Amidst a Snowstorm of Love- Episode 16-18 Recap
In Episode 16 of Amidst a Snowstorm of Love, Yin Guo returns to China and is greeted by her excited friend, eager to celebrate her recent victory. However, Yin Guo is obligated to attend a family reunion instead. During the event, she catches sight of a fellow nine-ball player deep in conversation with an elegant woman. To her surprise, the woman is Lin Lin (Ding Xiaoying), a coach from Dongxin City and the on-and-off girlfriend of Yin Guo’s elder brother, Meng Xiaodong (Wang Xingyue). Struck by Lin Lin's beauty, Yin Guo quickly texts her brother about the unexpected encounter, only to receive a surprisingly indifferent response.
Yin Guo returns home with her friend, but her mind is on the time difference and how it will affect her connection with Yiyeng. Her friend voices concern, knowing how much Yin Guo treasures their relationship. At home, the atmosphere is tense; her parents are busy with their demanding jobs and have always been strict. The weight of their expectations looms over her, and the thought of revealing her relationship with Yiyeng—a man whose career has been stalled due to a run-in with a referee—fills her with dread. How will they react?
Meanwhile, Yi Yang throws himself into work, but his mind is racing with bigger plans. He casually tells Wu Wei that he's extending his lease for another year, but then drops a bombshell—he’s planning to open a chain of billiard rooms nationwide. Yi Yang’s vision is clear: he wants to cultivate the next generation of professional players. But what really catches Wu Wei off guard is Yi Yang’s decision to jump back into the snooker circuit, aiming to win big. Overwhelmed, Wu Wei starts to tear up, realizing his friend’s passion is burning brighter than ever.
Yi Yang and Yin Guo reconnect over a heartfelt call, sharing updates on their lives and deepening their bond. The following day, Yin Guo visits her new club with a friend, but her mind is elsewhere—she's worried that Yi Yang is nearing graduation and still hasn’t secured a job. Meanwhile, Xiaodong has a surprise encounter with Jiang Yang, who reveals Yi Yang’s bold plan to enter the competition in Macau. Thrilled but trying to play it cool, Xiaodong secretly books a flight to Macau, determined to support Yi Yang in person.
Yi Yang heads to Macau for the tournament, keeping his intentions close to the chest. Before the competition, he calls Yin Guo and assures her that he’s committed to building a stable future for them. However, he leaves out the part about competing in Macau. When the match begins, Yi Yang competes with grace and determination, advancing to the next round. The moment Yin Guo hears the news, her joy is overwhelming, knowing that Yi Yang is fighting not just for himself, but for their future together.
Yi Yang admits that before meeting Yin Guo, he was anxious, fearing she might have found someone else. Yin Guo, in turn, confesses the same worry—she’s scared that as Yi Yang's fame grows, he might forget her or that someone else might steal him away. With a firm resolve, Yi Yang promises her that he’ll never leave her side. In a tender moment, Yin Guo buys heating pads for his injured shoulder, playfully telling him that she fell for his handsome face and that she could happily gaze at it for the next 20 years.
Yin Guo's eyes welled up with tears as the moment to say goodbye drew near. Meng Xiaodong (Wang Xing Yue) arrived just in time to take her to Bei City, but not before inviting Yi Yang to join them. Yin Guo eagerly showed Yi Yang around the training facility, sharing a part of her world with him. They spent a warm, cozy evening together, with Yin Guo and her brother, enjoying a meal she lovingly prepared. But as the night ended, Yi Yang had to leave. Xiaodong dropped him off at the airport, playfully warning Yi Yang that many guys were vying for Yin Guo’s attention, leaving Yi Yang with a lingering sense of unease.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Yin Guo asks Yi Yang if he’ll return soon. Yi Yang, with a reassuring smile, promises her that he’ll save every penny to visit her as soon as possible. As he steps into the airport, Yin Guo watches him go, her heart heavy with emotion. The moment he’s out of sight, she breaks down, unable to hold back the flood of tears, the weight of their parting almost too much to bear.
A year and a half later, the scene shifts to a moment of anticipation and excitement. Yi Yang has become an international sensation, his success a testament to his relentless dedication. At the airport, Yin Guo anxiously waits, her heart pounding as she scans the crowd for a familiar face she hasn’t seen in over a year. The moment their eyes meet, all the months of separation melt away. They rush into each other's arms, the world fading as they finally embrace. Yin Guo's happiness is boundless, her joy overflowing as she holds him close, the long-awaited reunion filling her with a warmth she had almost forgotten.
After Lin Yiyang and Lin Lin crossed paths, Lin Lin, fully aware of Yiyang's troubled past, offered him some unexpected encouragement. Curious, Yiyang couldn’t resist asking about her connection with Meng Xiaodong. Without hesitation, Lin Lin denied any romantic involvement, making it clear with unwavering certainty that they could never be together. The intensity of her response left Yiyang intrigued, as if there was more to the story than she was letting on.
As Yin Guo was heading back with her brother, her phone buzzed with messages from Lin Yiyang. Meanwhile, Meng Xiaodong inquired about Lin Lin, only to be taken aback when he learned that Lin Lin had never mentioned him. Disappointment and confusion clouded Yin Guo's thoughts as she uncovered a hidden chapter of her brother’s past—Meng Xiaodong had actually been romantically involved with Lin Lin on three separate occasions.
Back at her house, Yin Guo and Lin Yiyang discussed Meng Xiaodong's revelations. As Lin Yiyang prepared to open his own billiards room, Jiang Yang guided him through the space. Though cluttered and chaotic, Lin Yiyang’s vision for its renovation was already taking shape. The excitement intensified when Lin Yiyang's younger brother, Lin Xiaodong, arrived at the room. The brothers embraced warmly, their reunion brimming with genuine joy and anticipation.
When Li Qingyan's family came to visit Yin Guo, she tried to steer clear of him, but his family orchestrated a subtle matchmaking scheme, insisting she ride with Li Qingyan in his car. As they prepped for dinner, Yin Guo whispered to her friends, requesting they avoid mentioning her relationship with Lin Yiyang around Li Qingyan. Meanwhile, Meng Xiaodong's mother expressed her frustration about her son’s preoccupation with work over relationships. Yin Guo kept silent about Meng Xiaodong’s past with Lin Lin, choosing not to stir the pot.
Just then, a little girl ran up and hugged Yin Guo, capturing her heart with her cuteness. The child was Lin Yiyang’s young niece. As dinner unfolded, Lin Yiyang made an appearance, and Meng Xiaodong’s mother couldn’t resist commenting on the closeness between Yin Guo and Lin Yiyang, stirring curiosity and adding a layer of intrigue to the evening.
In an effort to impress Yin Guo's mother, Lin Yiyang made a thoughtful gesture by bringing her a glass of water. Despite his kind intentions, Yin Guo’s mother responded coldly, leaving Yin Guo anxious and concerned. Fearing that Lin Yiyang might be looking for an excuse to leave, Yin Guo was relieved when they finally embraced. However, Lin Yiyang’s demeanor led Yin Guo to misinterpret the situation, assuming his frustration was due to her mother’s disapproval. In reality, Lin Yiyang was upset by the chilly reception he received and had intended to present a gift to Yin Guo, but her mother’s attitude had soured his mood. Returning home, Yin Guo encountered Meng Xiaodong and his mother. The air was thick with unspoken tension as they exchanged wary glances, each party avoiding eye contact and conversation.
After Lin Yiyang returned, he enjoyed a cozy dinner with his younger brother's family. His niece, who had been charmed by Yin Guo during their first meeting, couldn’t stop asking about her. As Yin Guo, her mother, and grandmother drove home together, her grandmother took a keen interest in Lin Yiyang, pressing Yin Guo for details.
Meanwhile, Yin Guo's sister Dongdong reminisced about their childhood, and even Niu Lao was familiar with Lin Yiyang’s name. Defending Lin Yiyang, Yin Guo reminded her mother of the times he had supported her family, arguing that he deserved better treatment. But when Yin Guo’s mother openly admitted her dislike for Lin Yiyang, Yin Guo realized that their relationship would face significant challenges, especially with her mother’s acceptance hanging in the balance.
DramaZen's Opinion
Her brother is their biggest supporter! While he selfishly hopes for his return to the professional scene, recognizing the incredible talent that would be squandered otherwise, his admiration goes beyond just skill. He genuinely values Lin Yiyang’s character and is wholeheartedly backing his sister’s relationship. Now, the real challenge begins: winning over the parents.
Pertaining to the mystery behind their relationship......
They were upfront about their reasons: they wanted to keep things under wraps until he was back home for good. Plus, with her family having such a poor impression of him, any public disclosure would have only added to the complications of their long-distance relationship. Now that he's home, he’s focused on establishing a stable income and preparing to meet the family when the time comes.
In the end, whether they kept it secret or went public, the outcome would have been the same. There was no avoiding the inevitable. Yi Yang was already putting in the hard work for their future—emphasis on their future. It's their relationship to nurture and move forward, regardless of the reasons behind his past decisions.
I understand that her mom has a negative opinion due to the past , but her sister is being a lowkey hater without knowing the full story (technically we don’t either). She was giving too many side eyes during the whole get together lunch. And the car scenes felt so suffocating/awkward.
However, back to our main couple, Yiyang’s love language is unmistakably touch. Whenever they’re together, it’s as if they’re magnets drawn to each other—there’s an undeniable, electric attraction that has them blushing every time. The way he constantly prioritizes her comfort and happiness is heartwarming 🥰. Now, I just hope she becomes the kind of partner who not only understands his needs but also helps him find his own happiness in return. I also hope this little tiff that they add doesn't last too many episodes!