The First Frost Episode 8 Recap
> The First Frost Recap
Wen Yifan’s mother, arriving in a BMW, confronted her at the school gate, urging her to abandon her dream of dancing. She explained that dance lessons were far too expensive, a luxury she couldn't afford, especially when compared to Zheng Kejia, who needed art studies to even qualify for college.
Wen Yifan offered to practice on her own to save money, but her mother dismissed the idea, questioning where she would practice—in her aunt's living room or a costly rented studio. She added that Uncle Zheng’s new clinic was losing money, making their financial situation tight. Wen Yifan quietly accepted her mother’s words, a deep disappointment settling over her. Sang Yan, witnessing the disheartening conversation, felt a pang of concern for Wen Yifan.
Determined to lift her spirits, he took her to an abandoned elementary school. Wen Yifan, initially confused, jokingly asked if they were there to climb stairs. Sang Yan led her to the rooftop, revealing a secluded spot he had prepared for her to dance, complete with lights and music. He told her that since she had nowhere else to practice, they could make do with this space.
Seeing Wen Yifan joyfully express herself through dance, Sang Yan felt a quiet happiness, assuring her that she could tell him if anything about the setup wasn't to her liking. Later that night, Wen Yifan was jolted awake from a terrifying dream. In her dream, her aunt and uncle burst into her room, claiming her mother had sold her to them. She struggled and fled into a vast, dark, and cold forest.
As she walked endlessly, searching for an exit, she suddenly remembered seeing the sun on her way in. Turning back, she eventually found the sun, hugged it, and finally escaped the oppressive dream. Moments after waking, Wen Yifan entered Sang Yan’s room just as he finished his shower. He playfully asked if she couldn't sleep and had come to see a handsome man fresh from the shower.
Without a word, Wen Yifan quietly hugged him, resting her head on his chest. Sang Yan, startled, stood motionless, a mix of panic and excitement coursing through him. After a long embrace, he gently asked how much longer she intended to hold him. Wen Yifan then released him and silently retreated to her own room, leaving Sang Yan bewildered and sleepless for the rest of the night. The next morning, Sang Yan messaged Wen Yifan, demanding an explanation.
Wen Yifan, having forgotten the incident, was utterly confused. Later, seeing Sang Yan looking agitated, she tentatively asked if something was amiss. Sang Yan directly confronted her, asking what she meant by pretending nothing had happened. Wen Yifan, misinterpreting his anger, thought he was upset because she hadn't stayed to watch all the fireworks with him. She apologized for ruining his mood, explaining that she had been genuinely tired.
Sang Yan cryptically responded that while it wasn't a major issue, he expected a proper explanation if she were to behave so ambiguously again. Wen Yifan inwardly dismissed him as petty but promised to provide an explanation in the future, leaving Sang Yan even more perplexed by her apparent refusal to take responsibility. At work, Wen Yifan recounted her strange dream to a colleague.
She described wandering into a vast forest and searching for an exit as the sky turned dark and cold. She then remembered seeing the sun on her journey in, decided to turn back to find it for warmth, and miraculously located it. Her colleague expressed confusion, questioning how she could find the sun when it was already dark.
Wen Yifan clarified it was just a dream, adding that she found her way out after seeing the sun and even remembered hugging it. Meanwhile, a senior colleague assigned an urgent task: a follow-up report on a recent incident at Central South Century City. The subject of the report was gaining significant media attention, and since he was Wen Yifan's high school classmate, her colleague was instructed to ask for her help.
To prevent awkwardness, Wen Yifan offered to make the initial contact herself. Later that day, Zhong Siqiao arrived at a high-end restaurant to meet Xiang Lang. When the waiter suggested a couple's set menu, Zhong Siqiao enthusiastically accepted, much to Xiang Lang's visible discomfort. She then showed him a bracelet he had given her years ago, asking if he had ever harbored any romantic feelings for her.
Xiang Lang, embarrassed, apologized and explained that he had always viewed her as a close friend. Zhong Siqiao, though disappointed, courageously asked if he might consider her a potential romantic partner. Just then, Wen Yifan arrived, revealing that the dinner was for three. In front of Wen Yifan, Xiang Lang clarified that the bracelet was originally intended for Wen Yifan, and he had asked Zhong Siqiao to pass it on to her.
Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Zhong Siqiao removed the bracelet, apologized for the misunderstanding, and quickly excused herself. Later, Wen Yifan gently declined Xiang Lang’s romantic advances, explaining that her feelings for him were purely platonic. That evening, Sang Yan tried to address Wen Yifan's hug by pretending to be on a phone call in front of her.
He described a hypothetical situation where a "friend" was hugged by a girl who then acted as if nothing had happened, asking Wen Yifan—who was listening—what such irresponsible behavior signified and jokingly suggesting it might warrant a police report. Wen Yifan, taking his story at face value, mused that a hug wasn't that serious and its meaning depended on the relationship.
She speculated that perhaps the girl was simply seeking comfort and the hug held no deeper meaning, or that his "friend" might be misinterpreting the situation and "imagining things." Wen Yifan's analysis left Sang Yan seething. Shortly after, Duan Jiaxu called him for real, mentioning that Su Haoan had gossiped in a group chat about Sang Yan's multiple trips to Yihe and pressing him for his true purpose, further inflaming Sang Yan's frustration.
After clearing the air with Xiang Lang, Wen Yifan joined Zhong Siqiao for drinks. During a heartfelt conversation, Zhong Siqiao asked Wen Yifan if she had ever liked Sang Yan. Wen Yifan quietly assented. When Zhong Siqiao probed about why they never got together, Wen Yifan explained that she perceived herself as emotionally detached and prone to avoidance.
She felt that someone as vibrant as Sang Yan deserved a passionate and unwavering love, a kind of affection she believed she was incapable of offering. To solidify their renewed friendship, they later bought matching Lily of the Valley collection bracelets, vowing to remain best friends and prioritize their bond over any romantic entanglements.
