Somewhere Only We Know Episode 12 Recap
> Somewhere Only We Know Recap
As the Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day approached in 2013, Xue Tong and Mu Chenghe were finally settling into a normal dating routine. They shared many enjoyable moments, including movie dates, and only parted ways reluctantly as evening fell. Xue Tong returned home, still blissfully lost in her memories. The next day, Xue Tong excitedly chatted with her best friend, Song Qi Qi, about her blossoming romance.
Song Qi Qi noted that she wasn't surprised, as she had considered them a couple for a long time. Xue Tong, however, felt a newfound difference in their relationship. She confessed that they had only held hands during their movie date, to which Song Qi Qi playfully teased her for being conservative, comparing her to high schoolers or even primary school children who were more open.
Xue Tong expressed her insecurities, wondering if she had agreed to be his girlfriend too quickly, if Mu Chenghe would regret it, or if she should be more proactive. Song Qi Qi reassured her that this whirlwind of thoughts and feelings was precisely what love felt like. Xue Tong then revealed she had a kite-flying date with Mu Chenghe that afternoon.
On the grassy field, Xue Tong enthusiastically tried to fly a plane-shaped kite, chosen by Xue Tong to match his aviation expertise. She teased him about his "expert" claims when the kite wouldn't fly. Mu Chenghe scientifically explained the physics behind kite flying, then simply instructed her to "run faster." As he finally got the kite airborne, running across the field, he suddenly collapsed.
Xue Tong rushed to his side, frantic with worry, suggesting a hospital visit, but Mu Chenghe insisted against it. She even tried calling 120. While tending to him, she discreetly answered a phone call from her mother, who informed her she was working overtime and wouldn't be home. Xue Tong pretended everything was normal, relieved by her mother's absence. Later, Mu Chenghe awoke, still feeling a bit dizzy.
He explained to Xue Tong that he suffered from Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder causing severe dizziness, a lingering effect from a high fever he had in high school. He reassured her it was an old problem and not her fault, even teasing her about drooling on his hand while she slept, which had woken him up.
He mentioned that he would be moving out of Chen Ting's place and back to his own old house, which had been vacant for a long time. He'd been staying with Chen Ting because it was closer to school and he wasn't used to living alone, but with Chen Ting back and Ma Han visiting often, it was becoming inconvenient. Xue Tong was delighted, calling his home his "dog house," which he promptly corrected.
Mu Chenghe then dropped Xue Tong off near her home. Before she left, he asked her about her New Year's plans, learning she would be visiting her mother in Jianglin New Town for an unknown duration. The next day, Xue Tong was surprised by her childhood friend, Chen Yan, who had returned from America for spring break. Chen Yan, noticing a "driver" dropping Xue Tong off earlier, playfully pressed Xue Tong for details about her romantic life.
Xue Tong deflected, saying it was just a driver returning her phone, while her mother also pressured her. Chen Yan then suggested they revisit their favorite childhood noodle shop. At the noodle shop, Chen Yan continued to playfully probe Xue Tong about her boyfriend, even bringing up a childhood "time capsule" they buried to distract her. Xue Tong eventually admitted she was indeed dating but hadn't told her mother to avoid endless questions and restrictions.
Chen Yan, amused by Xue Tong's "smitten expression," insisted on meeting him. Xue Tong introduced Chen Yan to Mu Chenghe. Chen Yan, having already heard about him, jokingly "inspected" him on behalf of Xue Tong's friends and family, declaring that "further observation was needed." They discussed Mu Chenghe's micro wind tunnel model, which Xue Tong knowledgeably explained. Suddenly, Xue Tong's mother called, informing her of a last-minute business trip and instructing her to buy New Year's goods.
Xue Tong had to leave, much to her and Mu Chenghe's visible disappointment. Chen Yan teased them about their obvious affection but then commented on their overly polite dynamic, noting they hadn't even touched hands. She wondered if Mu Chenghe was old-fashioned or perhaps not as interested as he seemed. Chen Yan quickly reassured her that Mu Chenghe's feelings were clear. Later, while out shopping, Chen Yan introduced Xue Tong to her Taiwanese classmate, A Hao (Eric), her "best pal."
A Hao initially inquired about exotic delicacies, revealing his preference for them. Chen Yan mentioned that she and A Hao, along with other friends, were staying at her house. Xue Tong then received a message from Mu Chenghe, asking her to come over to show her something interesting, which Chen Yan took as an opportunity to tease Xue Tong about spending time with him, even offering to cover for her with her mother.
Xue Tong arrived at Mu Chenghe's place to find him dramatically wearing a diving suit. He playfully explained it was to regain face after their unsuccessful kite flying. He proposed they go scuba diving, not tomorrow, as there were no local spots, but on their first Valentine's Day, February 14th, overseas at a foreign island after the New Year. Xue Tong eagerly agreed, making him promise.
As her Valentine's gift, she asked him to cook her a meal, and in return, she pledged to follow all his instructions regarding diving. He then began teaching her basic diving hand signals, including "OK," "ascend," and a fun one for "shark behind you." While she struggled with spatial orientation exercises, she quickly grasped the shark signal.
Despite Xue Tong hinting that she could stay longer since her mother was away, Mu Chenghe, ever the gentleman, insisted she return home early, telling her to come back the next day for more lessons. The following day, their diving lessons were interrupted by an urgent call from Chen Yan, who needed Mu Chenghe's car. They drove to a warehouse, where Chen Yan's team was tracking an illegal wildlife trade.
The target had moved, and they needed Mu Chenghe to discreetly follow a specific Jinbei van. Xue Tong initially wondered if they were dealing with drug traffickers, but Chen Yan revealed they were trying to expose snake trafficking. They attempted to record the transaction, but their cover was nearly blown when A Hao was stopped and questioned. Chen Yan quickly defused the situation, explaining her "foreign friends" were lost tourists. The incident, though alarming, managed to disrupt the trade.
Chen Yan then revealed that she and her friends were part of an animal protection foundation, working to gather evidence and raise awareness against wildlife trafficking. She explained her long-standing passion for animal welfare, sparked by rescuing a stray cat as a child, and emphasized the importance of protecting Earth's limited resources. Later that evening, Xue Tong was quiet during dinner. Mu Chenghe asked about her mood, and she confessed to feeling like an "ignorant child" compared to Chen Yan.
Mu Chenghe gently reassured her, stating that both she and Chen Yan were "kids" simply choosing different life paths. He affirmed his love for her, dismissing her insecurities about not being as intelligent, lively, or pretty as her other friends. He explained that he liked her because she was Xue Tong, and his decision to teach her diving meant entrusting his life to her as his "dive buddy," where her flaws would be irrelevant.
He then left for the airport for his New Year's trip, reminding her to study the diving book and practice. On New Year's Eve, Xue Tong returned home late and was confronted by her mother, who, having seen Chen Yan alone, accused Xue Tong of lying and being irresponsible. A heated argument ensued, with Xue Tong expressing frustration over her mother's controlling nature.
Distressed, she called Mu Chenghe, who calmly advised her to communicate with her mother and reiterated his anticipation for their diving trip and her promised feast. Later that night, Xue Tong encountered a stranger at a convenience store who was waiting for an online friend she had never met, hoping that being physically close would eventually lead to a meeting. This made Xue Tong reflect on how sometimes, the more one desires to see someone, the further they feel.
Still upset, Xue Tong met Chen Yan to dig for their childhood time capsule. However, the area had changed drastically, making it impossible to find. During their conversation, Xue Tong discovered that beneath Chen Yan's strong and independent exterior, there was also vulnerability stemming from her parents' divorce, prompting Xue Tong to reflect on her own relationship with her mother.
Chen Yan recounted burying a beloved toy car, once her most precious possession, and reflected on the enduring happiness of that childhood memory, expressing a wish to never grow up. The next day, during a New Year's family dinner, Xue Tong arrived late again and was chided by her mother. Her grandmother interceded, offering Xue Tong a large piece of ribs.
Xue Tong's mother then defensively replied to the grandmother's suggestion of cooking, stating, "How would I know how to cook? If I didn't know how to cook, how did I raise you? !" Later, Xue Tong's mother received an urgent call and rushed to Donghu University Affiliated Hospital, with Xue Tong accompanying her. There, they learned that a female prisoner had attempted suicide by swallowing chopsticks after discovering her husband had a mistress and planned to divorce her.
Xue Tong's mother, a prison official, was concerned and introduced Xue Tong to Uncle He Ping, a security guard at the hospital who was assisting. Back home, Xue Tong's mother was unexpectedly cooking pork ribs, a dish Xue Tong loved and that she had learned from Xue Tong's grandmother. Xue Tong took this opportunity to bravely tell her mother she had a boyfriend.
To her surprise, her mother reacted calmly, merely stating she had "guessed so" and asked for the salt, with no further questions or advice, saying Xue Tong was a grownup now. Xue Tong apologized for being immature, and her mother softened, expressing her hope that Xue Tong would share more with her as she grew up, fearing they would become strangers after Xue Tong married and started her own family.
Feeling a connection, Xue Tong asked for her passport, revealing her plans for a trip with Mu Chenghe. Her mother, in turn, cautioned her not to rush into bringing him home until they were both certain, prompting Xue Tong to call her mother "cooler" than herself.
