Episode 1 recap: Chen Ruoxuan had the idea of ending his life.
Anxin's mother, Zhao Xiufang, was overweight and had various health problems. Anxin enrolled her in a weight-loss class, but to Anxin's surprise, her mother secretly canceled the enrollment and didn't actually go for weight loss. When Anxin discovered this, she went to find her mother. Anxin's mother, Zhao Xiufang, and her sister, Zhao Xiuli, were trying on clothes at a clothing store. A few days ago, Zhao Xiufang had made a cheongsam (traditional Chinese dress), but due to lack of exercise and gaining 10 kilograms of weight recently, the cheongsam that used to fit her well became very tight.
The shop assistant struggled to help her put on the clothes, and she was about to ask them to make the clothes bigger when suddenly Anxin approached. Upon seeing her mother, Anxin didn't expose her, but instead, she grabbed her and wanted to go home. Zhao Xiufang hurriedly told the shop assistant to make the clothes bigger. Anxin intentionally asked her mother in a strange tone why she was trying to make the clothes bigger if she was trying to lose weight. Zhao Xiufang didn't know how to explain it to her daughter. She sat on the sofa wearing the cheongsam, but as soon as she sat down, the backside of the cheongsam tore apart.
Seeing this, Anxin repeated what her weight-loss coach had said to her mother. At first, Zhao Xiufang acted like a child who had done something wrong, quickly apologizing to her daughter and promising not to eat sweets or drink carbonated drinks anymore. However, upon seeing her younger sister sitting smugly on the side, Zhao Xiufang suddenly straightened her back and told Anxin not to lecture her like she was scolding a child, asserting that she was the mother. Anxin sighed helplessly and pointed at Zhao Xiuli, telling her mother that if she could be as disciplined as her aunt, she wouldn't have to worry so much. But Zhao Xiufang replied that Zhao Xiuli's daughter, Chen Ruohua, was better than Anxin and behaved like a little lamb in front of Zhao Xiuli. Chen Ruohua had just finished her graduate entrance examination a few days ago, and she hadn't graduated from college yet. Chen Ruoxuan, Chen Ruohua's younger brother, went to participate in a math competition, and Chen Ruohua accompanied him. They waited outside the school gate until everyone had left, but they didn't see Chen Ruoxuan.
Later, she learned from two classmates that Chen Ruoxuan only took the exam for half an hour and submitted his paper early. When Chen Ruohua found Chen Ruoxuan, she saw him standing by the edge of the rooftop. Chen Ruohua thought he was going to jump off the building and hurriedly tried to persuade him not to do anything foolish. Chen Ruohua pretended to be nonchalant and jumped off the edge of the rooftop, saying that he couldn't possibly jump off.
Before finding Chen Ruoxuan, Chen Ruohua also encountered Chen Ruoxuan's teacher, who told her that Chen Ruoxuan only completed half of the exam paper, and his grades were unstable. The teacher suspected that Chen Ruoxuan was having psychological issues. After returning home, when Zhao Xiuli asked Chen Ruoxuan how he did in the exam, Chen Ruoxuan told his mother that he knew how to solve all the competition questions.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiuli began to praise her son. To prevent Chen Ruoxuan from feeling too upset, Chen Ruohua intentionally told her mother that she didn't do well in the graduate entrance exam. However, her mother smiled and told her that it was already good enough for a girl to perform like that. After hearing her mother's words, Chen Ruoxuan started to defend his sister and complained that his mother favored boys over girls. Indeed, Chen Ruoxuan was experiencing psychological problems, as he had prepared some sleeping pills with the intention of ending it all.
Before that, he wanted to leave a few words for his mother and sister but didn't know what to say, so he started to wrestle with his thoughts. Chen Ruohua entered Chen Ruoxuan's room and was surprised to see him sitting outside the window. She hurriedly pulled him back inside and asked him what was going on. Chen Ruoxuan simply told her that the pressure from their mother was too much for him. Chen Ruohua wanted to help him, but Chen Ruoxuan told her that a child couldn't help another child.
While they were talking, Anxin called Chen Ruohua. Anxin finally understood the reason why their mother didn't go for weight loss. It turned out that their mother had secretly set up a small dining table at home. After learning about this, Anxin scolded her mother, but Zhao Xiufang stubbornly returned to her own house. Anxin's purpose in seeking Chen Ruohua and Chen Ruoxuan's help was to persuade their mother to come back.
Chen Ruo Hua's portrayal in "Surpassing" is truly remarkable. She brilliantly depicts the character of a neglected and invisible person at home, who encounters a mother with a strong preference for male children and a desire for control.
Before her younger brother's death, the mother disregarded Chen Ruo Hua's opinions. After her brother's passing, she thought the transferred attention was love, but it was actually the mother's stubborn and controlling nature.
There are many crying scenes in the drama, whether it's shedding tears calmly, breaking down in tears, or crying out of grievance. Each time is deeply moving.
Here's a "cruel" suggestion: I think the "death" of Ruohua's younger brother could have been designed to be even more heartbreaking. For example, the brother, under the guidance and comfort of Anxin and her daughter, would be willing to open up and resolve his inner conflicts, determined to have an honest conversation with his mother.
However, tragically, he would meet with a car accident on his way there...
With this kind of design, there can be a callback later on: When the conflict between Ruohua and her mother reaches its peak, Anxin and her daughter can reveal this incident to Ruohua's mother once again...
You should tell her because she has the right to know as your daughter. She shouldn't be kept in the dark. When you share the news with her, pay attention to her emotional reactions.
If she feels shocked, angry, disappointed, or helpless, you should listen to her feelings, provide support and advice, and express your full support for her thoughts. Additionally, you should have a conversation with your son-in-law, expressing your disappointment and dissatisfaction, and discussing how to resolve the issue of infidelity.
See how he responds. If he doesn't show any remorse or willingness to change, it's difficult to say what's wrong with him. If the infidelity problem cannot be resolved, you can advise your daughter to end the relationship.
The realistic theme of this drama is truly authentic. Life is all about experiencing traumas, being healed by others, and healing oneself. It's not always smooth sailing. This drama doesn't have an idol plot, it doesn't rely on the male lead to save the day, and it doesn't depict a life that reaches its peak after returning to normal.
Instead, it portrays the ordinary lives of people, teaching us how to keep moving forward in our own lives. Yang Chao Yue and Zhong Chu Xi portray how to run forward in the face of different challenges, and they do a fantastic job.
I see a different side of them and I hope they continue to run and find the life they desire in reality as well.