Count Your Lucky Stars Episode 20 Recap
> Count Your Lucky Stars Recap
Wen Xi received a call from Mu Yang, who was concerned about her recent troubles and asked where she was so he could come to her. Wen Xi told him she was fine and to take care of himself before hanging up. Prior to this, Wen Xi had been cornered by an unknown person (likely Cheng Peiyu, based on later events) who threatened her with negative publicity and even Mu Yang's involvement if she didn't follow their instructions.
Although she initially resisted, declaring she'd rather face ruin than be controlled, she eventually conceded to holding a press conference. Feeling trapped, Wen Xi confided in Song Ruru, expressing her weariness with her current life and stating, "I'll seek my own death, but I want to die happily." She then asked Ruru to discreetly contact trusted journalists to secure a fallback plan. Ruru, though hesitant, ultimately agreed to help.
Later, while they were eating, Wen Xi observed Leopard Brother's attentive service towards Ruru and playfully teased her about his obvious affection, to which Ruru responded with feigned indifference. At home, Tong Xiaoyou's parents directly asked her if Lu Xingcheng was Lu Ren's illegitimate son. Xiaoyou, however, was immediately worried about Lu Xingcheng, lamenting that if even close ones doubted him, the media would surely show him no mercy.
Unable to call Lu Xingcheng herself, she instead contacted Dali, asking him to relay a message to Lu Xingcheng to control his emotions and avoid impulsive actions. Meanwhile, Lu Yanzhi was alone, somberly looking at old family photos. Later, Dali called Xiaoyou in a panic, informing her that Lu Xingcheng was missing and that Lu Ren had publicly acknowledged him as his son.
Hearing this, Xiaoyou became terrified that Lu Xingcheng might do something drastic and immediately rushed out to find him. Lu Xingcheng, meanwhile, had sought refuge in his old childhood home, where he was overcome by a flood of bittersweet memories. He recalled his father making his favorite braised pork ribs and his mother explaining that ivy symbolized eternal friendship, promising to always protect him like a tree.
The adult Lu Xingcheng, seeing the still-vibrant ivy, softly wondered if his mother had indeed become a tree. Dali and Xiaoyou eventually arrived at Lu Xingcheng's studio and found his childhood diary. Xiaoyou read an entry revealing his hidden longing for a father, a desire he suppressed to spare his mother's sorrow, convincing himself that having her was enough. This poignant glimpse into Lu Xingcheng's inner world deeply moved Xiaoyou.
Xiaoyou found Lu Xingcheng and he confessed his shock at Lu Ren's acknowledgment. He had spent years tirelessly striving to surpass his father, hoping to see him humbled, but Lu Ren's casual admission made his long-held hatred feel "light and light," as if his feelings were "all my wishful thinking." Xiaoyou reassured him, acknowledging the deep pain of moving "from expectation to disappointment" and telling him he was not obligated to accept Lu Ren if he didn't want to.
Lu Xingcheng, recalling his mother's past explanation that Lu Ren abandoned them for another woman, expressed his profound sadness and hatred, questioning why he had to endure such a background. Xiaoyou gently comforted him, stating that while they cannot choose their birth, they absolutely have the right to choose their way of life, emphasizing a happy and fulfilling one.
Lu Xingcheng, looking at Xiaoyou, admitted he truly envied her and confessed that she was the first person he had ever wanted to share his deepest secrets with. Delighted by his trust, Xiaoyou moved closer, and they sat together in the old courtyard, gazing at the moon and stars. Later, Wen Xi found herself at the center of public scrutiny due to Lu Yanzhi's reputation, prompting Cheng Peiyu to call her again, urging her to issue a public clarification.
As Jiang Yan drove Xiaoyou home, she sternly advised her to leave Lu Xingcheng. Jiang Yan argued that Lu Xingcheng's life was a constant "war," and he needed a partner who could truly be an equal, mutually supportive teammate, rather than someone who might burden him. She pressed Xiaoyou to decide whether to leave on her own or be forced out, to which Xiaoyou simply stated, "I go by myself." The next day, Lu Xingcheng arrived at Xiaoyou's house.
Song Ruru, following Xiaoyou's instructions, lied and told him Xiaoyou was not home, even as Xiaoyou hid inside. Lu Xingcheng, who had something important to say, left after asking Ruru to tell Xiaoyou he had visited. After he departed, Xiaoyou was annoyed that Ruru hadn't pressed him for information, but Ruru was uninterested.
Meanwhile, Song Ruru called Wen Xi to offer encouragement for her upcoming press conference, but Wen Xi was visibly stressed, managing only a brief "thank you" before hanging up to prepare. At the "Dolphin Project" signing ceremony, Lu Xingcheng, with his typically sharp tongue, openly criticized a new designer being introduced, then used this to comment on the declining sales of CHIC magazine, implicitly blaming the magazine's current direction.
Sarah Lin, the current editor-in-chief of CHIC, began a live broadcast of Wen Xi's press conference. Cheng Peiyu and Sarah Lin were present, expecting Wen Xi to publicly discredit Lu Xingcheng. However, Wen Xi dramatically discarded her prepared statement. She clarified that she and Lu Xingcheng had always been merely professional partners, not romantically involved, and apologized to him for her previous actions. She then confessed that her entire public persona, including her books and articles, was fabricated and bought.
Finally, she dropped a bombshell, accusing "famous philanthropist Ms. Cheng Peiyu" and "Editor-in-Chief Sarah Lin" of blackmailing her. Chaos erupted as the media instantly turned their attention to Cheng Peiyu, bombarding her with questions about framing Lu Xingcheng due to his relationship with Lu Ren, and also pressed Lu Xingcheng about past rumors. Amidst the pandemonium, the President of CHIC stepped forward, apologizing for the day's events and immediately announcing Sarah Lin's dismissal as editor-in-chief.
An enraged Sarah Lin lashed out at Lu Xingcheng, accusing him of manipulating Wen Xi and orchestrating the entire event as an act of revenge. Lu Xingcheng calmly countered by enumerating the magazine's significant failures under her leadership, including plummeting sales and tarnished reputation. He then exposed Sarah Lin's corrupt practices, revealing evidence on his phone of her "greedily tak[ing] rebates from many advertisers," further igniting the media frenzy.
After the dramatic revelations, the President spoke with Lu Xingcheng, implicitly acknowledging his past insights and asking if he would consider returning to help rectify the situation. Lu Xingcheng then confidently recommended Dali for the interim position. Accepting Lu Xingcheng's endorsement, the President officially appointed Dali as the acting editor-in-chief until a permanent replacement could be found, a decision that left Dali completely astonished.
