Catch Up My Prince Episode 2 Recap
> Catch Up My Prince Recap
Lu Ranran received a daily reward in the game, unlocking access to a livestream after confirming her age. To her embarrassment, the livestream showed Zhao Chen Yi bathing, and she quickly closed it. The system informed her it could only be viewed once a day. Meanwhile, Xiao Bao delivered "pornographic pictures" to Zhao Chen Yi, who was still bathing. Annoyed, Zhao Chen Yi threw the books into the water and instructed Xiao Bao to discard them.
Lu Ranran noticed Yun Zhu struggling with laundry due to injured feet and offered her help, advising her to take care of her hands. Yun Zhu explained that palace maids were used to rough work. Lu Ranran passionately stated that workers should prioritize self-care. Zhao Chen Yi appeared during this exchange, and the other maids fell silent. He confronted Lu Ranran about her "coarse clothing and bad food" comment and questioned if she was unsatisfied with his previous rewards.
When she asked if he was mocking her, he said he enjoyed listening to her stories. Although tired from running the previous night, Lu Ranran relented after Zhao Chen Yi reminded her about repaying her debt for saving her life. He dismissed the other maids and carried Lu Ranran away, prompting her to internally resolve to actively pursue him to complete her game mission.
Lu Ranran told Zhao Chen Yi a story about a girl whose soul was imbued into a Go board and later helped a young player become successful, promising to continue the story "next time." Zhao Chen Yi teased her, asking if she was eager to see him, and offered to send her snacks daily. Seeking more access, Lu Ranran suggested telling stories in his palace and sharing the food there.
He agreed, making her his exclusive laundry maid, and tasked her with telling stories at any time, adding that she could not leave without his permission. Lu Ranran recognized that her efforts were part of her plan to win him over. Zhao Chen Yi then jokingly claimed she owed him a "new debt" for breaking his white porcelain teapot and demanded more stories as compensation.
Xiao Bao reported on his investigation into Lu Ranran, confirming she was from Chong Chuan with living family and a farmer brother, describing her background as clean and her close relationship with Yun Zhu. Zhao Chen Yi approved of Yun Zhu's clean background and soft personality. Xiao Bao reported that the fire at Profound Literature Pavilion was accidental and not related to Lu Ranran or the Crown Prince, Zhao Chen Xing.
Zhao Chen Yi offered Xiao Bao a painting as a reward, but Xiao Bao declined, remembering Zhao Chen Yi's "embarrassing pictures." Instead, Zhao Chen Yi allowed him to choose treats from the Calm Refreshing Manor, amused by Xiao Bao's surprise at his elegance. Over the next few months, Lu Ranran continued telling Zhao Chen Yi stories. One day, he directly asked her about her motives, to which she confessed she wanted him to like her.
She tried to tell a "pickup line," but then changed her answer, joking that her superpower was being "super, super. . . like to eat." Zhao Chen Yi finished her sentence, saying, ". . . like you," causing her to blush. Yun Zhu mentioned gossip about Zhao Chen Yi simply indulging in her novelty after previously favoring song girls, leading Lu Ranran to question if she truly understood him.
While waiting for Zhao Chen Yi by the river, Lu Ranran overheard other palace maids, including Lu Ren Jia, mocking her for being dumped by Zhao Chen Yi, whom they nicknamed "Sugarcane the Fourth." Angered, Lu Ranran splashed water, then saw Zhao Chen Yi's reflection and splashed at it, leading to the real Zhao Chen Yi appearing behind her. He explained he had been away on an errand and had come to find her upon his return.
While Lu Ranran and Zhao Chen Yi were discussing gardenias in the garden, the Empress and Second Prince Zhao Chenyao arrived. Lu Ranran realized Zhao Chenyao was the second character she could pursue, appearing three months into the game. The Empress urged Zhao Chenyao to dine with the Emperor and advised Zhao Chen Yi to cherish his reputation, implying disapproval of his lifestyle. Lu Ranran privately noted the Empress's demeanor and sympathized with Zhao Chen Yi's situation.
That evening, Zhao Chen Yi had prepared a lavish dinner. He described their relationship as "an ordinary pair of boy and girl, ordinarily drinking and chatting happily," which thrilled Lu Ranran. Zhao Chen Yi then took her to the rooftop to see the stars, using his qinggong to get them there. As they watched the stars, Zhao Chen Yi reflected that everyone needs to shine to be seen but that he hoped he would "not" be seen.
He then thanked her for spending his birthday with him. Lu Ranran later watched a livestream showing Xiao Bao presenting Zhao Chen Yi with birthday gifts from noblewomen and a "Miss Xin'er," making her jealous. Yun Zhu told Lu Ranran about Zhao Chen Yi's humble maternal lineage, his early loss of his mother, and his difficult childhood. His talents in calligraphy and painting were discovered by Lord Yu, which gained him the Emperor's favor.
After the Yu family's downfall, Zhao Chen Yi withdrew from politics, becoming an Associate in the Ministry of Rites to pursue a life of pleasure and romance. This information led Lu Ranran to realize she truly didn't understand him. Lu Ranran used a game item to borrow the kitchen from Lu Ren Jia and prepared egg omelet rice called "Seeing the Sun Behind Clouds," which she presented to Zhao Chen Yi with birthday wishes.
He found the dish delicious and jokingly asked if she would cook for him daily and proposed, "Why don't you marry into my manor and cook for me every day?" Back in her quarters, Lu Ranran secretly watched Zhao Chen Yi practicing calligraphy. A palace maid announced Xin'er's arrival, causing jealousy in Lu Ranran. Xin'er complimented Zhao Chen Yi's calligraphy, and they discussed his plans to claim his domain in Calm Refreshing Manor the following year.
Xin'er pledged to follow him, surprising Lu Ranran. Xin'er reiterated her family's desire for revenge, which Zhao Chen Yi had promised to deliver. He urged her not to be consumed by hatred and to live her own life. Xin'er expressed concern about her younger brother, Xiao Kang, who was in hiding, and voiced her suspicion about Lu Ranran's presence at the Profound Literature Pavilion fire.
Zhao Chen Yi dismissed these worries and subtly noted Xin'er's own "special relationship" with a palace maid. He then told Xin'er to visit less often and be more discreet. Feeling that she must avenge her family, Xin'er left. Sleepless and jealous, Lu Ranran insulted Zhao Chen Yi, calling him a "fickle radish" (Sugarcane the Fourth) and a "pig." The next day, Lu Ranran feigned a severe cold to avoid telling stories to Zhao Chen Yi.
Zhao Chen Yi, realizing her deception, instructed Xiao Bao to tell her to draw new stories every day since she couldn't speak. He then had Xiao Bao deliver a potent, bitter medicinal soup, made from the three most bitter herbs and mugwort, provided daily until her "recovery," effectively turning her feigned illness into a real torment.
