Walk Into Your Memory Episode 8 Recap
> Walk Into Your Memory Recap
Long Haoqian intended to confess his feelings to An Ning and share a first kiss, hoping their relationship would naturally progress. However, his attempt was clumsy, resulting in An Ning bumping her head. The awkwardness led him to simply comment on how bright the moon was that night. Realizing Long Haoqian hadn't eaten, An Ning offered to cook him some porridge. She called home to say she would be late.
Her grandfather encouraged her to practice more for the upcoming competition, while her mother lamented that An Ning was so engrossed in cooking she had no time for dating or finding a boyfriend. As An Ning served the porridge, Long Haoqian began to tell her something important, but a sudden blackout plunged them into darkness. An Ning, who suffers from nyctophobia, instinctively cowered in Long Haoqian's arms, frightened and unable to see.
Unlike a previous incident in an elevator, this time, Long Haoqian was genuinely happy to hold her, reassuring her that it was just a power outage and she had nothing to fear. An Ning confessed her past, revealing that she had been blind from the age of two until fourteen, spending twelve years in complete darkness.
She shared the pain of never knowing what her family looked like, and not seeing her father's face before he passed away, only later seeing him in photos. After regaining her sight, she acquired the unique ability to see others' memories. Initially, this power brought her distress as she witnessed many ugly and selfish aspects of human nature, making her despise the ability.
However, as she saw more beautiful things and realized she could help others, she eventually accepted her special gift. Long Haoqian, deeply moved, then told her, "I love you." An Ning, finally accepting her true feelings, reciprocated his love, and they shared their first kiss. This private moment marked the beginning of their official relationship.
The next morning, back at the hotel, Long Haoqian and An Ning walked in together, encountering Manager Ma and other staff distributing Laba porridge to the needy. Manager Ma observed the two, sensing a subtle but significant change in their demeanor. Meanwhile, in the US, Yi Mingjun continued his ardent pursuit of Xia Tian.
He frequently sent her loving messages, expressing how much he missed her and detailing his future plans that included her, such as outings in the countryside in spring, beach trips in summer, hiking in autumn, and hot spring visits in winter. He also ordered takeaway for her, sending a thoughtful message urging her to take care of herself and assuring her of his growing love. An Ning prepared a few dishes for Gong Chen to taste.
He immediately noticed they were not up to her usual standard and asked if she was under too much stress. Gong Chen explained that every dish possesses a soul, influenced by the chef's mood. He elaborated that while the taste might not differ significantly, the feeling conveyed could be vastly different, creating either happy or sad dishes. He advised her that to make a truly good dish, both wisdom and a positive mindset are crucial.
An Ning acknowledged his profound advice, understanding that a chef's emotional state directly impacts their culinary creations. Min Er, the cosplayer mentioned previously, arrived at a film set to visit friends. She confided that she was in the process of moving abroad, a deliberate act to oppose her parents' arranged marriage with Long Haoqian. Separately, Long Haoqian attended an event with his mother and various dignitaries.
In a private conversation with his mother, he firmly rejected the idea of pursuing a relationship with Min Er, stating he would manage his own affairs. His mother, frustrated, reminded him of past relationships and admonished him for his "capricious" behavior, dismissing his past trauma as a "small incident." Long Haoqian retorted, pointing out his mother's prioritization of business, money, and status over marriage, love, and children.
Later, Long Haoqian and An Ning went on a date, enjoying roasted sweet potatoes by the roadside. Long Haoqian, who had never tried such a common delicacy, was initially unfamiliar but found it delicious as An Ning playfully guided him through the experience, emphasizing the simple joy of street food in winter. Unbeknownst to them, their tender moment was captured by an opportunistic photographer.
As the national culinary competition drew near, Long Haoqian, An Ning, and Gong Chen traveled to the host hotel. Before the intense competition began, Long Haoqian and An Ning carved out time for a date at the resort, which Long Haoqian revealed was called "Blooming Flowers and Full Moon," a place rumored to inspire love. He playfully suggested that they, too, were blessed by Cupid, to which An Ning agreed.
Long Haoqian's health continued to improve, mirroring the blossoming of their relationship. Meanwhile, An Ning's mother, still unaware of her daughter's new romance, continued to worry about An Ning finding a partner. She mused about the possibility of An Ning meeting a handsome foreign journalist at the competition, much to her father's dismay, who jokingly suggested finding an alien instead.
On the day of the competition, An Ning unexpectedly requested to change her chosen dish, making the already tight schedule even more challenging. Despite the increased pressure, Gong Chen expressed unwavering confidence in her. An Ning then began preparing "The God-sent Marriage," a signature dish of her late father. A judge, observing her technique, found it remarkably familiar, pondering where he might have encountered it before.
As An Ning presented the dish, the judge immediately recognized it, recounting how he had tasted it once by coincidence two decades ago and had thought the dish was lost forever. He lauded "The God-sent Marriage" for its intricate integration of China's eight major cuisines and its strict selection of premium ingredients, describing it as a symbol of prosperity and auspiciousness, full of Chinese wisdom. During this description, Long Haoqian whispered to An Ning, "You are my perfect match." The commentators speculated excitedly that "The God-sent Marriage" would surely be the champion, but the question of its ultimate victory remained.
