Sniper Butterfly Episode 17 Recap
> Sniper Butterfly Recap
Cen Jin made repeated calls to Li Wu but couldn't reach him. Upon returning home, she saw university application books on the table. Li Wu eventually called back, explaining that his phone died while on the train and he immediately charged it and called her as soon as he got off. He told her he was already in Yan City with Cheng Rui, stating that Cheng Rui had a private matter that he needed to keep secret.
Cen Jin advised him to be careful and didn't press further. Li Wu and Cheng Rui located Tao Wanwen at a hotel. Cheng Rui informed Tao Wanwen that her family was in a state of chaos over her disappearance. Tao Wanwen admitted she expected this, having left a note saying she couldn't tolerate the injustice at home any longer.
She clarified that her decision to apply to Yanbei Medical College was a long-held dream since junior high, despite her family's different plans for her. She realized her own desires were more important than the "bright future" adults envisioned. She also revealed that she had confided in her uncle, who promised to keep her whereabouts a secret from her parents to prevent them from forcing her to change her application.
She then asked Li Wu if he had made his university decision. Since Li Wu was still undecided and had scores high enough for Huaqing University, which was also in Yan City, Tao Wanwen decided to take him to experience the Huaqing campus firsthand. While visiting Huaqing, Tao Wanwen was visibly excited, taking photos and expressing how reassured she felt after touring Yanbei Medical College, hoping the visit would help Li Wu feel the same about Huaqing.
However, Li Wu appeared less enthusiastic. Meanwhile, Cen Jin met Chun Chang for drinks, planning a trip with Li Wu and seeking recommendations for beach destinations like Phuket or Fiji. She wondered if Li Wu knew how to swim. Mid-conversation, Cen Jin unexpectedly received a 100,000 yuan transfer. Immediately after, Li Wu sent a message informing her that he had applied to Yijiang University's Computer Science department and had already submitted his application. Cen Jin rushed home.
Upon arriving home, Cen Jin found Li Wu sitting quietly and expressed her anger that he had made such a major decision without consulting her. Li Wu explained that Yijiang University had offered him a full scholarship, including tuition and fees waived, along with a 100,000 yuan "school choice fee." They also promised guaranteed admission to graduate school, with the possibility of going straight to a PhD.
He also mentioned that a professor had already contacted him to discuss his preferred research direction. Li Wu emphasized his desire to stay in Yi City to become independent quickly and repay the Cen family's support. He further clarified that he had thoroughly researched Yijiang University's Computer Science department, particularly its early involvement in artificial intelligence, its award-winning AI behavioral learning models, and its excellent faculty in that field, which aligned with his interests.
Cen Jin, frustrated, accused him of sacrificing a better future at Huaqing for a small amount of money and urged him to go to Mr. Qi to try to reverse his decision. Li Wu firmly stated he was serious and not being impulsive, asserting that he was old enough to make his own choices and that his decision wasn't solely about money. He reminded Cen Jin that she had once told him he could write his own life.
Feeling hurt and believing Li Wu still saw her as an outsider because he wouldn't share his true reasons, Cen Jin told him to leave, saying no one wanted to control him. Li Wu, with little to say, went to his room to pack. He left a detailed ledger on the study table, documenting every expense Cen Jin had incurred for him over the past year, including the 30,000 yuan she gave to his uncle.
He expressed uncertainty if the 100,000 yuan was enough but promised to find a way to repay any remaining balance. In the living room, Cen Jin, visibly upset, tore up a poster of Fiji. Li Wu, though feeling some guilt, affirmed he didn't regret his choice. He bowed to Cen Jin, thanking her for her care over the past year, and then left the house.
Cheng Rui called Li Wu, informing him that their class group chat was "exploding" with discussions about his decision to abandon Huaqing for Yijiang University. Tao Wanwen, who was also on the call, defended Li Wu, stating that choosing a school was his personal decision and had nothing to do with others. Cheng Rui expressed concern about Li Wu's living situation and Cen Jin's anger, but Li Wu assured him he was fine.
Meanwhile, Cen Jin, at home, looked through her diary, which contained records of Li Wu's past academic achievements, including his NCEE score. She then gave the diary to Mr. Qi, asking him to pass it on to Li Wu. The next day at school, Mr. Qi gave Li Wu the diary, mentioning he had heard about his decision to apply to Yijiang University.
Later, Cen Jin inquired about Li Wu's living situation, and he informed her he was staying at Cheng Rui's place. Cen Jin, still in low spirits, went to her mother's house for dinner. Her mother asked about Li Wu's university application. Cen Jin, with a tone of regret, informed her that he had applied to Yijiang University.
Her mother, however, thought it was a good decision, believing that as long as he chose a school he liked, his efforts weren't wasted. She also reminded Cen Jin that she wasn't Li Wu's biological sister and couldn't look after him forever. Cen Jin's father, having already received a message from Li Wu about his choice, advised Cen Jin to consider Li Wu's perspective.
He explained that Li Wu was sensitive and sensible, feeling deeply indebted for the help he received, and was eager to become independent to achieve an equal footing in their relationship. He also suggested Cen Jin accept the 100,000 yuan, as refusing it would make Li Wu uncomfortable. Cheng Rui introduced Li Wu to his uncle, Shen Yiyang, an environmental researcher.
Shen Yiyang offered Li Wu free accommodation in a dormitory near his institute that he rarely used, thanks to Cheng Rui's connection. He also mentioned that his institute was looking for interns, providing an opportunity for Li Wu to earn some pocket money. Li Wu was very grateful. Li Wu offered to pay market-rate rent and send money via WeChat, but Shen Yiyang declined, only asking him to cover the utilities.
With a place to live and a job, Li Wu felt settled. Knowing Cen Jin's birthday was approaching, Li Wu asked Cheng Rui for gift suggestions. Cheng Rui contacted Tao Wanwen, who sent several product links, though Li Wu still struggled to identify Cen Jin's preferred brands. On Cen Jin's birthday, Li Wu secretly visited her house, placing a gift of new cosmetics in the bathroom.
Unwilling to enter the house, he wished her "Happy Birthday, Sister" from outside the door. Later that evening, as it began to rain, Cen Jin habitually called out for Li Wu to close the bedroom window before remembering he was no longer living there. When she went to wash her hands in the bathroom, she discovered the new cosmetics, realizing Li Wu had been there, and soon after received a birthday text message from him.
The next day, Li Wu went to Cen Jin's company to apologize in person, also informing her that he would be working part-time at the milk tea shop next door. Cen Jin chastised him for giving up Huaqing for mere pocket money, and for buying an expensive birthday gift he couldn't afford. She suggested he buy books or a tablet instead.
Li Wu, acknowledging her concern, apologized again and clarified that his decision to attend Yijiang University was not impulsive but a well-researched choice. He reiterated the university's strengths in artificial intelligence and its excellent faculty in computer science, a field he was genuinely interested in. He admitted he hadn't told her earlier because he was afraid she wouldn't approve and he didn't want to owe her any more.
He emphasized that he could now pursue his desired major at his preferred university and support himself. Cen Jin questioned why he had kept his plans secret while she was helping him with his college applications. Li Wu explained he felt he could never repay her kindness and if he had discussed his choices, she would have prioritized his "future," whereas he wanted to pursue his own path.
He clarified that he never considered her an outsider and only wanted to start doing things for her because she was so important to him. Cen Jin remained skeptical about his part-time work and reminded him that university was a new chapter, urging him not to regret his choices. Li Wu assured her he would not. Seeing that Li Wu genuinely understood her intentions, Cen Jin invited him to come home with her.
As they walked, Li Wu revealed he had obtained his driver's license and offered to drive if she was ever tired. Cen Jin playfully commented on his newfound independence but then declined, stating her car had plate restrictions. Li Wu confessed that while he could handle most things, "handling a sister's anger" was still beyond him.
