Cupid's Kitchen Episode 39 Recap
> Cupid's Kitchen Recap
Kesong successfully brought Nina back home. Oliver sincerely apologized to Nina, admitting he felt guilty for chasing her out, especially since he never truly believed she wanted to harm him. He explained that in his distraught state at the time, he couldn't trust anyone and just needed to vent his anger on those around him. He also confessed that he had wanted to call her multiple times but was too proud to lower his head.
Nina accepted his apology, stating that having known him for ten years, she understood him better than he knew himself. She acknowledged that while she was initially sad to leave, she wasn't aggrieved because she knew he didn't truly believe she was at fault, and conflict was inevitable given the circumstances. Oliver then revealed Kesong's steadfast loyalty to Nina, mentioning that Kesong was determined to get her back and hadn't allowed anyone, including himself, into Nina’s room.
He even playfully complained about Kesong making him sleep in the study. Nina had brought various Malaysian dishes, which they all eagerly anticipated. Later that night, Oliver, feeling restless, booked a taxi and went alone to the kitchen of Yuxuan, the restaurant where he once thrived. As he wandered through the familiar space, he was flooded with nostalgic memories of his past successes and interactions with his team, including Kesong and Madam Quentin.
Hidden from view, Oliver overheard Elise on the phone with Junbin, confessing that she had acquired "Hope #1" but was unsure of its authenticity. Soon after, Junbin arrived. He immediately demanded the medicine, intending to destroy it, citing that it had not passed animal trials, was extremely dangerous, and illegal. Elise vehemently refused, arguing that the medicine offered a theoretical 10% chance of healing, which was Oliver’s only hope, and he should be the one to decide its fate.
Junbin countered with a grim explanation: the drug would cause ten billion nerve cells to react simultaneously throughout Oliver’s body, an unbearable pain that would lead to organ failure and death, emphasizing that anesthesia could not be used as pain was essential to activate the nerve cells. He concluded that it would be "10 deaths and no life" from sheer agony. Elise broke down, expressing her profound guilt over Oliver's condition and her desire for redemption.
She cried that she wished she could kill herself, but seeing this small glimmer of hope, she desperately wanted to hold onto it for Oliver. Junbin, while understanding her pain, implored her not to act rashly and to hand over the medicine for both her and Oliver's sake. Elise, still crying, ran back to her office. Oliver, observing from the shadows, bit his hand, tears streaming down his face, wishing it weren't Elise involved.
Upon returning to her office, Elise locked the "Hope #1" medicine in a drawer, stating she would keep it for herself "just to commemorate it," before leaving with Junbin. After they had gone, Oliver, clutching a knife he had retrieved from the kitchen, went to Elise’s office. He pried open the drawer and took the medicine. Following this, Oliver called Boris, apologizing for standing him up for their planned sea trip the next day.
When Boris questioned if it was due to Kesong again, Oliver confirmed, saying he was worried about her. They ended the call, wishing each other to take care. Oliver then called a sleeping Kesong and asked her to meet him. They sat by the riverside, where Oliver reminisced about how the Suzhou Creek reminded him of the River Thames in London and how he used to wish he could sit there forever when tired.
Kesong shared her preference for the quiet valley where they once dug wild greens, finding it peaceful and comfortable, a place she wouldn't mind staying for "10,000 years," but only if someone accompanied her. When Oliver asked who she would choose, Kesong picked him, citing his lively company and their endless conversations. Oliver then confessed that she was the person he trusted most, saying, "With you by my side, I am at ease."
Kesong, however, reminded him that Elise and Doctor Xie were also his good friends who loved him, and she vowed to always stay by his side. Oliver then posed a hypothetical question: if there was a chance to regain everything he had lost, including his vision, but at a "very big cost," possibly even death, would she take it if she were in his shoes?
Kesong, tearful, hesitated, then said she didn't want to die, but that "I still have to do something." Oliver, touched by her response, praised her newfound maturity, adding that he could tell she was "moping" even without seeing her. He then suggested they go watch a movie. In the cinema, Kesong cried, moved by the film's depiction of two lovers who couldn't be together despite overcoming many challenges.
Oliver, trying to console her, playfully produced a rose, claiming he found it. Kesong noted it was her first rose and asked if he had prepared it. Oliver replied that while he didn't believe anyone would discard a rose, he was "willing to believe that this rose prepared for you by God." Kesong commented on his uncharacteristic romantic gesture. As dawn broke, Kesong and Oliver sat together, watching the sunrise.
Kesong admired its beauty and wished Oliver could see it too. Oliver, however, claimed it wasn't as beautiful as the vegetable garden and ocean they had visited, urging her to remember those places instead. He then expressed his fear of eventually forgetting everything – light, day and night, and even the faces of those he held dear, including Kesong's. Kesong promised to help him remember if that day came.
Oliver then made a heartfelt vow, "I'll definitely see you with my own eyes again. I promise you." At the airport, Huang Shi arrived to see Madam Quentin off, presenting her with a jade pendant in the shape of an "Endless Knot." He explained that it symbolized endlessness, specifically their "friendship," and encouraged her to wear it if she ever donned a Qipao in England. Madam Quentin thanked her "old friend."
Just as she was about to leave, she playfully instructed Huang Shi to pick her up "next Tuesday" at the airport, explaining that Elise was busy. Huang Shi was surprised she was returning, to which Madam Quentin confirmed she would "come back often" since Elise and Victor were in China. She then told Huang Shi to ponder what the jade truly represented, suggesting "friendship is not correct," which brought a broad, happy smile to Huang Shi's face.
It was the day Kesong was scheduled to report to the culinary academy. After preparing her luggage, she went to her uncle's restaurant to bid farewell to her parents. Her family enthusiastically loaded her with food and gifts for her trip to France, while expressing concerns about how she would manage her studies and care for Oliver. Kesong assured them she was capable, having overcome harder times.
Amidst the cheerful chaos and playful banter with her sister, Nina called, sounding distraught. She informed Kesong that Oliver was missing and not answering his phone. Kesong instructed Nina to check the security camera footage to determine when he left and if he took a car. Nina called back, reporting that Oliver had left in a taxi three hours ago.
Kesong, trying to comfort Nina, downplayed the urgency, but quickly rushed off to search for Oliver herself, disregarding her parents' pleas for her to eat and for them to accompany her. Meanwhile, Oliver, using a cane, was seen stumbling alone towards a riverside. Kesong, unable to reach Oliver by phone, called Boris. Boris revealed that Oliver had canceled their sea trip the previous night, which made Kesong realize Oliver had planned to disappear and was actively avoiding everyone.
She concluded he must have gone to an isolated, familiar place he could navigate even without his sight, thinking of the valley where they had once dug wild greens together. Oliver's voiceover mentioned his desire to find a place with water, where simple plants thrive, and reflected on the bitterness of Okinawa spinach not comparing to the bitterness of life. Separately, Li Yan was apprehended by police officers waiting for him at the entrance of Oliver's house. Detective Han subsequently called Elise to inform her of Li Yan's arrest, which Elise acknowledged with satisfaction.
