Summer Again Episode 23 Recap
> Summer Again Recap
Following Tong Xi's persuasion, Lin Nanyi decided to go home and have a heartfelt conversation with his adoptive parents. He thanked Tong Xi for her support before heading inside, while she went for a walk on the beach. Lin Nanyi's adoptive parents prepared a large table of dishes for him. They expressed how much they missed him and how he had been avoiding them, making them feel sad.
His adoptive mother explained that his birth mother had been compelled to leave him years ago and was now showing her care in her own ways. After dinner, his adoptive father handed him a box, suggesting it would offer new insights into his birth mother. Inside, Lin Nanyi found letters from his birth mother, filled with loving inquiries about his well-being, his exams, and "the little girl who is his good friend," referring to Tong Xi.
She also wished him a happy birthday. That night, Lin Nanyi, accompanied by Tong Xi, read through the letters from his birth mother, which were filled with love. He felt deeply moved but also confused. Tong Xi gently probed if his feelings had changed, to which he admitted he was still unsure. He reminisced about how she always helped him clarify his thoughts. Tong Xi assured him she would continue to support him.
Lin Nanyi then shared a revelation: he realized why Tong Xi hadn't seen him off when he first left Xi Hai years ago. It was because his birth mother had returned to Xi Hai around that time, attempting to take him away, and he had been reeling from the shock of learning his true parentage. Tong Xi apologized for having blamed him previously and reaffirmed her commitment to always be by his side as his best friend.
Meanwhile, while Wang Yiming and Sun Jieping were at a night market, they encountered Xu Ao. Sun Jieping instantly shifted all blame to Wang Yiming, stating she only bumped into Xu Ao because Wang Yiming was "pulling her and fooling around." This greatly disappointed Wang Yiming. Xu Ao further provoked Wang Yiming, questioning the whereabouts of his "junior apprentice," likely a reference to Tao Zhu. Just then, Tao Zhu arrived with her bicycle.
She immediately confronted Xu Ao, scolding him and making him leave. Tao Zhu reassured Wang Yiming that he wasn't hit, then playfully asserted, "Only I can bully you. Others cannot." Following this incident, Wang Yiming realized his true feelings. He told Sun Jieping that he felt unhappy and burdened when he was with her, especially when she tried to cheer him up, unlike how he felt with Tao Zi. He declared that they should return to being ordinary classmates.
Sun Jieping understood and said goodbye, promising not to bother him again. Later, Wang Yiming asked Tao Zhu to teach him to ride a bicycle. As she tried to instruct him, he comically failed, constantly braking and falling. Tao Zhu called him "stupid" for his antics, which prompted Wang Yiming to reveal he was only pretending. He then recited various romantic idioms, subtly hinting that he enjoyed being carried by her.
Tao Zhu, though exasperated, also found his behavior endearing and told him to get on the bike so they could go home. Lin Nanyi's birthday arrived, and his friends, including Wang Yiming, gathered at the Blue Elephant café to celebrate. They wished him a happy birthday, some even addressing him as "Guru Qing He."
At the celebration, Mi Ya shared her plans to move to France next summer to be with Andre, explaining that she had learned one must actively pursue what they desire, rather than passively waiting. She then specifically advised Lin Nanyi that to achieve what he wanted, he "cannot passively wait, but must actively pursue it." Tong Xi also expressed sadness about the Blue Elephant cafe closing once Mi Ya left, as she had worked there for years.
Wang Yiming presented Lin Nanyi with a set of watercolor markers, a gift Lin Nanyi mildly disparaged, noting that Wang Yiming, despite claiming to know him well, overlooked his current preference for graphic tablets in his artwork. Tong Xi presented Lin Nanyi with a box of handmade plant-based pigments, including turmeric, scarlet, and dyer woad leaf. She explained that she remembered his dislike for acrylic, Chinese painting, and gouache, believing he would appreciate these natural paints more.
Lin Nanyi was visibly pleased with the thoughtful gift, confirming his preference. Later that night, reflecting on Tong Xi's words about his adoptive parents' love and his birth mother's care, Lin Nanyi decided to have a deeper conversation with his birth mother.
Afterwards, he confided in Tong Xi that he was attempting to accept his birth mother, though this acceptance did not equate to forgiving everything that had happened in the past, and he didn't like the changes her appearances brought to his life. Time passed swiftly, and Lin Nanyi began making preparations to transfer to the affiliated arts high school. During this time, Tong Xi questioned if Lin Nanyi was afraid of parting.
He admitted he was, but feared regret more than separation, knowing that people can always meet again if they wish. Lin Nanyi understood that this separation, despite his reluctance, was for a better reunion. He calmly bid farewell to his classmates, including Tao Zi, to whom he gave a gift, and Wang Yiming. Separately, Wang Yiming discussed the anxieties of parting with Tao Zhu.
Wang Yiming mentioned that Tong Xi had confided in him about her fear of parting, recalling how moving to Da Cheng had strained her friendships due to distance. Wang Yiming, however, reassured Tao Zhu, emphasizing Lin Nanyi's loyalty to those he cared about, promising that they would still gather for activities like barbecues, drinks, and basketball upon his return, even though Lin Nanyi isn't as good at basketball.
Lin Nanyi took Tong Xi to a park they frequented as children, where they reminisced about their younger days, including him chasing people around the slide and her protecting him. He showed her a beautiful portrait he had painted of her using the handmade plant-based pigments she had given him, telling her she was beautiful. Lin Nanyi then revealed that he would be leaving Xi Hai the following day, and the portrait was his farewell gift.
Tong Xi inquired about the grand finale for his comic "Mint" and his plans for new stories. He explained that "Mint" was complete and submitted to Sister Jia Jia for update in two days, but he intended to temporarily stop drawing new comics to focus on his studies at the affiliated arts high school, immersing himself in art theories and exhibitions. They playfully recalled his childhood clumsiness on the slide.
As they walked, they impulsively decided to pick some guavas, leading to a humorous chase by the owner, a moment that mirrored a sweet memory from their childhood of stealing fruit. Lin Nanyi then asked Tong Xi if she had written him letters when she moved to Da Cheng. She confirmed she did, as she feared he would forget her and wanted to affirm they would meet again. He then requested that she continue writing to him after he left.
Lin Nanyi shared that he had been thinking about her a lot recently, remarking on how happy he felt whenever they were together, even through arguments, and expressed his fear of regretting unspoken words. Just as he was about to confess something more, a voice from his birth mother, seemingly a flashback or internal thought, interrupted the moment.
