Dream Garden Episode 5 Recap
> Dream Garden Recap
Xiao Xiao delivered a box from Shanshan to Zhou Ran, urging him to genuinely face his past if he had truly loved Shanshan. She emphasized that Shanshan had completely moved on and that Zhou Ran should be himself, not a puppet, and not keep his heart in the dark while appearing bright on stage. Zhou Ran opened the box, revealing many shared memories only they understood.
Lin Shen returned to the restaurant laden with shopping bags, having purchased shoes and clothes. Shao Ning, seeing his haul, remarked on his quick learning and ability to grasp more on his own. Later, as Lin Shen prepared to pick up Xiao Xiao, Fan Qi quickly approached her, offering his jacket and a ride home. Xiao Xiao politely declined, explaining that someone was already waiting for her.
Lin Shen, who had claimed he was just "passing by," then gave Xiao Xiao a pair of comfortable new shoes and a jacket. Xiao Xiao, whose feet were aching from high heels, happily put them on, commenting, "Mr. Lin, you're so sweet." Lin Shen then advised her, "The shoes are a bit big. Make do with it." She beamed, truly appreciating his thoughtfulness.
Shanshan informed Xiao Xiao and Lin Shen that she had decided to study music abroad to pursue her passion, although she hadn't finalized a school or major. Lin Shen offered to connect her with friends studying music overseas for advice. Xiao Xiao encouraged Shanshan to be brave and pursue what she loved, emphasizing, "Find what you really love. It matters. No matter what, you have to give it a try!"
Shanshan agreed, reflecting that "finding what you like, bravely taking that step, is very important." As Shanshan prepared to leave, Xiao Xiao hoped Zhou Ran would appear, lest her efforts be in vain. Just then, Zhou Ran arrived. Xiao Xiao, seeing his hesitation, called out "Sansanyao" to get Shanshan's attention. Meeting face-to-face, Zhou Ran cautiously suggested Shanshan keep her mask on to avoid paparazzi, but she calmly replied that they were in a corridor and paparazzi wouldn't be there.
Shanshan spoke of her past fears and how pursuing fame or love often leads to loss. She told Zhou Ran she was happy he came, clarifying that, "In the future there is nothing between us." She expressed her wish that he would achieve a "brilliant and shining" career, unlike other idols who fall from grace. Shanshan then mentioned she was going to study abroad and extended her hand for a final handshake.
As she turned to leave, Zhou Ran bravely hugged her. Shanshan paused, then pulled his hand away and went upstairs, holding back tears until she was alone. Later, Zhou Ran published a post on Weibo, confessing his past relationship with Shanshan. He admitted that his fear of losing fame and his public image led him to deny their relationship and push Shanshan into the public's crosshairs, where she faced widespread abuse.
He apologized sincerely, stating, "It's not only our beautiful love I denied, but also the real me. I'm sorry." Lin Shen, having lost a bet with Xiao Xiao that she could get Shanshan to seek his consultation within a week, was obligated to treat her to a meal at the "most beautiful restaurant." To Xiao Xiao's surprise, it was the rooftop of Shaolin's Psychological Counseling Center, where they had to skewer their own food.
Shao Ning teasingly called Lin Shen Xiao Xiao's "own waiter" and hinted at a "secret relationship," proclaiming that Lin Shen, this "iron tree," was finally blooming, causing both Lin Shen and Xiao Xiao to feel awkward. Xiao Xiao met with Fan Qi to discuss their ongoing business partnership. Fan Qi revealed that Fang Lin had terminated Zhou Ran's contract and was demanding all liquidated damages, forcing Zhou Ran to sell off his assets.
Recognizing Xiao Xiao's talent, Fan Qi suggested she pursue psychology and offered to help her find a professional counseling organization. Xiao Xiao revealed that developing her psychology career was "exactly what I want to do" and had "had my own choice in my mind" for a specific institute. Fan Qi then attempted to sign Xiao Xiao to a full contract, but Xiao Xiao preferred freedom and politely declined. Fan Qi appeared amiable on the surface, but inwardly revealed much displeasure.
That night, Xiao Xiao published an article about idols, reminding her followers that while idols can be guiding lights, one must ultimately steer their own life and that only personal dreams are worth striving for. At midnight, Yan Luo revealed her "super big surprise" – a new comic series titled "Dream Garden," featuring characters inspired by Lin Shen and Xiao Xiao. Xiao Xiao chuckled at the portrayal, commenting that "Lin Shen is not sweet. He is cold."
Shao Ning, who was also following the comic, secretly delivered Xiao Xiao's resume to Lin Shen, hoping to surprise him. Lin Shen, upon seeing it, seemed flustered, muttering, "She can directly tell me if she wants to come back, why go through all this trouble?" Xiao Xiao successfully joined Shaolin's Psychological Counseling Center as Lin Shen's assistant, even receiving her own office, which an assistant revealed was prepared specifically for her by Shao Ning after her interview.
Xiao Xiao later recounted to a colleague that Lin Shen had once joked he "dares not to hire" her even if she offered to work for free. However, her first day was chaotic; a couple seeking counseling erupted into a fight, nearly injuring Xiao Xiao, who was caught in the middle of their accusations. After the incident, Lin Shen, in his typical stoic manner, merely advised her, "You'll get used to that."
Later, as Lin Shen was heading home, Shao Ning called him back, feigning concern, saying Xiao Xiao was "upset because of that visitor." Sun Kele reported to Xiao Xiao that Chai Qian had not responded to the fan event proposal, making him consider hiring another event company, to which Xiao Xiao agreed.
Back at the office, Xiao Xiao inquired about Lin Shen's whereabouts, learning that he lectured at Shenjiang University on Mondays as a visiting professor, but his Fridays were a "secret," leading colleagues to gossip about a mysterious girlfriend. Xiao Xiao, despite buying him lunch, expressed a hint of jealousy, muttering that she "shouldn't have bought you lunch, I'd better feed it to a dog." Soon after, Lin Shen returned, having been "lured back" by Shao Ning.
Xiao Xiao then sincerely expressed her desire to learn from him and mentioned she'd found out his class schedule. Lin Shen, however, subtly arranged for his upcoming lecture at Run Run Shaw Building to be moved from the fifth floor to the sixth, knowing Xiao Xiao had the wrong information. During a class on Ericksonian Hypnosis, Lin Shen explained the concept of "resource utilization" and the clash between willpower and fear.
Xiao Xiao enthusiastically volunteered for a demonstration, attempting to jump from a table. Lin Shen steadily held her during the jump, but upon returning to her seat, she genuinely stumbled and twisted her ankle. Lin Shen, not kindly, used her accident as a live case study, explaining how the mind-body separation in a trance can lead to such incidents.
Capitalizing on her injury, Xiao Xiao playfully blackmailed Lin Shen into serving as her "human crutch" or temporary assistant for her upcoming fan appreciation event, arguing it was a "work injury." Lin Shen reluctantly agreed, despite his initial protests that he was "not your fan," after Xiao Xiao reminded him that he followed her account, and was secretly smiling. Chai Qian, now a full-time housewife, felt like she had fallen into a desolate grassland, losing her direction.
She experienced a vaguely dreamt nightmare, waking to her husband's request for warm milk, and she went to prepare it, having just taken melatonin. At Xiao Xiao's fan appreciation event, Lin Shen dutifully served as her "human crutch." Chai Qian attended, even though she hadn't managed the event. Xiao Xiao quickly directed Lin Shen away so she could chat with Chai Qian.
However, Lin Shen's striking appearance soon attracted other female attendees, prompting Xiao Xiao to send Sun Kele to intervene. Xiao Xiao remarked on Chai Qian's transformation from a sharp career woman to a seemingly content homemaker, noting a "happiness" emanating from her. Yet, Chai Qian's smiles seemed distant, as if she wasn't truly processing Xiao Xiao's words about the struggles of her own work.
During a "pass the parcel" game where attendees shared their stories with Xiao Beibei's account, the item landed on Chai Qian. She recounted her professional past as a client manager at Hongquan Advertisement and how her admiration for Xiao Xiao's articles led them to collaborate on an advertising campaign.
Chai Qian explained that she resigned to focus on her family with her boyfriend, but also confessed to feeling overwhelmed and anxious by the constant demands of her job, which left her unable to sleep. Another attendee interjected, dismissing Chai Qian's reasons as mere "excuses," asserting that all women in their industry face high pressure, and one's "anti-stress ability" is honed in the workplace.
Xiao Xiao stepped in to defend Chai Qian, emphasizing that "everyone has the right to live their own way" and expressing gratitude for Chai Qian's early support. However, the critical attendee persisted, questioning Chai Qian's current capabilities after a year away from work. Chai Qian, who had initially tried to maintain her composure, finally snapped, splashing water on the persistent attendee. Chaos erupted, with Xiao Xiao and Lin Shen colliding while trying to break up the fight.
Overwhelmed, Chai Qian broke down, exclaiming, "Why did you judge me and look down upon me?" before fleeing the venue. Xiao Xiao still remembered her first impression of Chai Qian as a perfect career woman, stylish and capable, and wondered what had happened to change her so drastically. Troubled by Chai Qian's uncharacteristic outburst at the fan event, Xiao Xiao began delving into "Psychology of Emotions," sensing that Chai Qian's sudden change was atypical.
She discussed her observations with Lin Shen, who agreed that a sudden emotional explosion usually has a hidden trigger. Soon after, Chai Qian sought out Xiao Xiao, who, still new to psychology, offered her an informal "simple consultation." Meanwhile, while Shao Ning was shopping at a supermarket, he accidentally saw Yan Luo and her mother.
Yan Luo's mother refused to buy what Yan Luo needed but was willing to buy expensive and good things for Yan Luo's younger brother, Xiao Feng. Yan Luo could only grit her teeth and give up, but she was still the one who paid the bill. When leaving, Yan Luo was very reluctant to part with a lamp she liked.
Turning around, she found the lamp already in her shopping cart, with a receipt from Shao Ning showing a smiley face after he paid. At a hospital, Fan Qi, whose company had donated new monitoring equipment, encountered Lin Shen, whose mother was using the new instruments. They exchanged polite nods. Fan Qi later approached Lin Shen, acknowledging his reputation as a "famous psychiatrist." He attempted to invite Lin Shen to dinner to discuss an Employee Assistance Program for his company.
Lin Shen, however, politely declined, stating that his partner, Shao Ning, handled such projects and offering Shao Ning's business card instead. After Lin Shen left, Fan Qi instructed his assistant to investigate Lin Shen, inquiring about his personal details, but only receiving information about his "green commuter" habits rather than finding any vehicle information registered under his name.
