The Wonderful World Episode 2 Recap
> The Wonderful World Recap
Wen Xiaoyao arrived at the restaurant for her blind date. Zhou Tong saw her and couldn't look away, finding it hard to believe someone so pure and beautiful needed to go on a blind date. As they sat down, both felt some tension. Zhou Tong nervously bounced his leg before breaking the ice and introducing himself. He explained that his father had passed away when he was very young, and his mother had raised him alone through considerable hardship.
Because of this, he tried his best to follow his mother's wishes, and the blind date was her insistent request; he agreed to meet just once hoping it would give her peace for a while.
Wen Xiaoyao smiled slightly at his honesty and then explained her own reason for the date: she was doing it for "life experience" to help her better portray the role of Bai Suzhen in 'Legend of the White Snake,' who falls in love with Xu Xian.
Finding her reason rather far-fetched, and seeing that neither was genuinely seeking a romantic connection, Zhou Tong quickly stated that they had nothing further to discuss, as they were both being disingenuous, and he needed to leave to catch an afternoon flight. As he walked towards the exit, he tripped on a mop, falling awkwardly. Song Guanwang and Qiao Guanghui rushed down to help him up, checking if he was injured.
Meanwhile, Xu Tian met with Shi Diandian, arranged by Lao Shi. He brought a qipao he had made as a gift. However, the message relayed to Shi Diandian by Lao Shi was that Xu Tian was interested in a relationship. Upon receiving the qipao, Shi Diandian went immediately to the restroom to try it on. It fit her perfectly, as if custom-made, which eased Xu Tian's worries about the sizing.
Shi Diandian returned to the table and immediately laid out her life plan: marriage at 28, baby at 29, maternity leave until 30. She stated they had already wasted too much time, implying they should move quickly. Observing Shi Diandian's directness, Xu Tian suspected Lao Shi had given her a wrong impression.
He excused himself to use the restroom and called Lao Shi, who explained that Shi Diandian was a typical science-minded woman, logical and stubborn, and that having decided on Xu Tian, she wouldn't give up easily. Fearing further misunderstanding, Xu Tian quietly left the tea house and went home without returning to the table. Xiaomi asked Wen Xiaoyao about her impression of Zhou Tong.
Wen Xiaoyao indicated she wasn't interested, but felt bad that he had fallen so hard during their first meeting. She decided they should buy some hairy crabs and visit him, asking Xiaomi to go with her. Xiaomi called Qiao Guanghui to get Zhou Tong's address. Qiao Guanghui, who was at a jewelry store buying a diamond ring and didn't want Xiaomi to know, quickly sent the address and urged Xiaomi to pay the bill for him at the jewelry store.
Shi Diandian waited at the tea house for over an hour. Seeing that Xu Tian wasn't coming back, she went to his tailor shop to return the qipao. Xu Tian felt incredibly awkward. Shi Diandian had already figured out that Xu Tian's invitation wasn't for a blind date and asked him directly what he needed.
Xu Tian explained that he wanted her help finding someone, likely using security footage, but now felt too embarrassed to trouble her and would find another way. Shi Diandian appeared unfazed, and they said goodbye. Shi Diandian then went to Lao Shi's convenience store. Lao Shi advised her not to take it personally, saying that relationships couldn't be forced and that she could look for other people since Xu Tian didn't seem interested.
However, Shi Diandian had made up her mind about Xu Tian and insisted Lao Shi arrange another meeting. She planned to agree to help him with his request, believing that repeated interactions would eventually lead to feelings. Lao Shi felt conflicted by her unwavering, logical approach. Just then, Xu Tian called Lao Shi to apologize for leaving abruptly that morning and asked Lao Shi to arrange an apology dinner with Shi Diandian. Lao Shi readily agreed to arrange a meeting.
After Shi Diandian left the immediate vicinity, Lao Shi immediately called her mother, Fang Fang, to inform her about setting up another meeting, explaining his good intentions but also his concern that Xu Tian didn't seem to like her. Shi Diandian, who had returned to the store to pay for a bottle of water, overheard Lao Shi's conversation with her mother, including Lao Shi mentioning Xu Tian by name.
Back at Zhou Tong's place, Song Guanwang applied ice to his injury, probing him about his impression of Wen Xiaoyao. Zhou Tong reiterated that he had been completely honest with her about his intentions to be filial, and she had also admitted to using the date for experience. Song Guanwang probed him, clearly suspecting he was interested in the young woman, but Zhou Tong insisted he couldn't be someone's "practice partner."
As they talked, Wen Xiaoyao and Xiaomi arrived downstairs with the hairy crabs. Song Guanwang went down first to assess the situation and guide Wen Xiaoyao inside. On the ground floor, she asked Wen Xiaoyao's age, zodiac sign, and birthday. Hearing that Wen Xiaoyao had never had a boyfriend made her particularly happy, noting that Wen Xiaoyao's rabbit sign was compatible with Zhou Tong's. Since Zhou Tong was hesitant to come down, Song Guanwang invited Wen Xiaoyao upstairs.
Feeling awkward going alone, Wen Xiaoyao motioned for Xiaomi to follow, but Xiaomi declined to be a third wheel. Wen Xiaoyao went upstairs by herself, feeling self-conscious. Upstairs, Zhou Tong was even more nervous than at their first meeting. Despite his discomfort, he again spoke candidly to Wen Xiaoyao. He shared a traumatic experience from when he was fifteen: during a cycling trip with his father, they encountered danger and fell into a deep ravine.
He had witnessed his father die in front of him, a moment that made him deeply aware of the impermanence of life. Because of this, he saw dating and marriage as potentially leading to pain and a waste of time given life's unpredictability. Qiao Guanghui arrived at Song Guanwang's house with the diamond ring he had purchased. Seeing him, Xiaomi quickly tried to hide.
Song Guanwang, having heard from Xiaomi downstairs about Wen Xiaoyao's earnest preparations for the date, worried that Zhou Tong was again saying discouraging things upstairs. She rushed up, forgetting about Qiao Guanghui and the ring. Wen Xiaoyao was preparing to leave upstairs. Song Guanwang guessed that Zhou Tong had once again spoken insensitively and looked exasperatedly at her son. Downstairs, as Qiao Guanghui saw Wen Xiaoyao out, he spotted Xiaomi, who was holding the diamond ring.
Unable to explain the situation clearly, a frustrated Qiao Guanghui left shortly after. Song Guanwang confronted Zhou Tong, giving him instructions to cancel his flight immediately and explain himself properly to Wen Xiaoyao. She reminded him that Wen Xiaoyao had lost both her parents at a young age – her mother at three and her father later – yet remained positive.
Song Guanwang urged Zhou Tong to stop using his father's accident as an excuse for being world-weary and avoiding life and relationships, pointing out Wen Xiaoyao's positive outlook despite her own hardships.
