Whirlwind Girl Episode 8 Recap
> Whirlwind Girl Recap
A news report announced An Yang's new role as the National Yuan Wu Dao Youth Headquarters, with the renowned Coach Shen Ning leading as head coach. In an exclusive interview, Shen Ning stated that An Yang, being her hometown and the birthplace of Yuan Wu Dao, was the ideal location.
She confirmed that athletes for the training camp would be selected from the current year's Martial Arts Hall Challenge Matches, emphasizing her focus on the strongest, most unique, and highest-potential individuals. The news electrified the disciples at Song Bai DoJo, including Xiu Qin, who declared her intent to impress Coach Shen Ning. Meanwhile, Fang Tinghao, who had once again sponsored Shen Ning's operation of the martial arts training base in An Yang, met with her.
He seemed to want to use his influence to secure preferential treatment for someone to enter the training camp. However, Shen Ning, known for her integrity, firmly advised him against any opportunistic actions, emphasizing that the selection criteria for the training camp were strict and designed to identify true professional potential. Later, Fang Tinghao visited Ruo Bai, offering him a tablet containing comprehensive analyses of all the athletes.
He admitted he had come to see Chu Yuan, remarking that Chu Yuan remained as timid as ever. Ruo Bai reminded him that Chu Yuan had already quit martial arts and asked him not to bother him. Fang Tinghao recalled Ruo Bai's earlier sadness over Chu Yuan's departure, questioning if he had forgiven him, then declared that the athlete data was his help.
Despite Hu Yifeng's suspicion, Ruo Bai accepted the tablet, believing Fang Tinghao was too proud to provide misleading information. Amidst the excitement, the second round of Yuan Wu Dao preliminaries was set to begin. Xiu Qin, rushing to the competition venue, inadvertently stepped into the path of an oncoming car and was struck. Though the car's speed was not high, she suffered a fractured right leg.
At the hospital, the doctor informed her that she would need at least a month and a half to recover and should avoid walking. Devastated, Xiu Qin cried out her desire to compete, but her fellow disciples held her back. Ruo Bai arrived and relayed the news that the match had been postponed to the weekend, giving them time to find a replacement. He urged Xiu Qin to prioritize her recovery, stating that no competition was worth permanent injury.
He then instructed Bai Cao to take Xiu Qin's place in the upcoming competitions, a chance Bai Cao had eagerly sought, having previously challenged Xiu Qin for a spot in the competition, despite her perceived lack of strength at the time. The news of Bai Cao as Xiu Qin's replacement caused some apprehension among the other disciples, who expressed worries about her recent lack of offensive spirit, especially after her previous defeat by Fang Ting Yi.
Ruo Bai announced that he and Hu Yifeng would intensively train Bai Cao for the next competition. However, Bai Cao, burdened by previous setbacks (concerning Chu Yuan) and her inexperience, confessed to Ruo Bai that she felt inadequate and feared losing. Ruo Bai, without words, tested her with a powerful roundhouse kick, which she skillfully dodged. He then pointed out her improved strength, asserting that her ability to evade his kick proved her progress and readiness to compete.
He motivated her by reminding her that her Master was awaiting her performance. Ruo Bai further supported her by showing her videos of her opponent, Mei Ling, describing her as a 19-year-old veteran of two World Championships with a fast, powerful side kick, even stronger than Xiu Qin. Bai Cao worried about bringing shame to Song Bai, but Ruo Bai reassured her that as an unknown fighter, she had no pressure to lose.
During this period, earlier interactions came to Bai Cao's mind. While Chu Yuan was treating her injuries, Fang Ting Yi had arrived and made pointed remarks, suggesting Bai Cao was intentionally hurting herself to gain Chu Yuan's attention, and advised her to focus on her studies and competitions rather than her affections. Hurt, Bai Cao had thanked Chu Yuan and left, promising not to bother him again.
Chu Yuan later tried to clarify that Ting Yi's words were just a joke and that Bai Cao was always welcome for treatment, but Bai Cao, influenced by Ting Yi's words, insisted on focusing on training and declined his help. Meanwhile, Shen Xiaoying, watching Fang Ting Yi's commercial, fantasized about Fang Ting Yi marrying Chu Yuan and herself becoming a successful manager.
Shen Xiaoying, who harbored a secret crush on Ruo Bai, suspected he had developed feelings for Bai Cao due to his repeated special attention. Overhearing Ruo Bai's intense training of Bai Cao, she further speculated that he saw great potential in Bai Cao or was simply being diligent for Bai Cao's first competition. Secretly observing them, she lamented Ruo Bai's single-minded devotion to Yuan Wu Dao and her unrequited feelings for him.
Hu Yifeng, who had been hiding nearby, emerged and teased her about her secret crush. She tearfully begged him to tell Ruo Bai how much she liked him, but he simply said he was going back to sleep. The night before the competition, Ruo Bai stopped Bai Cao from over-training, explaining that excessive practice would lead to muscle fatigue and be counterproductive. When Bai Cao asked if he thought she would lose, she quickly asserted, "No way!
I will not lose. I will try my best." Seeing her dedication, the other disciples rallied around her, taking over her chores, wishing her success, and encouraging her to fight offensively, not just defensively, like when she defeated Kim Min-Joo. They expressed their belief that she could get into the training camp and promised a celebratory dinner if she succeeded.
On the day of the competition, as Bai Cao was announced, her white belt, signifying her lack of prior competitive experience, drew murmurs from the crowd. Fang Tinghao and Shen Ning arrived to observe the matches. As Bai Cao stepped into the ring to face Mei Ling, she adopted a purely defensive posture, continuously retreating from Mei Ling's attacks. The referee issued a warning, prompting Hu Yifeng to shout from the sidelines, urging Bai Cao not to be passive.
