When You Be Me Episode 17 Recap
> When You Be Me Recap
Mu Xiangxiang’s family was suddenly confronted by the homeowner of the place they had just moved into. The homeowner explained that her house was listed for sale with several agencies, and the family must have encountered a shady agent. She advised them to call the police immediately. After being evicted, her mother, Xiaoyu, revealed they only had 350 yuan left. Mu Xiangxiang reassured her parents, saying the police would surely help.
She proposed finding a cheap place to stay for the night, while she would apply for a school dormitory and find a part-time job the next day. Her father, Mu Defeng, agreed to look for work as well, echoing her sentiment that they wouldn't starve. Later, Mu Defeng took his wife and daughter to a street stall, proudly announcing that the owner was a fellow townsman and a full pot of food cost only twelve yuan.
Mu Xiangxiang and Xiaoyu were delighted, calling it a "luxurious feast." Mu Defeng noticed a significant change in Mu Xiangxiang; she had become remarkably optimistic and resilient. Despite their difficulties, the family found joy, singing "If you're happy and you know it" together. The next day, Mu Xiangxiang went to Director Li to apply for student housing. The Director was hesitant, explaining that the semester was halfway through and dormitory spaces were limited, usually prioritized for students living far away.
Mu Xiangxiang revealed her family's recent troubles and their displacement. Understanding her situation, Director Li agreed to arrange a mixed-class dorm for her. Meanwhile, some students gossiped about Mu Xiangxiang, mentioning her family's eviction by their landlord and the scam by a shady agent, leaving her homeless. While out on a delivery, Qiao Nan received an urgent phone call from his friend Yanzhi Yang, informing him of Mu Xiangxiang's family troubles, which were now common knowledge at school.
Qiao Nan met Yanzhi Yang and another friend, who speculated that Qiao Nan must be making good money since he was treating them to tea. Qiao Nan, visibly annoyed by the news of Mu Xiangxiang's misfortunes, quickly dismissed his friends, telling them to go home to do their homework, falsely claiming he had a meeting and paying their bill. As soon as they left, he hurried to deliver a milk tea order, apologizing profusely to the customer.
That night, back in his dorm, Qiao Nan was frustrated by his platform's policy of withholding his earnings for a month. His coworker, Brother Meng, who overheard his frustrations, offered him some money that he and the other "brothers pooled together." Qiao Nan, however, refused to accept it, calling it their "hard-earned money." Brother Meng remarked on his stubbornness. Desperate for cash, Qiao Nan secretly took his motorcycle to a seller, Brother Shitou, and sold it for 30,000 yuan.
Meanwhile, Fang Lingli, having heard about Mu Xiangxiang’s family's difficulties, offered her 30,000 yuan in saved "lucky money." Mu Xiangxiang gratefully declined, explaining that her parents were actively seeking employment and she herself had submitted resumes for interviews. She emphasized that the trouble was "somewhat caused by me" and she wanted to resolve it herself, promising to seek help if she truly couldn't manage.
Mu Xiangxiang then asked Fang Lingli if she had any news about Qiao Nan, to which Fang Lingli, aware Qiao Nan was nearby, untruthfully claimed she hadn't seen him. Qiao Nan, hiding, overheard their entire conversation. Mu Xiangxiang then went to apply for a drama club. During an audition for "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the director was frustrated by the current actors' lack of emotion.
When Mu Xiangxiang introduced herself, the director, seemingly mistaking her for a high school student, questioned her lack of professional training or experience. Mu Xiangxiang admitted she had none but expressed her lifelong love for acting and her familiarity with the play. She revealed she suffered from asthma, which had previously prevented her from performing, but assured him her condition was "much better now." As she prepared to leave, assuming she wasn't qualified, the director stopped her.
He was impressed by her honesty, contrasting it with others who "made grand promises." He also revealed he was an alumnus of Yingcheng High School from the class of '02, making him her "senior alumnus." He then welcomed her into the troupe, confirming that the rehearsal and performance schedules would not interfere with her studies. Mu Xiangxiang was overjoyed. Still bothered by Mu Xiangxiang's family's stubbornness regarding their rent, Qiao Nan decided to "settle this matter once and for all."
He went to see his aunt-in-law, who sarcastically greeted him. Qiao Nan asked if she knew about Mu Xiangxiang's family being scammed. The aunt-in-law was dismissive, calling it "karma" for their perceived ingratitude and recalling past humiliations. Qiao Nan appealed to their familial ties, asking her to allow them to move back now that they were in distress. He clarified that this was his own initiative and Mu Xiangxiang's family was unaware.
After implying Qiao Nan's own family might be in financial trouble, the aunt-in-law agreed to let them return but imposed a new monthly rent of 1500 yuan. Qiao Nan immediately handed her 30,000 yuan, covering twenty months of rent, and promised to pay the monthly rent himself thereafter. He then made her promise to keep his involvement a secret from Mu Xiangxiang's family, to which she readily agreed.
Qiao Nan also asked for another favor: for the sake of Mu Xiangxiang's family's dignity and her own reputation, she should "personally pick up Mu Xiangxiang’s parents" and "generously bring them back." This act, he argued, would garner gratitude rather than disdain. Later, as Mu Defeng and Xiaoyu discussed their bleak financial prospects, their aunt-in-law appeared, her demeanor surprisingly kind. She told them she had heard of their difficulties and was there to take them back home.
Mu Defeng expressed surprise, thinking she was still angry. She brushed it off as a momentary temper, emphasizing they were family and should move back quickly. When Mu Defeng inquired about the rent, she generously stated they could pay the "original amount" and even "two months late" until their noodle stall started making money. She also allowed them to continue their noodle stall, provided they obtained a business license. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Mu Defeng and his wife accepted.
Mu Xiangxiang also thanked her aunt-in-law, apologizing for her previous "attitude." Later, Mu Xiangxiang shared her happiness with Fang Lingli, mentioning her family's reconciliation and return home, along with her new acting job. Fang Lingli, relieved, then revealed the truth: the 30,000 yuan she offered actually came from Qiao Nan. She urged Mu Xiangxiang to reach out to Qiao Nan, noting how much they cared for each other despite avoiding contact.
Mu Xiangxiang then asked Fang Lingli to help her arrange a meeting with Qiao Nan. Qiao Nan, expecting to discuss Mu Xiangxiang's issues with Fang Lingli, rushed to meet her. Still in his delivery uniform, he impatiently asked what was wrong, eager to leave. To his surprise, Mu Xiangxiang appeared instead. She confronted him directly, asking if he was the one who helped her family move back to their aunt-in-law's place and what conditions he had agreed to.
Qiao Nan feigned ignorance, denying any involvement and sarcastically asking if she was "trying to get chummy" with him. He then told her he was busy with "hundreds of people under me" and curtly advised her to "apologize to your dad and go home" before walking away, telling her, "Mind your own business."
That night, Mu Xiangxiang reflected on her personal growth, acknowledging that before meeting Qiao Nan, her approach to difficulties was "compromise and surrender," but he taught her that "with just a little more courage, you don’t have to endure everything forced upon you." Separately, both Qiao Nan and Mu Xiangxiang were seen holding their phones tightly, gazing at a photo of them together in a "starry sky room," drifting into sleep with heavy hearts.
The next morning, in her familiar surroundings, Qiao Nan (now in Mu Xiangxiang's body) woke up with a jolt, realizing the soul swap had occurred again. Simultaneously, in the men's dorm, Mu Xiangxiang (now in Qiao Nan's body) woke up, screaming in fright at the sight of the men around him.
Brother Meng, startled awake, reassured "Qiao Nan" that it was "nothing, big bro," just a nightmare, and told him not to be shy, but to "speak up if you need anything." Later, Mu Xiangxiang (still in Qiao Nan's body) looked into a mirror, saw Qiao Nan's face, and smiled, confirming the soul swap.
