Sweet Combat Episode 1 Recap
> Sweet Combat Recap
In a passionate boxing match in Macau, Fang Yu, known as the fighting queen, confronted He Xiaofeng, a formidable opponent from Zhiying University who had long coveted Fang Yu's mixed martial arts status. Even though He Xiaofeng was fighting in her expertise, taekwondo, she was no match for Fang Yu, who had already knocked her down multiple times. Fang Yu told her to give up, warning that she would die if she continued.
He Xiaofeng defiantly replied that she would not fear death, to which Fang Yu retorted that those afraid of dying were not qualified to stand in the arena. Fang Yu delivered a stunning spin kick, securing her victory as the audience erupted in cheers. The news reporter announced Fang Yu's continued reign as the Queen, having once again defeated her opponent in taekwondo after excelling in karate and kickboxing.
After the match, Fang Yu spoke with her grandfather, who questioned her desire to fight, reminding her of her identity and responsibilities, and insisting she follow his plans. Fang Yu countered that she had always obeyed his plans, even adapting to roles like "being a boy or a girl as needed." However, in the fighting arena, she explained, every move and reaction was her own choice and decision.
She mused that if her grandfather had to control her life's path, at least in fighting, she could control her own wins and losses. She also sought implicit agreement from someone she called "Uncle Ji." Ming Tian, the elder brother, lived with his younger twin siblings, Ming Lang and Ming Zhu, relying on each other since their mother left and their father passed away three years prior.
In the morning, Ming Tian urged his siblings to hurry, as they were about to be late. Ming Lang was engrossed in watching the fighting queen, Fang Yu, whose spin kick he admired, proclaiming her the best fighting queen. Ming Tian then braided Ming Zhu's hair, listening to her complaint about it always coming loose.
To support his family, Ming Tian had taken a two-year break after high school to work various jobs, including demanding delivery shifts where every second counted. He reflected that while fighters sought victory in the arena, he fought for survival in life, constantly racing against time to earn more money. During one such delivery, Ming Tian spotted a runaway fruit cart. He rushed to help the elderly woman, calling out to a nearby woman to stop the cart.
However, the woman, who was Fang Yu, instead kicked the cart, scattering its contents. The old woman tearfully accused Fang Yu of breaking her cart and demanded responsibility, urging Ming Tian, as a witness, to call the police. Fang Yu, without apology, simply offered a stack of cash as compensation. Ming Tian, frustrated by Fang Yu's arrogance, loudly criticized her lack of apology and ill manners.
Later, Fang Yu went to a mysterious address and addressed an old master, who seemed reluctant to teach her further, telling her he had nothing more to offer and she should go home. He remarked on her troubled mind, stating that only a clear mind could truly be free. Just then, Ming Tian arrived, punctual with a delivery of mushroom steamed rice for the Old Master, which prompted Fang Yu to leave.
Ming Tian received an acceptance letter from Zhengze Academy, which presented a dilemma: should he uproot his younger siblings and move to an unfamiliar city? He found himself at a wishing fountain, where he recalled his father teaching him to toss a coin into the spurting water while making a wish, believing it might come true. Holding a coin, Ming Tian silently asked his father if he should go to Zhengze.
Across the fountain, Fang Yu also held a coin, pondering if she could truly let go of her past, specifically mentioning "Uncle Ji's death," which she still hadn't processed. As both threw their coins into the water, a quiet understanding settled in their hearts. Ming Tian realized he was the master of his own life and soul, resolving to decide his own fate. Ming Tian shared a meal with his kind Cantonese-speaking boss, Uncle Bao, at a local restaurant.
When Ming Tian confirmed his decision to attend Zhengze Academy, Uncle Bao revealed that he had a brother who managed a KFC and was in need of workers; he had already recommended Ming Tian for a job there. Ming Tian thanked his boss for years of care, but Uncle Bao insisted Ming Tian think of him as a brother, not just a boss.
Uncle Bao offered him a piece of food and assured him that his restaurant would always be a home to Ming Tian if he ever decided to return. Soon after, Ming Tian, Ming Zhu, and Ming Lang moved to the new city, beginning their new lives. Although their rented house was old, the children were delighted by an unexpected small yard. Ming Tian hung a photo of himself and his father practicing martial arts, finding solace in it.
He silently told his father that everything was settled, he had started college and found a job, and they would begin anew in this city. After summer break, Ming Tian took Ming Zhu and Ming Lang to their school, Wutong Academy. He meticulously reviewed their route home and reminded them to be well-behaved, do their homework, and wait for him after school. His siblings playfully noted that he shouldn't be late either, as he had memorized all the roads.
Bidding them goodbye, Ming Tian then hurried to Zhengze Academy for his own first day. He reflected on his decision to study there, explaining that he had taken a two-year break after high school to work, and Zhengze had offered him a significant scholarship, alleviating tuition worries and leaving him only with his siblings' living expenses to manage.
He felt fortunate, especially since Zhengze, an all-girls school for many years, had only just begun accepting male students that year, allowing him to pursue his preferred major in sports management. Upon arriving at Zhengze, Ming Tian was met with intense stares from numerous female students, some exclaiming how "hot" and "handsome" he was, making him feel overwhelmed. He was surprised by the lack of other male students.
He then encountered Cheng Yanan, who nearly collided with him on a skateboard. Ming Tian, hoping to find another male freshman, expressed his relief at seeing her, and suggested they register together. Cheng Yanan, however, then put a pink hair clip into her short hair and, to Ming Tian's shock, revealed she was a female sophomore named Cheng Yanan, leaving him in a state of confusion as she skated away.
At "Mother Hao Stir-Fry Noodles," Sun Hao was diligently working when two troublemakers arrived, demanding that Sun Hao himself cook their stir-fried noodles, despite his mother's offer to cook. Sun Hao agreed and prepared two plates. However, the men found fault with the food, complaining it was too spicy and tasted bad, even likening it to dog food before overturning the tables.
Other vendors began to gather, prompting Sun Hao to calmly offer them free noodles and suggest they settle their dispute elsewhere to avoid disturbing other businesses. The troublemakers, though initially relenting, kicked a stray puppy as they left. Seeing this, Sun Hao's eyes burned with anger. He instantly delivered a powerful kick, proclaiming that the troublemakers were the real "bastards," leaving one of them screaming for mercy. Ming Tian felt a strange sensation, as if someone was constantly watching him.
He discovered the reason behind his unease: Zhengze Academy had admitted ten male students, but after visiting the school, nine of them had immediately transferred, leaving Ming Tian as the sole male student. The President of Zhengze Academy, concerned about the lack of gender balance despite the school's long history of cultivating strong, successful women, had implemented the co-ed policy to help female students learn to coexist peacefully with men, as they would eventually marry.
Determined to continue this plan for the students' happiness and growth, even with only one male student left, the President ordered the Director to find any means necessary to convince Ming Tian to stay and immediately post the new co-ed school rules. An announcement was made school-wide, informing the students that Zhengze Academy would be co-ed from that semester onward. Upon hearing this, the female students, in a frenzied dash, converged on Ming Tian.
Song Xiaomi, a student from Taipei, joined the crowd, seemingly offering to accompany him to register, though her words hinted at a willful nature, declaring herself "Song Xiaomi who possesses the Magic Lips." Cheng Yanan, despite her tomboyish appearance, also surrounded Ming Tian, prompting Song Xiaomi to mock her as a "King Kong Barbie" for wearing a bow.
Song Xiaomi then directly asked Ming Tian to choose between her and Cheng Yanan, but Ming Tian, overwhelmed, declared he wouldn't choose either. The sudden appearance of the President caused the girls to scatter. Seeking respite from the crowd, Ming Tian found an empty lawn and sighed in relief. He then spotted Fang Yu approaching and realized she was the woman from Macau. Their interaction was immediately tense.
Fang Yu brusquely questioned his presence, to which Ming Tian retorted, then confirmed he was the new male student. As she turned to leave, her movement inadvertently caused a small cut on Ming Tian's hand. Fang Yu immediately produced money, offering it for "medicine fees," reiterating her stance that she never took back money she gave and did not wish to owe anyone.
Ming Tian, recalling her prior actions in Macau, refused the money and demanded an apology, asserting that money couldn't solve everything and an apology was owed. Fang Yu dismissed his words, arguing that money was more useful than a mere sentence. Ming Tian pressed on, questioning her basic etiquette, asking if saying "sorry" was so hard. Fang Yu retorted that it was none of his business how she behaved or what right he had to speak to her that way.
Ming Tian then accused her of arrogance, calling people who used money to solve everything "pitiful." He reminded her of the fruit cart incident in Macau, where she again preferred money over help, before finally calling her a "monster." The word "monster" visibly stung Fang Yu. A flurry of childhood memories, where she was repeatedly called a "monster" after a painful incident, flashed through her mind. Enraged, she threw a punch, stopping it mere inches from Ming Tian's face.
Later, Fang Yu discussed the encounter with Cheng Yanan, questioning if she truly looked like a "monster" or was perceived as weird by everyone. Cheng Yanan dismissed Ming Tian's words, attributing them to his misunderstanding of Fang Yu, who never bothered to explain herself and often appeared "cool" due to her "Queen" title. Fang Yu insisted she wasn't pretending; that was simply how she had always been.
Cheng Yanan expressed surprise that Fang Yu, who typically didn't care about others' opinions, was so affected by a freshman boy's words, offering to "hit him" for her if it would help. Fang Yu declined. Cheng Yanan then playfully challenged Fang Yu, stating she wouldn't let Fang Yu win the championship in the upcoming Zhengze league match, to which Fang Yu responded that she wouldn't show any mercy either.
During his first class on gender harmony, the professor asked Ming Tian to introduce himself. Ming Tian stood up and introduced himself, stating his name was "Ming Tian," written with the characters for "tomorrow." Meanwhile, Fang Yu received an elementary school reunion invitation addressed to "Mr. Fang Yu," which prompted her to reflect on her childhood confusion about her gender.
Before the age of six, she had believed she was a boy, having been told by her grandfather or father that pink dresses and Barbies were not for her. It wasn't until her younger brother was born that she discovered she was actually a girl. She remembered asking her father why she was different from her brother, and being told that her mother had previously said she was a boy because she didn't have a brother then.
She recalled putting on a dress she liked to surprise a boy she had a crush on, hoping he would like her as a girl, only for him to reject her gift and call her a "monster," a label that was then echoed by other children. Fang Yu concluded that perhaps she was destined to clash with guys and that femininity had no place in her life.
Ming Tian, reflecting on his own situation, acknowledged that life was a constant fight. He had no time for a social life at school, as he needed to continue working to support his family while also pursuing his education for his future. He resolved to grit his teeth and endure the "crazy girls" at Zhengze, given the scholarship that made his education possible. He then saw Fang Yu walking nearby and finally realized that she was the renowned "Queen" of the academy.
