Remembrance of Things Past Episode 11 Recap
> Remembrance of Things Past Recap
After a heated argument, Qiao Xichen dreamt of her school days with Xu Yan and Hu Jingjing, their bond seemingly unbroken, only to awaken and realize it was just a dream. Sleepless, she arrived at work in a daze. Jian Yifan, noticing her unusual mood, tried to comfort her.
Qiao Xichen admitted to him that she had quarreled with Xu Yan, and more accurately, all three of them, including Ji Nanjia, were estranged, with no one speaking in their chat group. She laughed bitterly, reflecting on her own perceived selfishness and tendency to dump her worries on Hu Jingjing, believing that Hu Jingjing, in turn, had no energy left to worry about her own issues. Meanwhile, Ouyang had spent the night contemplating Ji Nanjia’s desire for a child.
He approached her, acknowledging her initial surprise at seeing him, as she had thought he might block her on social media. He then shared his extensive research on parenthood, emphasizing that raising a child is a profound responsibility, not a whim or a substitute for something else. He detailed the immense physical and emotional toll childbirth takes on women, the long commitment until a child becomes an adult, and the potential for unexpected challenges.
Ouyang asked Ji Nanjia if she truly loved children or if her desire was merely for herself. He then explained that his own positive upbringing, filled with parental love, allowed him to approach life with confidence. If Ji Nanjia genuinely wished for a child, he hoped they could offer the same kind of love, indicating his willingness to build a family with her.
He suggested they commit to a proper relationship first, and once both were truly ready, that would be the best time to bring a child into the world, stating that the best gift to a child is loving parents. Xu Yan faced a relationship crisis. Her mother called, noticing her distress and suggesting she spend time with Qiao Xichen. Xu Yan's mother pointed out that with Hu Jingjing gone, Xu Yan should cherish her friendship with Qiao Xichen.
Xu Yan then confessed to her mother that she felt she had been treating Shen Zichang poorly and had become too dependent on him. Deciding to end their cold war, Xu Yan went to Shen Zichang, humbly apologizing for her bad habits and sharp tongue, and promising to change. However, Shen Zichang responded by proposing a breakup, explaining that he had spent days contemplating it.
He recounted their shared history from their first meeting to her staying in Beijing for him, but expressed their fundamental differences in life goals. He desired a simple, happy life with a stable job, while she pursued a more materialistic lifestyle. He revealed that his own mother had even offered to sell their house to help them buy a place, which made him realize he couldn't give Xu Yan the life she wanted.
He concluded that neither of them was wrong, but their differing aspirations made them incompatible. Despite Xu Yan’s pleas, promises, and attempts to stop him, Shen Zichang, with an apology, walked away, leaving her heartbroken. The heartbreak of her breakup led to several mistakes at work. Her manager, noticing her poor performance, kindly granted her annual leave. Shortly after, a mysterious package arrived for Xu Yan.
It contained kiwis, triggering a bittersweet memory of Hu Jingjing, who had ordered them months ago as a New Year's gift for her friends. Ji Nanjia also received her box of kiwis, reminiscing about Hu Jingjing's words that the fruit would last until 2021. The arrival of the gifts served as a poignant reminder of their missing friend as the new year approached.
As the annual leave began, Ji Nanjia and Qiao Xichen each had their own plans, both involving dining out. Jian Yifan, eager to formalize their relationship, subtly proposed meeting Qiao Xichen's parents during the holidays. However, Qiao Xichen, still seeing herself as her parents' "little princess," wasn't ready to disclose her relationship and politely declined, to Jian Yifan's disappointment. Ji Nanjia, too, had not responded to Ouyang’s suggestion, as she had considered having a child but never truly contemplated marriage.
The three friends, Qiao Xichen, Ji Nanjia, and Xu Yan, all traveled back to their hometowns. Coincidentally, they each brought gifts to visit Hu Jingjing’s parents, bringing smiles to the elderly couple’s faces amidst the festive season.
Ji Nanjia, in particular, brought a thoughtful array of gifts: a seven-day pillbox for her aunt's high blood pressure, a fascia gun for muscle relaxation, a humidifier for the dry air, and a mink fur coat for her aunt, as well as a down jacket for her uncle. Ji Nanjia explained these were useful items she bought for them, not mere gifts. Hu Jingjing’s parents were visibly touched by their thoughtfulness.
After leaving Hu Jingjing's home, Ji Nanjia headed to a class reunion. Finding the venue proved challenging, as her old reference point, the department store, was now considered an "old people's place." Her classmates greeted her warmly, making her drink three glasses for being late. One friend, Da Dong, humorously announced his third wedding after New Year's, inviting everyone and promising to return their wedding gift money if he divorced again.
Ji Nanjia described her busy life in Beijing, contrasting it with the slower pace of their hometown. Her classmates urged her to visit more often if she ever felt tired, reassuring her they were always there. Later, they decided to go to the newly opened Huaqing Hot Springs for a spa night. Meanwhile, Qiao Xichen joined her parents at the same Huaqing Hot Springs. Her mother, seeing the luxurious buffet, was impressed, commenting on how much the hometown had changed.
The atmosphere was light until her mother started pressing her about finding a boyfriend, even making jokes about Qiao Xichen's dad testing a potential son-in-law's drinking capacity. Unprepared to reveal her relationship with Jian Yifan, Qiao Xichen feigned needing a sauna, escaping into the steam room, only to stumble upon Ji Nanjia and Xu Yan there. Just as they reunited, Ji Nanjia received an urgent phone call from her mother, informing her that Hu Jingjing's mother was missing.
The three friends immediately put aside their brief reunion, and along with Qiao Xichen's mom who also received the news, mobilized relatives and friends to search. Xu Yan suggested checking by the riverside, while Qiao Xichen considered the cemetery and their old school. However, the cemetery was quickly ruled out, as Ji Nanjia had already confirmed it was locked. They eventually found Hu Jingjing’s mother sitting on a street bench, dressed unusually.
She seemed disoriented but insisted she was fine and had merely forgotten her phone. Ji Nanjia and Xu Yan, upon seeing her, broke down crying. Hu Jingjing's mother gently reassured them, saying she understood her daughter's struggles with depression and that it wasn't their fault. She told them that Hu Jingjing wouldn't want to see them cry and considered them all her children.
With a profound understanding, she stated that those who are gone are gone, and those who are alive must continue living, urging them to be happy and healthy. On the drive home, Xu Yan overheard their classmate, who was driving, boast about his spacious, affordable apartment in their hometown. He mentioned that a 200 square meter house cost less than a million yuan, with a down payment under 100,000 yuan, a stark contrast to Beijing prices.
This made Xu Yan, still reeling from her breakup and financial pressures, visibly interested. The three friends decided to return to Huaqing Hot Springs. Back by the pool, they playfully confronted each other about not sharing their holiday plans, then Qiao Xichen thanked Xu Yan for helping find Hu Jingjing's mother, and Ji Nanjia urged them to look forward.
Xu Yan bravely broke the silence, apologizing for her behavior during their previous argument and acknowledging that their concerns had been for her own good. Qiao Xichen, in turn, admitted Xu Yan's words were valid and she felt responsible for Hu Jingjing's fate, while Ji Nanjia, as Hu Jingjing's cousin, also took some of the blame. Ji Nanjia then gently reminded them that Hu Jingjing wouldn't want them to blame themselves.
They then promised to be "tree holes" for each other, sharing all their joys and sorrows, vowing never to keep worries to themselves again. The bathhouse manager, who they recognized as a street vendor from earlier, then announced that it was officially 2021. They raised their beers in a toast, wishing for all unhappiness of the past year to vanish.
They marvelled at how much their hometown had evolved, now offering amenities similar to big cities, making the idea of returning home more appealing to Xu Yan. As the New Year celebrations concluded, everyone reflected on growing a year older. Qiao Xichen's parents discussed her future, reiterating their unconditional support for her choices.
They emphasized that they didn't raise her to depend on them or to be extremely successful, nor did they expect her to buy a big house in Beijing. Their only wish was for her to live a happy life, whether in Beijing, back home, or elsewhere, as long as she lived for herself. This heartfelt message deeply moved Qiao Xichen.
Xu Yan's mother, on the other hand, pressed her about her marriage plans with Shen Zichang and offered to meet his parents. Unable to reveal their breakup, Xu Yan deflected the conversation with a forced "Happy New Year, Mom! I love you!" In the span of just a few days, the three friends realized how much their once-familiar hometown had changed.
Despite the presence of beloved family, old friends, and familiar flavors, the unfamiliar streets and new conversations constantly reminded them that their memories no longer aligned with reality, leaving them to wonder if they could ever truly return to the hometown they once knew.
