Because of You Episode 13 Recap
> Because of You Recap
Zhang Yuxin, having finished her urgent warning to Song Xiuhua, departs hastily. However, her intense words bewilder Zhang Guoguo, who urgently calls out "Sister," surprising the unknowing Song Xiuhua. Recalling that Zhang Mu had always hidden Zhang Yuxin's existence as her daughter, Zhang Guoguo quickly denies any deep connection, claiming they had only met once at a competition. The episode then showcases the embroidery competition.
A celebrity, Lisa Wu, expresses deep admiration for Zhang Guoguo's "Black Swan" cheongsam, noting how extraordinary it is and that it feels like a story or a song emanating from her heart. Despite her clear preference, Lisa Wu ultimately chooses Golden Thread Embroidery's creation for the International Film Festival red carpet. Li Yunkai, having observed Lisa Wu's true feelings, confronts her, suggesting she chose against her conscience due to "commercial interests" or being "caught in a bind by someone."
He reminds her of the immense effort designers put into their work, claiming that Zhang Guoguo was even "kicked out from her home by her mother" to create her dress. Li Yunkai, a lawyer, warns of legal consequences for playing tricks in such a competition and states he will reserve his right to appeal. Li Yunkai is then informed that Zhang Guoguo is missing, rendering her dress unusable for Lisa Wu.
Meanwhile, Xu Huijie congratulates Zhang Yuxin on Lisa Wu's choice, which Zhang Yuxin downplays, attributing it to having a formidable teacher. However, Xu Huijie then expresses interest in Zhang Guoguo's surprising talent, considering her as another apprentice for Golden Thread Embroidery, much to Zhang Yuxin's dismay. Soon after, Lisa Wu is hospitalized due to an allergic reaction.
Xu Huijie confronts Zhang Yuxin, who admits to spraying pine nut juice on Golden Thread Embroidery's dress, intending to add a light fragrance, unaware of Lisa Wu's allergy. Xu Huijie furiously chastises Zhang Yuxin for her lack of basic knowledge and tells her to give up embroidery, quickly distancing herself from the mistake. Zhang Yuxin, internally resentful, notes that Xu Huijie takes credit for good outcomes but uses her as a shield when things go wrong.
Zhang Yuxin then seeks out Zhang Guoguo and falsely informs her that Lisa Wu's allergic shock was due to the goose feathers in Zhang Guoguo's "Black Swan" dress, despite Zhang Guoguo's claim of thorough disinfection. Zhang Yuxin exaggerates the legal repercussions, implying Zhang Guoguo could face huge compensation or even prison, before "reassuring" her that she has "taken care of everything" with Xu Huijie's help and that Zhang Guoguo won't go to jail.
Zhang Yuxin cautions Zhang Guoguo not to discuss the matter publicly or meet with the judges and Lisa Wu again. A relieved Zhang Guoguo thanks Zhang Yuxin, who privately mocks her naivety. Zhang Yuxin then secretly calls "Director Li," instructing him to blame Zhang Guoguo for the incident and suppress media reports, ensuring the collaboration between Golden Thread Embroidery and Strong Group remains unaffected.
Zhang Guoguo, wanting to understand the truth, chases after Zhang Yuxin to ask what she told Song Xiuhua. Zhang Yuxin haughtily warns Zhang Guoguo not to go to Jinluge, a notion Zhang Guoguo finds perplexing. Song Xiuhua, observing their argument from a distance, grows curious. Jin Zhiming and Xu Huijie decide to intensify their search for Jin Yibei, contacting a promotional team to post advertisements at various stations.
However, Xu Huijie is deeply worried that Song Xiuhua might reveal the truth about Jin Yibei, which could expose past secrets. She then suggests delaying the search, explaining that Zhang Yuxin is about to study abroad and she doesn't want her to be upset. Jin Zhiming agrees after some consideration. Meanwhile, Le Tong refuses to drink formula, worrying Zhang Guoguo and Zhang Mu.
Zhang Guoguo rushes to the hospital to get breast milk from other new mothers, successfully feeding Le Tong. Zhang Guoguo finds Zhang Mu's careful attention to Le Tong peculiar, but Zhang Mu cryptically states that Le Tong is her "own granddaughter," so she naturally cares for her. Zhang Guoguo, not fully understanding, dismisses her suspicions. Li Yunkai decides to return to Zhenhu and bids farewell to his law firm colleagues. One colleague hints at Song Xiuhua's whereabouts.
Li Yunkai eagerly follows the lead to a clothing store, where the owner recognizes Song Xiuhua but cannot provide contact information, disappointing him. However, the owner mentions that Zhang Guoguo is Song Xiuhua's apprentice and handles most orders now. This revelation angers and saddens Li Yunkai, as Zhang Guoguo had repeatedly denied knowing Song Xiuhua despite his inquiries. Xu Xiaoqin, who admires Li Yunkai, visits his home as usual, only to find it empty.
Unable to find him, she calls Zhang Guoguo, tearfully asking if Zhang Guoguo likes Li Yunkai. A somewhat guilty Zhang Guoguo denies it, and Xu Xiaoqin then informs her of Li Yunkai's disappearance. Zhang Guoguo is surprised by Li Yunkai's sudden departure and decides to search for him. She soon spots Li Yunkai driving away and rushes to stop him.
Before she can speak, an enraged Li Yunkai confronts her about lying regarding Song Xiuhua and angrily declares his decision to leave Xiping, then drives off without looking back. Zhang Guoguo feels a bitter sadness, thinking of their time together in Xiping. Though she says to herself, "don't come back if you leave," she secretly misses him. As if sensing her sorrow, a heavy rain begins to fall.
Zhang Guoguo returns home drenched, only to be told by Zhang Mu that Le Tong is sick. A worried Zhang Guoguo rushes out to buy medicine. Upon returning with it, Zhang Mu harshly blames the breast milk Zhang Guoguo brought for Le Tong's illness and throws her out of the house. Distraught and with nowhere to go, Zhang Guoguo sits crying outside Song Xiuhua's door in the rain.
Song Xiuhua, returning home, finds the pathetic Zhang Guoguo and quickly brings her inside. Upon learning it's because of Le Tong, Song Xiuhua scolds Zhang Mu for her cruelty and expresses regret for Zhang Guoguo, who gave up the opportunity to study embroidery with Dong Lijun. Zhang Guoguo reveals her initial desire to learn embroidery was to make a dress for Zhang Mu, but now she needs to save money for Le Tong's ear surgery.
Moved by Zhang Guoguo's kindness, Song Xiuhua proposes taking Zhang Guoguo, Zhang Mu, and Le Tong to live in Zhenhu. Zhang Guoguo initially refuses, not wanting to burden Song Xiuhua, but Song Xiuhua eventually decides to take them to Zhenhu after Le Tong turns five and undergoes surgery. Zhang Yuxin successfully departs for Europe to study. Before leaving, she sends Zhang Mu a dress and a letter stating she might never return and that Zhang Mu should forget her.
Heartbroken, Zhang Mu sees it's Zhang Yuxin's flight for that day and rushes to the airport, hoping for one last glimpse of her daughter. On her way to the airport, Zhang Yuxin sees banners seeking Jin Yibei displayed across the city. Unaware of their significance, and with her view obstructed, she misses the childhood drawing of Jin Yibei and thus doesn't realize Zhang Guoguo is Jin Yibei.
Zhang Mu and Zhang Guoguo eventually arrive at the airport, heading to the departure hall, when they too notice the Jin Yibei banner. The childhood drawing on the banner triggers a strange sense of familiarity and a headache for Zhang Guoguo. Seeing Zhang Guoguo's pale face, Zhang Mu quickly guides her into the waiting area, but they still fail to meet Zhang Yuxin. The widespread Jin Yibei banners evoke deep emotions in Song Xiuhua.
When Zhang Guoguo learns that Jin Yibei is Song Xiuhua's niece, she tightly holds Song Xiuhua's hand, unsure how to comfort her. Back in Zhenhu, Li Yunkai enjoys some rare father-son time with his father, who takes him to a restaurant his mother used to frequent. Though Li Yunkai feels awkward, his mind is preoccupied with thoughts of Zhang Guoguo, making him distracted during dinner. Even his father notices his uneasiness.
Li Yunkai looks at Zhang Guoguo's photo on his phone and, with a heavy heart, eventually deletes it. Meanwhile, Lu Sichen, having resolved his lawsuit and having experienced Zhang Yuxin's heartless treatment, is no longer the man solely devoted to her. He successfully joins Shichuang as Li Yunzhe's personal assistant, recommended by Li Yunzhe's assistant. Li Yunkai's departure leaves Zhang Guoguo feeling a sense of loss.
When she sees the self-portrait Li Yunkai drew, she feels a mix of reluctance and joy, ultimately putting it into her wallet as a cherished memory. Five years swiftly pass. Le Tong has grown into a charming young girl, and Zhang Guoguo is no longer the yielding young woman she once was, having matured into a strong, independent woman.
Remembering her five-year promise to Song Xiuhua, Zhang Guoguo decides to sell her wonton shop and move to Zhenhu with Zhang Mu and Le Tong. Zhang Mu, still thinking of Zhang Yuxin, is reluctant to leave Xiping. Zhang Guoguo, however, is resolute about moving to Zhenhu, both for Le Tong's sake and her own. Zhang Mu remains critical of Zhang Guoguo, but little Le Tong can no longer tolerate it.
She sternly tells Zhang Mu not to bully Zhang Guoguo anymore. Seeing the small girl stand up for her brings immense comfort to Zhang Guoguo. When Zhang Guoguo, Le Tong, and Zhang Mu arrive in Zhenhu as promised, Song Xiuhua presents Zhang Guoguo with the imitation embroidery of "Celestial Maidens Scattering Flowers" from the embroidery master competition, along with a letter, instructing her to take both to Dong Lijun. After many years, Zhang Guoguo steps into Jinluge again.
The familiarity triggers a splitting headache, but she quickly composes herself. Guided by Ding Wei, she meets Dong Lijun. Upon reading Song Xiuhua's handwritten letter, Dong Lijun immediately agrees to personally teach Zhang Guoguo. After Zhang Guoguo leaves, a curious Ding Wei asks Dong Lijun about her enthusiastic reaction. Learning that Song Xiuhua recommended Zhang Guoguo, Ding Wei, sensing trouble, informs Xu Huijie.
Xu Huijie, still holding a grudge against Song Xiuhua, will not allow Zhang Guoguo to take her place. She instructs Ding Wei to monitor Dong Lijun's situation closely and notifies Zhang Yuxin to return to China as soon as possible. Leaving Jinluge, Zhang Guoguo walks casually towards home, unaware that Li Yunkai is rushing past. Catching a glimpse of her familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar figure, his long-suppressed emotions resurface.
After only a fleeting glance, he loses sight of Zhang Guoguo, leaving him to wonder if he was mistaken. Meanwhile, Lu Sichen has begun to distinguish himself within Li Yunzhe's company.
