[Mainland Chinese Drama 2019] Gank Your Heart 陪你到世界之巅

[themarchioness]

5 hours ago, lynne22 said:

And sigh... I really feel sorry for baby Xia Lin... he's caught in a hard place... one part he's dealing with depression because of his injury.. and another he also doesn't want to burden QY. 

 

Xia Ling is such a great kid.  I admire how even as he struggles to accept and deal with the consequences of his injuries, he still has the capacity to worry about QY's feelings as well.  Some struggles, however, and as he will later learn, are better off shared -- and ha, as I say that, I realize that could be said for so many of our beloved characters in this drama.    We love and appreciate them for how considerate they are of each other, but as Sun Ge will later point out, there is also such a thing as too much consideration.  When that happens, they only end up hurting themselves.  

 

QY's winning the competition, lols look at that happy face! 

 

She's so adorable!  But at the same time, I can't help but notice Director Guo's face behind her.  Look at that disappointment!  He's so much of a side character that I don't normally spend a lot of time thinking about him, but there are definitely times where he drives me batty and I'm reminded of Li Gan - in terms of how they treat their employees and run their business, that is.  It amazes me that GDV can be as successful as it is given how he easily he's swayed by Qiao Xin and all her smooth-talking ways and can't recognize a hard worker like QY when it's staring at him in the face.

 

I love all the stills that you shared @lynne22, but my favorite of this latest batch is definitely the last one.     I went and got strawberry milk tea again this past weekend, but alas.  There was no XK across from me.  

[themarchioness]

Oof . . . this episode. So much whiplash.  We go from XK and QY being all cute at The King, to XK being all cute as he tries to plan a surprise for QY, to . . . well, you'll see what happens.  All I can say is: Curses!  Foiled at the grand moment!  We're heading into the part of the story where my heart just hurts so much for these two.  On the one hand, I do feel that XK should've opened up about his past to QY sooner, particularly once Miya returned to the scene.  But on the other hand, as we've discussed before, I understand too why he wouldn't want to touch that; it's like he just wants to compartmentalize that part of his past and keep it there.  Similarly, I get why QY's feeling hurt right now and incapable of trusting and listening to XK.  But on the other hand, I really wish she would and that she'd have more confidence in their relationship because things could be cleared up sooooo much sooner if she'd just listen to him.  Ah, dramas . . . angst!  LOL!  

 

Episode 24

 

Spoiler

Episode 24

 

XK takes QY to The King for the first time.  As she walks through the entry way she exclaims over how cool the décor is, and XK says, “Of course, because it was all designed by my Sun Ge.”  [I love how even though QY’s gushing praise clearly registers with Sun Ge, he doesn’t react and continues playing on his phone until he hears the voice that accompanies this female voice.  I can’t tell you how many times I have rewound this scene just to watch the way Sun Ge turns around in shock and surprise when he hears XK’s voice.]  QY reaches out to touch something on the wall, and XK hurries over to prevent her from doing so, telling her to be careful.  He then notices Sun Ge watching them and smiles at him, as he tells QY to be careful in case it breaks.  XK calls out to Sun Ge, who greets them with just the sliiiiiiightest eyebrow twitch in QY’s direction and then says to her, “QY.”  When she answers with an enthusiastic, “That’s right,” he tells her – while looking straight at XK with a knowing look on his face –“XK frequently mentions you to me.”  QY swirls around to looks at XK, which allows Sun Ge to raise his eyebrows at XK, and XK tries to talk his away out of the situation by asking, “When have I?” with a tilt of his head.  He then tries to escape by saying he’s hungry and that he’s going to go eat something, but Sun Ge pushes him back into place and tells him to wait a minute.  He asks if XK’s been reincarnated as a piggish eater and reminds him that he hasn’t even introduced himself yet.  QY tells him there’s no need for that as she knows who he is; he’s one of the five great players from back in the day, Sun Ze Yi.  XK looks from her to his Sun Ge, probably equally surprised as well, while Sun Ge guesses with a lifted chin in XK’s direction that “that rascal” must have told her.  She answers that’s not the case and tells him she’s watched all his competitions.  She says, “You were the team leader and the commander.  Basically, you were like the linchpin for the entire team.”  Sun Ge looks at XK and says he’s actually feeling a little embarrassed by his “girlfriend’s” praise.  QY and XK look at each other [and for the first time, do not try and correct the girlfriend/boyfriend assumption!] while Sun Ge tells them to take a seat as he’ll make them something to eat.  After Sun Ge walks off, XK snaps his fingers in front of her to get her attention and asks what she’s thinking about.  She stammers that she’s not thinking of anything and he tells her to share her game analysis with him.  Grabbing a laptop, he nods in the direction of a side table and together they walk over.

 

As XK focuses his attention on the laptop, QY starts to stare unabashedly at him once more.  [I love how she never tries to hide her mesmerization with XK.]  XK reads through her analysis and comments alout that it’s not bad and that she’s made progress, he then looks up and notices QY staring at him.  When she keeps staring, he finally says in a stutter that if she keeps looking at him like that, he won’t be able to concentrate.  At that, QY finally snaps out of her trance and to cover the awkwardness, asks if he’s thirsty and says she’ll go and grab him some ice water.  She then bumps into the table and pretty much everything else too, which has XK smiling in amusement as he turns back to the laptop before turning immediately back to watch her, and then laughing as he finally returns to the laptop.  [Awww!] 

 

YY is eating her product placement instant hot pot and laughing at something on her laptop when QY arrives home that evening.  YY calls her over to take a look and QY asks her what she’s so happy about.  YY explains she’s reading the game analysis that QY posted online and praises her for a job well done.  QY’s surprised that YY’s already found it and YY tells her that it’s already a hot topic, so she couldn’t have missed it even if she’d wanted to.  QY doesn’t understand how it could be a hot topic when all she did was post it to her Weibo, and YY tells her it’s because earlier that afternoon Qiao Xin also posted a game analysis online.  As a result, the online netizens undertook a comparison of the two game analyses and everyone agrees QY’s is better.  QY smiles in glee and asks to see, so YY turns over her laptop.  As QY takes a look for herself, YY gloats and says she bets Qiao Xin’s really upset right now because QY’s game analysis is like a slap to her face.  After she praises QY for a job well done and the two friends high five, YY grouses that all Qiao Xin knows how to do is imitate others and since it’s obvious she got someone else to write the article for her, she deserves to have her face slapped.  QY asks if YY’s suggesting Qiao Xin didn’t write her game analysis and YY tells her that it’s obvious from a glance that it was written by A Can.  YY then tells QY that she’s pointing all this out to her so she’ll remember to be careful around Qiao Xin and A Can since they’re currently working in collusion together.  QY tells YY that she knows and that she doesn’t have the time to think of them anyway.  She says they can do as they please and that she doesn’t want to think about them.  YY then says QY must be hungry and offers her a bite of her dinner, and then the two friends promote the product placement hot pot a little bit more as they wax over how delicious it tastes.  QY says she’s going to make one for herself, but YY pulls her back down and gets up herself saying that she already prepared one for her in advance.  As she heads into the kitchen, she turns back and tells QY that there’s an express mail waiting for her on the desk.  

 

QY opens the express mail and pulls out two tickets.  YY returns at that moment and asks QY to move things aside so she can put down the hot pot bucket.  She then asks what QY has in her hands and upon closer looks, exclaims herself that they’re tickets to the news conference for Miya’s new single.  She asks who sent them and QY tells her it was Miya herself.  YY’s surprised to hear this and QY explains that it was at the “Tomorrow’s Star” competition that Miya invited her to the event and told her she could even go backstage.  QY says she can’t believe Miya really remembered and YY says she didn’t know such a thing had happened.  She then asks QY when they’re going, assuming that the second ticket will be for her, and QY tells her to hurry and eat her dinner instead.  As YY digs back into her dinner, QY pulls out her phone and sends a text.  On the other end, we see XK walking through VNG as the text comes in.  QY asks if he’s free at 5pm tomorrow because she has a surprise to give him.  He smiles and replies, “Okay.”  As he continues walking through the hallway, he overhears Li Gan’s voice saying to someone that they should consider using Qi Yue as their partner in an advertisement since he’s had the most MVP nominations in their current competition cycle.  He rounds the corner and finds the rest of his teammates, Li Gan, and Shu Wen talking to celebrity.  Shu Wen sees him and calls out, and then offers to introduce the celebrity to him.  She tells the celebrity this is VNG’s newest team leader, JXK, and when the celebrity turns around, it’s Miya.  They greet each other as strangers and Miya tells him that she’s been following VNG’s games and she’s especially impressed with his strategies.  She also tells him that she’s an iConquer fan and hopes that they one day they’ll have an opportunity to play a dual match together.  XK responds it’d be his honor, but with her being as busy and important as she is, she should mind her words and actions and suggests that she probably doesn’t have a lot of time to play iConquer.  [I like how he so artfully tries to extricate himself from the situation even though she’s put him on the spot in such a public way.  But, unfortunately, Miya’s sticking like glue.]  She answers that maybe it was like that in the past, but she’s already talked with her company and she’s changing the focus of her work to in-country promotions and has even reached an agreement to work with iConquer.  That’s when Li Gan steps in to explain that Miya has recently accepted some new endorsements and, as a result, will be working in partnership with VNG.  Miya adds that VNG is her favorite team and she hopes she can bring some benefits (i.e., resources) to them in order to allow them to focus on their competitions.  As for the person she’d like to film commercials with, she says she hopes it’ll be JXK and then asks hesitantly, “I don’t know if you’d be willing?”  Tong Wu jumps in to say that their team leader is her biggest fan, so he must be dying of excitement.  But when XK doesn’t say anything and the silence drags on, Li Gan has to prod him to make a decision.  That’s when XK finally smiles and holds out his hand, saying he’d be happy to work with her.  Qi Yue looks annoyed.

 

XK sees Miya back to her hotel that night.  As they get off the elevator, she asks why he didn’t say anything on their entire ride back and asks if her going to his company made him unhappy.  XK answers that’s not it and says that he was just thinking about other things; he then tries to send her on.  Miya’s not ready to say good-bye though and tells him instead that in the past, she was too selfish.  She only knew how to let him accommodate her career development, which caused her to neglect the period of time when he was also experiencing a lowpoint in his career and needed someone to keep him company.  She then tells him that she won’t be like that again in the future because this time, she came back with the hopes that she would be able to use what she’s gained during this time to be his support and help him fulfill his drams.  She’d taken his hand, right beforesaying that she wanted to help him realize his dreams, and XK retracts his hands from hers when she’s done speaking.  He tells her that when two people want to go the distance, it’s not that one person must make sacrificies for the other.  Rather, they should keep each other company and reach their success together.  He then tells her that her current success isn’t neccesarily because of him; therefore, she needn’t take him into consideration and try to make things up to him.  He also tells her that being able to see her stand under the radiant lights of the stage, helps him to feel that the decision he made back then was the right one.  Miya responds, “But I came to regret it.”  She tells him that originally she thought reaching the top was her dream, except when she actually made it there, she realized that no matter how beautiful the scenery was, it was all in vain without him by her side.  She asks XK if he can help her with something and when he doesn’t say anything, she smiles at him and asks him to wait a moment for her.  She also entreats him not to leave.  Unlocking the door to her hotel room, she walks inside and picks up a guitar which she then brings back out to him.  She asks if he still remembers that guitar and in a flashback, we see someone presenting him with the guitar.  The other person tells XK that this guitar has been with him for a long time and its quality is a ittle worn, but its timbre is still really good.  He then offers it to XK for a look, and XK responds by asking if the other person will accept payment in installments or let him work part-time to pay it off.  After that, we see XK presenting the guitar to Miya who exclaims over the gift.  She says it’s Taylor’s guitar and asks where he got the money to purchase such an expensive guitar.  [Taylor, the person XK bought it from, must be some famous musician!]  XK downplays things by saying, actually, it wasn’t as expensive as she thinks as it’s merely a secondhand guitar, but she tells him its timbre is still really great.  She tells him to listen and plays a chord.  XK agrees that the quality of the guitar’s timbre is good, but warns that the because it’s a little old, it’s not easy to tune.  He reassures her, however, that he learned how to do it from its former owner so in the future, he’ll always make sure to tune it for her before she plays it.  Miya responds that she’ll play this guitar for the rest of her life then, so that he’ll forever have to be her dedicated guitar tuner.  She asks him what he thinks about that and he responds by putting their heads together and saying, “Okay.”  Back in the present, Miya reminds XK that he’d said he would tune her guitar forever and asks if he’s willing to tune it for her again.  XK looks at the guitar and after hesitating says, “Okay,” and then enters her room while taking the guitar from her.  Miya looks sooooo happy as she takes a seat next to him and watches him work.  After a while though, XK starts to think of QY – the time he’d saved her from a passing bicyclist, the time she’d stared at him while he was working, the time he’d comforted her after she was booted from being an announcer because she was late to her first day at GDV, the time he’d fixed her hair after dropping her off at GDV, the time they’d listened to his music together, a time when she’d smiled at him, a time when he’d give her a head pat (lynne22 and I debated whether to include this in the count, but I ultimately went with “no” since it was already counted as part of the head pat count), the time he’d carried her on his back because she was drunk, the time he put Minnie’s ears on her, the time they’d walked with roses in their hand, the time they rode the carousel together, and the time they’d watched fireworks together.  When Miya notices his hesitation, she calls his name.  He snaps out of his reveries and tells her, “I’m sorry.  I forgot how to tune it.”  He then stands up and tells her he’s leaving and doesn’t look back when she calls after him. 

 

Miya is practicing her new song (the next day?) when Tony arrives.  He walks over to her after a while and comments on how she insisted on having her way by accepting several endorsement deals with the specific intention of assisting XK.  He asks whether XK was grateful once he knew about them and Miya answers that it’s not important, as she’s already made her decision: however long JXK spent waiting for her, she’s going to spend double the amount of time to make it up to him until he’s willing to accept her.  Tony sighs and says that one day, she’ll regret this side of her character; the one that refuses to turn around until she’s run up against a wall.  Miya points out, however, that it was because of this side of her that Tony picked her all those years ago and has worked alongside her this entire time.  She then asks Tony not to stand in her way because even if she is like a moth darting into the flame (i.e., bringing destruction upon herself), he should let her go crazy just this one last time.  Tony responds that just because she’s willing to wait for somone, that doesn’t necessarily mean that person will return to her.  He also reminds Miya that XK’s already said they’re not who they are to each other as they were back then anymore, and that XK already has that girl named QY next to him now.  Miya insists that QY is just her substitute because she can find traces of herself in her.  Tony asks if this is why Miya’s arranged for QY to come find her backstage, so she can reveal to QY her past with XK in the hopes that QY will break up with XK herself.  Miya doesn’t answer and just looks down at her guitar instead, andTony sighs in frustration. 

 

Qiao Xin delivers a cup of coffee to A Can in the GDV breakroom and then starts to complain that it’s not that she’s trying to be petty, but they (she and A Can) had only just finished writing a game analysis and QY immediately followed on their heels.  She questions QY’s intentions and A Can just tosses her concerns aside by pointing out that QY’s a new employee, so it’s understandable she would simply be trying to do what she can to.  That’s when Qiao Xin points out that all the online netizens have been praising QY’s analysis as precise and professional while criticizing their analysis as lacking.  When A Can hears that, his mood changes instantaneously and he puts his coffee cup back down.  He asks Qiao Xin what’s going on and how his analysis could be substandard.  He grouses that when he came to GDV, she didn’t even know what being a commentator was and doesn’t understand how the the netizens could criticize him for being lacking.  Having gotten the precise reaction she wanted out of him, Qiao Xin then tries to soothe A Can by telling him he needn’t be so angry because this is obviously QY trying to find favorable opinions online.  Shen tells him that when they were at Planet Video, QY used to do the same thing and that she really likes stepping on others in order to climb her own ladder.  [Why does it sound like you’re describing yourself, Qiao Xin????]  A Can says that’s great.  He can’t believe how a new person could be like that before even reaching the commentator’s stage, and vows to teach her how to respect her seniors.  Mission accomplished, Qiao Xin smiles to herself after A Can hurries off to settle matters.

 

QY arrives to a conference room where Director Guo and A Can are waiting for her.  She asks Director Guo if he was looking for her and he tells her to take a seat.  After she does so, he turns his laptop to her and asks if the essay posted to Weibo was authored by her.  She admits that it was and asks if there’s a problem.  Director Guo responds that there’s not a problem per se with the essay, but it’s just as a new employee, she may not fully understand how things work at GDV.  He then tells her that GDV’s success is the result of everyone working as one and he doesn’t want to see anyone breaking that bond between work colleagues.  QY is confused and tells Director Guo that she doesn’t really understand what he’s trying to say.  She again admits that she wrote the essay, but observes she never had any intention of breaking any bonds between work colleagues.  A Can throws his pen down at that and counsels QY that people shouldn’t be so eager for instant success.  He then asks her to think about how outsiders will view her behavior (of stepping on her colleagues just to post her essay) and judge GDV.  QY protests that she only wanted to write an analysis on one of the game competitions and never had the thought of trying to step on others.  Director Guo, fed up with her excuses, tells QY that she needn’t try to defend herself anymore.  He points out that she posted her analysis shortly after Qiao Xin posted hers and that their angle of analysis is similar.  He says it’s only too obvious what she was trying to do and tells her he hopes he won’t see such behavior from her again.  He asks if she understands what he’s trying to say and when QY says, “Director Guo…” there’s a knock at the door and Luo Tian enters.  He hands a folder to Director Guo saying it’s the materials he’d asked for earlier and as Director Guo flips through them, Luo Tian apologizes saying he couldn’t help but overhear their earlier conversation.  He then asks how come he didn’t seem to get the impression that QY’s essay was trying to attack anyone, and asks if nobody else is allowed to post an essay just because Qiao Xin did it first.  He also asks if it’s the case that just because other people said QY’s essay was written well that means she was trying to attack somebody else.  He then points out to Director Guo that, if they include in their count the trainees, GDV has around 17 commentators.  If they want to stand on the commentator’s stage, then they have to depend on their real talents.  He then says, “Besides, Qiao Xin’s essay really was written poorly.  A Can, from a professional’s standpoint, how do you feel about it?”  [Hahahaha, burn!!!  Nice job, Luo Tian!]  Since A Can can’t really say anything after that, he says that whatever Luo Tian says is correct.  Director Guo cuts in to say that’s enough and that they won’t discuss this matter any further before sending everyone back to work.

 

XK is at The King on one of the computers where he does a lot of typing and then checks the time on his watch.  YX, who’d been hanging out at the counter with Sun Ge, eventually wanders over and leans against the desk and laments that XK doesn’t know how to invite QY out for a meal despite them having a rare few days off.  XK sends his back an annoyed look and says that if he wants to ask YY out, he should just do so himself and stop bothering him.  YX stands up at that and asks who wants to ask YY out.  He walks towards XK and proclaims that he’s just worried on his behalf given how PX’s already confessed.  That’s when he then arrives behind XK and finds himself stunned by what he sees on the computer screen.  He drops down on the edge of the desk behind XK’s and says, “Aiyo-ay, Secret Garden, isn’t that the restaurant that’s super popular and well known online for being the place where people cofess their love?”  He leans against XK’s shoulder and asks if he’s intending on confessing to QY, and then turns away saying, “My Kong Ge has finally grown up!  I’m telling you, this is no easy matter.”  Obviously embarrassed, XK pushes YX away and orderse him to go help out Sun Ge, but YX is not to be put off.  He immediately turns back around and tells XK that he shouldn’t close the webpage as it’s really hard grabbing a reservation at this restaurant.  He observes how every day at 3pm, the restaurant opens up their page for reservations that same evening so he should hurry up and try to nab a reservation otherwise he won’t get one.  XK tries again to send YX to the side and tells him to stop bothering him, but YX just tells him that he may not be able to snatch a reservation with just one computer.  He turns around and calls out to the Internet café and says that if anyone can help his Kong Ge make a reservation at Secret Garden, they can have three free days at The King.  He asks Sun Ge if he’s okay with that and Sun Ge agrees without hesitation to the conditions.  The customers at The King start chatting in excitement over this announcement and wonder who the girl is that XK wants to date and whether it’s “that QY.”  At that moment, XK gets a text on his phone.  It’s QY who tells him she has good news to share; Luo Tian says she can stand on the commentator’s stage.  XK writes back, “That’s perfect as I already prepared a great meal for you tonight.”  YX reads over his shoulders and starts playfully cringing over the smell of love’s body odor.  XK again pushes him away and says, “Didn’t you say you were going to help?  Hurry up and try and make a reservation.”  YX immediately agrees and heads for the desk behind XK. 

 

QY is waiting with a gift bag in her hand (the same one she had intended to give XK the night of her competition, but never ended up giving him) and looking around when XK arrives from the opposite direction and snaps his fingers in front of her face to gain her attention.  She reacts in startlement and says he scared her, and then tells him to look at the time and asks how he can dare to be late.  XK’s surprised to hear he’s late and looks at his watch, after which he points out he’s not late as he’s arrived on the dot at 6:30.  QY rolls her eyes and says, “Anyway, you should arrive before me.”  He laughs and then grabs at the bag in her hand, asking her what she bought.  She tells him it’s a present for him and when he reacts in surprise and says he’s going to open it to see what it is, she tells him he can’t open it right now.  He asks why not and she tells him he just can’t, otherwise she’ll be mad.  She then grabs at his arm and tells him to come with her. 

 

As they walk [with QY still dragging him by the arm – squee!], XK says she still hasn’t told him what they’re going to see and she tells him not to worry about that.  They arrive to their destination point and XK exclaims at how many people are already there out front.  QY leads him to a side entrance and he tells her that it looks like the door is on the other side, but she tells him to just follow her – which means he never sees the event signs out front.  As they enter the side door, the camera pans to the front of the building where we see a news reporter reporting on Miya’s news conference for her new single. 

 

QY is dragging XK through the backstage hallways and urging him to hurry when he finally forces her to stop and asks what’s going on, pointing out how she’s behaving secretively and how she even brought him through the back door.  QY tells him he can finally meet the person he’s yearned so much that he’s even dreamed about them [that was an idiom she used, so don’t take it literally – we know he dreams about her, haha] and when XK just raises his eyebrows in reaction, she asks if this can be considered a big surprise.  XK asks if she’s certain she knows who the person he yearns so much that he even dreams about them is, and QY answers, “Of course!  Look.”  She then points him in the direction of a poster on the wall and XK sees it’s Miya.  Shocked and stunned, a 360 turns reveals Miya’s posters are everywhere.  QY asks what he thinks and he says, “You brought me to Miya’s…” and QY explains that today is Miya’s press conference for her new single, and Miya gave her two VIP tickets which even allows her a backstage visit for an autograph.  XK tells her that he wants to go out for a second, but QY pulls him back assuming that he’s just feeling shy.  She then pushes him through the door of Miya’s waiting room, telling him to hurry up and enter, and that he shouldn’t be so shy, and when he stumbles in, Miya turns around and greets him in surprise by name.  She runs over to take his hands and asks why he didn’t tell her he’d be coming today and wonders if he saw the message she sent him.  XK turns and looks at QY, but she’s already figured out from Miya’s welcome that they know each other.  Miya pretends like she knows nothing and instead presents XK to QY.  She asks if QY remembers how, at the “Tomorrow’s Competition,” she’d mentioned she had a friend who really liked esports and now reveals that person was XK.  She also adds that they can be considered as two people who watched each other grow up asks XK if that isn’t correct.  XK looks back at Miya and removes her hands from his arm, all while QY is watching with a distressed look on her face.  He says, “Miya,” and then goes to stand next to QY.  Taking her hand, he says, “Let me make an introduction.  QY.  She’s my girlfriend.”  QY looks at him in surprise and awkwardness while Miya asks if he’s trying to blame her for not fighting for their love back in the day.  She then asks if the reason he’s chosen QY is because there are shadows of her (Miya) in QY and because QY’s similar to how she was five years ago.  XK replies, “It’s true, she is similar to you, but…” and that’s when QY snatches her hand out from his and says, “That’s enough.”  She tells XK that their (his and Miya’s) love story has nothing to do with her and asks him to stop dragging her into the middle.  She also tells him that she doesn’t want to be the tool by which they use to feel out each other’s feelings.  QY then walks out of the room and when XK calls after her, Miya stops him.  She asks him to give her another chance and suggests they start over from the beginning, but XK just pushes aside her hands and says, “Sorry.  I already have someone I like.”  He then goes running after QY.

 

XK catches up to QY outside where he calls after her and asks her to listen to his explanation.  With his hands on her shoulders, he apologizes and again asks her to listen to his explanation.  She shoves his hands aside and confronts him by asking, “You’re the one who’s Miya’s first love, aren’t you?  The song, ‘Beyond the Sky,’ was written for you, wasn’t it?  The person hugging her by the pool was never Ren Xu, it was you, wasn’t it?  Why didn’t you tell me?  Why did you let me be so embarrassed? ”  XK apologizes again and tries to tell her it’s not what she thinks, but QY asks why he told Miya she’s his girlfriend.  She asks what he’s trying to turn her into and says he’s incapable of forgetting her (Miya).  She then asks why he gave her the wrong impression, allowing her to think that he actually liked her.  XK hugs QY and tells her that he really does like her and that he really does want her to be his girlfriend, but she shoves him away and says she can’t believe him.  She insists that XK’s incapable of forgetting Miya and says the only reason he befriended her was because he found Miya’s reflection in her, which makes her just a substitute.  XK tells her again that things aren’t as she believes and asks her again to listen to his explanation, but she tells him to let her go and throwing her present at him, says she doesn’t want to listen to his explanation and runs off.  XK picks up the present and then starts to race after her.  Of course it starts thundering at that moment and it starts to rain heavily.  QY ends up running across a major thoroughfare and catches a cab, and XK who struggles to fight traffic to catch up to her, ends up missing her.  He tries to stop her cab, but it drives right past him and then he chases after it until he has to give up.  Inside the cab, QY sobs.  After a while, she gets a text from XK.  He tells her that he’ll wait for her at the Secret Garden restaurant and asks her to give him an opportunity to explain.

 

Sometime later, XK sits by himself at the Secret Garden while he watches other couples next to him propose and share romantic dinners.  He checks his phone but there’s still no response and when he tries calling QY, he finds that her phone’s been shut off.  A waiter walks over and has to call for XK’s attention several times before he finally responds.  The waiter asks if they should wait to deliver his meal, and XK indicates yes while thanking the waiter.  After the waiter leaves, he opens the present from QY and finds a model motorcyle.  He flashes back to that night (in Episode 14), where she’d said to him, “I believe that you will one day stand at the top of the world,” and he had replied, “Then I hope when that day comes, it’s you who’s standing on the commentator’s stage and declares to the entire world that it’s a Chinese team who won the world championship title.”  [Not counting their fist bump promise here either because it was already counted previously!]  Back in the present, XK reads the card that came with the gift.  It says, “Thank you for supporting me through the lowest points of my life.  If this was fate’s arrangements, then I hope I can embrace you closely and accompany you to the top of the world.”  XK hangs his head over the card and then tries to call her one more time, but QY’s phone is still off.  She’s instead sitting in her office by herself where she tells herself she has to buck up and forget this entire day, and start over tomorrow with a new day.  Luo Tian walks past at that moment and when he notices there’s somebody in the office, he stops in and turns on the light.  He asks QY what she’s doing there when it’s so late already, and she hurries to wipe her tears.  He asks why she looks as she does (a wet, teary mess) and she just gathers up her things and says she’ll leave first.  He tells her to hold up and when she turns back around, he says he’ll give her a ride and then walks past her (I presume to go fetch his things). 

 

Back at the restaurant, a waiter walks over to XK and tells him that they’re about to close.  He nods his understanding and gets up to leave.  The waiter calls after him and tells him that his prepaid reservation had included the restaurant’s special cake, so if his friend was busy and couldn’t come today, they would be willing to make another one for the next time.  XK thanks the waiter, but tells him there probably won’t be another time. 

 

Luo Tian drives QY home.  After riding in silence for a little while, he turns up the heat in the car and then starts a conversation with a cough.  He says he never had the chance to thank her and then tells her he really likes the thermos.  QY doesn’t say anything at first, but then apologizes to him for letting him see her in her current state.  He tells her that it’s okay as everyone has periods where they’re unhappy, but adds that he hopes she will still be able to adjust her condition quickly because she should know from having been an intern how ruthless the commentator’s stage can be.  He then tells her if she can’t handle the second half of the playoffs, then she might not even have the opportunity deliver data/materials in the future.  QY tells him that she understands.  After a while, he parks his cars and asks if he’s found the right place.  QY thanks him and notes how she’s troubled him, but he just says, “You’re welcome.”  She says she’s heading up and then he thinks of something and hands over a box of medicine.  He tells her to hurry and take some once she’s home as she won’t be able to face the camera or the audience if she gets sick.  QY thanks him and takes the medicine, and then they say good-bye. 

 

YY’s in the living room working on her laptop when she hears QY walk throught he front door.  YY comments that she’s finally home and teases that she thought QY had been kidnapped by XK.  She then tells QY to hurry up and tell her what they did today except when she finally looks up from her laptop she sees the condition that her friend in.  YY rushes over and asks what happened that she looks so disorderly.  She tells QY to hand over her purse and asks what’s going on.  QY answers that it’s nothing and tries to explain it away by saying it rained and she didn’t have an umbrella on her.  YY asks what XK was doing that he would let her become drenched like this and QY merely answers that she’s going to take a shower.  YY can tell QY’s not telling the truth and holds her back to ask if XK bullied her.  She says that if he did, QY has only to say the word and she’ll help her teach him a lesson.  But QY answers that he didn’t and then tells YY that she’s really cold so she’s going to take a shower.  Since QY’s not willing to say anything, YY can only let her go but as she watches QY walk away, she remarks out loud that something’s not right and that something must be going on.  She calls who else but YX, but when he sees her name on his phone, he assumes she’s finally looking for him and asks if she wants to meet him for some late night gacks.  YY retorts, “Eat what late snacks?” and says she has a question for him.  She asks if his Kong Ge had a date with QY that evening, and YX answers that they did and that he even helped make the dinner reservation.  He tells her it was for Secret Garden, that the reservations were really hard to come by, and that it’s a restaurant known for being where couples go to confess.  YY reacts, “Confess?”  YX makes a noise of assent and asks if she didn’t known.  He then asks how things went and when he starts to ask if they . . . YY cuts him off and asks if he can keep his mind clean.  She then tells him that when QY arrived home, she was drenched from head to toe and her mood was really down.  She tells YX that given QY’s condition, she didn’t dare ask too many questions and then asks YX if his Kong Ge bullied her QY again.  YX answers that’s impossible because XK behaves particulary gentlemanly around her, and asks how he could possibly bully QY.  He then asks if it’s possible QY rejected his Kong Ge, but YY says she likes him so much there’s no way she would’ve rejected him.  When YX hears that, he tells her to hold up a second and asks, “What?” but YY chooses that moment to end the conversation and says she’s not talking to him anymore as trying to get information out of him is is a fruitless endeavor. 

 

XK is sitting at a table at The King when Sun Ge rushes over with a bowl in his hand commenting that XK doesn’t know how to take care of himself even though he’s already an adult.  He tells XK to drink the ginger tea he prepared so that he’ll sweat it out, and as XK takes a sip of the soup, he comments that no wonder Miya would fall on stage at the press conferene for her new single.  XK looks at Sun Ge in surprise, and Sun Ge asks if he didn’t see the news.  He pulls out his phone and shows XK an article concerning the matter.  Sun Ge then tells XK that it looks like Miya won’t give up easily, and XK says, “Sun Ge, what should I do now?”  Sun Ge answers that even though he’s only met QY once, he can tell she’s the type who won’t tolerate the smallest bit of sand in her eyes when it comes to affections.  XK then tells him that she won’t even listen to his explanation right now.  Sun Ge counsels that they both need to calm down right now.  When XK nods his head in acceptance of that, he also points out that the playoffs are about to start in a few days and that this is important to both him and QY.  He says that whether he’s considering himself or trying to be responsible for the opposite party, they should both focus their energies on the playoffs first.  XK nods his head again

 

Back in her bedroom, QY sits in front of the mirror and lets herself have a moment.  She then checks her phone and sees all the messages XK has sent her, but she sets the phone aside and thinks back instead to when Luo Tian had told her in the car that he hoped she would hurry up and adjust her condition because she might not have the opportunity to deliver even data/materials in the future if she couldn’t handle the second half of the playoffs.  When she comes back out of the flashback, her phone rings and we don’t get to see the name on the caller ID (as it’s blurred out).  QY answers and it turns out to be Miya who says, “I’m sorry.  I know it’s rude of to make this phone call, but I’d really like to meet with you.  Would that be okay?”  QY doesn’t say answer and puts the phone back down instead.

 

End

 

Head Pat Count (episode): 0

Head Pat Count (total): 4

 

Fist Bump Count (episode): 0

Fist Bump Count (total): 6

[themarchioness]

I swear, these episodes where QY and XK are apart are some of the hardest to watch.  Sigh. 

 

Episode 25

 

Spoiler

 

Episode 25

 

 

Miya is waiting at a café when QY arrives and then struggles to stand properly.  QY looks down and can see she has a bandage wrapped around her left ankle.  Miya apologizes and says she wasn’t careful yesterday and twisted her foot.  QY tells her it’s okay and invites her to have a seat as she takes her own seat across from Miya.  The waitress walks over at that moment and delivers a strawberry milk tea to Miya and a cup of coffee to QY.  QY can only stare at the strawberry milk tea as Miya takes a sip.  [Poor QY, strawberry milk tea was supposed to be “their” thing!]  After Miya finishes her sip, she confesses that actually, she’s known about the rumors between XK and QY since before the “Tomorrow’s Star” competition.  She tells QY that when she saw her picture online, she had a sense of premonition that what was between her and XK wasn’t just rumors and admits that’s why she invited her to her fan signing event because she wanted to have a chat with her.  QY tells Miya that “he” never spoke to her about their (his and Miya’s) relationship so that’s why things turned into such an awkward mess.  After they sit in silence for a bit, Miya says, “You like him,” and QY admits that she does but adds that up until now, they’ve only just been friends.  Miya says she knows and that there are some things, even if he doesn’t say, she understands thoroughly – because they grew up together and there’s no one who understands them better than each other.  [I disagree!  QY understands XK very well!]  As Miya astirs her drink, QY asks if their affections for each other really are as she wrote in the lyrics for “Beyond the Sky.”  Miya smiles and answers that “Beyond the Sky” was originally written for him.  She adds that this song is like a record of the hardest times together, which were also their sweetest.  She explains that after she became a trainee, he applied to be an exchange student.  He then rented a tiny apartment next to her management company that was only 12 square meters in size.  [As Miya continues describing their past, we start to follow them in a flashback.]  Every day after classes, he would cook her food.  On the weekends, he would accompany her to the theater.  Rehearsals.  Performances.  In the flashback, we see XK giving Miya a piggyback ride when she tells him tearfully that she feels exhausted and that she doesn’t think she’ll be able to take it anymore.  He encourages her by saying that even they fail, or are laughed at; sure, it’ll be hard to bear, but they have each other for support.  Miya agrees and then in the present, she tells QY that back then, they didn’t have anything other than each other.  XK had said he’d stay by her side forever but later, after she slowly gaining some popularity, her company didn’t want her to be in a relationship.  XK, because of her career development, made the choice to leave and up until this time, they’ve never seen each other again.  But he’s attended every one of her concerts.  Miya tells QY that now that she’s succeeded, she can support him and help him realize his dreams.  She says they were by each other’s side for their entire youth and asks QY if she can understand their love.  QY answers, “I’m sorry, Miss Fu.  I have to get back to work.  But don’t worry I be entangled in your relationship anymore.”  She then gets up, thanks Miya for the drink, and leaves. 

 

The teams arrive one by one to the competition site with their suitcases in tow, and the VNG team arrives just as the van from GDV pulls up. XK lingers behind in an effort to make contact with QY, but she sees him and just turns away.  When he calls out her name, QY keeps walking.  The Legends van arrives then and YX hops out asking XK what’s going on.  He asks if he failed in his love confession and whether QY rejected him.  XK doesn’t answer and a second later, they’re joined by all of XK’s former teammates.  He greets his former coach and when PX steps out of the van, YX tugs XK to the side and asks XK if it was because of PX.  XK just walks away at that and YX calls after him, “Say something!” 

 

In the conference room designated for the VNG team’s use, XK discusses strategy with his teammates sans Li Gan and Shu Wen.  Lu Sheng and Tong Wu participate in the conversation, but Qi Yue sits off to the side playing with his phone.  It turns out he’s been sending text messages to Qiao Xin and they’re all going unanswered.  XK calls on him and asks him to share his opinion, and Shen Yue pokes at him to gain his attention.  Of course Qi Yue has no idea what’s going on, so he says, “Haven’t we already settled things?  You’re the team leader and you can decide on the strategy.  We’ll just listen.”  Shen Yue tries to smoothe things over by repeating everything XK just said but Qi Yue goes back to texting Qiao Xin.  XK continues instructing his teammates on what to do during their competition scheduled for the next day, and after we see Qi Yue send more text messages to Qiao Xin, he stops to ask Qi Yue if he’s even listening and understands.  Qi Yue says he’s very clear and asks if XK’s done because his mom’s at the hotel.  He asks if he can go find her.  XK looks away and Qi Yue grabs his things and exits the room. 

 

Qiao Xin is with A Can and asks, with a pout, whether he’s seen the schedule for the next couple of days.  She complains over the fact that QY has gone from being an assistant to a commentator in just a short period of time and asks how anyone could believe her if she said she didn’t have any backdoor connections.  [LOOK IN THE MIRROR, GIRL!  YOU’RE THE ONE WHO ONLY GETS ANYWHER BY WORKING CONNECTIONS!]  A Can tells her that she should look at it this way: even if QY really did walk through the back door, she’s also someone who was personally selected by Luo Tian so who would dare to not agree.  He points out that even Director Guo has to give him some face.  Qiao Xin then says that she’s been following and learning from A Can these past few months and surely he can’t bear to see someone use artifice to climb the ranks.  She reaches out to grab his arm and reminds him that she is someone he’s been personally developing and asks if he can’t find a way to help her.  A Can tells her to not be so anxious and promises to help her find a way, but he also tells her that the playoffs have already started so they can only let things be for now.  But he reassures her that later, he’ll help her find a way.  Qi Yue arrives in the distance at that moment and sees Qiao Xin with A Can.  Since he doesn’t look pleased, Qiao Xin grows nervous and quickly excuses herself to use the ladies’ room.  She then rushes at A Can and makes sure he doesn’t rush at A Can like he’d like to.  After she drags him away, Qi Yue yanks his arm away telling her to let go.  He asks Qiao Xin why she was with A Can and demands that she explain things clearly.  Qiao Xin asks what kind of an attidue he’s having her with her right now and Qi Yue asks the question back at her.  He asks why she won’t reply to his WeiXin and asks if it would’ve been impossible to see her if he hadn’t happened to have run into her just now.  Qiao Xin asks if he couldn’t see; she was working, and Qi Yue asks if keeping another man company while drinking coffee consistutes work.  Their argument rouses the interests of passers by who whisper between themselves if that isn’t Qi Yue and Qiao Xin.  After they leave, Qiao Xin turns back to Qi Yue and says, “Look at yourself right now.  Aren’t embarrassed at the way you’re yelling?”  She then further demeans him by pointing out how, if he really had any ability, she wouldn’t have to spend her time having coffee with other men.  She then reminds him that she’s told him before how she has to fight for a spot at GDV, and with QY now having Luo Tian as her support, she has to find a way to save herself.  Qi Yue responds that Qiao Xin is finally sharing how she really feels; in her heart, he’s just a good-for-nothing.  Qiao Xin responds, “If not, then what?  In all these years, what have you ever done for me?”  After they share a speechless moment, Qiao Xin tells him that now that everybody’s staying there [in the same hotel], he shouldn’t try and find her.  Qi Yue tries to hold on to her, but she tells him to let go.  He then says, “Qiao Xin, these past few years, I’ve always taken you into consideration, but what about you?  What do you see me as?  I’m really almost at the end of my rope!”  Qiao Xin throws aside his hand and says, “Then let’s break up.  I’ve never begged that you had to be with me.”  She then storms off while Qi Yue hits his head with the palms of his hands in agony.  [Serves him right.] 

 

Li Gan arrives to the team’s conference room and asks if they’ve finished talking.  Lu Sheng says they’re going to practice and everyone else files out until it’s just Li Gan and XK.  Li Gan asks after Qi Yue and XK answers that he has something to discuss with him.  Li Gan nods his head and XK says, “Qi Yue’s your disciple.  At VNG, he only listens to you.”  Li Gan says that if XK has anything he wants to say, he should just do so directly.  XK then tells him that if Qi Yue really was going to spend time with his mother, them him asking for leave would be understandable.  But if he’s using that as a pretense to spend time with his girlfriend, which then affects their training time, then that’s a different matter.  Li Gan answers that this is a critical time for VNG and XK and Qi Yue are indispensable to each other; therefore, he doesn’t want there to be any misunderstandings between them at a time like this.  XK replies that if it really is a misunderstanding, then he’s willing to apologize to Qi Yue.  But if that’s not the case, he hopes Li Gan will speak with him (Qi Yue).  Li Gan nods and says he understands and XK says he’s also going to practice. 

 

QY is in the conference room that has been set aside for GDV, discussing the Polaris team’s stats with Luo Tian in preparation for the upcoming competition.  He tells her that her information is pretty good, but it’s still not complete, and offers to help her gather more materials after they finish eating.  As they exit their conference room, they bump into XK who’s also walking through the hallways.  Luo Tian guesses that XK’s looking for QY, but when XK asks if they can meet privately to talk, she rejects him by saying she’s sorry but she’s a little busy right now.  She then tells Luo Tian that there are few topics she doesn’t quite understand so she’s heading back first.  She then leaves, leaving Luo Tian to pat XK on the shoulder awkwardly as he takes his leave as well. 

 

Li Gan knocks on a door and inside the hotel room, Shen Yue hurries to turn off his blowdryer as he rushes for the door saying that Qi Yue has finally returned.  Except when he opens the door, it’s not Qi Yue standing in front of him but their boss, Li Gan.  Li Gan looks beyond him and into the room, and asks if Qi Yue’s back.  Shen Yue says he doesn’t know and suggests that he’s probably with his mom.  Li Gan asks what’s going on with Qi Yue; he’s not answering his phone and he’s not returning his messages.  Shen Yue [the master of Qi Yue excuses] says he probably didn’t take his cell phone with him, and Li Gan instructs Shen Yue to let him know when Qi Yue returns.  Shen Yue agrees and Li Gan tells him to get some rest before turning away.  After he closes the door behind Li Gan, Shen Yue quickly takes out his phone to call Qi Yue.  When it keeps ringing, he asks Qi Yue why he won’t answer.  Li Gan, meanwhile, runs into Shu Wen when she exits her room just as he happens to be returning to his, which is across from hers.  They share an awkward moment of silence before Shu Wen asks if he was out.  He explains he went to find Qi Yue and Shu Wen says she heard Qi Yue left early again today.  Li Gan says that’s right, and points out that his mom’s a stranger in a strange place, so she needs someone to keep her company.  Shu Wen asks if it isn’t because of something else and Li Gan asks why she doesn’t trust Qi Yue.  He then says he’s going to bed and turns to leave, but Shu Wen calls him back and says she’s just trying to show concern for Qi Yue.  With his back still turned, he nods his head in acceptance of her explanation, but when she asks if they can talk, he tells her it’s not early and they still have a match tomorrow; he suggests she gets some rest.  He then leaves her standing in the hallway. 

 

Shu Wen heads for the elevator and preses the down button, but when the door opens, she finds an incredibly drunk Qi Yue inside.  She asks what’s wrong with him and how he could be so drunk, but he throws her off and tells her to leave him alone.  She lunges for him again and reminds him that they have a match tomorrow.  She asks how he could let himself get so drunk and tries to get him to sober up, while Qi Yue asks her if he’s a good-for-nothing.  He asks why Qiao Xin would say that about him, and Shu Wen tells him that he’s drunk so she’ll help him back to his room.  He tells Shu Wen to tell her that one day he’ll let the entire world know that she’s his woman, and then he stumbles and falls to the ground.  Li Gan comes out then to help and Shu Wen tells him to take a look for himself.  Li Gan pulls Qi Yue up and tells him to come with him, but Qi Yue tells him to shut up.  He again asks why Qiao Xin would treat him as she did, saying that whatever she wanted, he always gave it to her, and Li Gan again tries to get him to stop.  Qi Yue pushes Li Gan away and tells him to leave, and Shu Wen just looks at Li Gan and asks if he heard.  She says they have a match tomorrow and he let himself get this drunk.  She says he better not cause them any problems and then storms off.  Shen Yue pops out of his room at that moment and rushes out to help Li Gan drag Qi Yue back inside. 

 

The next day, QY arrives to the commentator’s stage for the 2018 iConquer playoffs and takes a look around.  She sees her name plaque next to Luo Tian’s and then takes a look out into the game arena.  Luo Tian arrives behind her and says he also stood there for a long time the first he took to the commentator’s stage.  He says it’s only when you stand there from that angle that you really feel a sense of responsibility.  He then tells her the match is about to start and suggests they do some preparations for it.  QY agrees and they take their seats behind their laptops.  As they do so, Luo Tian remarks that with this being QY’s first time, she’s probably really nervous so he tells her that once they’re started, she should try and catch her breath and settle down as she shouldn’t feel anxious about speaking.  He advises that she must remember to speak accurately when sharing game stats and recommends that she take a look at her notebook first if there’s anything she’s not feeling confident about.  As Luo Tian speaks, Qiao Xin shows up outside the door.  She quickly skedaddles when she sees someone heading towards the room from the opposite direction.  That person knocks on the door and tells Luo Tian that Director An is looking for him.  [This title, “Director,” refers to the type of director who directs a program.  Not to be confused with the title, “Director,” used in corporate settings.]  Luo Tian agrees to meet with Director An and tells QY to keep working on her preparations while he steps out.

 

After Luo Tian leaves, XK approaches the commentator’s stage through the game arena.  He walks up aisle and watches her at work.  He’s then standing in front of her before she even registers his presence.  After they stare at each other with beautiful music playing in the background, XK says to her, “QY, let’s talk.”  She hesitates but then points in the direction of the door and says, “Let’s go out and talk then.”  They meet in the hallway behind the stage and he tells her that she has to “jia you” because this is her first time standing on the commentator’s stage, and she’s waited a long time for this day.  He tells her not to be nervous and to show everyone what she’s got.  QY thanks him and says she also hopes his match will go smoothly.  XK remembers then to thank her for the model motorcycle that she gave him and tells her he really likes it.  QY says that was just to show her appreciation for all the help that he’d given her, and that it had no other meaning.  She then tells him that she’s going to take her leave first and suggests he hurry up and return to his waiting room.  When she turns to leave, XK grabs for her wrist and calls her name, but then he lets go and says, “I know I shouldn’t bother you at a time like this, but when the competition is over, can we have a proper conversation?”  She purposely misunderstands and says sure, they’ll invite YX and YY too as it’s been a while since they’ve all met up, but XK tells her that he meant just the two of them.  He again asks if they can and QY says sure, they can discuss it again after the competition is over.  This time she really does turn and leave, and Xk watches her go. 

 

When QY returns to the commenatator’s stage and looks down at her laptop, she realizes her notebook is missing.  She starts searching and that’s when that other guy returns and asks what she’s looking for.  She tells him with anxiety laced throughout her voice that her notebook has gone missing and it’s got everything she needs for the upcoming competition inside it.  Her coworker asks how she could lose something so important and immediately gets to work trying to help her find it, while QY tells him all she did was step out for a moment and she knows she left it on the table.  At that moment, however, we see Qiao Xin with the notebook and she’s tearing out pages while shoving them into a trash bin.  She mutters, “Let’s see how you show off now,” and then Luo Tian walks by.  He sees her and asks what she’s doing there with the competition about to begin.  Qiao Xin quickly shoves the remainder of the notebook into trash bin and tells Luo Tian she wasn’t doing anything other than throwing some trash away.  She then takes her leave by saying she’s going to go get ready and Luo Tian looks at the trash bin before returning to the commentator’s stage.  When he enters the room, he sees the other coworker who was trying to help QY find her notebook, and scolds him because he’s supposed to be somewhere else preparing for the competition.  The coworker starts to explain what he’s doing, but when he looks at QY and she shakes her head no, he just bows and rushes off to do Luo Tian’s bidding.  Luo Tian then takes his seat and asks QY if there’s something going on.  He asks what she’s looking for, and she tells him (in the most unconvincing voice) that nothing’s the matter.  Luo Tian then tells her that A Can’s partner is suddenly not feeling well and they couldn’t find him a last minute substitute, so in a little bit, they’ll have to work to cooperate with A Can who’ll be reporting from the stage to fill in that gap.  QY asks for clarification and Luo Tian explains that sometimes these unexpected things will happen, but it’s okay as all she has to do is follow his lead and she’ll be okay.  He then hands her the script for the MC hosts and tells her to take a look. 

 

Qi Yue is splashing his face with water in the bathroom as he tries to pull himself together when Shen Yue arrives behind him and asks if everything’s okay.  Qi Yue doesn’t answer and when he walks past, Shen Yue hands him a bottle of water and tells him to have a drink.  He then follows Qi Yue back to the waiting room and asks how he couldn’t gotten so drunk.  Qi Yue turns around and asks what he should do, as Shu Wen saw everything.  Shen Yue answers that he’s not clear on the details either, but he thinks Li Gan knows about him and Qiao Xin now too.  When Qi Yue shakes his head and takes another swig of the water, Shen Yue tries to calm his nerves by saying that he thinks Shu Wen will be okay.  Qi Yue asks if he thinks this will affect the match and Shen Yue says of course it won’t, given how important a role Qi Yue plays on their team.  This gives Qi Yue the confidence boost that he needs as he says that’s true; VNG can’t do without him right now.  Shen Yue then tells Qi Yue that their match is about to begin so they should hurry back.

 

Shu Wen arrives to the waiting room and asks after Qi Yue’s whereabouts.  The remaining members look at each other and then XK responds that he went to use the bathroom.  Qi Yue and Shen Yue return then and Li Gan tells them to compete well.  Qi Yue responds, “Don’t worry; just leave it to me.”  [Why is that so not confidence inspiring?]  Shu Wen tells the team that they should bring out their best for today’s match and that she has confidence in them [does not escape my notice how she says the last part while looking directly at XK].  XK tells her not to worry as they competed against Polaris during the regular season as well and so everyone has a good sense of what they’re dealing with.  Tong Wu and Lu Sheng look on in agreement while Qi Yue looks like he’s still trying to find himself and Shen Yue, the forever minion, is just trying to prop him up.  Shu Wen says that’s good then and tells them to “jia you.”

 

Luo Tian and QY have their head gear on, which suggests they’re ready to get to work, and indeed a second later, Luo Tian is welcoming the audience to the 2018 iConquer playoffs as he describes himself as their “old friend, Luo Tian.”  QY also greets the audience by referring to herself as their “new friend, QY.”  Luo Tian tells the audience that after two months of competitions, the top four teams have made it to the playoffs.  He then explains that this time, for the playoffs, those four teams will be paired for an elimination series of compettiions.  QY tells them that today is the first match of the 2018 iConquer playoffs and the competitors are VNG, who won 11 matches in a row, and Polaris, the dark horse of the ccompetition.  Right at that moment, we also see Miya enter the game arena.  She arrives just in time to see XK’s image flash across the stage.  She smiles and then Shu Wen sees her and gets up to greet her.  The crowd also goes wild when they realize it’s Miya in their presence.  Shu Wen asks what she’s doing there and Miya says she came to support XK.  Shu Wen thanks her for her support while in the commentator’s box, even Luo Tian exclaims at Miya’s unexpected arrival to the arena.  [Both XK and QY look troubled by this new addition to the mix.]  As Miya takes a seat, her assistant asks people to stop taking pictures as Miya is there on her own personal time and requests that they focus their attention back on the competition.  In the commentator’s box, Luo Tian tells QY that she’s so lucky [to have MIya appear] on her first day of being a commentator.  When QY doesn’t respond, Luo Tian tells everyone that it looks like QY’s been stunned into silence and adds that this is really a surprise for their playoffs.  He then turns things over to A Can for an interview.  Meanwhile, YY is also watching from her work computer and she grumbles over Miya showing up for the competition.  A Can approaches Miya in the audience and she tells everyone that actually, she came today with the hopes of being a regular spectator so she could experience what it was like.  She never imagined that everyone would be so welcoming.  A Can then tells her that with her being there, he can’t give up the opportunity to gossip a little and asks who she supports between the two teams playing today.  She answers without hesitation that she’s a VNG fan and it’s because she heard that during their regular season, they were able to pull off eleven consecutive wins.  She says she really admires how the team has drive and a competitive spirit.  A Can then asks who she supports within the VNG team and she again answers without hesitation, their team leader, JXK.  [The crowd goes wild but it’s worth noting that as she speaks, the camera will periodically cut to XK (and sometimes QY too) and he looks anything but thrilled.]  While A Can crows over this little bit of gossip, saying that he never imagined Miya would be VNG’s fan and a JXK fan, Luo Tian looks over at QY.  He asks if everything’s okay with her and whether she isn’t feeling well, and QY apologizes saying that she just lost control of herself for a little bit.  He tells her the competition’s to start soon so she should gather herself together.  He adds that she should relax and not be too nervous.  QY nods and takes deep breaths and Luo Tian opens a bottle of water, passing it to her.  After she drinks and puts the bottle away, Luo Tian watches curiously as she pinches herself. 

 

Back in the arena, A Can invites the two teams onto the stage where they stand to greet the audience.  XK’s eyes travel up to QY first before returning to Miya nearby.  When she smiles at him, he looks away, and then the teams file off to take their positions.  After we watch the VNG team put on their equipment, QY gets to work by reminding the audience that after the regular season, Polaris is currently ranked fourth and these two teams battled once already in the regular season where VNG won 2-0.  Luo Tian picks up by observing that now that they’re in the playoffs, it’s like starting over for the four teams as every match will be a matter of life or death for them.  He comments that he’s sure Polaris won’t give up easily and invites the audience to cheer on their favored teams.  The crowd goes wild and even Miya calls out a “jia you” for XK. 

 

The game begins and we hear a lot of chatter on stage from the two teams.  XK calls out the command for Qi Yue to develop his game character a little bit while he protects him, but Qi Yue responds that he can’t develop himself.  Lu Sheng complains over Qi Yue’s playing and asks why it’s taking him so long time to develop.  Qi Yue tells him angrily to mind his own business while Shen Yue tries to take the blame by apologizing and saying it’s his problem.  XK just shakes his head ever so slightly while Luo Tian comments on how Qi Yue is running into problems.  In the conference room assigned to the Legends team, they’re also watching and commenting on what’s going on.  Back in the arena, Qi Yue announces he’s been captured and his team tries to adjust accordingly.  Luo Tian also points out how around the 10 minute mark is usually when VNG brings out their twin moon combination move, but Qi Yue was targeted and they couldn’t get to that today.  He remarks that this is not an ideal situation for VNG today, and looks to QY as she’s supposed to pick up where he leaves off, but she doesn’t.  Eventually she does start talking again, spouting off some stats about Qi Yue, but her voice is shaky and she doesn’t sound confident.  She also stumbles sometimes and trails off at others.  Luo Tian notices she’s struggling and quickly looks through his own notebook to jump in with additional information.  He speaks at length (while we watch the two teams play) and QY finally chimes in to say that it’s quite possible Qi Yue won’t be able to be of any use in this game.  Luo Tian agrees that Polaris is deliberately breaking up their twin moon combination and that in their next attack, it’s going to be VNG who suffers the loss. 

 

Back on the VNG side, Qi Yue asks what he should do and wonders aloud if everyone’s attacking him because he’s the MVP.  [OMG, THE EGO.  They’re attacking you because you’re hungover and suck!]  He critiques Shen Yue by saying that next time when he calls him over, he should be more quick about it, and Shen Yue tells him it wasn’t like that.  He doesn’t get much farther than that in his explanation [where he was probably going to say it would’ve been a loss for him as well if he’d done what Qi Yue wanted], but Qi Yue cuts him off by asking him, “What?”  XK looks over in disgust and Li Gan and Shu Wen also look annoyed and frustrated in the audience.  Shu Wen tells Li Gan to look at Qi Yue’s current state and Li Gan dares to make excuses for his disciple by pointing out how the other team keeps making a target out of him.  [Dude.  This is why your disciple will never ever get better!]  Shu Wen looks at him in disbelief [a look I whole heartedly share] and asks if this is the first time QY’s ever been targeted.  Li Gan again tries to make an excuse by muttering that the twin moon combination was never a strategy they’d be able to use for a long time, but Shu Wen disagrees saying that if he hadn’t made a mistake, then the twin moon combination absolutely would’ve been of use to them in this game.  Li Gan then tells her that in this world, nothing is absolute and I love the look that Shu Wen shoots back at him; it’s like, “Are you for reals?”  Nearby Miya shakes her hands in nervousness and then the camera returns to the stage where we see the VNG team calling out commands in an effort to save their first game.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t work and the Polaris team wins.  The VNG team looks extremely annoyed and I don’t think it’s the loss that bothers them per se, but rather the knowledge that this was a game they shouldn’t have lost.  After all, it’s not as if Polaris was stronger than them.  The VNG team can be better than this.  Shu Wen glares at Li Gan and then storms off, while Li Gan and the rest of the VNG team race after her, and in the commentator’s box, Luo Tian and QY congratulate the Polaris team and announce a 15 minute break before the next game starts.

 

After they take their headsets off, Luo Tian asks QY for an explanation as to why she misspoke earlier regarding two of VNG’s data points.  QY immediately stands and apologizes and says she didn’t memorize her notebook well.  He then asks her where her notebook is and that’s when she finally admits it disappeared.  He asks, “Disappeared?” and she again apologizes saying she didn’t guard it well.  Surprisingly, rather than yelling at her some more, he tells her to lift her head and asks if not having her notebook means she can’t be a commentato.  QY answers that without her materials, she lacks confidence but Luo Tian tells her that if she wants to become the top commentator, the most important skill to have is the ability to adapt according to the situation; not, be reliant on materials.  QY nods her head in understanding and he adds that she needn’t feel so pressured.  He tells her to leave the data for the next half of the match to him and reminds her that they’re partners, so next time something unexpected like this happens, she should tell him immediately.  QY again nods and he smiles at her and nods his head for her to return to her station. 

 

In the VNG waiting room, Shu Wen walks in and suggests that they change their strategy for the next game given that their twin moon combination was ruined in the first, and XK responds by suggesting that they play a fake twin moon combination.  Lu Sheng asks what he means by that and XK explains that given that Qi Yue’s been targeted, then they should fake like they’ve been targeted and suggests that Lu Sheng play the carrier position.  As everyone else thinks this idea over, Qi Yue says he doesn’t care whether XK wants to be real or fake as in the next game, he intends on showing the other side how he’s not easily provoked.  XK looks away and Shu Wen shuts her notebook with a giant eyeroll.  She then reminds QY that the next game is Polaris’s match point; therefore, she hopes he can adjust his condition and work cooperatively with the others.  She asks if he understands and he looks to Li Gan in response.  [SO LAME.]  Li Gan, meanwhile, just turns back to the window [because he’s a loser too]. 

 

The next game begins and as we listen to the VNG team’s ceaseless chatter, I think we can sum it up by saying everyone wants to know what Qi Yue is doing.  It’s clearly a valid question as it doesn’t take long for Qi Yue to announce he’s been capture.  Shen Yue agrees to come over and help, but XK tells him he’s seeking his own death and so Shen Yue tells Qi Yue to turn around instead.  The commentators pick up the explanation of what’s going on in the game and Luo Tian and QY both discuss Qi Yue and how things are not going well for VNG.  Luo Tian then observes by asking if she notices how it doesn’t look like VNG is playing with the twin moon combination, and QY agrees that it seems as if XK is purposely using Qi Yue to lure the other side.  As she and Luo Tian continue watching the game to see if they can figure out what will happen next, we see YY in her office glowing with maternal pride as she comments that QY’s commentating is getting better and better.  Right at that moment, her computer sends out an alert and she goes to check what’s being said online.  In a voiceover, we hear a netizen comment in disbelief, “QY purposely came between Fu Miya and Ji Xiang Kong,” while another one says, “QY was able to stand on on the commentator’s stage today all because of Ji Xiang Kong?!”  YY reacts in upset at this online gossip and asks why the netizens are dragging QY into XK and Miya’s old business.  As soon as she says that though, it occurs to her to wonder what kind of a relationship XK and Miya have. 

 

Back at the competition site, Qi Yue decides to go rogue again taking Shen Yue with him and even QY wonders aloud what Qi Yue is doing.  Shu Wen tells Li Gan that for the next match, she’s taking Qi Yue out and Li Gan asks who’s going to take his place.  Now XK’s been captured and Lu Sheng offers to go over to help him, but a second later QY comments that Polaris has managed to capture Qi Yue again as well.  Qi Yue looks at XK and asks what’s going on and whether he’s nervous because a famous star is watching him from the audience, while XK just glares at him.  [That is so like you Qi Yue to find an excuse and blame everyone but yourself!]  In the Legends conference room, YX’s phone rings and he excuses himself to take the call.  Once he steps out in the hallway, he answere the phone by asking what’s up and YY says she has a question for him.  She asks, “Did you know Miya’s JXK’s first love?” and it’s so adorable how YX immediately reacts by looking around like someone might overhear.  He asks if she’s for real and she tells him that the Internet is full of their rumors right now.  YX still doesn’t believe her though and jokes that if XK’s Miya’s first love, then that means he’s Miya’s long lost little brother.  YY tells him to stop pretending like he doesn’t know with her and YX responds by asking whether he would dare to pretend with her.  He then tells her XK being Miya’s fan is something their entire team knows.  YY tells him that the reality is that Miya went to the competition site to watch the match and then shortly after that, the Internet became full of their news.  She insists this isn’t something that’s just coming out of thin air and YX asks how come they can’t think of it as Miya simply liking VNG.  YY doesn’t buy into that theory at all though and tells YX to think about it; that picture of Miya hugging someone is clearly JXK.  YX reacts, “There’s also a picture?!”  [He’s cracking me up in this conversation, just so you all know.]  YY then tells YX that QY’s now being dragged into this mess and all the online netizens are scolding her for coming in between XK and Miya; she says, “Let me tell you, LYX, if my QY suffers from bullying again, YOU and JKX are dead meat!”  She hangs up while YX is still on the other end of the line asking what this has to do with him [LOL], and after she clicks off, his own phone alerts with news.  He clicks open an article talking about Miya and XK and he wonders aloud what’s going on and whether it’s real or fake.  Right at that moment, a loud sound comes from the conference room behind him.  He rushes back in and discovers that the game is over and Polaris has won.  YX says in disbelief, “Kong Ge lost,” and the coach says Qi Yue had too many mistakes today.  PX comments, “That’s the kind of person he is.  As soon as things start to collapse, he’s incapable of controlling himself,” and YX observes that if they lose one more time, they’ll have to go home.  Lu Feng pipes up that something’s not right and suggests there was a problem with the twin moon combination, but PX says to the coach that he warned “him” a while back: the minute a person become inflated, they’re bound to collapse sooner or later.  YX takes immediate offense at this and asks PX what he means by this, reminding him that XK’s beaten him before.  He asks how PX can dare to call XK inflated, and his coach has to step in to settle him down as PX was obviously talking about Qi Yue, not XK.  The coach agrees it was only a matter of time after all the times Qi Yue was named MVP, and healso agrees that the outlook for the twin moon combination doesn’t look very good either.  YX sits back down and asks what’ll become of his Kong Ge if they have to stop using the twin moon combination, but PX responds that he also looks forward to seeing how XK responds. 

 

Back at the competition site, Luo Tian and QY wrap things up by saying farewell to the audience.  After they take off their headsets, Luo Tian says, “See?  It wasn’t as hard as you thought it would be without your notebook, was it?”  QY thanks Luo Tian and near tears, says that if it hadn’t been for him, she probably wouldn’t have been able to hold onto things until now.”  Luo Tian again reminds her that commentating is the work of two people, and something one person can’t do alone.  He then offers encouragement by telling her she performed well today.  Back on stage, the VNG team is trying to make their exit when A Can holds XK back and asks him to accompany him to the front of the stage for a quick moment.  As he does this, he also captures the attention of Luo Tian and QY who turn their attention back to the stage.  A Can explains that he’s inviting XK to the front of the stage because today in the audience, there’s someone who has an association with him.  He asks if XK has anything he’d like to say to her and that’s when the episode ends. 

 

END

 

 

Head Pat Count (episode): 0

Head Pat Count (total): 4

 

Fist Bump Count (episode): 0

Fist Bump Count (total): 6

 

[Lynne]

@themarchioness Phew!!!! So many things happen in a span of one episode... It really shows that the drama has a tight plot!

Ep 24-25 continues to deliver!!

There's so much to be said,,, but where to begin..  lols

QY is right you know.. in standing her right.. because Miya shouldn't have drag her into her issue... eventho yes.. QY could have given XK a chance to explain... but I can understand why she's she doesn't right now [Ep 24-25].. She's hurt and need time to process.

I do believe even if there's no issue of ep 26 coming up.... in time QY and XK would have patch things up! [we still have our fav cheerleader YX and mother hen YY that would always want QY's happiness]

 

This is my fav part of Ep. 25... how XK sincerely sends her "jiayou" will always make me go awww.. and a little bit sour.. I noticed at the end of their convo.. they are beginning to go back on the right track [If only there's no Miya in the competition sigh...]

Quote

After Luo Tian leaves, XK approaches the commentator’s stage through the game arena.  He walks up aisle and watches her at work.  He’s then standing in front of her before she even registers his presence.  After they stare at each other with beautiful music playing in the background, XK says to her, “QY, let’s talk.”  She hesitates but then points in the direction of the door and says, “Let’s go out and talk then.”  They meet in the hallway behind the stage and he tells her that she has to “jia you” because this is her first time standing on the commentator’s stage, and she’s waited a long time for this day.  He tells her not to be nervous and to show everyone what she’s got.  QY thanks him and says she also hopes his match will go smoothly.  XK remembers then to thank her for the model motorcycle that she gave him and tells her he really likes it.  QY says that was just to show her appreciation for all the help that he’d given her, and that it had no other meaning.  She then tells him that she’s going to take her leave first and suggests he hurry up and return to his waiting room.  When she turns to leave, XK grabs for her wrist and calls her name, but then he lets go and says, “I know I shouldn’t bother you at a time like this, but when the competition is over, can we have a proper conversation?”  She purposely misunderstands and says sure, they’ll invite YX and YY too as it’s been a while since they’ve all met up, but XK tells her that he meant just the two of them.  He again asks if they can and QY says sure, they can discuss it again after the competition is over.  This time she really does turn and leave, and Xk watches her go. 

 

One thing I always forget to comment, how fame is a double edge sword... the more famous or infamous you are... the more you will be in public spotlight.. and it can be a very toxic thing.

 

Sigh.......... XK time in VNG is ticking... despite having Shu Wen's support... Li Gan and Qi Yue continues to be a problem.. You know, I don't think they realized what they're doing will cost VNG.. but that's how it is with selfish people right???? They don't care about what problem they will cause.. what only matters to them are their personal gain...

 

[themarchioness]

Surprise!  Bet you weren't expecting to see another recap so soon.  I had some time on my hand today though, and plus I was super motivated to get through the next episode so that we can fiiiiinally reach Episode 27, which has some of my favorite moments.    Hang in there, my friends.  It's still bumpy roads for QY and XK in this episode, but rainbows and sunshine are just around the corner - I promise!

 

Episode 26

 

Spoiler

 

Episode 26

 

The episode picks up by backtracking a little to when A Can invites XK up to the front of the stage and asks if he has anything to say to Miya.  He looks first towards the commentator’s box where QY is watching and since he’s not saying anything, A Can says he’ll ask Miya first then.  He asks if there’s anything she would like to say about VNG’s performance today, and Miya responds, “XK, you jia you!  Even though today’s match was a little unfortunate, I know next time you’ll do better.”  A Can asks if this means she still believes in VNG and Miya says, of course, because she believes in JXK.  She adds that she’ll keep staying by his side and even he loses, in her heart, he’ll forever be the best professional player.  The crowd goes wild at that proclamation while QY looks miserable.  A Can says he has to gossip for a minute and asks why it feels like there’s something more to their relationship, and Miya tells everyone that they grew up together and pursued their dreams together, and that he’s her first love.  The crowd again goes wild and XK lifts his head at that to look briefly at Miya before looking to QY.  She turns away to hide her tears and Luo Tian gives her space by saying that their work is done and she’s worked hard, so she should head back early to get some rest.  He leaves while QY remains, and back on stage A Can exclaims that he never imagined that something like this would happen at the end of a match.  A Can asks XK if there’s anything he would like to say to Miya, and since he’s been put on the spot like this, he can only stammer out, “Thank you for coming to support my match.  I hope everyone shows their support for VNG and shows interest in our competitions.”  He takes another quick glance in QY’s direction and then leaves the stage.  [I swear, that was the most impersonal response ever.  Miya should really take a hint.  This was not done well on her part.  As for QY and XK . . . his sigh as he walks backstage is so telling.  He knows this has only made things worse and QY, she just buries her head and tears in her arms.] 

 

Qi Yue storms into VNG waiting room saying that it’s no wonder XK wasn’t focused on the game, as he was too busy creating rumors concerning a love triangle with a celebrity and a commentator.  Lu Sheng asks what crazy talk he’s talking about and Qi Yue asks if there’s anything wrong with him saying something to XK about the fact that he’s letting his love relationships affect the competition.  [Coming from anyone else, that would be perfectly acceptable.  Coming from you, Qi Yue, absolutely not!  If anyone’s letting their love life affect the game that would be you not XK!]  He then comments on how XK had a celebrity girlfriend in the arena watching him play while his rumored girlfriend was also there to be the commentator and asks whether he was so nervous he became even more of hand klutz.  Since XK only continues to sit in silence, it’s Lu Sheng who rises to his defense by pushing Qi Yue away and asking him in an angry manner whether he really doesn’t know who lost today’s game.  Shu Wen arrives just as Qi Yue asks if Lu Sheng really dares to push him, and when Qi Yue starts to push back at Lu Sheng asking if he (Lu Sheng) really thinks he’s VNG’s ace card, XK stands up and asks Qi Yue if there’s any end to him.  As the teammates tussle, Shen Yue tries to pull Qi Yue back and Shu Wen just looks at Li Gan with her arms crossed, and asks if he’s seeing what she’s seeing.  She tells him, “Your disciple doesn’t even hold the two of us in his regard.”  Li Gan turns and asks if he’s still not going to let go and Qi Yue finally lets go of Lu Sheng and shoves Shen Yue off his back, ordering him to sit.  [Shen Yue, why do you let yourself be treated like a dog??  What benefit do you get from this “friendship”?]  Qi Yue tells Shu Wen and Li Gan that their loss today was too suspicious.  He admits he may have had a small role, but tries to place the greater part of the blame on XK.  Unable to tolerate his behavior any longer, Shu Wen cuts him off and says she thinks he hasn’t sobered up yet.  Li Gan, on the other hand, says that everyone must be feeling unhappy after having lost the competition.  He tells Qi Yue to acknowledge his mistakes to Shu Wen, and he pulls himself together to bow to her and apologize and say he shouldn’t have drunk alcohol, but he again tries to make an excuse for himself by saying he’s worked for many years away from home and with his mom visiting, he was feeling pressured and accidentally drank too much.  He starts to promise that with the next game, and Shu Wen again cuts him off by asking, “Next game?”  She asks if he also plans on playing the next game with a hangover or whether he plans on bringing his girlfriend with him to the next game.  Qi Yue looks angrily in XK’s direction and Shu Wen tells him that she doesn’t oppose him having a relationship, but she asks him instead to not let it affect their game.  Li Gan then wades into the fray by trying to calm everyone down and telling them to stop talking.  He says everyone’s tired and tries to herd everyone back to their rooms, saying they’ll continue their discussion tomorrow, but Shu Wen [bless her] is not letting it go.  She asks Li Gan what he means by this and whether he’s just going to let things go like this.  She asks if he’s going to shield his disciple like this and Li Gan answers that nobody wants to lose a game.  He says Qi Yue already knows he was wrong, but Shu Wen retorts that if he really knew he was wrong, then he wouldn’t try and push the blame onto XK.  She then tells Qi Yue that starting from now, he needn’t take the stage.  Shu Wen storms out of the room [with me cheering her on from behind] while Li Gan watches her go with widened eyes [what?  Did you think she wasn’t serious when she said it during the game?].  Qi Yue asks Li Gan if he’s also going to stick him with the substitutes and Li Gan’s silent response of widened eyes makes me laugh.  After Li Gan exits, Qi Yue starts to lay into XK again but Shen Yue rushes over before he can say anything more than XK’s name.  Shen Yue counsels him to not cause more trouble at a time like this, and so all Qi Yue does is complain that XK can be in a relationship, but others can’t.  XK responds, “Qi Yue, you can waste your talent, but I won’t let you ruin VNG.” 

 

Li Gan catches up to Shu Wen and forces her to turn back to him when she would otherwise ignore him.  He asks if it’s necessary to send Qi Yue to the substitute team when all they did was lose one match.  Shu Wen responds that Qi Yue is his disciple, but even he’s not clear how Qi Yue spends his days.  She then tells Li Gan that VNG is her everything and she refuses to allow it to come to ruination in Qi Yue’s hands.  Li Gan agrees that VNG is her everything, but reminds her that it’s his everything too.  He then tells her [in a Mr. Angry Pants voice] that she needs to remember, he’s the biggest shareholder.  He then asks how she could make a decision to send one of their players to the substitute team without discussing it with him first and asks what she sees him as.  Shu Wen responds, “Okay, then I’ll ask you to also remember.  I am VNG’s coach, which means I also have the right to handle the players as I see fit.  Biggest shareholder, is it?  Then if you have any problems in the future, call a shareholder’s meeting.  I’ll accommodate it at any time.”  [BUUUUUUUURRRRRRRNNNNNNN, *high fives Shu Wen*]  As Shu Wen storms off, Li Gan throws his arms angrily into the air.  Qi Yue walks up to Li Gan and starts going on about how many games he’s helped VNG win and how many times he’s been named VNP.  He asks how he can be sent to the substitute team after losing just one game and asks if Shu Wen isn’t being unfair, but Li Gan holds up a finger and tells Qi Yue that he’d best take the time to think about where he went wrong otherwise he won’t be do anything to protect him anymore. 

 

The remaining members of the VNG team follow Li Gan out of the competition site to their van when the media rushes at XK wanting to know what’s going on with Miya (when they got together, whether her presence at today’s competition is because of him, and etc.).  Li Gan holds them off by reminding them that they still have more competitions to play and asks that they let his team rest.  He then takes XK by the arm to lead him through the crowd, but just then, a Miya fan notices that QY has exited from a separate door.  She calls everyone’s attention over to QY and then all the fans are rushing over to ask how she could dare to come between two people’s relationship and noting that anyone would choose their Miya.  XK wants to go over to help, but his teammates hold him back and QY is left to defend herself as she declares she never broke anyone’s relationship – she’s never done so in the past and she won’t do so in the future.  A fan yells at her to keep her distance from XK and then everyone’s chanting, “Stay away!”  QY and XK look at each other and finally it’s Luo Tian who rushes over to lead her away while XK has no choice but to go with his team, although he does look back towards QY.

 

Luo Tian walks QY back to her hotel room.  She thanks him as they stand outside her door and he tells her to set everything aside and not think of other matters, and to get rest.  She apologizes for all the mess she’s caused, but Luo Tian says she hasn’t let anyone down.  He tells her not to be affected by the rumormongers.  After Luo Tian leaves and she returns to her room, she thinks back to that moment where Miya had told everyone XK was her first love.  She also thinks about Miya hugging XK from behind in the picture and how her fans had confronted her earlier in the day.  She hears Miya’s in the background saying that now she’s succeeded, she can give him support to help him realize his dreams.  There’s then a knock at the door and when she opens it, she finds YY.  She asks why she’s there, but YY just looks at her and walks through the door.  Throwing her purse aside, she turns around to QY and says if she hadn’t come, who knows how much QY would let herself be bullied.  QY asks who would dare bully her and, pretending like nothing’s wrong, asks YY how she performed today.  YY tells her not to change the subject and asks if QY already knew about XK and Miya.  She remembers when QY came home all wet and disheleved after going to MIya’s fan signing with XK and asks if this had anything to do with that.  QY finally admits that Miya is XK’s former girlfriend and that she’s come back to find him.  YY asks what QY counts as and then grouses that she really thought XK liked her since YX had told her that he’d reserved at able at the Secret Garden restaurant in order to confess.  QY tells YY that maybe, from the beginning, they misunderstood them.  She then says that YY doesn’t know how much Miya and XK have gone through together and how much they’ve done for each other.  She then adds that when Miya stood in front of everyone after the competition and announced their relationship, she really admired her for that.  She comments on how Miya is really willing to give up everything for XK.  YY asks if she’s a fool and reminds QY that Miya is her rival in love.  She asks how QY can be speaking on Miya’s behalf, but QY insists she’s not trying to speak on Miya’s behalf.  She then speculates that maybe it was because of her video where she copied Miya’s dance that allowed him to take notice of her, and says that maybe it’s better if she just gives up on her feelings now rather than being tormented by them.  YY asks if she’s really capable of letting go and QY nods.  [LIES]  She says that starting from now, she’s going to put all her efforts towards her work.  YY says that’s fine, so long as she’s thought things through, and then tries to comfort QY by saying that one day, when she’s standing at the top of the world as commentator, there will be countless numbers of men who will be in pursuit.  QY smiles and YY tells her not to cry anymore.

 

XK is in his own hotel room reading the online comments when he finally gives up and sets his laptop aside.  He then looks at the model motorcycle that QY gave him and thinks back to the day she’d given it to him.  There’s then a knock at his door, but we have to wait to find out who it is because the camera cuts to Tony who’s on the phone saying, “Okay, let me handle this,” Miya sits behind him waiting for him to get off the phone.  He must be talking with the higher ups at their management company as he also takes the blame saying this is his mistake, and promises to clean things up.   After he hangs up, Miya’s assistant rushes over to observe how the Miya’s number of Weibo fans has dropped dramatically after only a few hours, and they’re still dropping.  Miya offers to go on Weibo to clarify things and Tony tells her she can’t do that.  He says he’ll deal with it instead and tells the assistant to issue a statement in the company’s name.  As Miya sits at the table, she watches as Tony gets another phone call from another company director and has to go through the same litany of apologies and promises that he’ll handle matters.  When he hangs up, Miya asks Tony what Director Li said and Tony tells her that Director Li wants them to temporariliy halt production on her new single.  He also tells her that they’ve lost a few sponsors, but he tells her not to worry as he’ll get them back.  Behind them, they hear the assistant also on the phone as she apologizes to what sounds like a corporate sponsor and gives them reassurance that they’ll be paid compensation.  Tony’s phone rings again and he flips it over, not like Miya couldn’t already see who it was.  Miya stands and says she’s going to go out for some air.  He nods his head and she apologizes.  When she leaves, he finally picks up his phone and gets back to work. 

 

Back in XK’s hotel room we see that it’s YX who’s arrived with pizza in hand.  He opens the box and tells XK to hurry up and eat.  XK tells him to eat first as he’s not hungry.  YX then asks XK what’s going on with him and Miya, and says he can’t believe XK hid this from even him.  When XK says nothing, YX asks if he’s taken a look at Weibo and says that after only a few hours, Miya’s already lost a ton of fans.  But QY’s even worse because all of Weibo is just yeling at her.  XK tsks at that and asks if YX can just let him have some peace, but YX says he’s just worried for him.  He then adds that even though XK’s his Kong Ge, in this matter, he stands on the side of QY.  He says he’s not because he’s afraid that YY will scold him, it’s because he really does think that he and QY are the better pair.  As he talks, he picks up the model motorcycle and XK orders him to put it back down.  He then asks YX to return to his room and stop bothering him.  YX says that’s fine, he won’t bother him anymore, he can have his quiet back, but he reminds XK to eat before taking his leave.  After YX leaves, he picks up the model motorcycle and sighs.

 

MIya walks outside her hotel and sends XK a message asking him if he’s okay.  He doesn’t respond and it’s Tony who approaches and puts his blazer around her shoulders.  Miya asks if she’s angry with her for having created this mess, and he says that he is – but then adds that what he’s angry about is that she didn’t discuss things with him first so he could at least be prepared.  Miya then asks whether he would’ve let her do what she did if she had discussed it with him first, and Tony responds by commenting that he’s guided her for so many years, but she still doesn’t trust him enough.  He then says that he knows whatever they say now is already too late, but points out anyway how she still may not see her wishes fulfilled despite the heavy price she’s paid.  Miya responds that she and XK have already gone through a lot so no matter the outcome, she wants to try and rectify their relationship.  Tony asks her if it’s worth it and Miya just walks away to take a seat.  Tony takes the seat across from her and Miya tells him that in all these years, she’s only lived in her fans’ fantasies and expectations.  She didn’t dare let anyone see through her and even more than that, she didn’t want to let them down.  But now she wants to return to her true self and be like a normal person who can be in a relationship.  She explains that when she decided to go public, she’d already decided on making the worst decision except she knew it’d make thing difficult for him.  Tony tells her that he’ll figure out a way to handle the company, and as for the broadcasting stations and their sponsors, they’re already working on hard on them.  The most important thing they need to focus on is getting her fans to accept her relationship with JXK.  [Um, they might want to work on getting XK to accept their relationship too, LOL.]  Miya tells him, in turn, that he probably knows better than she does, but given her current plight, he really needn’t go into a battle against the company on her behalf, as she knows it will affect his career prospects as well.  Tony responds reassuringly that when she doesn’t have value anymore, he’ll leave on his own accord.  Miya laughs and smiles and then says, “Tony, I’ve known you for so many years but it feels like I’ve never understood you.  Sometimes it feels like you’re so cold and detached, it’s like you’re a stranger.  But now, you’re actually the one person I can rely on during this most difficult time.  Tony nods and smiles.

 

XK arrives outside of QY’s hotel room and rings the doorbell and knocks the door.  He calls out to her but she hesitates inside, and then he asks through the door whether they can have a conversation about “stuff.”  He tells her that he knows she doesn’t want to see him, but points out there are some things that just because she sees them, that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how they actually are.  He knocks on the door again and asks if they can’t have a conversation, but since she still refuses to answer the door, he sends her a message, “I’m sorry.  Give me some time and I’ll sort everything out.”  QY reads the message and then watches XK as he walks down the hallway away from her room.  She’s still crying in the doorway of her hotel room when PX happens upon her.  He offers her some tissues and tells her to cry if she feels like crying, as she can pretend he’s not there.  He then suggests that she come out for some air and QY agrees. 

 

QY and PX are standing on the hotel rooftop and when she turns to him eventually, he asks if she’s feeling any better.  QY nods her head and PX asks if she and XK broke up.  QY answers that they were never together in the first place and PX responds, “That’s good then.”  He then observes how there are a lot of people yelling at her online and QY tells him that she always thought he just knew how to play his computer games.  She never imagined he’d also go online to read all the gossip.  PX responds, “I only care about you [QY’s eyes grow wide] and JXK.”  His unexpected remark has QY’s mood shifting immediately as she quickly says, “PX, thank you.  I’m feeling a lot better now.  You have a competition tomorrow.  You should hurry up and go back to get some rest.  I’m leaving first.”  She tries to leave, but he tells her to wait a minute.  He then says that if she has the need, he can be her boyfriend.  [*DIES*]  QY responds, “Ah?” and PX answers with a blink and a head nod.  QY comments that with all the number of girls interested in him, he needn’t waste his time on her, and PX tells her that she’s overthinking things.  He doesn’t actually like her.  He just doesn’t want her to disturb XK in the future.  [*DIES SOME MORE*]  QY reacts in confusion and asks, “Me?  Disturb?  JXK?  This…”  PX nods his head and then explains that things are already nervewracking enough in their current competition and XK’s already suffered one loss; he can’t afford to lose again.  He says that their (QY and XK’s) business will only influence XK (in the distracting sort of sense) and suggests that with him acting as her boyfriend, the online netizens will finally stop yelling at her and that way XK will finally settle down and focuson the competition.  [Except XK will then be anxious thinking that QY and PX are actually together, LOLZ.  It’s sweet though, in this weird and convoluted way, what PX is trying to do for them.  Haha!]  If there’s one thing PX’s managed to do, it’s to draw out a genuine smile and laughter from QY – something we haven’t seen in a while.  She says, “PX, you’re willing to be my boyfriend for the sake of JXK?”  She laughs again and suggests that his thought process is too peculiar, and PX tells QY that XK is the person he admires the most and he hopes they can go up against each other once more in the competition.  QY observes that he admires [XK] to the point that he’s willing to sacrifice himself, and PX responds by pointing out that it’s not like he’d really be her boyfriend, so this form of sacrifice is something he’s willing to undertake.  QY laughs again and asks PX why he pushed XK out of the Legends team if he admires him that much.  PX answers that he never actually did that and says that back then, he joined Legends because of him.  He then reveals that his only condition for joining the team was that JXK be allowed to continue being the team leader, but Zhao Yang tricked him.  When he learned the truth and wanted to leave, that’s when XK reminded him of the responsibilities that a professional player ought to have and how he couldn’t just casually discard his teammates as he liked.  QY asks why he hasn’t spoken up to explain himself and points out how all of them have assumed that it was he who squeezed out XK, and PX answers that he doesn’t really care about what other people think.  He just wanted XK to know, but they (she and XK) never gave him the chance.  That’s when a thought occurs to QY and she asks if that time at Dream Journey, when he kept sending over food and drinks, that was him attempting to strike up a conversation with XK.  PX nods his head and QY smiles.  She says, “Okay, you can stopy worrying.  I won’t bother him.”  PX asks QY what she intends on doing next and how she plans on responding to all the questions that are being directed at her right now.  He says that maybe she really does need a boyfriend to act as a shield.  QY laughs and answers that even if she did, she wouldn’t inconvenience him.  She suggests instead that he be her best male friend, and PX responds with a wince.  She asks what’s up with his expression and he says he wishes he’d brought with him his lollipops.  They laugh and then QY leaves first to go back inside.

 

XK is at hanging out at the hotel bar (I’m assuming) when Sun Ge arrives in time to see him turn off his phone.  He announces his presence by telling XK that turning off the phone won’t solve any problems, and when XK whirls around, he adds that XK should find a way to face matters.  XK responds that everything he needed to say, he already said it, so he doesn’t understand why she still did what she did.  Sun Ge supposes that the affection they once shared for so many years isn’t something she can let go of just by saying the words.  He also observes that in her view, their problem is that she previously couldn’t be open about their relationship.  XK asks if he’s supposed to also stand in front of everybody and announce that they already broke up years ago, and Sun Ge asks if he has the heart to do that.  Since he doesn’t, XK just looks away instead.  Sun Ge pats him on the shoulder and takes the seat next to him.  He tells XK that he read online that her company has halted all of her activities, and asks if XK choosing this moment to announce that their relationship is already over wouldn’t turn her into the biggest joke in the entertainment circle.  He reminds XK that her career is going through ruination right now, and XK responds by asking, “But what about QY?  She’s innocent.”  Sun Ge answers that all three of them are innocent and no matter what he ends up deciding to do, one of them is bound to suffer harm – and maybe even all three of them.  Sun Ge suggests instead that XK focus on the playoffs.  He says their loss of the first game isn’t his fault, and says it’s a good thing Qi Yue’s flighty and impetuous nature has finally been exposed.  He suggests that XK be proactive in dealing with it in order to resolve the issue, and then reminds him with some pointed emphasis that they can’t lose again.  XK says he knows and right now, the person facing the largest amount of pressure is Shu Wen.  It’s Sun Ge’s turn to not have anything to say.

 

The next morning YX fetches a plate of food for YY and tells her to have some while taking the seat across from her.  When she just sighs heavily in response, he encourages her to eat and tells her this restaurant is really expensive and that he spent a lot of time doing online research in order to invite her out.  He finishes by againt telling her to eat and reminding her that in a little bit, she still has to cheer him on.  YY picks up a shell but then plops it back on her plate, and asks how she has the mood to eat this stuff.  She’s worried about QY and says she doesn’t know if she’s doing any better.  She adds that QY’s so busy she’s afraid of bothering her.  YX also sighs that his Kong Ge is tight-lipped and complains over the fact that XK’s never spoken a word to him about him Miya.  YY jumps on board to agree that XK is terrible given how he didn’t even say anything to YX, and then she starts mocking all the online netizens who have been waxing poetic over Miya and XK’s love story, treating it like it’s some sort of grand thing.  YX laughs and asks her to share what she’s been looking at and when she hands over her phone, he’s surprised to find that the online netizens have even made videos for them.  He plays one (which uses “Beyond the Sky” as the background music) and as he watches, he sighs that his Kong Ge is someone who places a lot of importance on love, so it’s no wonder he didn’t seek out a girlfriend for a very long time.  YY snatches her phone back, saying (essentially), “Yeah right!”  She says if he really places a lot of importance on love, then why did he tease her QY.  YY tries to get her to quiet down given that they’re in a public place and tells her not to be angry because he’s definitely on her side in this matter.  YY asks how YX standing on her side is useful and says that it’s XK who’s the crucial point.   She asks, “Just how does he see QY?  As a substitute for MIya?”  YX leaps to XK’s defense on this point and says that on this matter, he can guarantee, he’s never had his heart moved by another girl before.  YY scoffs and YX says it’s true.  He feels certain that XK’s feelings for QY are genuine; otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to confess.  YY asks, if there’s really nothing going on between him and Miya, then why won’t XK step forward and say something in light of Miya’s public acknowledgment of their relationship.  When YX motions for her to lower her voice, YY just continues on by pointing out how all the online netizens are now blaming QY saying she’s the one who ruined their relationship.  YX sighs that this is a difficult matter to handle; on one side is the new sweetheart while on the other is the old love.  His comment only serves to upset YY even more and she stands up angrily over his characterization of “new sweetheart” and “old love.”  She then lumps YX in with his friend and tells him that he’s not anything good either, and YX asks what this has to do with him.  [Poor YX, he’s always suffering on behalf of XK and in YY’s hands.  LOL.]  YY tells him to take back a message from her, which is that if she sees QY having mud thrown at her again, the first person she’s going to seek out in order to settle the score is XK.  YX continues to ask what this has to do with him and YY calls out to the waiter to ask for the check.  YX reminds her that this was supposed to be his treat, but YY tells him she doesn’t care and storms off.

 

QY walks into the GDV conference room where Qiao Xin and other coworkers are discussing how XK and Miya are a perfect match.  When Qiao Xin sees QY, she comments loudly that can’t believe there was “someone” who wanted to be a third wheel.  She observes how Miya and XK have the type of relationship where it would be difficult for anyone to break them up, and says that even if XK did make it seem like he was interested, he was obviously just playing around and she can’t believe that “someone” would dare to believe that he was being real.  It’s total awkward boats as everyone knows the “someone” she’s referring to is standing right before them.  QY is saved when Luo Tian arrives and asks what they’re chatting idly about and whether they’ve looked at their materials yet.  Everyone answers that they have and so he says they’ll start their meeting.

 

Tony goes to find MIya and hands over his phone showing her that her fans have started to return.  She smiles broadly when she sees the numbers for herself and says she never imagined there would be people who would understand her.  Tony nods his agreement and tells her that public opinion is in the slow process of trending torwads them and that yesterday, there were quite a number of other artists who stepped out to express their support for her; they said that everyone should have the right to be in a relationship and that artists can’t live their lives by only doing what their fans want.  Miya says she can finally let go of this sense of burden that she’s been carrying inside and thanks Tony too.  Tony says she should also thank herself because it was because her persistence that everyone was moved.  He admits even he was moved by her.  Miya says she should still thank him for everything that he did for her and then asks whether she can go see XK given that he lost his match.  Tony allows her to go, but tells her to keep a low profile and to hurry back. 

 

XK is meeting with his teammates and the substitute player who’s been brought in to fill Qi Yue’s spot, and goes over their stats from their practice session.  It sounds like the substitute player is pretty good in most areas, he just lacks experience and XK instructs Shen Yue to practice with him some more so they can build their rapport.  Shen Yue agrees without complaint and XK reminds everyone that they don’t have a lot of time.  Shu Wen arrives and asks how things are going.  She tells the substitute to not be nervous and to just work with the others, and then she takes XK aside to tell him that Miya’s come.  The others in the room look at each other assuming this is a good thing, but XK tells Shu Wen that they’re still in the middle of their meeting and in a little bit, they also have to practice.   Shu Wen hears what he’s not saying and agrees to go handle things for him.  XK thanks her and she tells the rest of the room to continue on and “jia you.”  After Shu Wen leaves, XK turns back to his teammates and says, “Let’s continue.” 

 

Shu Wen walks with Miya, who asks if XK’s doing okay.  She says she hasn’t been able to contact him for two days and given that he lost his match, she’s really worried for him.  Shu Wen tells her that XK’s doing just fine so she needn’t worry.  She then explains that VNG’s currently in a state where they’ve been placed in the loser’s bracket, so their next match is very important and they can’t allow their players to be distracted.  Miya says she just wants to have a few words with him, which shouldn’t take up too much of his time, so Shu Wen lies that VNG’s currently having a closed door training session.  She then points out that XK’s the team leader, so he has to set an example for the others.  She asks Miya to show some understanding for him and tells her to wait until after the competition’s over to speak with him.

 

Luo Tian enters the commentator’s room with QY trailing behind him.  She tells him that she doesn’t know how she should express her gratefulness towars him, and Luo Tian tells her that she needn’t do anything more as he already likes the thermos that she gave him.  He gestures for her to take her seat at her laptop and as she starts to get settled, her coworker (the one who’d tried to help her find her notebook) runs in saying he found her notebook.  She asks where he found it, and he answers that the cleaning lady found it in the trash can.  QY flips through the notebook and notices all the torn pages, and her coworkers tells her that he just doesn’t know who ruined her notebook.  Luo Tian mutters, “Trash can,” and QY turns to him in tears saying that this is a notebook that she worked on for a long time.  Luo Tian flashes back to when he’d seen Qiao Xin putting something into the trash can.  The coworker tells QY to look and see if there’s anything she can still use and Luo Tian tells them to figure it out after the match is over.  He instructs them to get ready for the match and tells them that he has to step out for a minute, but he’ll be right back.  Luo Tian walks into the make-up room where A Can and Qiao Xin are chatting and getting ready and tells Qiao Xin that she can go home, as they don’t need her as a hostess today.  Qiao Xin asks why, and A Can also asks why pointing out how Qiao Xin’s performance of late has been very good.  Luo Tian answers by askingif he needs to have a reason to make a regular transfer of personnel.  After Luo Tian leaves, A Can asks Qiao Xin if she’s done anything to offend him, while Luo Tian returns to the commentator’s room where QY tells him that she’s finished her preparations.  He says that’s good and then tells her that from now on, if there’s anything going on, she should let him know and not let herself be pushed around by others.  QY doesn’t quite know what to make of that comment, as it’s coming out of the blue, but he settles back into work and then Luo Tian makes the signal to the cameraman that they’re ready.

 

Today’s match is Legends against Dragons, and QY explains that whoever loses this match will be sent to the loser’s bracket where they will then compete against VNG [for third place].  Luo Tian says that’s right and then asks QY who she prefers between today’s two teams.  She jokes back that he’s trying to get her killed by asking a question like that, and comments on how both teams are outstanding.  That provides her with a nice segue in which she can share some stats and information regarding both teams and their playing styles/strategies.  Luo Tian adds some comments of his own before turning things over to A Can on the stage, and then he gives QY a thumbs up when he’s done.  On stage, the camera focuses entirely on the Legends team as the two teams compete.  It’s not long before we see the Legends team celebrating their win. 

That night, Qi Yue is getting drunk at a bar by himself when a waiter walks over to tell him that he shouldn’t drink anymore and that they’re about to close up for the night anyway.  Qi Yue asks if the waiter’s afraid he won’t be able to afford what he’s drinking and pulls out his wallet slamming it on the table.  The waiter says that’s not what he meant, but Qi Yue hits at him and says, “Even you are looking down on me!”  [Well look at yourself, Qi Yue.  Who wouldn’t look down on you in your current state?]  Qiao Xin arrives then and rushes over to tell Qi Yue to stop drinking.  She apologizes to the waiter and tells him that she’ll take care of him (Qi Yue).  After the waiter leaves, Qi Yue asks how she knew he was there and says, “Didn’t you go off to find another man?  Didn’t you say I didn’t have any prospects?”  Qiao Xin answers that he should be clear on how she’s treated him him all these years.  She admits that she is the type to want to stand out among her peers, but when it comes to down to the final point, everything she’s doing is out of consideration for their future.  When Qi Yue hears that, he grabs at her hands and she tells him that she’s even less likely to leave him at a time like this . . . unless he doesn’t want to see her.  Since Qi Yue doesn’t say anything, Qiao Xin starts to walk away saying she’ll leave and Qi Yue falls out of his bar stool while attempting to chase after her.  Qiao Xin turns back to help him up and he grabs onto her telling her not to go leave, because if she does, then he really will have nothing.  They hug each other tightly and Qiao Xin tells him that they’re actually quite alike.  They both have high ambitions, but they can’t ever seem to get what they want.  [Because neither of you want to put in the work to get there!  You’d rather lie, manipulate, resort to trickery, step on others, and then blame those same people for your failures!  Duh.]  Qi Yue cries that everyone looks down on him and that only Qiao Xin treats him well [and I’m rolling my eyes hard rather than feeling the least bit sorry for him].  Qiao Xin asks how others can dare to look down on him and says that the only reason VNG is the team that it is today is because of him.  She then says she can’t believe they’re making him be a substitute player and Qi Yue says that if they want to treat him this way, then he has nothing to feel reluctant about in parting ways with them.  He then says, “In a word, everyone should break up [he means in the sense of business partners breaking up].”  Qiao Xin asks if he’s a fool, pointing out that if VNG wins, then all the credit will go to XK.  She asks if he’ll be given any credit and asks whether he’s willing to see everything he’s worked so hard for be snatched away by someone else.  She then says that if the team manages to carry off the first place prize, it should be him leading the team to that victory.  Qi Yue shakes his head and slumps over the bar, and that’s when an idea occurs to Qiao Xin and she tells him she has a way.  She asks if he’s willing to try and Qi Yue lifts his head and grasps onto her hand. 

 

The next morning, Li Gan’s having breakfast when Qi Yue walks up to him and tells him that he’s returned.  Li Gan looks at him, but doesn’t give him the time of day, and so Qi Yue says he shouldn’t have done what he did last time, which resulted in him and Shu Wen getting into a fight.  He promises Li Gan that he won’t drink anymore and Li Gan says, “Qi Yue, you’re someone who I raised personally, and the person I have the most confidence in.  You should be clear about VNG’s current state.”  Qi Yue says he’s spent the last two days thinking things over and he knows if it hadn’t been for Li Gan giving him the chance, he never would’ve had the opportunity to realize his dream of being a professional gamer.  He then says that now that VNG’s made it to the playoffs and is only one step away from wining the title, he’s willing to listen to Li Gan to help the team do whatever it needs to do to make that happen.  He then asks his “master” to forgive him.  Li Gan says so long as he was able to think things through, that’s all that matters.  He then updates that yesterday, the Dragons team lost to Legends so that means their next match will be against Dragons, and this is their last chance.  Qi Yue says that he’s recently watched a lot of videos concerning the Dragons team, so he’d like to have the opportunity to exchange ideas with the others.  Li Gan, with a now softened heart, says he probably hasn’t eaten yet and invites him to sit down and have breakfast with him.  He then adds that Qi Yue can speak at the meeting later.

 

Director Guo is looking over paperwork when Luo Tian arrives and asks why Director Guo was looking for him.  Director Guo wants to know why he swapped out Qiao Xin the day before and Luo Tian repeats his excuse from the day before that it was just a regular transfer of personnel.  Director Guo concedes that normally, he wouldn’t involve himself in such matters but Qiao Xin’s performance behind the commentator’s stage is pretty good and she’s popular too, so he can’t accept Luo Tian’s excuse that he was just transferring personnel around.  He also points out that Qiao Xin is someone they’re trying to develop along with Planet Video so Luo Tian should be giving her more opportunities.  Luo Tian answers that when she’s developed her abilities, he’ll naturally give her more opportunities.  Director Guo then tells him that commentating is the core of their company’s business so while having skills and techniques is one side of things, having a good personality and character is also something extremely important and to be considered.  He then adds that Luo Tian should’ve heard, but QY’s style of work is a big problem.  Luo Tian answers that these are groundless rumors, but Director Guo says he doesn’t care what’s true or not.  What he cares about is GDV’s reputation.  He then asks whether Luo Tian can guarantee QY won’t have any problems maintaining her work state with all the rumors that are running rampant concerning her, and Luo Tian answers that if QY ends up having any problems with her work, he promises to bear the responsibility.  Director Guo responds, “Luo Tian, work is work and personal affairs are personal affairs.  I hope you won’t bring your feelings into work.”  Luo Tian says he doesn’t understand what Director Guo means by that, and Director Guo tells him that he’s never seen him set his heart on someone like this before, and a new, young commentator at that.  Director Guo’s observation has Luo Tian doing some introspective thinking. 

 

QY walks towards the GDV conference room and overhears one of her coworkers greeting Qiao Xin.  She walks in as Qiao Xin asks the other coworker how her preparations are going and the coworker answers that she’s just about done.  Qiao Xin looks down the table at QY and then says to the coworker, “Hey, have you heard?  It sounds like something happened over at VNG.”  The coworker asks what happened, and Qiao Xin says she heard XK fainted in the team’s conference room and Shu Wen went crazy with concern.  The coworker responds, “So serious?!  Don’t they have a match tomorrow?” and Qiao Xin sighs, saying, “It looks like JXK won’t be able to participate.  VNG’s [fate] is hanging [in the air].”  The coworker asks what they’re going to do as this is just too unfortunate of a situation, and it’s at this moment that QY, who’d been listening to their conversation with widened eyes, goes running out the door.  Qiao Xin watches her leave with a pointed look and when QY reaches the hallway, she tries to call XK.  When he doesn’t answer, she asks aloud why he’s not answering his phone.

 

End

 

 

Head Pat Count (episode): 0

Head Pat Count (total): 4

 

Fist Bump Count (episode): 0

Fist Bump Count (total): 6

[Jocelyn Stephanie]

13 hours ago, themarchioness said:

The episode picks up by backtracking a little to when A Can invites XK up to the front of the stage and asks if he has anything to say to Miya.  He looks first towards the commentator’s box where QY is watching and since he’s not saying anything, A Can says he’ll ask Miya first then.  He asks if there’s anything she would like to say about VNG’s performance today, and Miya responds, “XK, you jia you!  Even though today’s match was a little unfortunate, I know next time you’ll do better.”  A Can asks if this means she still believes in VNG and Miya says, of course, because she believes in JXK.  She adds that she’ll keep staying by his side and even he loses, in her heart, he’ll forever be the best professional player.  The crowd goes wild at that proclamation while QY looks miserable.  A Can says he has to gossip for a minute and asks why it feels like there’s something more to their relationship, and Miya tells everyone that they grew up together and pursued their dreams together, and that he’s her first love.  The crowd again goes wild and XK lifts his head at that to look briefly at Miya before looking to QY.  She turns away to hide her tears and Luo Tian gives her space by saying that their work is done and she’s worked hard, so she should head back early to get some rest.  He leaves while QY remains, and back on stage A Can exclaims that he never imagined that something like this would happen at the end of a match.  A Can asks XK if there’s anything he would like to say to Miya, and since he’s been put on the spot like this, he can only stammer out, “Thank you for coming to support my match.  I hope everyone shows their support for VNG and shows interest in our competitions.”  He takes another quick glance in QY’s direction and then leaves the stage.  [I swear, that was the most impersonal response ever.  Miya should really take a hint.  This was not done well on her part.  As for QY and XK . . . his sigh as he walks backstage is so telling.  He knows this has only made things worse and QY, she just buries her head and tears in her arms.] 

This scene really brought mixed feelings. My heart broke for QY, and XK just looked so conflicted . But I can't completely blame Miya though, as if I was in her position, it would not be that easy to let go of XK, especially when in her perspective, the problem that hinder them from getting back together was that XK wouldn't want to ruin her career. But the fact is that we all know (except Miya of course) that XK has completely let go of the past and ready to start a new journey with QY *sigh*

 

Btw, can't wait for episode 27! it also has some of my favourite scenes and so glad that these last few episodes that have been torturing us will be over and get replaced with butterflies and flowers, lol!

[themarchioness]

Ahhh, at last.  We have arrived at one of my favorite episodes.  And the best part is, after this episode, we'll get a good run of episodes that are filled with happy, inspirational moments so there's definitely a lot to look forward to!   

 

Episode 27

 

Spoiler

 

Episode 27

 

 

QY runs through the hotel hallways looking for VNG’s conference room and when she finally finds it, she bursts through its door and says, “JXK.”  XK greets her in surprise and when he stands, she rushes over and grabs him by the arm, asking him how he is.  She asks why he would suddenly faint and whether he’s feeling any better, and XK asks, “Faint?  I didn’t faint.”  He tells her to look at him and asks if he doesn’t look perfectly fine.  He then runs his hand down the side of her head [HEAD PAT] and asks who she heard it from.  QY answers, “Qiao Xin,” and he continues to fiddle with her hair while calling her a silly fool for believing her.  QY says that so long as he’s okay that’s all that matters, but when she tries to leave, he grabs on to her hand and pulls her back.  He says, “I’m sorry. It’s because of me that you’ve suffered.  But don’t leave me and more than that, don’t ignore me, okay?”  QY answers, “Don’t say sorry to me anymore.  Let’s just agree to not bother each other anymore.”  XK pulls her back and says he can’t do that and he doesn’t believe she can do it either; otherwise, why was she so anxious just now.  QY tells him to let her go, and when he doesn’t, she commands him in a louder voice to let her go, but he just pulls her in for a hug (refusing to let go as she struggles against him) and asks her to listen to him.  He says, “I like you.  I’ve never thought of you as a substitute for anybody.  I don’t know when it started.  Maybe it was when you were standing on the stage at the “Tomorrow’s Star” competition, or maybe it was the night you got drunk at the convenience store.  Didn’t we make a promise to reach the top of the world together?  Don’t leave me.”  When he finishes speaking, QY finally gives up trying to fight her way out of his embrace and turns to hitting him on the side instead.  She says, “You knew.  I like you.  I started liking you from a long, long time ago.  But I don’t know what I count as now!  You and Miya…”  She throws aside his embrace and XK grabs on to her to say, “Miya and I are already over.  You have to believe me.  Give me some time, I will settle everything.”  QY responds, “But right now the entire world knows that you’re together.  How can you say things are over by just saying things over?”  In a tearful whine she also asks, “What do you want me to do?!”  XK kisses her in answer and then she pushes him away and says, “JXK, I can’t compare against Miya.  We never had a beginning, so let’s just end things like this.”  She turns and runs out the room, and this time XK lets her go.  QY cries as she walks away from the VNG conference room. 

 

That night, Luo Tian sits by himself on the hotel rooftop and thinks about Director Guo’s earlier observation about how he treats QY.  In flashbacks, he remembers the time QY waited for him in the rain to ask for his help and the time she’d left him the thermos as a thank you present.  He smiles at himself in the present and sighs over the thermos bottle in his hands.  A few seconds later, QY runs through the door to the rooftop and races over to its railing.  He turns around to watch as she yells out loud, “QY, you’ve already given up on him completely!  You’ve already rejected him!  He and Fu Miya are the ones who are a couple.  Don’t be a fool anymore!”  As she cries into her sleeves, Luo Tian takes a packet of tissues out of his pocket and coughs to get QY’s attention.  She takes the tissues from him and he tells her that if she needs to cry, she should just do so because she’ll feel better after she’s done.  QY tells him not to worry because she’ll adjust her emotions and not let this affect her work.  Luo Tian says he hopes this the last time he sees her cry.

 

Back in the conference room, XK continues to work on his laptop.  His teammates then arrive and Lu Sheng takes the seat next to him while asking if he’s doing okay.  XK answers that he’s fine, and Shen Yue and Tong Wu take seats across the table from them.  Li Gan then arrives followed by Qi Yue and he takes the seat directly across from XK while music indicating that something suspicious is about to happen starts to play in the background.  XK looks at Qi Yue and then at Li Gan, but Li Gan just sits forward in his chair like there’s nothing odd happening in the room right now and calls for the meeting to begin.  When XK suggests they wait for Shu Wen, he answers that there’s no need, and so XK has no choice but to agree.  He begins by explaining they’re opponent tomorrow is the Dragons team, and that’s when we see Qi Yue take out from his pocket a small audio recorder and hits the button for it to strat recording.  Shu Wen arrives at that moment and as the meeting’s already begun without her, she apologizes for being late and takes the seat next to Lu Sheng and tells XK to start.  He starts over that their opponent tomorrow is the Dragons team and continues to describe how they’re different from the other teams they’ve played.  He then suggests some strategies and tactics for them to use based on those differences, and the camera then moves around the room to show us how Tong Wu notices that Qi Yue is tape recording their meeting. 

 

The next morning, the Legends vans pulls into the parking lot of the competition site and PX gets out of the car immediately while Lu Feng lingers behind because he’s got his phone out and he’s busy recording memories.  He suggests to the others that they take a group photo and when Huo Yao says they should wait for PX, Lu Feng responds they shouldn’t worry about him and draws everyone else in for a group selfie.  Inside the competition site, the VNG team is walking up the stairs when they run into their opponents, the Dragons.  One of them calls out to XK and starts to trash talk by saying that he’s truly impressed by him (XK), because on one side he’s having a relationship with a celebrity, while on the other, he’s having an ambiguous relationship with their one of their commentators.  Lu Sheng asks what he’s trying to do and says he should be more respectful in how he speaks.  He tells him to stop asking for trouble and XK adds that if he has the time and ability to get into a spat, then maybe he should spend some time studying his strategies as, if they’re not careful, their substitute player will blow them out.  As the VNG team starts to walk away, the Dragons team member comments with surprise that XK’s tone of voice is not so small after all.  He then adds that previously, he used to wonder why when QY was commentating, she always spoke highly of him (XK) but it turns out they had something going on since a long time ago.  [One thing I’ve always admired about XK is how he in control he always is.  We know he must be affected by other people’s criticisms, but he rarely ever lets it show and just lets it roll of his back refusing to let himself be engaged.  But as we’ve also seen, the one thing he can’t abide is when people start talking about the people around him – especially those whom he cares about.  So, while he was willing to let it go when the Dragon member was picking on him, he turns back around when he hears QY’s name.]  The Dragon member asks his teammates if they know what’s going on with QY, and then remarks on how “he” would even want a girl like that.  Having gone one step too far, XK throws down his duffel bag and charges after the Dragon member.  His own teammates race after him, trying to pull him back, and from the other side PX who’d also approached from the other side and sees what’s about to happen comes racing forward too.  In the end, XK goes in for a face punch but it’s PX who ends up getting hit because he’d stepped in between XK and the Dragons member.  XK asks PX if he’s alright and the Dragon member cries out that JXK hit somebody.  He tells PX that he can report XK to the competition’s organizing committee, and XK pushes at him asking him if there’s something wrong with him.  The VNG members pull him back and PX asks the Dragon team if they aren’t going to hurry up and leave.  The remaining members of the Legends team also arrive then and they race over, with YX in the lead.  YX asks the Dragon team if they’re looking for trouble and now his own teammates have to pull him back.  The Dragon team finally walks away but as they do so, the trash talker turns back and says, “Don’t you love showing off your strategies?  Prepare some paper towels and don’t cry so hard later that it looks ugly.” 

 

After the Dragon team finally leaves, YX turns back to ask what’s going on.  Shen Yue explains that the Dragons teamwas looking for trouble and PX helped speak up on XK’s behalf.  YX is surprised to hear that PX would actually help his Kong Ge, and PX sighs in answer.  He says he only wants to play against VNG in the finals and then retrieves his duffle bag before walking away.  The VNG team mutters their thanks behind him.  YX asks XK if everything’s okay now and he agrees that it is.  XK tells them not to let this affect their condition and that they should “jia you,” and says he’ll see them in the finals.  All members from both teams call out a round of “jia you,” and then they break up to continue on their way.

 

QY’s already in the commentator’s room practicing when Luo Tian arrives with an extra cup of coffee for her.  After he wishes her a good-morning, he asks if she rested well the night before and she answers that after she went back to her room, she fell asleep the minute her head hit the bed.  He asks if his coffee was a pointless purchase then, and she tells him of course not because with coffee in her hand, she’ll have double the fighting spirit.  Luo Tian says that’s great and then suggests they go over their script together. 

 

The VNG team arrives to their waiting room where Shu Wen is already waiting for them.  She notes their listless spirits and asks what’s going on.  Tong Wu tells her about how the Dragons team suddenly provoked them, and she asks, “Provoked?”  Shen Yue tells her it wasn’t just a provocation, their attitude was savage too.  He relays how the other team had warned them to prepare paper towels and to not cry too much when they lost.  Shen Yue scoffs and remarks how the Dragon team didn’t even win once during the regular season, so he really doesn’t know where they’re getting their confidence.  Shu Wen asks XK what’s going on and Li Gan arrives then announcing that they’ve run into a problem.  Qi Yue follows behind and Shu Wen asks what’s happened.  Li Gan pulls out his phone and holds it up, and then we hear the XK’s voice.  It’s a tape recording of their team meeting the night before.  Everyone exchanges looks of surprise and shock, and Qi Yue announces that the recording was posted three hours earlier so it’s already been spread everywhere online.  Lu Sheng says no wonder the Dragons team leader was so arrogant, and Shu Wen says she’ll go and report it to the competition’s organizing committee.  Li Gan says he already reported it and what they need to do next is figure out what they’re going to do for their next match.  Shu Wen tells everyone not to panic because they have a back-up plan.  She turns things over to XK then, but when he takes out his notebook, Li Gan says there’s no need.  He tells XK that he violated the team’s rules and revealed the team’s secret strategies, and says that starting from now he’s to report to the substitute team.  He then tells Qi Yue that starting from the next match, he’ll return to the stage.  Qi Yue agrees and Shu Wen asks what he means by this.  She asks if he knows what he’s saying, and he says, “What do I mean?  Shouldn’t you be asking him how the recording was leaked?”  Shu Wen looks to XK, but XK looks equally confused.  Li Gan then says that Qi Yue saw with his own eyes QY entering the conference room before the team’s meeting.  Qi Yue tells Shu Wen that he’s 100 percent sure QY purposely recorded their meeting in order to retaliate against XK, and XK stands up while throwing his notebook down on the table and asks Qi Yue what crazy talk he’s talking.  At that moment, Li Gan’s phone rings.  All we hear him say is, “Yes,” and “Okay.” 

 

QY and Li Gan are practicing their script when there’s a knock at their door.  It’s a woman who greets Luo Tian by apologizing for interrupting them.  Luo Tian asks Lucy why she’s there and she approaches QY asking if she’s QY.  QY says she is and Lucy introduces herself as a member of the iConquer competition’s organizing committee.  She tells QY that she needn’t work today’s match because her cooperation is needed with something that they’re investigating.  She asks QY to come with her and Luo Tian points out that the match is about to start.  He asks if this can’t wait until after the match is over, and that’s when Lucy shares that a few hours earlier a tape recording of VNG’s strategies was leaked online.  QY asks, “VNG’s tape recording?” and Lucy says that’s right.  She says they took a look at the hotel’s security camera and apart from members of the VNG team, the only other person to enter their conference room was QY.  QY starts to try and explain what she was doing yesterday, but Lucy holds up her hand and says she needn’t try and explain herself right now as she’ll have a chance to explain in a little bit.  She again asks QY to cooperate with them and QY turns to Luo Tian.  He tells her not to worry as he’ll take care of things here, and tells her to just go with Lucy in order to clear the air.  QY says okay and takes off her ID badge, which she hands over to Luo Tian.  After she picks up her purse, she turns to Luo Tian one more time and he tells her to go on.  As QY exits the commentator’s room with Lucy and the security guard, we see Qiao Xin creep around a corner.  She knocks on the door of the commentator’s room and greets Luo Tian, and that’s when he gets a call from Director Guo who says that he’s gotten the notice from the organizing committee and Qiao Xin has hurried over.  He tells Luo Tian to work with her for today’s match and Luo Tian answers that she’s already arrived before hanging up.  Qiao Xin greets Luo Tian and says she’s excited to be working with him again.  He, on the other hand, looks anything but thrilled and looks at QY’s ID badge as Qiao Xin tells him that she’ll cherish this opportunity.  Luo Tian puts QY’s badge away with a sigh and tells QIao Xin that if she makes a mistake later, then she shouldn’t say anything and should just sit next to him.  Qiao Xin tells him not to worry because she’s made sure to prepare well for this match and reminds him of how he’s always telling them, “Opportunities only come to those who prepare well.”  That makes Luo Tian pause in his actions. 

 

Li Gan is stll confronting XK as he points out how he and QY were in their conference room for 15 minutes, and asks if XK, as their team leader, wasn’t aware of the team’s rule.  No one else but members of their own team is allowed to enter the conference room.  XK answers that he knows this and this was his mistake, so he’ll bear the responsibility for it.  At that moment, Lucy walks by the team’s open door and as QY follows from behind, she stops and exchanges a look with XK.  He then runs after them, telling them to wait, and when he catches up to Lucy, he admits that QY did come to their conference room but says there’s no way she would’ve made the tape recording to leak their team’s strategies.  Lucy asks him where the proof is and he tells her that he can testify for her.  He points out how it wasn’t easy for QY to climb her way onto the commentator’s stage and says there’s no way she’d ruin her career prospects like this.  QY tells XK he needn’t testify on her behalf because she didn’t do anything, so the truth will make free on its own.  She tells him to focus on his match instead, and then she and Lucy continue on their way with the security guard. 

 

Back in the VNG waiting room, Shu Wen tells Li Gan that now is not the time to for them to be seeking punishment.  With their stategy leaked, they should instead be figuring out a new stategy to use.  Li Gan tells her that he and Qi Yue already thought about that on their walk over.  Qi Yue looks victorious while everyone else looks nervous and Shu Wen tells Li Gan that she has the right, as their coach, to keep XK on the team for the competition.  Li Gan says in return that as their director, he has the right to dimiss her as their coach.  He then tells the team to take a seat as he explains to them what they’re going to do for strategy.  He appoints Qi Yue as their mid-solo and returns Lu Sheng to his original position.  XK returns to the room at this moment and when Li Gan notices that Lu Sheng and Tong Wu are distracted, he asks them angrily whether they’re listening to him.  XK tells his teammates to play well as they have to win the match, and at that, Lu Sheng and Tong Wu finally take a seat.  [Li Gan’s expression is priceless in this moment.  Yes, that’s right, they treat XK more of a leader than you because he is a real leader while you . . . you’re a poser, Li Gan, that’s what you are.]

 

Qiao Xin swaps out QY’s nameplate for her own with a triumphant expression on her face.  [Ugh.] 

 

In the Legends waiting room, YX also remarks that it’s no wonder they [the Dragons team] were so arrogant and says he can’t believe they were so cocky over such cheating tactics.  Huo Yao asks how someone could get inside to leak the recording given how confidential their meetings are, and PX points out how VNG will be eliminated from the competition if they lose this match.  YX says that’s impossible as XK always has a Plan B, so there’s no way they’ll lose.  Luo Tian and Qiao Xin then welcome the audience to the match between the loser’s bracket, and in the Legends waiting room YX reacts in surprise to see Qiao Xin instead of QY.  Luo Tian explains that today’s match is between VNG and Dragon, and this is a life and death match for both of them as the winning team will be able to press on to the finals while the losing team will be eliminated.  Qiao Xin then announces that today’s VNG team has undergone some changes; their leader, JXK, has been swapped out at the last minute while Qi Yue has returned to the team in order to play his original position as the mid-solo.  The Legends team sits up in surprise when they hear this, particularly YX, and Huo Yao also notices that “Coach Shu Wen” isn’t present and that Li Gan is sitting in as their coach.  PX comments that it’s over for VNG. 

 

Lucy shares the security camera footage with QY, which shows her entering the VNG conference room.  She asks if that’s her and QY explains how, that day, she had heard that XK fainted.  She tried to call him, but he didn’t answer, so she panicked and ran to his team’s conference room to find him.  It then turned out that he hadn’t fainted, it was “them’ talking nonsense.  Lucy asks, “Them?” and QY answers, “Qiao Xin and two of my colleagues.”  Lucy responds that she’ll meet with QIao Xin and the other two to ask them about what QY’s shared with them, and then says that before they’ve finished their investigation, QY will have to stop all her work as a commentator.  QY answers that she understands and that she’ll wait for the organization committee’s notification. 

 

Miya enters her hotel room with Karen and Tony alongside her.  She’s completely focused on her phone while Tony is also on the phone.  He tells the director of sponsor that they’ve been working with that “she” was sick these past few days but when the camera pans to Miya’s phone, we see she’s foused on the match between VNG and Dragon.  She watches the camera make its way through the VNG lineup and realizes XK’s not with them.  She asks out loud why he’s not there and Tony answers that it probably has to do with the leaked strategy problem.  Miya asks what that’s about and he pulls out his own phone to show her.  After she reads a news article, she tries to call XK but all she gets is a ringing tone.  She asks Tony why XK’s not answering his phone and then calls out to her assistant, Karen, and asks her to prepare the car.  Tony asks her what she’s doing and she tells him that she’s going to find XK.  Tony reminds her that she’s supposed to go to a recording in a little bit, and Miya answers that what she must to do right now is be by XK’s side.  Karen leaves to do as Miya instructed and Tony sighs and complains that she really doesn’t know what’s important and what’s not, but he also knows there’s no stopping her so he caves.  After Tony also leaves, MIya sends XK a message.

 

Back at the competition site, the VNG team is a total mess.  As XK watches from the waiting room, two women walk by the open door and whisper that it’s JXK.  He looks up when he hears his name and they quickly hurry off as they continue to gossip.  One person says she heard it was because of all the rumors between him, Miya, and QY that he was swapped out of the match, and the other points out how QY also wasn’t in the commentator’s box today and says it must be because of this reason.  [They may have left the doorway, but XK overhears everything.]  The camera returns to the game arena just in time for us to see Dragon win the game.  Qi Yue throws off his headset and storms off stage, as Luo Tian congratulates the Dragon team for advancing to the finals and says he hopes VNG will continue to perservere through the next competitive season.  Sun Ge is also watching from The King and with Luo Tian’s voice still chatting in the background, he pulls out his phone to call XK.  XK doesn’t answer so he searches his contacts for Shu Wen’s number and after hesitating for a second, gives her a call. 

 

Miya is headed to the competition site with Karen and Tony also in the van.  She fidgets in her seat and after looking at her watch, asks the driver if he can drive a little faster.  Karen reassures her that they’re almost there while Tony tells her that he really doesn’t think it’s appropriate for her to be going there at this time.  He points out how she can’t do anything to help XK by rushing over there like this anyway and adds that with her popularity only recovering by just a little bit, it’ll only take one person to write something for it to drop again.  Miya responds determinedly that these past few years, she’s never been by his side whenever he’s run into difficulty, so this time she has to let him know that no matter what happens, she’ll be by his side.  The van then approaches the competition site and Tony notices how there is a crowd outside its entryway.  He says that with so many reporters there, they can’t go and instructs the driver to turn around, but Miya countermands him and tells the driver to not turn around.  She tells Tony, “I must see him today,” and after a pause, Tony tells the driver to circle around. 

 

With the competition over, Luo Tian rushes over to find QY in the conference room where she’d had her interview with Lucy earlier.  He asks how things are going and QY just looks at him.  Luo Tian tells her not to worry as he’s known Lucy for many years now and she’s always handled these kinds of incidents in a fair and impartial manner.  QY nods her head and Luo Tian tells her that for the time being, she should just wait with peace of mind as he knows they’ll investigate things thoroughly.  QY nods her head again and says, “Thank you, Teacher Luo.”  After a pause, she remembers to ask how the match went and Luo Tian hestitates before revealing that VNG lost.  QY asks how that could’ve happened when she knows XK normally prepares two sets of strategies in case something happens, and asks again how VNG could’ve lost to the Dragon team.  Luo Tian heaves a deep sigh and shares that XK was swapped out at the last minute.  QY says, “It was because of me,” and guesses that it had to do with the leaked strategy.  Luo Tian tells her not to have reckless thoughts and insists this has nothing to do with her, but we all know that’s not true.  QY picks up her phone and tries to call XK, but she gets the voice recording telling her that the number she’s trying to call is turned off.  She asks in a panicked voice how his phone could be turned off and Luo Tian tells her not to be anxious.  QY ignores him and grabs for her purse instead before running out of the room with Luo Tian following from behind.

 

Outside the competition site, the reporters lie in wait (if you look closely in the middle, you’ll see YY is also there waiting).  XK walks out and everyone rushes over.  The reporters ask if the last minute decision to take him out of the match was because of the leaked strategy recording, and then the camera pulls back for us to see that Miya’s van has approached the reporters from behind.  Another reporter asks why QY would make an appearance in VNG’s conference room and then follows that question by asking whether she’s behind the recording.  A third reporter says that right now the Internet is overflowing with rumors about how because of QY’s unrequited love, she hates him very much, which is why she tried to retaliate against him.  In the background, the camera gives us a close up of Miya rolling down the windows of her van for a better watch, and then we hear YY’s voice say, “JXK.”  The camera returns to XK and we hear (then see) YY say to him, “Right now, all the rumors and slanders on the Internet are being directed at QY.  What do you have to say about this?  I don’t think you should keep avoiding this anymore.”  XK turns and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, I ask everyone to please separate matters related to the team from my individual [love] affairs.  The organizing committee for the iConquer competition is already investigating the matter concerning the leaked recording and I will also proactively cooperate.  I use my career to guarantee this has nothing to do with QY.  Morever, it has even less to do with what everyone is speculating online about this having to do with retaliation.  Thank you.” 

 

When XK starts to walk away, YY asks him to hold up and clarify one more matter.  She says that the reason everyone online would make this sort of guess – right at this moment, we see QY running through the through the competition site with Luo Tian calling after her asking her where she’s going.  QY finally stops when she encounters a television broadcasting XK’s interview with the reporters outside.  It’s through this television screen that we see the remainder of YY’s question – is because of the confusing dispute over the love affections between him and Miya as well as QY.  The camera then returns to outside where YY asks XK if he has anything to say about this.  XK responds that Miya is, in fact, his first love.  [Miya smiles affectionately when she hears this, while QY stares gapingly at the television screen.]  But then he adds that currently, they’re just friends and that they didn’t get back together.  YY asks if this means QY didn’t wreck their relationship, and then QY watches him on screen answer, “What’s between QY and me is also just friendship.  But I’d like to be her boyfriend.  I also earnestly request that Miya’s fans stop attacking QY.  Everything is my fault.”  [Aww, QY’s tears as she watches this love confession…]  As XK concludes his interview, MIya steps out of her van and calls out to him.  The reporters react in surprise to see her there and ask her why she’s there and whether she has anything she’d like to say to XK.  She asks the reporters to step aside for a moment and tells them that she has a few words she’d like to say to XK.  She then walks forward and forcing a smile on her face, says, “XK, can you give me a precise answer?”  With the entire world watching, he answers at last, “I’m sorry.”  He turns and walks away and Tony also leads Miya back to her van.  Inside the competition site, QY asks Luo Tian in tears whether “he’s” at the hotel and Luo Tian answers, “Not yet.”  QY runs off and Luo Tian calls after her that she would be worrying about herself, and not JXK. 

 

QY exits the competition site where all of Miya’s fans are lying in wait.  When they see her, they rush over asking her where she’s going and block her path saying she can’t go anywhere.  They yell at her to stop seducing other people’s boyfriends and denounce XK as an unfaithful lover, telling QY to wait and be dumped as well.  They call her the “other woman” and then someone throws a cup of juice at her, telling her to go die.  Luo Tian runs over to protect QY and and alternates between asking the fans what they’re doing and asking them to just try throwing another one.  He calls for security and QY pushes him aside to stand on her own again.  [Brave girl!]  She tells the crowd, “You’re Miya’s fans, aren’t you?  If you have any sense of reasonableness, if you really love her, then you should think about why she can’t in an open and aboveboard relationship with someone else and why she was forced into breaking up with the person she loved.”  A fan retorts back by asking how QY can stand there boldly and assuredly like she has justice on her side [that was an idiom, FYI] when she’s the one who wrecked their relationship, and the other fans agree.  QY responds that of course she has the right to be self-confident [another way of translating that idiom] because she respects the feelings that Miya and XK once had for each other, just as she trusts that Miya also respects the feelings that they now have for each other.  She then tells the fans that she and XK are genuinely and sincerely in love with one another and that they’ve never done anything immoral.  She finishes by telling them they haven’t the right or the qualifications to control her and asks them to please step aside.  The fans yell back that they’re not going to step aside and it’s at this moment that YY pulls up in a taxi cab.  She pushes through the crowd, telling them them to step aside.  When she reaches QY’s side she ask the crowd if they’ve gone crazy and asks them to try saying one more thing in rebuke.  She then leads QY to the waiting cab, turning back one last time to tell the crowd to shut up, and finally, QY makes her escape while Luo Tian watches.  In the car,YY dabs at QY’s tears. 

 

Later that night, at The King, Sun Ge hands Shu Wen a cup of tea.  She says thank you and then, after a pause, says it was she who was no good and that it was she who allowed VNG to turn into its current state.  Sun Ge responds that her natural inclination to look to herself for the problems is her positive point, but she’s being too severe on herself.  Shu Wen says, “But I wasn’t able to fulfill what I promised JXK,” and Sun Ge responds that she already did well enough.  He tells her not to give herself so much pressure and she tells him that the leaking of the team’s strategy along with the circumstances of him being taken out of the competition, will likely end up being XK’s greatest blemish on his entire professional career.  Sun Ge responds, “From Legends to VNG, he’s experienced too much.  I have faith that he’ll be able to handle the trials and hardships, so rest easy.”  At that moment, they hear foorsteps running up the stairs and stand themselves.  A second later, QY comes racing in followed by YY.  Both Sun Ge and Shu Wen ask, “What’s the matter?” and QY takes the time to greet them before asking if XK’s been there.  Sun Ge answers that he’s not there and QY mutters that he’s turne off his phone and wonders aloud where else he would have to go.  YY pats her on the shoulder and tries to comfort her by saying that it’ll be okay, and that’s when YX races in whining that he’s been racing after the two of them for half a day already.  He asks if they didn’t hear him shouting for them and YY snaps back at him by asking how they would have the means to look after him.  Still pratically breathless from running, YX greets Sun Ge and Shu Wen and asks if XK is there.  Sun Ge answers that he hasn’t been there and Shu Wen says she assumed XK was with them.  YX asks if he’s not there where else he would go, and Sun Ge tells everyone to not panic and not be anxious.  He says it’s possible XK just wants to have a calm moment himself and that’s when an idea occurs to QY.  She tells them that she thinks she knows where he is, so she’s going to go look for him, and races off again.  When YY moves to follow, YX pulls her back and asks why she’s going and YY shoves him aside saying she can’t rest easy letting QY go by herself.  Since YY follows after QY, telling her to wait, YX turns to Sun Ge and Shu Wen and says he’s going to go too.  After they leave, Shu Wen tells Sun Ge that she’ll go to the dorms to have a look.  When she turns to leave though, he calls out to her and tells her, “Everything will be alright.”  She thanks him and then leaves.

 

XK is sitting dejectedly in an empty Hellolala Pink Café.  The waiter, who I swear moonlights as a matchmaker, walks over to pick up XK’s near empty glass of strawberry milk tea and tells him, “Feelings between two people aren’t something that can be forced.  I support you.”  XK nods and thanks the waiter, and after the waiter starts to walk away, he turns back and gushes, “There was one night before when she also waited for you here until the middle of the night.  She really likes you.  Why don’t you give her a call?”  After the waiter leaves, XK pulls out his phone and starts to look up QY’s number.  She arrives at that moment and as she walks up close to him, she can see how he’s hesitating over her contact information.  She asks why he isn’t calling her [since she can see how he wants to] and XK whirls around and stands up surprised to find her there.  He looks her over and asks how she came to be in her current state.  He starts to ask if it was Miya’s fans, but QY tells him it’s just a little bit of juice.  XK apologizes and says it was because of him, that she turned into the world’s enemy, but QY only walks up to him and asks, “What would be wrong with that?” [basically indicating that she doesn’t mind] and grabs his face for a kiss.  [YOU GO GIRL!  In the background, the waiter washes glasses with the happiest of expressions and I swear, they’re going to have to invite him to their wedding one day, LOL!]

 

After a nice long kiss, the scene transitions to the next morning at VNG where XK meets with Li Gan and signs a contract to terminate their agreement.  As Li Gan looks over the contract, he tells XK that during this time that he was at VNG, his contributions were ones that everyone had a common interest in.  But as for the most recent matter, there’s too much of a negative effect.  He starts to explain how the sponsors feel and XK cuts him off telling him that he knows.  As the team leader, of course he should bear the responsibility for the leakage of the team’s strategy.  Li Gan says that’s good then, and tells XK that he shouldn’t hesitate to speak up should he need any help in the future as he’ll do everything he can to help him.  [Maybe you should’ve done that while XK was your team’s leader?!]  XK responds by thanking Li Gan and saying that if there’s nothing further, he’ll leave first.  [Pretty sure Li Gan/VNG would be the last place XK would turn to if he really needed help.  I daresay he’d rather go to Legends for help.] 

 

When XK walks out of Li Gan’s office, he finds Shu Wen waiting for him.  [Ugh, the emotions between these two as they just sigh and look at each other!  Breaks my heart.]  XK turns to look one last time at the training room and Shu Wen offers to walk him out.  As they leave together, Li Gan comes out of his office to watch them.  When they’re outside, Shu Wen tosses a coin at XK and tells him that she’s giving it to him.  He looks over the gold coin and jokes, “Wen Jie, it looks like I made a profit after all!”  She explains that it’s from the first time she wento Vancouver [for the world championships] and she’s kept it ever since.  He responds, “No wonder it feels heavy in my hands.”  Shu Wen then apologizes to XK.  She says it was she who failed to protect him and didn’t have the ability to keep him.  XK tells her, however, that it’s he who ought to apologize to her because he didn’t deliver on his promise to give her a perfect team.  But then he tells her that he has faith that one day, he’ll find his perfect team.  Shu Wen agrees by saying she believes in him.  At that moment, Lu Sheng arrives greeting XK as “Team Leader.”  He tosses over a basketball and says he heard he (XK) was leaving, so he came to see him off.  He asks if XK would like to play another game with him and Shu Wen tells XK that in all of VNG, the person who admires him the most is Lu Sheng.  She tells him to go and so XK and Lu Sheng head for the basketball court.  As Shu Wen watches them run off, she thinks to herself, “Maybe it’s time for me to leave as well.” 

 

As Lu Sheng and XK battle it out on the basketball court, Tong Wu watches anxiously from behind the fence.  He flashes back the team meeting when he’d seen Qi Yue with a tape recorder in his hands.  Shen Yue arrives, scaring him from behind and asks Tong Wu what he’s doing.  Qi Yue also appears next to him and asks, “What?  Are you reluctant to see him go?  Then how about you go with him?”  Tong Wu says that’s not the case and says he’s just watching them.  Qi Yue mocks him by stuttering back, “Oh, is that so?” and then taps him on the head asking why he hasn’t already gone to by them drinks.  After Tong Wu leaves, Qi Yue catches XK and Lu Sheng’s attention by calling out, “Oy!”  He mocks XK by asking if he’s turned to playing basketball since he can’t compete anymore, and then says, “Oh that’s right.  You can still dance too.”  After he grooves in place for a few seconds, he tells XK that he won’t see him off any further and takes his leave – good riddance!  Shen Yue also adds a mock farewell wave before following Qi Yue.  On the court, Lu Sheng sneers a smile in response and tells XK not to pay them any mind.  He goes back to dribbling the ball, but then notices how XK’s concentration has already been broken.  He then tells XK that actually, the person who’s the most reluctant about him leaving VNG is Tong Wu.  He explains that before XK came, nobody had managed to discover his strong points, and XK fires back, “So that’s why he could meet a friend like you?”  When he raises his eyebrows knowingly at Lu Sheng, Lu Sheng smiles in admission of that fact and then shares that that there are very few people in this world whom he respects and admires, but he counts XK among them.  XK crosses his arms in response and asks, “Don’t you think of me as stubborn?”  Lu Sheng laughs and says it’s because he is that he admires him.  Then, in a more serious tone, he tells XK that it’s because of his seriousness and earnestness that nobody can knock him down, and this is a good thing.  He adds that perhaps he’ll do even better once he leaves VNG, but then sighs that the only thing he doesn’t know is when he’ll have another opportunity to play basketball with him again.  XK tells him that so long as he’s willing, they can play at any time.  Lu Sheng points a finger at him and says, “You said it.  It’s settled then,” and then holds his hands out for a hand clasp, which XK accepts.

 

QY is pacing outside of VNG when XK finally appears in the distance with his suitcase and duffel bag.  When he sees her, he smiles and quickens his pace.  He asks her what she’s doing there and she tells him that she came to fulfill her duty as a girlfriend.  He looks at her in question, as he doesn’t quite understand what she means by that, and she looks to his suitcase and says she’ll help him with that.  He rolls his suitcase out of her reach and tells her that’s okay, and then says, “How about you take this instead?” and holds out his hand.  [Awwwwwww!]  She looks at his hand and then at him, and he just cocks his head with the most adorable smile.  She then places her hand in his and they walk away from VNG together.  QY tells XK that Sun Ge wants them to go to The King for dinner, but XK tells her he already spoke with Sun Ge and they’ll go another time.  Today, he has some other place he’d like to take her.  QY asks where that is, and XK tells her that she’ll know once they arrive.  She tsks and comments on how secretive he’s being. 

 

Shu Wen is looking at a picture from when the Pioneer team won the World Championships when Li Gan walks into her office and says he made an appointment with a sponsor and asks her to go with him to meet with them.  She tells him to go deal with it by himself and sits down at the couch to pour them each a cup of water.  Li Gan takes a seat as well and says, “Shu Wen, I’m sorry.  I was too impetuous that day.”  He then tells her that this is a critical time for VNG and that he needs her.  [Is it just me, but it feels like VNG is always in a critical state – probably because of Li Gan’s poor leadership.  Just sayin’!]  Shu Wen, however, tells him that she wants to resign and when he asks her what she means by that, she answers that she’s tired.  Li Gan tells her she can’t let her emotions be swayed by just a few minor matters and Shu Wen asks whether even now, he still thinks that all that there is between them is a few minor matters.  She then tells him that their biggest problem is that they don’t share the same philosophy and if it’s something they could’ve resolved, then they woudn’t have turned into what they have today.  Li Gan responds by asking whether it’s that she wants to leave VNG or whether it’s that she wants to leave him.  Shu Wen says, “LI Gan, I’ve operated VNG with you for so many years already.  All of your efforts [i.e., investments in a relationship], I’ve stored them in my heart.  But it’s just that now, I… I… I don’t know know what I want.”  Li Gan responds, “Shu Wen, it’s been so many years already.  I’ve stuck by your side by glue and everything I have ever done has always been ruled by you.  If you said to head east, I would never think of going west.  Everything, everything was done in accordance with your plans and your steps.  But in the end, I realized, you’ve never loved me at all.”  In tears, Shu Wen asks if Li Gan can’t calm down, but of course he can’t.  He’s started and now he’s on a roll.  He asks how he can calm down (repeats the question) and then angrily demands to know, “Is it because of Sun Ze Yi?!”  Shu Wen looks away and rolls her eyes in disbelief, and then shakes her head.  With a deep breath, she tells him that’s enough and then says, “VNG, I return it to you.”  She grabs her purse and walks out of the office – and that’s the last we’ll ever see of Shu Wen at VNG.  As Shu Wen walks away in tears, Li Gan breaks down in her office.

 

End

 

 

Head Pat Count (episode): 1

Head Pat Count (total): 5

 

Fist Bump Count (episode): 0

Fist Bump Count (total): 6

 

 

Some additional thoughts: As I worked on the recaps for this episode, it occurred to me that while it was really annoying watching Qi Yue and Qiao Xin use their trickery to bring down XK and QY, we should actually thank them because they helped bring our OTP together that much sooner.  LOL.  I'm sure it would've happened later, if not then, but it can't be denied that they were a catalyst in how things eventually played out.  Li Gan's doing a pretty good job of pushing Shu Wen and Sun Ge back together, too, although that hasn't yet happened.  But yeah, anyway, three cheers for Qi Yue, Qiao Xin, and Li Gan???!!!! 

 

[Lynne]

@themarchioness  I agree we have to thank Qi Yue, Qiao Xin, and Li Gan for the recent development!!! Looks like Qi Yue deserve his MVP title after all 

 Sad as it is... I'm glad XK is not in VNG anymore.. and... Glad XK and QY finally... finally...... get together.....  We've been waiting for hundreds of years hahaha...

 

The Next step of their JOURNEY IS IN THE HORIZON... TEAM PHOENIX!!!!!!!!!  浴火不灭, 涅槃重生, I must say... the creation of the team and how everyone get together is one of my favorite part of the drama.. 

-----

Following the end of Ep. 26, we have QY went to XK. Eventho we found out later QY was tricked, this is still of my fav part... how XK was surprised and happy seeing QY, how soft he caress her hair, how desperate he was...  makes me melt 

 

 

And I must say... the drama don't have enough kisses hahaha... 

Here's few more picture when QY picks up XK from VNG and then they finally went for a Real date this time 

 

 

 

[Lynne]

On a separate post... I want to send a Happy Birthday for both Wang Yibo [August 05] and Wang Zixuan [August 06]...

@themarchioness tells me that their birthday are only a day apart 

 

 

 

[themarchioness]

6 hours ago, lynne22 said:

 

@themarchioness tells me that their birthday are only a day apart 

 

Not only that but it was apparently the subject of their first conversation!    In an interview, both WYB and WZX were asked who made the first move.  Both shared it was WYB who'd done some Internet research beforehand to try and learn something about her prior to their first meeting (which was at a photoshoot for this drama, IIRC) and so he commented to her that they were both Leos and she was kind of like, "Huh?" and he had to explain their birthdays were a day apart.  Haha.  So cute.  [Particularly when we consider the fact that in every subsequent YT video I've watched, you get the sense that Yibo is reserved to the point that he normally doesn't know how to talk with others, especially members of the opposite sex.  ]

 

Also, today [August 07] is the Qixi Festival in China, which is considered similar to Valentine's day.  Let's wish our favorite OTP a very happy 七夕节!  if I were @lynne22, I'd include a screenshot here.  Instead, I'll just point everyone to one of the ones she's shared above.  LOL.  

[themarchioness]

Did you know?  Wang Yibo wasn't the only one from the cast who contributed to this drama's OST.  The actor playing Lin Yi Xuan (Ding Guan Sen) also sang a song:

 

 

[themarchioness]

I thought once I got past Episode 27, the recapping would go faster because I love this next arc of the story where we see XK building his perfect team.  But it turns out, I love it so much I can't help but pause to replay certain scenes over and over again.   

 

Anyway, I'll try my best to recap another episode by this weekend, but after that I'll have to take a break for about a week.  The drama is now full subbed and available on some sites (message me, if you'd like more information), but at this point, I'm so close to the end, I think I'm going to finish recapping the drama after all.  It's a good thing I'm not feeling any urgent pulls for other dramas right now.   

 

Episode 28

 

Spoiler

 

Episode 28

 

 

XK finally succeeds in bringing QY to the Secret Garden restaurant.  After the waiter clears their table, she thanks him for bringing her there to eat such delicious foods and asks about the surprise he’d wanted to give her.  XK tsks and asks her what she’s in such a hurry about; he tells her she’ll find out in a little bit.  Indeed, a second later, the waiter rolls over a special cake.  She asks XK why there’s a cake and he just stands up to hand over a knife and tells her to cut it.  She also stands up and suggests they cut it together, and XK agrees.  [LIKE A WEDDING CAKE!  Confession: I have to restrain myself from flinching each time I watch this scene because they’re not cutting down the center of the cake!  After they cut through the cake and separate the two halves, QY sees that there’s a heart inside.  She loves it.  It’s just the sort of thing she’d love.]  After they return to their seats, XK tells her that he once waited for her there until the restaurant almost closed but fortunately, he’s finally succeeded in waiting for her.  QY responds that she almost missed out on him, and XK smiles at her until both their attentions are grabbed by the piano player in the background.  While QY’s turned around focused on the piano player, XK exchanges a glance with the waiter and they both smile.  And then XK and QY return to staring at each other, an activity they excel at.  Haha.

 

Miya sits down in front of a recording camera with her guitar and says, “Hello everybody, I am Miya.  A lot has happened recently and I know everyone’s very curious about how I feel.  I think in everybody’s lifetime they ought to have at least one time where they forget about themselves because of some person.  Where they don’t expect any particular kind of outcome, where they don’t expect that they’ll have a shared journey, where they don’t expect to have what they once had before, and where they don’t even expect that you will love me.  I want to say to that person, you kept me company through the darkest times of my life and suffered with me.  When you needed someone by your side, I was absent.  You have your own new love now, I wish you both the best.  This song, ‘Beyond the Sky,’ was written for you.  Today, I’ll sing it for you for the last time.”  As Miya starts to sing, we transition back to QY and XK who are now walking hand in hand after dinner.  With Miya singing in the background, QY says she never imagined Miya would send them her blessings.  XK smiles and QY puts her head on his shoulders as they continue on their way. 

 

Luo Tian delivers a copy of the quarterly report for the current competitive season to Director Guo.  As Director Guo flips through the report, he tells Luo Tian that originally, once this competitive season was over, the organizing committee wanted to collaborate with them on a new development, but now, with the matter of the leaked strategy, the organizing committee is not happy with them.  He tosses the report aside and says that they should take advantage of this break in the competitive season to reorganize their own internal department.  Luo Tian responds by agreeing and taking the responsibility for this giant mishap, but Director Guo doesn’t want him to take responsibility for everything.  He places the blame on QY and says her actions have already affected the company’s reputation with the public.  He says they can’t keep a person like that and Luo Tian asks if it’s his intention to fire QY.  He points out the investigations are still going on and Director Guo retorts that even if there isn’t 100 percent proof, it should be pretty close.  [Well, he’s clearly marked her for guilty already.]  Luo Tian tells Director Guo that he’s observed how QY dedicates herself to her work and works hard.  That’s why, until the investigations are complete, he won’t allow QY to be fired.  [As he speaks, QY happens to be walking past and overhears the latter part of their conversation.]  Director Guo tries to speak again, but Luo Tian puts up his hand and says, “If you insist on firing her, then I ask you to please fire me first.”  Director Guo asks if he’s aware there are already people gossiping behind their back about his and QY’s relationship.  He asks how the organizaing committee will look upon him if the gossip spreads to them, but Luo Tian doesn’t care what other people are saying and answers confidently that the truth will clear up matters on its own.  He then gets up to leave and Director Guo asks after him if won’t think about his own reputation.  Luo Tian turns around and says that compared to her professional career, his reputation doesn’t mean anything. 

 

XK sips from a cup of coffee at Dream Journey and compliments PX by saying it’s not bad and that he has indeed proven himself to be the best barista amongst the professional players.  PX responds by telling XK that he didn’t invite him over for coffee today, and XK laughs and guesses, “You want to ask me again which team I’m going to next.”  PX doesn’t deny it and asks XK what his plans for the future are.  XK looks the side and says he that he does actually have an idea, and when PX cocks his head with interest, he jokes, “I bet the salary for your manager here is pretty high, isn’t it?”  [LOL]  PX tells XK that he’s not capable of being a manager at Dream Journey, and XK nods his head in acceptance of that.  He then remembers to congratulate PX on winning the championship title for the fall season along with the entrance ticket to the world championship finals, and tells him that whether China can win another championship title will depend on the Legends team.  PX tells him that they both know Legends isn’t capable of winning the world championships in its current state.  XK reminds him, however, that they still have half a year and suggests that if they make some breakthroughs with their strategy, they may have some hope.  When PX answers that what they (the Legends team) needs is him, XK tells him that he heard from QY that he went to Legends because of him.  PX admits that’s true and says, “But I went and you ended up leaving instead.”  He then asks again what XK is really thinking about for his next steps and XK answers, “I haven’t thought it through yet.”  PX then tells him, “In any case, for the next season, wherever you go, that’s where I’m going too.”  XK looks at him with widened eyes and asks if he’s joking around with him, but of course PX’s dead serious.  He tells XK that he doesn’t care who’s the team leader.  His dream is to become the world champion and with XK’s strategies along with his skills, his dream will actually have a chance at becoming a reality.  That’s why, he tells XK, he’d like for him to become his teammate; wherever he goes, he’ll go too.  XK thanks PX for thinking so highly of him, but points out that there is no team who would want him given his current situation.  PX suggests then that if there isn’t a team who wants him, he can form his own team instead.  XK replies, “Please!  Forming a team isn’t like playing house.  Besides, even if I did form one, with your high price, how would I be able to afford you?”  XK takes another sip of the coffee, thanks PX for it, and then takes his leave by saying he’ll come look for him another day so they can learn from each other/swap notes. 

 

As XK drives back on his motorcycle, he gets stopped at a red light and starts to reflect.  In a series of flashbacks, we revisit the moment when Gu Fang had told him that his previous dream was to win a second world championships, and that his current dream was to watch them do it; the moment when he’d told Shu Wen that he believed he would one day find his perfect team; and the moment when PX had suggested he form his own team, if there was no team who wanted him.  The light then turns green and so XK continues on.

 

YX sighs, “Aiyo, my Sun Ge,” as he follows Sun Ge to help set the dinner table.  Sun Ge laughs and asks him what he’s worrying about as sniffs and checks the food.  YX asks what they should do about XK not having been contacted by a team yet, and Sun Ge just takes the dinner bowls from him to place around the table.  YX asks if XK really hasn’t shared any of his plans with him yet and Sun Ge answers lightly that he hasn’t.  YX wonders why Sun Ge hasn’t made any inquiries and Sun Ge responds by asking YX why he doesn’t just ask himself.  YX says he’s afraid if he asks XK will be upset, and Sun Ge tells him to just wait then as XK will tell them on his own once he’s thought things through.  YX then observes how when XK was chased out of the Legends team, Sun Ge was so anxious he couldn’t sleep; but now, he’s behaving as if there’s nothing wrong.  Sun Ge explains that’s because this time XK is very clear about how there is only one road in front of him, which will be even harder to walk than the previous ones.  When YX asks which road he’s talking about, Sun Ge tells him to wait until XK arrives and then he can ask him himself.  At that moment, they hear the sounds of a motorcycle pulling up outside.  YX runs over to the window and when he sees who it is, he turns back excitedly saying, “They’ve arrived.  I’ll go greet them.” 

 

Outside The King, YY is also waiting.  When she sees QY, she calls out in greeting and beckons for her to hurry over.  QY climbs off the bike and asks YY why she hasn’t gone upstairs already, and YY explains that without them, it would’ve been awkward.  XK walks over then and adds his own greeting by saying, “Yo, Reporter Lu,” while throwing an arm around QY’s shoulder.  YY responds, “Hey, hey, hey, I don’t care if you guys want to engage in public displays of affections at home, but how about you not engage in public displays of affection in front of single people like me?”  XK replies that affections are supposed to be publicly displayed, and then juts his cheek out towards QY saying, “Give it a kiss.”  YX arrives just in time to see QY comply with XK’s request and he joins YY in cringing over their friends’ ABSOLUTE ADORABLENESS.  YY chants about how she can’t bear to watch and YY says, “I have to say, Kong Ge.”  He starts to put his arm around YY’s shoulder, but when she tsks, he quickly retracts it and pretends like he was just going to scratch his head.  He then keeps going by commenting to XK that normally he (XK) hates it when other people engage in public displays of affection, and then comments to YY about how men who are in a relationship are really quick to change.  YY agrees, but when she notices how YX has put his arm on his shoulder to lean against it, she tsks again and tells him not to touch her.  She bats his hand away and tells him to keep his distance from her.  XK asks YX if he’s jealous and when YX merely looks away, QY says, “That’s right, A Xuan.  You should keep your eyes on things, otherwise this fine girl will run away with someone else.”  [It’s worth noting that this is the first time QY’s referred to YX as “A Xuan,” which signals that they have a closer relationship now likely because she is now officially XK’s girlfriend.]  YX whirls his head around and asks YY who she’s planning on running away with and YY hits him, saying, “Run away, yeah right!”  She then points her finger at XK and QY and splutters, “Don’t, don’t use me to crack a joke!  QY, let’s go!”  She yanks QY out of XK’s arms and he just purses his lips and lifts his arm out of the way while YX wags his finger behind them.  [LOL.  That is one of my favorite scenes.]

 

Once everyone’s seated at the dinner table, YY stands to formally greet and introduce herself to Sun Ge.  He tells her that the last time they met it was too busy [since that was the night they were trying to find XK], and says he’s honoured to meet her.  He tells YY to treat this place like her home – eat well and drink well – as there’s no need for her to be polite with him, and YY readily agrees.  XY also adds that she should treat this place as her home, since Sun Ge said so, and XK chooses that moment to say to him, “I have to something about you, don’t you know you’re supposed to treat me to a meal now that you’re a champion?”  YX responds in hesitation and says that he was afraid XK would be sad, which is why he didn’t dare “yao wu yang wei” (idiom: make a show of one’s strength; swagger around; throw one’s weight around), and asks how XK could blame him.  Everybody says, “Aiyo, aiyo, aiyo,” because they don’t believe a word of what he’s just said, and XK mocks him by commenting aloud, “He’s crying.”  He then hits him on the head and asks when he turned into such an actor.  YX points at QY and says he learned it from her, and YY objects asking him how he’s speaking.  QY then cuts in to say that’s enough and holds her cup out to YX to congratulate him on winning a spot at the world championships.  She tells him he has to win the world championships and YX promises to work hard.  YY, our little ruthless one, tells YX that he needs to show “that Jeffrey” what he’s got.  XK then observes that actually both the Europe and America division and the South Korean division have a few teams that are really strong, to which Sun Ge nods in agreement.  He tells YX what he said to PX earlier in the day, which is that if the Legends team doesn’t make some breakthroughts in their strategy, it’ll be a hard for them to get very far.  YX agrees by saying that even if the current Legends team made it to the finals, they undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to win the title.  He then sighs and says that if nothing had happened to VNG, XK would definitely be able to beat Jeffrey.  XK and QY exchange looks at that, and XK says that the leaking of the strategy was just the straw the broke the camel’s back.  Sun Ge then observes that it was the incompatability of Li Gan and Shu Wen’s philosophies that was the biggest reason for their downfall.  With everyone’s spirits dampened, Sun Ge tells them all to not be so depressed.  He adds that he has faith that China’s iConquer won’t just come to a standstill t at this point because sooner or later, they’ll have a perfect team.  YX salutes to that, saying they must, and then everyone holds out their cups for a cheer.  After everyone takes their drink, YY asks how the investigation into the leaked strategy is going and QY answers that they’re still investigating.  YY complains by asking how long she’s going to be made into a scapegoat and YX throws in his support by saying they can’t let “that Qiao Xin” take advantage free of charge.  [I love the expressions of concern on XK’s face throughout this scene.]  YY tells them that when she interviewed A Can earlier today, Qiao Xin was so cocky it was all she could do to suppress her pent up anger.  XY tsks in sympathy, “That is too much!” and then turns to Sun Ge and asks if Luo Tian isn’t well acquainted with the members of the organizing committee.  Sun Ge asks why he wants to know and YX asks him to have a word [with Luo Tian] to help QY.  QY pipes up immediately though to tell them to forget about it, as Luo Tian has already helped her plenty.  She then tells everyone to rest easy as she will be sure to settle matters well.  XK then says, “That’s enough!  We’re all hungry, let’s hurry up and eat.” 

 

After everyone finally digs into their meal, YY coughs and asks after his future plans.  YX tsks and asks what it has to do with her, and YY just pokes her chopsticks at him and asks how he’s speaking with her.  That has YX promptly turning to XK to ask if he has any plans.  XK looks at Sun Ge and answers, “I haven’t figured it out yet.”  YX reports back with XK’s answer and YY objects, “What’s ‘I haven’t figured it out yet’?”  QY tugs at her sleeve to get her to stop, but YY asks why she’s pulling at her and says, “If he wasn’t your boyfriend, why would I care about this?”  She then asks XK if really plans on spending the rest of his life at Sun Ge’s place being the manager.  As XK and QY exchange looks, YX and YY bicker on the side.  When YY objects to YX’s objection of her probing comments, he says that what he means is that’s impossible because Sun Ge was just saying to him today that his Kong Ge is currently considering a path; it’s just this path will be harder to follow than the one before.  YX asks Sun Ge if that wasn’t right, and Sun Ge nods and smiles.  YY asks him what path he’s talking about and YY turns the question over to XK.  XK smiles in response and Sun Ge says, “Yu Huo Bu Mie, Nie Pan Chong Sheng” (A shower won’t extinguish the fire; rebirth after death) and then gives XK a meaningful look. 

 

At Dream Journey, PX announces to his cousin that he wants to break his contract with Legends.  Summmer asks if he’s sick and then sticks his hand against his forehead and says, “You don’t have a fever.”  PX tells his cousin he’s serious and Summer asks him what he’s being serious about, as he clearly thinks this is a ridiculous idea.  He asks what benefit he’ll get out of breaking the contract and asks if PX doesn’t want the admittance right he’s already earned to the world championships.  PX then tells Summer that he’ll win the world championships with JXK and Summer asks what PX’s still seeing in his dreams.  He asks what team would dare use JXK and PX predicts that XK will form his own team.  Summer sighs and asks if XK told him that and PX admits that he hasn’t.  Summer asks how he knows XK will form a team if  XK hasn’t said anything, and PX says, “I just know.  I understand him.”  [LOL, PX’s so cute the way he smiles when he says he understands XK.]  Summer kneels down to talk at eye level with PX and says, “Little brother, forming a team isn’t an easy thing.  You’ll have to take ten thousands steps back just to advance.  Even if he is successful in forming a team, can you guarantee that he can make it to the world championship playoffs?”  PX has confidence in XK though and so Summer can only scratch his head as he comments that he doesn’t really understand him.  He points out how he and XK are opponents, but now he’s doing everything he can to pay him instead of getting paid.  He asks what PX’s trying to do and PX answers that he just admires XK.  He reminds Summer that when he went to Legends, it was because of him.  Summer asks if he has the money to pay the fee the break the contract and PX says no, but he does.  [Aha!  We finally arrive at the real point of this conversation.]  Summer tells him, “Get out, get out, get out, get out, get out!”  After he kicks PX out, he asks how he could have a little brother like that – but you know what, he may complain but we know he’ll pony up the money in the end.  He’s a good cousin and a good friend.

 

That evening XK and QY take a walk after dinner [WHILE HOLDING HANDS].  After a while, they pause by the water and gaze across to the cityscape.  QY then tells XK that tomorrow, she plans on submitting her resignation to Director Guo.  XK asks why, clearly surprised by this news, and QY explains that she doesn’t want to cause trouble for Luo Tian anymore.  When XK doesn’t say anything, QY tries to brush his concern aside by saying that ever since she started going to Dream Journey, she’s never gotten a night of uninterrupted sleep.  Now, she can finally get some rest and says she misses that feeling of being able to wake up on one’s own.  XK looks at her with the tenderest of expressions and concern and says, “I’m sorry.  There’s nothing I can do to help you.”  QY, however, tells him that so long as he keeps her company, she’ll be able to start afresh and stand on the commentator’s stage again one day.  She also tells him that she hasn’t forgotten the promise they previously made to each other.  XK then asks QY if she would look down on him if he really did what YY said and became a manager at an Internet café.  QY answers yes, but clarifies that it’s not that she would look down upon his choice.  Rather, she would look down on the fact that he hadn’t respected what was inside his heart.  She then tells him that since his heart has already made a decision, he should just bravely go forth and do it.  XK responds, “But if I fail, then I’ll be without nothing.”  And QY tells him, “Just like Sun Ge said, Yu Huo Bu Mie, Nie Pan Chong Sheng.  Even if your body is smashes to pieces and your bones are ground to powder, I’ll still believe in you that you will definitely be able to stand up again.  No matter how hard this road is, I will definitely stay by your side and keep you company.”  After a pause in which XK thinks things over, he repeats Sun Ge’s words, “Yu Huo Bu Mie, Nie Pan Chong Sheng,” and after another pause, thinks of an idea and asks QY what she thinks about the name Phoenix as a name for the team.  [Since the drama spells it Phenix, that’s what I will continue to use from hereonout but it’s really Phoenix and I’m guessing it was censorship or something that cause the drama to drop the O.]  QY considers the idea and grows excited when she thinks about how phoenixes are known to rise from ashes; she tells XK it’s a great idea, especially since it really fits his current situation.  She suggests they just use that name and XK observes, “Our Phenix team is still short of a captain.  Commentator Qiu, will you deign [to accept the position]?”  QY laughs and tells him to guess, and he puts his arms around her while hugging her close and says, “I heard your heart beat saying you’re willing.”  QY laughs and snuggles a little bit closer.  [YAY!  Phenix is officially off the ground!] 

 

The next day QY reports to GDV to tender her resignation.  She walks into the commentating room and starts remembering the first time she encountered this room and pretended to make a report.  She also remembers the time Luo Tian put her on the spot and asked how come he couldn’t sense from her any passion for the iConqure game.  She then remembers the first time she greeted the audience after she became an official commentator.  Luo Tian walks in behind her and after she turns around and greets him in surprise to find him there, he asks why she has to leave.  She answers that he’s already helped her too much and she doesn’t want to drag him into the mess; after all, GDV can be without her, but they can’t be without him.  Luo Tian tells her that he knows she’s suffered a lot of injustices, but points out that everything will be one day be investigated and cleared up.  He reminds her that she’s worked hard to stand on the commentator’s stage and asks if she’s really going to give it all up like this.  QY shakes her head and tells him that from that moment she decided to become a commentator, she decided to also make it her life’s main objective; that’s how she felt previously, and that’s how she feels presently.  She tells Luo Tian that she loves being a commentator so even if she leaves GDV, she won’t give up.  He nods his head in acceptance of that while she takes out a flash drive from her purse.  Handing it to him, she tells him it’s a summary recap of the current competitive season.  Luo Tian accepts the flash drive and asks whether she’s really thought things through and whether she absolutely has to leave.  QY nods her head and tells Luo Tian that from Dream Journey to GDV, he’s always been her guide; therefore, she hopes he’ll continue to give her advice and pointers.  Luo Tian then holds up the flash drive and tells her, “One week, one replay video.”  QY smiles and tells him that won’t be a problem, and Luo Tian smiles with his own regrets but accepts her decision at last.  QY then tells him that she’ll get going and when he offers to see her off, she tells him there’s no need as XK is waiting for her downstairs.  Luo Tian nods his head and accepts that as well.

 

With both their former jobs settled, XK and QY get to work immediately on building the next stage in their lives.  In a montage, we see them working on the logo for their team and meeting with shopkeepers as they explain what they’re looking for in a uniform for their team. 

 

XK is watching a video of an iConquer game at Hellolala Pink Café and pauses it when he notices QY’s arrival.  He asks why she’s only arriving just now and QY explains that she’s having a hard time finding a place for them to use as a training base; she went around looking at several different places and has been doing cost comparisons.  XK has no response for that and can only sit soberly until QY tells him that she has one piece of good news, which is that their team uniform has already been delivered.  She tells him she’s seen it already and it looks especially great.  XK asks, “Really?” and when QY responds, “Mm,” [like a ‘yes’ noise], he tells her she’s worked hard and says, “Our Captain Qiu is a very efficient worker.”  QY responds, “I have to.”  XK promises to take her to eat something nice that evening and QY agrees.  She then asks XK when he plans on telling YX about them starting a new team.  XK answers that he doesn’t want to tell him for the time being.  QY thinks about it for a second and then agrees he has a point as YX can already go to the world championships through the Legends team, and there’s no need for him to take a risk with them and start all over again.  She tells XK she’s also afraid that the minute they tell him, he’ll pester them about joining their team.  XK agrees and also points out how YX is currently the top support player, which means they wouldn’t be able to afford someone like him anyway.  QY then asks if they have any new candidates and XK makes an “mm” noise before starting the video again and turning his laptop around so she can see.  QY asks which competition this is and XK tells her it was a game for the top amateur players [I thnk?].  He points out a player for her to watch and when he makes a play, she observes that these are the moves of someone who seems like they would be a top player even amongst the professional players.  XK agrees and tells her this is the first person he wants to find; furthermore, she knows him too.  QY reacts, “I know him?  Who?”  He tells her to guess and when she can’t figure it out, she gives up and asks him to just tell her.  XK teases that it looks like she really is stupid and points out how he’s made it obvious for her already.  He asks if she really can’t guess the answer and so QY takes another look while XK tells her to think about it carefully.  After another second, QY starts to put two and two together as she says, “The creator.  PX’s life hero.  Could it be…?” 

 

PX is making coffee at Dream Journey when he every time he hears a noise at the entrance, he hurries over to take a peek, only to be met with disappointment each time.  On one of those occasions it’s Summer who walks in and when he sees how PX’s expression goes from one of anticipation to disappointment, he asks what’s going on.  He asks if it’s disappointing to see him, and PX says that it is indeed.   Summer asks, “What, are you waiting for JXK?” and then he slaps the counter and says, “Let me tell you, I already asked.  I asked Luo Tian, Old Sun [Sun Ge], and Shu Wen and none of them have heard JXK say that he’s forming his own team.  That means your guess is incorrect.  JXK won’t form his won team.  Have you given up all hope yet?”  PX answers that he’s already spoken with CEO Jin and tomorrow morning, they’ll meet to terminate his contract.  He then reminds Summer to prepare the money.  Summer mutters that he really is his ancestor and then refuses to drink the coffee that PX made for him.

 

XK shows Sun Ge his team’s new uniform and Sun Ge says it’s cool; he exclaims over the fact that XK is finally forming his own team and adds his support for the name, Phenix.  XK says, “Of course,” and tells Sun Ge it was he who gave him the inspiration, as Phenix was borne out of the saying, “Yu Huo Bu Mie, Nie Pan Chong Sheng.”  Sun Ge asks if that means when they win the championships one day, it’ll include his contribution as well.  XK responds, “Of course it will.  Furthermore, we’d like you to wear it.”  Sun Ge takes the jacket, although clearly not understanding what XK meant, and so QY clarifies for him that they’d like him to become their first team member.  Sun Ge’s expression changes immediately as he hands the jacket back to QY and tells the two of them they must be joking with him.  XK’s not joking with him though and tells Sun Ge he needn’t be in a rush to reject him.  He tells him to ask himself if he really doesn’t want to return to the competitive world and try again one more time.  Sun Ge answers that when he was with the Pioneer team, he was already the oldest.  He then points out how even Gu Fang, who’d continued competing, has already retired and add to that, it’s already been 5 to 6 years since he last competed.  XK smiles and pulls out his phone.  Sun Ge asks what he’s doing and XK hands it over and asks, “This is you, isn’t it?”  QY also tells him that, “Bao Dao Wei Lao” (idiom: a treasured knife doesn’t age).  Sun Ge laughs and takes a look at the video while XK observes how he’s continued to maintain his hand speed and reaction time through the years; he states he’s no worse than the Gu Fang of three years ago.  XK says he absolutely can return to the competitive arena and QY adds her support telling him that they really need him.  Sun Ge emphasizes that the game they’re showing him was just an amateur’s competition, which is entirely different from an actual competition.  He’s says it’s not something someone like him who hasn’t competed for so many years can get used to.  He then reminds XK that his objective is to win the world champhionship title, not play in an amateur’s game.  When QY tries to plead with him one more time, he cuts her off and says that as the team’s captain, she should know how hard it is to form a team.  He then tells her that if a professional player is past his peak, then he’s already past his peak.  He stands while asking how the two of them having such confidence in him and then walks away from them.  QY calls after him and XK asks if he really doesn’t want to win back the championship trophy.  His question hits home and Sun Ge stands in place for a long while before finally turning back around with an expression we’ve never seen from this usually easygoing person.  He orders them to leave and tells them not to waste any more of their time on him.  He also tells them not to use the team’s future to gamble on something that’s only possible.  After Sun Ge walks off, QY asks XK why Sun Ge was so angry and XK guesses that perhaps that last competition [when he was part of the Pioneers team] is still a sore spot for him in his heart. 

 

Laer that night, after XK and QY have long gone but not before leaving behind the team uniform, Sun Ge walk back through the living room and gazes upon it.  He thinks back to the past when he’d been practicing with his Pioneers teammates and how they’d cheered when they’d won a game.  They’d celebrated after, by chanting, “Championship trophy, here we come!”  He then remembers the day he’d left the training base by himself and how he’d later sat outside it watching his teammates win the world championship on his phone.  We can see from his expression back then that he was genuinely happy for them, but in the present, we can also see how he’s maybe still a little regretful too.  Sun Ge picks up the Phenix uniform and carefully considers it.

 

The next morning, the Legends team is running laps when one of them asks why PX’s not with them.  Another member answers he’s a golden doll so of course he doesn’t have to train.  They then enourage each other to keep running and as they grow smaller and smaller in the distance, PX appears in the foreground with his backpack and suitcase.  He wonders if he should say something to them now that he’s leaving, but then he reasons that they shouldn’t mind him leaving and says good-bye to them in his head.  He then takes out his phone and sends a message before turning away.  The others take a break from running when their phones ping.  YX checks his and asks, “Good-bye?”  Huo Yao asks what he’s talking about YX explains that PX sent a message to their group chat.  He asks what he means by this and Li Nan holds up his phone and also asks what’s going on.  Huo Yao says he thinks he may have overheard something this morning to the effect that PX was going to terminate his contract with the team, and comments that it seems it was true.  Lu Feng asks if he’s leaving and YX suggests they go back to see what this is about.

 

As PX walks away from the Legends training base, he stops briefly to take out the Legends badge from his pocket and finger it.  After some thought, he turns back around.  His Legends teammates have, in the meantime, returned to the training base where they look for him and can’t find him.  YX comments that he’s not at the dorm and he’s not here either; he wonders where he could have gone.  As Lu Feng comments that they should’ve spoken face to face, we see that PX has returned and is walking through the first floor while they’re on the second.  He can hear their conversation as YX comments that he doesn’t know what PX spends his days thinking about.  Huo Yao says that if they think about it, PX’s actually a pretty good person; it’s just sometimes he’s a little arrogant.  YX says that when he helped them chase out Zhao Yang, he really thought of him as someone loyal.  Lu Feng asks why he was always nagging at him if that was the case, and says YX’s also got a problem since he wouldn’t work with him despite him being their team leader.  Huo Yao adds that now that they think about it, with him leaving, he feels a little regretful.  PX chooses that moment to announce his presence to them.  He gives the excuse that he forgot his uniform, but after he retrieves it and he sees everyone lingering and waiting for him, he adds that he forgot to say good-bye.  He thanks them and Lu Feng says thank you back, and sorry before breaking down into tears.  Li Nan approaches, calling PX team leader, and thanks him.  He tells PX he learned a lot from him and that they won’t forget him.  Huo Yao motions for YX to have a turn, but when he looks away, Huo Yao steps up and tells PX to not forget about them as he’ll always have them and he’ll always be welcome to return at any time to the Legends team.  Huo Yao then pats him on the shoulder and tells him to “jia you,” while PX replies that they’ll “jia you” together.  The only person remaining is YX, but when PX looks in his direction, he looks away.  PX then tells the others that he’s leaving, but after he walks past YX, YX calls out, “Hey!”  He then walks over and says, “I’m sorry about the stuff from before.”  It’s a gesture that may seem insignificant, but we know it’s a giant concession on YX’s part.  Even Lu Feng, the emotional one, can’t help but react while Huo Yao smiles.  YX then holds up his hand for a bro handshake and tells PX, “Good bye.  Team leader.”  When PX shakes the hand, YX tells him that he’ll see him at the competitions and when PX agrees with a nod, he pulls him in for a hug.  [THE FEELS] 

 

XK and QY are at Hellolala Pink Café where XK is looking through a stack of papers.  He sets on sheet aside and QY asks, “This one’s no good either?” and sighs.  He hands over another sheet and she asks if he isn’t satisfied with that one either; he shakes his head ever so slightly.  QY sighs again and XK just hands over a third sheet.  QY asks if he’s not satisfied with any of these people and XK finally closes the folder and tells her that whether they look at these people based on their skills or experience, they would only get them as far as the qualifying match.  If they want to wait for them to mature, it would take them at least another two more years.  QY asks with a heavy sigh what they should do then and wonders if they shouldn’t find a way to persuade Sun Ge into joining them.  XK replies that he thinks there’s only one person at the present who would be able to persuade him.  QY thinks about it for a second and then her eyes pop out when it occurs to her; she asks if he’s talking about Shu Wen, and of course he is.  QY says they should get up to go find her then, but XK answers that she’s wrong.  They should go find Summer.  QY looks at him in confusion and asks why, and XK explains that the reason Shu Wen has never been able to forgive Sun Ge is because back then, right before they were to go to Vancouver, Sun Ge left the team without any cause or reason.  QY asks, “Without cause or reason?  Wasn’t it because he had to take care of his family member that he left?”  XK tells her that, in his opinion, that was just an excuse and that there’s actually an inside story not known to anyone.  He then tells QY that Summer must know. 

 

Shu Wen is at the target range practicing her archery with Summer.  She hits another bulls eye while his arrow misses it by a distance, just like all his other arrows.  He calls her an outstanding woman and Shu Wen tells him that he shouldn’t think she doesn’t know; he’s just going easy on her.  Summer replies that if she saw through him, she shouldn’t have said it aloud exposing him.  He explains he just wanted her to come out and relax a little, and Shu Wen responds that actually, she feels a lot more relaxed after having left VNG.  Summer asks if she really doesn’t feel a little regretful over what she’s worked so hard on for so many years and Shu Wen asks what there is to feel regretful over.  She recites the idiom, “Dao butong, bu xiang wei mou,” which means, “There is no point in people taking counsel together who follow different ways,” and says she should’ve realized that sooner.  Summer then coughs and asks after the status of her relationship with Li Gan, and she answers that she hopes he can find the right person for him.  Summer asks if she has any plans for the days to come, and Shu Wen reveals that she’s decided to go to Singapore to be an exchange student for a period of time.  She’s thinking of it as recharging her batteries.  Summer then asks if she’s ever thought about talking things out with Sun Ge, and says, “After all, the two of you...”  Clearly a sensitive topic and not for discussion, Shu Wen cuts him off and tells him that’s enough.  She then remarks that whether they talk or not, it’s all the same.  She tells Summer that what she wants is a change of scenery, some place where she can start over.  When Summer sighs, Shu Wen hits on him the chest and remarks on how he has yet to change his gossiping ways.  In feigned pain, Summer tells her he wasn’t gossiping, he was being sincere.  He then takes his life into his own hands by leaning over to tell Shu Wen that it really is a pity, she and Sun Ge.  She again shouts at him that that’s enough and suggests they have another round.  Summer say sthat this time he’s going to play for real and not go easy on her, and Shu Wen answers that he’d better not go easy on her. 

 

When PX returns to Dream Journey with his suitcase in tow, he sees XK and QY waiting at the counter and approaches by asking if they’re looking for him.  XK answers no and tells him they came to find his cousin.  QY gets up when she notices his suitcase and asks where he’s going.  PX tells them that he just terminated his contract with Legends.  QY and XK look at each other and XK asks, “You terminated your contract with Legends?”  PX nods and says they can form their new team now, and XK asks, “We form a team?”  PX picks up the Phenix jacket and says, “This must be our team uniform.  Phenix.  It has some meaning.”  XK snatches the jacket back and asks PX what he means by this, while handing the jacket to QY.  PX says he wants to join their team and QY reacts in excitement to this news.  She tugs on XK and tells him this is great, but XK doesn’t share that view.  He tells PX that he’s the country’s most talented player as well as the opponent he thinks the most highly of; but he’s sorry, he’s not suited for Phenix.  Even QY looks at XK like he’s crazy while PX asks if he’s rejecting him right now.  XK tells him that if he stays with Legends, he’ll have already won entrance into the world championships; therefore, there’s no need for him to take this risk.  PX reminds XK that he’s told him previously, his goal is to win the world championship title and that’s not something he can do by staying with Legends and just playing “four protect one.”  He then tells XK that since that’s the case, he’s willing to take the risk.  QY speaks up on PX’s behalf pointing out how good he is and suggests that they give it a try.  When XK doesn’t respond, PX asks what he’s still hesitating over and says, “Don’t tell me you haven’t made up your mind.”  XK responds with his patented eyeroll at that, and tells PX that it’s he who hasn’t made the proper preparations to join the Phenix team.  He observes how outsiders are always saying he plays against nine; apart from the five opponents, there are also the four team members who drag him down.  He tells PX that his individual skills are outstanding, but then he doesn’t know how to work with his team members.  He asks PX what he thinks and PX answers he has ever only relied on himself to win competitions, which is why he wanted to find XK to be his team member.  He then tells XK that he hopes for future battles, there will be some differences in the situation due to XK’s strategies.  XK responds that no matter what team he joins, it’ll have the same end result.  He asks if PX shouldn’t look within himself first to figure out why that is, and says that if he’s the type of player who’s natural disposition is to not know how to work with others, then it won’t matter what types of strategies are given to him, as they’ll all turn into “four protect one.”  He adds, “You choose me, but the end result will be the same.”  QY tries to mediate and suggests to XK that maybe they should give it some more thought, but he tells her not to forget, what they need is a perfect team.  PX then tells XK that apart from him, he won’t be able to find a more suitable candidate.  He points out that he’ll have to break in whomever else he finds and asks why he won’t give him a chance.  He asks if it’s because he fears he won’t be able to steer him and XK smirks.  He tells PX that before he doubts him, he should let him see his determination first.  Summer arrives in the background at that moment and announces his presence by commenting on how XK is even rejecting his little cousin.  He then says that it looks like Phenix really is some impressive team.  XK greets him and QY greets him by saying he’s finally returned.  PX tells XK that he won’t give up, and then he walks away with his suitcase.  Summer tells XK and QY, who remain, that’s enough and to not look at PX anymore.  He tells them he’s a rascal who just likes to behave like that and invites them to his office to chat. 

 

In Summer’s office, XK explains how Sun Ge had rejected his offer to join Phenix and told them that he’d already given up and didn’t want to play again.  He then tells Summer that this is why he he’d like to know the reason why he gave up back then, right before the world championships.  Summer answers that it was only on the night of Shu Wen’s birthday that he only came to know the real reason.  In a flashback, we return to that scene at the bar where Summer kept a drunk Li Gan company.  Only this time, we get to see the rest of that conversation where Li Gan had told Summer about how Shu Wen doesn’t even know how the 300,000 RMB that they used to travel to Canada came about.  Summer asks how it came about and Li Gan tells him he mortgaged his house to borrow the money.  Summer reacts in shock when he hears this and reminds Li Gan that he’d told them the 300,000 RMB had come from sponsors.  Li Gan scoffs at that though and asks Summer if he’s the fool or if he’s (Li Gan’s) the fool.  He asks who would’ve dared to give them money and Summer asks if Sun Ge knew about this.  Li Gan holds his finger up to his mouth to tell him to hush, and that’s when Summer realizes with utter disbelief that Sun Ge must have decided to leave the team after learning about Li Gan mortgaging his house.  Back in the present, Summer explains that back then, they had all assumed Sun Ge left the team because of family matters.  Li Gan had always been their substitute player and then he brought with him a 300,000 RMB sponsor so he naturally became a member of the team and even won the championship title.  Summer adds that he never imagined… and XK finishes for him, “You never imagined that, in actuality, it was Li Gan using that money to force Sun Ge to leave the team and leave Wen Jie [Shu Wen].”  Summer tries to give Li Gan some credit by observing how he really does like Shu Wen and notes how, back then, that was something they could all see.  But at that time, Sun Ge and Shu Wen were already together.  He then says that because Li Gan wanted to win the world championships and also wanted to be with Shu Wen… he finishes the thought by sighing, and XK says, “So in the end, Sun Ge sacrficied himself in order to help you all achieve your dreams and carried everything by himself.  And when he was misunderstood by Wen Jie, he wouldn’t explain.  Even after all these years, he still hides himself at The King tries to avoid meeting with you all.”  After Summer sighs, XK says that he should return to the competitive arena, and Summer agrees saying they all owe him a championship title.  He then tells them, “How about this.  Tomorrow, Shu Wen will be leaving for Singapore.  You two find her a way to make her stay, and PX and I will handle the rest.”  XK looks at QY in excitement and anticipation and then says, “Thank you, Summer Ge!” 

 

End

 

 

Head Pat Count (episode): 0

Head Pat Count (total): 5

 

Fist Bump Count (episode): 0

Fist Bump Count (total): 6

 

[I'd be sadder about the lack of head pat/fist bump counts hereonout except now we get hugs and arms thrown around shoulders... it's a fair trade off, I suppose.  ]

[nasaan ka Alex?]

I've seen a clip on JXK getting his motor bike back and I can't find it in any episode(other than the ending music video). Was it really not included in the episodes with the actual dialogues?

[Lynne]

@nasaan ka Alex? the scene you mentioned is part of Special Episode from the official MangoTV No subs as far as I know...

Here’s the full video if you’re interested: 

https://m.weibo.cn/2737515570/4391149609331178

Everyone got a good ending here... including shu wen jiejie and sun ge 

[themarchioness]

7 minutes ago, lynne22 said:

@nasaan ka Alex? the scene you mentioned is part of Special Episode from the official MangoTV No subs as far as I know...

Here’s the full video if you’re interested: 

https://m.weibo.cn/2737515570/4391149609331178

Everyone got a good ending here... including shu wen jiejie and sun ge 

 

I'll recap the Special Episode eventually as well, but for the scene where XK gets his bike back, I previously summarized that one for someone (on MDL), so I can at least share that one easily enough.  

 

In a nutshell (and off the top of my head): As XK and QY enter the headquarters, YX calls for PX to stand up and join them as XK has finally arrived. XK and QY are walking through the front hallway and he asks her if they haven't yet already arrived and she says no, but almost. When they arrive in front of the motorcycle, she tells him to stop and open up his eyes. He's shocked and excited as Shu When (IIRC) tells him his "big baby" has been returned. He asks if they bought it back for him, and QY confirms this as she reminds him that they'd always said when they had money, they would buy it back. He says "thank you" and swirls her around. And then he puts her down and runs over to the bike. Everyone's like, "Hey!" while QY protests that now that he has his bike back, he doesn't want her anymore. He tells her he hasn't ridden his bike in a long time and we can see how it's like ecstasy for him being back on his bike. LOL . He asks everyone how he can thank them and they tell him it depends on his sincerity. He suggests a week off and that doesn't garner much excitement as XL, in particular is like, "Wooo, team leader, yay, thanks...." He then offers to treat them to a seafood dinner or buffet, but both of those suggestions aren't met with any more enthusiasm. Finally, XK offers them a month of leave and then everyone celebrates, which is then followed by the dance party scene.

 

 

[themarchioness]

@lynne22 & @Jocelyn Stephanie, I've been meaning to reply to your posts from earlier this week but kept pushing it aside to focus on recapping.  Sorries!  

 

On 8/3/2019 at 1:52 AM, lynne22 said:

@themarchioness Phew!!!! So many things happen in a span of one episode... It really shows that the drama has a tight plot!

Ep 24-25 continues to deliver!!

There's so much to be said,,, but where to begin..  lols

QY is right you know.. in standing her right.. because Miya shouldn't have drag her into her issue... eventho yes.. QY could have given XK a chance to explain... but I can understand why she's she doesn't right now [Ep 24-25].. She's hurt and need time to process.

I do believe even if there's no issue of ep 26 coming up.... in time QY and XK would have patch things up! [we still have our fav cheerleader YX and mother hen YY that would always want QY's happiness]

 

This is my fav part of Ep. 25... how XK sincerely sends her "jiayou" will always make me go awww.. and a little bit sour.. I noticed at the end of their convo.. they are beginning to go back on the right track [If only there's no Miya in the competition sigh...]

 

One thing I always forget to comment, how fame is a double edge sword... the more famous or infamous you are... the more you will be in public spotlight.. and it can be a very toxic thing.

 

Sigh.......... XK time in VNG is ticking... despite having Shu Wen's support... Li Gan and Qi Yue continues to be a problem.. You know, I don't think they realized what they're doing will cost VNG.. but that's how it is with selfish people right???? They don't care about what problem they will cause.. what only matters to them are their personal gain...

 

 

I agree with you, @lynne22, about this drama's tight plot.  Between his career, hers, their relationship, and the relationships between the other side characters, this drama manages to cover a lot of ground with each episode.  I think that's when whenever I step back and think about how many episodes QY and XK were apart after Miya returns to the scene, it never feels that long because so much is always happening! 

 

As for your other comment about Miya, I agree.  She should not have set QY up like that with the backstage passes, but even more than that, she should not have gone to QY and asked her to give up on XK.  It kind of drives me batty when drama characters do that.  I mean, fine, let's say QY does give up on XK.  She still needs XK to agree to get back together with her!  And there's no guarantee that even with QY not in the picture, he'd accept her offer.  I know in Miya's mind she's not thinking like that - and probably can't be objective like that, given her feelings - but as a viewer, it's like, GAH!  

 

I also agree with you that things really snowballed out of control where Miya was concerned.  This is why I always say it's too bad he couldn't have met with her the night of the "Tomorrow's Star" competition.  I think if XK had met with Miya as originally intended, and as she'd asked, he maybe would've been able to explain to her clearly then (and in a much less public manner) that they were over.  But then again, maybe it's just as well, because if he'd done that, who knows if he ever would have told QY about his past.  I'd like to think yes, but on the other hand, he and Sun Ge are very similar in that regard and I can also see him holding onto it for as long as he could if he thought that was the best thing for everyone involved.  

 

I also loved that scene you shared from Episode 25!  In fact, what I love most about the time they were apart is how, in every Miya interaction that there was, you can see how first and foremost in XK's mind was his concern for QY -- how was she receiving this information?  How was she being affected?  How was she feeling?  Etc.  Not gonna lie, every time his eyes flew in her direction over Miya's, I cheered like it was some sort of victory for QY.  Haha.

 

Yes, fame can be a very dangerous thing.  I think the person who's learned that the most is Miya, actually.  Which is why at the end of the day, I do feel for her and can feel sympathetic towards her even if I don't support what she did/is doing.  

 

As for Li Gan, Qi Yue, and VNG . . . *heavy sigh*  What kills me about the leaked recording is that Qi Yue had to realize what a devastating move that would be for his team.  He was willing to ruin the whole for his own personal gain!  That is just so . . . ugh, I can't even find the sufficient word to describe how that makes me feel.  Li Gan, well, he's made his bed and now must lie in it.  As we know from the special cut scenes, even Tong Wu and Shen Yue will leave him eventually.  Good-luck to him in rebuilding VNG with that limited and narrow vision of his!  That should be sufficient punishment for him -- and maybe getting an invitation to Sun Ge and Shu Wen's wedding.   

 

 

On 8/4/2019 at 12:55 PM, Jocelyn Stephanie said:

This scene really brought mixed feelings. My heart broke for QY, and XK just looked so conflicted . But I can't completely blame Miya though, as if I was in her position, it would not be that easy to let go of XK, especially when in her perspective, the problem that hinder them from getting back together was that XK wouldn't want to ruin her career. But the fact is that we all know (except Miya of course) that XK has completely let go of the past and ready to start a new journey with QY *sigh*

 

Yes, this, exactly!  This is precisely how I feel about MIya and that whole situation.  It's why I find it hard to dislike her as a second female lead in this drama.  She's not a bad person and I actually admire the fact that despite the fame she's found, she never forgets her roots and, if anything, wants to pay back all the love and support she once received.  My wish for her (and them) is that they will one day all be good friends.   

[nasaan ka Alex?]

@themarchioness @lynne22 Thanks for the heads up. I was wondering if it was part of the 35 episodes since I cant find it in the raw episodes.

 

[themarchioness]

Phew!  I wasn't sure if I'd be able to fit in another episode this weekend, but with a little perserverance ... and maybe a little lack of sleep too ...    This episode is one of my favorites.  There are so many cute, funny, sweet scenes to enjoy (check out the head pat and fist bump counts!) , but above all, there's the story of Sun Ge joining the Phenix team which is, hands down, one of my favorite moments of this drama.  I hope you all love it too!

 

Episode 29

 

Spoiler

 

Episode 29

 

 

As QY and XK exit Dream Journey, she tells him she still doesn’t understand and asks why he’s rejecting PX.  He asks if she really doesn’t understand and she asks if it’s because he doesn’t like his lone wolf style of playing.  XK answers that it’s not that he doesn’t like it; it’s that it doesn’t suit them.  QY then points out that with PX being the strongest player in the league right now and so many teams wanting to sign him, this is a rare opportunity for them given how insistent PX is being about wanting to compete alongside him.  But XK tells her that PX’s sense of individualism is too strong, and adds that when PX was with the Legends team, Coach Luo had told him the same thing, but he hadn’t been willing to undertake any efforts to change.  QY tells XK he can help PX; after all, he’s helped Tong Wu and Lu Sheng, and reminds him that he’d once said that everyone has their shortcomings.  Which is why, XK tells her, he wants PX to see clearly his own shortcomings so that he’ll find the will within himself to change.  He then tells her that there’s no such thing as perfect game strategy that will allow them to achieve success; rather, it’s a a team where all the members trust each other that will achieve success together.  QY’s concerned about the what-ifs, though, and asks what will happen if PX gives up after XK rejected him in the manner that he did.  XK, on the other hand, understands PX well enough to know he won’t give up.  He tells her that once PX makes up his mind, nobody will be able to change it.  When QY sighs and looks back at the entrance to Dream Journey, XK tells her to stop thinking about it and suggests they focus first on dealing with Sun Ge.  [I love how he always walks with her with one arm thrown around her shoulders; le sigh…]

 

At The King, Sun Ge is ruminating over when XK had asked him to ask himself whether he really didn’t want to return to the competitive world and try again one more time.  A text arrives from Summer at that moment; all he tells him is: 1:40pm, Flight GF2839, destination Singapore.  Sun Ge is in the middle of texting back to ask what he means by that when there’s an incoming call from Summer.  Sun Ge answers by asking him why he’s going to Singapore, and Summer answers that it’s not him, it’s Shu Wen.  When all Sun Ge can say is, “Oh,” Summer observes how it looks like she really decided against telling him.  He then asks if Shu Wen has told him about Li Gan and whe Sun Ge says no, Summer says, “Then let me tell you clearly now, she made herself very clear with Li Gan.  After leaving VNG, she’s decided to go to Singapore to be an exchange student.”  Sun Ge responds that going out of the country to study is a good thing and Summer reacts, “A good thing?!”  He points out that once she leaves, they don’t know when she’ll be able to come back.  At this moment, customers start calling for Sun Ge’s attention in the background.  Sun Ge, therefore, tells Summer that something’s come up at his Internet café so he has to hang up.  After Sun Ge hangs up on him, Summer calls another number and when the other person answers, he asks Gu Fang if they’ve all arrived yet. 

 

After Sun Ge finishes dealing with some customers, he sits back down behind the counter and asks himself what right he has to ask “her” to stay. 

 

Shu Wen is walking along with her suitcase when she calls out to XK, who’s waiting for her at an outdoor café.  She asks if it’s because he can’t bear to see her leave that he was so insistent on meeting her for breakfast before letting her go.  XK responds by looking at his watch and telling her that there are still three hours before her flight, and that if she still insists on going to Singapore after their breakfast, he promises to deliver her to the airport on time.  Shu Wen responds, “Ah, it turns out you had some other purpose.”  When XK smiles in response, she tells him it’s too bad that she has nothing worth staying for anymore.

 

Sun Ge arrives at the airport and checks the departure board only to discover that Shu Wen’s flight has taken off already.  Since there’s nothing else to be done, he sends her a message that says, “Take care of yourself, have a safe journey.”  He pauses outside the airport and looks up to the sky and at that moment, an airplane flies overhead.  [This scene always makes me crack up.  Ah, dramas.  Yes, it must be THAT plane.  Lol.] 

 

When Sun Ge returns to The King, he walks through the entrance corridor with his head hanging down.  It’s not until he approaches closer that he looks up and sees Shu Wen waiting with her back turned against him.  When his footsteps grow nearer, she turns around and asks what kind of a boss he is that he would leave his store as he did.  She asks if he isn’t going to watch over his store and tells him that she greeted his customers on his behalf and told them that something had come up at home, so she closed the store early for him.  Sun Ge asks if she wasn’t already on the plane and Shu Wen smiles; she tells him, “The plane was about to take off and that’s when you finally sent me a WeiXin.  It looks like you really weren’t going to ask me to stay.”  Sun Ge shakes his head no with an expression of sadness and regret on his face, and Shu Wen says to him, “Sun Ze Yi, back then when I saw you competing for the first time, I started liking you then.  Do you know?  When my parents threw me out of the house, I shamelessly followed you.  But what about you?  How could you, because of Li Gan’s 300,000 RMB, leave me and leave the team?”  Shocked to discover that Shu Wen knows the truth of the past, Sun Ge stutters and asks how she knows and entreats her to listen to his explanation.  SHu Wen answers at first, “Tell me,” but then immediately following tells him that she doesn’t want to hear it right now.  She tells him instead that he needs to follow her to some place, and as she walks out of The King, she tells him to hurry up.

 

Shu Wen pulls up to the former training base for the Pioneer team.  Sun Ge asks why she brought him there and she explains that that year, after they won the world championships, they purchased it.  Even though the team later broke up, nobody was willing to sell it either as it was like a home to them.  She then tells Sun Ge that no matter how many years it’s been since he left, he’ll always be the Pioneer team’s “Yi Ge.”  As she moves to unlock the door, she asks if he remembers how back then, he was the one with the most fans.  Every time they finished competing, a crowd of their fans would be waiting outside with boxes of drinks to give to them.  Sun Ge then recalls how Summer would steal all the drinks that their fans gave them.  After Shu Wen unlocks the padlock, she suggests they go inside to have a look.  Sun Ge hesitates in the doorway but eventually follows her inside.  As they approach the main room, they find a large television screen waiting for them with the iConquer logo displayed across it.  As Sun Ge turns his head every which way, checking out his old training base, the television screen switches to a video of the Pioneers team competing in a match.  Sun Ge watches himself calling out commands to his teammates while the commentator reports on his doings in the background.  Sun Ge breaks down into tears at the memory and behind them, a crowd of people enter through the open doorways of the training base.  The match ends with the commentator calling out, “It’s a five kill!” [a feat pulled off by Sun Ge] and on screen we see the Pioneer team cheering (which includes Sun Ge leaning in to give Shu Wen a hug and lift her off the ground in celebration).  The commentator yells, “Yi Ge, Yi Ge, Yi Ge!” and in the room, the crowd behind them starts to chant the same.  He turns around and when the lights turn on, he’s stunned to find it’s his old fans.  One fan tells him that they’re still there, while another fan asks where he’s been all these years.  A third fan, who’s carrying a box, tells him that they came to give him drinks.  And a fourth fan tells him that they’ve never forgotten him.  A fifth fan points to the crowd and tells Sun Ge that they’ve all come, and a sixth fan tells him that he still owes them a championship title.  Everyone agrees with that sentiment and they all repeat that he still owes them a championship title.  In tears, Sun Ge asks how they’ve all come and thanks them for being there.  From behind, Gu Fang walks out.  He tells Sun Ge that the people who should be saying thank you is them, and that’s when we see Summer and PX enter from a side door.  Summer tells Sun Ge that if it hadn’t been for him, there wouldn’t be a Pioneer team.  Luo Tian also walks up then and tells Sun Ge that their biggest regret from five years ago is that he wasn’t on the championship stage with them.  In tears, Shu Wen asks, “Sun Ze Yi, do you still remember our team’s slogan?”  As she starts to chant it, he picks it up midway, “Bu Ju Feng Yu, Jian Zhi Wang Zhe” (Don’t fear wind and rain, the sword points to the king), and then she asks him, “What exactly are you hesitating over?!”  That’s when XK and QY walk in wearing their Phenix uniforms.  In XK’s hand is a jacket.  He chants, “Yu Huo Bu Mie, Nie Pan Chong Sheng,” and says, “These are the words you spoke to me as encouragemet.  I used these eight characters to make Phenix’s slogan.”  When he holds up the jacket and Sun Ge still doesn’t say anything, QY says, “Join us, Sun Ge.”  With everyone watching, Sun Ge reaches out for the jacket and says, “I, Sun Ze Yi, for the sake of you all, will try one more time!”  XK double fist pumps the air and pulls QY and the Pioneer team in for a hug while all of Sun Ge’s fans cheer in the background.  Sun Ge then reaches out to his fans for a group hug as they all chant his new team’s slogan.  In the background, PX watches with a smile on his face. 

 

A little while later, PX walks out of the Pioneer training base and XK follows to thank him for today.  Surprised, PX asks what he’s thankinghim for and XK explains he heard from Summer that it was he who had arranged everything today and that it was he who’d gathered all of the fans.  PX mutters that Summer has a big mouth and XK says, “Anyway, I have to thank you two brothers.  Thank you for letting me find Phenix’s first team member.”  Clearly still frustrated by his lack of acceptance, PX tells XK that he knows he (XK) already rejected him, but just as before, he still wants to join the Phenix team.  He tells XK that he has no intention of going anywhere else for the upcoming competitive season other than the Phenix team, and XK asks, “What if the Phenix team is truly unable to admit you?”  PX then answers by promising to play his best no matter what position XK gives him.  XK responds, “No matter what position,” and PX says, “That’s right.”  XK then asks, “What if it’s as a training partner?  Would you be willing?”  After thinking it over for a minute, PX answers, “Fine.  It’s decided then.  Phenix’s training partner.” 

 

Back at The King, the Pioneer team gathers along with XK, QY, and PX.  Luo Tian observes that the five of them can finally be considered as having met up together and Summer agrees, pointing out how normally if it’s not Shu Wen who’s missing, then it’s Sun Ge who’s missing.  He then asks if the two of them shouldn’t thank him for today and Shu Wen’s like, “Sure, we should thank you!” while Sun Ge clinks his beer stein against Summer’s.  She then asks if he would like her to introduce him to a girlfriend and he rejects the offer joking that he can’t trust her taste given whom she picked for herself.  Everyone laughs at his joke and then XK tells Summer that he’d like to toast him for everything he did today and describes his actions as, “too reliable.”  Summer accepts the toast but objects to how XK’s words make it sound like he’s normally not reliable.  He asks if that’s the case and XK hurries to deny that saying that he’s always been reliable.  His feathers no longer rufled, Summer says XK really knows how to talk.  PX then pipes up by referring to Summer as, “Ge.”  His use of “big brother” has everyone sitting up and taking notice and even Shu Wen starts hitting Summer on his leg.  Summer knows that when PX starts referring to him in this familiar way it usually means nothing good will come of it and, as it turns out, he is correct because PX asks him to let them use Dream Journey as the Phenix training base.  The Pioneer members all laugh as their suspicions are confirmed that PX, indeed, had wanted something from his cousin.  Summer, on the other hand, scratches his head and asks PX how he can turn his elbow out when he hasn’t even joined the team, and that’s when PX announces that he is a member of the of the Phenix team now.  The Pioneer members react in surprise and when they look at XK, he just coughs and looks away to cringe.  [I love how QY even pats his knee, hee!  So cute.]  PX then tells everyone that he is officially announcing in front of everybody that he is now the training partner for the Phenix team.  If the Pioneer team reacted in surprise before, they’re really reacting in surprise now.  One by one they turn back to XK, who’s still turned away from them.  Summer says, “JXK,” and he quickly turns around to answer, “Yes?”  Summer asks how he could let his younger brother be his training partner and when XK struggles to explain, PX cuts in to say that it was he who wanted to be the training partner so long as it allowed him to join the Phenix team.  Summer asks if his head is filled with water and whether XK bewitched him with some medicine or something, and when Summer turns back to look at XK, he picks up his beer stein as if to toast Summer and asks how he could have such a capability.  Shu Wen then intervenes by telling Summer that’s enough.  She says that since PX has already said he was willing, he should just let him join.  PX says, “That’s right,” and then tells his cousin about how Phenix is still lacking a training base.  Gu Fang then nudges Luo Tian and asks what he thinks about giving their [the Pioneer team’s] training base to them [Phenix].  Just as PX is still (literally) poking at his cousin to hand over Dream Journey and Summer is on the verge of giving in (by commenting on how his little cousin’s already been made a training partner and now his Dream Journey’s being dragged in), Gu Fang sits forward and tells them they can forget about Dream Journey.  He then says to XK that he’d like to represent the Pioneer team in giving him their former training base.  Holding up a set of keys, he asks what he thinks about that idea and whether there are any objections.  Summer’s the first to say he doesn’t have any objections as this means he can keep Dream Journey out of things, and Shu Wen agrees that of course she doesn’t have any objections.  Sun Ge says he’s too happy, and so Gu Fang tosses over the keys to XK.  XK looks at the keys and asks them, “You’re just giving it to me?” and Sun Ge says it’s all for the sake of their Phenix team, so they can win the championship title as quickly as possible.

 

As everyone stands to toast the handing off the Pioneer training base to the Phenix team, YX walks up the stairs to the second floor of The King.  He walks in slowly as he’s clearly surprised to find everyone there, but he greets each member of the Pioneer team politely and respectfully anyway.  He also adds that he brought some fruit, but now he doesn’t know if it’s enough.  Summer says he’s a good kid while Sun Ge accepts the bag of fruits and tells him to just leave it there.  As everyone else takes a seat, XK and QY remain standing in awkward silence.  YX takes in XK’s appearance (as he’s still wearing the team uniform) and asks if he’s forming his new team.  He ask why he didn’t tell him and then asks why PX’s there.  PX pipes up that it’s because he’s a member of the Phenix team and Summer hits at his leg to get him to quit it.  YX asks XK how he could call on PX, but not him, and asks if it’s because XK thinks he’s not as good as PX.  QY speaks up then and tells YX he’s misunderstood them.  She explains they didn’t say anything to him because she knows he’ll support them no matter what, and asks if that isn’t correct.  She then adds more hesitantly that they’re not yet to the point where they can afford his transfer fee.  In the background, PX again pipes up that he paid his own fee to terminate his contract.  XK turns around to glare at him at that, and Summer also tsks at his cousin.  XK puts his hand on his friend’s shoulder and tells him that by staying with Legends, he can already enter the world championships.  If he joins him, however, he’d have to start all over again.  He tells YX that he doesn’t want to take a big risk like this.  YX responds, however, by saying that the thing is, his biggest dream is to compete with him and win the championship title together.  [Aww, my heart is breaking for YX!]  He then says that he will also find a way to come up with the fee to terminate his contract, and tells them not to worry.  Throwing aside XK’s arm, he turns to leave and when XK would run after him, QY tells him to just let him be for now as he knows his temperament.  She suggests they let him cool down first before trying to reason with him again.  Summer also scolds PX for his interjections and when PX says he only spoke the truth, he points out angrily that even if it was, he should’ve known better. 

 

Later that night, everyone is standing outside The King.  Summer’s in his car with PX and comments about how everyone came down to see him off.  He says they needn’t have stood on such ceremony and then tells Shu Wen not to leave and suggests with some obvious eyebrow raising that she should stay to help Sun Ge clean up since they haven’t seen each other in a long time.  He then points at the others and tells them to have a clue.  Both Sun Ge and Shu Wen react to his obvious teasing by telling him to hurry up and leave already.  After Summer drives off, with Sun Ge calling out for him to drive safely, Luo Tian also says that if there’s nothing more, he’s going to take off too.  QY tells XK that she’s going to send him off and then runs after Luo Tian, calling him “master.”  She tells him to drive carefully and he tells her he’s alreay watched her replay video from this week.  He compliments her on her improvement, which makes QY happy to hear, and she tells him she was actually worried that she’d made the video hastily since she’d been busy these past few days.  He observes that being a team captain must be a lot of hard work since there’s a lot she has to learn while leading the entire team at the same time, and tells her that if there’s anything she finds difficult to manage, she can come and ask him at any time.  QY tells him not to worry, though, and tells him that if the disciple has any questions, he has her master won’t be able to run away from her.  [Luo Tian scratches his head in response and I bet he’s thinking, “But I don’t want to be your master…” Blech!]  Luo Tian then brings up the matter of the leaked strategy and tells QY that he’s still investigating it.  He reassures her that if there’s any news, he’ll be sure to tell her at once.  QY tells him, however, that whether the matter is cleared up or not, she doesn’t care anymore.  She points out that she’s made a great group of friends in the meantime and the things she learned at GDV, she can use in the future to help XK with his team too.  Luo Tian says that’s good then and moves to get into his car.  After he opens the door though, he pauses and observes that XK’s fortunate to have a girlfriend like her. 

 

After Luo Tian leaves, only XK/QY and Shu Wen remain as Gu Fang had already taken his leave in the background when QY and Luo Tian were talking.  XK looks at his watch and tells Sun Ge with an obvious smile on his face that it’s late so he’s leaving too.  Sun Ge asks what he’s laughing about and XK just makes an, “Oh, nothing!” face as he smiles again at his mentor and waves to Shu Wen that he’s leaving.  QY adds her farewells and as they get ready to climb onto XK’s motorbike, Shu Wen tells them to be careful while Sun Ge asks him to let him know when he’s arrived at his destination.  [Which has me wondering, where is XK staying now that he’s left VNG?  He usually stays with Sun Ge, but he’s definitely not staying there tonight, at least!] [Aw, this is really cute the way Sun Ge and Shu Wen watch XK help QY put on her motorcycle helmet.  It’s clear they find the young ‘uns adorable and I find the old ‘uns equally adorable in the way they’re watching the young ‘uns.  (I find the young ‘uns adorable, too.)]

 

After XK drives off, Shu Wen comments purposefully to Sun Ge about how each one of his brothers left one by one after they were done eating.  She then tells him that she’ll head back upstairs to help him clean up.  After she walks back inside, Sun Ge looks up at the sky like he doesn’t know what he should do [but he shouldn’t worry, because Shu Wen is in total control.  Haha.  I respect and admire her so much!].  By the time Sun Ge walks back upstairs, Shu Wen has already gathered all the bowls and chopsticks together.  He tells her that she needn’t clean up anymore as it’s late and she must be tired after a long day.  He offers to send her home and Shu Wen, LOL, rolls her eyes in the most gigantic way as we hear the chopsticks clatter onto the table.  She turns around and asks him what he means by that and when he says, “Ah?” she asks if he’s trying to chase her off.  He holds out a hand to reassure that’s not what intended and Shu Wen just starts to stalk torwards him as she reminds him how, earlier that afternoon, he’d said he would explain things to her.  She invites him to speak now as she’s ready to hear it and Sun Ge tells her that back then, he treated things too simply.  He starts to say that he thought that once they [the others] won the world championship, and Shu Wen cuts him by asking if still has the face to bring up the world championships.  She asks him, “Do you know, the night we won the world championships, I cried the entire night.  My heart back then hurt so much.  I was by myself.  I was by myself out there and you weren’t there by my side.  What meaning was there in me winning the championship title?”  Sun Ge responds, “Every day you were in Vancouver, I knew everything.  I let someone go to help me look after you, but in the end, it all came to nothing.  When I lost you, in that moment, I knew then I wouldn’t have any more chances to go looking for you.  Shu Wen, I’m sorry.”  Shu Wen asks, “Do you still love me?” and Sun Ge responds by hugging her tightly.  He tells her that all these years, apart from her, he’s never had anyone else in his heart.  Shu Wen cries and hits him on the side.  She calls him a bastard and then she grabs him for a KISS. 

 

The next day, XK, QY, Sun Ge, and PX report to their new training base to give it a good scrub down.  When XK announces that they can begin working, PX tells him to wait a second.  Everybody looks at him and he spins his suitcase around to open it, revealing all sorts of protective wear inside.  Everyone exclaims in surprise and XK asks what he has in there.  He takes out some face masks and starts to hand them out, saying that it’s very dirty there.  QY takes one, while thanking him, while the manly men of XK and Sun Ge politely decline.  QY then suggests to PX that if he really thinks it’s too dirty inside, he can go to the nearby park and wait for them to finish cleaning up inside before calling him back.  When she asks him if that’s a good idea, he adds a second layer to his face mask and tells her it’s not.  He then pulls out a coverall and QY just looks at him and says, “Okay,” while leaving him to get to work.  Off to the side, Sun Ge double checks with XK to make sure PX willingly came to be their training partner.  XK responds by asking, “If not, then what?” and then points out he doesn’t have the ability [to force PX into doing anything he wouldn’t want to do].  Sun Ge then observes that in addition to PX’s abilities, they also have a common goal, and asks if XK’s really not planning on accepting him when he’s already demonstrated willingness to serve as their training partner just to join their team.  XK responds, however, that the present version of PX is still not his most suitable candidate.  As he says this, we see PX finish suiting himself up like he’s some sort of hazmat official.  He’s covered entirely from head to toe in protective gear and the we get a montage of the foursome hard at work, putting their new training base together.  [I promise not to comment on the lack of realisim in this moment – I mean, they managed to add an entire kitchen in one corner of the training base! – and just go with the flow.  Haha.] 

 

When they’re finished putting everything, QY walks out of one of the second floor rooms and exclaims that they’re finally done.  XK joins her at the balcony and after taking in the scene below, offers up his fist for a FIST BUMP.  Sun Ge walks out of another room on the second floor and says he’s also just about done there.  XK asks if he’s done putting everything away and when Sun Ge makes a noise of assent, the camera cuts to PX who’s downstairs working on four buckets of product placement hot pot.  He yells up that dinner’s ready and calls everyone down to eat, and the other three head down immediately.  XK asks what smells so good and says it’s making him hungry.  As Sun Ge teakes his seat around the coffee table, he comments on how good it smells and says he can’t wait.  PX tells everyone to eat and they all dig in, exclaiming over how good it smells.  [And look!  In case you didn’t know, this product placement hot pot comes in a variety flavors – and we see at least four of them right in this once scene.  LOL.] 

 

After a few bites, Sun Ge looks up and takes a look around.  He then says, “Thank you, XK, for letting me return to this place.”  XK responds by asking him why he’s thanking him and tells him that he belonged here originally.  QY looks up to the second floor rooms and then points to one of them, asking Sun Ge fi that was his room originally.  When he confirms that he used to live in that room, QY suggests he use that room again and says she’ll use the one downstairs next to the training room.  She then tells PX to pick a room, and he in turn asks XK which room he intends on using.  XK responds, “Me?”  He looks up to the second floor rooms and says he’s fine with any of them and then says he’ll take the room next to Sun Ge’s.  Sun Ge says okay to that idea and PX turns to QY and asks her to help him move a bed so he can room with him (XK).  Everyone reacts in surprise and XK, in particular, chokes on his dinner and has to turn away from all his coughing.  QY pats him on the back and then he turns back around and asks PX why he wants to room with him; he tells him QY will be jealous.  QY quickly agrees and PX nods his head and says, “That’s fine.  I’ll move it myself then.”  He then points his finger at XK and tells him that he definitely, must room with him and then gets up and walks away.  QY calls after him and tells him that if he’s going to be like this she’s going to be jealous, and then she races after him as he heads back up to the second floor.  Sun Ge, in the meantime, is like, “This…” and XK asks him, “Why does he want to live with me?!”  LOL. 

 

Some time later that same night, QY sits at the counter with her laptop.  XK walks over and asks if she’s practicing.  She glances at him and then tells him not to look at her, as she’ll feel nervous if he watches.  Sure enough, a second later, he starts questioning her moves in the game and asks why she’s using whatever it is that she’s using in the game.  We don’t see what she’s using, but we find out what she’s using when she responds, “It’s a dynamite stick.  Look how pretty it is.”  XK concedes that it’s pretty, but doesn’t hesitate to also point out that it’s useless.  He explains it’s only effective when it’s layered on top of something else and tells that she needs at least three or more.  QY grits her teeth, however, and tells him she doesn’t care.  All she cares about is that it looks pretty.  The professional player in XK is probably cringing inside, but he manages to eke out a smile as QY tells him to look again.  She again observes how pretty it is and tells him it’s like fireworks.  XK smiles a real smile when he sees how happy QY is as she plays and asks, “You like fireworks?”  QY answers by asking what girl wouldn’t like them; she tells him that every time the fireworks go off, it makes her feel like the entire world is being lit up for her.  XK then puts his arms around her and asks if she feels like she’s being lit up now, and QY responds by smiling and snuggling her head on his shoulder.  He then puts his hand on her head and HEAD PAT.

 

While XK and QY are enjoying a romantic evening together, someone else is spending a less exciting evening by themselves.  Xia Ling lies in bed and ruminates over the basketball in his hand.  An incoming message alerts on his phone and when he checks it, it’s a voice message from a group of his friends.  One asks when they’re going to play another game of iConquer, while another remind him that he’s an expert and asks when he’ll help lead them.  Xia Ling throws the phone aside and then his mom enters with a plate of food.  She asks if he’s hungry and suggests he has something to eat, but he turns away and says he’s not hungry.  His mom takes a seat and asks how he can be not hungry when he didn’t have much at lunch either.  She tells him to be good and obedient, and tries to hand him the plate, but he responds angrily that he just wants to be by himself.  He then pulls the bed covers over his head and his mom gives up.  When she walks back out into the dining area, she takes a seat at the table.  QY’s dad walks in, notices how down she looks, and asks what’s wrong.  He asks if Xia Ling still doesn’t want to eat but instead of answering, she just gets up and walks away. 

 

The next day, XK meets with the others and tells them that there’s less than a month left before the window to transfer teams closes so they have to work quickly to find other members to fill their team.  Sun Ge sighs, PX stares straight ahead (probably thinking about how they could have him, if they’d just accept him), and QY looks back at the poster board where they have several candidates taped up and says that actually, she thinks these few are pretty good.  She suggests they reconsider them and points out how they’re all ranked in the top across the country.  She even points to a few of them and reminds them that they’ve even agreed to join their team.  She again entreats the others to give them some more consideration, and PX tells her none of those candidates have anything unique about them.  When QY would protest, he holds up a hand and says he was simply making a suggestion and that they needn’t listen to him.  Sun Ge is more practical in his input as he points out that their current situation is one where they aren’t able to give people a salary they’d be happy with and they’re also a new team.  He adds that the fact they’ve been able to attract some of the country’s top players is already pretty good and suggests that maybe they should give them a call and try them out to see if they’ll get along.  XK, however, agrees with PX and says none of those candidates have anything unique about them.  He says they’re not who they’re looking, and Sun Ge sighs once more.  He then remembers that there is one person that XK might be interested in.  He gets up to walk over to the laptop and behind him, QY wonders with interest who it might be.  She motions for XK to join her and when she walks past PX in order to follow Sun Ge to the table, PX happens to get up at the same time so they almost bump into each other.  She glares at him meaningfully and so he quickly relents by holding up his hands like a white flag and sits back down.  LOL.  XK and QY then take seats on either side of Sun Ge as he looks for the person he wants to introduce to XK.  He tells them that the other player’s ID name is 409 and that within half a month, he’s already climbed high up the ranks as he wins every game and is now sitting fourth in all of China.  The only thing is, Sun Ge tells them, this player is very mysterious.  He says that every time he tries to message him, the other person never answers and no one knows who he is.  XK notices that the other player is online and tells Sun Ge to play a solo match against him.  Sun Ge answers that he’ll try and then tells XK they’ll use his account to try because every time he issues an invitation, the other player always rejects him.  After he issues an invitation, they wait to see what happens, and amazingly, the computer sounds a bell.  QY observes with excitement that the other player has accepted the invite to battle.  Sun Ge chuckles that, in the end, XK is still more attractive than him and gets up so they can swap places.  PX also joins them at the table, to better observe what’s going on. 

 

As XK gets himself situated, he says aloud that he’ll play against 409 to test him out.  The game begins and XK remarks that the other player’s fake-out move is well though out.  Sun Ge observes that in the early stage, the other player exchanged energy for experience with him, and in the end, it’s XK who loses.  [Although, I don’t think XK was trying very hard either as he was trying to see what the other player is capable of.]  QY claps her hand and exclaims that the other player is pretty good and Sun Ge remarks in question, “There’s something to this person, isn’t there?”  XK agrees that the other person holds promise as he evaluates and analyzes the other player’s various skills and moves, and just as he finishes speaking, a message pops up from 409; it says (quite scoffingly), “With only these two skills, you don’t deserve QY.”  They all laugh when they read it and XK turns to QY and says it looks like the other player is a fan of hers.  She then reaches for the laptop and says she’ll talk with him.  After thinking for a second, she types, “Hello 409, I am QY,” and then after typing another line she hands the laptop back and tells the guys to wait and see.  In a voiceover, we hear the rest of her message, which was, “Do you have any interest in meeting up?”  409 responds immediately, “No.”  The others laugh, which causes QY to glare at PX especially, and then she says, “He’s not my fan either.”  PX then remarks that if ever meets with this person, he will definitely not go easy on him.  XK likes this guy though and says he’s pretty good.  He wonders aloud if there’s any way to contact him and PX says he can go to Dream Journey and ask around.  Sun Ge agrees and says he can also ask his cousin, and XK observes that the other player is not responding to him anymore. 

 

At that same moment, QY gets a call from her father.  When she answers, her father asks if she has time to meet with him as he’d like to discuss Xia Ling with her.  QY asks what’s going on with Xia Ling and XK turns to look at her. 

 

QY meets with her father at the Cozy Café & Restaurant.  She runs in and asks what’s going with Xia Ling, and asks if something else has happened to his leg.  Her father tells her to take a seat so they can talk and pours her a cup of tea.  She asks again what’s going on and says that when they videochatted the day before, he had told her everything was fine.  Her father hands her a cup of tea and tells her that Xia Ling was lying to her.  He reveals then that Xia Ling will never be able to play basketball again because the nerves in his calf are damaged and he can’t do any strenuous exercises anymore.  Her father explains that Xia Ling was afraid she’d feel guilty, so he wouldn’t let him tell her.  QY asks about his day to day movements, like walking, and her father answers that there shouldn’t be any problems with that.  It’s just currently he still has to use a crutch.  QY asks in a petrified voice whether he’ll have to ues a crutch forever and her father can’t help but laugh at that.  He reassures her that he won’t and that the doctor has already said it’s a good thing Xia Ling is still young, as that will help speed his recovery.  He then tells her that their most critical problem at the moment is that there’s a problem with Xia Ling’s mentality.  QY asks what he means by that and her father explains that it’s as if Xia Ling’s become a totally different person.  All he does is spend his days in his bedroom, refusing to come out.  He doesn’t say more than three sentences to him or his mother in an entire day, and even when his friends visit, he refuses to meet with them.  He tells her that he and her Auntie Xia (stepmother) are really worried and don’t know what else to do.  He father worries about what’s going to happen to Xia Ling in the future, if he’s already like this right now.  He then tells QY that after he spent some time thinking about it, he’s afraid maybe it’s only her who he’ll listen to.  He asks if she can try and reason with him, and QY’s only too eager to help.  She says she’ll go right now, but her father tells her she needn’t go right at this moment.  He tells her that her Auntie Xia is at home right now and then suggests tomorrow.  QY nods her head okay. 

 

Xia Ling tosses and turns in his sleep that night.  Eventually he gives up and walks over to the laptop where he starts to play and win.  It’s only as he plays the iConquer game that he finally looks happy.

 

The next day, QY returns to her father’s home.  She stands outside the apartment door and remembers the last time she was there by watching herself leave with her packed bags as her father yells at her from inside, “Let me tell you, Ying Zi, if you leave now don’t ever come back!”  She’d left that day and never looked back.  For Xia Ling though, she knocks on the door.  Her father welcomes her and invites her in.  As she enters the foyer she looks around briefly and then asks if Xia Ling’s woken up yet.  Her father tells her he’s in his room and then suggests she go inside to talk with him while he runs out for a little bit.  After her father leaves, she knocks on Xia Ling’s door.  He doesn’t answer so she tries again.  We see him walking towards the door and he pulls it open by asking in an annoyed voice, “I’ve already said many times already, can you just let me by myself?”  Obviously expecting one of his parents, he’s surprised when he sees it’s QY on the other side of the door.  He asks why she’s there while QY looks him up and down and takes in his appearance.  She asks if she can go inside to talk with him and he relents. 

 

When XK goes to take a seat on his bed, he stumbles a little.  QY reaches out instinctively but he catches himself and pretends like nothing happened so she does the same.  She looks around the room and then goes to open the drapes.  It’s been so long since he’s seen sunlight that he actually flinches and has to hold his arm up to shield his eyes.  When she walks back to stand next to her, he plays it off like nothing’s wrong and tells her that his leg is almost healed.  She asks him then if he can stop acting brave.  She asks if he’s planning on staying in this room forever and he asks, in turn, whether their father said something to her.  QY pulls up a chair and asks Xia Ling if he was planning on hiding everything from her forever.  He answers by telling her not to overthing things and that he’s doing well, and she tells him she knows; no matter how much she blames herself or how guilty she feels, it won’t change how things are.  But she tells him she still hopes he’ll be able to pull himself together and return to the cheerful person that he was before.  Xia Ling tells her that he will, so she shouldn’t worry, and she asks him how she not worry with him being like this.  Since they’re at an impasse, Xia Ling changes the subject by asking if the matter of the leaked strategy has been cleared up.  QY tells him that the organizing committee is still investigating it but she’s already resigned from GDV.  She then tells him that she’s working with JXK to form a new team and Xia Ling nods his head.  At that moment, he receives an alert on his laptop.  QY turns around at the noise and notices that he’s got the iConquer emblem on his latop desktop.  She asks in surprise if he is also playing iConquer, but Xia Ling doesn’t answer.  QY then offers to take him to meet her new team and tells him that both JXK and PX would be there; she says that if there’s anything he doesn’t know, he can ask them.  She asks what he thinks of that idea and he answers her by getting up to close his laptop screen.  He then sits back down on his bed and declines the offer by saying that he’ll only cause more trouble with his leg being injured as ti is.  QY then sits down next to him and says, “Xia Ling,” but he reclines his body away from her.

 

QY goes to meet her father at a nearby eatery.  When she walks in, he urges her to hurry over where we see how he’s already ordered food to have waiting for her.  He tells her that he was worried that if she was any later, the food would be cold, and pouring some vinegar into the sauce for her, he tells her that he ordered her favorite shu mai.  He then tells her to eat and when she hesitates, he asks how things went and whether she was able to talk with “him” (Xia Ling).  QY reports back that he still closed himself off and even though she offered to take him out for a walk, he wasn’t willing.  Her father sighs, but then says that the fact that he was even willing to talk with her is already pretty good.  QY, in turn, tells her father not to worry and promises that whenever she has the time, she’ll come back to visit with him.  Her father nods his head in appreciation and after a moment of awkward silence remembers to ask if she resigned from GDV.  QY asks how she knew and he tells her that, “their business” was pretty infamous online.  Her father then asks if, since she resigned, that means she won’t be able to be a commentator anymore and QY replies that she’s currently working with JXK to form a new team.  She also reassures him that she’ll make sure to the leaked strategy business is investigated until everything is cleared up and that one day, she’ll return to the commentator’s stage.  Her father then asks if JXK is her boyfriend, and when she admits that he is, he smiles and says that’s great.  He says that the “the young lad” seems pretty steady, not at all like what everyone says online [I give dad a lot of credit for using his own judgment with regards to XK and not just taking the Internet rumors at their face value!], and then concedes that she’s of an age where she should have a boyfriend.  He advises her, however, that in the future, she should be more observant as a person’s character is most important.  QY tells him she knows [and I daresay she does since XK has an excellent character, haha] and then her father escapes the awkwardness between them by pretending he just remembered that he still needs to go grocery shopping, and so should hurry on his way.  He stands while telling her to hurry up and eat, and then QY watches him leave.  She finally starts to dig into her meal and then the episode ends.

 

End

 

 

Head Pat Count (episode): 1

Head Pat Count (total): 6

 

Fist Bump Count (episode): 1

Fist Bump Count (total): 7

 

[Lynne]

@themarchioness Indeed!!! Ep 29 where Sun Ge joins Phenix is really touching to watch!!

Truly one of the best moment in the drama...

"Yu Huo Bu Mie, Nie Pan Chong Sheng”

 

And, there's also Pei Xi, Xia Lin, and Yuxuan... everything is starting to falls into places now...

We began our journey with Xiang Kong trying to fulfill his and his beloved mentor Gu Fang's dream. There's Yuxuan that's so loyal to his Kong Ge, followed by Pei Xi this tsundere that respects XK so much that he's willing to be "training partner", and then Xia Lin... our baby Xia Lin... he began as a ray of sunshine, and then became a recluse because of his accident.. and now... he's on his journey back on rediscovering himself again ... what a beautiful story!

And can I mention our Heroine Qiu Ying for a second here.... after re watching times and times again..  I noticed after Xia Lin's accident.. and then with XK's by her side... don't you think she's also starting her recovery process in forgiving and letting go of her grudge with her father and stepmother...   and I am so proud of her... who knew that Gaming can bring back families together again? lols

 

Shu Wen Jie jie on the other hand.... awwwwwwwwwww I love her!!!! Her assertiveness and directness are so amazing to watch!

 

[skibbies]

I finally got around to marathoning this drama, and I see why it's reasonably well received despite being a mangoTV webdrama (not as wide of an audience).

 

Despite the pile on of misunderstandings in the beginning (something I generally dislike as drama setup), I find it all pretty understandable. Qiu Ying was pressured by her boss, and she didn't do most of the terrible things she was accused of, but Ji Xiang Kong was totally within reason to suspect her and not listen to her excuse. Our baddies all had their reasons for doing what they did. I do think in grand scheme of things, it seems 10 episodes for their relationship to get to positive end is bit long, but I never felt it was draggy while I was watching, maybe because we are introduced to lots of characters and their careers and conflicts?

 

I was very happy to find XK encouraged QY to pursue a more meaningful career, and she actually put in a lot of work for it, and you see her steadily improve. My favourite thing of the drama is they support each other and grow together, ideal relationship! Also fairly happy with Miya for not being an annoying rival girl/first love. Her reasons for being away, coming back, going against all the odds make sense. Although the timing for some events is little dramatic, minor obstacle for QY and XK to actually date. I mean that officially happens like 4/5 into the drama, thank god they had cute/sort of flirty stage before that. They suffered so much throughout the whole drama though, oh god.

 

I feel like we needed more time with Phenix!! I mean we did get to know most of its members before then, but it just feels like there's not enough time with the best team! Oh yeah I have to mention Pei Xi, he's my favourite supporting character, I think? He really doesn't think like anyone else, and he could have been second lead in other drama, but here he's just supportive pal/awesome rival to both leads, it's so refreshing. The lolipop thing is adorable. <3 I love most of the supporting cast tbh, our leads' two best friends were adorable and very good audience surrogate, Luo Tian was great as a stern teacher that took his job seriously, Summer is pretty fun and helpful. By the way, why does Gu Fang just keep randomly disappearing, I know he was oversea most of the drama, but even after he comes back, sometimes you have most Pioneer members except him, it's little odd. Maybe because he's a special guest actor? 

 

Oh can't forget Shu Wen, she is SO my type of female characters, professional and take no richard simmons. She definitely didn't feel like she was dating Li Gan at all during the drama, was he just endlessly pining? But who proposes out of blue in public if you aren't dating? I like that their split up was over difference in style, and not other richard simmons reasons, it fit their age more. I do feel kind of sorry for Li Gan, and he did try his best to cooperate, but he sort of exploded since he kept bending over backwards for Shu Wen, instead of communicating. Sun Ze Yi is definitely way better fit for Shu Wen though <3 I'm so so happy Sun Ge could pick up his dream again. I also really like he was the go to person for advice and such.

 

I'm also happy about Xia Ling and the parents arc, since picking up your life again after an accident is difficult and it further developed Qiu Ying. So we have both lead's turbulent relationship, career and massive changes with lots of hate and doubt thrown at them, Qiu Ying's family issue, the esport industry + perception of gaming, the dream of winning the championship and that camaraderie amongst your teammates, multiple supporting characters character development, the drama definitely covered a lot, and I generally love the supportive environment our characters are in.

 

I do feel our antagonists stayed around for too long, and could have been humanised more though. I mean they did have their own goals, like I stated in the beginning but they didn't really change, and they ended up being way too focus on their target, to the point of being detrimental to their own goals. That definitely happens with antagonists in general, but idk I guess because everything was fantastic, this stuck out like a sore thumb? Li Gan was more grey and just different perspective, and I wished Zhao Yang and Qiao Xin was more like that? I almost counted Qi Yue but we sort of watched his ego balloon up, so that's something at least.

 

Ep 30+ spoilers:

Spoiler

I do appreciate that Qiao Xin had a change of heart at the end, and appreciated that she did like Qi Yue that much, and stopped him from falling deeper into the abyss. Although it felt little last minute and came too easily? I suppose sometimes simple speech from someone you admired do have that effect, just wish it had came earlier.

 

I also REALLY DID NOT appreciate Miya re-entering the plot last minute for a "responsibility or love" choice. NO. She exit the drama gracefully and I wish it had stayed that way. I know she was desperate or whatever, but it just leave a sour taste in my mouth after I had liked her for being unusually reasonable. I mean I guess it was only 3 episodes or so, but it was unnecessary angst, I think it was drama original too. I could have used more Phenix team moments, or any otp moments! We don't have enough otp moments, they spent so much of the drama suffering!

 

Oh, my brother mentioned that the cameo esport player they had was indeed the first esport champion for China, for WoW I think, I found that really really cool. We had cameos from actual players for other esport dramas too, and some served as consultants. There was an ex-player who served as commentator for King's Avatar, and that was the character's background in the novel so that worked really well, but this surprised me a lot!