Symphony's Romance Episode 3 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
Fisher, who is a famous conductor, informed the principal of his plan to form an orchestra called the Group S, comprising students who are at the "end of the crane" (underachievers), and simultaneously mentor the existing Group A. The principal questioned Fisher's focus on Li Zhenyan. Fisher, while appreciating Li Zhenyan and wishing to personally teach him, believed Li Zhenyan was too arrogant and intended to temper his pride.
After being rejected by Fisher, a dejected Li Zhenyan practiced piano in the music room. Mr. Hu approached him, advising that beyond mastering technique, a musician must possess creativity that transcends music itself. Li Zhenyan contemplated this advice. Meanwhile, Fang Xiaowo discovered her own selection into the Group S on the notice board, realizing that the man she met a couple of days prior was Fisher.
Qin Fen was also chosen, but his passion lay in rock music, and he held symphony orchestras in disdain. That evening, as Li Zhenyan composed music at home, Fang Xiaowo unexpectedly arrived. She proposed that Li Zhenyan collaborate with and conduct the Group S. Li Zhenyan, however, dismissed the Group S members as a "ragtag army," uninterested in joining them.
Fang Xiaowo countered, saying that only by truly experiencing the orchestra's atmosphere could he progress on the path to becoming a conductor. The following day, Fisher visited the Group A for inspection. Tian Yisong, the Group A's conductor, greeted Fisher before commencing the orchestra's performance. Director Meng had previously informed Tian Yisong about Fisher forming the Group S and urged him to perform well to avoid disgracing the Group A.
Furthermore, Fisher was in the country to select a student to further their studies in Europe. Upon hearing this, Tian Yisong resolved to perform exceptionally, unwilling to lose to Li Zhenyan, who had never even attended a conducting class. During the performance, timpanist Chen Zheng, a fifteen-year-old percussion prodigy often teased by his peers, caused a mishap. Before the performance, a female student had playfully exchanged his drumstick for a lollipop, provoking Chen Zheng.
He intentionally played the drums with the lollipop, enraging Tian Yisong, who expelled him. However, Fisher declared his preference for music with individuality over perfect music, implying his approval of Chen Zheng's unique expression. Li Zhenyan, observing the Group A's rehearsal from outside, witnessed this scene and deemed Chen Zheng's actions a flaw in the orchestra's performance. Returning to the practice room, Li Zhenyan found Fang Xiaowo and Qin Fen rehearsing, delighting in their own playing.
Li Zhenyan openly criticized their duet as mere "noise." Qin Fen, somewhat affronted, challenged Li Zhenyan about his violin skills. Without a word, Li Zhenyan took Qin Fen's violin and played a passage that left Qin Fen speechless with astonishment. After Li Zhenyan left, Fang Xiaowo pursued him, defending Qin Fen. Li Zhenyan initially held his ground but was gradually persuaded by Fang Xiaowo. He then offered three points of advice for Qin Fen, asking Fang Xiaowo to relay them.
Fang Xiaowo conveyed Li Zhenyan's words, and Qin Fen grew angry, ready to leave. Fang Xiaowo quickly stopped him, adding her own fabricated praises from Li Zhenyan, which flattered Qin Fen. He, his head swelled with the compliments, enthusiastically resumed practice with Fang Xiaowo. On the day of Qin Fen's make-up exam, Fang Xiaowo developed a high fever but insisted on accompanying him.
Seeing her delirious yet still concerned for Qin Fen, Li Zhenyan relented and agreed to play the piano accompaniment for Qin Fen's exam. Li Zhenyan's piano accompaniment for Qin Fen was flawless, ensuring Qin Fen passed the examination. Qin Fen's attitude towards Li Zhenyan improved significantly, viewing him as a friend.
Chen Zheng, who had been considering dropping out of school due to frustration, was captivated by Li Zhenyan and Qin Fen's performance and subsequently followed Qin Fen and Fang Xiaowo to Li Zhenyan's home. After dinner, Qin Fen inquired about Li Zhenyan's future plans. Li Zhenyan expressed his reluctance to study abroad or change majors, meaning he had only one year remaining at the school.
Upon learning this, Fang Xiaowo began assisting Li Zhenyan in submitting a transfer application to Fisher. Fang Xiaowo persistently bothered Fisher about Li Zhenyan's transfer. Fisher, on his way to coach the Group S, brought Fang Xiaowo along. Upon arriving at the Group S, Qin Fen discovered Fisher's true identity. Fisher immediately appointed Qin Fen as the chief violinist of the Group S. Fisher told the students that they were called the Group S because they were "the most special."
For their first meeting, Fisher bypassed rehearsal and introductions, instead hosting a party to foster camaraderie among the members. Meanwhile, within the Group A, Tian Yisong, feeling unacknowledged by Fisher, imposed strict rules on his students. Lin Qingshang attempted to advise Tian Yisong against being overly ambitious, but he refused to listen, demanding absolute obedience and leadership from all Group A members.
Li Zhenyan gave Fang Xiaowo a necklace, telling her it was a symbol of him being by her side, giving her strength. Fang Xiaowo was moved and confessed her affection for him. Later, at dinner with Qin Fen and Chen Zheng, Fang Xiaowo proudly displayed the necklace, unaware of Li Zhenyan's internal struggle.
Qin Fen observed Li Zhenyan's gaze towards Fang Xiaowo, remarking that it nearly expressed "I love you," and teasingly noted that only Fang Xiaowo, "a fool," wouldn't notice. Qin Fen even jokingly offered himself as a distraction for Li Zhenyan's emotional troubles. Li Zhenyan called Fang Xiaowo, who was in a piano lesson, because she had forgotten her score. He had to obtain the address from a Mr. Zhang to deliver it.
At the door, Fang Xiaowo playfully introduced Li Zhenyan to her teacher as her "boyfriend," much to Li Zhenyan's discomfort. The teacher then introduced himself as Li Yazhe, Li Zhenyan's father. Fang Xiaowo was stunned by the revelation, remembering Li Zhenyan's deep-seated resentment for his father, whom he referred to as Vogri, while she had come to view Li Yazhe as a kind and warm teacher. Li Yazhe apologized for involving her and sought her understanding.
Furious, Li Zhenyan called Fisher, accusing him of knowing Li Yazhe's identity as Vogri and manipulating his circumstances, including Fang Xiaowo's piano lessons and his own return to Paris. Li Zhenyan angrily told Fisher to stay out of his life. Fisher tried to explain that both Li Zhenyan and Li Yazhe interfered in others' lives, but Li Zhenyan hung up, resolute in not letting them control his life.
Fisher then spoke on the phone with Li Yazhe about Li Zhenyan's anger. Li Yazhe admitted he no longer wanted to avoid confronting his son and wished to resolve their issues. Fisher cautioned that this might worsen their relationship, but Li Yazhe insisted on trying, unwilling to continue lying to his son. A brief flashback showed a young Li Zhenyan joyfully playing with his father.
Li Yazhe reflected on his long-standing debt to his son and his uncertainty on how to face it. Members of the Group A discussed an upcoming performance where the Dieshan Orchestra had chosen the same piece and performance date. The Dieshan Orchestra was rumored to feature a world-class pianist, putting the Group A at a disadvantage. When Tian Yisong asked for solutions, Li Zhenyan proposed open auditions for vacant positions in the orchestra.
Tian Yisong agreed, entrusting Li Zhenyan with the task and asking him to inform Ji Mo about the auditions, hoping he would join their orchestra. Fang Xiaowo later asked Li Zhenyan if he disliked her teacher, Li Yazhe. Li Zhenyan recounted the inscription he had carved on his desk when he was a child: "I hate dad," followed by, "One day I will grow up, but I will not become an adult like you."
He explained that he had lived in that house for six months after his parents' divorce, and his father never visited him until the day he was leaving for China with his mother. Fang Xiaowo asked if he would forgive his father. Li Zhenyan replied that forgiveness was irrelevant, as his father had been absent for so long that he "doesn't really feel much anymore." Later, Li Yazhe came to visit Li Zhenyan, bringing Fang Xiaowo's forgotten score.
Li Zhenyan coldly told him he was not welcome. Li Yazhe left the score. Fang Xiaowo, witnessing the exchange, asked Li Yazhe if he was okay. He replied that he had anticipated Li Zhenyan's rejection. Tian Yisong received a call from his father, who worried about his well-being and whether he had eaten.
Tian Yisong reassured him he was fine and looking for a new job, advising his parents not to concern themselves with him as they had their own financial struggles. Later, as Tian Yisong stood by the conductor's podium, Lin Qingshang approached him. Tian Yisong confessed that the conductor's position felt "more isolated than imagined," preferring to be among the orchestra members.
Lin Qingshang corrected him, emphasizing that the conductor is an integral part of the team, and they are never alone. She suggested his initial detached mindset had created a rift, urging him to try to connect with the others sincerely. Tian Yisong acknowledged his past behavior and promised to try. Lin Qingshang, having overheard his phone call, realized his family didn't fully support his conducting career.
Tian Yisong explained his parents worked odd jobs and wished for him to secure a stable white-collar job, but conducting was a dream he clung to, especially under financial pressure. He admitted his over-eagerness might have pushed the orchestra too hard. Lin Qingshang comforted him, assuring him that everyone in the orchestra valued their time together and encouraged him to "let go of all your worries" and enjoy every performance as if it were their last.
Dalia, Ji Mo's friend, prepared a formal suit for him, commenting on his usual casual attire and the significant expense incurred. Ji Mo initially hesitated to accept the gift, but Dalia insisted he wear it for his upcoming audition. Ji Mo was auditioning for the Lumar-Leninist Orchestra as a chief oboe, performing Mozart's Concerto for Two Oboes. During the audition, Dalia, who was accompanying him, suddenly felt unwell after eating some old bread Fang Xiaowo had given her.
Despite her illness, Dalia managed to finish the accompaniment. Ji Mo thanked her for her dedication. Dalia jokingly warned Fang Xiaowo, who was present, never to offer anyone food again, calling it "dangerous." Fang Xiaowo woke Li Zhenyan, who had fallen asleep while practicing piano. She excitedly shared the good news that Ji Mo had been successfully accepted into the Lumar-Leninist Orchestra as chief oboe. Li Zhenyan congratulated him.
Fang Xiaowo then embraced Li Zhenyan, feeling that his presence dispelled all her negative energy and filled her with "positive energy." She expressed her desire to stay in his arms, feeling content. Later, Fang Xiaowo excitedly informed Li Zhenyan that she had passed her advanced study assessment with top marks, receiving "flawless" and "happy music" evaluations. She credited Li Zhenyan for her newfound joy in playing, telling him, "I really like you so much."
Vogri (Li Yazhe) then contacted Tian Yisong, the conductor of the Dieshan Orchestra. Vogri acknowledged that the Dieshan Orchestra had chosen the same performance piece as the Lumar-Leninist Orchestra, noting that Dieshan offered more generous remuneration. Vogri hinted that the Dieshan Orchestra might not need Tian Yisong's participation. Tian Yisong, however, asserted that he no longer needed Vogri's help and would not live under his control. In the same call, Vogri offered Tian Yisong chocolate cake and black coffee. Meanwhile, Vogri then extended an invitation for Li Zhenyan to meet him at a café the following morning to talk.
