Whirlwind Girl Episode 18 Recap
> Whirlwind Girl Recap
Shen Xiaoying and her friends gathered to discuss the recent practice match between Bai Cao and Fang Tingyi. While it appeared on the surface that Bai Cao had lost, with Fang Tingyi landing many kicks, a deeper analysis revealed a different story. Fang Tingyi's effective attack rate was not high, whereas every kick Bai Cao landed on Fang Tingyi was within the effective range.
This insight explained why Coach Shen Ning had subtly urged Fang Tingyi to intensify her training, hinting that Bai Cao was quickly catching up. Later, Fan Ting Hao approached Bai Cao and Ruo Bai, offering an apology for his past behavior and announcing his decision to begin isolated training. He explained that he needed to rediscover what he had lost in Yuan Wu Dao and asked Ruo Bai to look after Bai Cao during his absence.
Bai Cao, in an effort to get a "fresher hairstyle" for free at a senior center, ended up with a disastrous haircut. Her friends, including Shen Xiaoying and Qu Guangya, reacted with shock and amusement, with Shen Xiaoying even pretending not to know her. Coach Shen Ning also noticed the unusual haircut and questioned Bai Cao about it, who sheepishly admitted it was done by a grandpa at a free haircut event.
Meanwhile, Fang Tingyi made a grand return to the training facility, holding a press conference with Coach Shen Ning. She spoke about her two years of training in America and her return, subtly mentioning her "boyfriend" who had also been studying there and came back with her, confirming to the other students that she was referring to Yu Chuyuan. She stated her intention to prepare for the National Youth Competition under Coach Shen Ning's strict guidance.
During a subsequent training session, Coach Shen Ning announced new partnership assignments: Ruo Bai was to train with Fang Tingyi, and Bai Cao with Qu Guangya. Ruo Bai immediately protested, explaining he had been personally training Bai Cao and wished to continue. Bai Cao, however, expressed her willingness to train with Qu Guangya. Fang Tingyi then offered to partner with Qu Guangya to avoid disrupting the team's existing dynamic.
Coach Shen Ning overruled these suggestions, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming Yuan Wu Dao World Youth Championship. She explained that Ruo Bai, being the most skilled at guiding team members, was needed to help Fang Tingyi, who was considered the country's best hope against the Korean champion, Lee Eun Soo.
Despite Ruo Bai's continued concern for Bai Cao's own championship preparations, Coach Shen Ning ultimately decided to have Fang Tingyi practice with Bai Cao, challenging Fang Tingyi to "beat her." As the practice match between Bai Cao and Fang Tingyi began, Fang Tingyi couldn't resist mocking Bai Cao's hair, suggesting it was a new strategy to distract opponents. The match was intense, and Coach Shen Ning eventually called a stop to it.
Her comments were carefully phrased; she praised Bai Cao's significant improvement and then remarked to Fang Tingyi that she couldn't tell if Fang Tingyi's skills had become rusty or if she had simply underestimated Bai Cao. Later, Fang Tingyi approached Bai Cao alone, reiterating her dismissive comments about Bai Cao's hair and questioning her suitability for the National Youth Competition. Ruo Bai interjected, asserting that skill was all that mattered.
Fang Tingyi then formally challenged Bai Cao to a real match in one week, similar to the martial arts hall challenges two years prior, which would determine who represented their area. She added a pointed remark, hoping Bai Cao wouldn't waste energy on "unrealistic hopes," whether for the competition or for "certain people who don't belong to you." Bai Cao calmly accepted the challenge. Yu Chuyuan returned to Song Bai and met with his father.
His father expressed his long-held wish for Yu Chuyuan and Fang Tingyi to formalize their relationship, citing their families' close ties and a past incident involving Fang Tingyi's mother. Yu Chuyuan, however, clarified that he had always viewed Fang Tingyi as a younger sister and that her move abroad was solely for her studies. His father, understanding, advised Yu Chuyuan to make his feelings clear to Fang Tingyi to avoid causing her pain.
During their conversation, Fang Tingyi called Yu Chuyuan, announcing she was coming to see him at Song Bai. Soon after, Fang Tingyi found Bai Cao at Song Bai and returned a pen to her, claiming that Yu Chuyuan had found it "too cheap" compared to his usual overseas pens and asked her to give it back. Fang Tingyi further implied that Bai Cao, being "from another world," should reconsider her friendships.
Ruo Bai later took Bai Cao to a noodle shop, telling her they wouldn't be practicing that day. He specifically ordered her favorite beef noodles without tendon. A cheerful waitress, mistaking them for a couple, praised Ruo Bai's thoughtfulness and insisted on taking their photo as part of a promotion, despite Bai Cao's embarrassed protests.
While enjoying their meal, Ruo Bai and Bai Cao discussed Yuan Wu Dao, with Ruo Bai explaining that it was not just about speed but also about wisdom and strategy. On Bai Cao's birthday, Qu Xiangnan, now a delivery driver, sent a gift to the An Yang training hall, which his daughter Qu Guangya delivered to Bai Cao.
Additionally, both Ruo Bai and Yu Chuyuan secretly left gifts for Bai Cao: Ruo Bai placed a hair clip in her locker, and Yu Chuyuan, upon joining the An Yang training hall to treat students' injuries, put a training uniform there.