Symphony's Romance Episode 4 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
Fang Xiaowo and Chen Zheng woke up at Li Zhenyan’s place the morning after a party, having been brought back by Qin Fen. Fang Xiaowo complained about her sore legs and asked Li Zhenyan if he had carried her back. He retorted, "I suggest you don't ask me this question. I'm afraid I can't help throwing you both out." She expressed confusion about sleeping there, and he instructed them to wash up, eat breakfast, and then leave his house.
Fang Xiaowo enjoyed the homemade breakfast, noting it was "delicious" and mentioning "Doubendou." Li Zhenyan warned them that he had changed his door password and they shouldn't "break into my house in the middle of the night next time," adding that he wouldn't tell them the new password. He then scolded Fang Xiaowo for being reckless and involving others, saying, "You can't be too foolish. Why are you pulling others?"
She claimed she didn't know "I can drink Coke like this," and apologized. Li Zhenyan turned to Chen Zheng, reminding him, "This is my home, not a hostel. You can't live casually." Chen Zheng admitted he was wrong. Li Zhenyan handed Chen Zheng something he had dropped, reminding him, "A soldier can never lose his weapon at any time." Soon after, a courier delivered a package for Fang Xiaowo, containing "Pure Sichuan Hot Pot Sediment" from her father.
Li Zhenyan was dismayed, predicting she planned to eat hotpot in his home, which he declared "absolutely impossible," stating, "Your house is clean, but it is cold and lonely." Just then, Qin Fen arrived with bags of groceries, making it clear their hotpot plans were already in motion. Li Zhenyan, frustrated but unable to stop them, reluctantly let them set up, even telling his plants to "stay away" from the hotpot.
Tian Yisong approached Fisher and invited him to attend another performance of A regiment, insisting that the previous performance "was not my real strength." Fisher agreed, stating he would inform Tian Yisong once he had arranged his schedule. Tian Yisong then asked Fisher about his true purpose for coming to Baiqi Conservatory of Music, questioning whether it was for S regiment or A regiment.
He declared that if Fisher's intention leaned towards S regiment, he would abandon A regiment and join S regiment because his goal was "to stand on the best stage." Fisher expressed surprise at Tian Yisong's lack of emotional attachment to A regiment, but assured him that "the stage is the same," and he would not "discriminate between one and the other." Satisfied, Tian Yisong replied, "I am relieved to have your words."
Fisher then reflected to himself that "Today's children, it's really aggressive. I'm really not used to it." Separately, Fisher met with Principal Yu Mei. Fisher remarked that Yu Mei looked "exactly like you were 20 years ago." He then asked why she wasn't wearing the perfume he had given her, which he remembered as "your favorite scent." Yu Mei clarified, "What I liked back then wasn't perfume. It was you. But you're gone, Fisher."
Fisher expressed regret for choosing to study in France. Yu Mei reassured him, saying she wouldn't have given up such a good opportunity either, and that he wasn't the "only one who met a love rat when I was young." She added that if he felt guilty, he should "bring me some good prospects in Baiqi." She then asked if he had decided on the student conductor for S regiment, and Fisher replied that he "already had someone in mind."
Fisher playfully asked if she really thought he was a "love rat." Later, Tian Yisong encountered Jiang Caiwei, noting that she seemed troubled. Jiang Caiwei admitted to feeling "a little bit envious of others" but clarified it wasn't about professional skills because she was confident in her own abilities. She then asked Tian Yisong why he started learning to conduct, wondering if it was "because you like it?"
Tian Yisong explained it began as a "simple dream" but later became "not that pure" due to family reasons. He confessed that he wasn't naturally gifted in conducting and therefore had to "choose to work hard," making it his "life creed" that "only through hard work can progress be made." Jiang Caiwei encouraged him, saying, "You will succeed." Tian Yisong then asked about her own journey.
Jiang Caiwei shared that her parents divorced when she was very young, and both remarried and became successful, leaving her feeling like "an embarrassing presence between them." She revealed she practiced hard as a child, hoping that winning awards would make them "come to see me on their own initiative." She also mentioned she envied Sasha. Tian Yisong expressed his happiness to have met her and to be "your trash can," offering to do "whatever I can to help you."
He ended by assuring her, "We will all succeed." Fang Xiaowo and Li Zhenyan went to the supermarket. Li Zhenyan questioned if Fang Xiaowo could fit all her purchases into her small refrigerator, to which she replied that her refrigerator was broken and she intended to store them at his place. He strongly refused, stating he wouldn't let her in again and had changed his password.
However, Fang Xiaowo confidently recited his new password and even his bank card password, much to his exasperation. Realizing he couldn't win, Li Zhenyan allowed her to store her items, telling her to go pay. As they left, Fang Xiaowo, unable to carry her heavy bags, asked Li Zhenyan for help. She then spotted a piano in the square and excitedly pulled him over, urging him to play with her, despite his initial reluctance due to the crowd.
They performed a four-hand play that captivated many onlookers. Later, Fang Xiaowo asked Li Zhenyan why he, such a talented pianist, aspired to be a conductor. He explained it was for "the Dream of Music in My Heart." He recalled his first true encounter with conducting as a child in Paris, watching Master Wainda on stage. He felt that under the conductor's baton, all the instruments became extensions of the conductor, conveying their interpretation of music to the audience.
He yearned to be like Wainda, wielding a "magic wand" to convey his inner music. Fang Xiaowo listened intently, silently vowing to herself, "Li Zhenyan, I will definitely help you realize this dream." Fang Xiaowo, determined to showcase Li Zhenyan’s conducting talent and secure his departmental transfer, took his application to Fisher, who initially refused, claiming Li Zhenyan lacked conducting talent. Fisher did, however, keep the application, not discarding it as Fang Xiaowo feared.
Later, Li Zhenyan wondered why Fang Xiaowo hadn't returned for dinner, but dismissed his concern, thinking she could take care of herself. He then heard a piece of music he had composed being played, which led him to a classroom where he found Fang Xiaowo, Chen Zheng, and Qin Fen rehearsing it. Qin Fen complained to Fang Xiaowo that her rhythm was "too messy," while Chen Zheng was trying to maintain a steady beat.
Fang Xiaowo suggested they should "improvise a little bit and be free a little bit" to capture the "style of this piece of music, Shige." However, she then urged them to "listen to Chen Zheng" and play well, emphasizing that "only if Master recognizes the conducting talent in this piece will he allow Li Zhenyan to transfer departments."
Li Zhenyan, listening from outside, muttered to himself, "What do Master Fei and the departmental transfer have to do with this piece of music?" Fisher then appeared beside Li Zhenyan, noting that although the music was "a little messy," Fang Xiaowo had managed to adapt it into small chamber music after hearing it only once, which showed how attentive they were.
Fisher explained to Li Zhenyan that he had told Fang Xiaowo he "would not agree to your transfer" unless he "saw your conducting talent with my own eyes." Fisher inferred that she believed performing Li Zhenyan’s composition well would achieve this. Fisher then reiterated his disapproval of Li Zhenyan's transfer, admitting, "Part of the reason is that. I really don't like you."
He also argued that "there is no inevitable connection" between being a conductor and transferring to the conducting department, implying that one could learn to conduct without a formal transfer. Li Zhenyan interjected, "How can I learn to conduct if I don't transfer to the conducting department?" to which Fisher replied, "I taught myself." Acknowledging their hard work, Fisher decided to "give you one chance."
He handed Li Zhenyan a score, offering him the position of "deputy conductor of S regiment" as a trial. Li Zhenyan was thrilled, but Fisher cautioned, "The deputy conductor of S regiment is not something anyone can do. If you cannot be recognized, you'll still be out." Li Zhenyan confidently declared he would "prove it to you with my own strength," to which Fisher simply wished him "good luck."
That evening, Li Zhenyan surprised Fang Xiaowo by cooking dinner for her, explaining he thought she might be hungry and need energy. Fang Xiaowo asked what he had been up to recently, but he evasively replied, "Why would I tell you?" She then stated she had been busy with "a big thing." He encouraged her to eat more, reminding her to take care of herself first.
Fang Xiaowo playfully asked if he was acting "weird today," suggesting he was lonely and couldn't live without her, and that he recognized her importance. Li Zhenyan’s only response was to threaten to take her egg back if she didn't eat. She happily ate, saying, "I knew you liked me the most." The next morning, Fisher brought Li Zhenyan to S regiment, announcing him as the new deputy conductor.
The S regiment members reacted with a mix of infatuation from the girls and skepticism from the boys, with some questioning his conducting ability, saying he "certainly won't conduct" and would "just pretend." Fang Xiaowo, excited, exclaimed, "That's great! You can be the conductor now." Fisher then handed Li Zhenyan the baton and asked him to conduct the first rehearsal. Li Zhenyan, feeling a mix of fear and "excitement," took the stage.
He greeted the orchestra and announced they would rehearse Mozart's Symphony No. 31, "Paris," which he assumed everyone had practiced. After tuning, Li Zhenyan observed the chaotic playing, inwardly criticizing, "At least it's an orchestra. What the hell are they doing?" and wondering if Fisher had chosen "the worst people in the school." He instructed them to pay attention to volume and intonation, specifically telling Qin Fen to "pay attention to the relationship with the chief."
When Qin Fen asked if he was the chief, Li Zhenyan ignored him, urging them to start. As the chaotic rehearsal continued, Qin Fen suddenly interrupted, suggesting they needed to be "more happy" and "lively." Li Zhenyan, angered by the interruption, immediately lashed out at Qin Fen, demanding, "Who allowed you to stop without authorization?" and sarcastically asking if he was "playing rock and roll."
He then harshly criticized Qin Fen's violin playing, saying, "How do you play your own violin? Don't you know in your heart? There are many mistakes," and questioned if he had practiced enough to be a chief.
Li Zhenyan then turned his criticism to other sections, singling out Wu Zheng from the oboe section for incorrect harmony and a trumpeter for playing too loudly, suggesting they lacked "elegance" and should complement the horn player, who he noted "blew out of breath." He also pointed out an error in the second violin section. While some students recognized his knowledge, Wu Zheng and others felt insulted, dismissing his criticisms as "simple problems that anyone can see."
Wu Zheng, still fuming, even plotted to "teach him a lesson." Despite the defiance, Li Zhenyan decided to ignore the "foolishly making trouble" and "good-for-nothings" in his head. He prepared to start again, determined to present "this Paris in my way." However, the rehearsal was again disrupted when Zhuo Yin, the double bass player, arrived late. Li Zhenyan, still furious, snapped at her, "Conductor! You are late. Don't come in. Do you know the whole band is waiting for you?"
and despite her apologies, he angrily ordered her to "Get out." Earlier, Zhuo Yin had met Lan Bo, the A regiment Cello Chief, who helped her after she nearly dropped her cello while hurrying to school. She mentioned she lived far away in Jing'an Temple and had to carry her instrument, explaining her haste. Lan Bo found her intriguing. After Li Zhenyan angrily expelled Zhuo Yin, Fisher called a halt to the rehearsal.
He told Li Zhenyan to step down, then turned to the orchestra and declared, "All the problems. It's all Li Zhenyan's fault," apologizing to them on Li Zhenyan's behalf. Confused, Li Zhenyan asked what he had done wrong. Fisher explained, "Talking to a girl like that is your biggest mistake." Fisher then took over the podium, tossing away the score.
He addressed the musicians by name, gently reminding Qin Fen to play "a little more fun" like "eating your father's noodles," checking on Yu Yi if she was feeling unwell, and advising Fan Chen to lubricate his piston. He even complimented the second violin chief, Manman, on her beautiful playing and encouraged her to be "a little more sexy" next time. Li Zhenyan, watching, realized Fisher remembered everyone's name.
Fisher then expressed regret that Li Zhenyan had "drove one away in anger" (Zhuo Yin), but hoped she wouldn't be absent next time. He turned to Li Zhenyan, emphasizing that the musicians were "your companions. Your friends. They're not your instruments," and that being a good conductor required "not just ears and abilities." He instructed Li Zhenyan to "be a good listener down here today." Under Fisher’s gentle guidance, the previously chaotic S regiment played the "Paris" symphony beautifully.
Observing this, Li Zhenyan had a profound realization: "Respect for Music, Respect for Others. Music and others will treat each other sincerely. The melody in my heart will flow out. That man is a real master. I really have a long way to go." From the doorway, Tian Yisong also witnessed the "wonderful" transformation. After the rehearsal, Li Zhenyan approached Fisher, admitting, "Master Fei, I was wrong. Give me another chance." Fisher agreed, but with conditions.
He demanded that Li Zhenyan "get her back," referring to Zhuo Yin, and "completely solve her problem of being late for rehearsal and leaving early." Fisher warned him that "Otherwise, you will be the first to be expelled from S regiment." Li Zhenyan readily agreed to the terms. Determined to help Li Zhenyan fulfill Fisher's condition of bringing Zhuo Yin back and solving her lateness, Fang Xiaowo rallied Qin Fen and Chen Zheng.
While Fang Xiaowo secretly gathered "intelligence" on Zhuo Yin via social media, Chen Zheng revealed that Zhuo Yin lived far from school and worked "several jobs alone," including at a "library, distributing flyers, a dessert shop," and a convenience store, explaining her constant tardiness. They found Zhuo Yin and brought her back to Li Zhenyan's place for dinner. Li Zhenyan cooked a delicious curry, sharing the recipe with Zhuo Yin.
Fang Xiaowo then directly asked Zhuo Yin if her numerous jobs were due to poverty, which Qin Fen quickly rephrased to ask if she was facing any difficulties they could help with. Zhuo Yin admitted her problems, explaining that the high tuition fees for music school meant she had to work many jobs to pursue her "dream" of playing the double bass.
Li Zhenyan pointedly asked, "Then since you know how to hold everyone back, why don't you take the time to practice and catch up with everyone?" Fang Xiaowo interjected, suggesting that if Zhuo Yin had no time to practice due to work, she should "then don't work." Li Zhenyan then asked Fang Xiaowo, "But she can't earn tuition without working?" Fang Xiaowo countered, "Then drop out of school! What's the point of studying?
Actually, if you spend all your time working and have no time to practice, going to school is of what significance?" Qin Fen then offered a different perspective, suggesting that school also provided opportunities for "falling in love, making friends, and having a sumptuous dinner." However, Li Zhenyan ignored him, turning back to Zhuo Yin, stating, "In my opinion, although you are very pathetic, you are also very stupid."
When Fang Xiaowo questioned his harshness, Li Zhenyan continued his argument to Zhuo Yin, "Studying music is like this. Diligence and genius are indispensable. Since you are not a genius, if even the most basic diligence cannot be guaranteed, what right do you have to talk about ideals? Just drop out." Zhuo Yin, though clearly hurt, insisted, "I will not drop out of school. I will not give up the double bass."
Li Zhenyan retorted, "Then you have time to cry here and no time to practice? Doesn't that already explain everything?" Enraged, Fang Xiaowo slapped Li Zhenyan, calling him "crazy" and "truly stupid," and reminding him of Fisher's task. Despite Fang Xiaowo's attempts to reassure her that Li Zhenyan was "talking nonsense," Zhuo Yin thanked them for their hospitality and left, acknowledging that "Senior Brother Zhenyan is right. Not because of poverty, but because I didn't really work hard enough."
Qin Fen tried to comfort Zhuo Yin, but she seemed resolved. Li Zhenyan later reflected in a voiceover, "In fact, no one knows better than me how difficult it is to stick to one's dream." Later, Tian Yisong arrived at Zhuo Yin's home and invited her to join A regiment. The next day, Fang Xiaowo rushed to inform Li Zhenyan that Zhuo Yin had joined A regiment, pulling him along to see for himself.
They found Zhuo Yin at A regiment, where Tian Yisong confirmed he had invited her. Li Zhenyan, confused, said, "According to Zhuo Yin's strength, it is absolutely impossible to enter A regiment." Tian Yisong countered that Fisher's chosen individuals couldn't be bad. While acknowledging Zhuo Yin's physical limitations for the double bass, Li Zhenyan praised her "excellent instrument sound, delicate and flexible."
Tian Yisong then revealed his true intention, stating that A regiment "is the only student orchestra officially registered in this school," offering "extra points in the final evaluation" and scholarships, which S regiment could not. He added, "Don't you see that Master Fei is treating you differently now? But I believe that one day he will know who is the most suitable student for him."
When Fang Xiaowo and Li Zhenyan confronted Zhuo Yin, Tian Yisong told her she could explain later. Zhuo Yin apologized, explaining she "still can't give up" her dream and "needs a scholarship, needs these extra points." She requested to withdraw from S regiment. Fang Xiaowo, distressed, pointed out that if Zhuo Yin left, Li Zhenyan would also have to leave. Li Zhenyan, however, interrupted, telling Zhuo Yin, "Remember what you insist on at this moment.
Don't give up easily anymore," and encouraged her to "practice well." He then led a still confused Fang Xiaowo away. That night, Fang Xiaowo attempted to cook for Li Zhenyan to cheer him up, but her poor culinary skills quickly filled her room with smoke. Noticing the smoke from downstairs, a worried Li Zhenyan grabbed a fire extinguisher, kicked open her door, and rushed in.
Relieved to find her unharmed, he scolded her, "Fang Xiaowo, why do you make smoke every time you cook? Smoke bombs?" Fang Xiaowo apologized, claiming she only wanted to "make some delicious food to make you happy." He jokingly asked if he would "die after eating your dark cooking," to which she insisted her previous attempts, like cookies and sweet and sour ribs, were delicious.
Fang Xiaowo then asked if she could shower at his place since he had "kicked the door of my house" and she felt "unsafe." He scoffed at her "unsafe" appearance, suggesting she find a hotel, remarking that even villains would be afraid of meeting accomplices like her. She then asked if his family was "especially rich," implying he was a "rich second generation" and had never experienced the "life of eating dirt every month," unlike Zhuo Yin.
Li Zhenyan asked if Zhuo Yin was "eating dirt," and Fang Xiaowo clarified by giving an example: Zhuo Yin would spend "ten minutes" choosing the cheapest toothpaste and had to work "several jobs at the same time," which left her no time to practice her instrument. Li Zhenyan suggested that since Zhuo Yin had joined A regiment, with its "extra points and scholarships," her situation "should be all right."
However, Fang Xiaowo expressed concern that "Zhuo Yin's instrument sound had changed little by little." Li Zhenyan simply told her, "Instead of worrying about others, you might as well worry about yourself." Later, Fang Xiaowo, along with other S regiment members, decided to cheer up Li Zhenyan, who they felt was "dejected" and "going to give up" after Zhuo Yin's departure to A regiment.
Recalling Li Zhenyan's own words that "no one knows better than me how difficult it is to stick to one's dream," Fang Xiaowo concluded, "Nothing cannot be solved by a crayfish meal." They gathered around Li Zhenyan, offering him crayfish and expressing their unwavering support: "We super-invincibly like you! So you can't give up S regiment. . . we will try our best in our own way to reach your standards and meet your requirements. . .
So actually, we just hope you have more confidence in us. Don't give up on us. We all hope that you can lead our S regiment together to a better stage."
