The White Olive Tree Episode 13 Recap, Plot

> The White Olive Tree
> The White Olive Tree Recap

Li Zan returned home, and his father was visibly emotional upon seeing him. His father mentioned that Li Zan had landed two hours ago and asked why he had only just arrived home. Li Zan explained that he was stuck in traffic. His father had already prepared a meal and asked why he had gone for a medical check-up—was there something wrong?

Li Zan replied that it was an arrangement by the volunteer organization and that there was nothing to worry about. Seeing a variety of health supplements, Li Zan’s father explained that Luo Zhan had brought them over, urging Li Zan to take good care of himself. He also reminded him to review his blueprints even while on leave—someone as talented as him shouldn’t be taking too long a break.

While watching the news, Li Zan heard about the awards selection process and saw that Song Ran was participating. His father noticed something was off and asked if he was in a relationship. Li Zan denied it, but his father dismissed his response, saying that she was probably just not his girlfriend yet. He also commented that the girl looked familiar, which meant she was somehow connected to their family.

Li Zan wanted to call Song Ran but, upon seeing the scars on his body in the mirror, he recalled the explosion and ultimately decided not to make the call. Shen Bei went to see the director, insisting that since the awards process had not yet started, the selected photograph should be withdrawn. She argued that it would cause great harm to Song Ran and everyone else.

The director refused, saying that Song Ran had not objected to it, and perhaps the one who couldn't face it was Shen Bei herself. Song Ran overheard their conversation from outside. Shen Bei deliberately claimed that it was she who didn’t want to see the photo. Song Ran responded that Shen Bei was just like before—always making her seem like the bad person.

The truth was, Song Ran also didn’t dare to face it, which was why she had left everything in the director’s hands. She hadn’t even known that this particular photo had been chosen. She felt that all of them were just avoiding reality. Avoidance wasn’t shameful, but it was useless. Song Ran ended up winning the award. Li Zan called to congratulate her. Both of them still remembered what had happened in Dongguo.

They had both suffered, yet neither of them shared those experiences with the other. Instead, they both claimed they were doing fine. Li Zan played a song—it was the same music they had danced to back in Dongguo. Neither of them hung up the phone. They started dancing on their own, as if they were dancing together. Li Zan went to the police station, where he saw Jiang Lin’s younger brother, Jiang Yu’s homeroom teacher.

This time, Jiang Yu had been brought in for fighting. Li Zan explained that Jiang Yu had grown up in a difficult environment and asked the teacher to be more understanding. The teacher acknowledged this, saying they all cared about Jiang Yu since he had lost both his parents. However, Jiang Yu couldn’t always resort to fighting as a solution. Luo Zhan arrived as well.

The last time they spoke, the doctor had mentioned that Li Zan’s mental burden might stem from unknown reasons. Luo Zhan had been investigating ever since, and that search had led him here. Li Zan admitted that Luo Zhan must have put in a lot of effort to track him down.

Luo Zhan, however, wasn’t sure if Li Zan was praising him or mocking him, but he didn’t mind—as long as Li Zan was willing to talk, even a sarcastic remark was fine. Li Zan confessed that he didn’t actually remember much from back then. He only remembered defusing the bomb and then Jiang Lin sacrificing himself. He felt as if Jiang Lin had died because of him. Li Zan asked Luo Zhan if he had really caused Jiang Lin’s death.

Luo Zhan firmly responded that Li Zan had always been saving lives—he could never have harmed anyone. After Song Ran’s photograph won the award, many people on the internet began attacking her. They questioned why she had time to take the picture but not to save lives. They accused her of exploiting other people’s suffering for her own fame and fortune. Seeing those comments, Song Ran was devastated. She curled up in her tent, unable to face the outside world.

Li Zan also saw those messages and wanted to go see her, but when they spoke on the phone, Song Ran didn’t mention anything about it. Instead of going directly, Li Zan arranged for someone in a panda costume to visit and cheer her up. The gesture lightened Song Ran’s mood significantly.

Episode 12 Recap

Episode 14 Recap

Related Posts