Sweet Combat Episode 12 Recap
> Sweet Combat Recap
Zhengze students busily prepared for the upcoming dance, with many of the usually unadorned girls making an effort to learn makeup. Even Cheng Yanan joined in the preparations. The school principal expressed satisfaction, believing this newfound femininity was a result of the policy allowing male students to enroll.
On the day of the dance, students arrived in glamorous attire, though school officials confiscated various hidden "weapons" some students tried to smuggle in, underscoring that the event was a dance, not a martial arts competition. Song Xiaomi, elegantly dressed, and Cheng Yanan, distinct in menswear, made for a striking pair. With the arrival of students from Zhiying, along with Fang Yu and Sun Hao, the dance officially began.
After the principals of Zhengze and Zhiying delivered their addresses, Ming Tian made a grand entrance in a formal suit, drawing gasps and cheers from the female students. Fang Yu, observing from the shadows in a black evening gown, looked as solitary as a black swan. Ming Tian, captivated, stared at her. Meanwhile, Cheng Yanan and He Xiaofeng had a wager about who would be invited to dance first.
They waited for some time before Luo Guanyan approached, much to He Xiaofeng's surprise, and extended an invitation to Cheng Yanan. As Cheng Yanan and Luo Guanyan danced, others in the ballroom snickered, remarking that they looked like "two guys dancing." Unfazed, Luo Guanyan responded with heartfelt sincerity that he was "dancing with a very special girl." Sun Hao attempted to ask Fang Yu for a dance, but she politely declined.
Observing this, Song Xiaomi subtly signaled Sun Hao to take Ming Tian away, desperate to prevent Ming Tian from dancing with Fang Yu. Later, Ma Yichen boldly asked Fang Yu to dance, but she forcefully rejected him, stating she had to excuse herself as her "president" was looking for her, implying she had no time for his advances. She thought to herself how presumptuous Ma Yichen was, believing a dance could resolve the rivalry between the schools.
As Sun Hao dutifully stuck by Ming Tian and Song Xiaomi stayed close to Fang Yu, Song Xiaomi made a quick phone call to Sun Hao. During their call, Fang Yu slipped away, and Sun Hao became distracted taking pictures with other students, completely losing sight of Ming Tian. Fang Yu searched for Ming Tian and eventually found him taking a break from the festivities.
They shared an awkward but honest conversation, where Ming Tian admitted he wasn't suited for such formal environments and Fang Yu confessed she too preferred to avoid dealing with people outside of her company obligations. Ming Tian complimented Fang Yu's dress, calling her "quite pretty," and she returned the compliment, acknowledging he looked "pretty handsome." Recognizing Fang Yu's grace, Ming Tian tentatively asked her to teach him how to dance, noting that dancing and martial arts shared similarities.
Fang Yu happily agreed, reminding him that just as she was his coach for martial arts, it was only right he learn dancing from her. She patiently guided him through the steps, their hands meeting, and as their eyes met, a spark seemed to pass between them, causing them to instinctively pull away. Elsewhere, Song Xiaomi lamented that her dance practice had been in vain, frustrated that her efforts to spend time with Ming Tian had been thwarted.
To cheer her up, Sun Hao comically put on a large Ming Tian headpiece and offered to dance with her, declaring himself the "food stalls' well-known small dancing scoundrel" whose dancing skills were top-notch. Though initially hesitant and stepping on his feet, Song Xiaomi reluctantly accepted, and they shared a humorous, if clumsy, dance.
Meanwhile, He Xiaofeng, still waiting to be asked to dance, grew increasingly irritated, especially when she saw the Zhiying Principal invite another girl, Zhang Chunhua, to dance. Fang Yu brought Ming Tian to her home to further his martial arts training, explaining that while Cheng Yanan and Sun Hao were good sparring partners, Ming Tian needed to train with someone professionally trained with a similar skill set for the upcoming preliminaries.
She introduced him to her younger brother, Fang Zhou, who, despite his age, had been practicing MMA longer than Ming Tian. Fang Zhou, initially confident and eager to prove himself, was surprised by Ming Tian's strength and speed, though Ming Tian observed Fang Zhou's speed lacked the power of Cheng Yanan's punches.
After Ming Tian adapted, he quickly defeated Fang Zhou, who playfully conceded his loss, acknowledging Ming Tian's skill but teasing him that he wouldn't "lightly hand his big sister over" to him without further approval. Later, on the terrace, Fang Yu confided in Ming Tian about her childhood. She revealed that her life had always been meticulously planned by her grandfather, who even dictated her gender presentation.
Her desire to escape this control led her to pursue martial arts and enroll in Zhengze Academy. She explained that her grandfather initially refused, but Fang Zhou, at a young age, bravely offered to take her place at the company, impressing their grandfather and allowing Fang Yu the freedom to pursue her passion.
Fang Yu shared the tragedy of her parents' death in an airplane accident when Fang Zhou was seven, leaving them and their grandfather to rely on each other. She spoke of her and Fang Zhou's mutual resolve to become stronger. Ming Tian empathized deeply, recognizing their shared experience of needing to care for younger siblings. He realized that they belonged to the "same world."
Fang Yu also fondly recalled an "Uncle Ji" from her childhood who provided comfort when she was at her weakest, a feeling she now understood her own siblings felt with Ming Tian. Meanwhile, Luo Guanyan and Cheng Yanan walked along the road, bickering affectionately. Luo Guanyan expressed his satisfaction at seeing He Xiaofeng's exasperation during the dance. Cheng Yanan admitted she was only focused on him, declaring dancing with him "more dangerous than fighting" due to his clumsiness.
Luo Guanyan retorted that he only danced to annoy He Xiaofeng. Cheng Yanan then demanded He Xiaofeng perform a "crab walk" as a penalty. Luo Guanyan playfully offered to do it in He Xiaofeng's place and demonstrated, nearly falling. Cheng Yanan quickly caught him, but their embrace was misinterpreted by a passerby who exclaimed, "What are those two men doing? !" Mortified, Cheng Yanan indignantly threw Luo Guanyan to the ground, denying being a man.
Luo Guanyan continued to tease her about her gender perception, further fueling her frustration. Back at school, Song Xiaomi furiously kicked and shattered wooden boards at the taekwondo club, venting her anger over the ruined dance with Ming Tian. She was frustrated that her efforts to spend time with him had been thwarted. Noticing the time, she suddenly realized Ming Tian’s work shift was approaching.
With a new determination, she declared she would "counterattack" and hurried off, confident she knew where Ming Tian would be. Later, as Ming Tian and Fang Yu stood together, an awkward silence fell between them. Ming Tian, feeling the atmosphere solidify, broke the quiet by mentioning it was almost time for his shift. Fang Yu offered to drive him to the car wash, which he accepted.
Upon arrival, Ming Tian quickly declined Fang Yu’s offer to help, insisting he could manage on his own and urging her to rest. As he went to change, he was surprised to find Song Xiaomi waiting for him. Song Xiaomi cheerfully explained she was worried when he disappeared from the dance and came to ensure he wasn’t late for work.
She then insisted on helping him, already having changed into a work uniform, suggesting they finish quickly and go eat together afterward. As Fang Yu drove away, she regretted not being more insistent in helping Ming Tian, especially knowing he had just sparred with Fang Zhou and must be exhausted. Later that evening, Ming Tian and Song Xiaomi arrived home to the cheerful greetings of Ming Zhu and Ming Lang.
Song Xiaomi helped prepare dinner, even thinking to herself that they looked like a "newly-wed couple." She shared with Ming Tian her personal aspirations to be a dedicated wife and mother who cooks for her family daily, a stark contrast to her own mother, a busy chef and TV host. The family enjoyed the meal together. Meanwhile, at her own home, Fang Yu also ate, still reflecting on Ming Tian’s refusal of her help. A small, bitter taste lingered as Fang Zhou playfully accused her of being "jealous" while she was commenting on the mixed flavors of her own dish.
