When You Be Me Episode 22 Recap
> When You Be Me Recap
The theater director furiously confronted Mu Xiangxiang, accusing her of being out of her mind for unilaterally changing the script. He declared it a severe stage incident and believed she had acted deliberately, announcing her expulsion. Qiao Nan (in his own body), quickly intervened, explaining that Mu Xiangxiang had been under immense mental pressure due to poor exam results and constant scolding from their parents.
Other cast members also spoke up, noting that Mu Xiangxiang had performed well in rehearsals and there was insufficient time to replace her before the public performance. Yielding to their pleas, the director gave Mu Xiangxiang a final warning, threatening to not only fire her but also hold her accountable for any financial losses if she dared to alter the script again during the actual show.
After the rehearsal, Mu Defeng, Mu Xiangxiang's father, surprised her with a bouquet of sunflowers, proudly hailing her as his "big star." He effusively praised her performance, remarking that he had initially thought she was merely an extra, only to be astonished by her many lines and significant role. Though Mu Xiangxiang (in Qiao Nan's body) clarified she was just a minor character, her father insisted she had brought the role to life, shining brilliantly.
He then enthusiastically declared they should hurry home so he could tell her mother, Xiaoyu, who would surely regret missing such a spectacular show, having believed the role was just an unmoving plant. That evening, as Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) was practicing boxing in Mu Xiangxiang's room, Mu Song rudely entered to retrieve something.
Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) was internally informed by Mu Xiangxiang's consciousness that Mu Song was the eldest aunt's "beloved son," freshly returned from Beijing and "spoiled and pampered," and was urged to humor him. Qiao Nan, however, expressed his disdain, remarking, "Like mother, like son indeed," and concluded that Mu Song simply needed discipline.
The next morning, Qiao Yuanshan prepared a special breakfast, including slow-cooked seafood claypot porridge with various healthy ingredients, for Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body). He praised "Nannan" for his achievements in both his final exams and the recent taekwondo competition, declaring it was time to begin grooming him for the family business. He then offered an internship at the company during the summer break, assuring that it wouldn't interfere with studies.
Mu Xiangxiang (in Qiao Nan's body) hesitated, knowing Qiao Nan's aversion to inheriting the business, and couldn't immediately accept on his behalf. However, after Qiao Yuanshan's wife, Luo Meisheng, also encouraged "Nannan" to think it over carefully, Mu Xiangxiang (in Qiao Nan's body) agreed to consider the offer. Meanwhile, Qiao Rui, observing the warm exchange from the stairs, lost his appetite and retreated upstairs.
Later, Qiao Rui confronted his father, Qiao Yuanshan, arguing against Qiao Nan's internship, believing it was too early and unsuitable for a high school student to learn hotel management. Qiao Yuanshan, however, defended his decision, citing Qiao Nan's recent dedication and never-give-up attitude, which reminded him of his younger self. Qiao Rui then tried to dissuade his father by revealing that Qiao Nan and Mu Xiangxiang were still seeing each other, expecting disapproval.
To his surprise, Qiao Yuanshan expressed support, recalling Mu Xiangxiang's anxious concern during Qiao Nan's competition and acknowledging her positive influence. He now believed that as long as they interacted normally and encouraged each other's progress, strict intervention was unnecessary. He urged Qiao Rui to help Qiao Nan settle into the internship and quickly get up to speed.
Qiao Rui, clearly reluctant, claimed he was unavailable, which prompted Qiao Yuanshan to question why his usually supportive elder son was suddenly at odds with his brother, reminding him there's no such thing as an "overnight grudge" between brothers. While on the way, Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) witnessed a confrontation in the park. Yellow Hair and his gang were chasing Mu Song, angry that his violin playing had disturbed their daytime sleep.
As they attempted to confiscate Mu Song's violin, Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) appeared, wielding a stick. Recognizing her as "Sister Xiang" and recalling her past reputation, the gang quickly backed down and returned the violin. Mu Song, ungrateful for the intervention, demanded that Qiao Nan (as Mu Xiangxiang) keep his violin playing a secret, threatening to raise the rent if she spoke. Qiao Nan (as Mu Xiangxiang) internally fumed at his ungrateful nature, feeling he needed a lesson.
Qiao Rui later confided in Jiajun over drinks, expressing his frustration that Qiao Nan seemed to prioritize a classmate (Mu Xiangxiang) over his own brother, lamenting their deteriorating relationship and the fact they hadn't spoken for a month. Jiajun, misinterpreting Qiao Rui's unhappiness, assumed it stemmed from Qiao Nan's impending internship, suggesting that Qiao Yuanshan might be losing trust in Qiao Rui and favoring Qiao Nan.
Mu Xiangxiang (in Qiao Nan's body) visited Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) with some food, including crispy pork and brown sugar glutinous rice cakes. She tried to subtly inquire about his summer plans, stating they needed to adapt to each other's lives during the summer vacation.
Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) recounted his past summer activities, such as racing cars, playing games, practicing taekwondo, arguing with his father, and even arranging fights to maintain his street status, but conceded that these activities wouldn't suit Mu Xiangxiang. Mu Xiangxiang then proposed that she (as Qiao Nan) intern at Qiao Yuanshan's new hotel to earn money and familiarize herself with the family business.
Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) vehemently rejected the idea, stating his disinterest in the "crappy hotel" and his refusal to become twisted like Qiao Rui by following his father's arrangements. He reiterated his desire to pursue his own passions after graduation, independent of his father and brother.
Mu Xiangxiang reminded him that while she understood his need to work, he needed her permission for such ventures, adding that she couldn't afford the embarrassment of his actions while in her body. The following morning, Mu Xiangxiang (in Qiao Nan's body) woke up to find Qiao Yuanshan and Luo Meisheng meticulously preparing for Qiao Nan's (her) first day of internship.
Luo Meisheng had prepared various items like ties and bags, and Qiao Yuanshan emphasized the importance of making a formal and impressive debut to leave a good impression on the staff. Mu Xiangxiang (in Qiao Nan's body) realized that after such elaborate preparations, refusing the internship would be impossible. Qiao Yuanshan then insisted that Qiao Rui accompany them, highlighting that it was his brother's important first day.
When Mu Song attempted to retrieve his violin from Mu Xiangxiang's room, Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) revealed she had hidden it. She questioned why he kept his passion for such a refined art a secret and playfully threatened to inform their aunt-in-law, suggesting she would tell her that Mu Song practiced diligently, day and night, to surprise her. Mu Song, realizing Qiao Nan had leverage, angrily threatened to raise her rent.
Qiao Nan (as Mu Xiangxiang) calmly countered that she would simply sell his expensive violin to cover the increased cost. Defeated, Mu Song asked what he needed to do to get his violin back, to which Qiao Nan (as Mu Xiangxiang) replied that it depended on his performance. Faced with no other choice, Mu Song reluctantly agreed to thoroughly clean Mu Xiangxiang’s room.
After Mu Song exhaustedly completed the cleaning, Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) insisted it was "just the beginning" and further demanded he do the laundry. When Mu Song's mother, the eldest aunt, discovered her son, whom she envisioned attending Tsinghua or Peking University, doing laundry, she was outraged. However, to her astonishment, Mu Song defended Qiao Nan's request, stating that since Mu Xiangxiang's parents were so busy, he should help out with chores.
Meanwhile, Qiao Yuanshan entrusted Jiajun with guiding Qiao Nan during his internship. He also discreetly asked Jiajun to investigate the cause of the apparent friction between his two sons, as he felt they were "outwardly harmonious but inwardly not," and to help them reconcile. Jiajun, though misinterpreting the idiom, confidently promised to “restore their shattered mirror,” aiming to reunite the estranged brothers just like a broken mirror made whole again.
During a study group session with her classmates, Mu Xiangxiang (in Qiao Nan's body) successfully proposed continuing their studies throughout the summer. When the question of a suitable and cost-effective venue arose, she cleverly suggested using Qiao Nan's family hotel, also hinting at the possibility of students interning there. Qiao Yuanshan readily approved, offering the hotel facilities for free and even covering lunch.
Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) was initially aghast, fearing that bringing their classmates to the hotel would only confirm Qiao Yuanshan's suspicions about their early dating. However, Mu Xiangxiang (in Qiao Nan's body) explained her strategy: by openly being together under his father's nose, they would dispel any notions of a secret romance, and "the most dangerous place is the safest place."
Furthermore, it provided a valuable work-study opportunity for students, like Guo Zhi and herself, who came from less affluent backgrounds. Qiao Nan (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) was ultimately persuaded, recognizing the dual benefits of practical experience and academic pursuit. On Qiao Nan's (in Mu Xiangxiang's body) first day of internship, Wang Jie, a colleague, assigned him detailed purchase orders for Bodenburg Winery.
Jiajun tried to take Qiao Nan out to celebrate his first day with a "full package" of dinner, karaoke, and a foot massage. However, Qiao Nan (as Mu Xiangxiang) politely declined, insisting on finishing his work first and returning to the study group. Jiajun noted that Qiao Nan seemed to have matured, becoming less easily swayed, unlike Qiao Rui. Later, Jiajun found Qiao Rui still working. He casually mentioned seeing Qiao Yuanshan take Qiao Nan home.
He then subtly began to sow discord, suggesting that Qiao Nan's internship, now that he was older, might be a strategic move by Qiao Yuanshan to challenge Qiao Rui's authority within the company. Qiao Rui dismissed the idea, stating Qiao Nan was merely a high school student, but Jiajun persisted, questioning his father's true motivations for arranging the internship.
