Dr. Cutie Episode 21 Recap
> Dr. Cutie Recap
Ji Heng woke up and told Sheng Anhuai to keep the couch in his room, which he had previously ordered to be moved out. He then questioned Tian Qi about the previous night's events, stating that he remembered going to Tian Qi's residence after having some wine.
Tian Qi, feeling flustered and unsure if Ji Heng truly recalled anything, claimed that Sheng Anhuai and Ji Zheng had brought him back, and that Ji Heng had been very happy, drinking a lot with Ji Zheng. Ji Heng seemed to accept this explanation, but later instructed Sheng Anhuai to analyze the wine pot from which Kang Ning'er had served him.
Sheng Anhuai soon confirmed that the pot contained potent philtres, commonly used in brothels, which would make the user see only the one they loved. Outraged by this discovery, Ji Heng summoned Kang Ning'er and Kang De to the chamber, where Madam Ji was also present. Ji Heng revealed that Kang Ning'er had drugged his wine, intending for them to be caught in a compromising situation.
Kang Ning'er confessed to her actions, trying to justify them by saying Ji Heng was too obsessed with Dr. Tian. Spring Blossom, emboldened by a look from Tian Qi, then revealed the full truth: Kang De and Kang Ning'er had put a substance in the facial cream to frame Tian Qi, and Kang De had encouraged his sister to use philtres on Ji Heng to force a marriage.
She further explained that after she overheard their plot, they tried to frame her and Tian Qi for adultery within the mansion. Kang De initially denied everything, but Kang Ning'er, feeling guilty, admitted to her part. Madam Ji, disgusted by Kang Ning'er's behavior, washed her hands of the matter. Ji Heng declared that while he could overlook being drugged, he would not tolerate their attempt to frame Tian Qi.
He immediately ordered both Kang De and Kang Ning'er to be expelled from the mansion and forbidden from ever returning. Later that night, Tian Qi was back to sleeping on the couch in Ji Heng’s room. Ji Heng waited until Tian Qi was asleep, then quietly approached him, intending to lift his clothes and check. He thought to himself that if Tian Qi was indeed a woman, he would take responsibility for her.
As he reached out to remove Tian Qi’s clothes, Tian Qi suddenly mumbled in her sleep, turned over, and slapped Ji Heng across the face. Ji Heng, though hurt and bewildered, quietly returned to his own bed, rubbing his cheek, and turned away to sleep in a huff. Tian Qi, who had been feigning sleep, secretly opened one eye and relaxed only after seeing Ji Heng turn his back.
She felt fortunate that Ji Zheng had warned her to be prepared. However, a romantic thought also crossed her mind: if she had allowed Ji Heng to proceed, would their relationship have taken a different turn? Meanwhile, Dong Zichun, a remnant of the Dong family, was informed that Tian Qi had visited Wanhong Club and became curious about Tian Qi’s connection to the establishment.
At Wanhong Club, Tian Qi was discussing Ji Heng's suspicions about her true gender with Auntie Hong when Zheng Shaofeng, appearing completely drunk, burst into the room and collapsed onto the bed. Tian Qi promptly left, and as soon as she was gone, Zheng Shaofeng opened his eyes, revealing no signs of intoxication. During her visit to Wanhong Club, Auntie Hong provided Tian Qi with a vest made of fish gelatin.
Auntie Hong explained that when worn, it would make her chest feel like a man's to the touch, but warned that it wouldn't hide her true gender if she removed her top. She suggested Tian Qi find an opportunity to let Ji Heng touch her chest. Tian Qi was shocked but understood the necessity. Later that evening, as Tian Qi followed Ji Heng back to his room, a servant "accidentally" splashed dirty water on her.
This was, in fact, orchestrated by Ji Heng, who then followed Tian Qi to her room, intending to secretly observe her changing clothes. From his hiding spot, Ji Heng indeed saw a male body and left in confusion. Unbeknownst to him, Tian Qi had anticipated his move and paid a male attendant to pose as her. However, Tian Qi forgot about the scar on her chest from when she blocked an arrow for Ji Heng.
This detail caused Ji Heng to return. Ji Heng arrived back at Tian Qi’s room and saw her furtively leaving with a basin of water. He followed her to the lakeside, where Tian Qi, feeling safe, took off her outer clothes, revealing her chest-binding cloth. Ji Heng watched from behind a tree, the leaves partially obscuring his view, which only enhanced Tian Qi's ethereal beauty.
Confirming that Tian Qi was indeed a woman brought Ji Heng a surge of unexpected happiness. Back in his room, Ji Heng lay awake, his mind replaying all his past interactions with Tian Qi. Unable to sleep, he got up to ponder his true feelings for her. He was surprised that he wasn't angry about Tian Qi's deception of cross-dressing. He then imagined if Sheng Anhuai had deceived him in the same way, and the thought almost made him sick.
After much contemplation, he finally realized that Tian Qi held a unique place in his heart, not just because she was a woman, but because she was "Tian Qi". He concluded that a woman's heart was more complicated than war. The next morning, Ji Heng was distracted from his work, his mind preoccupied with understanding women's thoughts. He then stealthily approached Tian Qi's residence, only to find her chatting and laughing with Ji Zheng.
Hiding outside the window, Ji Heng overheard Tian Qi express a preference for pink rain and complain about him. He also heard her describe her ideal man, prompting him to unconsciously compare himself to her description. This uncharacteristic behavior revealed a charming, adorable side to the usually stern Ji Heng. As Ji Heng peered around the corner, he saw Ji Zheng adjusting Tian Qi's hat, leaning in very close.
Ji Heng, overcome with jealousy, immediately intervened, scolding them for being too close and violating the norms of "body contact between men and women is improper." He quickly became embarrassed and defensively claimed he was looking for Ji Zheng. The two brothers retreated to a pavilion where Ji Heng, reverting to his usual demeanor, questioned Ji Zheng about his perception of Tian Qi.
When Ji Zheng openly expressed his admiration for Tian Qi, calling her "cute and special" and stating that her personality suited him well, Ji Heng grew visibly tense. He firmly forbade Ji Zheng from having any further thoughts about Tian Qi, asserting that Tian Qi must remain in Mansion Ji and Ji Zheng should stop pursuing her.
