Second Chance Romance Episode 17 Recap
> Second Chance Romance Recap
Tan Siting expressed her profound disappointment after their extensive search for her father yielded no results. She recounted how she had searched everywhere and asked everyone possible, but the vastness of the area and lack of direction left them without any leads. Despite coming with little confidence, she had held onto hope until the very last moment, only to realize the world was far larger than she imagined, and the distance between her and her father had grown immensely.
Feng Rui reassured her, acknowledging that finding someone was never easy. Tan Siting, however, lamented not looking for him sooner, wondering why she hadn't persisted for years or even a decade. Feng Rui offered a different perspective, suggesting that her father might have found a new way of life there, embracing its simplicity and purity, and achieving peace of mind, much like how the serene landscape calmed their own troubled spirits. Meanwhile, Wang Shuhan celebrated a significant career milestone.
Her boyfriend, Mr. Wu, impressed by her work on a successful project, offered her a position as a project manager at his company, leading the East District project. He even prepared a spacious, bright office just for her. Overjoyed by this sudden turn in both her romantic life and career, Wang Shuhan remarked to Mr. Wu that colleagues might think she was receiving special treatment, to which he affirmed that professional boundaries would be maintained in the office.
She then learned that their sports complex project would include a park and charity programs—a suggestion she had made—further validating her sharp business acumen. Mr. Wu informed her that an employee named Micki would give her a tour, and she was expected at a welcome meeting in two days. Wang Shuhan felt a welcome meeting was unnecessary, but Mr. Wu reminded her that she had earned her place with her intellect.
Back in the village, Tan Siting arranged with their guide, Duoji, to deliver items to her student Qu Zhen's family. Following the provided address, Tan Siting and Feng Rui arrived at the home of Qu Zhen's mother. She welcomed "Ms. Tan" warmly, expressing surprise at their swift arrival and offering them her best, most authentic butter tea. She inquired about Qu Zhen's performance at school, and Tan Siting assured her that Qu Zhen was a diligent student, well-liked by everyone.
Tan Siting then presented throat lozenges that Qu Zhen had specifically sent for her "Old Sir." Curious, Tan Siting asked if "Old Sir" was Qu Zhen's grandfather and a local. Qu Zhen's mother revealed that he was Han Chinese, not Tibetan, and had been living there for a long time, treated as one of their own. She added that Qu Zhen's interest in ballet was influenced by Old Sir.
Upon learning his age was around sixty, Tan Siting hesitantly showed her father's photo. Qu Zhen's mother instantly recognized him, confirming it was indeed "Old Sir." She then proudly shared that Old Sir dedicated his time to protecting Tibetan antelopes in the mountains, often disappearing for months, and relied on villagers for necessities, who considered him a local hero.
Qu Zhen's mother then led Tan Siting and Feng Rui to her father’s humble abode, a remote house with fences he had built himself. Upon seeing her father, Tan Siting's long-suppressed emotions erupted, and she burst into tears. He had been working there for years, his face weathered and tanned, making him indistinguishable from the local villagers. Her father, initially stunned, met her gaze with eyes red with guilt.
Her father offered them apples and butter tea, noting how rare apples were in the region. Observing that Feng Rui couldn't consume dairy, he specially prepared plain tea for him. He remarked on the unexpected reunion with Feng Rui, sharing that he had recognized him at the vineyard during the mudslide relief efforts but hadn't been able to speak to him then. Feng Rui explained he had volunteered after hearing about the disaster.
As the villagers joined them for a celebratory meal, featuring local specialties like beef intestines, her father apologized to Tan Siting for his absence. He confessed that he was terrified and felt helpless after witnessing his beloved student, Wei, commit suicide due to bullying. He had intended to see the perpetrator punished but had overlooked Wei's feelings. After submitting his resignation, he watched in horror as Wei jumped in front of him, lying motionless in a pool of blood.
He expressed deep guilt and pain, believing that with more careful thought, Wei could have had a beautiful life. As public opinion escalated and began to implicate Tan Siting, he was on the verge of a breakdown. To protect her, he made the difficult decision to leave temporarily. For a long time after, he couldn't escape the fear, waking from nightmares and relying on sleeping pills.
He eventually found his way to this simple life, which he realized was what he truly desired. When he finally gathered the courage to return and search for Tan Siting, she had already gone to France without leaving any contact information, a fact he deeply regretted. Tan Siting comforted him, stating that she understood and always believed they would meet again.
The next morning, as Feng Rui and Tan Siting prepared for the day, Feng Rui commented that he hadn't slept so soundly in a long time. Tan Siting reflected on the immense courage it took for her father to start a new life in such an unfamiliar and challenging environment. Recalling her own solitary struggles when she first went to France, she deeply understood the hardship he must have faced and wished he had confided in someone at the time.
Her father then taught them how to make Tsampa, a local staple, and explained their diet of butter tea, beef jerky, and Tsampa, noting the absence of vegetables and rice. Feng Rui remarked that her father had so assimilated that he now seemed like a Tibetan. Tan Siting fondly recalled her father's homemade fish head and tofu soup, which he promised to make for her on her next visit.
Her father later expressed his concern for Tan Siting's solitary life and wished for her to build a happy family. He suggested Feng Rui as a suitable partner, noting his good character and the love he clearly showed. Tan Siting, however, gently corrected him, clarifying that she and Feng Rui were merely friends, and their past relationship was not something they could return to.
Her father insisted she shouldn't be too willful, acknowledging that some things couldn't be forced but still hoping for her happiness. Later, Tan Siting received a phone call from her father in the city. He mentioned seeing an old colleague whose daughter was also getting married soon and advised Tan Siting and Feng Rui to quickly book a hotel for their own wedding.
Tan Siting then informed him that she and Feng Rui had broken up and she would not be getting married. Her city father, initially shocked, quickly composed himself and offered to cook her favorite zhajiangmian and crunchy nuts if she came home that weekend, reminiscing about her childhood.
As they stood together, her father pointed to the vast, uninhabited area beyond the mountains, a roaming ground for Tibetan antelopes, and hoped that knowing he was doing meaningful work there would help her forgive his abrupt departure. Tan Siting confessed that his sudden leaving had left her scared and resentful, but over time, her memories of him were filled with happiness: his birthday celebrations, his cooking, and him cycling her to dance lessons.
She realized she had received so much and found peace in his happiness. Her father's final wish was for her everlasting happiness. Tan Siting made him promise not to move again so she could visit him every year. With promises to take care of themselves, Tan Siting and Feng Rui bid her father farewell, thanking him for everything.
Separately, Gao Hui's brother, Gao Haotian, visited her, complaining about pending travel expenses from a trip to Macao, China, implying he was short on money due to gambling. Gao Hui reminded him of his promise to stop gambling and warned that she couldn't protect him if he continued. Gao Haotian swore he would stop. Gao Hui agreed to expedite his expense report and insisted he attend their father's birthday in a few days. Before leaving, Gao Haotian noticed her dry lips and offered her a mint-flavored throat lozenge, her favorite. Gao Hui affectionately called him a rascal.
