Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 3 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Xie Xiaoman's younger brother, Li'er, sought her out at school, distressed from being bullied, and asked her to take him home. Concerned about a dessert-making assignment for the upcoming Cold Food Festival, Xie Xiaoman approached Senior Li to inquire about his preferred snacks, thanking him for his help at the recent Spring Banquet.
Senior Li recounted how her family's kindness in Yuyangli had deeply impacted him and mentioned his fondness for the Chestnut Cakes her mother used to share with students. Overhearing this, Li'er reminded his sister of their mother's Chestnut Cakes and insisted she collect him from the academy gate after school. Later, as Xie Xiaoman and other young ladies watched the boys play cuju, Xie Ruying pressured Xie Xiaoman to ask Zhao Xiaoqian his favorite dessert.
Minggu interceded, pointing out Xie Ruying's dismissive attitude toward Xie Xiaoman, who was her own cousin. Minggu then turned to Miss Xue, criticizing her for her feigned concern and revealing that Miss Xue's relentless gossip had even reached her own father. She angrily declared that minor squabbles between young ladies should not lead to their families' silk documents being withheld. Hearing the gravity of the situation, Xie Xiaoman volunteered to approach Zhao Xiaoqian to avoid further trouble for her uncle.
However, as she walked onto the field, Zhao Xiaoqian powerfully kicked a cuju ball, striking her head and knocking her unconscious. Zhao Xiaoqian promptly took Xie Xiaoman to a doctor. Upon regaining consciousness, Xie Xiaoman abruptly sat up, bumping heads with Zhao Xiaoqian, and the two immediately began to bicker. Zhao Xiaoqian called her a "vengeful shrew," asserting that the ball incident was her fault for being too weak.
Xie Xiaoman retorted, likening him to Guan Yu due to his dark complexion and accusing him of kicking too hard. He dismissed her family's torn title deed as insignificant, stating that her family's land was his, and he would return it if she made him happy. Xie Xiaoman, still determined, demanded he tell her his favorite dessert flavor, promising to cease her complaints if he did.
Zhao Xiaoqian refused, but as he left, he offhandedly told her to make "anything," as he was "not picky." Meanwhile, observing the white flag Zhao Xiaoqian's team had planted at their Wujiang Prefecture School, Shen Yan plotted revenge. He prepared a packet of croton nut powder after Xu Shu learned that Xie Xiaoman worked as a maid in Zhao Xiaoqian's residence.
Back in the kitchen, Xie Xiaoman diligently prepared two types of desserts: Ox Tongue Cakes, a traditional auspicious snack for the Cold Food Festival, and Chestnut Cakes, intended for family and elders. She suddenly remembered Li'er, realizing she had forgotten to pick him up. Li'er, meanwhile, had been further tormented by bullies who branded him a "village rascal" and "butcher's son." In a desperate attempt to prove his father's official status, he displayed his father's official token.
Xu Shu, who had been lingering nearby, intervened, chasing off the bullies before seizing the token from Li'er. Xie Xiaoman arrived and confronted them. Taking advantage of the situation, Xu Shu threatened her with the stolen official token, commanding her to secretly add the croton nut powder to Zhao Xiaoqian's food during the cuju match. Xie Xiaoman sternly admonished Li'er for taking their father's token, explaining the severe repercussions of such an act.
Li'er, tearfully, revealed his daily struggles, feeling overshadowed by Xie Xiaoman's more comfortable life at the Su family, complete with a generous allowance, meals from fine restaurants, and new clothes, while he was left with only homemade steamed cakes and constant taunts as a "village rascal." Moved by his confession, Xie Xiaoman promised to recover the token.
Later, she discreetly questioned Liangji about the consequences of losing an official token, confirming that such an incident could lead to an official's dismissal or even imprisonment if the token was used for illicit activities. Zhao Xiaoqian invited Xie Xiaoman to dinner at the Commandery Prince's mansion. Observing her thin frame, he generously piled her plate with food, expressing concern that she looked "scrawny." Despite his efforts, Xie Xiaoman's mind was consumed by Xu Shu's threat, and she ate distractedly.
On the day of the Cold Food Festival cuju match, young ladies presented auspicious snacks to the players. Su Wei offered peach blossom shortbread rolls to a hesitant Zhong Ziyan, but Yan Boyang promptly snatched and ate them. Zhao Xiaoqian, bypassing all other offerings, made a bee-line for Xie Xiaoman's desserts, eyeing her "ugly" and "casually made" cake.
As he was about to consume the Ox Tongue Cake containing the croton nut powder, Xie Xiaoman, unable to proceed with the deception, quickly knocked it from his hand and offered him a Chestnut Cake instead. He took a bite and grudgingly admitted it was surprisingly delicious. Thanks to her intervention, Zhao Xiaoqian remained unharmed, and Bailu Academy won the first half of the match.
During the halftime break, Xie Xiaoman confronted Xu Shu, demanding the return of her father's official token. Xu Shu, having witnessed her deliberate act of knocking away the drugged cake, refused and insolently demanded a kiss in exchange for the token. At that moment, Zhao Xiaoqian appeared. Xu Shu, startled, stammered nervously under Zhao Xiaoqian's piercing gaze. Zhao Xiaoqian, with an intimidating presence, compelled Xu Shu to return the token to Xie Xiaoman.
However, upon realizing Xie Xiaoman had intended to drug him, Zhao Xiaoqian became enraged and stormed off. In the second half of the match, Zhao Xiaoqian's anger affected his play. Instead of focusing on the goal, he repeatedly targeted Shen Yan. His emotional state led to Bailu Academy conceding several points, ultimately losing the match 7-3 to Wujiang Prefecture School.
As punishment for being the losing team leader, Zhao Xiaoqian was forced to pour three bowls of lime powder over his head. Enraged, he then instigated a chaotic brawl between the two academy teams, which Zhong Ziyan attempted to quell, calling Zhao Xiaoqian "crazy." As the fight subsided, Xie Xiaoman approached Zhao Xiaoqian, asking if he was alright. He responded with a cold, sarcastic remark, saying, "I lost. You must be happy now," and walked away.
Zhong Ziyan later found Xie Xiaoman, noting Zhao Xiaoqian's profound unhappiness over the day's events. He reassured her, however, that she had nothing to fear, as Zhao Xiaoqian's group was preparing to leave the prefecture soon. Indeed, upon returning to his mansion, Zhao Xiaoqian furiously ordered Liangji to pack their belongings for an immediate return to the capital, smashing objects in his room. Carrying Chestnut Cakes, Xie Xiaoman headed to the Commandery Prince's mansion to apologize.
En route, she came across Su Wei, who had been knocked over by a horse, scattering the peach blossom shortbread rolls she had made for Zhong Ziyan. Xie Xiaoman helped her gather the pastries and offered to deliver them in her own food box, advising Su Wei to keep quiet about them being dirty.
At the mansion, Xie Xiaoman encountered Shi Deng, who informed her that Zhao Xiaoqian was in a rage, smashing things, and refusing to see anyone, as they were set to depart for the capital the following day. Xie Xiaoman handed Shi Deng her food box, asking him to give it to "Mr. Zhong" from "a young lady at the Academy" whom he "should recognize."
She also pleaded with Shi Deng to convey her apology to Zhao Xiaoqian, admitting her fault and requesting not to be dismissed from her work. Shi Deng, misunderstanding her reference to "the young master," assumed she meant Zhao Xiaoqian and delivered the entire food box to him. Later, Su Wei asked Xie Xiaoman if she had feelings for Zhao Xiaoqian, to which Xie Xiaoman explicitly denied, confirming her affection was for Zhong Ziyan.
Xie Xiaoman also confided that she had taken on work in Zhao Xiaoqian's study to earn money and redeem her family's land deed, which was now in the Commandery Prince's possession. Back at the mansion, Shi Deng presented the food box to Zhao Xiaoqian, explaining that "Xiaoman" had sent it with an apology and a request to continue working. Zhao Xiaoqian initially ordered the box discarded.
However, upon seeing the peach blossom shortbread rolls, he recognized them as a traditional Cold Food Festival dessert used by young ladies to express their affection. Shi Deng confirmed this interpretation. Misinterpreting the gift as a declaration of love from Xie Xiaoman, Zhao Xiaoqian changed his mind and decided against returning to the capital.
