Summer Again Episode 17 Recap
> Summer Again Recap
After an argument with her mother, Tong Xi ran to Lin Nanyi's doorstep. Concerned, Lin Nanyi chided her for being out late, reminding her of the dangers and her injured leg. Tong Xi, feeling misunderstood, retorted that his house was dark and mosquito-ridden, and she didn't know when he would return. Lin Nanyi quickly apologized for his haste, and they eventually went to the seaside to watch the sunrise, sharing their thoughts.
Tong Xi, lamenting her "miserable" life after losing her dance shoes, being forced into ballet, and now a cloudy sunrise, expressed her belief that her mother wouldn't truly worry about her, only her injury and her ballet career. Meanwhile, Tao Zhu and Wang Yiming discussed Tong Xi's situation, wondering if her mother would finally stop pushing her to dance, acknowledging the "White Swan" legacy.
Wang Yiming also pondered Lin Nanyi's seemingly unusual circumstances of living and working alone at such a young age, leading them to speculate about his parents. The next morning, Tong Xi packed her belongings, resolving to move to her father's house. She told her mother directly that she no longer wanted to pursue ballet.
Despite her mother's visible distress and tears, Tong Xi firmly stated it was a serious decision, not a tantrum, and she intended to listen to her heart and finally experience a free summer like other children. Seeing her daughter leave with her luggage, Tong Xi's mother was heartbroken.
Now living with her father, Tong Xi embraced her newfound freedom, indulging in previously forbidden foods like ice cream daily to make up for years of restrictions and enjoying a completely flexible schedule. During this time, Tong Xi's mother arranged a meeting with her ballet teacher. The teacher, already sensing the situation after Tong Xi's classes were suspended, explained that Tong Xi had confessed her reluctance to dance early on.
He revealed that Tong Xi persevered through intense training for the Arts Festival primarily because she learned her mother had moved back for her and had seen a special gift her mother gave her. He concluded that Tong Xi was dancing for her mother, not for herself. The teacher emphasized that true passion for dance cannot be forced and is far more crucial than talent or technique.
Reflecting on his words and recalling Tong Xi's past pleas, her mother finally decided to stop pressuring her into ballet, vowing to let her pursue her own happiness. Later, at a seafood dinner at her father's house, Tong Xi received a text message from her mother. The message expressed her mother's change of heart, agreeing to let Tong Xi quit ballet and affirming that her happiness was paramount.
Tong Xi was ecstatic and shared the good news with her friends, who celebrated her "victory." After her friends left, Tong Xi's father gently suggested she return home to her mother, who was now alone, and bring some of the packed seafood as a gesture of reconciliation. Tong Xi returned home to find her mother removing ballet-related items from their house. She inquired about her favorite winged dance shoes, relieved to hear her mother hadn't discarded them.
They shared the seafood her father had packed, and the mother and daughter reconciled, their relationship mended. Separately, Lin Nanyi received a month's salary and two separate payments for school fees, from "her" and his adoptive parents, indicating financial support from various sources. Tong Xi then messaged Guru Qing He, sharing her joy about the reconciliation and her mother's acceptance. She affirmed that even without ballet, she would find her own goals and dreams and strive for them.
Her mother later asked what Tong Xi wanted for dinner and suggested inviting her father to join them. Tong Xi acknowledged that finding her dream would require time and thought. Later, Wei Ze contacted Tong Xi, asking for Lin Nanyi's contact information for a favor. Meanwhile, Wang Yiming was with friends, making light of a Tieba user named Xiao Bei who imitated Guru Qing He's drawings, noting the drawings were silly but interesting.
Wang Yiming was later caught by his friends trying to copy history answers for a geography assignment. The conversation turned to future academic paths, with Tong Xi admitting she hadn't decided between arts or science, still unsure of her future aspirations. Wang Yiming encouraged her to live in the moment and suggested they all attend his last basketball game before school reopened. Soon after, while Tong Xi and Tao Zhu were out for ice cream, Sun Jieping's phone was snatched.
Wang Yiming heroically chased the thief, retrieving the phone by throwing a basketball at him. Sun Jieping was visibly impressed by his actions. Wang Yiming offered her safety advice, suggesting she walk on the opposite side of the sidewalk to spot potential threats, despite her pointing out that it would be against traffic. Finally, Lin Nanyi took Tong Xi on a trip to Sheng City.
He revealed it was to visit Xiao Bei, the Tieba user who admired Guru Qing He's drawings, who was now seriously ill and facing surgery. Inside the hospital, Lin Nanyi, as Guru Qing He, signed a book for Xiao Bei and encouraged him. Xiao Bei asked him to sign another book for his mother, who had been tirelessly caring for him. Xiao Bei's mother expressed her gratitude, noting how happy Xiao Bei was to meet them. Lin Nanyi then sat with Xiao Bei and began to teach him how to draw, while Xiao Bei eagerly asked what Tong Xi would teach him.
