Symphony's Romance Episode 15 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
Jiang Caiwei began preparing for her and Tian Yisong's study abroad, discussing apartment rentals and flight bookings. Tian Yisong hesitated to confide in her when Sasha called him. He took the call privately, and Sasha informed him his visa was ready, asking if leaving early next month worked for him. Tian Yisong told Sasha to make the decision, stating he was flexible. Meanwhile, Fang Xiaowo invited Li Zhenyan to dinner.
He ate so much that she ran out of living expenses, making her declare she would never invite him again. Li Zhenyan then asked about her future plans, and Fang Xiaowo revealed her intention to become a kindergarten teacher, playing piano for children. Li Zhenyan was disappointed, feeling she was wasting her talent and confining herself to a small world.
Fang Xiaowo defended her choice, believing bringing joy was a talent, and challenged him by asking why he chose not to go with Fisher. The Group S members gathered for their farewell dinner at Qin's noodle shop. Li Zhenyan expressed his gratitude to Fisher for bringing them together, which gave him an unprecedented sense of companionship. He urged everyone to protect their dreams and not be lost in fear.
Afterwards, Qin Fen and Li Zhenyan officially announced the Group S's disbandment. Once everyone else left, only Li Zhenyan and Fang Xiaowo remained. Li Zhenyan told her that conducting Group S was the happiest experience of his life and that he would cherish the memories of each member. He shared his desire to form a new, more professional orchestra, not merely an extension of Group S, but worried the members might not understand his ambition.
Fang Xiaowo reassured him, stating everyone knew he had a "knife mouth and a tofu heart" and understood his intentions were for the orchestra's good. She also noted his own changes and encouraged him to continue striving for greatness. Fang Xiaowo then confessed she used to be afraid of him, but now she understood his true kind nature. Feeling tired, she asked him to carry her home, to which he playfully complained about her weight and suggested she eat less.
Later, a notice appeared announcing Fang Xiaowo's new mentor, Zhang Shangge, known as a strict "devil elite teacher" who had previously taught Li Zhenyan. Fang Xiaowo, upset, confronted Mr. Hu, who explained the decision was made at the end of the semester and that Zhang Shangge was an excellent teacher. Despite Fang Xiaowo's protests, Mr. Hu insisted, telling her he could no longer fully unleash her potential and that her free-spirited playing wouldn't elevate her to a true concert pianist.
He believed Zhang Shangge was better suited to guide her to a higher stage. Reluctantly, Fang Xiaowo went to Zhang Shangge's piano room. Upon entering, Zhang Shangge immediately reprimanded her for being late and declared himself her new instructor, promising to make her music heard worldwide. Fang Xiaowo attempted to request a return to Mr. Hu, but Zhang Shangge dismissed the idea, claiming Mr. Hu couldn't fully develop her talent. He then laid down strict classroom rules.
During her lesson, Zhang Shangge discovered Fang Xiaowo played by ear and couldn't read music, unlike when she played with Li Zhenyan. He grew increasingly frustrated, demanding she follow the score. Overwhelmed, Fang Xiaowo fled the room. Outside, Fang Xiaowo confided in Ji Mo about her strict new teacher. Ji Mo shared his own childhood experience with a harsh oboe teacher, admitting he once considered giving up but couldn't because of his love for the instrument.
He advised Fang Xiaowo that Zhang Shangge likely had good intentions, despite his unconventional methods, and encouraged her not to abandon her talent. Afterward, Ji Mo visited Zhang Shangge, suggesting Fang Xiaowo's unique talent wouldn't thrive under rigid instruction and that only Li Zhenyan could truly inspire her. Li Zhenyan also spoke with Mr. Hu on the phone about Fang Xiaowo's transfer, expressing concern over Zhang Shangge's extreme teaching style.
Mr. Hu acknowledged Zhang's methods were intense but highlighted his unparalleled dedication. He explained that Fang Xiaowo had evolved from a girl who played simply for joy into someone who practiced obsessively, a change even Fisher had noted. Mr. Hu believed Fang Xiaowo was destined for greatness, but he could no longer unlock her full potential.
He saw Zhang Shangge as the key to helping her overcome her "psychological barrier" and grow, acknowledging it was a risk he was willing to take. Li Zhenyan, however, remained worried that Fang Xiaowo might lose her passion for the piano. Later, Qin Fen called Li Zhenyan, relaying his father's observation that Fang Xiaowo had left half her noodles, an unusual sign of distress. Li Zhenyan found Fang Xiaowo asleep on his sofa.
The next morning, Fang Xiaowo tried to bribe Li Zhenyan with snacks, pleading for his help to get her back under Mr. Hu's tutelage. Li Zhenyan refused, telling her he himself had "escaped Zhang Shangge's clutches" and that she was the ideal student to achieve mutual success with the demanding teacher, urging her to persevere. Fang Xiaowo, dejected, headed to class. Outside the piano room, she overheard Zhang Shangge on the phone, calling her "stupid."
This triggered painful childhood memories of being scolded while learning piano. Heartbroken, Fang Xiaowo walked away and sat alone. Li Zhenyan, finding her and recalling Mr. Hu's words, decided not to interrupt her, instead going to speak with Zhang Shangge. Li Zhenyan advised Zhang Shangge to change his teaching approach, explaining that Fang Xiaowo didn't dislike playing, but rather "didn't know what she wanted." He emphasized the importance of protecting her passion until she discovered her true potential.
Valuing Fang Xiaowo's talent, Zhang Shangge agreed to consider the advice and accepted Li Zhenyan's offer to help, understanding Li Zhenyan's primary motivation was to support Fang Xiaowo. The following day, Fang Xiaowo attempted to fake illness to avoid class. Li Zhenyan, seeing through her act, told her he had already spoken with Zhang Shangge. He assured her that if Zhang reverted to his harsh attitude, she could call him, and he would pick her up.
Hesitantly, Fang Xiaowo went to the piano room, where she found it decorated with cute ornaments and fuzzy flowers on the piano. Zhang Shangge's demeanor was notably softer. Fang Xiaowo then proposed "three rules" for their piano lessons: no hitting, no scolding, and performing the "Pippi Exercise" together, which she used for kindergarten children. Zhang Shangge, eager to retain her as a student, agreed to all terms.
