Dr. Cutie Episode 17 Recap
> Dr. Cutie Recap
Ji Heng, wishing to apologize, presented two chests of silver to Tian Qi. His awkward yet proud demeanor made her smile. However, Tian Qi lost interest in the money, wanting only to know if Ji Heng regretted punishing her. Given Ji Heng's stubborn nature, it was clear he had never formally apologized or sought reconciliation before. When he refused to admit any regret, stating, "Why should I regret?
You deserved to be punished," Tian Qi declined the silver, saying, "No merit, no reward. I'll excuse myself." This left Ji Heng utterly at a loss, wondering why Tian Qi had not taken his olive branch. Later, Ji Heng filled the Ji estate with kites, each bearing the character for "Regret," written by his own hand. One kite, carrying his heartfelt message, landed before Tian Qi. Seeing the character, she was overjoyed, realizing Ji Heng truly regretted punishing her.
Following the trail of kites, she found Ji Heng, who, flustered, claimed he was merely "practicing calligraphy." Tian Qi then, on a new kite, wrote the character for "Joy," signaling their unspoken understanding. " I want to fly one," she declared. They began flying kites together, Ji Heng guiding her hands on the same string. Tian Qi playfully called herself "silly," saying, "I am a blessed silly with your lordship by my side."
Their close proximity made it impossible for Tian Qi to deny her true feelings; she had genuinely fallen for Ji Heng. Their happiness was short-lived when Ji Zheng arrived to ask Ji Heng for Tian Qi to be the steward of his new residence. Ji Zheng explained he had decided to stay in the city, but his new mansion lacked a capable steward. Ji Heng immediately understood Ji Zheng's true intentions, saying, "Zheng, I need you to be honest.
I know your request is just an excuse." He then accused Ji Zheng of becoming "outrageous" due to Tian Qi's "inappropriate" manners. Ji Zheng countered, asking why Ji Heng kept Tian Qi if he was so bad, and even suggested Ji Heng feared rumors by keeping "such a beautiful doctor" by his side. This completely infuriated Ji Heng, who declared, "Impudence! You're being irrational, ridiculous, and disobedient." He ordered his guards to "Take him to the ancestral hall.
Execute the family discipline." Tian Qi, witnessing the scene, quickly intervened as Ji Zheng was being led away. She asked Sheng Anhuai what happened and was told that Ji Zheng wanted her to be his steward, which angered Ji Heng, especially with the existing rumors between her and Ji Zheng. Ji Heng gave Ji Zheng a final chance to abandon his request, but Ji Zheng firmly refused, stating, "Brother, I have made up my mind. I'll take any punishment."
Tian Qi then rushed forward, taking all the blame upon herself, saying, "My lord, it's my fault. It has nothing to do with Marquis Marvel. It's me who offered to be his steward. Please spare him." When Ji Heng demanded she explain, she feigned shyness and asked to speak without others present. Once alone, she made a half-hearted "confession," saying, "I like you," quickly changing it to, "I admire you. You are like the sun in the sky."
When Ji Heng questioned why she would leave him if she admired him, she offered a convoluted explanation, mixing admiration for Ji Heng with a materialistic desire to secure a future with Ji Zheng, who had "enormous farmlands and tea plantations." Ji Heng, upset, summarized her reasoning as being "all for money," and declared, "Tian Qi, you are free from me," implying dismissal from his service. Tian Qi was shocked, asking, "What did he mean? Is he kicking me away?"
Ji Heng returned to his room, ordering Sheng Anhuai out, saying, "Let me use some peace." But soon called him back, fuming about "that Tian Qi," whom he had treated as a friend, being unfaithful for "a little money from Zheng." He questioned Sheng Anhuai, "Do you think I am irritable, unfriendly? And Zheng is more kind and easygoing?"
Sheng Anhuai diplomatically responded that Ji Heng, as a powerful leader, needed to be "unpredictable in emotion," while Ji Zheng, with less responsibility, could be "care free." He compared Ji Heng to the dazzling but sometimes unapproachable sun, and Ji Zheng to the gentle moon. Ji Heng then ordered Ji Zheng to "go back to reflect on himself." Tian Qi, still wanting to serve, returned to Ji Heng's room during bedtime, even though she wasn't on duty.
She attempted to offer him newly made sachets with "Jonquils, Jasmines and mints" to help with sleep. Ji Heng curtly refused, stating, "I have already recovered from insomnia. I don't need it anymore." Tian Qi was disheartened, realizing, "It seems that he doesn't need me anymore." On Dragon Boat Festival, Tian Qi brought Zongzis to Ji Heng. Despite her genuine concern, her clumsy words often led Ji Heng to believe she was merely seeking rewards.
He even gifted her two Gold Zongzis, telling her, "Get out. Don't bother me." Later, Ru Yi found Tian Qi secretly smiling at the Gold Zongzis and inquired about the festival. Tian Qi explained that Dragon Boat Festival was also known as Daughter's Day, when families would "dress her up beautifully."
When Ru Yi mentioned Madame Ji's long-standing wish for a granddaughter, Tian Qi had an idea: she could try to please Madame Ji to ensure her place in the household, so she "can still stay in mansion Ji." She then helped Ru Yi dress up as a girl. Tian Qi brought Ru Yi, dressed as a girl, to pay respects to Madame Ji. Ru Yi explained his intention was to make Madame Ji happy, as she wished for a granddaughter.
Madame Ji was delighted by Ru Yi's filial gesture and rewarded Tian Qi with two gold ingots. On their way back, they encountered Ji Heng, who, misinterpreting the situation, believed Tian Qi had used Ru Yi to seek a reward. He declared, "There is nothing you can't do to make money." As punishment, he ordered Tian Qi to wear a girl's dress.
Tian Qi, pleading desperately but in vain, then humorously drew a mustache on her face, muttering, "What should I do?" She complained about the discomfort of women's clothes to Ji Heng, who retorted that she "ruined the dress" and "disgraced all women in the world," instructing her to "sit well" and "stop swearing." Ji Heng and Ru Yi then took her on a boat trip. On the boat, Tian Qi deliberately behaved rudely, shouting, "The fxxking heat is killing me."
In an attempt to appease him, she tried to feed Ji Heng a Hibiscus Cake she had made herself, but stumbled on her skirt and fell directly into his arms. This scene was witnessed by Kang De and his sister, with the sister asking, "Who is the woman cousin is holding?" Kang De, recognizing Tian Qi, exclaimed, "What a shame!" That night, Ji Heng discussed the remnants of the Dong family with Ji Zheng.
Ji Zheng reported that "their vestiges are getting together these years," warning Ji Heng to "be careful." Ji Heng instructed Ji Zheng to continue the investigation with caution. After business matters, Ji Heng observed that Ji Zheng was still angry about his punishment. Ji Zheng denied it, but Ji Heng could tell by his formal demeanor. Ji Heng then reiterated his concern for Ji Zheng's safety in the dangerous Dong family investigation.
Despite Ji Heng's softened tone, Ji Zheng remained distant and unwavering in his stance about Tian Qi. Displeased, Ji Heng returned to his chamber to find Tian Qi asleep while waiting for him. Ji Heng's anger flared, and he stated, "If you don't want to serve me, don't come here again." When Tian Qi pleaded that it was her "honor to serve," Ji Heng scoffed, "What an ass-kisser!"
He then referenced her earlier desire to leave, saying, "Now that you asked Zheng to take you out, for everything you've done for me, I'll get you a new job." He called Sheng Anhuai and ordered him, "Take him away. Don't let me see him again!" Tian Qi, heartbroken, begged him to believe her, "I will never betray you because of money!" as she was led away.
Sheng Anhuai later suggested sending Tian Qi to the army as a surgeon, but Ji Heng still found it "not far enough," commanding, "Send him farther. I don't want to see him again."
