The Wonderful World Episode 16 Recap
> The Wonderful World Recap
Xu Tian and Shi Diandian were in Hangzhou preparing for their engagement. Shi Diandian's mother, Fang Fang, arrived to help with arrangements, including moving new furniture into Xu Tian's home. Shi Diandian had also added some greenery to the house. Xu Tian's father, Lao Shi, got out his best suit for the occasion. At one point, Xu Tian experienced a recurrence of his delusion and went upstairs to take medication.
Looking at old photographs of his mother and her friend Jia Sulan, Xu Tian reflected on how both women had passed away in the same year, eighteen years ago, finding it a reminder of life's unpredictability and signaling a new phase in his own life. Fang Fang prepared a dowry for Shi Diandian and offered to pay for the engagement banquet, but Xu Tian insisted on covering the cost himself.
Later, they went to a store to try on engagement rings. Shi Diandian found the diamond ring expensive and expressed concern about pressure on Xu Tian, who maintained that for a once-in-a-lifetime event, price shouldn't be the primary consideration. Meanwhile, at the ballet company in Beijing, Yang Yun, having recovered, proposed changing the repertoire to "Jin Se" with his own choreography. The artistic bureau encouraged artistic innovation and supported Yang Yun, seeking input from director Zhao Gang.
Zhao Gang opted for a democratic vote, which passed with support from Yin Ye and Qiao Mi. Zhao Gang inquired about Wen Xiaoyao's recent absence, and Qiao Mi gave a limited explanation. Zhao Gang criticized Wen Xiaoyao for not valuing her artistic achievements and stated he was unwilling to mentor the new production without her full commitment.
Wen Xiaoyao, who was in Hangzhou teaching dance and planning to visit Leifeng Pagoda before returning to Beijing, had a tense conversation with Zhou Tong. Zhou Tong stated their relationship was over, citing two reasons: her not truly accepting the director's vision for Bai Suzhen, and his belief that she didn't love him, perhaps only using him for practice as she had mentioned when they first met. He also mentioned he was flying to Malaysia the following day.
Wen Xiaoyao later told someone, likely Qiao Mi, that she would not break up with Zhou Tong and that she loved him. Before meeting Shi Diandian's parents at a hotel in Beijing, Xu Tian and Shi Diandian took the subway, planning to visit Dajue Temple. While coordinating their arrival near the hotel, they got slightly lost at an overpass, leading to a brief disagreement. During this time, they also discussed life's unpredictability and the concept of impermanence.
Shi Diandian noted Xu Tian was a "blockhead" but that she liked that. Xu Tian also looked at his medical report, noting some health issues. Upon arriving at the hotel, Xu Tian was initially confused, thinking "Mr. Fang" referred to Shi Diandian's father before learning it was her mother. Fang Fang spoke with Xu Tian, asking about his feelings for Shi Diandian. Xu Tian affirmed his complete love for her and commitment to having no reservations towards her.
Fang Fang then expressed her hope that Shi Diandian would also be fully transparent with Xu Tian in the future. This suggestion made Shi Diandian uneasy, but she decided it was best to address any lingering issues if raised. Shi Diandian confessed that about a month prior, as she was preparing to return to Hangzhou from Beijing, she had encountered Zhou Tong after his car accident. At the time, Xu Tian's eyes were covered.
Seeing Zhou Tong, who bore a striking resemblance to Xu Tian, Shi Diandian instinctively pretended not to know him, left Xu Tian behind, and took Zhou Tong to the hospital. She admitted she wasn't aware of Zhou Tong's condition afterward. Hearing about Zhou Tong seemed to distract Xu Tian, causing Shi Diandian to worry he might want to go to Beijing.
Xu Tian reassured her that Zhou Tong didn't have a significant connection to him; he simply found the coincidence of fate remarkable, encountering someone who looked like himself and learning that his mother's friend Jia Sulan's daughter was now playing Bai Suzhen. Events at the ballet troupe escalated dramatically when Yin Ye injured Yang Yun during rehearsal, rendering Yang Yun unable to perform in the premiere of "Bai Suzhen" the following day.
Zhao Gang urgently called Wen Xiaoyao back to the troupe. Despite initially stating she couldn't dance at that moment, and another dancer expressing fear of partnering with her, Wen Xiaoyao ultimately accepted the principal role of Bai Suzhen, stating she could handle it. There was a rush to update posters and prepare for press interviews.
During an interview on stage, Wen Xiaoyao confirmed she was playing Bai Suzhen, gave her Beijing address, and revealed she was from Hangzhou and that her mother, Jia Sulan, had also played Bai Suzhen in Yue Opera. The person conducting this "interview" was Shi Diandian, who, upon hearing Jia Sulan's name, introduced herself. Later, Qiao Guanghui picked up Qiao Mi. They discussed the recent events at the troupe, including Yang Yun's injury and Wen Xiaoyao getting the lead role.
They also discussed how a woman named Shi Diandian had been at the troupe looking for Wen Xiaoyao the day of Zhou Tong's accident and had also been seen in the hospital with Zhou Tong, leaving when Song Guanwang arrived, leading to their surprise at finding her name on the guestbook. After Zhou Tong's accident, his mother, Song Guanwang, became noticeably quiet and withdrawn, a stark contrast to her previously talkative nature.
Qiao Guanghui, concerned, made it a point to spend time with her each day, though she spoke little. One evening, as they were leaving the square, Song Guanwang changed her usual route, and Qiao Guanghui followed. Misinterpreting her actions, he impulsively threw his car keys into the grass by the river, thinking she disliked him driving. Song Guanwang immediately began meticulously searching for the keys in the grass.
Qiao Guanghui watched her, finding a sense of ease in her focused effort, a rare moment of quiet from her, reflecting on how he usually struggled to keep up with her witty banter. Noticing the weather was getting colder, Qiao Guanghui decided to take Song Guanwang and Zhao Gang out for hot pot, which had been Zhou Tong's favorite.
At the restaurant, Zhao Gang vented his frustrations about the success of "Bai Suzhen", a production he had poured his efforts into, only to have Yang Yun seemingly benefit and Wen Xiaoyao quit unexpectedly. Song Guanwang was visibly moved, reflecting that it had been years since they last shared a hot pot meal with Zhou Tong.
Qiao Guanghui suggested Zhao Gang consider training at Song Guanwang's center, advising him to adapt to a semi-retired life now that Yang Yun was taking over the lead roles. When Zhao Gang expressed reluctance, Qiao Guanghui offered to use his connections at the troupe or even go to Hangzhou to persuade Wen Xiaoyao to return, contingent on Zhao Gang assisting Song Guanwang in recovering her spirits.
Later, after finishing her classes, Wen Xiaoyao received a text message from Qiao Mi informing her that a woman named Shi Diandian had been the one who took Zhou Tong to the hospital after his accident. Wen Xiaoyao asked Qiao Mi to find Shi Diandian's contact information as soon as possible.
