Go Into Your Heart Episode 34 Recap
> Go Into Your Heart Recap
The Go League in Nanjing Station officially commenced, featuring a match between Sheng Jingchu nine dan and Yao Ke nine dan. Cheng Liao chose not to accompany Sheng Jingchu, a decision that surprised her father. Cheng Liao explained that Sheng Jingchu, whom she affectionately called Panda, was now capable and didn't need her constant presence, as his internal struggles had resolved. She was also focused on building her own career, aspiring to be an independent woman.
She playfully asked her father to share his family's secret recipes, but he insisted the recipes "can't be passed to women" and suggested she teach Sheng Jingchu to cook for him instead. During the match, commentators noted Sheng Jingchu's exceptionally creative and imaginative opening. However, his black stones soon found themselves in a difficult position, forcing him to struggle. His teammates, including Eldest Senior Brother and Yao Ke, observed his performance.
While some pondered if Sheng Jingchu's mind was distracted, Yao Ke cynically remarked that Sheng Jingchu was adopting a "different style of approach," focusing on "balancing the territories" rather than his usual aggressive play, which Yao Ke considered "vague and unrealistic." Despite their Master's prior instructions for everyone to concentrate on their own games and not disturb Sheng Jingchu, he eventually lost.
At a local restaurant, some spectators criticized Sheng Jingchu, speculating he either underestimated his opponent or didn't take the match seriously, with some even suggesting foul play. Jiang Yuda vehemently defended Sheng Jingchu, arguing that Go is an art form and a player of Sheng Jingchu's caliber would never engage in anything dishonest. Following his defeat, reporters questioned Sheng Jingchu about his unusual playstyle and any external factors that might have affected him. Sheng Jingchu simply stated, "I lost.
There is no reason for it," and left without further comment. Concerned by his loss, Cheng Liao called Sheng Jingchu, worried he hadn't slept or eaten well. She offered to fly to him immediately to prepare his favorite meals, noting his play was uncharacteristic. Sheng Jingchu confessed that his "mind is different from before" because of her.
He explained that she had helped him "open up" and pulled him out of his past solitary world, allowing him to see a "colorful world" beyond the simple binary of "stones and wins." He had once believed losing meant losing everything, but now, he sought "something other than winning." Cheng Liao wholeheartedly supported his new perspective, assuring him that as long as he knew what he wanted and didn't let losses upset him, she would always be there.
She playfully promised that if he "kept losing," she, "the second-gen owner of Mr. Cheng Restaurant," could support him. Subsequent news reports confirmed Sheng Jingchu's consecutive losses at the Nanjing League and his elimination from the Xingya Cup, yet noted his apparent lack of distress and his departure with Cheng Liao, refusing all interviews. Sheng Jingchu and Cheng Liao then uploaded her first cooking video for her "Fox Private Kitchen."
Immediately, negative comments appeared, accusing Cheng Liao of being "lovestruck" and "ruining the Legend's career," blaming her for their idol's losses. Sheng Jingchu encouraged Cheng Liao, acknowledging her personal breakthrough and vowing to match her progress in his own field, resolving that they would "give it our best" together.
Meanwhile, Yao Ke, discussing Sheng Jingchu's performance with his brother, reaffirmed his belief that Sheng Jingchu had become a "lovestruck kid" whose former "spirit of cutting them to the quick" was "all gone" due to his relationship and his pursuit of what Yao Ke deemed "vague and unrealistic" Go strategies.
Yao Ke saw Sheng Jingchu's decline as his own opportunity, believing "time is always just and fair" and that the "real winner is the player who can never be distracted, the person who devotes his life to Go." He expressed his deep disappointment in Sheng Jingchu's current path.
Elsewhere, Cao Xihe expressed his worries about Sheng Jingchu's continuous losses, but Eldest Senior Brother Xie Chang'an reassured him that Sheng Jingchu had his own plans and advised Cao Xihe to focus on his own upcoming matches. Eldest Senior Brother then enthusiastically praised Ding Lan's rapid improvement, noting how she had been "motivated by Cheng Liao," quickly advanced to six dan, and was on a "winning streak," making her ascent to seven dan "in no time."
Cao Xihe, excited by her success, expressed his desire to publicly declare his relationship with Ding Lan once she achieved seven dan, even planning a road trip together. However, Ding Lan pointed out that to reach seven dan in the Xingya Cup, she first needed to make it to the semi-finals.
Cao Xihe confidently reassured her, stating that with Sheng Jingchu eliminated and Yao Ke in a different bracket, she would "definitely make it" as long as they didn't face each other. Ironically, Cao Xihe and Ding Lan were indeed matched against each other in the quarter-finals, leaving Cao Xihe distraught. Eldest Senior Brother called this twist of fate "fate's test" and sternly warned Cao Xihe against intentionally losing, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and respecting the game and one's opponent.
He unequivocally stated that throwing a game, for any reason, would merely be "the arrogance of watching those beneath you." Before their match, Ding Lan directly challenged Cao Xihe to play seriously, making it clear she expected him to treat her as a true opponent. During their intense game, Cao Xihe paused to ask Ding Lan if she would "hate him" if he won.
Offended, Ding Lan sharply reminded him that they were in a match and she was his opponent, fiercely signaling her intention to compete with all her might. Cao Xihe ultimately won the game. After the match, Eldest Senior Brother chided Cao Xihe for potentially sacrificing his relationship for the sake of "moral high ground," calling him a "jerk" for hindering Ding Lan's advancement to seven dan.
However, Ding Lan approached Cao Xihe, revealing that if he had thrown the game, she "would never date you for the rest of my life." She thanked him for treating her as a "worthy opponent" rather than a junior to be coddled, thereby preserving her pride as a professional Go player.
Despite her initial anger at losing, she confessed that his "admirably unyielding" nature during the game made him "so cool," a feeling she had never experienced with any of her "idols." Ding Lan affirmed her unwavering commitment to achieving seven dan but concluded that since Go is a "life-long career" with a "long journey ahead," "being in a relationship wouldn't affect my career." She then expressed her willingness to embark on a relationship with him.
Overjoyed, Cao Xihe vowed not to be a burden to her Go career, promising to be "the man behind the scenes" who would "always be there for you to give you my support and motivate you" and help her "fulfill her dream." He then asked if he was officially her boyfriend, to which Ding Lan replied, "I'm the lady here. That shouldn't be my line," prompting him to declare, "Ding Lan, I like you!"
They embraced as Eldest Senior Brother watched, a relieved smile on his face. Shortly thereafter, Eldest Senior Brother Xie Chang'an received a phone call. Upon returning to the dojo, he dramatically discarded his extensive collection of health-preserving herbs, telling his junior disciples that he no longer needed them because "The shoes I've been waiting for ten years are finally here," signifying the fulfillment of a long-cherished wish.
His master, witnessing this, instructed the other disciples to retrieve the discarded herbs, finding it wasteful. Xie Chang'an then met Ru Mei, his "dream goddess," whom he had admired for ten years. She had recently returned to the country. He offered her fruit, remembering she never liked it, and she fondly recalled his past phrase, "Have some fruit." He became emotional, expressing his happiness at her return and his relief at not having aged poorly in her absence.
Ru Mei observed that while the city had changed over the decade, Xie Chang'an had remained the same. A memory showed a younger Xie Chang'an teaching Ru Mei to ride a bicycle, an image of their shared past, hinting at a rekindling of their deep connection.
