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girllovescomic · 4 years

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Winter Begonia episode 2 recap

This episode is another beautifully shot, well-acted by all the actors involved. We get more insight on our main characters, including Er Nainai, a showcase of Shang Xirui’s creative genius, his unwillingness to kiss ass and kowtow to authorities, Cheng Fengtai’s understanding of our artist and his willingness to protect him when the occasion arises, which draws some criticism from his wife. And lastly we get a glimpse at the world of politics and entertainment congregating in Beiping, where Nationalist ministers and warlords vie for power while claiming to fight the growing Japanese threats, and entertainers must thread lightly not to buck tradition and be caught in the middle of this chaotic environment.

Ok, starting from now I will be using acronyms to talk about our lovebirds BFF.

We kick off the second episode right where we left off. President Zheng goes to check out what is the cause of the commotion and our dapper daddy, Cheng Fengtai equally intrigued follows, but not before telling lil’ sis to stay put.

He doesn’t understand what could have caused the audience, which was enjoying the performance to suddenly switch and jeer. President Zheng explains that Shang Xirui changed the lyrics and the opera, going against the rule set by Beijing Opera Mafia erm... I mean Association/community, and they are punishing him for it. Basically, our lil penguin does not play by the rule set by these boring fuddies and they are intent on crushing him.

He goes on to say that SXR is an outsider and a rebel who does whatever pleases him, much to the consternation of the established Beiping clique.

CFT does not see the issue in him changing the opera since it would be boring if he did the same thing as others. In short, he thinks being an innovator is a cool thing to do. Zheng replies that because CFT was Westernized he doesn’t understand the proprieties of Beiping Opera. Being a lone wolf against the majority will draw him the ire of the mainstream. Hmmm... sounds like someone...

Cheng Fengtai indeed comments that him and SXR are kindred spirits, since they are both outsiders who buck to the system, which President Zheng is quick to deny, but you can tell that is exactly what he is thinking and Cheng knows. He adds that giving 50% of their profits to the anti-Japanese effort is a small price to pay to ensure peace and longevity in their businesses and country. Zheng bemoans that SXR antics messed up his possible deal with CFT and leaves angrily.

CFT sees one of the ruffians get a tea kettle and throw the hot liquid onto SXR, who remains the consummate professional continuing to sing despite the mishap. CFT walks toward the stage to ask the man who threw the hot liquid why he did that.

The man replies that SXR messed with Yang Guifei, to which CFT replies that if there is someone to blame for messing with Yang Guifei, it would be her lecherous father-in-law who forced her to divorce his son, go to a nunnery and then become his concubine. OMG, this is too funny!

The man tells CFT to mind his business and attempts to climb the stage to probably harm SXR, which CFT stops, telling the ruffian that he has two options: to either listen to the end of the show or get the f out. The ruffian who doesn’t seem to know that CFT is a big shot throws a right cross onto his beautiful face. Oh no bish, you didn’t! CFT says this has been a long time someone dare to hit him. He hits the man back and is roughed up by the man’s crew.

The theater manager finally steps in (took you long enough) and fight off the ruffians. CFT asks the manager why he didn’t step him earlier, which the manager feels wronged, informing CFT that he had spotted the ruffians who apparently are well-known gangsters, but since they didn’t seem to target the VIP area, he didn’t take actions. This does not please CFT who reminds him about the first floor where the main audience and the performers are located and could have been endangered. Cha Cha’er runs to check on her brother’s well-being while the manager brings the ruffians to let them know they messed with the wrong man (CFT). While this is all happening, the opera troupe is still doing their performance, not missing a beat. The manager urges SXR to end the performance since the entire audience is gone. CFT reminds him that he is still there, along with his lil sis and since he took a punch for SXR, he better continue his performance. He sits down with Cha Cha’er and looks on, while having flashback of his mother, who apparently used to perform the same opera, Drunken Beauty for him.

The person in charge of his costumes tells SXR that the dress is ruined because of the tea, which apparently left a stain and smell. SXR is chided by one of his troupe member for changing the lyrics, leading to the disturbance. SXR replies that how is he supposed to know if something is going to work if he doesn’t perform, and ooph, I feel this in my musician soul. He gets up, asking for some wine and spits it onto the dress. I guess its to remove the stain, but it apparently does not work. The theater’s manager is walking with CFT and Cha Cha’er through the backstage area and takes him to SXR suite. He announces to SXR that he has a visitor, which makes the singer to gulp the wine in his mouth. This is the first time either one are meeting in the flesh and I swear you can feel the attraction in the air. SXR in his beautiful makeup meeting the debonair Westernized businessman. Sparks are flying guys and I feel a little hot under the collar.

CFT tells the singer that he must have been shocked by everything while SXR thanks him for stepping in when he did. He apologizes for causing the nasty bruise on CFT beautiful face, which the debonair is surprised the singer even noticed, considering he never stopped performing. SXR informs him that as performers they are used to such things and are trained never to step off the stage until the last note. Best girl Xiao Lai comes in to inquire about the bruise on SXR head that was caused by Cha Cha’er perfect throw. CFT apologizes on behalf of his little sister, to which the guilty party adds an apology, calling SXR “Jiějiě”aka elder sister, mistaking him for a girl. Oh girl, I understand the confusion. CFT corrects her that the person standing in front of him, may look like a beautiful girl, but she should call him Gege. SXR tells her that she is right to call him Jiejie since he has not removed his makeup, therefore he can be seen as a woman. This part is so comical that even La Yuehong, one of the troupe members chuckles.

Does Cha Cha’er sees her Gege’s heart eyes?

CFT offers a ride home, which SXR turns down since he has to move all of his stuff out of the theater since this will be his last performance at Huibin and will look elsewhere to perform. The manager feels slighted, to which SXR lets him know, in a very subtle way that he didn’t do his job to stop the disturbance and if it wasn’t for CFT, the ruffians probably would have harmed him. The manager offers to compensate as long as SXR finishes his obligation with the theater, since he doesn’t have anyone else. The singer agrees to do so without asking for more money, but only if the manager agrees to let him do Drunken Beauty in his last show, which the manager agrees. SXR apologizes to CFT for boring him with tedious backstage squabbles. CFT understands and tells him he is leaving. In a gesture of gratitude for CFT standing up for him, he asks Xiao Lai to let CFT borrow one of his best looking coat, since CFT apparently lost his jacket in the scuffle.

CFT thanks him, to which SXR tells him not to mention those words to him in the future, since he owes a great debt of gratitude for agreeing to repair his costume to the cost of his business and for being attacked in the theater because of him. Xiao Lai buttons the coat and I swear, I wished they had replicated the scene from the novel when it is SXR who buttons the coat. CFT is surprised to hear that SXR knows who he is and agrees to come again to watch SXR performance. CFT leaves the theater, looking gorgeous (ovaries exploding) in the coat. He glances at the poster with a look of intrigue for the man he has just met and I bet his statement about not believing an entertainer could be that charismatic is coming back to haunt him.

At home, his wife is unhappy that he acted like a hero tonight, which he responds that every great hero would show weakness in the presence of a beautiful lady and OMG, I can’t!!!! I can’t believe this was no censored! He yells out in pain, as he tries to laugh at his joke (really, that was joke, lol, ok). Er Nainai tells him to cut the crap and that for all the years they’ve been married, she never that he could fight. Gotta say, he cannot hold his own in a fight, that is for sure, but somehow he fought the ruffians for SXR.

She wonders why he would do it for superstar who probably has seen many fans harmed themselves for him. She adds that if he wasn’t a high status man, SXR would probably not bat an eye toward him. Wait, is she basically calling my lil honeybun a golddigger? Lol, his face in this cut is how I felt

She chides for being a busybody, which he answers that it is not uncommon for a man to get in trouble when fighting, so why is she so mad. Er Nainai reveals her insecurities as she obviously remembers what Mei Xin told her the day before. She knows she is too country for the debonair CFT, having paid a dowry to be his wife due to his circumstances and is lacking compared to the socialites in Beiping, feeling inadequate for him. CFT does not understand why she always bring this ish up, telling her that he is forever grateful to have marry her and remembers all her good qualities. Yeah, this does not sound like a love declaration but you can tell he does have great affection for her and will probably never leave her.

She reminds him of Cha Cha’er status in 1930s China, where noble ladies are not supposed to be seen in public (oh boy, did you forget your husband has a Western outlook about things?). Surprisingly he agrees to listen to her, which shows how much he actually respect her point of view. Seriously, sis, you have a good husband, even if he may not be romantic or see you as his soulmate.

Meanwhile, in la casa de Shang Xirui, the atmosphere is starkly different. Everyone is quiet, but you can tell there is a lot of tension. The troupe is looking their leader, with a lot on their minds. One of the singers broaches the subject of the manager willfully letting the ruffians cause the disturbance and not lifting a finger to help, in an effort to embarrass SXR. She adds that he was rash for telling the manager he will leave. SXR knows the whole hoopla is due to him changing the lyrics causing the attendance to leave before the end of the show leading to a major loss in business for the theater. He realizes this gave an opportunity for the theater to retaliate, hence why he wants to move out. This displeases the actress since they have not found another theater to perform, which could cost them a loss in revenue. Stubbornly, SXR informs that he will simply find another theater to play since he has received many offers. The girl continues to what seems to be the crux of her complaint. She was the one to pick the gift for Jiang Rou Shou and all SXR had to do was to make an appearance at the feast, which he failed to do, causing the Boss Jiang to slam the table in anger. She wants her leader to go and curry some favors toward the old fart Grandmaster, which angers SXR, who tells his crew that he does not need to suck up to a pompous ass like Jiang Rou Shou in order to perform, that his popularity and talent is enough to carry him and his troupe to fame. He orders them to eat.

Talking about a pompous ass, we get to see Asian Crispin Glover, Jiang Dengbao strutting in the street. He is called out by a man who is apparently hiding out. He wants to know what happened during last night’s performance and it turns out he was the one who sent those gangsters to create chaos and harm SXR. The man informs him that his crew was arrested because they encountered Commander Cao’s brother-in-law, Er Ye, and that he barely escaped. Like the coward that he is, Dengbao tells him to act like they never met and scurries out like the bish he is. Unfortunately for him, the cops visit his father and Little Bao knows he is in big doodoo. Senior Jiang asks him if he was behind the ruffians which he quickly denies, but all in vain, since his father knows the truth. The gangsters sold him out as soon as they entered the station. LOL, what kind of villain is he!!! He admits that he did send these ruffians because he cannot stand how arrogant SXR is, but his father is dissatisfied because he acted without a plan, which will only cause SXR to be more popular if his involvement is found out. His father tells him to be patient and to find a way to strike at the right time. His stupid plot only revealed how dumb he is.

CFT and his socialite brother-in-law, Fan Lian enter what appears to be one of the private salons where the wealthy go for entertainment. There, SXR sans makeup is performing on stage. CFT does not recognize him, asking Fan Lian who is this scholarly looking young man on the stage who seems to have drawn a large crowd. Fan Lian informs him that he took a punch for him, much to CFT’s dismay at how different he looks without the costume and makeup, in terms of look, gestures and attitude.

He learns SXR was invited because Fan Lian is one of his biggest fan, but apparently, the singer had always turned him down until today, upon learning that CFT will also be present. OOOOHHHHHH. SXR walks straight toward CFT after finishing his performance, much to crowd’s surprise. They exchange handshakes and SXR once again apologizes for what transpired in the theater the other night. Fan Lian reminds CFT their mahjong game is about to start, and SXR tells them to pay no mind to him. CFT excuses himself and leaves with Fan Lian, while SXR stares at the fine piece of manly man walking away. Gaze away sis, gaze away!

Apparently this is not CFT lucky day at the game, losing to Fan Lian, who teases him for leaving his lucky charm Cha Cha’er . Exasperated for losing, CFT tells them he needs to go to the restroom, which Fan Lian thinks its trick to dash. CFT gives him a look and asks if he is trying to clean out only members of his family instead of the other players on the table. He walks back to the stage where the crowd is urging SXR to do an encore. CFT once again rescues our cinnamon bun from the fans who wants him to continue. SXR tells him it is okay since these spoiled rich kids rarely get a chance to hear Beijing Opera. One of the kids comments how dedicated SXR is to his craft, to which CFT jokes that since the young master’s family operates a brothel, shouldn’t he strip dance to show his dedication. OMG, I love this guy. He invites SXR to follow him onto the terrace.

Rescuing his beauty from rabid fans

Xirui surprised that he has a hero to come rescue him

Sassy Fengtai

Inviting his beauty to follow

Because they need go have their romantic date, bro. Mind your business! The beauty is happy to be swept away

Nah Hah, let them go on their romantic date

There, they have a little tete-a-tete and I swear the entire atmosphere is romantic. The waiter comes with hot tea and pours a cup for SXR when CFT realizes the singer may be wary of being drugged or worse, having his vocal cords damaged and takes away the cup. Showing that he trusts the businessman, he grabs the cup back and drinks from it. He tells CFT during autumn his throat is not in good condition because of the weather.

CFT tells him how surprised to see him, dressed plainly, looking more like a young scholar. He compliments him for the red flower, which he states makes him look mischievous, drawing a chuckle from the singer. SXR informs him that one of the fans gave him the flower while he was performing the Emperor and the Country Girl. He usually does not wear fancy bright clothes off the stage because it will be too much. CFT agrees that his costumes are beautiful and extravagant, costing a lot of money. SXR tells him that since he has no one to take care of, he can afford to spend most of his earnings on beautiful clothing because it enhances his performance and I totally get it! He thinks Er Ye will see him as foolish, but CFT gets that he is a free spirit.

He informs him that what happened with the ruffians was planned and that Dengbao is behind it. He wants to know how SXR wants to handle it. SXR seems unfazed by the information and tells him to set them free after beating the shit out of them. He understands why Dengbao did it, since this is par for the course and the slight toward his dad, however since CFT was also harmed, he is afraid CFT might be unhappy. OMG why are so cute!!!! CFT answers the ruffians should be beaten twice then before being let go, eliciting a genuine laughter from SXR. SXR doesn’t know how to thank him, then removes the flower, gets up and puts it on CFT lapel, tells him that he offers the flower so he can be equally mischievous and I swear I fainted. How is this bromance???

The romantic scene is interrupting by some rude person who informs him that third wheel Fan Lian is calling him out, probably to win more money off him. In a soft voice that would make you melt, CFT tells SXR to come with him as he will protect him from the fans.

They sit together in the mahjong parlor and Fan Lian comments about the flower. CFT tells SXR that Fan Lian does not like to be upstage by someone better looking than him. Is he talking about himself or Shang Lao Ban? If you are me, you know where my mind is going. He invites him to play, but SXR has no idea how, he should simply pick tiles for him. SXR is afraid to do so because he doesn’t want his bae friend to lose and having to fork out some money. Even third wheel Fan Lian urge him to pick tiles for CFT, in the hopes that he will get more money from his brother-in-law. SXR does so and places the tile in the middle of his palm, showing his beautiful hand. It turns out to be a winning tile, which prompt CFT to see SXR as his lucky charm. Our sweet penguin is smiling as bae won big.

Happy penguin

The next day, SXR is once again inspecting his costume when CFT enters the shipping office. He greets SXR and asks if he is going to nitpick him again. He offers to help inspect the embroidered dress, grabbing a flashlight so he can see better. While SXR inspects, showing off his well-manicured hands, which makes me envious, CFT is enthralled by the other man and asks if it is to is pleasing. SXR in his Sheng (male roles) voice responds with an opera lyric that shows his satisfaction. CFT offers to send the dress to his home.

Waiting for his senpai approval

On his way, SXR sees a banner asking for donation to help fund the anti-Japanese effort. We get a glimpse at the arduous training opera members have to go through when Niu Lao Ban comes in to inform him that Kuomintang minister Jin has invited members of the association to sing for the fundraising, SXR is eager to participate and is informed that he will not do so in costume or makeup, and won’t even have his full accompaniment, just a huqin (Chinese violin). Basically he will not be paid for the performance, which does not seemed to bother SXR. He asks if two of his idols, Ning Jiulang and Hou Yukei will make an appearance and is disappointed when he learns they won’t. He picks the opera he will sing, which prompt Niu Lao Ban to urge him to change because the opera might be too boring, but SXR tells him the way he will play will be exciting. Oh this man is quite confident.

At the event, both Fan Lian and CFT are also attending. CFT informs Fan Lian the money will partially go to minister Jin’s pocket and the rest to his brother-in-law, Commander Cao, essentially embezzling the money while making himself look good. Apparently, there is confrontation brewing between the two strongmen.

Fan Lian is not interested in the politics, letting CFT know that SXR will perform, which makes CFT perk up and comments how he will end up an expert in opera for hanging out with both of them.

We see Mr. World, weasel Dengbao talking to one of Minister Jin’s people and you know they are up to no good when Niu Lao Bang is trying to coax the huqin player to stay.

Apparently the man got into an argument with SXR, which pleases Dengbao. Minister Jin witnesses the outburst and tells Niu Lao Ban to let SXR not to mess things up for him or he will shot in place. Dengbao scurries toward his father to let him know the good news. SXR was mad the violinist drank before getting on stage, causing the outburst.

Daddy Jiang sees this as a good opportunity to put SXR in his place.

Minister Jin who has witnessed the outburst with the violinist wants Niu Baiwen to remind SXR that this is his party and anyone who messes with it will be shot in place. No one can be a bigger diva than him.

Daddy overhears the veiled threat and is not pleased.

Meanwhile Niu Lang Bao is fretting while SXR is cool and collected, letting him that he is waiting on an item. We get a full introduction of SXR huge appetite as Xiao Lai brings him a huge pork trotter, which he literally inhales it in the least elegant way possible, showing he is a man after all. How he maintains his figure his beyond me and I am jealous.

Seriously no elegance at all!

Weasel Dengbao calls out to SXR letting him know that his father wants to speak with him

We learn Boss Jiang wants SXR to apologize for missing his birthday (dude, let it go!) and do everything he asks. In return he will be his accompanist. Of course, my lil penguin graciously turns down the offer. Boss Jiang lets him know not to mess with powerful men like Minister Jin who are capable of doing anything for power, which SXR points out Boss Jiang is the same, sending people to harm him only because he didn’t curry favors. No one puts baby in the corner!

While our lil bae sneers at the obvious attempt to undermine him

Here comes the dashing hero, which surprises SXR. CFT tells him that he had planned to stay and listen to his performance, but now that Minister Jin has placed a bounty on SXR’s head, this is no longer possible.

CFT wants to sweep his damsel to his castle...hmm I mean hide him at the cargo’s office until things cool down. SXR tells him that despite CFT being the great hero that he is, SXR is no damsel in distress. He should go back to his table and watch how much of a hero he is. WHAT A LINE!!

Oof, after the amazing premiere episode, the second episode truly kicks things in gear, wasting no time to set up the couple/bosom friends. They meet and sparks fly. The instant attraction, the ease of their conversation, the romantic scene on the terrace which I have seen so many times and never get tired of. CFT seems compel to protect his lil penguin from the spoiled brats who have no regards for his well-being or the corrupt politicians who care more about their image than the music. However, our lil cinnamon is no damsel in distress, he is a man who can take care of himself and intends to show it to his boo friend. Normally a drama would settle and slow its pace in episode 2, but not Winter Begonia. The episode served a purpose to flesh out the characters and show how the budding relationship starts.

#winter begonia #cheng fengtai #shang xirui #episode recap #obsession #bromance #danmei #yaoi #shounenai #andrew yin #huang xiaoming #Yin Zheng

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