The Prince of Tennis Episode 15 Recap
> The Prince of Tennis Recap
Yuqing team members diligently trained for their upcoming matches and also focused on their studies to ensure they passed their monthly exams. Yan Zhiming meticulously analyzed each player's academic weaknesses, which overwhelmed some, but they knew studying was essential. Lu Xia, though quiet, was anxious about his grades and secretly bought study materials.
Yan Zhiming later reviewed Lu Xia's transcript and discovered Lu Xia's issue wasn't just failing; having recently returned to the country, he fundamentally struggled to understand the material, leading to very low scores, including 145 in English but only 210 total, averaging 7-8 points per subject. To address the academic challenges, Mu Siyang arranged a study plan. Yan Zhiming was put in charge of supervision, while Zhuo Zhi and Chi Dayong were assigned as tutors.
Qiao Chen, Zhang Baiyang, Tang Jiale, and Lu Xia were identified as the main players with the lowest scores. During supervised study, Tang Jiale and Qiao Chen often got distracted, but Lu Xia worked earnestly, though he still only scored eight points on a full paper. Yan Zhiming initially moved their study sessions to He Xinglong’s shop, finding the school too noisy. However, He Xinglong's delicious roasted goose distracted Qiao Chen and Tang Jiale.
Lu Xia then suggested they study at his house since his father wasn't home and had good relations in the community. Zhuo Zhi, Chi Dayong, and Qi Ying (invited by the coach for her excellent grades) joined them, forming a comprehensive study group. After observing for a while, Yan Zhiming identified each person's study flaws. He even criticized Zhuo Zhi for being distracted, much to Tang Jiale's amusement.
Zhuo Zhi quickly retorted that he had passed all his subjects, silencing Tang Jiale. While Qi Ying tutored Lu Xia, an accidental remark by Lu Xia embarrassed Qi Ying, causing her to drink Yan Zhiming's special beverage and promptly spit it out, splattering Lu Xia's test paper. This messy incident, however, unexpectedly helped Lu Xia remember the problems Qi Ying had taught him. Lu Xia diligently followed everyone's study methods.
Before the exam, Mu Siyang gave Lu Xia an unbreakable pencil lead as a good luck charm. During the test, Lu Xia thought of Qi Ying and found the questions significantly easier, as if the answers appeared before him. Soon after, the exam results were released, and everyone passed, clearing the way for their upcoming match against Yingcai Middle School. Before Yuqing’s match, the preliminary game between Yu Feng and City Three Middle School was set to begin.
Xu Ziping and Xingzi waited anxiously as the Yu Feng players were late. It turned out that Shen Weiming and his teammates had been in a car accident but still bravely attempted to compete despite their injuries. Seeing his injured players, Yu Feng's coach, Xu Ziping, was deeply saddened.
He chose to forfeit the match to ensure his team received medical attention, prioritizing their well-being over the opportunity, hoping to secure a spot in the national league in a future match. Consequently, City Three Middle School advanced by default. Next, it was Yuqing's turn to face Yingcai Middle School. Yingcai, having previously suffered a defeat where Lu Xia single-handedly defeated 30 opponents, was eager for revenge.
However, upon seeing the Yuqing team enter, they realized they couldn't win any match. So, they collectively pretended to be sick and withdrew, giving Yuqing an uncontested victory. Witnessing Yingcai's withdrawal, Yajiu Xin from City Three Middle School scoffed at Yuqing, dismissing them as "useless" and claiming Yingcai didn't need to feign illness. Qiao Chen was enraged, but Lu Xia calmly reminded Yajiu Xin of their agreement and vowed to settle things on the court.
For the championship match against City Three Middle School, Qiao Na scheduled Lu Xia to play against Yajiu Xin. Mu Siyang expressed concern, knowing Yajiu Xin often injured his opponents, but Qiao Na remained confident in Lu Xia's abilities. The night before the match, He Xinglong sought out Yajiu Xin, pleading with him not to harm his teammates.
Yajiu Xin, however, arrogantly declared his dislike for He Xinglong's team's camaraderie and vowed to defeat Lu Xia the next day, ensuring he could never play tennis again. On the day of the championship match, Yuqing's main players reported to the court. Lu Xia was, once again, late, causing everyone to worry. Ah Mu stepped in to register Lu Xia, just as Lu Xia finally arrived.
Meanwhile, Tan Yitai, attempting to gather information on Lu Xia, coincidentally met him in person. Seeing Lu Xia in his Yuqing uniform, Tan Yitai struck up a conversation. He playfully pressed Lu Xia about his sensitive height, to which Lu Xia sheepishly admitted he was 1. 68 meters tall, prompting Tan Yitai to laughingly call him a "short winter melon." The championship match began, with Zhuo Zhi and He Xinglong playing the second doubles match. City Three Middle School's strong play put immense pressure on He Xinglong, who struggled under their suppression.
