When I Fly Towards You Episode 17 Recap
> When I Fly Towards You Recap
A letter from Zhang Luli arrived for Su Zaizai, indicating an improvement in his relationship with his brother, Zhang Lurang, thanks to Su Zaizai. Zhang Luli noted in his letter that he could no longer use his phone due to the upcoming gaokao and had to rely on writing.
He shared that he had recently spoken to Lurang, who was in a good mood and spoke extensively about Su Zaizai and their friends, sensing from Lurang's tone that they were as interesting as Su Zaizai. He secretly revealed that he had seen Lurang playing with the doll Su Zaizai made him several times, signifying Lurang's happiness in their friendship. Zhang Luli also mentioned his parents were slowly changing for the better, expressing hope for their family.
Su Zaizai was pleased to have played a role in mending the brothers' bond, as she wished for Zhang Lurang's happiness more than anyone. As Su Zaizai's birthday approached, her mood soured, knowing that Zhang Lurang would return to Suyang after her birthday. She even considered not celebrating at all. However, Jiang Jia persuaded her that they must celebrate it meaningfully and joyously.
Later, Jiang Jia, accompanied by Guan Fang and Gu Ran, went to pick out a birthday gift for Su Zaizai. Jiang Jia suggested items like scarves, gloves, or bracelets, noting that most girls liked pretty things. She picked up a bracelet, clearly smitten with it, but quickly put it back after seeing the price tag. Gu Ran observed this interaction.
That night, Gu Ran, unable to stop thinking about it, returned to the store and bought the bracelet Jiang Jia had admired. He called Jiang Jia downstairs late at night, much to her surprise. When she asked why he needed her so urgently, Gu Ran stammered, claiming he had just finished buying Su Zaizai a carved wooden doll.
He then awkwardly produced the bracelet, explaining he had been "tricked" into buying it due to a "buy two, get 20% off" promotion and had no use for it, suggesting Jiang Jia take it. Jiang Jia immediately accepted the free gift but, sensing his unusual behavior, directly asked if he liked her. Gu Ran nearly choked, vehemently denying it.
He tried to list her "flaws"—which ironically sounded like compliments, such as her big eyes, fair skin, small face, curly lashes, and height—insisting she wasn't his type. Jiang Jia, relieved, declared that it was a good thing he didn't like her, as future meetings would have been awkward otherwise. On Su Zaizai's birthday, after school, she eagerly invited everyone to dinner, having already chosen a restaurant.
However, Mr. Lin summoned her, requiring her help in grading English exam papers for the tenth graders. Disappointed but understanding, Su Zaizai had to ask Jiang Jia and the others to go ahead to the restaurant without her, promising to join them later. She toiled late into the evening marking papers, realizing her birthday dinner was off. She messaged Jiang Jia, telling them to just go home.
Feeling disheartened that her memorable birthday plan was derailed by being "drafted" for school work, Su Zaizai was surprised when she saw a series of handwritten signs on her way home, guiding her along the path. These signs indicated her friends hadn't left. Suddenly, Zhang Lurang, Jiang Jia, Guan Fang, and Gu Ran appeared, holding a cake with lit candles. Su Zaizai was deeply moved by their surprise.
She blew out the candles and made two wishes: first, that everyone would be happy and safe every day, which she voiced aloud; and second, that she could celebrate Zhang Lurang's eighteenth birthday with him, a wish she kept to herself. Later that night, Zhang Lurang called Su Zaizai, asking her to come downstairs, where he was waiting. He presented her with a Polaroid camera as her birthday gift, believing she would like it.
Su Zaizai thanked him, calling it the happiest birthday she'd ever had. She promised to use the camera to take many photos and send them to him when he returned to Suyang. In return, she asked him to grant her a wish: to return once she finished all the photo paper. Zhang Lurang agreed. The next day, the friends went to take ID photos at a studio organized by the school.
They found a long queue because the studio's computer was broken. As they waited, Zhang Lurang's friends inquired about his departure time the next day, learning his train was at nine AM. They expressed regret that they would be in class and unable to see him off. Zhang Lurang assured them it was fine, as he wasn't going far and could visit during holidays.
Su Zaizai playfully suggested that Zhang Lurang should stay in touch, to which Jiang Jia teased Su Zaizai about "harassing" Zhang Lurang, a claim Su Zaizai defended as "care." Gu Ran, noticing the delay, offered his computer knowledge to help. The studio staff, impressed by his expertise, quickly allowed him to inspect the computer. To everyone's surprise, Gu Ran swiftly fixed the issue, leading the staff to prioritize him and his friends for photos as a token of gratitude.
During the individual photos, Su Zaizai's picture was lovely. Others' photos were standard, but Guan Fang's looked "creepy," much to the amusement of his friends, who insisted on seeing it. Guan Fang then asked the studio owner if they could take a group photo, and the owner agreed since there were no specific requirements for a group photo and the studio was now empty.
As they took the group photo, the owner asked their age, and in unison, they all shouted "17." Before Zhang Lurang's transfer, Su Zaizai offered him a long list of reminders, from memorizing English words and correcting math problems in Suyang, to drinking milk before bed, being careful walking home alone, and even smiling more—though she quickly retracted that last one, fearing his smile was too attractive.
Zhang Lurang responded by asking her to study hard, and they made a solemn pact to both get into East China University. As snow began to fall, marking their second winter together, Su Zaizai exchanged photos with Zhang Lurang as "proof" of their commitment. She emphasized the significance of the first snow, warning him of serious consequences if he were to break his promise, jokingly adding that she would get angry.
After Zhang Lurang left for Suyang, Su Zaizai began writing letters to him, as she learned he also couldn't use his phone. She described how she was adapting to taking public transport and going home alone by starting to ride her bicycle again and mentioned her pet dog, Su. Zhang Lurang replied, describing his new school as great, though the learning pace was faster than Jiangyi, but he had adapted, scoring 122 on his English monthly exam.
He noted that the supermarket where Su Zaizai once had a flash sale had been converted into a bookstore and invited her to visit. He also commented that spring arrived later in Suyang than in Jiangyi, and that he heard the winter jasmine was blooming on Jiangyi's roadsides. Su Zaizai, in her subsequent letters, playfully chided him for remembering her embarrassing flash sale incident.
She shared amusing anecdotes and reassured him that she was studying hard, even signing up for a summer intensive math class with Jiang Jia, which meant she couldn't visit him in Suyang. She recounted a solo trip to a competition in the south, the furthest she had ever traveled alone, finding it beautiful but feeling a sudden longing for Jiangyi and wishing they had been there with her.
She also shared the good news that Luli had gotten into East China University, choosing Biology, his favorite major, over Finance, which his parents preferred, expressing both envy and happiness for him. Reflecting on her transition to Grade 12, Su Zaizai felt she had matured overnight, experiencing daily exhaustion and wishing for three days of uninterrupted sleep. However, seeing younger students look up to them spurred her to persevere.
She even mentioned a physical exam where her heart raced, attributing it to thinking of him, and concluding her letter with a heartfelt "Rang, I miss you so much." At school, the students underwent a gaokao survey to identify their target universities and majors. Su Zaizai confidently declared her aim for East China University, specifically its foreign language department, having made a pact with Zhang Lurang.
Guan Fang expressed his desire to study economics, asserting his financial acumen from helping his grandmother with accounts since childhood. Gu Ran stated his intention to study medicine, following in his parents' footsteps as doctors. Jiang Jia, however, admitted she hadn't decided yet, though her friends reassured her there was still plenty of time before the gaokao application deadline. Later, Jiang Jia and Gu Ran noticed Su Zaizai seemed unusually distracted, even confusing "tissue" with "diameter" when asked.
They worried she was becoming "dumb from studying" due to immense pressure. Gu Ran suggested a trip to Su Zaizai's grandmother's house to help them relax. After leaving school, Gu Ran went to retrieve his football from the field but found it blown away by a gust of wind. He then saw Su Zaizai sighing. He approached her, asking what was bothering her.
Gu Ran confessed his own anxieties, lamenting that unlike Su Zaizai, who dreamed of being a diplomatic translator, and Guan Fang, who aimed for economics, he had no clear aspirations. He felt lost, having only followed the progression from primary to junior to high school, now realizing he had to forge his own path. He expressed feeling devoid of even strengths. Su Zaizai acknowledged his feelings.
The two then headed to evening self-study class, with Gu Ran remarking that regardless, they first needed to pass the gaokao. As the second semester of Grade 12 approached, Su Zaizai reflected on the New Year, January 1st, 2015. She noted the short holiday meant only more studying. Despite the grind, she was happy to have received Zhang Lurang's seventh letter.
In it, he wished her a happy new year and expressed sadness and guilt for not being by her side. Su Zaizai, being "very forgiving," understood and believed he could make it up to her later. She also acknowledged that she had only used three sheets of the Polaroid photo paper Zhang Lurang had given her.
She had considered using them all at once to make him return sooner but deemed it reckless, determined not to force him to break his promise. She resolved not to finish the photo paper until she achieved "decent grades," signaling her ongoing commitment to their shared goal and his eventual return.
