Symphony's Romance Episode 18 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
Following his recent confession, Qin Fen seized the opportunity to express his deep feelings to Lin Qingshang. He told her sincerely, "Even if you think you have any problems, I don't even think you have a problem." Lin Qingshang playfully asked if he was confessing, to which he responded, "Can't you see what I said so clearly?" Despite her coy reply, Qin Fen made it clear, declaring, "I, Qin Fen, want to. . ."
before sealing his words with a kiss. Later, while Lin Qingshang was in the hospital recovering from surgery, Qin Fen stayed by her side. She teasingly brought up their earlier conversation, and Qin Fen, refusing to let her feign ignorance, declared, "Anyway, from tomorrow onwards, I will assume that you are my girlfriend. Do you understand me?" When she asked if she was his girlfriend or his master, he emphatically confirmed, "Girlfriend!"
Meanwhile, on campus, Tian Yisong saw the RS orchestra's performance poster, which stirred a mix of emotions within him. Li Zhenyan approached Tian Yisong, offering him tickets to the show and apologizing for withdrawing from their previous competition. Tian Yisong, however, refused the apology. Li Zhenyan earnestly explained his lifelong dream of conducting and his sincere respect for Tian Yisong as a formidable opponent, whose excellence always pushed him.
He clarified that his withdrawal was due to personal reasons and never intended to humiliate Tian Yisong, hoping for understanding. Li Zhenyan also revealed he was going to France, and Tian Yisong offered a dry congratulations. Tian Yisong, already aware of the truth from Fisher, dismissed Li Zhenyan's words as a "stealing concepts," seeing himself as merely a "black card" serving to "set off your golden life."
He asserted that Fisher was there for Li Zhenyan, and that Li Zhenyan was the one "destined to be trapped at the origin." Yet, Tian Yisong also thanked Li Zhenyan for consistently pushing him, which led him to understand that "despair is hope after despair." At a loss for further explanation, Li Zhenyan could only reiterate his belief in Tian Yisong's excellence. Li Zhenyan dedicated himself day and night to studying the performance scores.
Fang Xiaowo, observing his exhaustion, had previously attempted to prepare chicken soup for him. However, her homemade soup turned out black, prompting Li Zhenyan to jokingly ask if it was "Meng Po Tang." Despite this, she insisted he drink it all, despite his amusement. Later, concerned for his health, Fang Xiaowo went to the supermarket to buy ingredients for nourishing meals. There, she coincidentally met Ji Mo, who offered to help her shop.
Fang Xiaowo bought several chickens and ginger, explaining Li Zhenyan was tired and needed "mending." She later bought a cactus from a flower shop. Ji Mo remarked on her kindness towards Li Zhenyan, but Fang Xiaowo felt Li Zhenyan was equally kind to her. Unable to help him musically, she focused on supporting him in his daily life. She compared Li Zhenyan to a cactus—thorny on the outside, but capable of producing beautiful flowers with diligent care.
Ji Mo expressed surprise that a cactus could bloom. Later, she found Li Zhenyan asleep amidst his scores and gently covered him. The next morning, Li Zhenyan woke up to find his room meticulously tidied and a pot of chicken soup waiting for him. He also found a note from Fang Xiaowo that read, "I boiled up this chicken soup all night. Be sure to finish it. Oh, and cactus also needs rest. Otherwise, it may shed its thorns.
Even if you shed yours, I still like you very much, but for the sake of beauty, you still need to pay attention. Your loving Fang Xiaowo." Despite his amused reaction to her note, Li Zhenyan felt a warmth in his heart. Ji Mo then sought out Li Zhenyan, inquiring if his previous invitation to join the RGroup S was still open. Li Zhenyan confirmed it, and also congratulated Ji Mo on his recent first-place win.
When asked about his sudden change of heart, Ji Mo, initially hesitant, admitted that Li Zhenyan's suspicion about him liking Fang Xiaowo was true. Ji Mo explained that he used to be quite introverted and struggled to connect with others, but Fang Xiaowo's enthusiasm had a profound effect on him, helping him to integrate into the group and improve his music. He described her as a "moon" guiding his direction, but acknowledged that this moon orbited Li Zhenyan, the "earth."
Despite this, Ji Mo still wished to join the orchestra, stating that the recent competition had made him realize his deep connection to his oboe, an "old friend" since childhood, and that he wanted to dedicate himself to his music. Li Zhenyan understood and welcomed him into the orchestra. Upon arriving at the rehearsal room, Li Zhenyan and Ji Mo found Lan Bo and Zhuo Yin in a heated argument.
Zhuo Yin confronted Lan Bo, who brazenly admitted to simultaneously dating three girlfriends, claiming he had never told Zhuo Yin she was his only partner. Li Zhenyan and Lin Qingshang intervened, reminding them that the rehearsal space was not for personal disputes. Distraught, Zhuo Yin, despite knowing Lan Bo was the indispensable cello chief, declared she could no longer tolerate the situation and would withdraw from the orchestra.
Lan Bo pursued her, pleading with her not to break up and, more importantly, not to abandon her music dream because of him. He confessed that while he initially found her attractive and only wanted to "try" a relationship, he had genuinely fallen in love. Zhuo Yin furiously rejected his apologies but, after some deliberation, returned to the rehearsal. She made it clear that while she wouldn't forgive him, she also wouldn't let him make her abandon her musical aspirations.
She declared their relationship over, stating they were now merely "strangers in a band" and demanded he keep his distance. She then apologized for her earlier outburst, pledging to focus on rehearsals. Relieved, Chen Zheng called Lin Qingshang to inform her of Zhuo Yin's return, only to learn that Lin Qingshang was in the hospital for surgery. Upon hearing the news, Qin Fen immediately rushed to her side to offer comfort.
Jiang Caiwei, still unable to let go of her feelings for Tian Yisong, decided to give him one last chance. She met with him and candidly confessed that his repeated deceptions had deeply hurt her and made her consider ending their relationship. However, she couldn't deny her continued affection for him. Tian Yisong, overjoyed, profusely apologized and reaffirmed his sincere love. He then presented her with a ring, declaring it "my promise to your future."
He promised her the best wedding when she was ready and embraced her tightly, showering her with reassurances. On the day of the performance, Qin Ba arrived with a group of friends and family to support the RGroup S, proudly praising Qin Fen and affectionately addressing Fang Xiaowo as his "daughter-in-law." Former Group S members, including Fan Chen, also came to watch. Qin Ba promised everyone a free meal at his noodle shop after the concert.
Backstage, just before the performance, Lin Qingshang became extremely nervous upon seeing her teacher, Darren, in the audience. She confided in Qin Fen, saying, "I am extremely nervous because if I fail again this time, I don't know what he will do to me next." Qin Fen tried to ease her tension by saying, "Don't be nervous. You are my woman," which she found "disgusting."
Li Zhenyan gathered the RGroup S for a final pep talk, reminding them, "We all don't want to disappoint the audience at the public performance, do we?" He passionately declared that every performance, from their time in Group S and Group A, had been approached with the mindset of it being their last. " So today," he urged, "we still want the world to hear the voice of our absolute indomitable spirit."
The members acknowledged Li Zhenyan's demanding rehearsals, jokingly referring to him as "Great Demon King Li Zhenyan," but conceded that his high standards were essential for their rapid progress. Lan Bo even lauded him as the best conductor. Li Zhenyan later shared his dream with Fang Xiaowo: to transform the RGroup S into a professional orchestra with a stable income, a dedicated fanbase, and regular, high-quality performances that rival professional ensembles.
