Go Into Your Heart Episode 4 Recap
> Go Into Your Heart Recap
At a press conference, Sheng Jingchu and Cao Xihe faced reporters regarding their upcoming Go semi-final matches. One reporter highlighted the unusual matchup of Jiang Chunlai from Fangyuan Dojo facing three players from Jiuzhou Dojo, likening it to "Three Heroes Battling Lü Bu." Cao Xihe clarified that Go is not a group fight, and the number of players is irrelevant.
He added that his master and Master Xie Han Zhou have frequently traded wins over the years, and he couldn't predict the outcome. Another reporter brought up Sheng Jingchu’s rumored feud with Master Xie since leaving Jiuzhou Dojo at 18. Sheng Jingchu dismissed the rumor as nonsense, but Xiaolan intervened, explaining that Sheng Jingchu had not returned to the dojo because he hadn't yet completed a task Master Xie had assigned him, and he was not yet permitted to return.
The questions then turned to Sheng Jingchu’s rumored girlfriend, with a reporter pointing out that the "female lead of that rumor" was present. Sheng Jingchu responded by saying he would only answer questions about Go. When pressed about his Weibo comment calling her "special," Sheng Jingchu deflected by stating that Lisa, a hotel staff member, was also special, suggesting she might be working part-time.
This caused a stir among reporters, who then turned their attention to Lisa, prompting her to avoid their questions. The conference then paused as Master Xie Han Zhou and Master Jiang Chunlai arrived. Master Jiang jokingly invited Sheng Jingchu to join his dojo, while Master Xie countered by inviting Cao Xihe to Jiuzhou Dojo. Both masters politely sidestepped questions about the upcoming matches, asking reporters to simply take photos.
After the press conference, Xiaolan confronted Sheng Jingchu, admonishing him for not clarifying his relationship with Cheng Liao and warning him against being exploited. She accused Cheng Liao of orchestrating the paparazzi to gain fame, a claim Cao Xihe partially confirmed, stating those individuals were indeed Cheng Liao's colleagues. Sheng Jingchu defended Cheng Liao, asserting that the rumors had deeply affected her and admitting his Weibo post was ill-considered.
He assured Xiaolan he was trying to figure out how to properly explain the situation. Cao Xihe intervened, pulling Xiaolan away, urging her to let Sheng Jingchu think things through. Sheng Jingchu tried to call Cheng Liao multiple times, but she didn't answer as she was wearing headphones. Realizing he was being watched by paparazzi, Sheng Jingchu asked Cao Xihe to relay a message to Cheng Liao, inviting her to meet him in the hotel's backyard.
Cao Xihe called Cheng Liao, playfully calling her "Sister-in-law" and teasing her before passing on Sheng Jingchu's message. Cheng Liao found the request "so weird" but went to the backyard anyway. When she arrived, Sheng Jingchu had already returned to his room because he had waited a long time and felt a bit ill. Cheng Liao called him, asking if he had left.
Sheng Jingchu explained he wanted to discuss clarification plans but agreed to set it aside for his match. Cheng Liao noticed a cake, and Sheng Jingchu confirmed he sent it as an apology, knowing she liked cakes. Sheng Jingchu then urged Cheng Liao to return to her room as it was too cold outside. Cheng Liao took the cake back to her room and enjoyed it, finding it exactly her favorite flavor. The Go semi-finals began.
Commentators, including Xie Chang'an, discussed the match between Master Xie and Master Jiang, highlighting their long-standing rivalry and mutual respect. Cheng Liao, wearing a mask, attended the match, where she was recognized by Xiaolan. While watching, Cheng Liao identified several traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in the tea Xie Chang'an was drinking, to Xiaolan's surprise. Xiaolan also shared that Xie Chang'an, despite only being in his thirties, constantly researched such things and often burned himself with hot water.
During Master Xie's match, Xiaolan confidently predicted his victory, explaining that Master Jiang had employed a "sacrificing the core" tactic, which, despite breaking through the center, led to Master Xie capturing all of the white stones in the lower-left corner. Master Xie eventually won by resignation, becoming the first to advance to the finals. Next was Sheng Jingchu against Cao Xihe. Xiaolan remarked that Sheng Jingchu had a higher chance of winning but appeared passive in this game.
Commentators noted Cao Xihe's aggressive opening, effectively splitting Sheng Jingchu's black stones and turning the game into a "battle of strength," with Cao Xihe initially gaining the upper hand. Xiaolan commented that Cao Xihe would be "scared to death" if he knew a win meant facing Master Xie in the finals. During the game, Cao Xihe abruptly requested a restroom break. As the clock continued to tick, he overheard that Master Xie had won.
This news visibly affected him, and upon returning, he seemed hesitant. Sheng Jingchu then made an impressive ingenious move, a play that exploited a weakness in Cao Xihe's position. Cao Xihe seemingly missed Sheng Jingchu's brilliant move and soon after stopped the clock, surrendering the game. The audience and commentators were astonished by his sudden and unexpected loss given his earlier advantage. After the match, Sheng Jingchu confronted Cao Xihe, questioning his quick surrender.
Cao Xihe vaguely attributed it to poor skill, adding that surrendering early meant everyone could eat sooner, and Sheng Jingchu could rest due to his illness—a "win-win situation." Sheng Jingchu saw through his excuses, asserting that Cao Xihe simply didn't want to face Master Xie in the finals.
He reminded Cao Xihe of Master Xie's fundamental teaching: to always respect one's opponent, and that even if Cao Xihe had intended to lose, Sheng Jingchu might not have given him the opportunity. Cheng Liao, passing by, overheard their intense conversation. She tried to quietly slip away but twisted her ankle. Sheng Jingchu immediately rushed to her side, checking if she was in pain.
She downplayed her injury, but he noticed his hand was hot as he touched her leg and asked if he had a fever, which he denied before leaving. Later that evening, Master Xie and Xie Chang'an were having drinks, enjoying some "wine that has been stored for eight years." Xie Chang'an remarked that with Sheng Jingchu and Master Xie both winning their semi-finals, the final would be between them.
Master Xie, however, expressed philosophical detachment, stating that all the players were his disciples, so it made no difference. He recalled Sheng Jingchu winning Tianyuan at 16, and how he had only managed to beat him once the following year. He admitted it was hard to say if he could win against Sheng Jingchu now, but he eagerly anticipated playing him, adding that it would be "wonderful" if Sheng Jingchu actually won.
Xie Chang'an questioned if it wouldn't be a regret to lose the Go Elite Tournament, the only major championship Master Xie hadn't won, especially since another chance would be three years away. Master Xie firmly explained that Go's enduring legacy depends on students surpassing their masters—the "student has become the master"—and therefore, losing to Sheng Jingchu would not be a regret. Meanwhile, Cheng Liao arrived at Sheng Jingchu's room.
She noted his symptoms of fever, headache, and muscle aches from a medicine box and confirmed his fever. She urged him to rest, bringing him hot water. She apologized, feeling responsible for his illness as he had waited for her, worried it might affect his upcoming match, especially since she was his assistant. Sheng Jingchu, finding the quiet too much, offered to teach her Go.
He explained basic rules, like black going first, and key points like the "star point" and "Tianyuan." He taught her the "Respect Move" etiquette, where one leaves the opponent the closest corner to show respect. He also demonstrated the proper way to hold Go stones, like an "eagle's beak," with just the right amount of pressure. Cheng Liao, seeing his fever, insisted he rest, bringing him more hot water and medicine, and encouraging him to recover quickly.
The next day, Master Xie visited Sheng Jingchu, having heard about his fever. He was surprised to learn that Sheng Jingchu had actually taken medicine, noting that he had never done so since joining the dojo at six years old until now, attributing this new compliance to Cheng Liao. Master Xie then expressed a desire to meet Cheng Liao to "vet" her. Sheng Jingchu inquired about returning to Jiuzhou Dojo.
Master Xie reiterated his belief that a Go player's life should not be confined by the "square boundary" of the dojo; experiencing life is crucial for a player's mindset and skill to advance. He advised Sheng Jingchu to take his time, stating it was not yet the right moment to return. Simultaneously, Cheng Liao, determined to make Sheng Jingchu feel better, requested access to the hotel kitchen to prepare a special meal. The hotel granted her 40 minutes.
She carefully cooked, then brought the meal to Sheng Jingchu, asking him if it tasted like "the taste from your memory." As Sheng Jingchu tasted the soup, he was instantly transported into vivid childhood memories of joyful times with his mother, followed by the painful realization of her absence.
