Symphony's Romance Episode 5 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
After Li Zhenyan arranged for a repairman to fix Fang Xiaowo's door, he found her room excessively messy and couldn't help but tidy it up himself. Later, Fang Xiaowo, having showered, realized Li Zhenyan was gone and prepared a jar of honey lemonade for him. When Li Zhenyan returned, he drank it. Though inwardly pleased, he pretended indifference. Fang Xiaowo then firmly told him that having drunk her lemonade, he must promise not to abandon Zhuo Yin and Group S.
Earlier, when Fang Xiaowo had asked if she could shower at his place due to her broken door, Li Zhenyan retorted that she looked "unsafe" and "bad guys are afraid to meet their associates," suggesting she find a hotel. She then asked if he was from a rich family, explaining that he likely hadn't experienced poverty, unlike Zhuo Yin who might spend ten minutes debating which toothpaste to buy and works multiple jobs, yet struggles with practice.
Fang Xiaowo worried that Zhuo Yin's passion for music might change. Li Zhenyan dismissed her concerns, advising her to worry about herself, and sent her off to shower, warning her not to sing. The next day, when Li Zhenyan arrived at Group S, the usually boisterous students immediately fell silent.
Before starting rehearsal, Li Zhenyan calmly addressed the issues from their last session, explaining specific errors to individual members like the clarinetist in subsection 20 and Qin Fen in subsection 56, and offering guidance. His unexpectedly gentle demeanor surprised everyone, especially Qin Fen, Fang Xiaowo, and Chen Zheng, who speculated that Li Zhenyan's soft tone meant he was considering giving up on Group S, perhaps due to Regiment A's influence or Zhuo Yin's absence.
To boost his morale, they quickly rallied the other Group S members to prepare a crayfish party, dubbing it his official "initiation ceremony" into the group. During the meal, the students opened up. They expressed their deep admiration for him, promising to meet his strict standards and acknowledging that despite his tough exterior, they knew he genuinely cared for their progress.
Fang Xiaowo, in particular, emphasized that Group S desperately needed his leadership, and despite being "the least favored students" at Baiqi Conservatory of Music, they possessed "passion, enthusiasm and dreams for music." They pleaded with him not to give up on them and to lead Group S to bigger stages. Touched, Li Zhenyan raised a glass of champagne, making an exception to drink alcohol, and thanked them.
He admitted his self-righteousness had led to moments of confusion and retreat but affirmed his belief that despite their current skill level, they would become top performers in the country. He pledged to lead Group S to strive for excellence together. After the party, Li Zhenyan, heavily intoxicated, was carried home by Qin Fen and deposited on a sofa. Fang Xiaowo stayed behind to look after him.
As Li Zhenyan mumbled drunkenly, Fang Xiaowo initially thought he was confessing his feelings to her, feeling a mix of surprise and nervousness. However, his slurred words were apologies to Fisher, pleading not to be cast aside and begging to continue his conducting studies. Fang Xiaowo felt a pang of disappointment but also a sense of relief. Later, Qin Fen went to Regiment A, curious about its members. He soon ran into Lin Qingshang, who mocked him as a "half-bait."
Qin Fen retorted, reminding her he was the Group S chief and accusing Regiment A of poaching members like Zhuo Yin, suggesting they should reflect on why they couldn't keep their musicians. Lin Qingshang dismissed him, and just then, Chen Zheng arrived, calling Lin Qingshang "sister," inadvertently revealing their sibling relationship to Qin Fen. Both Qin Fen and Lin Qingshang, however, denied knowing each other.
Meanwhile, Zhuo Yin found herself struggling to keep pace with Regiment A's rehearsals, feeling out of sync with the other musicians. She apologized to Tian Yisong for slowing them down, questioning if her current skill level was suitable for Regiment A. Tian Yisong reassured her, stating that adapting to a new group takes time and that her performance was within his acceptable limits. He also mentioned discussing her bonus points with Director Meng.
Zhuo Yin then requested an afternoon off for personal reasons, which Tian Yisong granted. She received a phone call from her mother, asking when she would return home and how she was managing her finances, expressing concern for her well-being. Back at school, Fang Xiaowo, Qin Fen, and Chen Zheng worried about Zhuo Yin, who had missed rehearsals and work, and whose phone was off.
A teacher urged them to focus on their professional studies, implying they were distracted by Group S matters. They eventually found Zhuo Yin working at a bakery. Her manager, referring to her double bass as a "cello," had asked her to play outside to attract customers, despite Zhuo Yin's concerns about the noisy environment.
Seeing her plight, Li Zhenyan, Qin Fen, and Chen Zheng spontaneously joined her, forming an impromptu street ensemble with Qin Fen on violin, Li Zhenyan on a roadside piano, and Chen Zheng on timpani. Their harmonious performance drew a crowd, and Fisher, passing by, was touched, capturing the moment with his camera. During this impromptu performance, Li Zhenyan, observing his team, remained confident, believing he could handle any challenge, even if "they are all Fang Xiaowo."
Zhuo Yin felt an unprecedented sense of freedom and joy, while Fang Xiaowo remarked that this was "real music." At the Baiqi Conservatory of Music, Director Meng was busy fielding calls from various media outlets, eager to interview Fisher, who had declined all previous requests since returning to China. Fisher, casually playing on his phone, stated that "microblogs are much more fun than those cold reports."
Director Meng implored him to reconsider, emphasizing the influence of a particular classical music magazine on students' career prospects. Fisher retorted that he hated "bitter drama that sells miserably" and "weather forecasts that are never accurate," believing that truly special students find their own unique ways to express themselves, as "music is not something that follows the crowd." Mr. Zhang then entered, questioning Fisher's decision to entrust the management of both Regiment A and Group S to "inexperienced students."
Fisher countered that experience is precisely what they needed to gain. He argued that there wasn't a single "correct" path in music and that he was merely "a player who likes to play games," not a traditional teacher. Meanwhile, Lin Qingshang confronted Tian Yisong, accusing him of manipulating Zhuo Yin to undermine Li Zhenyan and Group S.
Tian Yisong insisted he was offering Zhuo Yin a "better opportunity," but Lin Qingshang argued that with her limited practice and current skill level, Zhuo Yin wouldn't pass Regiment A's rigorous assessment or secure a scholarship. She asserted that Tian Yisong's true motive was to collapse Group S by taking Zhuo Yin away. Overhearing this devastating conversation from behind a wall, Zhuo Yin was heartbroken and ran off, missing Regiment A's rehearsal.
Tian Yisong, unconcerned, prepared to continue rehearsal without her. Suddenly, Li Zhenyan arrived, announcing his intention to take Zhuo Yin back to Group S. He confronted Tian Yisong before the Regiment A members. Lan Bo confirmed that Zhuo Yin had just left crying. Li Zhenyan then officially declared Zhuo Yin's return to Group S. Unable to find Zhuo Yin anywhere, Li Zhenyan and the others went to her home.
To their surprise, instead of the impoverished household they expected, they found a luxurious mansion. They spoke with Zhuo Yin's father, who revealed his unfulfilled childhood dream of playing the violin, which he couldn't pursue due to his family's financial situation. Having become successful in business, he now hoped Zhuo Yin would inherit his dream. However, Zhuo Yin loved the double bass, appreciating its deep, secure sound, a choice her father couldn't accept, mistakenly calling it a "cello."
To compel her to learn the violin, he had cut off her living expenses, believing she would eventually give in. Recalling his own struggles with his father, Li Yazhe, over his dream of conducting, Li Zhenyan passionately argued against imposing one's dreams on a child. He challenged Zhuo Yin's father, asking if his collection of expensive violins was more important than his daughter's happiness, and urged him to support Zhuo Yin's own aspirations to become a professional performer.
Later, at the bakery, Zhuo Yin was upset to find out Li Zhenyan and the others had visited her home, but she understood they meant to help. She explained that her father had suffered a hand injury in a work accident, leaving two fingers without sensation and preventing him from playing the violin himself. Despite his actions, Zhuo Yin expressed deep understanding for her father, highlighting his sacrifices and hard work to provide for their family.
She tearfully shared her desire for her father's understanding, emphasizing that he was her beloved father and that her love for him would never change. She still hoped to pursue her dream of studying double bass at the Vienna Conservatory of Music and becoming a professional musician. Unbeknownst to her, Zhuo Yin's father was secretly watching her from afar at the bakery. Overhearing her words and seeing her struggles, he felt deep regret for his stubbornness. He then walked in, bringing her a warm meal that her mother had prepared.
