Sweet Combat Episode 17 Recap
> Sweet Combat Recap
During the heated match, Ming Tian was knocked to the ground by Luo Guanyan. Surprisingly, Luo Guanyan suddenly forfeited, stunning everyone present. He Xiaofeng, whom Luo Guanyan had recently appointed as the head of the Zhiying Boxing Club, angrily confronted him, unable to understand his motives. The matches continued, and Ming Tian faced Ma Yichen next. Cheng Yanan's father, watching from the audience, felt an inexplicable familiarity with Ming Tian's fighting style.
Ma Yichen, having studied Ming Tian's weaknesses, quickly knocked him down again. However, the encouraging words of Ming Tian's younger siblings, Ming Zhu and Ming Lang, spurred him on. When Ma Yichen fouled him, Ming Tian, fueled by the effective training from Fang Yu and the others, rose again. The transformed Ming Tian easily pinned Ma Yichen to the ground and secured the victory. Though bruised, Ming Tian had truly achieved his goal.
Later, after getting his injuries bandaged, Ma Yichen tried to provoke him again, but Ming Tian, now confident, remained unfazed. Cheng Yanan's father found Luo Guanyan's forfeiture puzzling, believing it was a deliberate act to allow Ming Tian to seek revenge. He proposed that Luo Guanyan date Cheng Yanan, promising to teach him the "Death Strike" if he agreed, having observed Luo Guanyan's affection for his daughter. Luo Guanyan accepted, unaware that He Xiaofeng had overheard their entire conversation.
The school principal was highly impressed by Ming Tian's performance and rescinded his expulsion. Ming Tian had finally proven worthy of the trust placed in him by Fang Yu, Cheng Yanan, and Song Xiaomi. At the celebration, Ming Tian felt a newfound warmth observing Cheng Yanan and Song Xiaomi's playful banter. He reflected that he had initially disliked combat and the "combat-crazed seniors," but their influence had gradually changed him.
He now understood that he was no longer fighting out of anger but to achieve his dreams and fight for his own life, experiencing aspects of life he had never known before. Ming Tian, Fang Yu, and Song Xiaomi headed home together. Song Xiaomi expressed her intention to help Ming Tian's family with their lunch boxes, playfully asserting her right to do so to Fang Yu before thanking her for the ride.
At Ming Tian's home, Ming Zhu and Ming Lang were overjoyed by the snacks Song Xiaomi brought, with Ming Lang even asking if she could visit every day. Song Xiaomi joked she would move in if Ming Tian wasn't against it. The children then innocently wondered if Song Xiaomi becoming their brother's girlfriend would impact Fang Yu, prompting Song Xiaomi to cut short their discussion to prepare their lunch boxes.
Ming Tian offered to help, but Song Xiaomi insisted it was "not troublesome" and that she was "willing." Later, as Ming Tian walked Song Xiaomi to the main street, she commented on the beautiful moon and stars, sharing her mother's advice to look at the sky when upset to realize the smallness of one's worries. Song Xiaomi sensed Ming Tian had something serious to tell her.
Ming Tian expressed gratitude for her kindness to him and his siblings, but before he could elaborate, Song Xiaomi interrupted, insisting her actions were voluntary. Ming Tian acknowledged her efforts couldn't be measured by money, which made him conflicted. Song Xiaomi urged him not to overthink it.
Ming Tian, despite her attempts to stop him, told her she was a "really good and really cute girl" and that he understood her feelings but couldn't be selfish by taking advantage of her kindness. He then confessed, "I have someone I like." Ming Tian apologized, but Song Xiaomi replied that he didn't need to apologize, as his feelings didn't prevent her from liking him.
She assured him she wouldn't bother him, even if she wouldn't give up, then quickly bid him goodbye. Alone in the alley, Song Xiaomi shed tears, lamenting Ming Tian's blunt honesty and how it shattered her hopeful illusion. She cried out her frustration before reminding herself to maintain her reputation in public.
Tormented by the image of Luo Guanyan's forfeiture, Cheng Yanan confronted him, slapping him and demanding to know why he entered the competition only to forfeit, adding that her father liked him. Calmly, Luo Guanyan expressed happiness that she cared so much, feeling his actions were worthwhile. Cheng Yanan denied caring and handed him an apple she had been carrying. As she tried to leave, Luo Guanyan stopped her and confessed, "You are the apple of my eye."
He explained that his visits to her family's boxing club and his desire to learn the Death Strike were primarily driven by his wish to see her every day. He added that he didn't care about the league ranking or Zhiying students' opinions, only her feelings and seeing her proud, winning smile. Confused, Cheng Yanan said she needed time to think and left. Meanwhile, Luo Guanyan stood alone, quietly waiting for her answer.
Later, at the gym, Fang Yu found Cheng Yanan taking her anger out on a punching bag and correctly deduced that Luo Guanyan had confessed to her. Seeing her friend's conflicted state, Fang Yu noted that Cheng Yanan had "completely fallen into the enemy's hands" and should consider accepting his confession. That night, a sleepless Cheng Yanan tossed and turned, annoying Fang Yu.
Cheng Yanan complained about Luo Guanyan's "apple of my eye" comment, literally wondering why an apple would have her eye in it. Fang Yu explained the idiom's true meaning: he only cares about her. Cheng Yanan still struggled with the metaphor, questioning why he couldn't use "coffee mate" or "almond in chocolate" instead. Exasperated, Fang Yu threatened to hit her with an apple if she didn't let her sleep.
Fang Yu gave Cheng Yanan a box of tissues before going to bed, and Cheng Yanan began plucking them one by one, muttering, "I like him. I don't like him." The Zhiying Principal confronted Luo Guanyan about his forfeiture. Luo Guanyan apologized, stating he did what he felt was necessary. The Principal moved to strip him of his boxing club presidency, but Luo Guanyan calmly stated he had already handed the position to He Xiaofeng.
Annoyed, the Principal punished Luo Guanyan with janitorial duties for the rest of the semester. While cleaning the bathroom, Ma Yichen mocked him, but Luo Guanyan remained unfazed. He Xiaofeng also passed by, telling him to focus on cleaning and not to worry about the club. Ming Tian reflected on his journey, noting that what seemed strange at the beginning of the school year—the world of combat—had become familiar, and he finally understood the passion for MMA.
Sun Hao approached, eager to train for next year's competition to become a stronger support for Fang Yu. Song Xiaomi then appeared, bringing lunch for them both. Later, Song Xiaomi complained to Sun Hao that it was her first time being rejected. She dramatically wished to "die drunk," but Sun Hao pointed out she couldn't get drunk on carbonated drinks.
Sun Hao inwardly noted that her rejection spurred him to work harder to become a better man so he could confess to Fang Yu. Song Xiaomi wished him luck, and Sun Hao tried to comfort her, suggesting they be "allies" and "gather warmth together," which confused her. Cheng Yanan and Song Xiaomi fretted over their upcoming English makeup exam. Ming Tian offered to help them study, and they eagerly accepted.
Fang Yu decided to join their study session, intending to supervise Song Xiaomi and prevent her from getting too close to Ming Tian. As the others left, Fang Yu wryly observed that she was starting to sound like Song Xiaomi herself. Meanwhile, Fang Yu's English teacher gave her a perfect score, baffled by her uniquely clever exam solution. Separately, Ming Tian tutored He Xiaohe in sports biomechanics.
Fang Yu later confronted her brother, Fang Zhou, who admitted to "revising" her messy homework because they were "on the same side." Enraged, Fang Yu snatched his popsicle. At the Zhengze Boxing Club, Luo Guanyan arrived to help Cheng Yanan with her English, bringing her an ice cream. Elsewhere, He Xiaofeng found Luo Guanyan doing his cleaning duties and offered to help so he could finish faster and go assist the others with their studies.
Later, at a group study session, Song Xiaomi and Cheng Yanan complained about the difficulty of memorizing vocabulary. Sun Hao arrived with food, relaying Ming Tian's instruction that they must study while eating. When Cheng Yanan complained of sleepiness, Fang Yu and Ming Tian walked in together, prompting Song Xiaomi to silently wonder why they arrived as a pair. Fang Yu held up some apples to help wake a drowsy Cheng Yanan, whose eyes widened in recognition.
