When We Were Young Episode 21 Recap
> When We Were Young Recap
In the morning, Yang Xi tried to hide from her mother but eventually ran into her. Their relationship was strained, and Yang Xi’s mother avoided her, choosing to wait until Yang Xi finished her meals before eating and meticulously scrubbing the floor rather than engaging in conversation. Li Yu offered to mediate, but Yang Xi felt she had her own plan. At school, the atmosphere grew tense as the Gaokao countdown began.
Yang Xiaohemei struggled with her studies and was constantly preoccupied with a beeper her mother had given her. Yang Xiaohemei explained that her mother demanded detailed reports after every class and immediate calls home after school, threatening endless messages if she didn't comply. Meanwhile, Ertiao, having fought with his father, Situ Dongfeng, who had returned from Russia, pleaded with Li Yu to let him stay at his house, even attempting to bribe him with rare Kuban hats.
Li Yu initially resisted but eventually relented. That evening, as Hua Biao walked Yang Xi home and Li Yu headed back with Ertiao, Li Yu gave Yang Xi two bowls of red bean soup—one for herself and one for her mother—suggesting she use the opportunity to reconcile with her mother. At home, Yang Xi tended to her father, who was recovering from hemorrhoids, and they had a heartfelt conversation.
Her father confessed that while he once only wished for her happiness, her mother's recent layoff made him realize the increasing importance of education and social status in society. He admitted that he had to push her to ensure she could navigate a rigorous world and maintain her dignity. Hearing his words, Yang Xi understood her parents' sacrifices and resolved to study harder.
Later that night, Yang Xi’s mother found the red bean porridge and a note from her daughter, deeply touched by the gesture. The next morning, Yang Xi approached her mother, acknowledging her inability to play the violin but demonstrating that she had learned to sing a musical tune.
She used her own unexpected achievement to encourage her mother, suggesting that if a tone-deaf person like herself could learn something new, her mother could also seek new opportunities, much like Li Yu’s father, instead of clinging to a job for self-esteem. After Yang Xi left for school, her mother, Du Yuemei, was overcome with emotion and wept openly, her neighbor praising Yang Xi’s unexpected singing talent.
Back at school, Hua Biao received a troubling call from his grandmother, who was suffering from worsening Alzheimer's and had called the police, believing her son, Junsheng, was lost. The police dispatcher confirmed the severity of her condition, urging Hua Biao to take her to the hospital. In class, Huang Chengcheng diligently practiced her English, with Li Yu patiently assisting her.
Yang Xi frequently coaxed Yang Xiaohemei to the playground to study, but Yang Xiaohemei noticed Yang Xi's eyes were always drawn to the basketball court. Yang Xiaohemei pressed Yang Xi about her feelings for Hua Biao. Yang Xi, though initially denying it, confessed her affection but admitted feeling unworthy of him and too afraid to ask about his feelings. Yang Xiaohemei, convinced Hua Biao liked Yang Xi, advised her to simply ask him who "he" liked.
Meanwhile, Li Yu grew concerned about his father's situation in Guangzhou after observing details in a photo he sent, and he expressed a desire to find a part-time job to earn money. Hua Biao, burdened by his grandmother's medical needs, also needed money. Ertiao, Hua Biao, and Li Yu joined forces with Yang Chao, who proposed selling a batch of Russian Kuban hats from Ertiao's father.
Yang Chao, posing as a prominent hat merchant from Hongxing Market, and Ertiao approached Situ Dongfeng for the goods. However, Situ Dongfeng quickly saw through their ruse, recognizing Yang Chao's false claims about his shop number. Despite this, he offered them a chance, introducing them to a client, Boss He, who needed many Kuban hats, and proposed a profit-sharing deal.
Hua Biao, Li Yu, Ertiao, and Yang Chao then set off for Boss He’s house, unaware that Yang Xi and Yang Xiaohemei were discreetly following them, suspicious of their secretive venture. At Boss He’s dilapidated residence, Yang Chao tried to negotiate through the gate, listing off their group, including Hua Biao and Li Yu as "bodyguards." To their shock, the person who opened the gate was none other than their school director.
Panicked, Hua Biao, Ertiao, and Li Yu abandoned their bikes and ran. Yang Xi and Yang Xiaohemei, who had been observing, rushed out to distract the director, buying their friends time. As the director chased them, Hua Biao found a hidden alcove and pulled Yang Xi in, where they crouched together in secret. In the confined space, their close proximity intensified the unspoken feelings between them. Yang Xi, gathering her courage, finally asked Hua Biao who he liked.
Hua Biao was about to answer when Li Yu discovered their hiding spot. Li Yu, having followed them out of concern, quickly offered to take responsibility for the entire situation at school. The moment was lost, leaving Yang Xi deeply disappointed as Hua Biao's answer remained unsaid. As Li Yu left to explain to the school, Yang Xiaohemei, spotting Yang Xi, teased her about her crush on Hua Biao.
Back at home, Ertiao confronted Situ Dongfeng, furious that his father had seemingly set him up by introducing them to the director. He threatened to call his mother, but Situ Dongfeng responded with a poignant confession, calling Ertiao his son and his treasure, and promising eternal protection. However, these words, though heartfelt, did not bring comfort to Ertiao.
