Resumen, trama, sinopsis de About Love

Sinopsis de About Love

Li Xiaoxi, who takes love seriously and cautiously, meets Xiaobei, and the two begin a romantic relationship.

Xiaobei's loyalty and steadfastness give Li Xiaoxi strength, helping her gradually overcome her insecurities about love.

With Li Xiaoxi's companionship and tolerance, Xiaobei also heals old wounds in his heart, gradually lets go, and learns to cherish.

In the process of nurturing their relationship, Li Xiaoxi and Xiaobei discover more facets of love, face many challenges together, ultimately grow, and reap genuine love.

Resúmenes de About Love

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Li Xiaoxi has always felt like a character in a pre-written play, noting that every time she met a friend's boyfriend, they would inevitably try to flirt with her. Rather than remaining a passive observer in this recurring drama, she decided to use this to help other women by testing the loyalty of their partners. A woman who had been with her boyfriend for six years reached out to Xiaoxi for help.

Despite her boyfriend recently proposing, the woman wanted to be certain of his fidelity. When she asked if Xiaoxi planned to investigate him, Xiaoxi explained that her mere presence would be enough to reveal his true character. The woman insisted on seeing proof of his intentions, though Xiaoxi made it clear that she would never cross the line into physical intimacy. Xiaoxi manufactured a meeting with the boyfriend, Mr. Zhang, who worked as a planning director for a travel agency.

Pretending to be an intern from the same building, she expressed interest in a customized romantic tour to places like Lijiang and Nepal. Mr. Zhang was quickly charmed, even mentioning internal discounts he could provide. Despite admitting he was getting married soon, his attraction to Xiaoxi grew rapidly. While driving her one evening, he confessed that he had fallen for her completely and shamelessly, claiming he couldn't bear to be without her and wanted her immediately.

Unbeknownst to him, his girlfriend was listening to the exchange via a recorder. She confronted him with the evidence and ended their six-year relationship on the spot. Later, Xiaoxi went to a bar to unwind and noticed a man named Xiao Bei sitting alone. She approached him, but he politely declined her company, explaining he was waiting for a friend. He soon received a call from a friend with the surname Gong, who had stood him up.

Their interaction was interrupted when a woman arrived at the bar to confront her own cheating boyfriend, only to be physically assaulted by him. Xiaoxi immediately stepped in to help, arguing that while cheating was a moral failing, hitting a woman was a legal offense. When the man tried to turn his aggression toward Xiaoxi, Xiao Bei intervened to protect her, encouraging the crowd to film the man’s behavior. As they left the bar, the heel of Xiaoxi’s shoe snapped.

Xiao Bei drove up in his car and offered her a pair of brand-new slippers that a friend had given him. He insisted on driving her home, noting that it was late and unsafe for her to be out alone in such a state. Upon arriving at her place, Xiaoxi offered to buy him a coffee in return for his help.

When Xiao Bei playfully asked if she usually invited people to her home for coffee, she clarified she meant the cafe downstairs. To stay in touch, they exchanged WeChat contact information, with Xiao Bei letting Xiaoxi scan his code so he could be the one to decide "whether it passes or not." Soon after, a wealthy man sought Xiaoxi’s services. He showed her a photo of his daughter's boyfriend, convinced the man was not genuinely in love with her.

He asked Xiaoxi to test the man’s loyalty, hoping his daughter would marry someone who truly cherished her. Xiaoxi agreed to the task, maintaining her principle of testing a heart's leanings rather than intentionally destroying a relationship. Meanwhile, Xiaoxi found herself thinking more about Xiao Bei. She mentioned him to her friend Yingtao, noting that he seemed different from other men she had encountered.

Xiaoxi eventually posted a photo of her coffee on social media, which prompted Xiao Bei to remind her of her promise to treat him. They arranged to meet the following day. When they saw each other again, Xiao Bei revealed that he had taken her broken heels to a cobbler to be fixed, believing that comfortable, broken-in shoes were better than new ones. When Xiaoxi realized she had forgotten to bring back his slippers, he told her to keep them.

Xiao Bei mentioned he hadn't been out for fun in a long time because he was usually tied up at his luxury authentication shop, so they visited an archery range together. He challenged her to a match, suggesting the winner should choose where they ate dinner. Although Xiaoxi hadn't officially agreed to dinner yet, she accepted the challenge and won. During their meal, they engaged in a deep conversation about relationships.

They discussed the legal and moral obligations of saving a loved one versus a parent, and Xiaoxi shared her skepticism regarding easy vows. They found common ground in their appreciation for the writer Raymond Carver, toasting to his somber views on how love is often just a memory.

After finishing their dinner, Xiao Bei drove Li Xiaoxi home and they arranged to grab coffee the following day. When Xiao Bei suggested a cafe near her apartment, Li Xiaoxi noted its limited selection of coffee beans, so they decided to return to the shop they had visited that day instead. Having spent so much time witnessing infidelity and testing the loyalty of other people's partners, Li Xiaoxi had grown cynical about love.

However, Xiao Bei made her feel like an inexperienced amateur actor suddenly thrust into a genuine romance. For the first time, she truly empathized with the women she once judged for being insecure; the more beautiful the relationship became, the more she feared losing it.

Her curiosity was piqued when she saw a photo of another woman on Xiao Bei’s social media, but he quickly clarified that her name was Ming Ming and she was simply a new employee at his shop. Later, Da Sen stopped by the shop to bring a cake for Ming Ming, though she told him she couldn't eat it yet since she was still on the clock. Li Xiaoxi arrived shortly after to have a bag with damaged edges repaired.

Ming Ming assured her it was a simple fix and asked her to wait. When Xiao Bei arrived, he was surprised to see Li Xiaoxi there so early and proudly introduced her to Ming Ming as his girlfriend. Noting the cake Da Sen had brought, Li Xiaoxi mentioned it was from a famous "internet celebrity" bakery and quite hard to get. Xiao Bei told her that if she liked it, they could go buy one together later.

Soon after, Ying Tao visited Li Xiaoxi and remarked on how deeply in love she appeared. During their conversation, Ying Tao revealed the shocking news that she and her husband, Lao Bai, had divorced after she caught him cheating at a hotel. Li Xiaoxi confessed that Lao Bai had actually tried to flirt with her in the past, but Ying Tao brushed it off as a closed chapter.

Wanting to make sure Xiao Bei was truly as unique as he seemed, Ying Tao suggested they put him to the test. Ying Tao first sent a girl to pretend she was lost and ask Xiao Bei for directions to a park. Instead of walking her there, Xiao Bei simply hailed a taxi for the girl and paid her fare.

Ying Tao then arranged for a glamorous woman to "accidentally" encounter him in an elevator, but Xiao Bei remained entirely indifferent. Later, while Xiao Bei was out for a run, another woman approached him crying, claiming she was heartbroken over a breakup and needed comfort. Xiao Bei reacted by offering to call his friend, Gong, to assist her, which scared the woman into running away.

Finally, Ying Tao disguised herself as a domestic worker to clean Xiao Bei’s house and observe him up close. When she returned, she jokingly told Li Xiaoxi that she had fallen in love with him herself, but Li Xiaoxi immediately saw through the act. Ying Tao admitted that Xiao Bei had been a strict taskmaster, making her perform all sorts of chores, and confessed she had never met a man quite like him.

During a meal together, Xiao Bei mentioned his group of childhood friends and invited Li Xiaoxi to a group dinner that evening. Li Xiaoxi agreed, but when she arrived, she was horrified to realize that "Lao Gong" was actually Gong—a man she had targeted in one of her previous loyalty tests. The situation became incredibly awkward as Gong repeatedly tried to probe her with questions while Li Xiaoxi carefully avoided his traps. Meanwhile, another friend, Xiu, stepped away from the table to take a phone call, lying to the caller by claiming he was still at the shop working on his music.

After Xiu returns from reporting his whereabouts to his wife over the phone, the group’s conversation turns toward the complexities of marriage and friendship. Luan Luan defends her close bond with Xiu, labeling him her "soulmate" despite his marriage, claiming they share a unique resonance. Li Xiaoxi remains skeptical, arguing that if one truly loves their partner, they shouldn't need a separate soulmate.

Sen intervenes to explain Xiu’s predicament, describing his wife as a domineering career woman who views Xiu as unambitious and dislikes his circle of friends—especially Gong, whom she considers a slacker. Gong cynically observes that many stay in unhappy marriages simply to avoid the hassle of splitting assets, viewing relationships more as calculated business deals than acts of love.

When pressed on his definition of pure love, Gong explains it isn't about personality or looks, but a specific, perfect moment, such as seeing someone in a white shirt on a beautiful sunny day. This conversation triggers a memory for Li Xiaoxi of a past mission involving Gong. Years ago, a woman named Yu He hired her to investigate her boyfriend, a cartoonist using the pen name "Deep in the Alley." Yu He suspected him of cheating but lacked proof.

She provided Li Xiaoxi with a USB drive of his work to help her get close to him. Adopting the alias Jiang Yifan, Li Xiaoxi reached out to the artist as a devoted fan. When they met, she successfully charmed him by analyzing his art as the reflection of a pessimistic idealist craving simple love and freedom. Gong was genuinely startled that someone could peer so deeply into his soul.

Li Xiaoxi boldly confessed that she had fallen in love with him through his work. Although Gong admitted he had a girlfriend, he didn't stop Li Xiaoxi from pursuing him. They began dating, and Li Xiaoxi played the role of a jealous lover, eventually insisting on seeing him work at his home. This was the trap Yu He had been waiting for. She arrived at the apartment to catch them together, but Gong had deadbolted the door.

As Yu He hammered on the door, Li Xiaoxi pretended to be panicked, but Gong remained eerily calm. He revealed that he knew "Jiang Yifan" was a fabrication. He pointed out a fatal flaw in her story: the work she claimed was her favorite, "The Selling Madame", had never been released to the public. Despite knowing it was a setup, Gong used the moment to cruelly break up with Yu He the moment he opened the door.

He claimed he no longer loved her and was now in love with the perfect woman Li Xiaoxi had portrayed, even mockingly thanking Yu He for the introduction. Li Xiaoxi was repulsed by his behavior, telling him that his display of "love" while his girlfriend suffered was sickening. She walked away, leaving a devastated Yu He behind.

Back in the present, the group reflects on Gong’s past and how his own experiences with heartbreak transformed him into the man he is today. As the dinner concludes, Xiao Bei prepares to take Li Xiaoxi home while offering Sen a ride as well. Gong decides to head back alone to finish his drafts. Before they part, Sen asks why he changed his pen name to "Mud Buddha." Gong cynically replies that it is because he is full of rot inside, yet people still choose to revere him.

Following a night out with friends, Xiao Bei drives Li Xiaoxi and Sen home. During the ride, they discuss Gong, who spends most of his time isolated and working on his comics. Xiao Bei admits he often has to drag Gong out of the house to prevent him from burning out. The conversation shifts to the drama surrounding Gong’s breakup with Yu He.

Xiao Bei muses that any man might falter when faced with a "tailor-made" lover like Jiang Yifan, viewing her as someone who maliciously manipulated male instincts just to prove her own charm. Li Xiaoxi, however, argues that if a man’s heart is truly set on his partner, no external temptation should matter. After dropping Li Xiaoxi off, Xiao Bei asks Sen if he would tell him if he ever saw Xiaoxi with another man.

Sen firmly states that he wouldn't want his best friend kept in the dark. Sen then reveals that he is already aware of Ming Ming's situation; he believes the man she is currently seeing is trouble and is simply waiting for her to realize it. Sen asks Xiao Bei to keep this a secret from Gong and the rest of the group, and Xiao Bei agrees. Meanwhile, Xiu and Luan Luan arrive at Xiu’s apartment.

As they share a parting embrace, Luan Luan is startled by a figure in the window, fearing it is Xiu’s wife. Though Xiu sees no one when he looks back, the moment leaves Luan Luan unsettled. She takes a taxi home, where the driver strikes up a conversation about her relationship. When he asks why she and her boyfriend don't live together, Luan Luan explains that she fears the mundane reality of daily life will ruin the beauty of romance.

The driver counters that life is built on the "daily grind" of chores and arguments, but notes that these are anchored by mutual need. He shares that despite fighting with his wife, her simple act of preparing a meal for him is what sustains their bond.

Back home, Li Xiaoxi retrieves a secret second phone and finds a flurry of messages from Gong, who has changed his pen name to "Mud Buddha"—a reference to a proverb about being unable to save oneself. His messages are filled with longing for "Jiang Yifan," admitting he underestimated how much he loved her. Xiaoxi agrees to meet him and picks him up on her motorcycle.

Gong tries to act impressive by offering to drive, claiming to be a legendary rider, but he clumsily falls over the moment he tries to start the bike. Frustrated, Xiaoxi takes the lead and drives them to get food. While they are out, they are approached by a film crew for a street-interview show called "Love or Not."

Gong seizes the opportunity to manufacture a romantic narrative for the cameras, claiming they have been together for a year and that he successfully pursued her after a brief separation. Li Xiaoxi remains visibly uncomfortable, hiding from the lens and requesting that her face be blurred. Later, Gong asks how she met Xiao Bei. When she mentions meeting him at a bar, Gong is shocked, knowing Xiao Bei never frequents such places.

He suddenly realizes that he was the inadvertent matchmaker: he had originally invited Xiao Bei to that bar but was forced to stay home because his editor, Joyce, was breathing down his neck to finish a draft. Li Xiaoxi finally reveals the truth about her past to Gong. She used to work as a "test agent," helping women expose their cheating partners. She recounts catching her friend Xiaowei’s boyfriend, Zhou Xiaolong, red-handed.

Her motivation stems from a deep regret over a friend whose five-year marriage was ruined by a serial cheater; Xiaoxi wishes she had intervened sooner. She views herself as someone who simply "speeds up time" to reveal a person’s true character. When Gong asks why she is so sure Xiao Bei won’t change, she admits she had a dozen different women test him, and he never once wavered. Despite her explanation, Gong refuses to let her leave easily.

He reminds her that she promised to spend the night with him and insists that every minute counts until sunrise. While Xiaoxi is trapped in this standoff, Xiao Bei is at a convenience store buying several flavors of her favorite chocolate. He drives to her apartment and sends her a message, completely unaware that she is currently with Gong, watching the clock and waiting for the morning.

Xiu returned home to find his wife, Yu, had already prepared dinner. Although he claimed he wasn't hungry, she insisted he eat since the meal was already made. The atmosphere grew tense when Yu revealed she had visited his music store earlier and found he wasn't there. Xiu lied, claiming he had been dining with Gong and Xiao Bei, and had kept it secret because Yu often viewed them as a bad influence.

This sparked a familiar argument; Yu reminded him that while he pursued his profitless musical dreams, she was the one supporting the family and paying the rent for his studio. Xiu refused to engage, leaving Yu to lament how their once-affectionate relationship had withered into that of two strangers.

She sadly recalled their early days when they dreamed of getting a French bulldog named Unicorn—a name chosen as a symbol of loyalty—and wondered who was truly to blame for their current state. Meanwhile, Li Xiaoxi and Gong took a stroll. Xiaoxi shared details of her business ventures, including a flower shop, a coffee shop investment, and a women’s club, leading Gong to jokingly address her as Boss Jiang.

Their conversation turned to Xiao Bei’s history; Gong mentioned that they had known each other since childhood and that Xiao Bei had only ever had one serious girlfriend in college. They had broken up shortly after graduation, and Gong admitted that sometimes hypocrisy, rather than simple betrayal, is what truly destroys loyalty. He pointedly asked Xiaoxi why she wasn't being entirely truthful with Xiao Bei about her own past and identity.

Hidden away in the bathroom, Xiu sent a surreptitious message to Luan Luan, confirming he hadn't been caught. At her own home, Luan Luan fed her dog, Bao Bao, whispering to the pet that his "Dad" would soon be living with them permanently. Not far away, Xiao Bei messaged Xiaoxi to say he had bought her favorite sakura-flavored chocolate and hung it on her doorknob, assuming she was already asleep.

Since Xiaoxi couldn't stay the whole night with Gong, he insisted on driving her home. As they drove back, they passed Xiao Bei on the road, though the encounter went unnoticed. The following morning, Xiaoxi visited Xiao Bei's shop and shared the chocolate with Ming Ming. When Ming Ming remarked on Xiao Bei’s unexpected thoughtfulness for someone who usually seemed a bit clueless, Xiaoxi admitted that while he was often quiet, his actions could be surprising.

Nearby, at the flower shop, a male customer purchased three sets of the "Loving Only You Forever" preserved flower arrangement. Back at Xiao Bei’s appraisal shop, a woman caused a scene, refusing to believe the bag her boyfriend gave her was a replica. Xiao Bei stepped in and handled the situation with grace, suggesting her boyfriend might have been deceived by a dishonest agent rather than intentionally lying.

He later explained to Da Sen that since the customer had already suffered a financial loss, he didn't want to make it worse emotionally, believing that even bad news should be delivered with gentleness. Later, Xiaoxi and Xiao Bei went out for a meal. Xiaoxi impressed him by identifying the luxury bags of nearby diners with professional ease, from a pearl chain mini to rare leather pieces.

Their conversation about the customer with the fake bag turned deeper; Xiao Bei noted that if a woman seeks an appraisal, she likely suspects more than just the authenticity of a bag, as suspicion is often the beginning of the end for a relationship. The atmosphere shifted when Yu He appeared at the same restaurant. To Xiao Bei’s surprise, Yu He and Xiaoxi—whom she knew as Jiang Yifan—were well-acquainted through the flower shop.

Gong soon joined the group, making the world feel uncomfortably small for Xiaoxi. She began to feel as though a sword of Damocles was hanging over her, terrified that a chance encounter would eventually expose her past. Feeling the weight of her secrets, Xiaoxi visited Ms. Guan at her women's club. She expressed her desire to quit the business of testing men’s loyalty, feeling that her work was merely breaking people apart.

Ms. Guan was surprised, reminding Xiaoxi of her initial vow to help women see through "scumbags." Despite Xiaoxi's moral crisis about finding predictable results when challenging the nature of men, Ms. Guan didn't pressure her. Instead, she mentioned that word of Xiaoxi’s new boyfriend had reached her and suggested that Xiaoxi bring him over for a meal, curious to see if the man she chose was truly as loyal as he seemed.

Li Xiaoxi met with Gong to discuss a difficult decision: she had resolved to tell Xiao Bei the truth about her past and her "Jiang Yifan" persona used for love-testing. Since Gong was also connected to these secrets, she felt he deserved to know her plan first. Gong was skeptical, suggesting that total honesty might be more a burden than a blessing, but Li Xiaoxi was shaken after running into Yu He.

She feared that if she didn't come clean, Xiao Bei would eventually hear the truth from a stranger. Their meeting was interrupted by Miss Zhao, a wealthy woman sent by Sister Guan. Despite Li Xiaoxi’s insistence that she had quit the trade, Miss Zhao believed everything had a price and became insulted when rejected, calling Li Xiaoxi worse than a mistress. Gong stepped in to defend Xiaoxi, delivering a scathing critique of Miss Zhao’s failing marriage.

He pointed out that while she knew every detail of her Birkin and 2. 55 bags, she knew nothing about her husband's life, even his shirt size or his late-night activities. After Gong advised her to invest in her marriage instead of "love testing," a humiliated Miss Zhao stormed out. Though Xiaoxi was grateful, she remained terrified that Xiao Bei would hate the real her as much as he despised the "Jiang Yifan" character.

Gong encouraged her, saying that true love can make the past irrelevant. Meanwhile, Ming Ming’s world crumbled. After receiving a beautiful arrangement of preserved flowers, she discovered a receipt showing her boyfriend, A Lun, had purchased three identical sets. She confronted him, and A Lun finally admitted he was married with a pregnant wife.

When he tried to claim Ming Ming was his only true love, she slapped him, disgusted that he had turned her into an unwitting mistress for ten years. Ming Ming later went to Xiao Bei’s shop to resign. Xiao Bei admitted he had sensed something was wrong since the day Sen introduced her. Ming Ming confessed that her relationship with Sen wasn't official yet.

She recounted her long, "textbook" romance with A Lun, filled with Jay Chou songs and broken promises of trips to Prague and Santorini. She told Xiao Bei she needed time to fully move on so she could offer Sen a heart that was entirely focused on him. Xiao Bei agreed to keep her secret. In another part of the city, Yu received a silver limited-edition LV bag at her studio.

While her colleagues envied her "perfect" husband, Xiu, Yu’s mother called to criticize him for his lack of financial ambition, lamenting that Yu hadn't married the more successful Da Hua. Later, over a meal with a friend, Yu listened to complaints about a wealthy but unromantic husband who only sent money on anniversaries. The friend wondered if life would be better with her ex, Shu Fan, but Yu countered that even he wouldn't truly understand what she needed.

Ming Ming eventually invited Sen to a dessert shop featuring "mystery boxes." She ordered a "Schrödinger’s Magic Box" and told Sen she needed to call her boyfriend. Sen’s heart sank, assuming she was calling an old flame, only to be stunned when his own phone rang. Ming Ming was choosing him. Later, Ming Ming had a heated exchange with Gong.

She argued that while he could authenticate every luxury item in his room, true love could not be tested or measured through his cynical profession. Li Xiaoxi and Xiao Bei’s relationship reached a new milestone. While shopping for couple's slippers, Xiaoxi tried to bring up her past again. Xiao Bei gently stopped her, explaining that he respected her privacy and refused to judge the person she is today by who she used to be.

He then asked her to move in with him. Xiaoxi agreed, though she asked for a little time to get organized. When Xiaoxi shared the news with her friend Yingtao, she was teased for acting like a lovestruck teenager. Yingtao also hinted at a new romance of her own with a younger, tall man. Xiaoxi confessed that she planned to tell Xiao Bei everything soon, especially if Sister Guan continued to pressure her.

She wanted to clear the air so that, if they stayed together, she could finally introduce Xiao Bei to her best friend. As the day ended, Sen called Xiao Bei to invite the whole group—including Gong and Xiu—to dinner at a high-end restaurant called Linglong. Gong was immediately suspicious, recalling the last time Sen "treated" him to a cheap Shaxian snack meal only to borrow five hundred yuan. Xiao Bei laughed off the concern, noting that Sen seemed serious. As they left, Gong couldn't help but poke fun at Xiao Bei’s receding hairline, jokingly blaming it on his stressful work life.

Gong visited Li Xiaoxi at her café, where the two shared a quiet conversation about their current lives. Xiaoxi presented Gong with a special membership card, explaining that his coffee would be on the house from now on as a gesture of gratitude for his previous help. Gong accepted the gift and shared the premise of his latest story: a demon named Ximei who marries a kind human, Prince Beiye.

In the tale, Ximei sacrifices her demon identity and her memories to be worthy of the prince, yet her heart eventually awakens to an irrepressible longing for a demon envoy named Shou Gongyuan. Gong wondered if he could find a sense of fulfillment through his own creations, but Xiaoxi gently reminded him that a story, no matter how moving, remains separate from reality. At his studio, Xiu was interrupted by a small dog that had wandered inside.

While he found the pup adorable and intended to return it to its owner, Yu arrived and revealed that she had bought the dog specifically for him. The gesture revived a long-standing tension in their marriage; before they wed, Xiu had dreamed of owning a Corgi or a French Bulldog, but Yu had always refused, citing their unstable finances and the lack of time to raise a pet, which she equated to the responsibility of raising a child.

Instead of bringing them closer, the arrival of the dog sparked a bitter argument. Xiu felt he was being unfairly treated as immature, while Yu listed the many promises he had failed to keep, from annual vacations to anniversary surprises. She expressed her exhaustion over their constant financial struggles, complaining that after paying the mortgage and utility bills, she could barely afford decent clothes and felt ashamed in front of her colleagues.

Yu criticized Xiu for refusing to teach piano classes and focusing instead on music that didn't sell. In a fit of rage, Xiu suggested she should have married the wealthy Dahua as her mother wanted. The comment left Yu in tears, and Xiu eventually apologized, promising to work harder and distance himself from his "bad influences." Later, while the couple was out buying food for their new dog, Yu noticed how familiar Xiu was with the pet shop owner.

Xiu admitted that since they didn't have a dog at home, he often frequented the shop just to play with the animals there. During the outing, Xiao Bei called to invite Xiu to a dinner hosted by the usually frugal Da Sen at a restaurant called Linglong. Though Xiu was hesitant, Yu insisted they attend together. Meanwhile, Gong, Xiao Bei, and Xiaoxi drove to the restaurant.

Gong joked that they looked like a family of three with a "silly son" in the back, though Xiao Bei told him to stop with the inappropriate jokes. Luan Luan arrived at Linglong early with her dog, Baobao, having just come from a grooming appointment. When Xiu arrived with Yu and realized the situation, he grew desperate to avoid a confrontation.

He made an excuse to buy cigarettes and used the opportunity to record Yu’s voice, sending the audio to Luan Luan as a covert warning. Realizing Yu was there, Luan Luan tried to flee, but Gong stopped her at the door, insisting that since she was the first to arrive, she had no reason to leave.

Xiaoxi watched the scene unfold with a sense of guilt; she had always taken pride in helping women see the truth, but now she felt like a hypocrite for helping Xiu hide his deception from his wife. When the group finally sat down, the atmosphere was strained. Xiao Bei introduced Xiaoxi as his girlfriend. Gong then mischievously introduced Luan Luan as Xiu’s "lover."

While Xiu was visibly shaken, Yu laughed it off, assuming it was just another of Gong's tasteless jokes. Gong quickly pivoted, claiming Luan Luan actually had a boyfriend whom they all found selfish and unattractive, yet she loved him anyway. Unaware of the truth, Yu even suggested that Luan Luan should bring her boyfriend to their next gathering so they could treat him to dinner.

During the meal, the women discussed their careers, with Yu mentioning her work in fashion design, Xiaoxi talking about her flower shop, Liang, and Luan Luan explaining her life as a stage actress. The conversation eventually turned toward the future of the couples. Xiao Bei admitted he wasn't in a hurry to marry, wanting his future wife to fully understand him first.

Xiaoxi reflected on her own efforts to bridge the gap in her relationship, mentioning how she had even tried to like cilantro for Xiao Bei’s sake. Da Sen then made a major announcement, revealing that he had officially entered a relationship after pursuing the same girl for seven years. Gong was skeptical, advising Da Sen to be cautious with his first love, but Xiaoxi argued that true love required going all-in without reservations. Da Sen explained that his new girlfriend was currently getting ready and would be joining the dinner shortly.

After finishing their meal, the group heads to a karaoke lounge to continue the night. Da Sen takes the lead, singing a song he knows well because his girlfriend is a fan of the artist. The atmosphere shifts when Lao Gong picks a duet for Xiao Bei and Li Xiaoxi. Although Xiao Bei tries to decline, claiming he isn’t much of a singer, Lao Gong insists on the song "Warp and Weft."

This choice creates visible tension among those who know it was the song Xiao Bei frequently sang with his ex-girlfriend. Despite the awkwardness, the couple performs with such natural chemistry that their friends begin to tease them for being overly affectionate. As the night progresses, their complicated personal lives begin to intrude. Both Xiao Bei and Li Xiaoxi receive phone calls that they initially ignore. Eventually, Xiao Bei excuses himself to use the restroom, and Li Xiaoxi follows him out.

Once alone in the corridor, she returns a call to Guan Jie. Guan Jie asks if she is truly unwilling to help one last time, but Li Xiaoxi remains firm, stating it is not convenient. Before hanging up, Li Xiaoxi agrees to eventually introduce her new boyfriend to Guan Jie. While still in the hallway, Li Xiaoxi overhears Xiao Bei on his phone.

He tells the caller—a woman named An Miu—that he will come to see her soon and promises to bring her favorite crawfish after he finishes dropping Li Xiaoxi off. When Xiao Bei finishes his call and sees Li Xiaoxi waiting, she catches him off guard by coldly suggesting they break up. A stunned Xiao Bei asks what he did wrong, but Li Xiaoxi challenges him to explain his own actions.

To test him, she asks if he wants her to say "her" name out loud. Cornered, Xiao Bei mentions a woman named Su Yunyi, explaining she was his college instructor. Just as the confrontation peaks, Lao Gong and the others burst into the hallway, laughing. They reveal that Li Xiaoxi was merely performing a dare for the King’s Game, which required her to tell her partner the relationship was over.

While the friends praise her for being a convincing actress, Li Xiaoxi remains deeply troubled by what she overheard. The group returns to their game, where the conversation turns toward the heavy realities of love. Yu shares a cynical view, warning that marriage requires extreme caution because a poor choice often leads to consequences that are hard to escape. Meanwhile, Da Sen checks his phone and informs everyone that his girlfriend had a sudden conflict and won’t be joining them.

As the game proceeds, Xiao Bei receives another call from An Miu. Li Xiaoxi catches a glimpse of the name on the screen and begins to wonder about the true nature of Xiao Bei’s relationship with this woman. The game takes another turn when Lao Gong wins a round and, acting as the King, requests that Li Xiaoxi kiss another player.

Xiao Bei immediately steps in to pull her away, telling Lao Gong not to use the game as an excuse to cross lines. The evening is further disrupted when a stranger in a suit enters the room and aggressively confronts Li Xiaoxi. He demands to know why she disappeared and accuses her of playing an "amnesia game" by pretending not to recognize him.

Although Li Xiaoxi insists he is a stranger, the situation escalates into a physical brawl between the man's associates and the group. After the police arrive, the man in the suit abruptly changes his story, claiming he was simply drunk and mistook Li Xiaoxi for someone else. Seeking to avoid further trouble, Li Xiaoxi quickly signs the mediation papers. Later, Xiao Bei walks her home and encourages her not to take the earlier game or the confrontation to heart.

However, Luan Luan remains suspicious. While out for tea with Lao Gong, she notes that the stranger's behavior felt far too specific for a case of mistaken identity. Luan Luan eventually accuses Lao Gong of acting like a lovesick teenager around Li Xiaoxi. Lao Gong finally confesses that Li Xiaoxi is actually Jiang Yifan, a woman from his past. He explains that he prefers his idealized memory of her over the potentially flawed reality of a relationship.

He reflects on their brief, intense encounters, noting that he has seen her at her most vulnerable. He decides they are better off as friends, resolving to only engage with her if she makes the first move. In another part of the city, Yu and Xiu discuss their decade-long relationship. Yu proposes that they start over completely, beginning with the day Xiu first confessed his feelings.

This triggers a memory of a younger Xiu presenting Yu with a unicorn figurine as a symbol of loyalty. At the time, Yu had feared their age gap would lead to resentment as she grew older, but Xiu had argued that love is found in the small, everyday trifles of life. In the present, they commit to rediscovering each other. Back with the group, Da Sen takes a bold step by asking Xiao Bei for a loan of 300,000.

Without hesitation, Xiao Bei agrees to transfer the money the following day. While the others are skeptical of Da Sen’s "investment," he insists he is simply securing his future. As the night ends, Luan Luan muses that if her best friend were to date her ex, she would offer them her full blessing, believing that two familiar people finding happiness should be celebrated. Lao Gong remains silent, realizing how rare such a selfless perspective is in their world.

Li Xiaoxi called Guan Jie to confront her about the thugs who had harassed her, but Guan denied any involvement, claiming it was a misunderstanding while expressing a lingering curiosity about Xiaoxi’s new boyfriend. Despite Xiaoxi’s growing feelings for Xiao Bei, she remained deeply conflicted. She hesitated to reveal her past because she felt she didn’t truly understand him yet, especially after seeing him leave late at night for a mysterious meeting.

Determined to resolve the situation, Xiaoxi reached out to her friend Gong for help. Meanwhile, Ming Ming and Da Sen spent their first official night together. When Da Sen attempted to move toward intimacy, Ming Ming pushed him away, feeling that their relationship was progressing too quickly. This led to a tense argument where Da Sen, fueled by jealousy, suggested she was still hung up on her ex-boyfriend. Ming Ming insisted she simply needed more time to feel comfortable.

Though the night started with friction, they eventually apologized to one another, unwilling to let a dispute ruin the significance of their first day as a couple. Later, in a grand gesture to support her dreams, Da Sen revealed he had paid the transfer fee for a vacant storefront so Ming Ming could finally open her own photography studio. Xiaoxi met with Gong, who arrived with his usual eccentric humor, joking that he was her husband from a parallel universe.

She asked him to pose as her boyfriend to help her deal with Guan Jie’s threats. During their talk, Gong warned her that even a loving partner couldn't protect her every second, and she had to learn to rely on herself. He also shared the story of Xiao Bei’s past, explaining that Xiao Bei had been a brilliant student entrepreneur who lost everything to a shipment of high-quality counterfeit bags.

His materialistic girlfriend at the time abandoned him immediately after his bankruptcy, which drove him to go to Europe to master the art of appraisal. Elsewhere, Xiao Bei visited An Miu at her newly rented apartment, bringing her favorite crawfish. He was surprised to learn that An Miu, who had studied law, was now working as an entertainment reporter to follow the idols she admired.

As they reminisced about their time as roommates in the United Kingdom, An Miu confessed that she had always harbored feelings for him. She admitted that even when she was with her former boyfriend, she had felt a sense of panic and resisted intimacy because she feared Xiao Bei would look down on her. Sensing her growing intensity, Xiao Bei awkwardly cut her off and encouraged her to get some rest.

Li Xiaoxi and Gong, who introduced himself to Guan Jie as "Bao Bei" (or "Angela"), eventually met with Guan. Gong played his role with flair, claiming to be an expert in the appraisal industry who could spot anything fake at a glance, from cosmetic surgeries to luxury bags. He made a pointed speech about how he would never let "love debts" from Xiaoxi's past bother him.

Guan remained skeptical and eventually showed Xiaoxi photos, questioning how many boyfriends she was actually seeing. Xiaoxi sent Gong out of the room to settle matters privately, telling Guan she was done being threatened and was prepared to tell Xiao Bei everything herself, regardless of the outcome. Seeing Xiaoxi’s resolve, Guan claimed she was merely testing her loyalty. Later, Xiao Bei took Xiaoxi to a café he had named "Capricorn Café" to commemorate their many coffee dates.

He shared that he had practiced martial arts as a child to fulfill a dream of being a hero, explaining how he easily handled the thugs from the other night. Their peaceful moment was interrupted by Guan Jie, who arrived claiming she wanted to finalize the details of Xiaoxi leaving her business. Before Guan led her away, Xiao Bei mentioned that he wanted Xiaoxi to meet An Miu, the "sister" who had supported him during his hardest times abroad. Guan Jie, however, added a final cryptic note, telling Xiaoxi that she had a biological younger sister she wanted her to meet that afternoon.

Li Xiaoxi meets with Guan Jie’s younger sister, who reveals a heartbreaking diagnosis: she has breast cancer and fears her time is short. Although her boyfriend, Dr. Lin, is a warm and healing presence who constantly encourages her, she is determined to push him away so he can find a "better" girl and not suffer through her eventual loss.

She asks Xiaoxi to test his loyalty; if he falls for someone else, she will let him go with her blessing, but if he remains steadfast, she will spend her remaining days by his side. Moved by this selfless act of sacrifice, which stands in contrast to the selfish requests she usually receives, Xiaoxi agrees to help, seeing it as a way to fulfill a noble wish.

Outside the clinic, Xiaoxi runs into Gong, who is at the hospital to schedule a gastroscopy. When she explains her new mission, Gong insists on accompanying her, noting that a reliable friend is more effective than any safety spray in a crisis. Meanwhile, Zeyan confesses his love to Yingtao and brings up marriage. Yingtao remains hesitant, citing their significant age difference and the scars from her previous marriage.

Zeyan argues that maturity isn't defined by age and that it's unfair to judge him based on her ex-husband's failures. He even points out that their zodiac signs (Horse and Dog) and horoscopes (Leo and Sagittarius) are a perfect match, but Yingtao still worries that marriage would only be a stumbling block in his path to maturity and ambition.

Later, while shopping, Yingtao questions Xiaoxi’s return to relationship testing and how she plans to explain this to her boyfriend, Xiao Bei. Xiaoxi admits she simply wants to help the sick girl and will deal with Xiao Bei’s reaction later. Their conversation turns to Yingtao's ex-husband, Old Bai. Yingtao reflects that while the discovery of his infidelity shattered her world, she cannot deny the beautiful moments they once shared. Despite the heartbreak, those memories remain vivid.

Seeing that Zeyan is still pursuing Yingtao and that she clearly has feelings for him, Xiaoxi encourages her friend to go see him. Yingtao eventually leaves to meet her "little sweetheart." Taking on the identity of Chen Qing, Xiaoxi visits Dr. Lin for a psychological consultation under the guise of exchanging case studies for her "emotional counseling" training.

She describes her work of testing men’s loyalty, confessing that witnessing so many men flirt and cheat behind their partners' backs has made it nearly impossible for her to trust anyone. She explains how men often use specific routines, like risqué jokes or testing boundaries, to see if a woman is "uninhibited" before trying to get straight to the point. Dr. Lin is intrigued by her stories, but their session is cut short by his next appointment.

Feeling the office setting is too formal and potentially "hypnotic," Xiaoxi suggests they continue their talk at a movie theater next time. Dr. Lin agrees to the more relaxed venue. Nearby, Gong is waiting for a date when Xiao Bei happens to arrive. Xiao Bei reveals his intention to propose to Xiaoxi but expresses concern over her fierce independence and love for freedom.

Gong corrects him, explaining that Xiaoxi’s independence is a survival mechanism from having no one to rely on in the past, and that she is actually quite dependent on Xiao Bei when they are alone. Gong also tests Xiao Bei’s views on a partner’s past, but Xiao Bei firmly states that he doesn't care about scandals or past experiences. To him, a relationship is like two people on a deserted island where only their bond matters.

Relieved by his friend's sincerity, Gong pulls Xiao Bei away to get a drink just as Xiaoxi is about to exit the clinic. At Yu’s workplace, Xiu arrives with home-cooked twice-cooked pork, hoping to win her over with her favorite dish. However, Yu tells him she can no longer handle such greasy food due to her poor health and irregular schedule.

The arrival of Yu’s mother further complicates things, as she is accompanied by Da Hua, a professional who has been giving her financial advice. The mother openly disparages Xiu’s lack of practical sense and his failure to recognize Yu’s dietary needs, praising Da Hua as a reliable expert instead. Yu defends Xiu, claiming she was the one who craved the greasy dish. After Da Hua and her mother leave, a disappointed Xiu departs as well.

Later, Xiaoxi speaks with Guan Jie's sister, who warns her to stay sharp and not be manipulated by Dr. Lin's professional observations. Just then, Yingtao calls Xiaoxi with unsettling news: a mysterious woman has appeared at the flower shop, claiming she has an appointment to have dinner with Xiaoxi.

Yu met with Li Xiaoxi and presented her with a gift of her own design. During their conversation, Yu noted that Li Xiaoxi seemed different from their mutual circle of friends, observing that while most people are eventually homogenized by a group’s bad habits, Li Xiaoxi had remained herself. This rapport led Yu to speak candidly about her marriage.

She revealed that she was fully aware of Xiu's infidelity, noting that it was impossible to miss the signs when a man suddenly starts grooming himself, exercising, and creating music with a new-found passion. Yu explained that she didn’t want to vent; rather, she asked for Li Xiaoxi’s help to "grant him his wish" and settle the situation. Simultaneously, the men gathered for a meal where Xiao Bei shared his plan to propose to Li Xiaoxi.

While Xiu offered his congratulations, Gong mocked him, calling him a scumbag and questioning if a man in such a disastrous marriage had any right to give advice. Gong joked that Xiu’s blessing sounded more like an invitation into a nightmare. This prompted Xiu to admit a painful reality: he and Yu had not been to the cinema together in five years. This confession triggered memories of the turning point in their marriage.

Years ago, Yu grew resentful of Xiu performing for "bad friends" at weddings and bars for free, viewing him as a "simp" who was being exploited. Their arguments intensified after Yu opened her own company and brought Xiu on as an assistant. Xiu felt like a lowly worker rather than a partner, struggling with basic tasks like cutting fabric.

While Yu became a "cranky workaholic" under the pressure of mortgage payments, Xiu felt he was losing his identity as a musician. Yu, in turn, felt forced into a "mother" role for a husband who refused to take responsibility. At the dinner, Xiu defended his connection with Luan Luan, explaining that she made him feel relaxed and valued, offering the approval that Yu no longer gave.

However, Xiao Bei challenged him, reminding Xiu that he was the one who had once chased Yu and promised her a lifetime of love. He insisted that Xiu take responsibility and give both women an explanation, as Yu had sacrificed just as much for the marriage as he had. Later, Li Xiaoxi met with Luan Luan, who admitted she had been worried Li Xiaoxi would end their friendship because of the affair.

Luan Luan claimed that she and Xiu had never actually crossed the line into physical betrayal, describing their bond as one of deep mutual admiration. In a surprise reveal, Luan Luan mentioned seeing a street interview video and knew Li Xiaoxi was actually Jiang Yifan, but she promised to keep the secret. The group eventually gathered for the grand opening of "Qian Chang," a photography studio opened by Sen and Ming Ming.

Xiao Bei, the primary investor, gave a speech wishing them a partnership that wouldn't fail. During a private moment, Xiao Bei urged Ming Ming not to let Sen down after everything he had sacrificed for her. Ming Ming, however, argued that a relationship shouldn't be a business deal; if they were a bad fit, she wouldn't force it. She insisted on eventually repaying the money Sen borrowed from Xiao Bei, emphasizing that their relationship wasn't about financial debt.

At the studio, Xiu and Luan Luan modeled for promo photos, displaying a palpable intimacy. Li Xiaoxi captured a photo of them looking like a couple and hesitated, wondering if she should send it to Yu as part of their "fulfillment" agreement. Xiao Bei noticed and advised her against it. Amidst the photoshoot, Xiu and Luan Luan shared a final conversation. Luan Luan realized Xiu intended to return to his wife.

Though heartbroken, she didn't want to be a burden and asked him to stay with her for just a few more days until her play was over, after which they would officially break up. Xiu quietly agreed. The day concluded with Li Xiaoxi meeting Dr. Lin at the movie theater. Dr. Lin arrived with popcorn and explained the "dark effect," noting that people are more likely to lower their guard and feel secure in dim lighting. Li Xiaoxi admitted she was looking forward to the talk, hoping the relaxed environment would allow them to speak freely as the movie began.

At a cinema with Dr. Lin, Li Xiaoxi watched a romantic film that prompted her to reflect on the nature of relationships. Her mind was weighed down by a photo she had taken of Xiu’s infidelity; she felt a moral imperative to send it to Yu, believing she should empower Yu with the truth. However, Xiao Bei strongly disagreed. During a heated discussion by the river, he argued that exposing secrets can be as destructive as starting a war.

He shared a story about a boy who revealed his father’s affair, only to watch his family dissolve. Xiao Bei suggested that "perfect" pasts don't exist and that sometimes, silence is necessary to protect the chance for a future "dawn." Frustrated, Xiaoxi accused him of prioritizing loyalty to a friend over justice. Despite their disagreement, Xiao Bei knelt to propose, admitting the timing was poor but his feelings were certain.

Xiaoxi, though moved, declined for the moment, stating that they didn't know each other’s true selves well enough yet. To bridge this gap, she suggested a bold step: moving into his apartment the following day. After the movie, Xiaoxi continued her psychological sparring with Dr. Lin. She expressed deep skepticism about men, while Dr. Lin used a story about a jaguar and a boar to illustrate that harsh, objective laws govern nature and human behavior.

When Xiaoxi challenged him to prove he was a "good man," they agreed to a one-week test. She would set the time and place for daily meetings, and he would treat her simply as a friend. At her request, he began calling her Chen Qing. The move to Xiao Bei’s apartment was filled with small revelations. He teased her about a box of colorful wigs from her "edgy" past, while she decided to leave behind a broken music box.

They shared a hotpot dinner where Xiao Bei encouraged her to try duck blood and mutton—foods she usually avoided but found surprisingly palatable in his company. Although he insisted on driving his old, poorly maintained car instead of using hers, their domestic life felt warm and promising, though Xiaoxi felt a persistent, uneasy sensation of being watched. As part of their "test," Xiaoxi challenged Dr. Lin to a billiards match, with the winner choosing the location of their final meeting.

Gong was also at the hall, secretly keeping an eye on her safety. Despite Xiaoxi’s skill, Dr. Lin proved to be a professional-level player and won the bet. Before they left, she gave him an expensive watch. Though he initially felt it compromised the test, he eventually accepted, agreeing to fulfill a wish for her in the future. Later, Gong met with Xiaoxi and expressed open jealousy over the watch, warning her that Dr. Lin was using psychological tactics.

Xiaoxi shifted the focus to a portrait Xiao Bei had painted for her on an old drawing board Gong had once given him. Gong burst into laughter, mocking the amateurish, "postmodern" style of the art. Meanwhile, a young woman named An Miu was nearby, frustratedly reporting over the phone that she hadn't yet secured a clear face shot of her target. Noticing An Miu's stylish dress, Xiaoxi saw an opportunity to help Gong make a connection.

Pretending to be a foreigner who spoke no Chinese, she had Gong approach An Miu to ask for a photo and the link to her outfit. Since Xiaoxi "only used Line," Gong successfully added An Miu on WeChat under his nickname, "Mud Buddha," marking their first successful contact with the mysterious photographer.

At Moshi Fashion Studio, Li Xiaoxi wraps up her work early to head out on a date, while her colleagues tease her about spending time with her "hubby." Meanwhile, Yu treats her husband, Xiu, to a play titled "Spring" at the Youyuan Theater. Upon realizing that the lead actress is Luan Luan, Xiu suggests they see a movie instead, but Yu insists, questioning if he simply doesn't want to spend time with her.

During the performance, Yu recognizes Luan Luan on stage and suggests they say hello afterward. This triggers a memory for Xiu of the first time he met Luan Luan. Years ago, he and Gong had watched her perform; back then, Gong had used Xiu as a pretext to ask for her contact information, but Luan Luan had ignored Gong and chosen to add only Xiu on WeChat.

Backstage after the show, the male lead, Lu Hao, tries to gift Luan Luan a bouquet of flowers. She remains indifferent, suggesting he should have given them to her as a representative of the audience rather than a personal gift. Yu and Xiu arrive to greet her, and Yu expresses admiration for the theatrical life, musing that Xiu might find her more exciting if she were an actress playing different roles. Feeling the tension, Xiu excuses himself for a smoke.

Left alone, Luan Luan struggles to remove her makeup until Yu points out she is using the wrong product, which is only making her face messier. Outside the theater, Lu Hao continues to harass Luan Luan, but Gong—having been called by Xiu—arrives just in time. Gong pretends to be Luan Luan’s boyfriend to ward off Lu Hao and takes her away.

At his workshop, Xiao Bei works on a worn-out bag for An Miu, explaining that while its market value may have dropped, its sentimental value is priceless. Curious about his relationship, An Miu asks what makes Li Xiaoxi so special. Xiao Bei recalls their first date, where Xiaoxi surprised him with flowers. She had told him that after seeing a male customer at her shop mention he had never received flowers, she realized men might also appreciate such a gesture.

For Xiao Bei, this represented a unique level of care and relaxation. An Miu scoffs, claiming she could easily give him flowers too, but Xiao Bei insists it wouldn't be the same. That evening, Yu shows Xiu a unicorn necklace he once gave her, noting that the creature symbolizes loyalty. She asks him to play the song he wrote for her, but Xiu finds the melody has changed in his mind.

He remembers how Luan Luan once critiqued his music, urging him to move past superficial slogans in songs like "Say My Name" and "Time's Last Words" (Shi Guang Yi Yan) to find a more soul-stirring connection. When Yu notices the change in the tune, Xiu brushes it off, claiming he has forgotten the original after so much time. Gong and Luan Luan later share a meal, where they discuss the complexities of the heart.

Gong warns her about the moral implications of being attracted to a married man like Xiu. Luan Luan counters by asking if Gong could stay impartial if Li Xiaoxi ever asked to be with him. Gong later reflects on a secret meeting with Xiaoxi; he realized she kept talking about Xiao Bei only to suppress her own feelings of "betrayal." Distressed, Gong calls Xiao Bei, but the latter is too busy with work to talk.

Gong ends up drinking alone at a bar where he runs into An Miu, and the two reflect on the pain of missing out on love due to bad timing. The following day, Xiao Bei arranges for Li Xiaoxi and An Miu to meet. The encounter starts with an apology from Xiaoxi, who admits she was the "Korean foreigner" An Miu encountered previously—a prank she pulled to help Gong's clumsy attempt at a conversation.

An Miu observes that Xiaoxi seems to "perform" her daily life with professional ease. During the meal, An Miu sends Xiao Bei away to buy meat floss buns, while Xiaoxi asks him to pick up a "sweetheart pastry" (wife cake). Once alone, An Miu confronts Xiaoxi about her history with Xiao Bei in the UK.

She reveals that she had been his roommate and had fallen for him at first sight, despite having just committed to another man at the time. She describes an intimate but platonic domestic life—cooking together and Xiao Bei helping her study in her room. An Miu makes it clear that she knows exactly what type of woman Xiao Bei loves, leaving Xiaoxi to reflect on the deep, unspoken connection her boyfriend once shared with another woman.

Ming Ming's photo studio was in a state of crisis after a photographer failed to show up for a scheduled wedding shoot due to his mother’s sudden cerebral hemorrhage. The couple, who had been waiting since before dawn, was outraged and threatened to sue for a full refund and damages. Ming Ming's assistant, Xiao Wan, tried calling other photographers, but everyone was fully booked for the weekend. Just as the situation peaked, A-Lun arrived and offered to step in.

Though the couple was initially skeptical, they changed their tune when he presented a business card identifying him as the photography director of the prestigious Junziyang Photo Studio—a place they had wanted but found too expensive. A-Lun explained he had come after being notified by Xiao Wan. Meanwhile, An Miu met with Li Xiaoxi and prodded her about her relationship with Lao Gong.

Li Xiaoxi maintained they were just friends, but An Miu questioned the appropriateness of a woman with a boyfriend meeting an interested male friend in secret. Li Xiaoxi countered by praising Lao Gong’s kindness and his sense of boundaries. Undeterred, An Miu suggested Li Xiaoxi be honest with Xiao Bei and even mentioned her own past with him in England, claiming he used to come to her room at night to tutor her.

In response, Li Xiaoxi playfully challenged her, saying she would naturally discuss her friendship with Lao Gong with Xiao Bei during their private "pillow talk" time in bed. During the shoot, A-Lun asked Ming Ming if there was a chance for a reconciliation. Ming Ming firmly declined, reflecting on their volatile history. She admitted he was her first true love, but their constant cycle of breaking up and his tendency to seek out other women had exhausted her.

She told him that she finally had a new partner, Da Sen, and was ready for closure. While A-Lun offered to always be there for her like family, Ming Ming refused to owe him any favors, stating they were already even. Later, Xiao Bei explained to Li Xiaoxi that he studied luxury goods appraisal in the UK after a failed business venture involving counterfeit bags left him broke.

Li Xiaoxi then posed a difficult choice: if she and An Miu both fell into the water, who would he save? Xiao Bei chose Li Xiaoxi, viewing An Miu only as a younger sister. When she further asked who he would cut ties with if forced to choose, he named An Miu without a second thought. Their conversation was interrupted by Yu He’s arrival.

To avoid suspicion, Li Xiaoxi lied and said they were going to look at a coffee shop. Yu He revealed she was getting married and wondered if things with Lao Gong would be different if she hadn't sought Li Xiaoxi's help in the past. Li Xiaoxi dismissed these thoughts, noting that Lao Gong could never forget "Jiang Yifan."

Yu He also mentioned Xiao Bei's shop, Zhen Guan, was named after his ex-girlfriend, Zhen; however, she noted that since he was now willing to mention her, he had likely moved on. Li Xiaoxi felt relieved when Yu He promised to keep her past secrets. Li Xiaoxi also met with Yingtao, who was frustrated by messages from Zeyan's ex-girlfriend.

Li Xiaoxi empathized, admitting she felt unable to ask Xiao Bei about his past because she was hiding so much of her own. Later, when Xiao Bei arrived, he saw Li Xiaoxi with Yingtao, which reminded him of her previous deception when she pretended to be a housekeeper. Back at the studio, Da Sen was seething with jealousy after seeing A-Lun drop Ming Ming off.

Despite her explanation that A-Lun was just helping out professionally, Da Sen accused her of wanting to reunite with her ex. Ming Ming pointed out that Da Sen lacked the connections to solve the professional crisis that could have cost her shop thousands in penalties. Their argument escalated until Ming Ming questioned if he truly loved her, while Da Sen admitted his insecurity, fearing their short relationship could never compete with the years she spent with A-Lun.

Later, Xiao Bei returned home to find Li Xiaoxi making cabbage and pork dumplings. He enjoyed the meal and emotionally suggested they get married, wanting to share this simple life with her every day. Despite the tender moment, Li Xiaoxi initiated a truth game over drinks. Xiao Bei asked if she had arranged for girls to hit on him early in their relationship, and she admitted she had. Li Xiaoxi then asked about his ex-girlfriend, Zhen.

Amidst the weight of their secrets, Li Xiaoxi finally confessed the truth: she was actually Jiang Yifan, the woman who had caused several breakups, including the one between Lao Gong and Yu He.

Xiao Bei admits that the shop, Zhen Guan, was co-founded by him and his ex-girlfriend, Zhen. During their college years, Zhen’s passion for vintage bags and their belief in the market's potential led them to open the business. They once dreamed of opening a flagship store on a bustling street, but their plans collapsed when Xiao Bei inadvertently purchased a batch of counterfeit bags.

The subsequent backlash from customers and the threat of legal action led to Zhen leaving him for another man. Xiao Bei eventually went abroad to study professional appraisal to ensure he would never be deceived again. He offers to change the shop's name if it makes Li Xiaoxi uncomfortable, but she insists that they are both just ordinary people shaped by their pasts.

Li Xiaoxi then shares the root of her own insecurities, revealing that she was the "little girl" in a story Xiao Bei once told about a cheating father. As a child, she witnessed her father embracing another woman and told her mother, only to be dismissed and told she had "misunderstood." This lack of validation turned into a lifelong nightmare, causing her to doubt her father every time he traveled for work.

Even after investigating him during her university years and finding nothing, the psychological scar remained. This trauma drove her to become a professional who exposes "trashy men," helping other women distinguish between genuine affection and deceit. Meanwhile, Director Sen attends a noisy business gathering where he is introduced to Rou, a "goddess" at her company. Seeking a quiet space, they move to a private room where Rou immediately senses Sen’s relationship troubles.

She describes love as an unsolvable equation and uses a coin toss to illustrate that the probability of betrayal is always fifty percent. Rou argues that seeking total security from a partner is a futile cause of anxiety. Before she leaves, Rou reveals she is resigning and moving to another city, mentioning that Sen once kindly helped her during a heavy drinking session in the past, though he has no memory of it.

Back at home, Sen and Ming Ming finally address their conflict. Sen apologizes for his temper and his irrational jealousy toward her ex-boyfriend, Lun. He admits that his lashing out was a result of his own insecurity and fear of being compared to Lun. He confesses that he felt a brief spark of attraction toward another woman that night but was stopped by the fear of losing Ming Ming.

Showing maturity, Ming Ming explains that trust is the outcome of love, not a prerequisite, and that partners naturally earn trust through their actions. They reconcile as she prepares a meal for him. To prove his loyalty and clear any misunderstandings, Xiao Bei calls An Miu while Li Xiaoxi is present. He uses a trivial dispute over a ten-yuan parking fee as a pretext to verify his timeline.

By cross-referencing his arrival time at 9:52 PM with the timestamp of An Miu's food delivery at 10:15 PM, he proves he was at her apartment for less than thirty minutes. He firmly reiterates that he has a girlfriend and plans to marry. When An Miu tries to bring up Li Xiaoxi’s past aliases and work history, Xiao Bei cuts her off, stating he accepts everything about her. In a quiet moment afterward, Xiao Bei officially proposes to Li Xiaoxi.

He makes it clear that he isn't interested in the "bad woman" persona she used for work, but the woman he fell for months ago. Li Xiaoxi joyfully accepts his proposal. As he places the ring on her finger, they promise to move forward together without any regrets.

Xiu and Yu revisited Qinglong Bridge, a location from their past. While Yu felt the surroundings had changed, Xiu insisted everything remained the same. They headed toward a bar behind the bridge where Xiu used to perform during the early days of their relationship. Since Yu’s mother maintained a strict and overbearing presence in her life, Yu often used meetings with Hua as a convenient excuse to escape her mother’s constant supervision.

Hua was fully aware of the situation and assured Yu that he didn't want their time together to feel like a chore or a task she had to complete; he encouraged her to relax and be her true self. At the bar, Xiu took the stage and dedicated a song called "Unicorn" to the girl he loved, explaining that the creature symbolized unwavering devotion and that he would wait for her answer.

Observing the band, Hua asked Yu if she liked them. Yu’s response was hesitant, admitting she liked them but also felt conflicted. Hua noted her hesitation, wondering what kind of band could make a simple expression of preference so complicated. After his performance, Xiu pulled Yu aside, questioning why she had been unreachable for the past few days and accusing her of spending that time with another man.

Yu, still wearing the unicorn necklace Xiu had given her, explained that she had simply needed time to contemplate his proposal. Looking back at his younger years as a musician, Xiu dismissed his past behavior as childish, though Yu seemed to hold those memories in higher regard. Later, they stopped for milk tea. Xiu ordered two iced drinks out of habit, but Yu revealed she could no longer handle cold beverages and asked for a hot tea instead.

They reflected on how the reckless passion of their early relationship might have blinded them, making them believe that love alone would be enough to overcome any future hardship. Xiu had booked the same homestay they had stayed at before, remembering how much Yu had admired the view. However, upon arrival, they discovered the room lacked air conditioning. Xiu argued that they had stayed there before without it, but Yu sharply reminded him that the season was entirely different now.

When the front desk refused a refund because the lack of AC was noted in the booking, Yu refused to settle for the uncomfortable conditions and insisted they leave for a proper hotel. As they settled into a new hotel, Yu realized her expensive purple serum, worth over ten thousand yuan, was missing. She grew frustrated with Xiu for not being more attentive while they were packing.

Xiu returned to the previous homestay to search, even going as far as rummaging through the outdoor trash bins, but he ultimately could not find it. In a moment of overwhelming frustration on the bridge, Xiu threw away the ring he had prepared for Yu. Meanwhile, Luan Luan sent several messages to Xiu, encouraging him to be more attentive to Yu and suggesting he prepare a surprise like a ring or a necklace.

She told him not to focus on her upcoming play, but rather on making things right with Yu. During this time, Yu met with Hua. He tried to cheer her up with a black tea cake set, noting that sugar might help her feel better. Yu confessed that she felt miserable; despite her deep love for Xiu, she was exhausted by how their relationship had deteriorated.

Hua brought up the concept of "sunk costs" and the "Ship of Theseus," suggesting that sometimes cutting one's losses is the only way to move forward once the original foundation of a relationship has vanished. Yu's conversation was interrupted by a phone call informing her that a man had fallen into the water. Terrified it was Xiu, she rushed to the scene with Hua’s help.

Fortunately, Xiu was safe, having been rescued after jumping into the river to retrieve the ring he had thrown away. Relieved and shaken, Yu apologized for her earlier temper, and Xiu finally presented her with the ring. He told her his music was gaining popularity and that he was making money and about to sign with a new company. He promised to eventually provide her with the large house and garden she wanted if she gave him another chance.

Yu told him that she never cared about material wealth; she only wanted him to stay safely by her side. Later that night, Xiu met Luan Luan at a restaurant to officially end their affair. Luan Luan accepted his decision without protest. Hua, who was also at the restaurant, recorded the encounter as evidence. He confronted Xiu afterward, warning him that Yu had a right to know about his "busy" extracurricular life.

Hua pointed out that Yu, with her successful career and pride, lived in a different world than Xiu and his "groupies," and told Xiu to think carefully about who was actually providing for him. For the time being, however, Hua decided not to show the footage to Yu. At home, Xiao Bei and Li Xiaoxi shared a quiet moment while she helped him shave. They discussed Luan Luan’s play and Yu’s situation.

Li Xiaoxi admitted that while Yu was a good person who had even given her clothes, she struggled with the discomfort of being around both Yu and Luan Luan. She explained to Xiao Bei that she hadn't sent the incriminating photos to Yu yet because she understood his loyalty to his friend, but she found it increasingly difficult to watch the deception.

She confessed that part of her wanted to see the affair reach a dramatic peak so she could finally find the resolve to let go of her own lingering attachments. Afterward, Li Xiaoxi sent a message to Dr. Lin, canceling their meeting for the day.

Li Xiaoxi visits Guan at her studio, expressing her reluctance to continue acting as "Chen Qing." She has realized that Dr. Lin Chen is only intrigued by the tragic life story they’ve constructed for her, rather than being interested in Xiaoxi herself. She worries about the consequences if Lin Chen turns out to be a genuinely good man who has remained loyal; a discovery of their deception would leave Xiao Mu with no way to face him.

Guan, however, dismisses these concerns and pleads with Xiaoxi to meet him one last time, framing it as a final favor for her supposedly dying sister. Once Xiaoxi leaves, An Miu arrives, and Guan immediately demands the items she had requested. While packing his things, Xiao Bei is haunted by a memory of his ex-girlfriend, Zhen. Years ago, when their business was in a dire financial hole, Zhen had suddenly produced a large sum of money.

Though she initially claimed she borrowed it from her parents, Xiao Bei discovered she had accepted it from a persistent admirer. A bitter argument ensued where Zhen admitted to going on a weekend trip with the man to save their company, though she swore nothing happened. Xiao Bei, unable to accept money from a rival who clearly wanted his girlfriend, demanded she return it and start over by selling their inventory.

Zhen, offended by his moral superiority in the face of her sacrifice, called him high and mighty and walked out, ending their relationship. Xiu and Yu return home to find their apartment in complete disarray, courtesy of their new puppy. While Xiu is frustrated by the "home-wrecking" behavior, Yu takes it in stride, deciding they simply can't leave the dog alone anymore.

They decide to name the puppy "Thanks," hoping the name will serve as a constant reminder to be grateful and forget their troubles. In a rare moment of domestic warmth, they practice calling out the name, which leads to a sweet exchange of thanks between the couple themselves. Yu’s mother calls, insisting on joining them to pick out a new car to save face.

Yu, however, gets tied up at her studio when a model fails to show, leaving Xiu to handle her mother alone at the dealership. As the salesman shows them high-end models like the BMW 6 Series four-door coupe and the 7 Series, touting features like anti-pinch sensors for children, Xiu is triggered by a bitter memory.

He recalls a past conversation where Yu’s mother demanded that their future children take Yu’s surname because her family had provided the house's down payment. She had belittled his meager earnings and called him a social failure who was lucky to have Yu at all. Back in the present, the tension rises when Xiu mentions they aren't ready for kids and have instead adopted a dog.

His mother-in-law is appalled, criticizing them for wasting energy on a "dirty" animal instead of starting a family. Li Xiaoxi meets with Yingtao, who is distressed over Zeyan. Yingtao reveals that Zeyan's ex-girlfriend posted a photo of his bedroom on social media. Though Xiaoxi suggests it might be an old picture intended to provoke jealousy, Yingtao is certain it’s recent because of a specific magazine visible in the background that was only published this month.

Their conversation is interrupted by Gong, who has been eavesdropping nearby. After a brief, snarky exchange, Xiaoxi drops a bombshell: she has confessed the entire truth about their recent schemes to Xiao Bei. The news of the confession leaves Gong and Yingtao incredibly awkward, especially when Xiao Bei sends a message inviting the group to dinner after that night's stage play.

Gong is too nervous to even reply, and while he and Yingtao find the idea of a group meal unnecessary since they aren't close, Xiao Bei is adamant about the gathering. At her studio, Yu asks Li Xiaoxi to fill in as a model for her new collection. During the shoot, Xiaoxi admits she has obtained the photos of Xiu and Luan Luan that Yu had previously requested.

However, Xiaoxi refuses to hand them over just yet, feeling guilty that she might be the direct cause of their divorce. Yu confesses that discovering the affair was painful, but Xiu lying to her face while she couldn't expose him was even worse. Still, she admits she loves him and wants to try starting over.

She tells Xiaoxi to keep the photos for now, but asks for her friend’s help to walk away if she finds out that Xiu and Luan Luan haven't truly ended things. Xiu meets with Gong and confirms that he has officially ended his romantic involvement with Luan Luan, though he plans to remain "just friends" and songwriting partners. Gong doesn't hold back, calling Xiu’s behavior sleazy for trying to keep Luan Luan in his life under a different label.

Meanwhile, Luan Luan is at the theater for her directorial debut, "Delusion Girl". Her wealthy father arrives while juggling business calls with associates like Director Zhao and Mr. Wang. He confronts Luan Luan about her affair with the married man, but Luan Luan remains defiant, insisting their feelings are serious.

Her father, who has invested heavily in her music and theater career, tells her he is leaving for four months and urges her to use that time to find a respectable relationship. At the photography studio, Mr. Lun is furious with his assistant, Dana, over a botched wedding shoot. Dana retorts that he shouldn't have abandoned his own clients to save his favorite model, Ming Ming.

When Dana mocks his devoted lover persona and insults his skills, Mr. Lun fires her on the spot. Later, Ming Ming and Sen share a steak dinner. Ming Ming admits that while Xiao Bei is objectively perfect—handsome, kind, and successful—he feels unreal, like a character from a drama. She confesses that she prefers the messy reality of her relationship with Sen, where the jealousy and the arguments make their connection feel safe and grounded. Sen, happy to hear this, promises her a small surprise when they get home.

When Mr. Lun returned home, his wife, Hui, confronted him with a series of incriminating photos on her computer. She demanded an explanation, but Mr. Lun remained cold, offering nothing in his defense. Hui pointed out the abandonment she felt, noting that while other husbands stay by their pregnant wives, he was busy seeking out other women.

She accused him of being unreliable, but Mr. Lun dismissed her frustration, stating that whether she chose to divorce him or fight for days, the drama was simply pointless. He claimed he was exhausted and refused to discuss the matter further. At the theater, Xiao Bei finally managed to corner Gong, who had been intentionally avoiding his messages. When Xiao Bei asked why he hadn't replied on WeChat, Gong feigned ignorance, claiming he hadn't seen the notifications.

Xiao Bei wasn't deterred and insisted they have a proper talk once the stage play ended. Soon, Sen arrived with Ming Ming, proudly showing off an outfit Ming Ming had helped him pick. The others teased him, joking that he looked like he was wearing his father's outdated clothes, but Sen brushed it off, telling Xiao Bei to worry about his own single status instead of his fashion. Backstage, Xiu went to find Luan Luan before the performance.

Luan Luan treated the evening as a final breakup ceremony, remarking that once the curtain fell, their connection would be over. She recalled their first meeting when she was on the stage and he was in the audience, suggesting that this was a poetic way to end things. Xiu noted that it is usually hard to see the audience from the stage, but Luan Luan felt that the lack of clarity made the separation even better.

They shared a final, lingering embrace before she had to prepare for her entrance. Yu also arrived backstage to present Luan Luan with a bouquet of flowers, wishing her a successful premiere. Luan Luan was surprised to see her, noting that she had only invited Xiu. Yu confronted her, but Luan Luan insisted that nothing physical had ever happened between her and Xiu.

She explained that while some men seek affairs for excitement, Xiu only came to her because he needed to breathe and rediscover a part of himself that had died. Luan Luan then showed Yu a song Xiu had written, pointedly showing that she was credited as the lyricist. She challenged Yu, asking if she cared about his talent or if she only cared about how much money his music earned for her.

Li Xiaoxi and her friends found their seats in the front row. Gong pointedly left a gap between himself and Xiao Bei, reserving the first seat for Xiu to keep himself at a distance. As the play began, it centered on the mysterious death of a musician named Mr. Xiu, whose body was discovered in his studio by a cleaning lady. Luan Luan played the role of a detective investigating the cause of death.

The play introduced the character of Mrs. Xiu, a woman who ran a clothing studio and had been absent from home for days. The performance became uncomfortably personal for the audience. An actor playing a fellow musician claimed that Mr. Xiu was talented, but that his wife’s interference had stifled his career. On stage, the detective accused Mrs. Xiu of never valuing her husband’s talent, instead pressuring him with worldly expectations and belittling his dignity.

The dialogue on stage mirrored the exact arguments Yu and Xiu had in private, including the harsh accusation that he was a social loser who would never find a wife if not for her. Yu was paralyzed with shock as she realized her private life had been laid bare for everyone to see. Unable to take it anymore, Yu fled the theater.

Xiu, realizing what was happening, chased after her to the parking lot, but she had already driven away in tears. Meanwhile, a scandal erupted in the audience as Hui posted a public exposure of Ming Ming on the internet, labeling her a home-wrecker. People nearby began whispering and pointing at Ming Ming, who felt the weight of their judgment and hurried out, with Sen quickly following to support her.

In the midst of the chaos, Yu He arrived at the theater, much to Gong's shock. He tried to explain his seating choice by claiming he just didn't want to be near Xiao Bei, but Yu He questioned whether he was actually afraid rather than just reluctant. Elsewhere, Yu drove past Ming Ming's shop and saw a poster for the play featuring a passionate kiss between Xiu and Luan Luan.

The sight was too much to bear, and she broke down into a fit of sobbing. The play concluded with a science fiction twist called Delusion Girl. In a future where Earth is destroyed and humanity lives on other planets, human emotions are suppressed through a genetic program to ensure reproduction quality. In this world, the concepts of love and lovers do not exist.

However, a man and a woman who once shared a life choose to erase their memories of each other to escape the pain of their past. Despite this, when they eventually encounter one another again in the ruins of Earth during an interstellar trip, they find themselves inexplicably drawn back together. After the show ended, Xiao Bei noticed Yu He in the crowd and pointed her out to Li Xiaoxi, and they went over to exchange greetings.

After the humiliating revelation online, Sen chases Ming Ming as she flees in distress. Ming Ming is devastated, explaining through tears that she truly believed Alun was single and never intended to be a home-wrecker. Sen comforts her, insisting that it wasn't her fault. Meanwhile, Alun confronts Hui at home, demanding she delete the post that is now blowing up online.

Hui, fueled by the pain of being neglected during her pregnancy, refuses to back down, even when Alun tries to guess her computer password. Back on the street, Ming Ming tells Sen they are finished because she can't bear the thought of him being mocked for her past, but Sen remains steadfast. Having waited seven years to finally be with her, he vows that no matter what people say, he will stay by her side and protect her.

Backstage at the theater, Luan Luan is removing her makeup when her father arrives with roses sent by Mr. Zhang’s son. He pressures her to date the wealthy suitor instead of the married man she’s been seeing, claiming he only wants her to be happy. Luan Luan coldly reminds him that he hasn't been part of her life since she was a child, and his sudden parental concern carries no weight with her now.

Nearby, Xiao Bei and Gong discuss the play. Both men feel that Luan Luan’s perspective was cruelly biased against Yu, effectively pushing the blame for the failed marriage onto the wife. As the group leaves the theater, they encounter a man Li Xiaoxi once tested in her past job. He recognizes her and mocks Xiao Bei, warning him that Li Xiaoxi is a "curse" who will eventually cheat on him just as she has manipulated others.

Xiao Bei becomes defensive, demanding an apology while Li Xiaoxi tries to pull him away. Later, Xiao Bei confronts Gong about why he intentionally mentioned Jiang Yifan when they first met Li Xiaoxi. Gong admits that he viewed Jiang Yifan as an ideal, almost fictional character, but acknowledges that Li Xiaoxi is her own person. Before they part ways, Xiao Bei proudly announces that Li Xiaoxi has accepted his proposal.

Yu He later arrives in her car and offers to drive Gong home. During the theater troupe’s celebration, Luan Luan goes to the restroom, only to be followed by her colleague, Hao. He locks the door and makes aggressive advances, claiming that after hearing her conversation backstage, he knows she isn't as "pure" as she pretends to be.

He insults her, suggesting that if she can mess around with a married man like Xiu, she should have no problem with him. Luan Luan manages to push him away and escapes. Meanwhile, Xiu finds Yu and tries to explain that he has officially ended things with Luan Luan. Yu is beyond forgiveness, disgusted that he allowed their private marital struggles to be mocked on a public stage.

When Luan Luan calls Xiu, Yu forces him to put it on speaker, only to hear Luan Luan confirming their breakup. Yu tells Xiu she is done with him, leaving him to pursue his "art" with his mistress if he chooses. The situation with Ming Ming escalates when Alun finds her to apologize. He pulls her into a hug just as Sen arrives. Seeing another man touching his girlfriend, Sen loses control and attacks Alun.

Hui arrives on the scene and begins screaming at Ming Ming, calling her a shameless home-wrecker and a fox. During the chaos, Hui accidentally trips and her water breaks. Despite the animosity, Sen immediately steps up and drives Alun and Hui to the hospital. While waiting, Sen tells Alun that if he truly wants to show gratitude, he should delete the post immediately and handle his family issues without dragging Ming Ming into the dirt.

At the hospital, Hui gives birth to a daughter. Alun shows the baby to Sen and Ming Ming, but the atmosphere remains somber. Alun confirms he has deleted the post, though he admits the damage may already be done. Ming Ming tells him to focus on being a reliable husband and a good father from now on. Exhausted but united, Sen and Ming Ming finally head home together. In the aftermath of her heartbreak, Yu goes to see Hua.

In a moment of desperation, she asks if he still likes her and suggests they be together, but Hua sees through her pain. He knows she is only acting out of hurt and refuses to take advantage of her. He gives her a unicorn figurine, a symbol of loyalty, and tells her to get some rest in the clean pajamas he provided, leaving her to find her own strength.

Li Xiaoxi calls her mother to announce that she is planning to bring her boyfriend, Xiao Bei, home to meet them in a few days. Her mother is thrilled, remarking that she has finally lived to see the day her picky daughter is satisfied with someone. Since Xiaoxi’s father is already in the area on a business trip, her mother suggests he meet the couple for dinner first to get a sense of the young man.

When Xiaoxi relays this to Xiao Bei and invites him to dinner the following evening, he becomes visibly anxious. He frantically searches for his phone and worries about what gifts to buy or what restaurant to book, suggesting Sichuan food before realizing that is what Xiaoxi's family usually eats. Xiaoxi teases him for his nerves, but Xiao Bei grows serious and asks her to promise she will never leave him. Xiaoxi gives her word.

Meanwhile, Lao Gong and Yu He share drinks to celebrate the news that Gong’s manga is being adapted for the screen. Their conversation turns toward their past relationship and why they ultimately fell apart. Yu He admits she lacked trust and even hired someone to test him because she couldn't stop worrying about the women he might be chatting with on his phone.

Gong explains that while she was like an angel with wings when they first met, she eventually became like a koala clinging to his back, weighing him down until he could no longer breathe. He mentions that Xiaoxi is getting married to Xiao Bei, which surprises Yu He.

She confesses that she was actually on the verge of getting married herself, but she came to Gong seeking an answer to whether he would feel any regret or sadness upon hearing the news. She thanks him for showing her that she was merely overthinking their connection. The next morning, Gong wakes up in his bed and is startled to find Yu He there.

She clarifies that nothing happened between them; she had simply used the bathroom in a daze and returned to the bed out of habit, forgetting he was there. She prepares breakfast and mentions that her phone is flooded with calls from her fiancé.

She explains that while her fiancé is a great man who wants to marry and spoil her, she didn't want to hide in a "suitable" relationship while secretly missing someone else, as it would be unfair to him. Before leaving, she asks Gong to admit he was only sad the night before because of Xiaoxi’s wedding news, though Gong tries to play it off.

In a different part of town, Da Sen receives a series of harsh text messages from his family. They demand he break up with Ming Ming immediately, calling her a homewrecker and claiming he has embarrassed the entire family. Da Hua drops Yu off at her place, and the two reflect on their shared history. Hua acknowledges that Yu’s parents always preferred him, viewing him as the "perfect child," which led Yu to see him as a rival.

Yu recalls how she chose to study science in high school just because Hua did, even though she excelled in liberal arts. Hua praises the success of her clothing store, noting that she poured her love for life into her designs rather than treating it as a pure business.

Yu admits that while she and Gu Xiu once loved life and each other deeply, they eventually ruined their lives by forgetting that each person brings their own baggage into a relationship. Hua encourages her, saying she can succeed even if she starts from scratch. When Yu enters her home, she presents Gu Xiu with a Divorce Agreement. Gu Xiu is defensive, accusing her of acting on Da Hua’s advice and suspecting they have been together for some time.

He refuses to sign, venting his frustration over feeling like a dog in her household, constantly bossed around and looked down upon. Yu counters that she only started her business because his music couldn't cover the mortgage, and she had been trying to protect his fragile ego. The argument turns to their families; Xiu insults Yu’s "snobbish" mother, while Yu reminds him that his mother called her "old" and "shameless" when they married.

They reflect on a pivotal moment when Yu’s father was hospitalized for acute appendicitis. While Xiu stayed home to write "worthless songs," Da Hua was the one who stayed at the hospital to help. Yu’s mother had ridiculed Xiu, saying Yu had married him for nothing more than a "shabby donkey" of a car.

Yu had defended the gift as a "unicorn" symbolizing loyalty, but she now presents the same unicorn back to Xiu, calling herself stupid for ever believing in it. Despite the vitriol, Xiu receives a call to sign a Music Artist Agency Contract and asks Yu to accompany him. At the meeting, the agent mistakes them for a "perfect couple," but the professional feedback is devastating.

The agent tells Xiu that his music is too focused on showing off skills and lacks the genuine emotion needed to make an audience empathize. He suggests that Xiu should reconsider whether he has the talent to continue. Returning home, Xiu is crushed, realizing he had even forgotten to pay the gas bill because he was so preoccupied with his lyrics.

Yu tells him that while he has talent, they have reached a point where they no longer love each other or themselves. Xiu finally accepts the reality, and they agree to separate.

Gong’s parents arrive at his apartment unannounced several days early for their scheduled physical examinations. His mother explains that his father simply couldn’t stay still at home, but the atmosphere quickly sours when Gong mentions he broke up with Yu He a long time ago. His father is incensed, refusing to believe Gong would let go of such a stable, well-educated woman with a respectable government job.

He berates Gong for living like an unemployed drifter, drawing "messy" comics that they are ashamed to describe to their relatives. Gong defends his career and his freedom, arguing that marriage often leads to nothing but the constant fighting he witnessed between his parents. The argument peaks when his father threatens that if Gong doesn’t bring a proper girlfriend home, he isn't welcome for the Lunar New Year.

Gong stubbornly retorts that he would prefer the peace and quiet of staying away, leaving his mother to chase after his fuming father. At the photography studio, the staff is buzzing with idle gossip about Ming Ming, calling her a home-wrecker and wondering how long she has been the "other woman." The tension escalates when a customer demands a full refund, claiming that having a wedding shoot handled by a mistress is a jinx.

Ming Ming maintains her composure and authorizes the refund immediately. Sen arrives shortly after, deeply concerned by the rumors and suggesting they close the shop temporarily until the scandal blows over. However, Ming Ming refuses, pointing out that they cannot afford to stop working, especially since they still owe Xiao Bei money. She assures Sen she can handle the pressure, though she asks if he finds her presence embarrassing.

Sen quickly denies this, telling her to let him know immediately if anyone causes more trouble. Yingtao confides in Li Xiaoxi about her deepening insecurities regarding Zeyan. While her rational mind knows that Zeyan’s ex-girlfriend is merely trying to stir up trouble, her emotions are compromised by the scars of her previous marriage. She admits to feeling like a self-proclaimed clown, even coming close to trying to "catch him in the act" when he didn't respond to a text.

Li Xiaoxi listens patiently, preparing for her final consultation with Dr. Lin. She expresses her intent to be completely transparent with Xiao Bei once the therapy concludes, though she wonders if Xiao Bei is keeping secrets of his own. During their session, Dr. Lin proposes hypnotherapy to help Li Xiaoxi explore her subconscious. He explains that while she might think she has moved past certain pains, the subconscious preserves those struggles, and they often resurface to dictate her current behavior.

Li Xiaoxi agrees to the treatment. As she enters a light trance, she revisits a childhood memory of her father holding another little girl. The session is abruptly interrupted by her phone; Xiao Bei is calling to inform her that her father has arrived and wants to meet him. Dr. Lin apologizes for the oversight of not silencing the phone and suggests they continue the deep-dive therapy the following day.

Xiao Bei takes Li Xiaoxi’s father, Mr. Li, out for a meal, desperately trying to find common ground. He awkwardly cycles through topics like the Premier League, Manchester City, and Cristiano Ronaldo, before pivoting to mutual funds and Warren Buffett. Sensing the young man’s nerves, Mr. Li keeps the conversation grounded. Xiao Bei eventually opens up about his own life, sharing that his parents divorced when he was young and that he was raised by his grandparents.

He explains that his grandmother taught him the importance of cherishing those he loves, promising Mr. Li that he will provide Li Xiaoxi with the stable, complete home he never had. Touched by his sincerity, Mr. Li shows Xiao Bei the dragon and phoenix wood carvings he is working on, promising to finish them as a wedding gift.

Later that night, Xiao Bei tells Li Xiaoxi how much he liked her father and expresses his desire to get their marriage license as soon as possible. Yu and Xiu meet to discuss the final details of their divorce. Yu explains that due to new regulations, they must observe a thirty-day cooling-off period before the split is finalized. She offers him their new car to help maintain his image now that he has signed an agency contract, but Xiu declines.

He has revised the agreement to ensure Yu keeps the house, noting that his parents provided the down payment and he doesn't want to take it from her. He also chooses to keep his old car, which he is more comfortable driving. The most significant point of contention is their dog; Xiu insists on keeping it, arguing that Yu is too busy and the dog would be miserable in a cage at a pet shop.

Despite his past reputation for being irresponsible, he asks Yu to trust him one last time to figure out a way to care for the animal even while he is on tour. The next day, Li Xiaoxi returns to Dr. Lin for her final session. She reflects on how her doubts have shaped her view of the world, admitting that Dr. Lin’s assessment of her subconscious pressure was correct.

Dr. Lin praises her for being one of the few patients brave enough to face her own issues rather than resisting the truth. As they prepare to part ways, Li Xiaoxi requests a goodbye hug, which Dr. Lin grants. However, the atmosphere shifts when Li Xiaoxi reveals she was sent there by "Mu" to test his professional and personal boundaries. Dr. Lin is genuinely baffled, stating he has no idea who Mu is.

He shows Li Xiaoxi a photo of the person he actually loves, and she realizes the woman in the picture is not Mu at all. Realizing she has been a pawn in someone else's game, Li Xiaoxi makes a voice call to Guan. She demands to know what Guan was trying to accomplish by orchestrating the ruse involving Mu and the "pity act." Guan admits with a sense of detached amusement that her curiosity simply got the better of her. She wanted to see how a "perfect boyfriend" like Xiao Bei would react and handle the chaos when placed in such an impossible situation.

An Miu visits Xiao Bei at his shop while he is busy preparing fresh flowers. He is in high spirits, announcing that it is a big day for him and he intends to celebrate that evening. When An Miu realizes he plans to register his marriage with Li Xiaoxi, she becomes frantic, warning him that he doesn't truly know who Xiaoxi is.

She labels Xiaoxi a fraud who makes a living by seducing men and claims her flower shop is merely a front. Although Xiao Bei insists that Xiaoxi has already been honest with him about her past, An Miu reveals that Xiaoxi is currently involved with another man. She presents him with photos as proof, urging him to reconsider his decision. In the past, An Miu had stayed by Xiao Bei’s side when he was scammed and left deep in debt.

During that time, his ex-girlfriend, Zhen, accepted a large sum of money from a man who had pursued her for years to help settle Xiao Bei's liabilities. While Xiao Bei eventually chose to let the past go, An Miu remained bitter, viewing the benefactor as a vicious person who merely played the hero during Xiao Bei's lowest moment. Driven by a desire for revenge, An Miu had sought to expose Dr. Lin, whom she viewed as a hypocrite.

An Miu initially approaches Guan to commission a test on Dr. Lin. Guan at first refuses the request, stating that her agency only helps vulnerable women and does not accept indirect commissions with unclear motives. However, after hearing An Miu mention Li Xiaoxi during a phone call with Xiao Bei, Guan's demeanor shifts and she agrees to help. She assigns Xiaoxi to test Dr. Lin while ensuring An Miu is positioned to capture incriminating photos of their encounter.

Guan later remarks to An Miu that Xiaoxi has fallen into the same trap as the men she used to test. Meanwhile, Li Xiaoxi tries repeatedly to call Xiao Bei, but he refuses to answer. She rushes to the shop only to find from a staff member that he has already left in a state of distress. On the table, she discovers the photos of her embracing Dr. Lin.

Having already seen the photos, a furious Xiao Bei storms into Dr. Lin’s clinic, ignoring the staff’s attempts to stop him, and punches Dr. Lin in the face. By the time Xiaoxi arrives, the police have already taken both men to the station. She quickly contacts Gong and asks him to meet them there. At the police station, Xiao Bei admits to the officers that he threw the first punch, claiming he simply wanted to hit Dr. Lin.

Dr. Lin, however, attempts to downplay the incident to the police, describing it as a misunderstanding between old friends that got out of hand. After signing a settlement agreement, the men are released. Upon seeing Xiaoxi waiting for Xiao Bei, Dr. Lin realizes that he and Xiaoxi were both victims of a calculated setup. Zhen arrives at the station to pick up Dr. Lin, but she avoids making eye contact or speaking with Xiao Bei.

Back at home, Li Xiaoxi tends to Xiao Bei’s injuries. She apologizes and explains that Guan had manipulated her by inventing a story about a terminally ill sister who needed her fiancé, Dr. Lin, to leave her. Xiaoxi admits she felt she couldn't refuse a request from someone facing death, but she realizes now it was all a lie. Xiao Bei, feeling overwhelmed and confused by the day's events, tells her he needs time to process everything.

He decides to stay at his shop for a few days to have some space. Seeking answers, Li Xiaoxi confronts Guan about her motives. Guan asks if she remembers Cheng Yu, her boyfriend of twenty years. Years ago, Guan had suspected Cheng Yu was changing and asked Xiaoxi to test his loyalty. During that test, Xiaoxi had met with Professor Cheng, and they had bonded over his feelings of being stifled by Guan’s growing wealth and controlling nature.

During their meeting, Xiaoxi’s phone was damaged by spilled wine, leaving her unable to contact Guan. She had agreed to go to Cheng Yu’s house to see his Luce wine collection, hoping to record a direct confession of his infidelity. However, Guan had arrived with friends and found them together. Consequently, Cheng Yu broke up with Guan, choosing Xiaoxi instead. Guan reveals that her life's work and her twenty-year relationship were turned into a joke because of that test.

She admits she wanted Xiaoxi to experience the same pain of having the truth shoved in her face. Realizing the harm she has caused, Xiaoxi acknowledges that the entire concept of testing love was a mistake and that she was far too self-assured. Deeply remorseful, she returns home and burns all her professional records and materials related to her past work.

Xiao Bei met with An Miu to confront her about the recent scheme involving Dr. Lin Chen. An Miu admitted that she had provided Guan Jie with the details of Xiao Bei’s past history with the doctor to initiate the "loyalty test."

Regarding the incriminating photos, she confessed that Lin Chen was indeed only performing hypnotherapy; the windows had remained open the entire time, and once Li Xiaoxi fell asleep, the doctor simply sat by the window to drink coffee and look at the scenery. Despite the truth being revealed, An Miu remained defiant, arguing that investigating the doctor had been a mutual decision and suggesting that the two had likely gone on other dates to places like the cinema.

Xiao Bei firmly told her that he had only ever seen her as a younger sister and that there was no possibility of a romantic relationship. Overcome with resentment, An Miu left, calling herself a fool for ever loving him. Seeking a distraction, Xiao Bei visited Gong, bringing along BBQ skewers made with Ningxia Tan Mutton, Xinjiang cumin, and Xi'an chili.

While Gong was in the bathroom dealing with an upset stomach caused by the food, Xiao Bei happened to see an image of Li Xiaoxi on Gong’s computer screen. Later that evening, Xiao Bei stood outside Li Xiaoxi’s building for a long time, hesitating to go up, unaware that she was watching him from her window. Meanwhile, Zhen drove Dr. Lin to work.

Lin noted that Zhen’s sudden kindness was born out of guilt for dragging him into her personal disputes rather than genuine affection, which left him feeling saddened. An Miu reached out to Guan Jie, informing her that Xiao Bei and Li Xiaoxi had reconciled and asking if there were any other ways to drive them apart.

Guan Jie, however, had lost interest in the matter, coldly stating that if a man truly loves a woman, he will accept whatever she does. She told An Miu that she and Xiao Bei were simply not the same kind of people. Yu and Xiu finally met at the Civil Affairs Bureau to finalize their divorce after the mandatory thirty-day cooling-off period. Afterward, they visited the spot where they had their first date.

Xiu was overcome with regret, remembering how he had once given Yu a unicorn necklace to symbolize loyalty and apologizing for ruining everything. Yu told him that they were both responsible for the failure of their marriage, urged him to be more decisive in his future relationships, and suggested they never see each other again. When Xiu returned to the house to pack his remaining belongings, Yu’s mother was already there with movers.

She treated Xiu with open hostility, declaring that everything associated with their marriage was bad luck. She ordered the movers to take everything, including the coffee table, and told Xiu to take his dog and vanish from Yu’s life forever. The consequences of the photo scandal continued to ripple through everyone's lives. A property manager approached Ming Ming, demanding she move her studio out of the industrial park.

He explained that her presence was negatively affecting the "feng shui" and that neighboring maternity and childcare businesses were complaining. Ming Ming protested, citing her heavy investment in renovations, but the manager remained firm. To make matters worse, Ming Ming’s employee informed her that she was leaving to work at another studio. At his own workplace, Da Sen went to submit a design proposal to his boss, Mr. Chen.

He found Chen and another executive, Mr. Cao, leering at Ming Ming’s leaked photos. Disgusted by their behavior, Da Sen confronted them, calling them vulgar and shameful before resigning on the spot. Da Sen did not initially tell Ming Ming about his resignation, but his sister and mother soon found out. His mother called him in tears, blaming Ming Ming for his job loss and demanding he break up with her and apologize to his boss.

Ming Ming overheard the entire conversation. Later that evening, the group of friends gathered to drink. Da Sen reflected on his situation, telling the others that he had realized nothing else mattered as long as Ming Ming was happy. Xiu discussed the complexity of human nature, noting how a man could be unfaithful yet still be willing to sacrifice everything for the woman he lost.

Xiu officially welcomed the group to the "Bachelor Club," though he admitted he was struggling with the loss of his marriage. After the others left, Xiao Bei stayed behind with Gong. Having seen Gong’s computer earlier, Xiao Bei revealed he knew that Gong was the artist behind the "Shou Gongyuan" comics and that the character "Ximei" was based on Li Xiaoxi.

Gong admitted his feelings, confessing that he loved Li Xiaoxi but acknowledged that she only saw him as a friend. He insisted his feelings were his own business and wouldn't interfere with their relationship. Li Xiaoxi later sent a message to Xiao Bei asking to talk, but Xiao Bei turned her down, saying it was too late and she should rest.

The night ended abruptly when Gong received a frantic phone call from his mother, telling him that his father had been in a serious accident and he needed to come home immediately.

Xiu went out to drink after his divorce and happened to overhear Luan Luan's colleagues gossiping about her. They mocked her, calling her a "homewrecker" who acted saintly but was actually desperately chasing after others. One man boasted that during the wrap party on the night of the premiere, their lips had even touched, yet she still put on a "pure" act with him.

Infuriated by their disrespect, Xiu started a fight with them, but he was outnumbered and ended up getting beaten. Gong and Xiao Bei rushed to the hospital in Gong’s hometown, where Gong's father had just undergone surgery. The doctor delivered the news that he was out of danger and would be moved to the ward shortly. Gong questioned his mother about why his father’s condition had deteriorated so suddenly.

She explained that a blockage had been discovered earlier and the doctor had recommended surgery, but his father had been too stubborn to agree, claiming he knew his own body best. Gong’s mother wanted to stay and look after him, but Gong convinced her to go home and rest while they stayed the night. Xiu later went to see Luan Luan to apologize.

He admitted he hadn't realized she was being harassed the night she called him and regretted his harsh words. Luan Luan accepted his apology but remained firm. She pointed out that Xiu was always hiding from his desires and playing the role of a marriage victim to avoid taking responsibility. While she once thought she could give him strength, she now realized that true strength must come from within.

She told him clearly that she would no longer wait for him. At the hospital, Gong sat by his father’s bed, reflecting on their relationship. He recalled how his father used to hit him when he was younger and how they had constantly clashed. Even when his father became too old to strike him, his sharp tongue never stopped.

Watching his father in such a vulnerable state, Gong felt a deep sense of regret for the harsh things he had said to him in the past. The next day, Li Xiaoxi arrived at the hospital. Gong shared his fears with her and asked if he could borrow her shoulder for a moment. As he leaned on her, Xiao Bei watched from a distance.

When Gong’s mother returned, she saw Gong and Li Xiaoxi together and immediately assumed she was Gong’s girlfriend, even calling her "daughter-in-law." Gong hurriedly corrected her, explaining that Li Xiaoxi was actually Xiao Bei’s girlfriend and they were getting married. The revelation was incredibly awkward for his mother, who realized Xiao Bei had likely heard her loud excitement. Li Xiaoxi chased after Xiao Bei, asking why he was avoiding her.

She expressed her frustration with the constant anxiety and told him she would rather he be angry with her than shut her out. Xiao Bei, still stinging from what he saw, coldly replied that she still had Gong to lean on. Later, Gong spoke with Li Xiaoxi about Xiao Bei’s past to help her understand him. He revealed that Xiao Bei’s perfectionism stemmed from childhood trauma.

Xiao Bei’s father was often away, and Xiao Bei worked tirelessly to be perfect just to make his unhappy mother smile. On one occasion, his mother gave him a new pair of running shoes for a sports meet and promised to watch him receive his award if he won first place. However, Xiao Bei fell during the race and failed to win. When he returned home, his mother was gone.

He grew up believing she left because he wasn't good enough. Gong explained that whenever Xiao Bei felt insecure, he would return to that same playground and run until he was completely exhausted. Gong also questioned his mother about why she and his father stayed together despite a lifetime of bickering. His mother explained that while they fought over trivial things to keep his father’s mind active and prevent Alzheimer's, she cherished their small, happy moments.

She recalled the bright red washbasin he gave her when they first married, a memory she held dear for years. She likened life to picking corn—dropping things as you go while looking for something better—but emphasized that in the end, her husband was the only one truly by her side. In other developments, Sen proposed to Ming Ming, but she turned him down.

She didn't want to burden him with her troubles and felt that breaking up was the best way to repay his kindness. Meanwhile, Yingtao and Zeyan reconciled after Yingtao apologized. Yingtao told Li Xiaoxi that she decided to live more carefreely, believing that if two people love each other, they should be together and solve their problems. Inspired and reflecting on her own situation, Xiao Bei eventually realized he couldn't let go.

He decided that even if Li Xiaoxi tried to leave, he would do whatever it took to find her. Xiao Bei reaffirmed his feelings, telling Li Xiaoxi that he didn't care about the labels others put on her; she was the person he wanted to marry.

Mingming finalizes the accounts for her shop, preparing to settle her remaining debts with Xiao Bei. Since the property handover isn't until Monday, she asks Dasen to return the keys for her. She reveals her plan to leave for Yunnan the next day to work in travel photography, hoping a new environment will provide a fresh start. This decision prompts Dasen to reminisce about the meaning behind her shop’s name, "Qian Shang."

Mingming once explained it was inspired by a poem from the "Book of Songs", suggesting that if a lover truly cares, they will cross rivers to find her; otherwise, she will move on. Dasen also recalls their first meeting on a train, where he offered her a tissue while she was crying in her seat. Meanwhile, Zhen invites Xiao Bei to their old archery range for a serious conversation.

Simultaneously, An Miu meets Li Xiaoxi and shows her photos that cast doubt on her relationship. At the range, Zhen confesses the truth: she was never actually in a relationship with Dr. Lin. She reveals that on the day they broke up, she waited in the hallway for a long time, hoping Xiao Bei would come out for her. When he didn't, she fabricated a new romance to punish him and force him to chase her.

An Miu further rattles Xiaoxi by revealing a detail Xiao Bei withheld: on the night they first met, Zhen had visited Xiao Bei to tell him she was getting married. Distraught, the usually sober Xiao Bei went to a bar to drink, leading to his "romantic" encounter with Xiaoxi. An Miu bluntly suggests that Xiaoxi was merely a substitute used to numb his pain. Back at the archery range, Zhen desperately asks for a second chance, but Xiao Bei refuses.

He admits he has a girlfriend and expresses his wish for a dignified parting, stating he wants to remember her as the vibrant, ambitious girl she once was. Eventually, Dr. Lin arrives to pick up Zhen; she agrees to go to dinner with him, finally choosing to let go of her years-long obsession. Xiaoxi later confronts Xiao Bei about the night they met. While Xiao Bei insists he truly loves her now, Xiaoxi finds her trust shattered.

She feels he is simply seeking a "suitable" partner to build a conventional life with—a happiness she views as a lie. She returns her engagement ring and ends the relationship. Below her building, Lao Gong waits with wild roses. He confesses that he used to hide behind cynical theories to avoid the pain of loss, but he is now ready to be brave and asks Xiaoxi for a chance.

Yu faces pressure from her mother, who urges her to reconcile with Da Hua for the sake of stability now that she is divorced. Yu, however, refuses to live for her mother's approval any longer. She calmly announces her decision to close her brand and go abroad for further studies to pursue her own happiness. On the bus to Yunnan, Dasen manages to intercept Mingming.

He recites the poem she loved and proposes to her in front of the other passengers. Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Mingming joyfully accepts. In the aftermath of the breakup, Xiao Bei discovers that Xiaoxi has put her flower shop up for lease and disappeared. He searches for her frantically, contacting her friend Yingtao and her father, but no one knows her whereabouts. In reality, Xiaoxi has retreated to her hometown to clear her head.

Lao Gong later confronts Xiao Bei, but when he tries to call Xiaoxi to prove his own standing, he realizes she has blocked him as well. While walking through her village, Xiaoxi unexpectedly runs into Cheng Yu, who is conducting floral research with his graduate students. Xiaoxi apologizes for previously approaching him under Sister Guan’s instructions, but Cheng Yu surprises her by apologizing instead.

He admits he saw through her disguise from the start and used the situation to stage a breakup, allowing him to escape Sister Guan’s increasingly controlling and materialistic nature. Now living a simple and fulfilling life, Cheng Yu allows Xiaoxi to film a video of him to send to Sister Guan as a final closure.

Li Xiaoxi has returned to her hometown to help her father with their traditional tie-dyeing business. During their work, the conversation turns to a wedding photo Xiaoxi once saw at Ming Ming’s bridal shop. She recalls that the man in the photo was identified as the bride’s father, a revelation that finally prompts her father to share a long-hidden secret. He explains that before meeting Xiaoxi’s mother, he had a girlfriend whose father adamantly opposed their relationship.

Following their breakup, he retreated to the countryside to clear his head, where he met Xiaoxi’s mother and learned the local craft. They eventually married, but the past resurfaced when his ex-girlfriend called to reveal she had given birth to his child. While the revelation nearly ended his marriage, he made it clear to his ex that he would not return to her, though he allowed the child to visit.

Xiaoxi realizes this complicated family dynamic was the reason she had broken her music box as a child. Eventually, after the ex-girlfriend married someone else, the two families naturally drifted apart. Meanwhile, Xiao Bei and Lao Gong have spent the past month lingering at Xiaoxi’s cafe. Yingtao feels responsible for the situation, regretting her earlier claim that Xiaoxi would remain in touch.

Xiao Bei continues to send messages to Xiaoxi, detailing the goings-on at the cafe and expressing deep regret for his past "cold violence" and failure to communicate. As Ming Ming and Da Sen prepare for their wedding, Da Sen teases his friends about being the first to marry despite previously being the only single one in the group.

Ming Ming questions Xiao Bei about his true feelings for Xiaoxi; when he confirms his love, she encourages him to stop waiting and go find her. Following this advice, Xiao Bei calls Xiaoxi’s father. The father mentions that their homestay is currently very busy and invites Xiao Bei to come taste the river fish. Using the excuse of wanting to mail a book on woodcarving to him, Xiao Bei successfully obtains the homestay's address.

Lao Gong, who has been eavesdropping, follows Xiao Bei closely. In an attempt to shake him off, Xiao Bei asks a bystander at the station to pose as a boss and call Lao Gong about an urgent copyright meeting at the airport. However, Lao Gong quickly sees through the ruse and follows Xiao Bei onto the train. The two rivals engage in a battle of wits all the way to the countryside, with neither able to lose the other.

They eventually arrive at the homestay. Xiao Bei, disheveled and covered in mud from the mountain trek, presents Xiaoxi with her old music box. He explains that her father had mailed it to him and that he spent a great deal of effort repairing it. He confesses his flaws, admitting his tendency to avoid problems, but expresses his desire to fix their relationship just as he fixed the box.

Lao Gong, who had taken the time to change into clean clothes, steps forward to make his own speech, but Xiao Bei quickly drags him away. Watching from a distance, Xiaoxi’s parents observe the scene. Her father remarks that despite the mud, the young man seems like a good person, and the couple decides to leave the final choice to their daughter. In the time that follows, everyone’s lives move forward.

Yu wins an award during her studies abroad and announces her intention to return home. Luan Luan is discovered by a major director and becomes a successful leading actress. During his concert, Xiu performs a song dedicated to the two important people who left his life, wishing them both happiness. Zhen and Dr. Lin go out to the movies together, while Ming Ming and Da Sen celebrate their marriage with a photoshoot.

On a film set, Lao Gong directs a scene where he has written himself into a romance with Jiang Yifan. When Xiaoxi and Xiao Bei critique the dialogue for being too forced and stiff, Lao Gong stubbornly defends his creative vision and orders another take.