Symphony's Romance Episode 19 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
After a successful performance of "Butterfly Lovers," receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience, Li Zhenyan felt a sense of relief backstage. Principal Lin Yumian approached him, commending the excellent performance and asking if he had considered the future path for himself and the RGroup S. Li Zhenyan expressed his reluctance to think about such matters that evening. Principal Lin then proposed he participate in the Pilatini Conductor Contest, an international competition held every four years since 1960.
She explained that winners receive substantial prize money and opportunities to join professional orchestras, calling it the best chance for young conductors to make their mark internationally. Li Zhenyan, however, declined, stating he only wished to develop his career domestically. Principal Lin did not oppose his domestic ambitions but urged him not to let past shadows prevent him from seizing better learning opportunities and pursuing his dreams.
She questioned how he could guarantee the orchestra's long-term survival without broader experience, leaving him with the application form to reconsider. Upon returning home, Li Zhenyan stared thoughtfully at the application form. When Fang Xiaowo arrived, he quickly tried to hide it, but she discovered it nonetheless. Fang Xiaowo then cheerfully discussed dinner options while looking for ingredients.
Meanwhile, Mr. Zhang gave Fang Xiaowo a large stack of sheet music, instructing her to choose and master ten pieces by the following week. He warned her that her academic credits were dangerously low and suggested participating in major music competitions to earn extra points and gain better development opportunities.
Fang Xiaowo asked if she could practice with Li Zhenyan, but Mr. Zhang pointed out Li Zhenyan's busy schedule with the orchestra and his upcoming graduation, emphasizing that she needed to catch up for her own future. Later, while wandering on campus, Fang Xiaowo was drawn to the beautiful sound of a guzheng. She found a male student playing and excitedly complimented his rendition of the piece, sharing her appreciation for the unique sound of a guzheng and piano ensemble.
She then joined him in meditation under a tree. She soon drifted off to sleep, dreaming of her childhood piano lessons. In her dream, she was scolded by a teacher for her incorrect hand posture, but a kind older girl told her that the most important thing in playing the piano was conveying her feelings to the audience, not perfect technique. The younger Fang Xiaowo asked the girl to be her teacher.
Li Zhenyan woke Fang Xiaowo from her slumber, teasing her for falling asleep anywhere. Fang Xiaowo tried to explain her "meditation" as a way to achieve deeper musical understanding, but Li Zhenyan simply urged her to get up and go to class. Earlier, Fang Xiaowo had confessed to Li Zhenyan that she had never formally studied piano, only attending three months of classes as a child and mostly playing with toy pianos.
Mr. Zhang, having observed Fang Xiaowo's talent, offered her one of the two coveted spots for the Malaton Piano Competition, emphasizing the high scholarship and opportunity to meet world-renowned pianists. Fang Xiaowo, however, refused, stating her desire to play freely rather than compete. Mr. Zhang then consulted with Li Zhenyan, who wasn't surprised by Fang Xiaowo's decision.
Mr. Zhang, believing Fang Xiaowo possessed the skill and creativity for a top-three finish, felt the competition could help her understand the difference between true freedom and recklessness in music, suspecting a past negative experience might have caused her aversion to structured training and competition. Mr. Zhang then encouraged Li Zhenyan to also open his heart and engage with the world to realize his own potential, noting both he and Fang Xiaowo tend to internalize their feelings.
Reflecting on this, Li Zhenyan sought out Fang Xiaowo and urged her to reconsider the competition. He explained that competitions are merely another way to express music, not a constraint, and offer a platform to share her inner music with a larger audience. He even asked if she didn't want to perform on stage with him. Fang Xiaowo agreed to consider it.
That night, Li Zhenyan was tormented by a nightmare, feeling trapped on an airplane and desperately calling out to Fang Xiaowo, who remained distant and unresponsive. The next morning, his aunt arrived unexpectedly. Fang Xiaowo, initially mistaking her for an ex-girlfriend due to her youthful appearance, was amused and charming, much to the aunt's delight. Li Zhenyan, however, tried to discreetly send Fang Xiaowo away, worried about his past being revealed.
Curiosity piqued, Fang Xiaowo lingered at the doorway, overhearing their conversation. The aunt teased Li Zhenyan about his changed demeanor and his "beautiful girlfriend," even mentioning Fisher's positive opinion of Fang Xiaowo. She then pressed Li Zhenyan about his inability to fly or travel to Europe, hinting at his post-traumatic stress disorder and asking if he still had nightmares. Li Zhenyan denied it, claiming he had forgotten those events.
His aunt gently reminded him of his past, suggesting that his father, Li Yazhe, was connected to his trauma and his mother's death. Li Zhenyan vehemently rejected Li Yazhe as his father, blaming him for a series of tragedies and stating he had cut all ties. He added that numerous psychological and hypnotic therapies had failed due to his strong defense mechanisms, insisting he was content with his life as a conductor and the RGroup S.
Overhearing this, Fang Xiaowo realized the depth of Li Zhenyan's pain and the secret he carried. Distraught by Li Zhenyan's situation, Fang Xiaowo confided in Jiang Caiwei, who knew little but confirmed Li Zhenyan's intense fear of planes was linked to his parents. Jiang Caiwei expressed doubt that she could help him beyond suggesting therapy, which Fang Xiaowo knew had already failed.
Inspired by Li Zhenyan's mention of failed hypnosis, Fang Xiaowo retrieved Fisher's watch, a gift that served as her lucky charm, hoping to use it for hypnosis. She tried to hypnotize Li Zhenyan, but he immediately recognized the watch and quickly left, stating he had to go to rehearsal. Later, Fang Xiaowo was seen studying hypnosis, wrestling with the dilemma of wanting Li Zhenyan to achieve his dreams in France but being unwilling to part with him.
Mr. Zhang, observing her, offered counsel. He explained that life is a series of choices, each carrying regrets, and one simply chooses the path with the fewest. Recognizing her deep feelings for Li Zhenyan, Mr. Zhang encouraged Fang Xiaowo to participate in the Malaton Piano Competition herself. He suggested that if she achieved a high score, she and Li Zhenyan could both pursue higher education together, allowing him to fulfill his dreams while she could remain by his side.
He reiterated that both she and Li Zhenyan often hesitated to confront themselves and the outside world, and by taking this difficult step, she would open herself to a world of possibilities.
