When I Fly Towards You Episode 9 Recap
> When I Fly Towards You Recap
Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai visited the Jiangyi Aquarium, where a lost child named Dou Dou latched onto Zhang Lurang for help. The boy innocently remarked that Su Zaizai looked at Zhang Lurang the same way she looked at the fish, as if she wanted to eat him. Su Zaizai quickly clarified that it was a look of adoration. After they returned the boy to his teacher, she gave them two identical souvenir pendants as thanks.
Su Zaizai gave one to Zhang Lurang, privately cherishing it as their second matching item after their school uniforms. She then playfully told Zhang Lurang that seeing him hold the boy's hand made her picture them ten years in the future, though she quickly downplayed her own comment. Back at school, a rumor about a Mayan doomsday prophecy arriving on the 21st, right after their academic competition, caused anxiety among students.
While tutoring Zhang Lurang, Su Zaizai asked what his biggest regret would be if the world were to end. He replied that it would be not coming to Jiangyi sooner. Su Zaizai agreed, wishing she had met him earlier, and added that even if doomsday were real, getting to know him made it all worthwhile. The day before the competition in Yong'an, Jiang Jia stayed at Su Zaizai’s house.
That night, the two friends discussed their respective crushes, both admitting their feelings had made them see the boys as completely flawless. The next morning, they overslept and missed their train. Su Zaizai informed Zhang Lurang they would be taking a seven-hour bus instead. Calculating their arrival time, Zhang Lurang decided to meet them at the station.
Gu Ran insisted on going with him, grabbing an extra jacket because he predicted the often-careless Jiang Jia would forget one for Yong'an's colder climate. Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia were touched to find the boys waiting with a warm snack. Zhang Lurang explained their room assignments were separate because they had arrived late.
Su Zaizai’s roommate was Xia Ning, a student from Suyang No. 1 High School who was Zhang Lurang's junior high classmate and the daughter of his former physics teacher. Xia Ning described Zhang Lurang as exceptionally popular and asked if he had anyone special. Su Zaizai feigned ignorance, saying many girls were interested in him but he didn't seem to have a particular person in mind.
When Xia Ning inquired if Zhang Lurang's English had improved, Su Zaizai proudly credited his dedicated tutor for his significant progress. Xia Ning then mentioned that Zhang Lurang liked a "Susu," causing Su Zaizai to flush until Xia Ning clarified she meant his pet cat. Feeling unsettled by Xia Ning's familiarity with him, Su Zaizai texted Zhang Lurang, who vaguely replied he had an "impression" of Xia Ning, which Su Zaizai interpreted to mean they weren't close.
After the competition, the group decided to spend a day exploring Yong'an. They ran into Xia Ning and her father, who suggested his daughter act as their guide. Everyone agreed, but Su Zaizai felt uneasy about Xia Ning's long-standing connection to Zhang Lurang. During their visit to Mount Xiaolan, Su Zaizai’s ill-fitting shoes prevented her from hiking. Zhang Lurang stayed behind with her, bringing her jelly and reminding her she once said it cheers her up.
The two then took a cable car to the summit. He revealed he often seeks high places when he's feeling down, which prompted Su Zaizai to share her own coping methods: eating snacks, watching the sea, and, when all else fails, simply seeing him. She told him he was a "magical remedy" for some people, making them "like this world more." He quietly replied, "You already are."
Later, at the hotel, Xia Ning, who planned to study psychology, told Su Zaizai she had sensed her feelings for Zhang Lurang from their first meeting. She advised that for someone like Zhang Lurang, who struggles to express himself verbally, every step toward someone is a major effort. She encouraged Su Zaizai to pay attention to his actions and subtle gestures, as that is how he communicates.
Calling Su Zaizai Zhang Lurang's most trusted friend, Xia Ning offered one last piece of advice: "If he walks slowly, you can take the initiative to step into his world." Lying awake that night, Su Zaizai reflected on these words, pondering how to make the most of her time with Zhang Lurang.
