The Wonderful World Episode 23 Recap
> The Wonderful World Recap
Xu Tian, intending to visit places associated with Zhou Tong, took a taxi to the wild Great Wall in Huairou. On the way, Fang Fang called, distraught because Lao Shi couldn't find Shi Diandian, and she wasn't in the dormitory. Fang Fang asked if Xu Tian and Diandian had argued, which Xu Tian denied, saying they were fine when he left, though he expressed frustration about Diandian blocking him right after his arrival in Beijing.
Fang Fang rushed to Hangzhou, promising to contact him once Diandian was found. Feeling unable to remain at the dance troupe, Wen Xiaoyao also went to the Great Wall. Upon reaching the familiar scenery, she had a vision of Zhou Tong, engaging in a conversation with him there. Wen Xiaoyao climbed onto a beacon tower. When Xu Tian arrived, he found her alone, talking to herself and appearing ready to jump from the tower.
He quickly ran and pulled her down. Afterward, he tried to encourage her to see things positively, even imitating Zhou Tong's mannerisms, having seen a stand-up show the previous day. Annoyed, Wen Xiaoyao pushed him, causing Xu Tian to miss his step and fall down the steps. Wen Xiaoyao then ran to apologize. Despite his fall, Xu Tian continued to persuade Wen Xiaoyao not to be discouraged.
As she sat on the steps, Wen Xiaoyao had another hallucination of Zhou Tong echoing the same comforting words. Xu Tian shared his own struggles, explaining he didn't know why he returned to Beijing, having lost his mother early and understanding life's hardships deeply. He had hoped he and Shi Diandian could rely on each other and build a home, but it didn't seem to be working out, leading him to feel Zhou Tong was his only remaining family.
Listening to him, Wen Xiaoyao realized they shared a similar fate. Xu Tian encouraged her to continue dancing, but Wen Xiaoyao felt she had lost value as the troupe was preparing a new production. Xu Tian insisted that any production would be new to him. Meanwhile, in Hangzhou, Fang Fang arrived at Shi Diandian's dormitory. The administrator unlocked the door, but Diandian was not inside. Her phone was off on the bed, and the alarm clock battery had been removed.
Recognizing these signs, Fang Fang understood that Shi Diandian was experiencing another episode of stage-based memory loss. As Xu Tian and Wen Xiaoyao traveled back towards Beijing, Xu Tian confessed that his relationship with Shi Diandian was exhausting because she constantly worried about losing him and lacked basic trust. Wen Xiaoyao countered that Diandian's fears stemmed from her deep affection for him, and if Xu Tian loved her just as much, he would understand.
Xu Tian tried calling Shi Diandian again, and this time Fang Fang answered. She stressed that finding Diandian was the immediate priority. Xu Tian informed her he planned to go directly to Qiao Guanghui's place to pack his belongings and return to Hangzhou, meaning he would miss his planned visit to Song Guanwang. He asked Wen Xiaoyao to send his regards to Song Guanwang and urged her to live well.
Separately, Qiao Guanghui was comforting Zhao Gang, lightheartedly suggesting he could set him up with Song Guanwang, which Zhao Gang found ridiculous. Qiao Guanghui then called Song Guanwang to arrange a dinner gathering, but Song Guanwang mentioned she was just about to call him herself to invite Qiao Guanghui and Xu Tian to her house for dinner. Wen Xiaoyao and Xu Tian arrived back home. Zhao Gang saw Wen Xiaoyao and scolded her for leaving the troupe without notice.
Wen Xiaoyao quickly explained that Xu Tian was planning to return to Hangzhou. Fang Fang then video-called Xu Tian. She had searched the tailor shop in Haier Lane but hadn't found Diandian. Xu Tian suddenly remembered Leshui Pavilion near the flower and bird alley and directed Fang Fang to search there. Lao Shi arrived at Leshui Pavilion first and found Shi Diandian, but she looked at him as if he were a complete stranger.
Fang Fang then approached Diandian and was relieved to find that Diandian still recognized Wen Xiaoyao. Fang Fang immediately called Wen Xiaoyao, who was on her way to the airport with Xu Tian. Fang Fang told Wen Xiaoyao to relay a message to Xu Tian: if being with Diandian was too tiring, now was a good time to leave, as Diandian would eventually forget the person who caused her pain.
Xu Tian, overhearing this, immediately declared he couldn't bear to leave Diandian. Fang Fang advised Xu Tian not to return to Hangzhou for the time being. After hanging up, Xu Tian, unsure of what to do, got out of the car and wandered in a wild area. Qiao Guanghui, who had heard about Shi Diandian's condition from Wen Xiaoyao, also got out of the car to comfort Xu Tian, assuring him it was not a major issue.
He reasoned that if two people were truly committed to each other, they would care for one another even through disability. He suggested that Diandian's temporary forgetting was merely an opportunity for them to get to know each other again, a chance for a renewed romance. Hearing Qiao Guanghui's words was very stress-relieving for Xu Tian, and he felt much more relaxed. Afterward, Qiao Guanghui took Xu Tian to meet Song Guanwang.
Meanwhile, Qiao Mi and the street musician went to a bar to watch a performance. They bantered and ate fried chicken while watching the show. When Wen Xiaoyao called, Qiao Mi quickly rushed outside the bar to answer. During a phone call, Qiao Mi urged the person she was speaking with (likely Wen Xiaoyao) not to bother with Zhou Tong anymore and to return to the troupe quickly.
She mentioned that Brother Yin had injured Sister Yun and that Auntie Gang wanted her back at the troupe immediately because leaders were there. At the troupe's training hall, discussion ensued about Yang Yun's back injury, confirming she wouldn't be able to perform in the upcoming shows and that the understudy would take over. Wen Xiaoyao was given the lead role of Bai Suzhen.
During rehearsal, Yin Ye expressed concern about partnering with Wen Xiaoyao, fearing he might drop her again. Wen Xiaoyao initially stated she couldn't dance, but later affirmed she could handle the role. Wen Xiaoyao confided in Qiao Mi, expressing her love for Zhou Tong and asking for help regarding him. She decided she would go find Zhou Tong first before visiting Sister Yun in the hospital.
Later, at what appears to be a theater or rehearsal space, Shi Diandian was present as Wen Xiaoyao was introduced and interviewed about taking over the role of Bai Suzhen. During the interview, Wen Xiaoyao mentioned that her mother, Jia Sulan, had played Bai Suzhen in Yue Opera. Shi Diandian, who was introduced as being present at the interview, recognized the name Jia Sulan upon hearing it. Meanwhile, Xu Tian went to a hotel and waited in the lobby. He was met by a staff member or representative and then introduced to Mr. Fang, who was identified as Diandian's mother. Mr. Fang welcomed Xu Tian into the hotel room.
