Summer Again Episode 22 Recap
> Summer Again Recap
The exam results were announced, showing that Lin Nanyi and Tong Xi had both made it into the top five of their grade, while Tao Zhu had improved her ranking by ten spots. Tao Zhu, excited by her progress, and Tong Xi decided to go check the official ranking list. On their way, they encountered Wei Ze, a senior in Grade 12 who was once again ranked first, and Ni Xiaowan, who was second in Grade 11.
Ni Xiaowan complimented Wei Ze, and he offered her his Grade 11 math notes, mentioning that his teachers had new methods that might help her with her math, which she acknowledged was her weaker subject. After they left, Tao Zhu remarked on the impressive aura of the two academic stars, adding that they seemed a much better match than Tong Xi and Wei Ze ever were, a comment Tong Xi quickly brushed off as an old story.
As discussions about the upcoming parents' meeting began, Tao Zhu expressed indifference about who would attend for her. Later, Wang Yiming asked Tong Xi about her parents' attendance. Tong Xi hoped both her parents would come to see her achievements. Wang Yiming, in turn, joked about his parents' reactions to his grades, though he boasted about having a guaranteed job at a top-500 company and an offer from a sports university.
Sun Jieping then approached them, greeting Tao Zhu, who quickly excused herself, stating she had only been discussing Wang Yiming's grades. Sun Jieping then asked Wang Yiming to walk her home and offered to tutor him, expressing concern over his declining grades and urging him to focus less on basketball. She also inquired about his university plans. Separately, Ni Xiaowan discussed her academic struggles with another girl, admitting her grades had slipped since she moved to the science class.
She shared that she used to dread her parents attending school meetings, ashamed of them. However, she now wished they would come to see her efforts and truly understand her life at school, hoping they would support her aspirations. The other girl, impressed by Ni Xiaowan's newfound confidence and positivity, assured her that her parents would undoubtedly be proud of her one day.
Lin Nanyi called his adoptive father, asking if he or his adoptive mother could attend the parents' meeting. His adoptive father agreed, then discussed with his adoptive mother whether Lin Nanyi knew his biological mother would be there. His adoptive mother admitted she hadn't told him yet, recalling a past incident where Lin Nanyi became so angry after his biological mother appeared unannounced that he moved out.
She explained her plan to have the biological mother speak with Mr. Jia privately first, hoping to understand the situation better before involving Lin Nanyi, believing that as biological mother and son, they could eventually reconcile. At school, Tong Xi and Tao Zhu were busy preparing for the parents' meeting, with Tao Zhu teasing Tong Xi about her minimal effort.
When Tong Xi mentioned her mother was coming and asked Tao Zhu to help, Tao Zhu playfully suggested it was "time to meet the mother-in-law," hinting at Lin Nanyi's adoptive mother, whom she evidently adored. Tong Xi quickly dismissed the joke, urging her to focus on work. Soon after, Lin Nanyi's adoptive father arrived with Lin Nanyi's biological mother to meet Mr. Jia. Lin Nanyi walked in unexpectedly and was furious to see his biological mother.
His adoptive father revealed she was there to discuss transferring him to Nan Hai High School. Lin Nanyi vehemently refused, stating he would not transfer and demanded to be left alone. He angrily accused his biological mother of abandoning him in the past and now trying to dictate his life without his consent. Despite her attempts to explain, Lin Nanyi walked out, declaring he didn't need her in his life.
His adoptive mother tried to stop him, then apologized to Mr. Jia. Tong Xi, having overheard the argument, rushed out to find Lin Nanyi, complaining that her legs hurt. He told her to go back, wanting to be alone, but she pressed him, expressing concern and reminding him of his promise to hide nothing from her. He then revealed, "She's my birth mother."
Later, Mr. Jia found Lin Nanyi and spoke with him, acknowledging his family situation and how Lin Nanyi had been living alone, for which Mr. Jia apologized. Lin Nanyi calmly stated he was used to it. Mr. Jia, while validating Lin Nanyi's feelings, suggested giving his biological mother a chance to talk things through, believing clarity was better than ongoing confusion. Lin Nanyi appeared to consider his words before returning to class.
At the "Blue Elephant" café, Wang Yiming anxiously asked Mi Ya about Lin Nanyi's situation. Mi Ya confirmed she knew some details but felt it was Lin Nanyi's place to share them. Wang Yiming expressed frustration that Lin Nanyi always kept things from him. Tong Xi interjected, telling Wang Yiming to calm down. Wang Yiming then noticed Mi Ya's sadness, and she revealed her boyfriend, Andre, couldn't visit her this month because his private jet's documents had expired.
Wang Yiming’s attempt to comfort her with poetry only made things worse, and Tong Xi told him to be quiet. Meanwhile, Tong Xi was having trouble focusing in her dance class, prompting her teacher, Mr. Xu, to notice her distracted state. Lin Nanyi's biological mother contacted Tong Xi, asking for her help.
She wanted Tong Xi to persuade Lin Nanyi to transfer to Nan Hai High School to pursue professional art training, arguing that his emotions should not overshadow his future. Tong Xi firmly refused, highlighting the mother's prolonged absence from Lin Nanyi's life and his self-reliance, earning money through part-time jobs and art sales, while her bank card remained untouched.
The biological mother explained that she was young and struggling after Lin Nanyi's father died, unable to find work with a child, and didn't want him to suffer with her. She expressed deep regret for her past actions, seeing Lin Nanyi's coldness as deserved punishment, but reiterated her hope that he would prioritize his future.
Looking at Lin Nanyi's comic, "Early Summer," Tong Xi realized it depicted a mischievous boy troubling his mother, leading her to understand that the comic represented Lin Nanyi's unspoken wishes for family warmth. This insight prompted Tong Xi to reflect on her own mother. Her mother had just praised her for her good grades and focus. Tong Xi then asked her mother if it had been difficult raising her alone when they first moved to Da Cheng.
Her mother acknowledged it was challenging, especially if Tong Xi had been younger, but praised her as a naughty yet obedient child. Tong Xi, emotional, promised to be more obedient. Later, Tong Xi sent a message to Lin Nanyi, assuring him that she would respect any choice he made, stand by him unconditionally, and always be there for him. Meanwhile, Lin Nanyi had a vivid dream.
As he was getting ready to meet Tong Xi, his adoptive father stopped him, revealing that he had another mother who was now at the gate, wanting him back. In the dream, Lin Nanyi asked if his adoptive parents no longer wanted him, to which his adoptive father replied that his biological mother could offer him a better life. A voice then told him not to go with her, reminding him she had abandoned him.
Lin Nanyi was left conflicted, repeating, "But she is mum." Tong Xi, receiving no reply from Lin Nanyi, grew worried, fearing he had disappeared. She frantically called and messaged him, then rushed to his house, stumbling and falling on the way. Lin Nanyi found her, tending to her injured leg. He gently chided her for being careless, explaining he had simply fallen asleep and had a long dream.
She reassured him that dreams aren't real and shouldn't be taken to heart. He then confided in her that this wasn't the first time his biological mother had appeared unexpectedly, trying to control his life and convince his adoptive parents that she knew what was best, pushing to take him away. When Tong Xi asked if he hated her, he confessed he didn't know but definitely didn't want to see her, before offering to get her breakfast.
Later, Tao Zhu and Wang Yiming discussed Lin Nanyi's situation, surprised by the dramatic revelations. Wang Yiming wondered if Lin Nanyi would go with his biological mother, but Tao Zhu believed he wouldn't, sensing he had cut ties with his family. Wang Yiming, feeling sympathetic, declared he wouldn't let the "evil woman" take his friend.
Tao Zhu suggested they focus on making Lin Nanyi's upcoming birthday special to cheer him up, and they began brainstorming gift ideas, with Wang Yiming suggesting "natural paint." Wang Yiming confided in Tao Zhu about feeling drained by Sun Jieping, explaining that forming a connection or re-explaining things to new people was tiring. He praised Tao Zhu for understanding him effortlessly, unlike Sun Jieping, to whom he would have to rehash all the details of his friendship with Lin Nanyi.
As he was speaking, Sun Jieping arrived, asking why Wang Yiming hadn't responded to her messages and inviting him to a bookstore. Tao Zhu, feeling uncomfortable, quickly excused herself. Moments later, Wang Yiming sent an urgent text to Tao Zhu, asking her to call him with a fake emergency as he was stuck at a dessert place with Sun Jieping.
Tao Zhu called him, publicly scolding him for constantly needing her help with his own problems, a call Sun Jieping overheard. Tao Zhu later told Tong Xi that she couldn't join her for homework at "Blue Elephant" because Wang Yiming was out with Sun Jieping. Tong Xi, instead, decided to meet Lin Nanyi to talk. When they met, Lin Nanyi had finished packing.
Tong Xi asked him if he would consider going home to talk with his adoptive parents before making any final decisions, offering to accompany him. He asked if she wanted him to reconcile with his biological mother, but Tong Xi clarified that while she would support any decision he made, her true wish was for him to reconcile with himself. Lin Nanyi then went to his adoptive parents' home, greeting them warmly. He looked at a mint plant they had been tending, and they proudly noted how well it was growing.
