Summer Again Episode 21 Recap
> Summer Again Recap
Wang Yiming, guided by Tao Zhu, debated whether to ask Sun Jieping out for dinner. Tao Zhu, impatient with his hesitation, urged him to simply text her: "Can I take you out for dinner?" Wang Yiming sent the message, and to his surprise, Sun Jieping agreed to meet that afternoon at the square. At the Blue Elephant cafe, Tong Xi noticed Tao Zhu's mood and jokingly asked if the new drink was "hundred-year-old vinegar," implying Tao Zhu was jealous.
Tao Zhu denied it, claiming she was tired of Wang Yiming constantly bothering her and was happy someone was "finally going to take him away." Tong Xi persisted, suggesting Tao Zhu might have developed "unique feelings for Wang Yiming" over the years and had "felt a stir," but Tao Zhu adamantly refused to admit it. During their date, Sun Jieping tried to let Wang Yiming choose what to eat, but he insisted she decide.
Sun Jieping took a restroom break and called Tao Zhu for advice. Tao Zhu told her Wang Yiming liked grilled seafood and fried stinky tofu, but crucially warned her not to give him any dairy products, as he would get diarrhea within three minutes. However, Sun Jieping did not hear the last part of Tao Zhu's warning.
Deciding to be more formal for their first date, Sun Jieping brought Wang Yiming to a restaurant and offered him her favorite dessert, which was made with pure milk. Shortly after eating it, Wang Yiming was forced to rush to the restroom. Later, Wang Yiming called Tao Zhu from the hospital, where he was on a drip. He lamented his parents' absence and the difficulty of using the restroom with one hand.
He asked Tao Zhu to bring him food, declaring her "the most important person" to him and "mankind's best friend." He admitted to accidentally calling Sun Jieping by Tao Zhu's name multiple times during the date, which was "especially awkward." Despite her exasperation, Tao Zhu agreed to bring him small steamed buns and stinky tofu. Back at the cafe, Tong Xi confronted Tao Zhu, noting her distress over Wang Yiming and Sun Jieping's date.
Tong Xi pointed out that Tao Zhu was clearly upset but still gave them advice. Earlier, Tao Zhu had been distracted and accidentally broke a cup. Earlier, Tong Xi had spoken with Mi Ya, revealing she still hadn't figured out what she wanted to do, even after talking to Lin Nanyi. Mi Ya shared her dream of marrying Andre, explaining that a desired pursuit must be "happy," provide a "sense of accomplishment," and be "full of challenges."
She suggested Tong Xi consider things she "loved and hated at the same time," like ballet or even Lin Nanyi, implying they might be "ill-fated relationships." Tong Xi admitted that these two things indeed made her feel both love and hate. Meanwhile, Guru Qing He participated in a pre-recorded "Lindong Icon Interview." He shared that his path to comic drawing was unexpected, starting with "four-panel comics" to pass time and connect with other enthusiasts.
He expressed that his comics, like "Early Summer," aim to convey "some longing for the world, for emotions," highlighting a son's "reliance and care for his mother." After the interview, Lin Nanyi's birth mother approached him, praising his talent after reading his comics. She offered to transfer him to the Academy of Fine Arts Affiliated High School for future studies or overseas opportunities. Lin Nanyi politely declined.
His mother expressed regret for giving him away when he was young due to difficulties, stating her desire to "make it up to you." Lin Nanyi firmly replied that he didn't need her to make up for anything and simply wanted to live his life well now, before leaving to return to Xi Hai. That night, Lin Nanyi remained awake, troubled by his birth mother's words.
He received a text from Tong Xi, informing him that she would be helping her mother take photos at her workplace the next day. The following morning, Lin Nanyi, looking fatigued from insomnia, met with someone who handed him a drawing and a letter from Xiao Bei. This person had first tried to contact Tong Xi, but she was in class.
Lin Nanyi learned that Xiao Bei was recovering well and that Xiao Bei's mother apologized for any trouble caused by her article. Lin Nanyi dismissed her concerns, conveying his regards and noting Xiao Bei's happiness. Tong Xi accompanied her mother to the Xi Hai Theatre to film material for a provincial ballet company's upcoming performance for the National Day Golden Week.
Her mother, stressed by work, had initially planned to do it herself, but Tong Xi insisted on helping, noting her own past ballet experience and camera skills. At the theatre, Tong Xi explained to the dance instructor, Mr. Xu, that she wanted "more natural and relaxed" shots of the dancers, not just stage performances. The instructor understood and suggested an improvised ballet session.
As Tong Xi filmed, she was deeply moved, recalling a past conversation with Lin Nanyi where she confessed that ballet was her mother's dream, not hers, and she didn't know her own dream yet. Later, Tong Xi's mother watched the video her colleague, Mr. Xu, showed her. He remarked that Tong Xi "really surprised me" and "when she danced with heart, she looked a lot like you back then, it was captivating."
When Tong Xi returned home, she told Lin Nanyi how "happy" she felt while filming, unlike how she usually felt at home. Lin Nanyi then showed her Xiao Bei's drawing and letter. In the letter, Xiao Bei thanked them for visiting, saying he was "not so afraid anymore" of surgery and wished to get well to learn drawing with "Brother Qing He" and watch "Sister Tong Xi dance ballet," crediting them with giving him "courage."
Lin Nanyi then played a special pre-recorded message from his interview, dedicated to Tong Xi. He spoke about his passion for drawing, saying, "passion itself is the greatest meaning." He encouraged her to pursue her dreams without fear, assuring her that he would "always be with you until you find the passion that belongs to you." Tong Xi was deeply touched by his words.
Finally, after reviewing the photos and videos Tong Xi had shot, her mother praised their quality and Tong Xi's dancing, saying she was "as good as how I was back then." Tong Xi, having found joy in dancing again, then asked her mother if she could "continue to study ballet with Mr. Xu." Her mother, overcome with emotion, ecstatically agreed, shouting, "Yes. Absolutely! Absolutely!" Tong Xi then put on the dance shoes Lin Nanyi had given her, having found her path.
