Symphony's Romance Episode 28 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
Li Yazhe observed Fang Xiaowo diligently practicing piano, yet her playing was amiss. He acknowledged her hard work over the past two months but pointed out that she wasn't playing correctly, having lost her own musical voice. Li Yazhe stated that when he closed his eyes, he heard Song Ran, not Fang Xiaowo, playing. Fang Xiaowo admitted she believed that only by becoming like Song Ran could she have the chance to perform with Li Zhenyan.
However, Li Yazhe desired to hear Fang Xiaowo's unique, spirited, and soulful piano playing, advising her not to attend the recital if she couldn't find her true self. Undeterred, Fang Xiaowo was spurred to action, repeatedly affirming her ability to play as herself, not Song Ran. Despite her determination, she found herself struggling and apologized for not playing well enough. Ji Mo watched her intense practice with concern.
Tian Yisong, having arrived in Paris, formally joined the Butterfly Jean Orchestra, a renowned professional ensemble. His mentor, Wainda, contacted him via phone to ensure he was settling in, and Tian Yisong confirmed the orchestra's top-tier quality, assuring Wainda he would seize this significant opportunity. Meanwhile, Fisher, learning of Tian Yisong's new position, made arrangements to place Li Zhenyan in the Lumalie Orchestra, Butterfly Jean's main competitor.
He informed Li Yazhe of his plan during a phone call, which Li Yazhe received with suspicion, accusing Fisher of having ulterior motives. Fisher brushed off the accusation, suggesting it was destiny for a great responsibility, and reminded Li Yazhe of their prior agreement to leave Li Zhenyan's career to Fisher’s discretion. Li Yazhe then inquired about Fisher's separate request for him, to which Fisher vaguely replied it was "almost ready."
Fisher also observed the unusual father-son dynamic between Li Yazhe and Li Zhenyan, with Li Yazhe stating they would meet when the time was right. Li Zhenyan was later informed by Irene that Tian Yisong had joined Butterfly Jean, an orchestra known for its formal and rigorous style, which ultimately chose Tian Yisong over Li Zhenyan due to their similar artistic approaches.
Irene then revealed that the Lumalie Orchestra, a historic and distinguished Parisian institution where Fisher himself once conducted, had invited Li Zhenyan to be their permanent conductor, and she had already accepted the offer and finalized all arrangements without his prior consultation. Li Zhenyan was displeased by this unilateral decision, expressing his desire for personal choice and questioning the invitation given that the orchestra hadn't even met him.
Irene countered that this was a rare opportunity that would have been lost if they waited for his consent, urging him to view it as a platform for his growth. Shortly after, Li Zhenyan received a call from Ji Mo, who tearfully apologized for inadvertently informing Fang Xiaowo about his collaboration with Song Ran upon her arrival in Paris.
Ji Mo described Fang Xiaowo's increasingly extreme behavior, including relentlessly imitating Song Ran on the piano, and pleaded with Li Zhenyan, saying only he could help her. Concerned, Li Zhenyan immediately booked a flight back to Paris. Qin Fen, burdened by the RS Orchestra's financial woes and the members' reluctance to perform at unconventional gigs, single-handedly undertook a performance at a funeral parlor.
Afterwards, Chen Zheng, with some hesitation, gave Qin Fen a bank card, explaining it was from Li Zhenyan, intended as a bonus to help the orchestra with its expenses, with the stipulation that Qin Fen not refuse it. Later, at the rehearsal space, He Shengliang approached a pensive Qin Fen, admitting his confusion about Qin Fen’s lone efforts, especially when other members were unwilling.
He questioned why Qin Fen felt the need to carry the entire burden of such commercial performances, suggesting his individual struggle might be in vain. Qin Fen passionately articulated his motivation: his profound love for the orchestra and his belief that, although misunderstandings existed, his efforts were essential. He expressed that while he achieved little alone, within the orchestra, each member's role and contributions filled each other's gaps, allowing the collective dream to continue.
He recounted how practicing with the orchestra rekindled his initial, pure love for music. He Shengliang was visibly moved, acknowledging that Qin Fen's leadership had been instrumental in keeping the orchestra afloat, and admitted he was now looking at Qin Fen with newfound respect. Li Zhenyan returned to Paris, surprising Fang Xiaowo at their apartment. He clarified his sudden return was to experience her journey, not just witness the outcome.
He prepared an elaborate dinner, but when Fang Xiaowo began to eat, he deliberately criticized her table manners, from her choice of glass to her use of cutlery. Fang Xiaowo, exasperated, questioned why she couldn't simply eat as she pleased. This allowed Li Zhenyan to confront her, asking why she felt compelled to imitate others.
He explained that his collaboration with Song Ran was a professional obligation arranged by Fisher, for which he apologized for not informing her sooner due to chaotic circumstances. He then confessed that Fang Xiaowo was the only one he truly cared about, regardless of who he worked with.
He affectionately described her as unique—her occasional sloppiness offset by her passion for life, her playful nature balanced by the emotional depth of her music, and her simple-mindedness tempered by her genuine warmth. He emphasized that her quirks were what made her uniquely Fang Xiaowo, and he wouldn't know where to find "his" Fang Xiaowo if she became Song Ran. Fang Xiaowo, realizing her error, apologized for being too eager to finish her recital and become stronger to meet him.
Li Zhenyan then asked her to recall her childhood joy for piano, illustrating how her pure love for music was akin to his pure love for her. He urged her to pursue music in her own way, not for him or anyone else, to grow into a strong artist on her own terms. Fang Xiaowo, deeply moved, agreed to find her own path, and Li Zhenyan promised to always be by her side.
Later, among their apartment-mates, Li Zhenyan announced his unexpected new role as permanent conductor of the prestigious Lumalie Orchestra. He expressed some apprehension about leading such a high-caliber orchestra, despite the congratulations he received. When Lin Qingshang inquired about Qin Fen, Li Zhenyan admitted that the RS Orchestra was struggling with significant personnel turnover and financial difficulties, leading to low morale.
However, he highlighted Qin Fen's immense growth and responsibility, describing him as the indispensable leader who was tirelessly managing everything. Li Zhenyan asked Lin Qingshang to frequently contact Qin Fen, offer encouragement, and avoid discussing the orchestra's challenges, focusing instead on uplifting topics. Before his official appointment, Li Zhenyan decided to visit the Lumalie Orchestra to get a lay of the land, despite being advised to rest.
His timing was peculiar, as Tai Ao, apparently desperate, was on the phone, pleading with someone not to cancel a crucial rehearsal and offering to negotiate any demands. When Li Zhenyan arrived, Tai Ao immediately mistook him for the substitute violinist he was expecting, enthusiastically pulling him into the rehearsal without letting him clarify his identity. Li Zhenyan, finding himself in an unexpected position, was handed a violin.
After tuning it, he played a piece, impressing the other musicians who applauded. However, Shelly, the Chief Violinist, dismissed his playing as unworthy of applause and suggested he needed more practice. Shortly after, the musicians were informed that the conductor had not shown up, and the rehearsal was canceled, leading to widespread complaints among the members who had often rearranged their schedules for such sessions. Shelly further commented that the new Chinese conductor, implying Li Zhenyan, wouldn't last long.
Later, Li Zhenyan called Fisher, directly asking if he had been responsible for his placement in the orchestra and why he was made to command such a group. Fisher dodged the question, instead mentioning Li Zhenyan's upcoming performance with the Lumalie Orchestra, including three specific pieces, hinting that it was an assessment of his progress. Realizing he had been tricked into a difficult situation, Li Zhenyan expressed his feeling of being "cheated."
Jiang Caiwei discovered she had vocal nodules, a common ailment for vocalists. Her doctor informed her that immediate surgery was necessary, but post-operation, she would no longer be able to sing high notes, and producing beautiful vocalizations would become challenging. This news was devastating for Jiang Caiwei, who lamented that her dream of becoming a world-class soprano performing at the Golden Hall was now just wishful thinking, as her damaged throat left her without the means to pursue it.
Observing Jiang Caiwei’s frequent visits to the bar and her distress, Yan Yan offered words of encouragement. While unable to fully empathize, Yan Yan assured her that the vocal nodules did not have to end her dream, recalling other singers she knew with similar conditions who continued to pursue their passions. She also reminded Jiang Caiwei that the Golden Hall was not the sole stage for a performer, encouraging her to find other avenues for her musical expression.
After receiving an official invitation for her piano recital, Fang Xiaowo was congratulated by Dalia and Ji Mo. However, Dalia inadvertently mentioned Song Ran, causing Fang Xiaowo to become visibly upset and retreat to her room, prompting Ji Mo to warn Dalia against speaking of Song Ran in front of her. Fang Xiaowo then met with Li Yazhe, expressing her firm decision to participate in the recital.
Li Yazhe, sharing a past regret of overly interfering with a talented student, advised Fang Xiaowo to block out external influences, including Song Ran and others, and to play solely from her heart, emphasizing that her unique sound was paramount. When Fang Xiaowo questioned the role of Li Zhenyan, whom she considered very important, Li Yazhe challenged her to recall her initial, pure motivation for playing piano before she knew him, urging her to find her "first heart."
He left the final decision of participating in the recital entirely up to her, assuring her that he would not obstruct her if she chose to proceed. Unexpectedly, Song Ran arrived in Paris, calling Li Zhenyan from downstairs. Upon seeing him, she rushed into a warm embrace, declaring how much she missed him, an act that sparked Fang Xiaowo’s jealousy. Fang Xiaowo, trying to assert her position, treated Song Ran with a possessive air of a hostess.
Song Ran, after some initial pleasantries, announced her intention to stay at their apartment, claiming she wanted to experience dormitory life and couldn't find a suitable place with a piano. Despite Fang Xiaowo's thinly veiled protests and calling her "like a clingy dog," Song Ran persisted, even offering to pay rent. Li Zhenyan, unable to refuse, agreed, leading to Song Ran moving into Fang Xiaowo's room, much to Fang Xiaowo's dismay.
Song Ran immediately began to examine Fang Xiaowo's belongings, commenting on her snacks and expressing a desire to try on her clothes, to which Fang Xiaowo retorted that Song Ran was too big for them. A few days later, Li Zhenyan formally reported to the Lumalie Orchestra. He walked in on a heated argument between Tai Ao and Shelly, the Chief Violinist.
Tai Ao was desperately trying to address the ongoing crisis, imploring Shelly to change his autocratic behavior, which was driving members to resign and join rival orchestras like Butterfly Jean. Shelly defiantly shifted blame to the orchestra's lack of funding, absent conductors, and members who skipped rehearsals, asserting that he had already received ten resignation letters that month. Li Zhenyan interrupted their dispute to announce his arrival for duty.
Tai Ao, initially mistaking him for the substitute violinist from a previous encounter, then loudly introduced him as the new conductor to Shelly, demanding he find new musicians. Shelly, however, remained absorbed in his own anger, pointedly ignoring Li Zhenyan. Tai Ao then privately warned Li Zhenyan that Shelly was a difficult, paranoid, and tyrannical individual, and cautioned him to remember this if he wished to successfully lead the orchestra.
