Episode Summary
Xun Weilai aborts his plan to return to his own time and agrees to stay to help Zhao Liao. The mission is a personal one: use a system loophole to help Zhao Liao's mother achieve her dream of becoming an actress. Xun Weilai becomes a producer, securing and then losing an investor after a difficult negotiation. In parallel, Zhao Youzuo and Xu Tutu help Zhao Mama practice in secret, leading to a successful audition. The episode ends with the project in jeopardy, forcing Zhao Liao and Xun Weilai to seek funding from a mysterious new source.
Spoiler Alert
The Triple Echo of Time Episode 16: A New Mission
I thought the school project was the big finale for this arc. I was wrong. The episode kicks off with a real shocker. Xun Weilai announces he's dropping out of school. Just like that. Director Dai thinks he's just stressed about his classes. But Xun Weilai is serious. He says he's ready to join the real world and start a new chapter.
His friends, Zhao Youzuo and Luo Aiwen, find out and totally misunderstand. They think he's still mad about the video they filmed. They rush over with the memory card. They tell him to keep it and edit it however he wants, just please don't leave. Xun Weilai has to explain. He isn't angry. He's leaving to help someone with a difficult problem.
Xun Weilai Tries to Tap Out
Later that night, we find Xun Weilai by a lake. He's got a lollipop in his hand. He's getting ready to do the thing that gets him recalled by the system. He's about to vanish. But just before he can, Zhao Liao shows up and stops him.
Xun Weilai looks completely defeated. He tells Zhao Liao he's done trying to change the future. But Zhao Liao has his own problems. He reveals that his own portal back to his time won't be fixed for another month. He needs Xun Weilai to stay and help him with something important.
The next day, Xun Weilai says his goodbyes. It's a pretty heavy scene with Luo Aiwen and Zhao Youzuo. Xu Tutu and Wang Yiman even come running out to see him off. He makes a promise to all of them. He says they'll meet again at the top.
The Actor's Dream
A Surprising Goal
So, Xun Weilai moves in with Zhao Liao. He walks in to find Zhao Liao cooking in the kitchen. Xun Weilai is confused. He wonders when his future self ever learned to cook. He takes a curious bite of the food. He immediately spits it out. It's disgusting.
This is when we learn the real reason Zhao Liao needs him to stay. It’s not some grand, world-saving mission. Zhao Liao wants to use a loophole in the system. He wants to help his own mother fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming an actress. He wants to see her shine on stage. The next day, they get to work. Xun Weilai puts on a sharp suit, ready to talk business.
The Business of Show Business
A few days later, Xun Weilai is running all over town. He has a script and character materials he prepared. He's trying to get investors. But these business guys only care about one thing. Money.
Luckily, Zhao Liao is coaching him from the sidelines. He tells Xun Weilai exactly what to say and how to act. It actually works. They start making progress with an investor. That night, after a lot of drinks, the investor gets emotional. He and Xun Weilai even become sworn brothers. It's as ridiculous as it sounds.
After the meeting, Zhao Liao has to help a stumbling, very drunk Xun Weilai into a small restaurant. We learn that Xun Weilai can't handle his alcohol at all. He drank a ton just for the sake of Zhao Liao's mom. Zhao Liao feels a pang of guilt seeing him like this. Even drunk, Xun Weilai is still trying to revise the script. The sight makes Zhao Liao think of Shu Tu. He remembers how she used to bring him late-night snacks, and he really misses her.
Meanwhile, Back at School
An Accidental Hit
While all that drama is happening, life goes on for the others. Luo Aiwen invents a cool little gadget. Zhao Youzuo helps him film a promotional video for it. During the shoot, Luo Aiwen trips and falls. The accident gets caught on camera. They upload the video anyway, and it goes viral. The video gets a huge number of views.
A Secret Rehearsal
Zhao Youzuo's mom gets a mysterious letter. It's the script. After her husband, Zhao Donglai, leaves for work, she secretly starts practicing her lines. Her son, Zhao Youzuo, walks in on her and she jumps, totally startled. He feels bad for scaring her and promises he won't tell his dad about her acting dream.
Zhao Youzuo goes to school and tells Xu Tutu everything. Xu Tutu immediately figures out his mom's dream. She even offers up her house for rehearsals in case Zhao Donglai wouldn't approve. She's a great friend. A few days later, Zhao Youzuo brings his nervous mom over to Xu Tutu's place. She gets in front of the camera and freezes. She has stage fright and is ready to quit. Xu Tutu steps in. She gives her a hand-knitted hat. Zhao Mama puts it on, and it's like a switch flips. She suddenly finds her confidence and nails the scene. With help from the kids, she keeps practicing and eventually passes her audition.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
The shoot is getting closer. Everything seems to be falling into place. Then Xun Weilai gets a call. The investor is backing out. This is a huge blow.
But Zhao Liao isn't giving up. He remembers there's another very wealthy person in this time period. Maybe this person will fund the project. That night, Zhao Liao takes Xun Weilai to a serious-looking church. He gives Xun Weilai very specific instructions on what to do and say. A nervous Xun Weilai knocks on the door, about to meet this mysterious new figure.
