Summer Again Episode 15 Recap
> Summer Again Recap
Lin Nanyi took Tong Xi to see the Blue Gourami, explaining that these tiny, lively, and adaptable fish, despite being caught as ornamental pets, manage to find joy amidst their sorrow. They remain passionate about life, swimming around as if truly free, even in unsatisfactory environments. Lin Nanyi revealed he brought her there not just to experience that passion, but to encourage her not to be bound by life’s troubles, to live as happily and joyfully as the fish.
Tong Xi understood and thanked him, realizing that even without complete freedom, one could choose a positive mindset. He further emphasized that while they couldn't change their parents or the world, they could change their own outlook, which would help them make the right choices. Remembering they were in the middle of a game, they decided to find Tao Zhu and Wang Yiming. Meanwhile, Tao Zhu and Wang Yiming were hiding.
Wang Yiming was dozing, and Tao Zhu was annoyed, comparing him unfavorably to Xu Ao who was diligently preparing for the Arts Festival. When Tao Zhu revealed that Xu Ao had asked her to return to the Drama Club and she had agreed, Wang Yiming was furious. He accused her of having no backbone and misquoted Socrates, warning her not to make the same mistake twice.
Tao Zhu calmly corrected him, stating that it was Plato who said one could not step in the same river twice. She clarified that she and Xu Ao had sorted out misunderstandings regarding his relationship with another girl and the Drama Club’s casting process, acknowledging her own past lack of ability. Now that things were clear, she no longer wanted to be at odds with Senior Xu Ao.
Despite her explanation, Wang Yiming remained stubborn and angrily pushed her away, calling her "hopeless" and "a disgrace." Later, when Tao Zhu urged him to get on the back of her bicycle, he refused, complaining about discomfort, but also admitting he couldn't ride himself. Tao Zhu, frustrated, told him to be quiet as they rode off, leaving Lin Nanyi and Tong Xi to comment on their strange dynamic.
Later that day, Lin Nanyi and his friends celebrated Tong Xi's birthday at her father's house. Tong Xi was delighted by a cake Lin Nanyi had personally baked for her. After making three wishes – two for her parents' health and their everlasting friendship, and one kept silent – her father presented her with a dress. Tao Zhu gave her a limited edition phone case featuring Guru Qing He. Wang Yiming offered access to his game accounts.
Lin Nanyi then presented two gifts: first, a necklace that Tong Xi had given him as a "dowry" when they were children. He had kept it all these years, and now he asked her to hold onto it until they went to university, then return it to him. His second gift was a collection of comic book drawings, which he revealed were his original works as "Qing He."
He explained that he had drawn and colored these scenes from their childhood to record and preserve those unforgettable memories, jokingly asking her not to charge copyright fees. Upon returning home, Tong Xi was met with her mother's harsh accusations. Her mother criticized her for skipping dance class and lying, dismissing Tong Xi's attempts to explain it was an isolated incident.
She emotionally declared that she had sacrificed everything for Tong Xi, questioning how Tong Xi expected to achieve her ballet dreams if she didn't work hard, and calling her a disappointment just like her father. Tong Xi broke down, tearfully pointing out that it was her birthday, and her mother hadn't even wished her well.
A painful memory surfaced of a younger Tong Xi crying that she didn't want to dance because it hurt, only for her mother to forcefully insist that dancing was her path, not Tong Xi's. Distraught, Tong Xi sought out her dance teacher, Mr. Xu, to confide in him. She expressed her belief that her mother cared more about her ballet progress than her general well-being.
Mr. Xu, however, revealed a profound truth: her mother's care was indeed deep, though she struggled to show it. He disclosed that her mother had not moved back to Xi Hai for a job transfer, but had given up a good job to persuade him to teach Tong Xi, eventually making Tong Xi his only student due to her persistence.
He advised Tong Xi that her mother was not unreasonable, just had an "obsession with dance," and believed that with more mutual understanding, things would not be as bad as she thought. Mr. Xu then gave Tong Xi a belated birthday gift – a custom-made comic titled "Angelic Ballet" – that her mother had sent to the studio the day before.
Reflecting on Mr. Xu's words and the comic depicting scenes from her mother's dancing career and their shared history, Tong Xi was deeply moved. She realized her mother, a talented dancer whose dreams were cut short by a leg injury, saw performing on stage as a deeply personal and unresolved issue. Later, at the Blue Elephant, Ni Xiaowan was acting like a hostess, helping Lin Nanyi serve customers, much to the annoyance of Tao Zhu and Wang Yiming.
When Tong Xi arrived, Lin Nanyi warmly greeted her. Tao Zhu and Wang Yiming quickly explained to Tong Xi that Ni Xiaowan had volunteered to help, not been asked by Lin Nanyi. However, seeing Lin Nanyi's attention to Tong Xi, Ni Xiaowan, along with her friend, became visibly upset. Ni Xiaowan haughtily announced that Tong Xi could help Lin Nanyi instead and abruptly left.
Ni Xiaowan's friend complained about Lin Nanyi's politeness towards Tong Xi and expressed concern about Tong Xi trying to steal the limelight at the upcoming Xi Hai Arts Festival. Tong Xi, moved by the revelations and the comic from her mother, told Lin Nanyi that she had decided to participate in the Arts Festival to give her mother a surprise and not disappoint her.
She explained she had been practicing all summer and wanted to try to stand on stage, noting that the preliminary selection was coming soon. Tong Xi then hurried off to get home before her mother finished work. Back at the Drama Club, Tao Zhu was cheerfully performing various logistical tasks. During a rehearsal for the Xi Hai Arts Festival, a team member suffered from chronic appendicitis and was unable to perform.
Xu Ao, the club president, was worried about finding a replacement for the upcoming audition. He then instructed another member, Zhang Kai, to take the injured team member to the infirmary, and told Tao Zhu to stay and prepare to perform. Tao Zhu, initially surprised, was finally getting her chance to be on stage as a substitute.
At the Xi Hai Arts Festival audition, Tong Xi and a friend were also present, with Tong Xi's friend reassuring her about her internal recommendation for the Arts Festival. Tao Zhu, playing the Tin Man in "The Wizard of Oz," delivered a poignant monologue about longing for a heart, knowing love, singing to the world, and being with the one she loved, concluding that her heart was finally "broken." Her emotional performance deeply moved Wang Yiming, who watched from the audience. After the performance, Tao Zhu bowed to the judges and audience.
