricter rules.
She called Xixi, whose full name was Xizhu, to dinner, telling her to stop watching TV and suggesting cartoons, which Xizhu dismissed as childish. Kong Jinghua explained that she named her Xizhu after bamboo, a symbol of high moral character in Chinese culture, hoping Xizhu would be humble, polite, noble, and upright. However, Xizhu ate little and soon declared herself full.
Kong Jinghua then insisted that Xizhu finish her food, reminding her that food was not to be wasted and that she needed to be mindful of her table manners. Kong Jinghua stated she had reflected on her previous indulgence and intended to be much stricter from then on for Xizhu's own good, demanding she finish her meal. When Xizhu resisted, she bit Kong Jinghua, which led Kong Jinghua to slap her, causing Xizhu's nose to bleed.
Immediately remorseful, Kong Jinghua apologized profusely to Xizhu, lamenting the difficulty of raising an adopted child without being either too harsh or too lenient, and reflecting on the importance of establishing rules early to prevent a child from growing astray, alluding to past painful experiences. Later, Qin Fang explained to Yiru that he had initially kept her as his assistant because of her severe left leg injury and her complete lack of will to live after he saved her.
He now felt that her past troubles were resolved and urged her to find a new purpose and return home to her mother, asserting that at only twenty, she still had a long life ahead. Yiru expressed her apprehension, wondering if her mother would even accept her back. That same night, Kong Jinghua entered Xizhu's room while the child pretended to be asleep.
Kong Jinghua tearfully apologized for her earlier actions and sought forgiveness, promising to leave her alone for the night. After Kong Jinghua left, Xizhu opened her eyes, quietly rose from bed, and began packing her belongings, clearly intending to run away from home. As Xizhu made her escape, she was unexpectedly encountered by Qin Fang, who was returning home. Concerned for the child's safety, Qin Fang approached her, asking about her parents and why she was out alone so late.
Xizhu, asserting she wasn't a "little sister," demanded food in exchange for her name. As they spoke, Qin Fang found himself staring intently at Xizhu, struck by her uncanny resemblance to Si Teng.
