Count Your Lucky Stars Episode 16 Recap
> Count Your Lucky Stars Recap
Tong Xiaoyou called Dali, asking for Lu Xingcheng's whereabouts because she had something important to return to him. Dali questioned why they were playing "hide-and-seek" if they were dating, suggesting their separation was unnecessary. He explained that he couldn't reveal Lu Xingcheng's location, but offered his own and sent it to her. Dali then mumbled about how exhausting their relationship seemed. Ye Mang met with Lu Ren to discuss the selection of a designer for her 30th-anniversary celebration dress.
She expressed her dilemma, stating that while she loved one particular dress, its designer was plagued by negative rumors. Lu Ren advised her to prioritize her own preference, emphasizing that celebrating thirty years was an achievement in itself, and the truth of rumors surrounding a designer was often unknown and irrelevant to her established status. Convinced by his reasoning, Ye Mang felt relieved and decided to trust her own judgment.
Following Dali's directions, Tong Xiaoyou arrived at Lu Xingcheng's new design studio. Lu Xingcheng, surprised and a little happy by her presence, asked how she found him. Tong Xiaoyou stated that it wasn't important, reiterating that she had thought things through and had made her intentions clear. Lu Xingcheng responded that he, too, had thought things through, then questioned her reason for being there. Tong Xiaoyou declared she wanted to return his luck.
Lu Xingcheng dismissed the notion of luck, urging her to "wake up." In a decisive, tearful gesture, Tong Xiaoyou kissed him and then quickly left. While Dali, who was nearby, mistakenly assumed it was a sweet moment, Lu Xingcheng understood it as Tong Xiaoyou's final farewell. As Tong Xiaoyou walked away, rain began to fall. Without an umbrella, she walked, each step filled with memories of her time with Lu Xingcheng—the joys, sorrows, and difficult moments.
She eventually found shelter, curling up alone at a bus stop. Meanwhile, Lu Xingcheng, holding an umbrella, came looking for her. When he spotted her, he quickly dropped the umbrella, and inexplicably, the rain stopped, and the sky cleared. He ran down from a sky bridge, but Tong Xiaoyou had moved to the other side of the bus stop, and they stood unknowingly, separated by the structure. Later, Song Ruru comforted Tong Xiaoyou.
Tong Xiaoyou tearfully confessed that she had returned Lu Xingcheng's luck that day, signifying that she no longer had any reason or ties to him. Early the next morning, Lu Yanzhi messaged Tong Xiaoyou to inform her that her dress design had been re-selected for the competition, instructing her to begin preparing the ready-to-wear garment.
Concurrently, Lu Xingcheng also received positive news: his design for the Ye Mang dress competition had been re-selected, and, surprisingly, his previously suspended stocks had not only unfrozen but had doubled in value. When his stockbroker suggested holding onto them for further gains, Lu Xingcheng emphatically ordered him to sell all shares immediately. Lu Xingcheng couldn't shake the feeling that Tong Xiaoyou had indeed returned his luck.
Despite this turn of fortune, he felt a profound sadness, understanding that it marked the true end of their connection. Upon returning home, Lu Yanzhi shared the good news with Chengpei Yu and Lu Ren that his design for the Ye Mang dress competition had advanced. Chengpei Yu was overjoyed, immediately urging him to focus on defeating Lu Xingcheng. Lu Ren, however, gently reminded them that competitions were about personal growth and broader exposure, not solely about winning against others.
Chengpei Yu then encouraged Lu Yanzhi to prepare diligently for the ready-to-wear phase, offering her full support. Lu Yanzhi assured them he would, and then helped his mother pick leaves. Tong Xiaoyou developed a high fever but stubbornly continued to work on her design, insisting she couldn't give up after becoming a designer. In her weakened state, she accidentally cut her hand with scissors while cutting fabric and collapsed, repeatedly calling out Lu Xingcheng's name in her delirium.
Song Ruru, concerned, found her fever had climbed to 39 degrees and urged her to rest. Learning from the Personnel Department that Tong Xiaoyou had taken a sick day, Lu Yanzhi immediately left work to check on her. Lu Xingcheng also arrived at Tong Xiaoyou's apartment, claiming he was there to retrieve something, and found her weak on the sofa. Lu Yanzhi soon joined them, bringing medicine for Tong Xiaoyou.
A tense argument erupted between Lu Xingcheng and Lu Yanzhi regarding Tong Xiaoyou's design and past actions. Tong Xiaoyou, feeling unwell, stopped their argument and told Lu Xingcheng to leave. After he departed, she tearfully took her medicine, then asked Lu Yanzhi to leave as well, despite his offer to take her to the hospital and his concern for her design. He left medicine and instructed her to call if she needed anything.
Concerned about Tong Xiaoyou, Song Ruru went to Brother Bao's noodle house to learn some simple cooking, like fish soup, to help her recover. While there, Lu Xingcheng also arrived, asking Song Ruru to take good care of Tong Xiaoyou. However, Song Ruru angrily confronted him, blaming him for Tong Xiaoyou's current condition, including her fever and cut hand, and demanded he leave, which Brother Bao seconded.
Later, Song Ruru brought food to Tong Xiaoyou and tried to persuade her to rest. Tong Xiaoyou, however, insisted on working, explaining it was a great chance to showcase her skills, especially since "Niki's designer" would also be attending. When Song Ruru mentioned "Lu Xingcheng," Tong Xiaoyou quickly corrected herself, emphasizing that "Niki's designer" was her idol, and Lu Xingcheng was "nothing," clearly trying to distance herself from him.
Song Ruru then offered to help sew the dress by following Tong Xiaoyou's remote instructions, but her attempts with pins and waistlines were comically inept. Realizing Tong Xiaoyou's inability to continue, Lu Xingcheng called Song Ruru, offering to help finish the dress. Song Ruru, acknowledging Tong Xiaoyou's severe fever, reluctantly agreed, assuring him she would handle Tong Xiaoyou's care while he focused on the design. Following Tong Xiaoyou's sketches, Lu Xingcheng began expertly working on the dress.
He grumbled internally about Tong Xiaoyou's stubbornness in working while sick, but his hands never paused. At one point, he quietly entered her room, feeling like he was committing a crime. He gently touched her forehead, confirmed her high fever, and carefully placed a cool, wet towel on it. In her delirious state, Tong Xiaoyou mumbled Lu Xingcheng's name, then lashed out, calling him a "jerk."
Lu Xingcheng, with a look of deep concern and affection, retorted that he was the one working through the night for her. He affectionately called her "little devil," asking if she wanted candy, then lamented her poor self-care before gently urging her to rest and promising to return to finish her dress.
