Count Your Lucky Stars Episode 12 Recap
> Count Your Lucky Stars Recap
Lu Yanzhi had dinner with his parents, Lu Ren and Chengpei Yu. He suggested booking two tickets to Europe for their upcoming wedding anniversary, but both parents claimed they were too busy to go. During the meal, Lu Yanzhi mentioned his plan to collaborate with Tong Xiaoyou on Ye Mang’s dress. Lu Ren immediately reacted strongly, stating that no one forced him to be a designer and that if he couldn't manage it alone, he shouldn't compete.
He questioned if collaboration was not cheating, implying Lu Yanzhi lacked ability. Chengpei Yu defended her son, saying he was providing opportunities for his subordinates and asking if Lu Ren underestimated him. The once harmonious dinner quickly turned tense. Later, Lu Yanzhi visited Tong Xiaoyou in her office. She quickly covered her design drafts, explaining that she didn't want other colleagues to accuse Lu Yanzhi of favoritism or her of cheating.
Lu Yanzhi noticed she had evening plans and joked that he might need an invitation to ask her out next time. Meanwhile, Tong Xiaoyou was secretly organizing a birthday surprise for Lu Xingcheng. She personally delivered an invitation to Mu Yang, who seemed hesitant to attend.
Tong Xiaoyou pressed him, asking why there was such deep hatred between them and reminding him that Lu Xingcheng hadn't celebrated his birthday in ten years, questioning his sense of responsibility as a good brother. Mu Yang deflected, asking about Wen Xi's preferences, and stating he would handle matters concerning Wen Xi himself. On the day of the birthday, Lu Xingcheng arrived at Brother Bao's noodle house, only to find it closed.
He called Tong Xiaoyou, who told him to use the VIP entrance. Upon entering, Lu Xingcheng was surprised by the birthday decorations and Tong Xiaoyou, who was dressed in a rabbit costume. The scene brought back memories of his mother celebrating his birthdays. He initially intended to leave, but Brother Bao intervened, gently urging him to stay and pointing out how much effort Tong Xiaoyou had put into the surprise, wearing the hot and stuffy costume all day.
Lu Xingcheng, after some persuasion, sat down. He noticed 25 candles on the cake and asked Tong Xiaoyou why that number. She explained her intention to make up for the ten birthdays he had missed, emphasizing the importance of ritual in celebrating life and honoring his mother. Encouraged by the warmth and support, Lu Xingcheng finally made a wish and blew out the candles.
During this time, Mu Yang remained distant, pondering the birthday card Tong Xiaoyou had sent him, still unsure about joining the celebration. At home, Chengpei Yu and Lu Ren had another fierce argument. Lu Ren stormed out, saying he would sleep at the campus for a few days and telling Lu Yanzhi to take care of his mother. Lu Yanzhi, feeling distressed and not understanding the true nature of his parents' argument, comforted his tearful mother.
Chengpei Yu urged him to "be brave" and "win some dignity for her," reminding him that he was her only son in the world. Lu Yanzhi promised he would design Ye Mang’s dress well, assuring his mother not to worry. Overwhelmed with frustration, Lu Yanzhi tried to call Tong Xiaoyou, but her phone was off. Back at the party, Tong Xiaoyou asked Lu Xingcheng about his birthday wish. He, in turn, asked for hers.
Tong Xiaoyou revealed her wish was for him to return to being a designer. To her surprise, Lu Xingcheng, for the first time, did not refuse and affirmed that her wish could indeed come true. The celebration continued with playful cake smashing. Later, Lu Yanzhi arrived at Brother Bao's noodle house, saw the lively party inside, and left without a word.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan also tried to call Lu Xingcheng to wish him a happy birthday but found his phone turned off. Tong Xiaoyou then told Lu Xingcheng that Mu Yang had a special birthday gift for him. She showed him a video featuring a host from "the road to the next stop" challenging Lu Xingcheng to bravely participate in the show as a designer.
After watching, Lu Xingcheng decided to join "the road to the next stop," determined to prove himself and become the "amazing designer" Tong Xiaoyou believed him to be. That night, as Tong Xiaoyou and Song Ruru slept peacefully, Lu Xingcheng finally found the courage to pick up his pencil and sketch design drafts, his newfound inspiration and courage stemming entirely from Tong Xiaoyou. The next morning, Tong Xiaoyou discovered Lu Xingcheng's design sketches and left him another encouraging note.
Lu Xingcheng visited his mother's grave, where he wept like a child filled with grievances. He confided in his mother about a "stupid" girl he recently met, Tong Xiaoyou, who dressed as a rabbit for his birthday and somehow reminded him of his mother. He expressed how much happier and different he had become because of her, hoping his mother would like him as he was now. The internal design competition at Yange for Ye Mang's assistant proceeded.
Wu Meng presented her design concept first, and as her hand-drawn drafts appeared on the screen, Tong Xiaoyou realized they were almost identical to her own. However, Tong Xiaoyou remained composed and presented her design concept, which, despite visual similarities, offered a contrasting philosophy. She then directly confronted Wu Meng, stating that on her first day of work, she had installed a surveillance camera in her office, implying the plagiarism could be verified.
Lu Yanzhi promptly concluded the meeting and summoned Wu Meng to his office. Though the issue was seemingly resolved, Tong Xiaoyou felt a strange pang of sadness. Separately, Lu Xingcheng asked Da Li why he remained so loyal and remembered all his schedules even after Lu Xingcheng was no longer an editor. Da Li reaffirmed his unwavering dedication.
Lu Xingcheng then instructed Da Li to find a suitable place that could function as both a residence and an office, which Da Li confidently promised to handle immediately. Meanwhile, Chengpei Yu was feeling unwell and lay in bed, looking melancholic. Sarah Lin arrived to visit her, bringing up the news of Lu Xingcheng's planned comeback through a variety show. Chengpei Yu immediately stated that Sarah Lin herself needed to intervene and find a way to stop him.
Sarah Lin, though expressing some hesitation about the practicality of stopping him from participating in a variety show, understood Chengpei Yu's wishes and promised to find a solution. Following this, Sarah Lin met with Wen Xi, mentioning Wen Xi's upcoming new book press conference and subtly offering to "help" make it more "popular." Wen Xi initially declined, but Sarah Lin's words left her to reconsider.
