Discovery of Romance Episode 9 Recap
> Discovery of Romance Recap
Xia Tian, determined to assess the situation, visited Lu Xi’s coffee shop, where Lu Xi greeted her warmly, offering various cakes and drinks. Xia Tian, however, asked for items unavailable, like cheesecake and hot Americano with soymilk, before leaving without a purchase. Later, she appeared at the nail salon where Lu Xi also worked. Recognizing Xia Tian, Lu Xi offered her services, but Xia Tian provocatively claimed to be a woodworker, questioning if any manicure would suit her.
When offered hand cream, Xia Tian refused, saying the grease would ruin her wood. Afterwards, Xia Tian internally conceded that Lu Xi was "very cute," noting it as her only good quality, and concluding that this type of seemingly "gentle and harmless" girl possessed an ambition that was easily seen through by another woman, judging her as "a bit too naive." Xia Tian also felt that Guan Xin was hiding something, making him unapproachable.
Meanwhile, Dong Hao urgently advised Guan Xin to resolve the issue with Lu Xi, recalling how Xia Tian had interrogated him about their relationship, feeling like he was "almost killed" by her intense questions. He confirmed to Guan Xin that he had covered for him, only praising Guan Xin's kindness and charitable work, without mentioning Lu Xi. Just then, Xia Tian arrived with lunch, prompting Dong Hao to feign an urgent call about Lisa needing double-eyelid surgery and swiftly escape.
Xia Tian presented Guan Xin with heavily spiced skewered food, claiming someone said he liked it, and insisted he eat it. Despite being visibly pained by the spice, Guan Xin ate several skewers, while Xia Tian revealed that she herself disliked spicy food and street stalls, subtly asserting her dominance. Elsewhere, Director Jian persistently tried to court Xia Tian’s mother, inviting her hiking. She rebuffed his advances, stating she slept soundly every night and didn't enjoy climbing.
He then attempted a tactic of asking for relationship advice about a younger woman pursuing him, but Xia Tian’s mother saw through it as "the most naive and simple way in relationship games," telling him pointedly that she didn’t like older men and calling him a "psycho." Undeterred, he declared her a "mountain he must climb." At a work meeting, Xia Tian arrived twenty minutes late and appeared distracted, offering disjointed feedback, which led Xu Zehao to call a break.
During the break, Xu Zehao expressed concern about her bringing personal feelings to work. He then directly asked if she had "found out about that girl." Xia Tian acknowledged she had "figured it out" but dismissed it as "just some misunderstanding." Xu Zehao advised her to confront Guan Xin directly rather than dwelling on doubts, implying she should reconsider the relationship if things weren't working out. Xia Tian, however, insisted that there was no problem between her and Guan Xin.
Guan Xin’s mother visited him, bringing him chicken soup. She had also visited the hospital for skincare injections for an upcoming class reunion. While wandering his office, Guan Xin's mother discovered a hidden childhood photo of Guan Xin and Lu Xi. Later, she confronted him, expressing worries about him being "too much burdened" by the past and urging him to "cherish the moment."
Guan Xin confessed he had reconnected with Lu Xi, who was living a difficult life, working multiple jobs alone. His mother became agitated, cautioning him against seeing Lu Xi and fearing that Lu Xi might recognize him. She then revealed the painful truth: they had adopted Guan Xin from the orphanage but had not adopted Lu Xi, cutting short her explanation by saying, "Each one has his fate."
Guan Xin contemplated telling Xia Tian about his past, especially since they planned to marry, but his mother vehemently opposed it, assuring him it was "not necessary." Later, Xu Zehao called Dong Hao for a drink, pressing him for information about Guan Xin and Lu Xi. Dong Hao, feeling trapped, initially described Guan Xin as an "obedient puppy" completely devoted to Xia Tian, even claiming Guan Xin would "eat the hospital" if Xia Tian told him to.
But when Xu Zehao stated he had personally witnessed Guan Xin and Lu Xi "hugging," Dong Hao was left speechless. Lu Xi contacted Guan Xin by phone, asking if she could return his borrowed jacket since she was making a delivery nearby. Guan Xin invited her over, remembering her previous comment about often skipping meals or eating late-night street food. Following Xu Zehao’s advice to confront Guan Xin, Xia Tian also arrived at Guan Xin's apartment by taxi.
Lu Xi, at the door, recognized Xia Tian from the coffee shop and nervously asked if Xia Tian misunderstood anything about her. Xia Tian declared herself Guan Xin's girlfriend, stating Lu Xi shouldn't be there. Guan Xin opened the door, pulling Lu Xi inside while accidentally blocking Xia Tian from view. Lu Xi immediately alerted him to Xia Tian's presence. Entering, Xia Tian saw two bowls of noodles on the table, her anger flaring.
She sarcastically invited them to eat, telling them to pretend she wasn't there. Lu Xi, uncomfortable, tried to explain it was her first time at Guan Xin's and she didn't know about dinner, just that she usually worked hard. Xia Tian cynically praised Guan Xin for being a "gentle, considerate, and kind man" for buying "expensive gifts" (referring to the recording equipment) and making a home-cooked meal, prompting an embarrassed Lu Xi to leave.
Alone, Xia Tian accused Guan Xin of "cheating." Guan Xin vehemently denied it, explaining Lu Xi was an orphan with no family, struggling alone, a "different level" of hardship compared to Xia Tian, who had family, a business, and friends. Xia Tian dismissed his explanation. He promised not to cook for Lu Xi again, and Xia Tian's only demand was that if he helped Lu Xi, "I must know."
She expressed her unwillingness to become a "crazy, insecure woman who always checks her boyfriend's phone." She also warned him to be less openly affectionate with other women at the hospital to avoid misunderstandings. Guan Xin promised to only smile at her. As Guan Xin drove Xia Tian home, he sweetened her with loving words. This intimate moment was witnessed by Xu Zehao, who felt a pang of silent resentment, recalling Xia Tian's earlier harsh words to Lu Xi.
The next day, Lu Xi texted Guan Xin, asking if the previous night's incident had been resolved and if his girlfriend was still upset. Guan Xin replied, reassuring her that it was a misunderstanding and apologized on Xia Tian's behalf for her behavior. After sending the message, he mysteriously deleted it, wondering why he had done so. Later, at a group lunch with colleagues and Xu Zehao, Xiao Song ordered Tie Guanyin tea.
The familiar aroma transported Xu Zehao back in time, reminding him of Xia Tian's father. A colleague at the table lamented her boyfriend's gift of a three-year beauty salon membership, seeing it as a sign of relationship "burnout" and his declining interest, citing his changing views on her appearance and even suggesting a nose job.
Xia Tian, agreeing with the colleague, surprisingly spoke about her own first relationship (with Xu Zehao), concluding that this was simply "burnout," where "freshness passed, and feelings changed." This commentary visibly unnerved Xu Zehao. After lunch, Xu Zehao followed Xia Tian, attempting to clarify that his past actions were not as bad as she portrayed and that he was genuinely busy before their breakup.
Xia Tian retorted that "memory is a personal thing" and questioned if he was truly sure they had "many happy memories." She accused him of being "narcissistic" and warned him not to assume she was still the "easily bullied Xia Tian." She advised him not to be "too sure about everything, especially those in the past."
As she left, Xu Zehao asked Xiao Song to deliver a packet of Tie Guanyin tea to "Xia Tian's dad," mentioning it was his favorite. Xiao Song was stunned, informing Xu Zehao that Xia Tian's father had passed away a month before his breakup with Xia Tian. Xu Zehao's reaction suggested genuine shock, as if hearing it for the first time.
Xiao Song was deeply disturbed by his apparent memory lapse, telling Xia Tian later that she couldn’t believe he would forget such a significant event while remembering a small detail like his favorite tea. Xia Tian pondered whether he was simply "too busy to remember."
