Episode Summary
In this episode, Xu Tian and Wen Xiaoyao, both grappling with grief and loneliness, have a dramatic encounter at the Great Wall where he saves her from a suicide attempt. They find common ground in their shared struggles. Meanwhile, Shi Diandian goes missing and is found by her father and Fang Fang in a state of periodic amnesia, unable to recognize her own father. Faced with the chance to leave the difficult relationship, Xu Tian reaffirms his love for Diandian after a heart-to-heart with Qiao Guanghui, who helps him see her condition in a new, more hopeful light.
Spoiler Alert
The Wonderful World Episode 23: A Fateful Encounter at the Great Wall
The episode opens with Xu Tian heading out alone, taking a taxi to the Huairou Wild Great Wall. He wants to walk the same paths that Zhou Tong once did. While on his way, he receives a frantic call from Fang Fang. She tells him that Shi Diandian has gone missing from her dormitory in Hangzhou. Old Shi couldn't find her, and she wasn't in her room. Fang Fang asks if they had a fight, which Xu Tian denies, though he's still resentful that Diandian blocked him as soon as he arrived in Beijing. Fang Fang decides to rush to Hangzhou herself, promising to call back once she finds Diandian.
Meanwhile, Wen Xiaoyao, feeling out of place at her dance troupe, also makes her way to the Great Wall. In the familiar scenery, she begins to hallucinate, seeing and talking to the late Zhou Tong. As their imaginary conversation unfolds, she climbs onto a watchtower. Just as she's preparing to jump, Xu Tian arrives. He sees her talking to herself and, realizing her intent, rushes forward to pull her to safety.
Trying to comfort her, Xu Tian recalls a crosstalk performance he saw and mimics Zhou Tong's speaking style. This backfires completely; Wen Xiaoyao is repulsed and shoves him away. Xu Tian loses his footing and tumbles down a long flight of stairs. Horrified, Wen Xiaoyao rushes to apologize.
Fortunately, Xu Tian isn't seriously injured. He continues to try and console her, urging her not to lose hope. As they talk, Wen Xiaoyao has another vision, this time of Zhou Tong saying the exact same words of encouragement. Xu Tian then opens up about his own life, explaining he doesn't know why he came back to Beijing. He talks about losing his mother at a young age and the hardships he's faced, which made him feel that Zhou Tong was his only remaining family. He confesses that while he hoped to build a life with Shi Diandian, their relationship feels strained. Listening to him, Wen Xiaoyao realizes their lonely fates are quite similar. Xu Tian encourages her to continue dancing, telling her that even if the troupe has a new show, any performance of hers would be new and special to him.
In Hangzhou, Fang Fang gets the dorm administrator to unlock Shi Diandian's room. They find it empty, with her phone turned off on the bedside table and the batteries removed from her alarm clock. Fang Fang immediately understands that Diandian is experiencing another episode of "periodic amnesia."
As Xu Tian and Wen Xiaoyao travel back towards the city, he vents his frustrations about his relationship with Shi Diandian, lamenting the lack of trust. Wen Xiaoyao offers a different perspective, suggesting that Diandian's fear of losing him stems from how much she cares.
Xu Tian's repeated calls to Shi Diandian's phone are finally answered by Fang Fang. She tells him the priority is finding Diandian. Resolved, Xu Tian decides to pack his things from Qiao Guanghui's house and return to Hangzhou immediately, forgoing his planned visit to Song Guanwang. He asks Wen Xiaoyao to pass on his apologies and, more importantly, to promise him she will live on.
Elsewhere, Qiao Guanghui is busy trying to play matchmaker between a reluctant Zhao Gang and Song Guanwang. He calls Song Guanwang to arrange a dinner, only to find she was about to call him with the very same idea, hoping to invite Qiao Guanghui and Xu Tian for a meal.
When Xu Tian and Wen Xiaoyao arrive at the house, Zhao Gang scolds Xiaoyao for leaving her troupe without a word. She quickly explains that Xu Tian is about to leave for Hangzhou. At that moment, Fang Fang video calls Xu Tian. She's at a tailor shop in Hai'er Lane, but there's no sign of Diandian. Suddenly, Xu Tian remembers Leshui Pavilion near Huanniao Lane and tells Fang Fang to search there.
Old Shi arrives at the pavilion first and finds Shi Diandian, but she looks at him with the eyes of a stranger. When Fang Fang gets there, she discovers that while Diandian has forgotten others, she still remembers Wen Xiaoyao. Fang Fang calls Xiaoyao, who is already in a car with Qiao Guanghui, taking Xu Tian to the airport. Fang Fang asks her to tell Xu Tian that if he finds his relationship with Diandian too exhausting, now is the perfect chance to walk away. In time, Diandian will forget the person who causes her pain. Without hesitation, Xu Tian declares he can't leave her.
Fang Fang advises him to stay in Beijing for now. Lost and confused after the call, Xu Tian gets out of the car and wanders aimlessly in a field. Qiao Guanghui follows him and, after hearing the story from Wen Xiaoyao, offers some much-needed perspective. He tells Xu Tian that this isn't a catastrophe. When two people are meant for each other, they'll care for one another through anything. He frames the amnesia as a romantic opportunity for them to meet and fall in love all over again. His lighthearted but sincere words lift a weight from Xu Tian's shoulders. Feeling better, Xu Tian agrees to go with Qiao Guanghui to meet Song Guanwang.
The episode ends with a brief cut to Qiao Mi, who is at a bar with a street singer, eating fried chicken and watching a performance when she gets a call from Wen Xiaoyao.
