Summer Again Episode 4 Recap
> Summer Again Recap
Ni Xiao Wan, the class monitor, returned to school after her competition. Her classmates welcomed her back, complimenting her dress and appearance. Ni Xiao Wan introduced herself to Tong Xi, mentioning her recent participation in a literature competition in Beijing and her delayed return. Afterwards, she greeted Lin Nanyi, asking about his injured leg and offering him her first-place prize from the competition, a valuable item.
Lin Nanyi, stating his leg felt better, politely refused the gift, suggesting she keep such a precious award. Ni Xiao Wan insisted he take it precisely because of its value, but Lin Nanyi reiterated his refusal due to its expense and then invited her inside to talk, as his leg was injured and he shouldn't stand. Tong Xi, observing their interaction, felt a pang of jealousy.
She learned from a friend that Lin Nanyi and Ni Xiao Wan had been classmates since middle school and that Ni Xiao Wan was fiercely protective of Lin Nanyi, disliking anyone, even Wang Yiming, getting too close to him. Tong Xi felt that Lin Nanyi should be closer to her, recalling their childhood connection and a "dowry" paid long ago.
Her friend, however, reminded her that she and Lin Nanyi had lost contact for years and that he never responded to her letters. Tong Xi admitted she heard, clearly bothered by the revelation. The friend noted that while Lin Nanyi treated Ni Xiao Wan with politeness, he was generally reserved with everyone. The conversation then shifted to the upcoming sports day, hinting at Ni Xiao Wan's usual prominence.
Later, while Tong Xi and Lin Nanyi were on duty, Ni Xiao Wan's friends offered to help Tong Xi, and Ni Xiao Wan offered to help Lin Nanyi, but both offers were declined. As Ni Xiao Wan left, Tong Xi felt Ni Xiao Wan glared at her, making her uneasy. That night, feeling that Lin Nanyi had become "sharp-tongued" and indifferent to their past, Tong Xi reflected on her one-sided awkwardness.
She found an old photo of them together and, frustrated, decided to bury it, hoping that out of sight would mean out of mind. She also sent a message to Guru Qing He, lamenting her unrequited feelings and mentioning her own "Mentha" story, hoping for news about a new comic and a signing event. Meanwhile, Wang Yiming and Tao Zhu discussed their observations, concluding that Tong Xi and Lin Nanyi shared a special connection.
Wang Yiming pointed out Tong Xi's gestures, like buying drinks for Lin Nanyi and secretly placing his uniform in his drawer, showing unusual care. Tao Zhu added that Lin Nanyi's gaze towards Tong Xi at a previous celebration at the Big Blue Elephant restaurant was filled with "unspeakable banter," hinting at deeper feelings. Recognizing the "unpredictable" situation with Ni Xiao Wan's return, both Tao Zhu and Wang Yiming firmly declared their support for Tong Xi.
As the Spring Sports Day approached, Ni Xiao Wan held a class meeting to discuss their marching formation and slogan. Wang Yiming voiced his boredom with the traditional marching and proposed that Tong Xi perform ballet, arguing it would impress the entire school. Lin Nanyi supported this "good suggestion." Ni Xiao Wan countered, stressing the importance of collective participation and cohesion for the sports day.
After consulting Qin Ke'er, who sided with her, Ni Xiao Wan agreed to let the class vote. It was decided that if Tong Xi received more votes, she would perform ballet, otherwise, they would proceed with the marching formation. Tong Xi also agreed to the vote. In the end, Tong Xi won by a large margin, with Ni Xiao Wan only receiving six votes. Ni Xiao Wan and her close friends were furious about the outcome.
They grumbled about Tong Xi constantly hogging the limelight since the newsboard competition, attributing it to her "ostentatious" nature from a big city. Despite a friend pointing out Ni Xiao Wan's academic excellence, Ni Xiao Wan expressed dismay at their low vote count compared to past "landslide votes." She stopped her friends from complaining further, feigning magnanimity and stating that she would "admit defeat," hoping Tong Xi could manage the task.
Her friends speculated if Lin Nanyi cast the sixth vote for Ni Xiao Wan, but Ni Xiao Wan dismissed the idea when questioned about the handwriting. Later, Tao Zhu confided in Tong Xi that she found Ni Xiao Wan "not truthful," despite her achievements and popularity. Tong Xi pondered if Ni Xiao Wan's point about a team event had merit.
Tao Zhu clarified that for Ni Xiao Wan, marching in formation was often about her shining brightly while others were mere "utility players," urging Tong Xi to perform solo. Tong Xi understood, having felt like a "utility player" herself in Da Cheng when admiring "great masters." To ensure everyone's involvement, Tong Xi proposed a group waltz performance, offering to personally teach those unfamiliar with the dance. Lin Nanyi immediately volunteered, but Tong Xi declined his offer.
Despite his insistence, Lin Nanyi sarcastically asked if his leg injury was the sole reason, suggesting Tong Xi care more for the "goddess" he had voted for (referring to Tong Xi herself). Tong Xi blushed, attributing it to the warm weather. She later decided to include Ni Xiao Wan and Qin Ke'er, though she mentally crossed out Lin Nanyi's name on her list, feeling he "threatened" her.
Tong Xi then received an unsettling phone call from a friend, who informed her that Senior Wei Ze now had a "new White Swan" in the art club, a pretty first-year student for whom he even played piano. The friend warned Tong Xi that Senior Wei Ze might be taken before she could return to Da Cheng.
Alarmed and realizing she had been neglecting Senior Wei Ze, Tong Xi concluded that her only way to meet him was through Guru Qing He's signing event. She messaged Guru Qing He, urging for updates on his new comic and to schedule the signing event. She then called Miss Jia Jia, the executive editor of Aimei Comics, to inquire about the signing event date, learning it was still in planning.
She stressed the fans' anticipation and asked to be notified immediately once details were confirmed. Tong Xi proceeded to assign dance partners, including Tao Zhu with Wang Yiming, Qin Ke'er with Wang Kai, and Han Dong with Ni Xiao Wan. Ni Xiao Wan complained about her partner not being handsome and expressed surprise that Lin Nanyi was absent. Tong Xi explained that Lin Nanyi's leg injury prevented him from participating. During practice, students struggled with the moves.
Ni Xiao Wan and her friends voiced their frustration, claiming the choreography was too complex for non-dancers and difficult to synchronize, causing girls to step on their partners' feet. Despite Tong Xi's attempts to guide them, Ni Xiao Wan deliberately stepped on her partner's foot twice, feigning apologies and claiming to have lost rhythm.
She then declared that Tong Xi's choreography was too complicated for students without a dance background, subtly blaming Tong Xi's origins from a big city for her lack of understanding of their "basic level." She suggested Tong Xi simplify the moves and offered to find someone to help. Concerned about the lack of synchronicity, Tong Xi spoke with her father at the Ocean of Love hawker food stall, expressing her worries.
Her father advised patience, explaining that dancing, like art, takes time to master. He suggested consulting her mother, a former dancer and now theater supervisor, but Tong Xi refused, fearing her mother's disapproval of activities outside ballet and academics. Tong Xi decided to find a solution herself. She spent her evenings sacrificing study time to modify the dance moves, but her efforts were met with continued resistance and manipulation from Ni Xiao Wan.
During another practice session at Ju Xin Office Supplies Wholesaler, Tao Zhu, inspired by seeing Senior Xu Ao, vowed to practice diligently for him, and Tong Xi encouraged her to shine.
