The Wonderful World Episode 25 Recap
> The Wonderful World Recap
Shi Diandian, feeling tired, sat on a bench. Xu Tian approached and, with her permission, helped her open a bottle of water. He immediately told her he wasn't a bad person. Shi Diandian explained that she had recently experienced memory loss and possessed a unique ability to selectively forget people or events that caused her harm. Xu Tian expressed interest in learning this method of forgetting.
Shi Diandian elaborated on how she believes the past isn't real, only the present moment, which makes it easier to discard painful memories. She then asked Xu Tian for directions to the Park Avenue residential area, and he gave her accurate directions. Before they parted, Xu Tian mentioned that she looked exactly like his ex-girlfriend and introduced himself by name, Xu Tian. At the ballet company, Yang Yun and Joey were rehearsing "Jin Se," struggling with a particular movement.
Zhao Gang sat watching from the audience. Song Guanwang walked down to the seating area, stating he came to see how truly miserable it was there. Wen Xiaoyao returned to the stage late and was scolded by Yang Yun, who questioned who had approved her leave, insisting she was in charge despite Wen Xiaoyao having informed both her and the director. Zhao Gang intervened, pointing out that the movement didn't feel right and criticizing the choreography.
He contrasted the emotional depth of "The Legend of White Snake," which was built on romantic love, with "Jin Se," based on sisterhood forged over a thousand years. He argued that simply choreographing movements without actors feeling the emotion resulted in empty performance. Song Guanwang then clarified that the leadership had decided Yang Yun would choreograph "Jin Se," not Zhao Gang.
Zhao Gang, feeling sidelined, stopped the rehearsal and asked the lead performers to come down to talk, reminding everyone he was still the director and hadn't retired. Yang Yun walked off stage followed by Yin Ye. A woman from the bureau, introduced as Zhou Tong's mother, spoke critically to Yang Yun and Yin Ye, questioning Yang Yun's role and her inability to accept feedback.
When Yin Ye introduced himself as a lead dancer, the bureau person questioned his credentials and respect for the rules, predicting that he, too, would one day face stepping down. She praised Zhao Gang's attitude and criticized Yang Yun's lack of foundation and unclear direction, suggesting management would eventually replace her. Song Guanwang, introducing himself as Zhao Gang's friend, told Yang Yun she should respect her teachers.
Yang Yun denied being disrespectful, but the bureau person characterized her as insecure and proud, trying to do both choreography and dancing without mastering either. She advised Yang Yun to secure Zhao Gang's position. Song Guanwang described the situation backstage as chaotic. Yang Yun expressed feeling unlikable, and Yin Ye attempted to comfort her, though Yang Yun felt the support wasn't genuine. The rehearsal ended for the day.
Meanwhile, Zhao Gang was in his office packing, feeling he could no longer show his face and everything had been taken over. Song Guanwang was with him, trying to convince him to accept retirement as an inevitable part of life. Zhao Gang felt miserable stepping down after dedicating himself to his job. Song Guanwang persisted, following Zhao Gang outside (implied to a rooftop or high place), noting he was packing but unable to let go.
Song Guanwang shared that everyone faces struggles and advised Zhao Gang to accept his situation, comparing retirement to birth, aging, illness, and death. He suggested Zhao Gang could step aside for younger choreographers like Yang Yun and quietly offer guidance from the background, implying Yang Yun was struggling because she tried to do both choreography and performing. Song Guanwang jokingly called it bad luck to have run into Zhao Gang in his time of distress.
At Qiao Guanghui's house, he was working out, visibly frustrated. Someone mentioned that Song Guanwang had gone to the dance company and spoken up for "Auntie Gang" (Zhao Gang). Qiao Guanghui seemed agitated by this. He told Wen Xiaoyao to take a ring to the "regiment" for Zhao Gang, but she refused. Qiao Guanghui insisted he would remain loyal to his buddy Zhao Gang. Qiao Mi then revealed she was planning to date a "stray kid."
Qiao Guanghui immediately voiced his disapproval, insisting that if they were to be together, their assets must be clearly separated, as he wouldn't save money for strangers. He demanded to know the boyfriend's name, reacting negatively when told it was "Little Ears." Qiao Mi told her father not to interfere, mentioning that she and Little Ears were getting along well.
Wen Xiaoyao spoke privately with Qiao Guanghui, pointing out his insensitivity in front of her, as Xu Tian looked exactly like Zhou Tong, and she was still processing her feelings while having to watch him with someone else. Qiao Guanghui dismissed this, suggesting she needed therapy if she couldn't differentiate them.
Wen Xiaoyao asked about his situation with Ms. Song (Song Guanwang), and Qiao Guanghui said nothing had happened between them, despite his mental preparation, because Song had ended up with Zhao Gang, jokingly calling it an act of charity. Downstairs, Xu Tian called Wen Xiaoyao to ask for Shi Diandian's building number, learning she was in Building One, though Xiaoyao couldn't recall the specific unit. Qiao Guanghui took the phone and invited Xu Tian over for dinner and drinks.
Xu Tian politely declined, saying he had something important to do – winning Diandian back. Qiao Guanghui offered unsolicited dating advice, suggesting physical exercise like push-ups and squats until dizzy, followed by immediate action, concluding that the outcome was ultimately dependent on fate. Later, Fang Fang called Xiaoyue to check on Diandian. Xiaoyue confirmed Diandian had arrived safely but revealed she didn't recognize Xu Tian even after they had met and spoken.
Xu Tian spoke with Fang Fang, reiterating that Diandian didn't recognize him. He decided to pretend this was their first meeting and pursue her, noting that previously she had pursued him. Fang Fang observed that Xu Tian seemed like a different person. Xu Tian recalled Fang Fang's past doubts about their relationship. He assured Fang Fang he loved Diandian and was ready to start dating from scratch.
Fang Fang was relieved and reminded him of Diandian's upcoming birthday on the 19th, urging him to celebrate it with her even though Diandian herself wouldn't remember. Fang Fang provided Diandian's exact address: Building 1, Unit 2, Apartment 2109. Xu Tian initially told Xiaoyue to go home while he waited, but then decided against waiting, feeling overthinking was unproductive, and went up to Diandian's apartment directly.
On the 21st floor, Xu Tian encountered a delivery person with food for apartment 2109. Xu Tian took the food, claiming it was for his girlfriend, Shi Diandian, and asked for a good review. He knocked on Diandian's door. When she opened it, she saw Xu Tian standing there awkwardly with her food. He explained he met the delivery person and brought it up, assuring her he hadn't opened it and offering to order a replacement.
Seeing her name on the packaging, Diandian said she would eat it. She asked if he was stalking her. He admitted he had followed her there, stating it was "love at first sight," adding that calling the police wouldn't help as they don't arrest people for wanting to date. Diandian told him she didn't want to date at the moment, preferring a quiet life.
Xu Tian accepted this, offering his friendship and company whenever she might need someone to talk to or just be with. He said he just wanted to be with her and noted that everyone needs friends. He mentioned he had her phone number from the order form and would call.
After saying goodbye and as she was about to close the door, Xu Tian declared he had changed his mind and wouldn't leave, planning to sit downstairs until she came out so he could be the first person she saw the next day. He explained this irrational decision by referencing her earlier feeling of déjà vu and his fear of missing a chance if he became rational later. Back at Qiao Mi's place, Little Ears had arrived.
Qiao Mi let him in, lamenting to herself that she must be crazy. She mentioned ordering food and intended to send him away soon. Little Ears shared that he had been dreaming about her for several nights in a row, with the dreams connected like a TV series – the first night they rushed for a ride, and the second they caught it and went to Yunnan.
He gave her Jade Dragon snow pine seeds he had brought back from a previous trip to Yunnan, symbolizing purity. Qiao Mi mentioned her father's condition about keeping their assets separate if they dated. Little Ears claimed to be from a wealthy family and spoke philosophically about the wind needing no money because it is free, leading Qiao Mi to call him the "man like the wind."
Later that night, Shi Diandian periodically looked downstairs, seeing Xu Tian exercising earlier but not seeing him at night. Curious, she went downstairs and found him sheltering from the cold. She asked why he wasn't leaving. He explained he would be alone and afraid of loneliness if he returned to his hotel. Diandian asked about his previous relationship.
Xu Tian described his ex, rating her a nine out of ten, praising her dedication and thoughtfulness, attributing part of the high rating to his need for companionship after growing up alone making qipaos. He explained his past coping mechanism of imagining himself as a hallucination until meeting his ex, who made him feel safer. He added that compromise was part of the score. When Diandian suggested his ex probably loved herself more, he agreed that people should love themselves.
He denied hating his ex and stated he would not get back with her, as it was over and he was ready to start over. Diandian felt he didn't understand her and reiterated they couldn't be together now, suggesting they take things slowly. Xu Tian reminisced about a past moment with his ex, watching stars with a flashlight, and how he thought she was the one forever, contrasting it with being with Diandian now.
Diandian perceived this as him still wanting his ex, but Xu Tian insisted he only wanted to be with Diandian now. Diandian mentioned having a job interview the next day, thanked him for the food, and explicitly asked him not to come back or call her. Xu Tian refused, saying he couldn't stop thinking about her since they met and wouldn't be able to sleep without hearing from her.
Diandian told him to find his ex again, but Xu Tian said she was gone. Diandian urged him to go home because it was cold. Xu Tian asked her to call or message him before bed, but she refused. Finally, Mrs. Fang called Wen Xiaoyao to ask if Xu Tian and Diandian were together. Xiaoyao confirmed they were and commented that Xu Tian seemed like someone in love.
