Sweet Tai Chi Episode 18 Recap
> Sweet Tai Chi Recap
Yang Ningxue confronted Wind fluttering, asking her to withdraw from the upcoming National Martial Arts Congress, especially after they secure the tickets. Yang Ningxue argued that Wind fluttering’s involvement put a huge responsibility on Wei Chu and the entire Tai Chi system, and if she lost, Wei Chu would face severe consequences from the Tai Chi families jointly forcing him out. Wind fluttering insisted she had promised Wei Chu and intended to win.
When Wind fluttering asked for trust, Yang Ningxue challenged her to prove her strength, leading to a physical altercation between them. Chen Bing arrived and intervened, pulling Yang Ningxue away. Despite being at a disadvantage in the skirmish, Wind fluttering declared her unwavering determination to participate in and win the National Martial Arts Congress, reiterating her promise to Wei Chu. The next day, Wei Chu called Wind fluttering, asking her to cook for him, hinting that she owed him.
Wind fluttering reluctantly went to his place. Upon her arrival, Wei Chu noticed her injured hand, immediately realizing that Chen Bing and Yang Ningxue must have confronted her. Wind fluttering downplayed the injury, telling him not to worry about Chen Bing and Yang Ningxue. Wei Chu calmly assured her that losing a fight was not terrible, as more practice would determine the true victor.
He then announced his plan to give her special training starting after the upcoming teacher worship ceremony, and Wind fluttering readily accepted, promising not to disappoint her Master. On the day of the formal teacher worship ceremony, Wind fluttering expressed her nervousness about making mistakes, fearing she would be looked down upon. Wei Chu reassured her that he had everything arranged and urged her to remember the ceremony's procedures.
When she questioned the complexity of the ritual, Wei Chu explained that such ceremonies, like wedding ceremonies, are meant to be solemn and to embody people’s hopes for lasting beauty, suggesting that their teacher-disciple bond could be as enduring as those of their predecessors. The solemn ceremony then began. Wind fluttering diligently followed each step, formally becoming Wei Chu’s 24th generation disciple of the Taiji style.
She recited her Teacher Worship Post, offered tea, and presented a traditional gift to show respect. Wei Chu, in turn, read an Apprenticeship Post, welcoming her and urging her to practice diligently, remain humble, and uphold Tai Chi culture. As a special gesture, Wei Chu presented Wind fluttering with a family heirloom, a jade pendant, as a welcoming gift for his newest disciple.
The preciousness of the gift surprised the attendees, as it was also a token symbolizing a sect leader's disciple. Wei Chu expressed his high hopes for Wind fluttering to win the National Martial Arts Congress and elevate the Wei family's reputation. Wind fluttering, clutching the jade pendant, silently vowed not to disappoint him. Later, Wei Chu visited the Tai Chi club as a teaching assistant.
He immediately called Yang Ningxue and Chen Bing aside to confront them about Wind fluttering's injury. Yang Ningxue defended her actions, claiming she didn’t believe Wind fluttering was ready for the National Martial Arts Congress and that she disagreed with her participation. Wei Chu countered, highlighting Wind fluttering's dedication to Tai Chi training even while diligently caring for him during his recovery.
He questioned their understanding of Tai Chi's core values of tolerance and broad-mindedness, asking how they could not embrace someone who loves Tai Chi. Wei Chu then declared that Wind fluttering was not only his formal disciple but also someone he deeply cared about, and he would not permit anyone to harm her. Chen Bing urged Yang Ningxue to apologize. Although Yang Ningxue initially refused, Chen Bing’s persistence led her to reluctantly offer an apology.
Wei Chu accepted it, but warned her that such actions would not be tolerated again before proceeding to teach. After the teacher worship ceremony, Wei Chu immediately began rigorous training for Wind fluttering. He innovatively integrated Tai Chi practice into her daily chores, explaining that ancient martial artists incorporated martial arts into every aspect of life, from sitting to chopping wood. He demonstrated how to apply Tai Chi moves to sweeping and other tasks, emphasizing "comprehensive understanding" and "inseparable" practice.
Wind fluttering, though at times clumsy, like when she slipped while sweeping, was determined to improve rapidly, wishing she had "three heads and six arms" to speed up her progress. Wei Chu also introduced new training methods, such as using a mop attached to her feet while performing Tai Chi steps to strengthen her legs, her weakest point. Simultaneously, Wei Chu focused on his own recovery, engaging in active self-exercise, like reading while using dumbbells, to regain his strength.
A month later, Wind fluttering's progress was remarkable, allowing her to perform her foot-based Tai Chi training with much greater stability and skill. Wei Chu, pleased with her improvement, presented her with diagrams detailing "magic weapon" techniques and "cracking methods" for the upcoming challenge competition, giving her an hour to memorize them before practice. Despite her rapid advancement, Wind fluttering remained anxious about her first official competition the next day.
She asked Wei Chu to watch her perform her punches one last time. Wei Chu offered close guidance, emphasizing the importance of core strength in Tai Chi, stating that the waist is the source of power, the spine generates power, the waist is like an axle, and Qi is like a wheel, making punches more powerful.
After observing her, Wei Chu confidently assured her that her current skills were more than enough to win, encouraging her to relax, not overthink, and simply do her best. Wind fluttering nodded, trusting his words. Bai Haiyang organized a surprise birthday party for Xiao Xiao with the Tai Chi club members. Xiao Xiao was deeply touched, declaring it the happiest birthday of her life and thanking Bai Haiyang for his thoughtfulness.
Afterward, Bai Haiyang took Xiao Xiao to a restaurant for a private birthday dinner. While she appeared moved, Xiao Xiao secretly knew that her approach to Bai Haiyang and her friendship with Wind fluttering had all been part of a pre-arranged plan. When Bai Haiyang went to the restroom, Xiao Xiao removed her facade, revealing a cold expression, and discreetly left the restaurant.
It was then revealed that she was the mysterious masked individual, and all her actions were motivated by a desire to avenge the eight Qimen. Bai Haiyang returned to find her gone, informed by the waiter that she had left minutes earlier. That night, Wind fluttering, unable to sleep, went to the courtyard to look at the stars, where she found Wei Chu also awake, suffering from insomnia.
As the night deepened, Wei Chu took her hand and pulled her into a tender embrace. He confessed his deep feelings, telling her she was not only his only disciple but also his fiancée, and he never intended to clarify or sever their relationship, contrary to their previous agreement to do so after the Martial Arts Congress. Wind fluttering, overwhelmed with happiness, felt her heart soar.
On the day of the challenge competition, a strange wave of diarrhea struck all the Tai Chi system disciples, including Bai Haiyang, rendering them unable to compete. As they worried about how to proceed, students from the boxing club mockingly told them to withdraw to avoid embarrassment. Just then, Wei Chu arrived with Wind fluttering and announced that her transfer application to the Tai Chi system had been approved, making her an official student. With Wind fluttering now representing their system, the Tai Chi team was ready to participate.
