Dr. Cutie Episode 4 Recap
> Dr. Cutie Recap
Shen Zhao'er, disguised as Tian Qi, stood before Ji Heng as he worked, unable to help but admire his looks. She openly called him handsome, which instantly irritated him. Ji Heng rose and walked towards her, causing Shen Zhao'er to fluster and mentally panic, reminding herself that she was disguised as a boy. Ji Heng then pulled off her belt and handed it to Sheng Anhuai for inspection. Sheng Anhuai reported that he found nothing amiss.
Ji Heng asked Tian Qi how many such belts she owned. She replied that she had two, and the other had been accidentally burned when she tried to dry it in the kitchen after it got stained. Ji Heng then asked her about the infanta's case. He realized the culprit intended to use him to eliminate Tian Qi, and if he didn't act, the killer would make another move.
Viewing Tian Qi as the key to uncovering the true mastermind, Ji Heng declared that he would make her his personal physician, keeping her close to ensure her safety and to lure out the real killer. Though secretly terrified, Shen Zhao'er feigned gratitude. Ji Heng stated that Sheng Anhuai would spread the word about her new position, ensuring the culprit would become uneasy.
Back in her room, Shen Zhao'er pondered who could have hidden the poison in her belt so stealthily. Ding Zhi arrived, congratulating her on her new position and presenting her with a new set of clothes, including a belt. This reminded Shen Zhao'er that the previous tainted belt had also been a gift from him, sparking suspicion. She subtly probed him, asking if what Ji Heng knew about was something he had done.
Ding Zhi, misunderstanding, panicked and thought she was referring to his romantic entanglements with maids like Xiuyi and Xiuchun, denying any romantic interest in Tian Qi. Realizing her master lacked the cunning to orchestrate the infanta's murder, Shen Zhao'er dismissed her suspicions. She then confided in Ding Zhi, explaining her dangerous situation as a bait and asking him to investigate who might have swapped the belts before he gave them to her.
Ding Zhi promised to discreetly investigate and warned her to be careful, believing Ji Heng was merely using her. Meanwhile, Xu Jing arrived at the Wanhong Club to return a silk handkerchief. He insisted on giving it back to the owner personally, but Wanhong, the proprietor, informed him the lady was out and offered to find other beautiful girls to keep him company. Overwhelmed by the enthusiastic hostesses, Xu Jing quickly handed the handkerchief to Wanhong and departed.
Wanhong was perplexed by Xu Jing possessing Shen Zhao'er's handkerchief and knowing she was there, suspecting he might know some secret. However, she was relieved that Shen Zhao'er was currently safe within Ji Heng's mansion. That night, as the Firework Festival unfolded, citizens gathered by the moat to watch fireworks and release sky lanterns for good fortune. This festival was a tradition where unmarried individuals could wear masks and confess their feelings to their beloved.
Ji Heng recalled a younger Shen Zhao'er, who, without understanding the custom's romantic implication, had once asked him for a mask during this festival. He reminisced about their time together, how she had treated him simply as an older brother, not as the privileged son of the jiedushi. He expressed deep regret that he never told her his name before the tragedy. Ji Heng lamented that even if Shen Zhao'er were still alive, she likely wouldn't recognize him now.
His brother, Ji Zheng, tried to comfort him, reminding him that only the bodies of Physician Shen and his wife were found, leaving open the possibility that Shen Zhao'er might have survived and be living well somewhere. The next day, Shen Zhao'er, as Tian Qi, was summoned to Ji Heng's study. She intended to change his dressing, but Ji Heng asked her to wait until he finished reviewing documents.
Tian Qi offered to grind ink for him, explaining that her father taught her to recognize ink quality before learning to write, a detail that resonated with Ji Heng, who recalled a former teacher at the Ji Mansion, Physician Shen Qingyun, saying the same thing. When Ji Heng mentioned the name Shen Qingyun, Tian Qi, startled, accidentally snapped the ink stick. To compensate, she offered to fan him, employing an intermittent technique she claimed mimicked a mountain breeze.
Ji Heng, amused by her antics, closed his eyes and eventually drifted into a peaceful sleep, smiling slightly. Sheng Anhuai entered with tea, shocked to find Ji Heng asleep. Ji Heng later woke up, surprised he had dozed off. Sheng Anhuai, unaware of the reason for Ji Heng's sleep, praised Tian Qi's "high medical skills," much to her confusion. Later that night, Ji Heng was once again tormented by his recurring nightmare.
In it, a young Shen Zhao'er would transform into a radiant young woman, playing with him under a peach tree, only for the scene to turn desolate, her parents' bodies appearing before him, and Shen Zhao'er's voice accusing him. Waking abruptly, Ji Heng resolved to work rather than face sleeplessness. Sheng Anhuai suggested calling Tian Qi to fan him by his bed, recalling how Ji Heng had peacefully slept earlier. Ji Heng agreed.
However, Sheng Anhuai’s instruction to the guards was misinterpreted as "his service is needed in the bedroom," leading them to drag a protesting Tian Qi, still wrapped in her quilt, directly to Ji Heng's chambers. Believing she was being summoned for sexual servitude, Shen Zhao'er vehemently declared she would rather die than comply, invoking her dignity. Ji Heng clarified that he only wanted her to fan him, not to "lie with him."
The misunderstanding was quickly resolved, and Shen Zhao'er, instantly changing her demeanor, began fanning him with exaggerated flattery. After a night of fanning, Ji Heng enjoyed his first full night's sleep in a long time. Upon waking, he saw Tian Qi asleep by his bed. He gently reached out, then pinched her cheek, startling her awake. Seeing his stern expression, she immediately knelt and begged for mercy.
Ji Heng reminded her of his instruction not to stop fanning even after he fell asleep. He then dismissed her to change, but instructed Sheng Anhuai to give her a reward. Sheng Anhuai was overjoyed to see Ji Heng's insomnia improving with Tian Qi's presence. Ji Heng, however, told Sheng Anhuai to keep his sleep issues a secret from Tian Qi to prevent her from becoming arrogant.
Later, while Shen Zhao'er was happily counting her unexpected earnings, Ding Zhi expressed his confusion over Ji Heng's alternating punishments and rewards. Shen Zhao'er shrugged it off, attributing it to Ji Heng's eccentric but fair nature, and promised Ding Zhi a lavish dinner. Shortly after, the maid Chun Hua approached Shen Zhao'er, offering red bean pie as thanks for a previous favor. Chun Hua’s gaze lingered on Shen Zhao’er, revealing a hint of affection.
As Shen Zhao'er eagerly ate the pastry, a string of Buddhist beads accidentally fell from her clothes. Chun Hua instantly recognized them, stating she had seen them before. Before Shen Zhao'er could press for more details, the very ruffians who had previously harassed Chun Hua appeared, looking for trouble.
