The Long Ballad Episode 18 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Changge rescued Mimi from the hands of two soldiers. Mimi was a slave sent to Asher’s Tribe. She mistook Changge for a man and looked at her with admiration. Changge, understanding Mimi’s plight, brought her back to her tent and gave her clean clothes. Mimi, used to hardship, stole something and was caught by Changge. However, Changge didn’t blame her and let her stay. The next day, Changge woke up with her guard still up.
But she found that Mimi was merely tidying up for her. Mu Jin came to her tent and thought Mimi should not be allowed to stay. Mimi bit Mu Jin, which only made him more determined to kick her out. Mimi hid behind Changge, pleading to stay. Just then, Asher Sun arrived. Changge asked him to let Mimi stay, and Asher Sun agreed, asking only that Changge keep her in check. Changge was coughing nonstop.
Mimi brought her hot soup, but Changge told her to drink it herself. She told Mimi to rest on the smaller bed, promising not to harm her and saying there was no need to be on guard. Later, as Changge slept, she cried out for her mother. Seeing how restless she was, Mimi climbed into bed and slept beside her. The next morning, Mu Jin came to find Changge and unexpectedly saw her sleeping beside Mimi. He walked away awkwardly.
Mimi later chased after him to ask for food. Not a weak girl by any means, she kicked Mu Jin and snatched the food from him when he refused to share. Word spread across the grasslands that Mu Jin had been beaten by Mimi. He was furious and confronted her by the river, only to be splashed with cold water. When he looked into Mimi’s eyes, his heart skipped a beat—he had fallen for her without realizing it.
But Mimi still thought Changge was a man and focused all her attention on Changge. The embroidery workshop was rushing to complete a big order for a foreign client. Leyan, clumsy as ever, only made things worse. Mistress Chai threw her out in anger. Leyan stood outside all night. The next morning, she apologized and begged to be allowed to stay. Mistress Chai refused and mocked her incompetence. Leyan’s nose tingled as she held back tears and left.
After reflecting on Mistress Chai’s harsh words, she even contemplated hanging herself from a tree. But Mistress Chai appeared and apologized, realizing she had been too harsh. She told Leyan that her life should be in her own hands, not dictated by someone else’s words. Leyan understood and tearfully hugged Mistress Chai. They returned to the embroidery shop together.
When the foreign client came to inspect the goods, he initially complained about the uneven fabric, but accidentally saw Leyan’s embroidery and was overjoyed. He placed a large order, and Leyan was finally valued by Mistress Chai. Asher Sun took Changge out for roasted lamb leg. He said he had known her identity for some time, yet still saved her again and again—his feelings for her were beyond explanation. Changge sat beside him, and while eating, leaned on him.
Asher Sun thought she was trying to offer herself to him, but when he saw her pale face, he immediately brought her back to her tent. Changge was pale because of her period. Mu Jin was in her tent at the time and also discovered her true gender. Asher Sun didn’t try to hide it and simply asked Mu Jin to give Changge a lamb to help nourish her health. Mimi never expected Changge to be a woman.
She had hoped to entrust her life to Changge, but that fantasy was shattered. Changge laughed and told her to just treat her like family. Later, Mimi went with Mu Jin to fetch water by the river. Mu Jin stepped on a nail, and without hesitation, Mimi helped him back. Elsewhere, Changge and Asher Sun were inspecting the camp. Afterward, Asher Sun took Changge to see the fireflies.
Looking at the natural beauty, Changge sighed, wondering where she would be on this day next year. Asher Sun promised her that no matter where she was, he would meet her if she wanted to see the fireflies. Changge smiled bitterly. While Asher Sun might keep his promise, she feared she wouldn’t be able to. Fireflies were beautiful but fleeting—she knew she shouldn’t hold onto hope.
