The First Frost Episode 18 Recap
> The First Frost Recap
At Nanwu University, Sang Yan was noticeably distracted during a Java lecture, his mind occupied with checking train tickets. Later, he visited Yihe University, hoping to see someone, but after looking around, he silently departed after taking a photo of the campus gates. Meanwhile, Wen Yifan and her team from Nanwu TV rushed to Beiyu Tunnel 3 after a severe mudslide. Their leader, Ms. Qian, instructed them to find safe positions for reporting without hindering the rescue efforts.
Wen Yifan began her live report, detailing the seven trapped vehicles and the city's activated rescue plan. Amidst the chaos, a distraught mother rushed forward, pleading for her daughter, Shi Jiayu, to be saved. Wen Yifan and the rescuers worked to calm her and direct her to the family area. As Wen Yifan continued her reports, over a dozen injured people were rescued. She and her colleague Fu Zhuang were assigned to stay overnight for follow-up.
Fu Zhuang noticed a cut on Wen Yifan's hand from debris, but she downplayed it, urging him to rest. Later, she comforted Fu Zhuang, who was visibly disturbed by the blood he had witnessed, telling him that such sights were an unavoidable part of journalism. Forty-six hours into the rescue, the team was called out again.
Rescuers discovered seven-year-old Shi Jiayu trapped, who cried out, begging them to save her father, Shi Lei, still inside the car because the skylight was too small for him to escape. Her mother rushed to her side, offering comfort. At the hospital, reporter Su Tian, who had been reassigned by Ms. Qian from the field due to her recent childbirth, reported on the rescued victims, noting that Jiayu was in the ICU.
Jiayu's mother revealed to Su Tian that she and her husband were divorced, and this trip was meant to be a farewell for Jiayu before they immigrated. She worried about how to break the news to Jiayu if her father did not survive. Despite a second tunnel collapse, Leader Li affirmed the rescue team's determination, stating they would not give up as long as there was a glimmer of hope.
Eventually, Shi Lei was successfully rescued and confirmed his daughter's name as Jiayu. Back at the hotel, Fu Zhuang brought Wen Yifan local breakfast, praising her stamina. Wen Yifan received a text from Sang Yan, reminding her it was "nine days left" until his birthday and to bring him an apple when she returned. Realizing it was Christmas Eve, she wondered if she could make it back in time.
That evening, Wen Yifan called Sang Yan from her hotel, explaining her busy schedule. He noted her tired voice, and they exchanged goodnights. She then texted him a drawing of an apple, promising to bring him a real one upon her return. Sang Yan playfully replied, telling her to lock her door and joking that he was her only "victim." Six days after the collapse, the site was cleared, and all eighteen rescued individuals were in stable condition.
Ms. Qian commended her team's efforts, especially for working through the night, as their reports had garnered significant public attention. She promised a celebratory dinner upon their return to Nanwu. However, she then informed Wen Yifan that due to the high online interest in Shi Lei and Jiayu, Wen Yifan needed to extend her stay for follow-up reports, making it impossible to return before Sang Yan's birthday.
In an interview, Jiayu bravely declared she would not go abroad with her mother and wished to stay with her father. Shi Lei explained that he had initially considered giving up custody to ensure Jiayu had a better life and education with his ex-wife. However, the near-death experience made him realize that life is unpredictable, and being with loved ones without regrets is paramount.
Wen Yifan later spoke privately with Jiayu's mother, Ms. Li, who, while declining an on-camera interview, confided that she too did not want to relinquish custody. She reflected on past financial arguments with Shi Lei and the fragility of life, concluding that being safely with the person one loves and living without regrets is the greatest happiness. She emphasized her primary concern was not to hurt Jiayu.
As Jiayu ran to hug her mother, Wen Yifan reflected on the profound idea of "leaving no regrets" and expressed a silent wish for all stories to have happy endings. Just after midnight, Wen Yifan texted Sang Yan "Happy birthday," informing him she had ordered a cake for delivery and would present his gift upon her return.
Sang Yan replied that he would not be back until the next day, suggesting they could celebrate his birthday then, adding that there was "one more day left" until he could. The heavy rain in Beiyu persisted as Wen Yifan, feeling unsettled, decided to revisit Beiyu Middle School and then the familiar "Beiyu Nostalgic Noodles" shop she and Sang Yan frequented. The owner greeted her warmly, recognizing her from her high school days.
As she ate her wonton noodles, she posted a photo on her social media, a rare act that surprised her friends. Deep in thought, she reflected on her painful breakup with Sang Yan in the rain, recalling an unfamiliar sorrow on his face. She felt that such a brilliant young man deserved all the good things in the world. Determined not to have regrets in her own life, Wen Yifan resolved to take the initiative.
She called Sang Yan, asking if his past offer to "consider" her if she pursued him still held, and told him to think about it seriously. Sang Yan, amused, asked if she truly thought he was "not that bad," to which she affectionately affirmed he was not. Still at the noodle shop, Wen Yifan contemplated that she might not return there again and wanted to cherish the moment, which felt surreal.
Just then, Sang Yan walked in with an umbrella, telling the owner he was there "to pick someone up." The owner, delighted to see them together, remarked that he thought they had lost contact over the years. Wen Yifan asked how he knew she was there, and he replied it was his habit to visit the shop whenever he was in Beiyu.
Inside, Wen Yifan shared her dream of opening a small, stress-free shop where people could relax, eat noodles, read books, and listen to her favorite music—a place where "overtime" wouldn't feel like overtime. Sang Yan playfully questioned if such a place could still be called a noodle shop, but then, with sincerity, promised, "When I have money, I'll buy this place and open you a small shop for relaxation and stress relief."
Wen Yifan experienced a strong sense of deja vu, recalling a past conversation about a handsome boss named Sang who owned a place called "Overtime," hinting at a future he was already building. As they stepped out into the rain, Sang Yan held the umbrella over them. He confessed that he had always found such words "pretentious" and "embarrassing" to utter, but he had to say it once in his life: "Haven't you noticed yet?
After all these years, I still only like you." Deeply moved, Wen Yifan responded that if he ever found such words too pretentious in the future, she would say them instead, admitting it was also hard for her. She then clearly declared, "We're mutually in love." Sang Yan joyfully asked, "So, from now on, you're my girlfriend?" Wen Yifan happily agreed. He jokingly added that to win an "extraordinary" man like him was certainly worth celebrating for "ages."
As they continued walking, Wen Yifan noticed he was getting wet and asked him to shift the umbrella over. He teasingly told her not to complain while being served, then added with heartfelt sincerity, "You deserve to be treated this way." She then asked to buy two apples, fulfilling his earlier request and her promise.
