Golden House Hidden Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Golden House Hidden Love Synopsis
The 27-year-old bridal designer assistant, Jin Xia, took out a loan to buy an old seaside house, thinking that her happily-ever-after with a home was about to begin. However, Jin Xia quickly discovered that the house was unexpectedly "haunted"!
It turns out that a mysterious and ghost-like young man resides in the ancient house. This seemingly "ghostly" young man has no memory and cannot leave the old house. There also appears to be a mysterious connection between him and Jin Xia.
To uncover the reasons for their entanglement, the two embark on a blush-inducing and heart-pounding cohabitation life in the "haunted house."
Golden House Hidden Love Recap
Episode 1 Recap
A thousand years ago, High Immortal Nan Hua considered Human Prince Li Chuchen his close friend. As Li Chuchen prepared for a patrol, Nan Hua offered to accompany him, but Li Chuchen urged him to rest at the residence, stating that Nan Hua's spiritual energy had not yet recovered after dissipating.
Li Chuchen promised to return in two months when the cherry tree's fruits would be ripe, adding that upon his return, he intended to withdraw from the world permanently, tired of the world's accumulated injustices and constant deception. Princess Li Xiuning overheard their conversation and, with a cold smile, was certain this would be Li Chuchen's last meeting with Nan Hua. Centuries passed. Jin Xia, an assistant designer, used a significant loan to purchase an old house named "Taiping."
As she excitedly moved in, she noticed the withered cherry tree by the entrance, finding it unsightly and considering having it removed later. Her neighbor, Auntie Chen, dropped by and informed Jin Xia that the old house was known for strange occurrences, like self-renovation despite being uninhabited, hinting at supernatural activity. Jin Xia felt a chill but, being a materialist, insisted she didn't believe in ghosts. Auntie Chen then offered to help check the drainage pipes.
While moving luggage, Jin Xia stumbled. Nan Hua appeared and steadied her. His handsome appearance captivated Jin Xia, who initially assumed he was a salesman. Nan Hua, however, discovered that touching Jin Xia produced spiritual energy, piquing his curiosity. He introduced himself and, using the idea of renovation as an excuse, sought to get acquainted with her, remarking on the house's ancient beauty and suggesting renovation would make it worthy of its precious owner.
During their conversation, Nan Hua's way of speaking struck Jin Xia as unusually formal, almost like someone in a costume drama. Jin Xia focused on potential design costs, admitting her financial constraints due to the thirty-year loan on the house. To her surprise, Nan Hua offered his design services for free, saying designing buildings he liked was enjoyment in itself, and only required her to cover labor and materials.
He then politely excused himself, promising to return the following week with the designs and a quote. He stated he did not use a phone, hence could not exchange contact information, but assured her he would keep the appointment. That evening, Jin Xia video called her grandmother. Her grandmother repeatedly pressed her to find a boyfriend, expressing concern for her safety living alone in a large house. Jin Xia tried to reassure her, mentioning the nearby police station.
Suddenly, the video signal became distorted. Nan Hua, present in the room but invisible, observed Jin Xia. His eyes gleamed with joy when he saw her sketches of earring designs, and he became visible. Jin Xia was terrified, mistaking Nan Hua for a perverted intruder and refusing to listen to his explanations that he lived there. She called the police. When police officers arrived, they could not see Nan Hua, who remained visible only to Jin Xia.
They became concerned for Jin Xia's mental state, suggesting the move might be stressful. A dispatch call for another case diverted them, and they advised Jin Xia, who was panicking and insisted the house was haunted, to find a hotel or stay at a nearby temple, unable to take her with them. Feeling abandoned and convinced she was dealing with a ghost, Jin Xia decided to escape the house immediately, heading into a dark alley.
However, Jin Xia found herself trapped in a loop, running down the alley only to repeatedly end up back at the house entrance. Nan Hua appeared, observing her struggle with a calm smile, confirming his inability to leave the premises. Exhausted and frustrated by this "ghost wall" phenomenon, Jin Xia finally agreed to a conversation.
Nan Hua confessed that he had lost his original memories thousands of years ago and could not leave the house; he only had a vague recollection of waiting for someone but couldn't remember who or why. Jin Xia remained skeptical and wary, still inclined to flee the house for her safety. As she attempted to escape through a window and reached the courtyard, a meteor suddenly plummeted from the sky directly towards her. The surroundings darkened.
Nan Hua swiftly positioned himself in front of her, shielding her with his body. Blue light pulsed from him as his energy countered the meteor's golden light. Nan Hua realized his recently recovered ability was likely insufficient but found that Jin Xia inadvertently emitted spiritual energy, bolstering his power. This allowed him to successfully shatter the meteor, but he was left greatly weakened and collapsed in the courtyard, his clothes dissolving.
Deeply shaken by the event, Jin Xia rushed to his side. Before losing consciousness, Nan Hua reached up, gently touched her face, and whispered with relief, "Finally waited for you," confirming his long wait was over.
Episode 2 Recap
Nan Hua lay unconscious, his large frame difficult to move. Jin Xia, feeling unsure but remembering he had saved her, brought quilts from her room and covered him, reasoning that even if he was a spirit, he had still saved her life. Meanwhile, Nan Hua was plagued by nightmares, his mind flooded with fragmented memories filled with images of death and sorrow.
He recalled a memory of making a wish on a meteor, speaking of hope, an end to war, and the desire for equality so his mother wouldn't be looked down upon for her background. He also recalled receiving meteor-like gemstone earrings around that time, believing wishes upon a meteor represented the possibility of miracles. The next morning, Jin Xia woke up in her bed, tucked under new quilts, a pleasant smell in the air.
The events of the previous night felt surreal. She was astonished that the supposed spirit had saved her and even cared for her. Nan Hua was already awake and had prepared breakfast, which smelled delicious. He presented Jin Xia with design drafts and a quote for renovating the house. He revealed he had finished them earlier than expected, only withholding them to avoid arousing suspicion.
Jin Xia, anticipating a design next week, was shocked when she saw the proposed cost: two million. Jin Xia's initial budget for renovation was only fifty thousand yuan, having spent most of her savings buying the house. Two million was an astronomical figure to her. Nan Hua, however, didn't think it was excessive.
He passionately defended the house, calling it "Taiping," describing it as beautiful, rustic, located by the sea, and facing the sun – clearly worth the investment in top-quality materials and craftsmen to restore its charm. Jin Xia, conversely, saw it as a "shabby house" and explained she bought it simply for retirement security.
She emphasized the long lifespan of women in her family and the high divorce rate among modern couples, particularly those born in the 90s, preferring to invest in property and rely on herself rather than risking marriage or depending on others for happiness. Her fifty-thousand-yuan budget, she insisted, was firm. Nan Hua found her budget too small for "his" Taiping, suggesting her perspective was too shallow for a designer, but quickly apologized for his bluntness.
He stated plainly that he could not leave the house, explaining it had been his abode for a thousand years and he wished to improve it. Given the immense cost and Nan Hua's presence, Jin Xia decided the only option was to sell the house to someone wealthier who could afford Nan Hua's renovation vision and allow her to escape the strange situation. With this decision made, Jin Xia grabbed her bag to leave.
As she stepped outside, she was bewildered to see the withered cherry tree, which hadn't sprouted in decades, suddenly showing new growth. Her shock intensified when she saw her newly purchased car: the roof was severely damaged, looking like it had been hit by a meteor. At her gate, Jin Xia encountered the intern police officer from the previous night. Through their conversation, she learned he was Ding Yanhai, and his mother was Ms. Chen, their next-door neighbor.
When Ding Yanhai cautiously inquired about the "ghost" incident she had reported, Jin Xia claimed it was just a vivid nightmare brought on by the stress of moving. However, Ding Yanhai remained skeptical, especially after noticing the damage to her car. Concerned for her safety living alone, he suggested they add each other on WeChat for easy communication.
He introduced himself as an intern auxiliary officer still studying at the police academy, while Jin Xia praised his dedication and agreed to call him "Xiao Ding" as he requested. After Jin Xia left, Nan Hua was shown alone, reflecting on her departure and lack of appetite, resolving to be more mindful of his interactions as he hadn't interacted with people for too long.
He then proceeded to fix the damaged car and the mysterious pit in the yard that Jin Xia had yet to discover was there. Meanwhile, Jin Xia went to the real estate agency, asking them to list the house for sale. She concocted a story about needing to move to Paris for work and requiring funds for her overseas expenses. Although the agent noted the difficulty of selling a house so soon after purchase, they agreed to list it.
After dealing with the agency, Jin Xia called her friend, Jiang Xiaochuan, asking if she could stay at her place and explaining she had a long, strange story to tell. Later, at Jiang Xiaochuan's, Jin Xia recounted the bizarre events. Jiang Xiaochuan's reaction was unexpectedly enthusiastic. Instead of being scared, she was captivated by the idea of a handsome, gentlemanly ghost who was good at cooking and offered free design services.
She found the story incredibly romantic, like "Love Beyond Life and Death". Jin Xia, frustrated, tried to emphasize the terror of her experience, contrasting it with Xiaochuan's focus on romance. Xiaochuan argued that since he hadn't harmed her and had saved her, he must be a "good ghost." Jin Xia, needing concrete help, asked for constructive advice, but Xiaochuan lightheartedly suggested she simply accept Nan Hua's offer, since reporting him or selling seemed impractical.
Jin Xia joked she'd rather find a master to perform a ritual. As the conversation continued, Jin Xia suddenly realized she desperately needed her design drafts, drawing board, and materials, which were all back at the house. Her teacher was returning soon, and unfinished work meant no pay, which in turn meant she couldn't pay her mortgage.
Feeling her life was ruined if she didn't get them, she decided they had to go back that night, as Xiaochuan was busy the next day. Jin Xia begged Xiaochuan to accompany her, calling her her "big leg" of support. Despite her initial hesitation and finding Jin Xia's begging "disgusting," Xiaochuan agreed to go.
Arriving back at the house, Jin Xia was immediately struck by another baffling sight: her car, which she had seen damaged by a meteor earlier that day, was perfectly fine. She then rushed to check the yard for the pit she was sure had been caused by the meteor. She found no trace of it. Questioning if she had imagined everything, Xiaochuan suggested she might need to see a doctor.
As they entered the house, the lights began to flicker erratically. Jin Xia, instantly scared, tried to silence Xiaochuan, hearing strange sounds. Xiaochuan, however, heard nothing and commented on Jin Xia feeling heavy. They attempted to open an inner door, but Jin Xia didn't know the password. Jin Xia insisted the car was damaged and the pit was there, but Xiaochuan remained skeptical. Suddenly, Nan Hua appeared, welcoming them home. Jiang Xiaochuan was instantly captivated by Nan Hua's handsome appearance.
Jin Xia, trying to ward him off, attempted to throw millet, but it had no effect. Xiaochuan stopped her from using dog blood, saying he was too handsome. Nan Hua addressed Jin Xia, patiently reiterating that he was "not" a ghost. He explained the flickering lights were due to aging wires and the overflow of his spiritual energy when his emotions were unstable, interfering with the current. Xiaochuan commented playfully that they looked like a bickering couple.
Nan Hua asked them to sit down, explaining that after Jin Xia left, he had seriously considered her situation. He proposed that he would share the mortgage payments with her and cover the entire cost of the renovation in exchange for the right to stay in the house. Xiaochuan reacted with excitement, urging Jin Xia to accept the incredibly generous offer. Jin Xia, still wary, argued with Xiaochuan.
Nan Hua further explained that even if she didn't agree, he couldn't leave the house anyway because it was the only place where he could collect spiritual energy, which he described as absorbing energy from nature to sustain his life force. Xiaochuan found this explanation sad and urged Jin Xia to let him stay. Jin Xia retorted by jokingly offering to sell the house to Xiaochuan instead, to which Nan Hua immediately objected, declaring he would not agree to that.
He then revealed the reason for his persistence: he believed Jin Xia was the person he had been waiting for over the past thousand years. To convince Jin Xia, Nan Hua produced a pair of meteor-like gemstone earrings, his "old possession." He admitted he didn't remember their origin but knew they were connected to the person he was waiting for. He showed Jin Xia how strikingly similar her recent design draft of earrings was to his own.
Jin Xia explained her inspiration came from smelling a Chinese medicine scent the previous night. Nan Hua then produced a sachet, revealing it was his unique blend, which he had carried for years, known for its ability to refresh the mind and stimulate memory. Jin Xia recognized the scent. Xiaochuan quickly concluded that the scent had triggered Jin Xia's memories from a past life, proving she was the one Nan Hua sought.
Jin Xia dismissed the idea, pointing out Xiaochuan's previous disbelief in ghosts. Nan Hua insisted he was not trying to trick her, highlighting his offer to pay for the house. He then presented the meteor incident as undeniable proof. He explained that his spiritual energy had been critically low, making him unable to stop the falling meteor.
However, because of Jin Xia, he received a "recharge" when they were in close proximity, allowing him to regain his long-lost, high-level extraordinary energy and stop the meteor. He stressed that this could not be a coincidence. Xiaochuan found the idea of Jin Xia being his "power bank" incredibly romantic, but Jin Xia saw it as akin to a ghost draining her energy in movies.
Nan Hua earnestly assured her he would never harm her and would protect her and fulfill her wishes if she was the one he waited for. Jin Xia, overwhelmed, stated she needed time to process everything and would talk more tomorrow.
As she was leaving, Xiaochuan, seemingly more concerned about her own safety than Jin Xia's, asked Nan Hua which room he would be staying in, offering to sleep in the same room for protection because she was scared sleeping alone. Nan Hua replied she could stay in his room (referring to a room he designated) before bidding them goodnight.
Episode 3 Recap
In the long history of humanity, there have always been profound mysteries. Questions about whether ancient tales like Dayu controlling the flood and Nvwa mending the sky are merely myths, and why advancements in human civilization occasionally seem to surpass their contemporary understanding, have sparked countless speculations. The truth, however, dates back to the distant ancient times, hundreds of thousands of years ago, when highly developed prehistoric civilizations existed on Earth.
These ancient people possessed scientific knowledge far exceeding modern understanding, including advanced genetic modification technology that allowed them to unlock human potential, enabling them to absorb spiritual energy from the environment to sustain themselves and perform extraordinary feats. However, a catastrophic doomsday disaster brought these civilizations to the brink of extinction. Countless lives and their brilliant culture were wiped out overnight.
Only a small number of ancient people managed to escape to underground shelters and enter a state of frozen hibernation, thus surviving the catastrophe. After tens of thousands of years, Earth healed itself and gave rise to new intelligent life – the ancestors of modern humans. The ancient people who had been sleeping underground eventually woke and returned to the surface, finding primitive new humans who were still making fire with sticks.
Out of goodwill, they shared their knowledge of farming, metallurgy, construction, and disaster prevention with these descendants. Many great wonders of civilization were the result of these ancient people's assistance. The new humans of that era regarded the extraordinary ancient people as deities, building temples and worshipping them. As official historians embellished these accounts, legendary ancient myths were passed down through generations. Most of the ancient people integrated into the new world as gods.
Yet, some chose a low-profile life, withdrawing into secluded mountains, far from worldly affairs. Worship, however, gradually gave way to fear and desire. Rulers feared the deities' power might threaten their own and greedily coveted immortality and divine abilities for themselves. Using various pretexts, they launched wars against the deities. The ancient people, few in number, were no match for vast armies and were nearly annihilated.
They had unwittingly sealed their own fate by teaching the new humans how to forge weapons. Those who had retreated to the mountains, though surviving the initial attacks, were relentlessly hunted and slandered as terrifying mountain spirits or ferocious ghosts. Once revered as gods, they became demons to be hunted by all. With the passage of time, the existence of ancient people was forgotten, leaving behind only scattered anecdotes and peculiar tales of ghosts and monsters.
The few ancient people who survived remain hidden in secret corners of the world today. After years apart, Nan Hua remained at the house in Taiping. Cats often kept him company under the tree. His neighbor, Mr. Bian's wife, gave birth, and Mr. Bian specifically brought the infant to Nan Hua, asking him to bestow a name. Nan Hua named the child Taiping, reflecting the most precious thing in the world. Sixty years passed in an instant.
The child, Taiping, grew into an elderly man, while Nan Hua retained his youthful appearance. When Nan Hua heard the name Li Chuchen again, he realized he had lost many memories. A thousand years later, Jin Xia felt as if she had replaced Li Chuchen, though she was unwilling to accept it. Jin Xia and Jiang Xiaochuan returned to a bedroom and saw a coffin made of ebony placed by the window.
Before they could react, Nan Hua entered by passing through the wall. He explained that the coffin was his bed, crafted from ebony for its excellent properties like preservation, dustproofing, and insect resistance, and that he would rest inside it regularly as it was best suited for long periods of sleep. Although Nan Hua showed no ill will, Jin Xia remained apprehensive. Jiang Xiaochuan, however, analyzed Nan Hua thoughtfully, pointing out his good nature and protective actions.
She suggested that since Jin Xia wanted a roommate anyway, Nan Hua, with his capabilities and amiable demeanor, would be a better choice than a potentially unreliable human, especially considering human interactions had caused Jin Xia many past troubles. Jin Xia tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Getting up to look out the window, she saw Nan Hua feeding cats under the tree, an action inconsistent with the idea that ghosts fear cats.
This prompted her to decide to test him one last time. Early the next morning, Nan Hua cooked breakfast, creating a dish so exquisite that Jiang Xiaochuan praised it highly. Seeing Jin Xia and Jiang Xiaochuan begin to eat, Nan Hua smiled with satisfaction. His long millennia of solitude seemed to have made him forget the simple joy of sharing a meal.
While Nan Hua went to the kitchen to fetch porridge, Jiang Xiaochuan continued to persuade Jin Xia, arguing that keeping Nan Hua as a roommate was better than finding a human one who might prove unreliable, especially since Nan Hua was capable in both the kitchen and household matters. Just then, the sorceress Jin Xia had contacted arrived, claiming to be there to exorcise and perform rituals. However, her methods seemed more like a pretense.
Jin Xia began to regret inviting her due to her unprofessional demeanor. Nan Hua showed no fear of the sorceress but was instead drawn to her talismans and incantations. This triggered a series of fragmented memories, and he finally recalled his identity as an ancient person. He remembered how, in the past, outsiders, driven by selfish desires, had slandered his people as evil spirits and then brutally persecuted them under the guise of righteousness.
As this memory flooded back, Jin Xia became intensely angry at the sorceress. Using an illusion, she forced the sorceress to confront terrifying fantasies born from her own deepest fears. The sorceress fled in panic. Nan Hua was disappointed that Jin Xia still wouldn't trust him, but in her fear, Jin Xia accidentally threw a handful of coffee beans at him, causing a severe allergic reaction that scattered his spiritual energy.
Seeing Nan Hua weaken and near collapse, Jin Xia became frantic. Following his instructions, she touched his finger and accessed his memory, confirming that he originated from a technologically advanced prehistoric civilization. It was precisely these superhuman abilities that led ancient people to describe them as mountain spirits and ghosts, resulting in their persecution.
Overwhelmed with guilt and remorse, Jin Xia was willing to kiss Nan Hua to recharge his spiritual energy and then helped him back into the coffin to recuperate. Jiang Xiaochuan was upset, criticizing Jin Xia for acting impulsively. She argued that even if Nan Hua were a ghost, Jin Xia should have respected his wishes about being "exorcised" and pointed out that given he had saved her life, her actions were a form of ingratitude.
Reflecting on the incident, Jin Xia realized her mistake. That night, she frequently glanced towards the coffin, concerned for Nan Hua's well-being. Nan Hua emerged from the coffin late at night. He gently placed a thin blanket over the sleeping Jin Xia and quietly repaired the aging electrical wiring. Having completed his tasks as dawn approached, he appeared carrying tree branches on his back, performing a gesture of seeking forgiveness.
He felt guilty for having kissed Jin Xia to recharge his spiritual energy the previous day. He also revealed that he had remembered his coffee allergy was due to his ancient physiology lacking antibodies to modern things. Fortunately, Jin Xia did not hold it against him and even accepted the reality of cohabitating with Nan Hua as a roommate.
They agreed on rules for living together, including: Nan Hua must not casually undress indoors; he must not use his supernatural abilities like wall-passing, invisibility, or floating inside the house; the coffin cannot remain in the main living area and will be moved to the guest room after renovation; and they must keep their cohabitation low-profile and agree on a cover story (Nan Hua is a repairman staying temporarily) if seen together by others.
Jiang Xiaochuan, who had been listening, couldn't help but chime in, adding a requirement for Nan Hua to teach Jin Xia how to interact with men and overcome her fear of intimacy. She expressed confidence that he could handle this important task and not disappoint her expectations. Jin Xia prepared to drive Jiang Xiaochuan back to the city but worried about potential issues with the car, which had seemingly been repaired.
To alleviate Jin Xia's concerns, Nan Hua offered to accompany them to the city, explaining that he had accumulated enough spiritual energy to be away from the house for a while, especially thanks to Jin Xia. He noted that he could usually only leave after storing up energy for a long time, but being near Jin Xia now made it easier. During the journey, Jin Xia was curious about how Nan Hua knew how to fix cars.
Nan Hua mentioned that he had studied Mo family's mechanism skills in the past and later researched modern inventions when they first appeared. Jiang Xiaochuan praised his versatility, leading Jin Xia to significantly change her opinion of him for the better.
Episode 4 Recap
Upon arriving at a company building displaying the name "Chuchen's live stream," Nan Hua experienced a fleeting sense of familiarity. Jin Xia, who works there, explained that she used to host a late-night emotional advice radio program but transitioned to live-stream sales last year, with the radio work becoming a side job. She offered Nan Hua her services if he ever needed to discuss emotional troubles. Later, Jin Xia accompanied Nan Hua for a fishing trip by the sea.
To get to know each other better as roommates, they decided to play a question-and-answer game. Nan Hua revealed he had lived in the ancient house for thousands of years but didn't remember the exact duration. He explained that in the past century, his spiritual energy had become insufficient, leading to frequent periods of hibernation and significant memory loss. His life depended on absorbing spiritual energy from the ancient cherry tree in the garden, which had been withering.
However, thanks to Jin Xia, the tree was recovering, and so were his abilities and memories. He didn't know why Jin Xia had this effect on him, theorizing that recovering more memories might provide clarity. Jin Xia then questioned why Nan Hua had spent energy helping Ms. Chen renovate her house and fix the welfare park, as spiritual energy was difficult to accumulate.
Nan Hua apologized for interfering with Jin Xia's original plans, admitting it was due to his selfish desire to preserve the area's ancient appearance. He hoped the person he was waiting for would recognize the place upon their return, confirming the design draft he had shown her depicted Taiping as it looked in the ancient past, and all his efforts to restore the area were for this reason.
Jin Xia found it hard to believe the person could return after thousands of years if they were a normal human, given that normal humans live little more than a century. Nan Hua vaguely recalled the person was an ordinary human, not an ancient being, but remembered they had returned several times, most recently about 70 or 80 years ago, asking him to wait. He then suggested that Jin Xia herself might be the person he had been waiting for.
Jin Xia was deeply moved by his thousand-year wait, marveling at the strength of their promise and the feeling of being chosen and waited for. As they successfully caught a large fish, Jin Xia mentioned growing up in a seaside fishing village.
She explained her decision to buy a house in Wangqi Town was partly due to the lower property prices compared to the city, but primarily for her own dignity after relying on renting for a period where she was financially tight. Back at the house, Jin Xia's landlady called, pushing her to go on a blind date.
The landlady insisted it was for her own good, reminding her that being single meant having no one to rely on and potentially dying alone, emphasizing its tragic nature. Despite Jin Xia's attempts to refuse, citing past unsuitable dates, the landlady was insistent, offering a favor in return for agreeing. Jin Xia reluctantly accepted, calling it the absolute last time. The blind date turned out to be Jin Xia's ex-boyfriend, whose mother was also present.
The mother was immediately critical, questioning Jin Xia about her income as a wedding dress designer ("a tailor"), her spending habits, and her ability to save money. She quickly steered the conversation towards marriage and having children, emphasizing the cost of raising a family like milk powder. Upon hearing that Jin Xia's parents were gone, she remarked "That's fine," implying her son would only need to support Jin Xia, which took Jin Xia aback.
The ex-boyfriend arrived late and casually excused his past cheating as merely "going through the motions," stating it's unavoidable for men. Jin Xia refused to discuss their past. He then became condescending, questioning her career aspirations and ability to succeed as a designer without connections, saying talent alone wasn't enough in a society that values relationships. Jin Xia stated she was content with her current situation and didn't aim to be a big name designer.
He persisted, questioning her monthly salary and her ability to afford a house or down payment in the city. When Jin Xia said she thought renting was fine, he scoffed that a rented place wasn't a home and accused her of putting on airs. He asked if her grandmother was still working odd jobs to help her save for a down payment, urging Jin Xia to stop worrying the elderly woman who had raised her alone.
Jin Xia retorted that she would buy a house and was saving, and rudely advised him to shut up and accumulate good karma for his family's elderly members, as her family was known for longevity and didn't need his concern. Offended, he called her crazy, said he hadn't wanted to date her anyway, and left with his mother.
Before leaving, Jin Xia ordered multiple expensive red wines for their table, instructing the server to open them all and put them on their bill. The landlady called Jin Xia afterwards, furious that the mother had complained about her "slaughtering" them with the bill, accusing Jin Xia of being difficult.
Jin Xia called the man "sick," but the landlady dismissed her concerns and announced she was raising the rent to 3,500 yuan from 3,000, claiming surrounding rents had increased and she'd planned to tell her after the date was successful, implying Jin Xia ruined it.
Upset, Jin Xia looked at house listings, reflecting on the difficulty of buying a home and her grandmother's efforts, acknowledging it was a common struggle but at least a goal, unlike Nan Hua's uncertain, thousand-year wait. She shared with Nan Hua that her parents had separated after she was born and she didn't remember them, explaining why having her own home was important.
She remarked that if she ever had a child, she would never abandon them, but then dismissed the idea as she intended to remain single and end up alone. Nan Hua gently told her she was too good and kind to end up alone and that someone would surely cherish her.
Upon their return to the ancient house in Taiping, they found the sorceress's son and two accomplices waiting outside, demanding payment for the failed exorcism and compensation for his mother's alleged injuries. Jin Xia initially wanted to handle it peacefully, deciding to talk to them herself despite Nan Hua's offer to intervene.
She refused to pay, calling the mother a fraud who had fled the previous day out of fear when her ritual didn't work, and asserted there were no ghosts in her house. The son grew aggressive, smashing her mobile phone and attempting to force his way into the house. Jin Xia tried to reason with him, offering to pay for the phone but not the exorbitant fee.
As the situation escalated and the men attacked, Nan Hua told Jin Xia to relax, explaining that he would possess her body and control her actions using his higher intellect and supernatural ability by invading her brain and manipulating her consciousness, describing it as based on scientific principles. Nan Hua, controlling Jin Xia's body, easily fought off and defeated the three large men, who were no match for him.
The sorceress arrived and pleaded with the seemingly possessed Jin Xia to spare her son. Nan Hua, still in control of Jin Xia, warned them not to use exorcism as a means to scam people again before telling them to leave. As they fled, Nan Hua apologized to Jin Xia for using his extraordinary energy after promising not to, explaining the sudden need. Jin Xia was left stunned by the experience and her broken phone.
Meanwhile, the sorceress and her son discussed the incident, the son wondering if Jin Xia was a policewoman due to her fighting skill, while the mother feared they had encountered a real ghost and that the house was indeed haunted, having initially thought Jin Xia was faking it to cause trouble.
Policeman Ding Yanhai arrived shortly after, having witnessed the scene and observing Jin Xia seemingly talking to thin air, and showed his badge before questioning the sorceress and her son about what happened. Adjusting to living together, Jin Xia, while taking a shower, expressed worry about Nan Hua using his abilities to pass through walls or spy on her.
To make her feel more comfortable, Nan Hua stayed in the living room, preparing food, and sang to her while she showered. Jin Xia found his singing soothing and reflected on her life feeling like a movie since meeting him. She eventually drifted to sleep in the bathtub, dreaming vividly of him. Later, Jin Xia mentioned having a toothache for several days, and Nan Hua offered to examine it, noting she had wisdom teeth.
Episode 5 Recap
Jin Xia had been in the bath for over an hour, experiencing pleasant, ambiguous, and intimate dreams that left her feeling refreshed. Her dream was interrupted by sounds from reality. Nan Hua, worried about her prolonged stay in the bathroom, called out her name from outside the door and was relieved when she responded. Jin Xia explained she had fallen asleep but was fine. Nan Hua prepared many dishes for her.
He commented that while the house was old, the kitchen was well-equipped for various cuisines. He expressed concern about her diet of instant noodles, stating that he would ensure she ate well as long as he was there. Nan Hua then made a request to Jin Xia: he wanted to see her design drafts after she completed them, hoping to find familiar memories.
He explained that since she had previously designed meteor-chip earrings, she might design something related to him again. Jin Xia agreed but cautioned him not to expect too much as her skill level wasn't high. As a return favor, Nan Hua offered to fix her phone, saying he had studied such things during his extensive lifespan. That evening, Jin Xia worked diligently on her designs. Nan Hua occasionally brought her fruit and snacks.
Meanwhile, Ding Yanhai observed the house from his balcony, noting that all the lights were on in the living room, bedroom, and kitchen, and the TV was playing in the living room, even though Jin Xia was in her bedroom. He found this strange, but his mother, Ms. Chen, advised him not to meddle, sensing something peculiar about the old house. Later that night, Jin Xia fell asleep at her desk.
Nan Hua gently carried her to bed, covered her with a blanket, and turned on the bedside lamp. He was surprised when she instinctively turned off the light in her sleep, remarking to himself about her usual habit of sleeping with lights on. Nan Hua, captivated by the television, watched it throughout the night until dawn. The next morning, Jin Xia woke up late, realizing she had forgotten to set an alarm after her phone was fixed.
Rushing to meet her design deadline, she feared being late for work. When she arrived at the company, she was confronted by the sorceress's son and his companions, who were causing trouble again and demanded compensation, claiming she had injured them. The situation was escalating when the company's boss, Xi Manling, appeared.
She invited the group to her office to hear their complaint, confirming that Jin Xia had caused their injuries but noting they had initiated the physical confrontation and Jin Xia had acted in self-defense. In the office, the son initially demanded 80,000 yuan in compensation but then raised the demand to 120,000 yuan, expecting Xi Manling to pay to settle the matter. However, Xi Manling had already notified the police.
She confirmed their escalated demand and then revealed she had called the police, accusing them of extortion and pointing out their demands had been captured by cameras. She explained the legal consequences of extortion over 100,000 yuan, which could result in a sentence of over three years. The police arrived and escorted the men away. Afterward, Xi Manling advised Jin Xia on the importance of choosing a location with cameras for future negotiations.
Xi Manling then gathered the design team to discuss the upcoming new product launch, emphasizing its great importance as it was her first international publication of new work in five years. She announced that selected accessory designs would receive signature rights and that one designer would be chosen from the selected list to create an entire set of wedding attire to be showcased in her national style fashion show.
When it was time to submit the design drafts, Jin Xia suddenly remembered she had left them at home. The significant distance from her house to the company meant she couldn't retrieve them in time, especially since Xi Manling was flying abroad in two hours. Just as she faced losing the opportunity for selection, Nan Hua arrived in time with her drafts.
He explained he had seen she forgot her design drafts the previous night when tidying her room and had used a business card on her desk to find the company address. He had initially intended to take a bus but found he didn't have enough money or understanding of modern payment methods, so he had no choice but to walk the considerable distance, which resulted in his spiritual energy depletion.
After the meeting, Jin Xia found Nan Hua lying on the floor outside, looking weak, just as he had been before. Xi Manling suggested calling for medical help, but Jin Xia quickly refused, covering for him by saying he just had low blood sugar and needed to recharge. Under the gaze of her colleagues, Jin Xia urgently kissed Nan Hua. When he didn't immediately react and remained cold, she showed confusion and worry, then held his hands tightly.
Soon, she felt his body temperature return to normal and breathed a sigh of relief. Later, after work, Nan Hua apologized to Jin Xia for causing her embarrassment in public and troubling her teacher, regretting that he had caused her to give him energy again. Jin Xia dismissed his apology and, feeling cheerful, invited him to dinner as thanks for bringing her drafts.
To her surprise, when they arrived at the restaurant she chose, the owner recognized Nan Hua and, mistaking him for his father, spoke fondly of the "Nan Hua" who used to frequent the restaurant twenty years prior. The owner mentioned his daughter's secret crush on Nan Hua's father and described him as a solitary but good young man. Jin Xia listened, suppressing a smile at the misunderstanding.
Jin Xia then asked Nan Hua why he didn't make friends, which touched the deepest, most painful memory in Nan Hua's heart. He explained that since Viscount Li Chuchen left, only Taiping had remained by his side. However, the rulers, in their relentless pursuit of Nan Hua, would not spare any clue and even initiated wars and persecuted innocent people. Anyone who associated with him would be implicated and become sacrifices.
Even if he compromised and chose to help one side, the other would constantly try to force him to switch allegiances. Nan Hua recounted how Taiping was tragically killed while trying to protect him. Heartbroken, Nan Hua vowed to forever stay at the ancient house and protect Taiping's descendants generation after generation.
Because of this, in the long years that followed, he learned to only wait for the person he should wait for, living as low-key as possible and no longer dragging others into this murky water of danger. In this way, he explained, he only needed to put all his strength into protecting one person, even if it meant opposing the whole world.
He then stated that he only waited for that one person, and if Jin Xia was not the person he was waiting for, he would disappear from her world forever, with no further connection. Jin Xia felt uncomfortable hearing this. Due to her extremely low alcohol tolerance, she became drunk and unconscious after eating the Huadiao Wine Brewed Chicken, which Nan Hua mentioned contained a significant amount of the potent wine soup.
Episode 6 Recap
According to historical records, the Earth's history contains many mysteries. A prehistoric civilization existed hundreds of thousands of years ago, possessing advanced science, including gene modification technology that allowed ancient humans to tap into spiritual energy for survival and special abilities. A catastrophe wiped out most life, with only a few ancient humans surviving by entering a frozen sleep underground.
After tens of thousands of years, modern humans appeared, and the ancient humans awoke, sharing their knowledge of farming, metallurgy, architecture, and disaster control, which led to many ancient wonders. Modern humans revered these ancient people as gods and created myths about them. While some integrated, others hid. Over time, rulers feared the power of the "gods" and waged war, nearly eradicating the ancient humans, ironically using weapons taught to them.
The remaining ancient humans were hunted and demonized, becoming figures of folklore about ghosts and demons. A few scattered survivors remain hidden. Jin Xia awoke with a severe hangover, feeling dizzy and disoriented. She was astonished to see the previously bare tree in her yard had suddenly bloomed. Unable to recall the events of the previous night, she tried to convince herself that she hadn't done anything undignified or overly strange.
While having breakfast Nan Hua prepared, the scent of his sachet triggered fragmented memories. Jin Xia recalled being heavily intoxicated, clinging to Nan Hua, demanding he call her affectionate terms like "Darling," "Naughty Little Kiss," or "Fairy Baby," and theatrically threatening to jump into the sea if he didn't agree to be her boyfriend.
She then checked her social media Moments and found two videos she had posted late at night, loudly announcing her relationship status and introducing Nan Hua as her boyfriend. Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Jin Xia wanted the ground to swallow her. Nan Hua, however, appeared calm and slightly shy. He addressed her as "Darling" and stated that since he had accepted her "pursuit" the day before, today marked their first day of "practicing" being a couple.
He admitted to lacking experience but promised to make an effort and be responsible for her future. Jin Xia attempted to dismiss it as drunken nonsense, but Nan Hua insisted a gentleman keeps his word. Ding Yanhai, an auxiliary police officer, had seen Jin Xia's videos before she deleted them. Recognizing Nan Hua as someone he'd been seeking, he became excited. He immediately went to Jin Xia's house, asking about the man in the videos.
Fearing Ding might uncover Nan Hua's true identity, Jin Xia quickly told Nan Hua to become invisible. She then tried to evade Ding's questions and denied knowing the man well, fabricating a story about him being an artist who doesn't use a phone and only meets by appointment. Ding mentioned his mother knew "Mr. Nan," who had renovated their family's house.
He explained he was looking for someone who resembled Nan Hua for a personal matter and needed to meet him. To get him to leave, Jin Xia reluctantly agreed to arrange a meeting for the following Saturday at 2 p. m. Later, Jin Xia's close friend, Jiang Xiaochuan, arrived unexpectedly with a cake to celebrate her news about the relationship.
Jin Xia tried to explain that the relationship was merely a result of her drunken behavior and wasn't real, which caused a visible flicker of disappointment in Nan Hua. Observing that Nan Hua seemed to have financial difficulties, Jiang Xiaochuan suggested he try modeling, noting his striking appearance and mentioning her ex-boyfriend, a photographer, was looking for models with a "pure" look for luxury brand advertisements.
Nan Hua agreed to try, despite his lack of modern identification and inability to hold regular employment, forcing him to rely on odd jobs in town. Jiang Xiaochuan sent photos, and Nan Hua was selected for a shoot. To Jin Xia's dismay, the shoot location turned out to be her own workplace. At the studio, despite Jin Xia's attempt to be discreet, her colleagues recognized her and the situation from her deleted posts, leading to envious glances and playful teasing.
During the shoot, Nan Hua was given only swimming trunks for a scene. Citing his traditional upbringing and sense of propriety, he felt uncomfortable exposing his upper body, particularly in front of numerous women. Jin Xia stepped in to speak with the photographer, asking if Nan Hua could wear a shirt or vest. The photographer misunderstood, assuming Jin Xia was jealous and didn't want other women seeing Nan Hua.
He asked all other women to leave the set, leaving only Jin Xia to remain for makeup touch-ups. Feeling awkward but obligated, Jin Xia applied makeup for Nan Hua, internally acknowledging his attractiveness. After the shoot, Nan Hua immediately gave Jin Xia the money he earned, stating it was to help pay the mortgage and rent, noting it was a good start but still a long way off.
Several female colleagues passing by witnessed this gesture, expressing admiration and envy, much to Jin Xia's mixed feelings of awkwardness and satisfaction. Later, Jin Xia expressed concern about Nan Hua continuing with modeling. She worried that his unique appearance combined with his lack of identity papers could lead to him being discovered as an ancient man and potentially "caught for research," especially as his photos might be used on a fashion magazine cover.
While Nan Hua was unfazed by this personal risk, Jin Xia argued it could negatively impact her life and home. Nan Hua conceded her point but then requested one final modeling opportunity: to wear a set of wedding attire designed by Jin Xia, if her work was chosen for an international show. He explained he had overheard her teacher discussing the selection and felt wearing her best design would be a meaningful way to end his modeling career.
Jin Xia was hesitant, doubting her own ability to be selected, but Nan Hua expressed confidence in her, reminding her of her talent based on her previous designs. Upon returning home, Jin Xia told Nan Hua to become invisible to avoid security cameras. He complied but remained visible to her, explaining he could control who could see him, just as she could see him while the police could not when they first met.
He also revealed he could control whether someone could touch him. Just then, Jin Xia's Grandma unexpectedly arrived, having been shown the videos on Jin Xia's Moments by her friend Xiang. Jin Xia was stunned and panicked when she realized Grandma could see Nan Hua, despite his invisibility. Nan Hua explained that his invisibility could sometimes fail for specific groups, including babies, children, the elderly, and certain spiritual animals, admitting he hadn't told her earlier to avoid scaring her.
Jin Xia exclaimed that anyone would be scared, likening him to a ghost. Grandma immediately took a liking to Nan Hua due to his politeness and handsome appearance. She started asking about his background and profession.
When Jin Xia tried to suggest he was just temporarily staying while renovating the house, Nan Hua interjected, stating he would help Jin Xia pay off the mortgage, further impressing Grandma, who was already pleased to learn he was an architect and helped with cooking and housework. Grandma's approval grew significantly, and she even asked Jin Xia if she was pregnant. Just as things settled slightly, another knock came.
Jin Xia again told Nan Hua to hide, assuming it was Ding Yanhai. Indeed, it was Ding, who arrived with a pot of ribs from his mother. He insisted on coming in, having seen them return. Jin Xia tried desperately to prevent him, but Grandma appeared. Recognizing Ding, who had chatted with her while she waited earlier, Grandma warmly invited him inside, mentioning Nan Hua was cooking and inviting him to stay for dinner, much to Jin Xia's dismay.
Episode 7 Recap
Ding Yanhai arrived shortly after Grandma did, and Jin Xia reluctantly hosted her neighbor. Jin Xia went to the kitchen to ask Nan Hua if he had done anything illegal, wondering why the police were looking for him. Nan Hua assured her he was law-abiding, claiming he remembered everything he had done recently, especially since he woke up a year ago, and had no connection to Ding Yanhai.
Forgetting he was still invisible to Ding Yanhai, Nan Hua carried a pot out from the kitchen. Ding Yanhai was startled to see the pot floating in mid-air. Jin Xia quickly covered by announcing it was a magic trick she was demonstrating before dinner. At this point, Nan Hua wondered if Grandma might have been able to see him or the pot even when he was invisible.
However, when Nan Hua made himself visible and walked out, Ding Yanhai was immediately captivated, his first instinct telling him that Nan Hua was the person he had been searching for. Nan Hua, however, did not recognize Ding Yanhai at all. Jin Xia quickly improvised an identity for Nan Hua, presenting him as an American Chinese visiting China for the first time, explaining that Ding Yanhai must have mistaken him for someone else.
Grandma worried about Nan Hua returning to the US, but Nan Hua stated he would stay in China until the "flowering phase ends," a cryptic remark that puzzled everyone present. Jin Xia again tried to smooth things over by suggesting he meant renewing his tourist visa, claiming he couldn't bear to leave her. During dinner, Ding Yanhai continuously probed Nan Hua with questions, barely concealing his fascination.
He remarked on Nan Hua's knowledge of Chinese cuisine despite being supposedly new to the country and asked about his age after being called "Big Bro" by the younger Ding Yanhai. Ding Yanhai then mentioned a TV drama about a meeting between an alien and a human, leading to a question about why a person's appearance might not change for over a decade, suggesting "immortality" as the answer.
Jin Xia interjected, reminding Nan Hua to be mindful of when he performed his "magic tricks." After dinner, Ding Yanhai invited Nan Hua for a walk by the sea. Nan Hua agreed, and they sat together. Ding Yanhai reiterated that he had been searching for someone for years and asked to look into Nan Hua's eyes, stating he felt Nan Hua was the person he was looking for.
Suddenly, Nan Hua felt dizzy, his mind flashing with many rapid, brief fragments that he couldn't fully grasp. Meanwhile, Grandma lovingly presented Jin Xia with a box containing her household register and childhood mementos, asking her to keep them safely. She explained she was getting older and more forgetful and wanted to consolidate things, even suggesting moving all of Jin Xia's belongings to the new house to rent out her old room.
Jin Xia, distracted by concern for Nan Hua's late return, didn't fully register Grandma's unusual actions. Hearing sounds from the yard, she eagerly went out to see. Nan Hua told Jin Xia that while he wasn't sure Ding Yanhai was the person he was looking for, looking into Ding Yanhai's eyes had given him a sense of deja vu. Jin Xia asked Nan Hua to describe the person he was searching for. As he spoke, Jin Xia grew increasingly worried.
Nan Hua comforted her, assuring her she was the one he had been waiting for because she was the only one who could draw the meteor-chip earrings and restore his energy. He then mentioned feeling tired due to expending spiritual energy that day and needed to rest, apologizing for not being able to spend more time with her and Grandma.
Jin Xia reflected on their conversation and worried about what would happen if she wasn't the one Nan Hua was waiting for, recalling his earlier statement that he would disappear from her life forever. The next morning, Ding Yanhai arrived early at Jin Xia's door with popular breakfast he had waited in line for, explaining it was for Nan Hua, Jin Xia, and Grandma.
He asked Jin Xia to give it to Nan Hua and tell him he would come by after work, specifically requesting that she not wake Nan Hua. Annoyed but complying, Jin Xia accepted the breakfast. When Jin Xia left for work, she saw Nan Hua and told him about Ding Yanhai's visit and message, asking him to look after Grandma. Nan Hua said he planned to spend the day tidying the yard.
At her company, Jin Xia overheard clients or partners discussing designer Xi Manling's lack of new work in five years, but Jin Xia internally defended Xi Manling's talent. Xi Manling herself approached Jin Xia, having heard that Jin Xia's boyfriend had previously been photographed at the company. Impressed by his test shots and noting his suitable "classical" look for her upcoming ancient-themed wedding show, Xi Manling asked if Nan Hua would consider modeling for a photoshoot.
Jin Xia agreed to ask him for his opinion. Xi Manling also praised Jin Xia's own talent, considering her the most gifted among her students and confident she had a promising future. Back at the house, Grandma praised Nan Hua's meticulous care of the yard, observing that it must have taken significant time and suggesting he had lived there longer than Jin Xia had implied. Nan Hua couldn't fully explain his circumstances.
Grandma, sensing he was holding back, smiled and expressed her approval of his peaceful lifestyle and her hope that he and Jin Xia would marry soon. She shared that Jin Xia had a difficult childhood, often bullied because her parents weren't present, which led her to hide her true feelings and act self-sufficiently. Grandma felt that despite Jin Xia's outward appearance, she clearly cared for Nan Hua deeply. Nan Hua found himself unable to promise marriage.
He revealed that the ancient tree in the yard was a spiritual energy vessel, and when all its flowers withered, the vessel would also wither, the spiritual energy would vanish, and he himself would cease to exist. Grandma didn't press for further details, respecting his unspoken burdens, and stood to pack for her return journey.
Nan Hua tried to persuade her to stay until Jin Xia came home, but Grandma firmly declined, insisting she had plans back home, including making TikTok videos with her friends. Watching Grandma leave, Nan Hua felt a lingering strangeness, specifically wondering why she had been able to see him when he was invisible.
Later, a radio broadcast announced that a spectacular Andromeda meteor shower would be visible in the city that evening, with the best viewing location being Wangqi Town, marking the second meteor shower to grace the town after the Lyrids shower the previous week.
Episode 8 Recap
Throughout the thousands of years of human history, many mysterious unanswered questions persist. The provided information reveals that these often trace back to a highly advanced prehistoric civilization that existed hundreds of thousands of years ago. The ancient people of this era possessed technology far beyond modern capabilities, including genetic modification techniques that allowed them to absorb spiritual energy from the world and utilize supernatural abilities. After a devastating global catastrophe, only a few survived by entering underground hibernation.
When they re-emerged, they found new intelligent life – the ancestors of modern humans – and out of goodwill, taught them essential skills like farming, metallurgy, construction, and disaster control. Many great civilization miracles were achieved with the help of these ancient beings. Initially revered as gods, the ancient people were later persecuted by rulers who feared their power and coveted immortality and divine abilities. This persecution nearly wiped them out, and the survivors were often demonized as monsters.
Only a tiny minority of ancient people survived, hidden away in secret corners of the world, largely unknown to modern humans. A thousand years ago, a meteor shower descended. The viscount watched, initially filled with joy, expecting a miracle. However, Nan Hua appeared solemn, explaining that while a single shooting star might signify a miracle, a meteor shower indicated the impending death of an ancient person.
He stated that spiritual energy impacts the magnetic field, and when an ancient person dies, the immense spiritual energy they release back into the world can even affect the orbits of celestial bodies. This particular meteor shower signaled the death of an ancient being. Hearing this, the viscount grew sad and wished never to see a meteor shower again. In the present day, Jin Xia called her grandmother, asking why she left so quickly.
Her grandmother replied she was busy but was relieved to see Jin Xia was doing well. She advised Jin Xia to be straightforward in her relationship with "little Nan" and specifically instructed her to keep the old things she had left on Jin Xia's work desk, calling them very precious memories for later in life. She also reminded Jin Xia to keep her household register and property ownership certificate safe. Jin Xia promised to visit when she was free.
Soon after, Ding Yanhai arrived at Jin Xia's house. Jin Xia initially refused his request, stating Nan Hua wasn't there. Ding insisted he needed to see "哥" (brother) about something important – watching the meteor shower that night together. Jin Xia still refused to let him in to wait, but when Ding called her "嫂子" (sister-in-law), she was moved and agreed to let him wait for just half an hour.
Ding commented to himself that this was "playing hard to get." Inside, while waiting for Nan Hua, who was invisible, Ding Yanhai expressed his suspicions about his brother to Jin Xia, feeling he was different from ordinary people. He cited instances where things would levitate or Nan Hua would disappear and reappear as if invisible. Jin Xia dismissed his concerns, joking he watched too many sci-fi movies and shouldn't believe in fictional characters like "Professor Do."
Suddenly, Nan Hua's two cats ran into the living room and began playing around the invisible Nan Hua. To Ding, it looked like the cats were swatting at thin air, which greatly surprised him, making him wonder if the house was haunted. To distract Ding and cover for the strange sight, Jin Xia quickly grabbed an old glass marble her grandmother had left and threw it to the cats. As she got up, she accidentally slipped.
Nan Hua swiftly reached out to steady her. From Ding's perspective, their posture appeared strange and peculiar. Jin Xia quickly grabbed Nan Hua's collar and deliberately fell to the floor. Their eyes met, and their lips touched briefly. Both were startled, and Nan Hua's fluctuating spiritual energy caused the lights to flicker erratically. Almost instantly, Ding Yanhai rushed over to help Jin Xia up, asking if she was alright. Jin Xia took the opportunity to push Nan Hua away.
Recovering her composure, Jin Xia used the half-hour limit as an excuse to get Ding to leave, though he claimed only fifteen minutes had passed. However, Ding returned shortly after, having forgotten his phone. As he retrieved it, he looked up and saw the sky filled with a meteor shower. The shower again became uncontrollable, falling towards the direction of the Taiping house.
Fortunately, Nan Hua quickly flew into the air, blocked the meteors, and easily shattered them with his abundant spiritual energy. Witnessing this incredible feat, Ding Yanhai's suspicions were completely confirmed. He excitedly rushed towards Nan Hua and embraced him, exclaiming that he had finally found his brother after searching through landscapes and centuries. Jin Xia wondered if Ding was the person Nan Hua had been waiting for.
After a brief conversation, Nan Hua recognized Ding and explained that he was the descendant of Taiping, a friend who had sacrificed his life because of Nan Hua. Nan Hua clarified that he had promised Taiping to protect his descendants but did not intend to interact with them personally, stating again that in this life, he would only wait for the one person he was meant to wait for and would not interact with others.
Meanwhile, the old glass marble Jin Xia had used to distract the cats caught Nan Hua's attention. He immediately recognized it as a "voice recording marble" he had given to the viscount. He explained that in ancient times, communication and travel were difficult, and each separation might be lifelong, so he gave this marble to the viscount to leave messages or clues if he encountered danger, likening it to a plane's black box.
Nan Hua listened to the marble but discovered that a section of the stored information had been deliberately deleted by someone, though he didn't know who. However, the discovery of this marble in Jin Xia's possession, coupled with her ability to recharge him and her earlier earring design sketch, led him to conclude that she was indeed the person he had been waiting for, implying she was the viscount reborn. Jin Xia couldn't hide her joy upon hearing this.
Just as they shared a meaningful look, a section of Jin Xia's bedroom wall, weakened by age and disrepair, gave way under the residual impact of the meteor shower and collapsed. Fortunately, the foundation of the Taiping house was stable, and Nan Hua believed it only required some repair. Ms. Chen (Ding Yanhai's mother) and the town leader arrived after hearing the commotion and seeing the damage. Thinking quickly, Ding Yanhai lied, claiming a meteor had directly hit the house.
The town leader, who knew a little about meteorites, asked where the fallen meteor was. Since Nan Hua had shattered the actual meteors, Ding could only point to a random rock in the yard and claim it was the meteorite. The town leader believed him and, citing it as public property belonging to Wangqi Town, decided to take it for research, hoping scientists would study it later. Jin Xia didn't object and let them take the stone.
After Ms. Chen and the others left, Jin Xia looked at her collapsed bedroom wall, feeling despair. Her room was uninhabitable. Nan Hua suggested she stay in the guest room. Jin Xia initially misunderstood, but when she saw Nan Hua had prepared a sleeping spot on the floor for himself, she realized her mistake. The atmosphere in the room that night became subtle and ambiguous.
Nan Hua couldn't sleep; he tossed and turned, not feeling sleepy at all, even feeling hot all over, his mind full of the scene of him kissing Jin Xia. Later, Nan Hua was reflecting on his situation, seemingly addressing the person he has been waiting for. He apologized, saying he couldn't be in a long-term relationship, and could at most only "practice."
He revealed he had little time left because the roots of the ancient cherry tree were necrotic and about to wither, and this was its last flowering phase. Once this flowering phase ended, his longevity would disappear. However, he expressed relief that the person he had waited for had returned as promised, and he had no regrets. He promised that before he left, he would do his utmost to fulfill all their wishes.
Episode 9 Recap
Nan Hua estimates the necessary repairs to the ancient house, named Taiping, would cost at least 30,000 yuan just for the collapsed section, not including foundation or interior renovation, a significant burden given his lack of funds. He admits to Jin Xia that while he had savings before the Republic of China era, an accident left him penniless.
Jin Xia had hoped to use her salary, but her company announces a month-long delay in pay due to costs associated with an upcoming major show, thwarting her plan. Jin Xia also attempts to call her grandma about a voice recording bead but cannot reach her. Later, her grandma calls back, saying she was in the hospital visiting a sick friend and that she will come for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Desperate for money, Nan Hua attempts to pawn his important keepsake, a pair of meteor-shattered stone earrings. He tells the pawnbroker they are ancient meteorites over 2,000 years old, but without an official appraisal, the highest offer is only 12,000 yuan, which Nan Hua deems too low. His search for other work is hindered by his lack of an ID card. He encounters Ding Yanhai, who is buying soy sauce for his mother.
Ding Yanhai insists on helping Nan Hua find work in exchange for Nan Hua talking to him more. Nan Hua finds a temporary job cutting squid but is criticized by the woman running the stand for being slow. Ding Yanhai, an auxiliary officer in the town, expresses surprise that Nan Hua, an architect, is doing such work and asks if Jin Xia isn't paying for the repairs, which Nan Hua asserts is his responsibility.
Jin Xia happens to pass by and sees Nan Hua cutting squid with Ding Yanhai. Hiding, she overhears their conversation, learning Nan Hua needs money for the house and plans to sell his ancient earrings after getting them appraised in the city. She questions if he would sell such an important item just for the house repairs, which shouldn't cost that much, and wonders if it's for her mortgage.
Realizing the sacrifice he is willing to make, she is deeply touched. News of the ancient house being struck by a meteor spreads online, making it a trending topic and attracting many influencers seeking attention. They surround the house as Jin Xia returns home, filming and questioning her.
They call it the "Legendary Romantic Ancient House," linking it to a local legend about a general who became a Wangqi Stone waiting for his wife, and speculate the house was their home and the meteor a sign of the wife's return. They also spread rumors the house is haunted by a mysterious man, citing unexplained lights and sounds.
When Jin Xia denies ghosts exist, they ask why she called the police reporting a ghost when she first moved in, leaving her flustered. As Jin Xia is overwhelmed, Nan Hua arrives. The influencers comment on his handsome appearance. Nan Hua confronts them for trespassing. When they speculate he is the mysterious man from the legend, Jin Xia quickly declares he is her boyfriend. Nan Hua's presence or agitation causes signal interference for the influencers' phones.
Jin Xia calls out for Ding Yanhai, who arrives and introduces himself as an auxiliary officer and Nan Hua's friend ("brother"). He cleverly tells the influencers the real meteorite is with the town mayor and offers to show them a fake one, successfully diverting them away and restoring calm. Jin Xia reflects privately that despite her public declaration, she and Nan Hua are not truly dating, feeling the situation is absurd but acknowledging they haven't explicitly defined their relationship.
Shortly after, Jiang Xiaochuan arrives, having seen the house on social media. Excited, she tells Jin Xia the house's value has "soared" and suggests selling it for a large profit, enabling her to become rich. Nan Hua, who is present, looks on with concern. Jin Xia firmly rejects the idea, reassuring Nan Hua that she intends to live in the house permanently and would never sell it, playfully blaming Jiang Xiaochuan for even suggesting it.
During the conversation, Nan Hua admits his lack of funds and reliance on Jin Xia due to his inability to work and build savings over his long life, unlike fictional characters who have lived for centuries. Ding Yanhai returns, reporting the influencers are now photographing a fake meteorite and he warned them about the consequences of trespassing and portrait rights infringement. Ding Yanhai and Jiang Xiaochuan meet and introduce themselves; Ding Yanhai is impressed by her beauty.
Jiang Xiaochuan gives Nan Hua the small amount he earned cutting squid. Jiang Xiaochuan proposes turning the house into a tourist attraction based on the Wangqi Town legend, noting their popularity on social media. Nan Hua dismisses the idea, fearing it would cause problems for him and Jin Xia by drawing too much attention. Ding Yanhai jokes the real trouble would be revealing Nan Hua's non-human nature.
Later, the four gather, and Jiang Xiaochuan shares a romantic version of the Wangqi Town legend: a general falls in love with a heavenly goddess, but their forbidden love leads to her being forcibly taken away by heavenly soldiers, leaving him to wait eternally at the house until he turns to stone, becoming the Wangqi Stone.
Ding Yanhai offers a darker, local version passed down through generations: the general initially knew the woman was an immortal goddess, but the general's jealous sister uses cruel dark arts to kill the goddess and steal her immortality and power. The general is heartbroken and waits alone at the house, turning to stone, while the immortal sister still exists, lurking in the world. Jin Xia prefers the romantic version.
Nan Hua reveals the true origin of the legend is based on his own history: a man who has waited for someone he isn't sure about at the ancient house for a thousand years. He admits his identity is extraordinary but not that of a ghost or alien and asks Ding Yanhai to keep it secret. Ding Yanhai agrees, asking that Nan Hua stop treating him like a stranger and at least greet him when they meet. Nan Hua agrees.
Ding Yanhai connects various strange incidents as evidence that Nan Hua is not a normal human: Jin Xia's initial report of an invisible person, her sudden fighting ability when dealing with the tricksters, Nan Hua's unchanging appearance over a decade, levitating objects (like a pot he witnessed and a bowl during dinner), Nan Hua's intervention during the meteor event (flying high into the air and emitting an air wave to break it apart), and Nan Hua's lack of an ID card.
During dinner, Ding Yanhai finds Jiang Xiaochuan familiar but can't place her, despite her suggestion he might have seen her online. Jin Xia advises Jiang Xiaochuan not to pay attention to Ding Yanhai, calling him a "super simp" who flatters everyone. Ding Yanhai tries to stay the night, claiming his mother kicked him out for forgetting the soy sauce, but Jin Xia sends him away, noting his own house is nearby.
As Jiang Xiaochuan leaves, Ding Yanhai realizes she forgot her packed food and offers to take it to her. He catches up to her on the road and sees her talking to a man who quickly enters a luxury car when Ding Yanhai approaches. Jiang Xiaochuan claims the man was a ride-share driver, but Ding Yanhai remains suspicious, doubting such a car would be available in their remote location.
Afterward, Jin Xia, reflecting on her feelings and Jiang Xiaochuan's advice to directly ask Nan Hua how he feels, tentatively asks Nan Hua about his feelings, suggesting his fate is tied to her if she doesn't sell the house. Nan Hua responds that staying together forever would be ideal. Jin Xia then asks if that means he'll have to cut squid his whole life to manage the high repair costs. Nan Hua doesn't directly answer but seems accepting.
The next day, Jiang Xiaochuan transfers 100,000 yuan to Jin Xia, telling her to use it and repay later. Separately, Jiang Xiaochuan is in a luxury car instructing a driver to prepare a contract, confirming her plan to invest in Wangqi Town and develop it into a "top-class tourist town."
Episode 10 Recap
Jin Xia learned that the cherry tree in the yard wasn't ordinary; it was an "utensil" ancient people used to collect spiritual energy. Nan Hua explained that the flourishing branches full of flowers reflected his abundant spiritual energy, just as its decay would signify his decline, regardless of watering. He revealed that each ancient person had their unique utensil, its form being their most important secret because it was the carrier of immortality and extraordinary energy.
Anyone who could connect with an utensil could obtain an ancient person's power. Jin Xia marveled at this, stating it needed to be protected. Nan Hua responded that he would keep the secret. He also clarified that what looked like two trees were actually twin trees with roots entangled underground. Late one night, Nan Hua was absorbed in revising decoration plans.
Jin Xia encouraged him to rest, saying there was plenty of time, but he revealed he wouldn't be around much longer. He explained that the ancient cherry tree's roots had completely withered; this was its final bloom, and after this flowering period ended, he would disappear forever, dying and turning to ashes. He added that the tree was a modified ancient utensil, beyond modern methods to save, and that taking another's utensil would be murder.
Having not seen another of his kind in thousands of years, he believed he might be the last ancient person. Jin Xia was shocked and distraught, looking for other solutions, but Nan Hua stated modern technology offered no help. Overwhelmed, Jin Xia excused herself, claiming she was tired, but turned back to weep in his arms. Jin Xia couldn't sleep that night, sitting alone and crying for a long time.
The next morning, Nan Hua had already finished the decoration plan and made breakfast and lunch. He urged Jin Xia to rest, but she was hesitant to eat. The atmosphere was heavy. Nan Hua tried to comfort her, saying that being trapped by immortality had only brought loneliness, and death would be a release. He felt his long wait for her was wish fulfillment, leaving him satisfied. Jin Xia asked if there was anything else he wanted to do.
He said his only remaining desire was to pay off her mortgage and renovate her house. He needed to use her phone to buy materials online. She agreed but told him to use Ding Yanhai's contact information for the delivery, as she was going to work. Soon after, the construction materials were delivered. Nan Hua began building a wall and renovating the house himself.
Ding Yanhai arrived, offering to help and remarking that Jin Xia was inconsiderate for letting Nan Hua do such heavy work alone. Nan Hua explained that he had kept his distance from Ding Yanhai before to avoid causing trouble, but the current stable social environment made those fears seem unnecessary. He asked Ding Yanhai to look after Jin Xia after he was gone.
Ding Yanhai eagerly asked if this meant they were friends now, but Nan Hua clarified they were only neighbors. Despite Ding Yanhai's insistence on helping or finding professional workers, Nan Hua preferred to handle everything himself, impressing Ding Yanhai with his versatility. A man addressed as Mr. Li visited, identifying himself as representing Qingshi Group.
He explained that Nan Hua's previous design for a local park was highly praised by their chairwoman, and Qingshi Group intended to fully develop Wangqi Town into a world-class tourist destination, including an amusement park, water park, and more. They wanted Nan Hua to design the service center building, offering generous compensation but stating the design credit would go to their in-house designer. Needing money, Nan Hua accepted the offer.
Ding Yanhai found the situation suspicious and warned Nan Hua to be cautious, suggesting it might be a scam, perhaps targeting Nan Hua's "charm," but Nan Hua dismissed his concerns. Meanwhile, at work, Jin Xia was distracted, unable to focus on her tasks since learning about Nan Hua's situation. Her boss came to check on her design drafts and was surprised to find Jin Xia had drawn a portrait of Nan Hua.
Jin Xia quickly concocted an excuse, claiming she was just conceptualizing, and promised to finish the actual design draft before the end of the day. Throughout the day, Ding Yanhai became exhausted from helping with the renovation, while Nan Hua remained remarkably energetic. Nan Hua mentioned feeling increasingly vigorous and hot lately, especially at night, since Jin Xia had moved in, even going without sleep for two days without feeling tired.
Ding Yanhai, upon learning they shared a room, immediately jumped to conclusions about their relationship, but Nan Hua insisted their relationship was pure. Seeing Nan Hua's unfamiliarity with romantic matters (admitting he had never been in a relationship), Ding Yanhai realized this and diagnosed his symptoms as normal physiological needs due to prolonged singlehood. Ding Yanhai insisted on showing Nan Hua something on his phone to "educate" him on the matter, which shocked Nan Hua with its "obscene content."
That evening during dinner, Jin Xia's presence caused Nan Hua to feel increasingly hot and agitated. Struggling with overwhelming emotions and finding himself thinking "filthy" thoughts, he excused himself abruptly and went into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face, trying to suppress his thoughts. Jin Xia, witnessing his flushed face and strange behavior, worried that he was beginning to weaken.
She followed him and, upon finding him collapsed and burning with fever inside the bathroom, frantically called Ding Yanhai for help. Together, they managed to carry the heavy Nan Hua to his bed. After Ding Yanhai left, Jin Xia stayed by Nan Hua's side. During a phone call, she revealed Nan Hua's true identity to Ding Yanhai, who was astonished to learn his "alien" friend was an ancient person.
He was even more surprised when Jin Xia mentioned his fever, and Ding Yanhai deduced the reason for Nan Hua's intense fever was apparently due to suppressed physiological needs or "excessive energy." Alone with the unconscious Nan Hua, Jin Xia tearfully confessed her feelings, offering to be his "power bank" for a lifetime, pleading with him not to disappear and suggesting they could try it. Unbeknownst to her, Nan Hua heard her confession in his semiconscious state.
Attempting to check his temperature, she found her thermometer read an impossible sixty degrees, panicking that his "ancient brain" was burning up. She rushed to get ice to cool him down. The following morning, Nan Hua was awake and had recovered from the fever. He seemed ready to express his feelings in response to Jin Xia's words from the night before.
However, at that crucial moment, Jin Xia received an urgent call from her friend Xiang informing her that her grandmother had fainted and was in the hospital, and the situation was complicated, requiring Jin Xia to return home immediately. Jin Xia quickly packed her bags to return to her hometown. Nan Hua, concerned for her safety traveling alone, insisted on accompanying her, stating his abundant spiritual energy now allowed him to travel. As they prepared to leave, they looked outside and saw that the cherry tree had indeed bloomed.
Episode 11 Recap
Let me drive. You can rest now. Nan Hua offered to take over driving for Jin Xia by possessing her body, allowing her to get some much-needed rest after a sleepless night caring for him. They arrived at the hospital parking lot. As Jin Xia woke up, Nan Hua expressed remorse, recalling that Grandma had been able to see him when he was invisible some time ago.
He suddenly realized that only innocent children, spiritual animals, and dying elders could see through his invisibility, which meant Grandma's health must have already been failing then. Jin Xia blamed herself for not noticing the signs of her grandmother's declining health, saying she was acting strangely and showing physical abnormalities that she was too careless to detect. Nan Hua comforted her, assuring her it wasn't obvious because Grandma was likely pretending to be well to avoid worrying her.
Their friend Xiang arrived, having been keeping watch. She told Jin Xia that Grandma had been receiving treatment on and off for a long time but had kept it a secret to prevent Jin Xia from worrying. Xiang then learned Nan Hua was Jin Xia's boyfriend and expressed happiness that Jin Xia now had him with her, mentioning that Grandma had always worried about her being alone.
Jin Xia made a difficult phone call to her senior colleague, asking for a leave of absence from work due to Grandma's hospitalization. She learned this meant missing a chance to showcase her design work alongside their teacher, but Jin Xia firmly stated that Grandma was her only family and the most important person to her, so she couldn't leave her side.
Concerned about Nan Hua being away from his source of spiritual energy, the cherry tree, Jin Xia suggested he leave. Nan Hua insisted on staying, claiming he had excess spiritual energy that needed to be depleted and that staying out helped. He added that being by her side made every moment he had left in the world meaningful. Meanwhile, inside the ward, Grandma woke up briefly and saw Jin Xia.
She offered a heartfelt prayer to the heavens, begging for more time to witness Jin Xia's wedding, as she was her only family and she didn't want to leave before seeing her married and knowing she would be cared for. Soon after, the doctor spoke with Jin Xia and Nan Hua, confirming that despite being conscious, Grandma's condition was still not optimistic and she likely didn't have much time left.
He advised them to fulfill any wishes she might have to avoid regrets. Jin Xia asked Grandma why she hadn't told her about being sick earlier. Grandma explained she didn't want to burden Jin Xia, knowing how busy she was with work, but Jin Xia insisted Grandma was more important than any job. Grandma seemed accepting of her situation, viewing birth, aging, sickness, and death as natural parts of life.
She had a specific request for Jin Xia: she wanted a portrait drawn that could be used as her memorial picture at her funeral. She wanted everyone there to see that her granddaughter had drawn it and know that Jin Xia would become a great designer. Jin Xia agreed to draw the portrait and promised to work hard to become a designer but urged Grandma to focus on getting better and not talk about funerals.
Later that morning, Ding Yanhai arrived at the hospital, having been asked by Nan Hua to bring some necessities, including Jin Xia's drawing board and brushes, and a mobile Wi-Fi device because the hospital didn't have public Wi-Fi. He also brought Nan Hua his old phone, setting up a new number and saving his and Jin Xia's numbers. Ding Yanhai even helped Nan Hua download WeChat.
Nan Hua accepted the phone, stating it would make it easier for them to contact him, signaling a willingness to adapt and interact with the modern world for her sake. Ding Yanhai, who called Nan Hua "Brother," expressed his admiration for how well Nan Hua treated Jin Xia, saying he envied her and that Nan Hua was abandoning his principle of not making friends due to the special circumstances. While they were talking, a noise came from the ward.
They rushed in to find Grandma had accidentally broken a cup. She sighed deeply, feeling it was a hint from heaven that things destined to break would break and what was coming would come. Jin Xia tried to reassure her, saying it was just a broken cup and reminded her Grandma wasn't usually superstitious. Grandma then brought up her wish again, asking Nan Hua directly if he would marry Jin Xia.
Nan Hua, apologetic, said he couldn't promise that, acknowledging the gravity of such a request. He assured Grandma that he would protect and care for Jin Xia as long as he was by her side. Jin Xia quickly redirected the conversation, asking Grandma about the voice recording marble. Grandma recognized it as a toy she had found in an ancestral hall on a back mountain in her old village when she was young.
She explained that the marble had been hers before Jin Xia took it from her jewelry box. She remembered the hall was dedicated to an ancient prince but said it had been demolished as part of urban construction, possibly in Jian'an District or Yonghe West District, making the exact location unclear. Since Grandma needed to undergo tests, they couldn't ask more details about the ancestral hall right then.
Nan Hua decided to look for records in a local museum or library, believing there would be traces of such an ancient structure if it existed historically. He instructed Jin Xia to stay and keep Grandma company, reassuring her not to worry about the shrine matter or Grandma's earlier comments about marriage. Nan Hua left the ward with Ding Yanhai, who offered to accompany him, joking about sharing a room if needed.
As they were leaving, Ding Yanhai mentioned Mr. Li from the design company wanted to schedule a meeting about the service center building project for the next day. Nan Hua called Mr. Li, explained his urgent personal matter which required him to leave for a few days, and asked to postpone the meeting. Mr. Li was surprisingly understanding, telling Nan Hua to take his time and they could meet whenever he was free.
This struck Ding Yanhai as odd for a project of that scale, feeling like a joke. Nan Hua didn't dwell on it, but as he stood outside the hospital, looking at advertising boards, some landscape photos triggered fragmented memories, giving him a sense that he had been in this location a very long time ago. Meanwhile, back in the ward, Grandma's condition suddenly worsened, and she suffered a severe medical event, going into ventricular fibrillation.
Jin Xia desperately called for the doctor, but she was asked to leave the room while the medical team attempted resuscitation. Outside, she sobbed uncontrollably, praying for her grandmother's recovery. Nan Hua and Ding Yanhai stood by her side, sharing her distress. Tragically, the medical team was unable to save Grandma. The doctor informed Jin Xia that they had done their best and advised her to say her goodbyes.
Jin Xia was heartbroken, crying out to her "sweetie" Grandma (Nian Nian), begging her to wake up and finish the portrait, unable to accept she was gone. In a tender moment, Nan Hua, possessing Grandma's body, spoke to Jin Xia, calling her "Nian Nian." Through Grandma's voice, he reassured Jin Xia that birth, aging, sickness, and death were inevitable parts of life, but they had been lucky to have 27 years together, giving each other the best love without regret.
When Jin Xia cried that she was now alone, the voice told her she still had Nan Hua, who would take over accompanying and caring for her. Understanding, Jin Xia promised to live well and strive for the life she wanted, saying she knew Grandma had only wanted her to be happy. The voice expressed pride in her beautiful and capable granddaughter, saying she was content and would be watching over her from the sky and blessing her. As Grandma passed away for the final time, Jin Xia collapsed in grief. Nan Hua gently touched her head, offering comfort.
Episode 12 Recap
Upon their return to Jin Xia's grandmother's home, Nan Hua personally prepared a meal, including marinated shrimp, made using Jin Xia's grandmother's recipe, which was Jin Xia's favorite dish. Ding Yanhai found the dish quite salty, but Jin Xia tasted her grandmother's flavor in it and became emotional, embracing Nan Hua while crying and thanking him. Nan Hua promised he would make the dish for her often if she liked it.
After dinner, Jin Xia began sorting through her grandmother's belongings while Nan Hua explored a mobile phone. Ding Yanhai approached him, initially asking to take a selfie, and noticed that Nan Hua's photo album contained many pictures he had taken of Jin Xia. Nan Hua seemed somewhat shy or embarrassed.
Later, Nan Hua spoke with Jin Xia, telling her he had heard her words while he was unwell, specifically her question about whether she could continue to recharge him even if the ancient cherry tree withered. He confirmed he was serious about her potentially replacing the ancient cherry tree as his lifelong source of spiritual energy, capable of recharging him for life.
He promised to remain with her for the remainder of their lives, accompanying and protecting her every hour, every second. Jin Xia expressed her thanks. Nan Hua then explained his earlier hesitation when her grandmother had asked if he would marry Jin Xia. He said he had lost many memories and only had fragments, fearing he might have been married before, which would constitute bigamy in the modern era and would have hurt both Jin Xia and her grandmother.
He explained that since then, through effort, he had recalled enough to believe he had not been married or consummated a union with anyone. He asked Jin Xia for time to carefully consider marriage, assuring her that her wishes would be the highest priority. Jin Xia said she wasn't angry, just felt it was a pity her grandmother couldn't have heard his words. Nan Hua apologized for taking a thousand years to find her.
Their heartfelt conversation was interrupted by Ding Yanhai unexpectedly returning. That night, while sharing a bed with Ding Yanhai, Nan Hua's body suddenly became very cold. This was linked to a mysterious person tampering with the ancient cherry tree at the ancient house, making him weak. Jin Xia was alerted to his condition and rushed to check on him, finding him extremely cold.
She attempted to recharge him through physical contact, including trying to do so by kissing him, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Jin Xia realized the issue might be their distance from the ancient house. Despite his weakening state, Nan Hua instructed Ding Yanhai to take him back to the ancient house, explaining he would recover there near the ancient tree, which had not yet withered. He told Jin Xia to stay behind to handle her grandmother's funeral.
Ding Yanhai helped Nan Hua into the car. During the drive back, Ding Yanhai noticed Nan Hua's hand briefly flickered and became transparent, expressing concern. Nan Hua attributed it to significant spiritual energy depletion but reassured him it was okay and asked him not to tell Jin Xia. Left behind at her grandmother's home, Jin Xia worried deeply about Nan Hua, constantly checking his location remotely.
She felt relieved when Ding Yanhai called to inform her they had safely arrived and Nan Hua had been placed in the coffin for recovery, reporting that his body temperature was beginning to rise. While sorting through her grandmother's belongings, Jin Xia made a significant discovery: evidence revealing her grandmother's involvement, fifty years prior, in the demolition of the Viscount's ancient ancestral hall during town development, and that she had acquired a voice recording marble from the site.
Overwhelmed by the discovery about her grandmother, Jin Xia found food Nan Hua had thoughtfully left for her in the fridge along with comforting notes, which moved her to tears. Elsewhere, at the ancient house, Ding Yanhai found Jiang Xiaochuan fainted. She admitted she had fainted because she hadn't eaten due to dieting. Jiang Xiaochuan pleaded with Ding Yanhai not to tell Jin Xia, as Jin Xia was strongly against her dieting.
Ding Yanhai verbally agreed to keep it secret, though suspicion arose in his heart towards Jiang Xiaochuan. After eating, Jiang Xiaochuan confirmed she felt much better and alive. A few days later, Jin Xia held the funeral for her grandmother. Addressing the attendees, she tearfully spoke about her grandmother raising her and her regret at not knowing more about her grandmother's own dreams and wishes outside of their life together. She expressed feeling alone after her grandmother's passing.
Just then, Nan Hua appeared beside her, telling her, "You're not alone." A vulnerable Jin Xia broke down and cried in his embrace. Later, Jin Xia discussed her concern for Nan Hua's safety, particularly after the failed attempt to recharge him. Nan Hua assured her he was well, with spiritual energy replenished, and shared surprising news: the ancient cherry tree, which was linked to his life force, looked vibrant and was blooming.
He had discovered it had grown new roots and was undergoing self-recovery. He explained that this meant the tree would likely not wither, and consequently, he would not disappear from the world. Jin Xia was overjoyed by this news but also confused, as Nan Hua had previously stated the tree's decline was irreversible. Nan Hua was also puzzled and planned to investigate the phenomenon upon their return to the ancient house.
Jin Xia decided they should pack and return soon, as she needed to go back to work after taking extensive leave. While packing, Jin Xia also found photos of her grandmother among the old items. Nan Hua agreed to return promptly, stating he would also feel more at ease being near the tree. As Jin Xia packed, she still wrestled with how to tell Nan Hua about her grandmother's involvement in demolishing the ancestral hall.
However, Nan Hua revealed he already knew. He explained that when he temporarily controlled her grandmother to say goodbye, he had seen her inner fears and memories. This included her participation in the demolition of old buildings, like temples and ancestral halls containing precious relics, during the town's development when she was young. He had also seen her deep remorse and guilt, which had become a burden in her heart and was the reason she avoided such places.
Jin Xia asked if he was angry that her grandmother had demolished the Viscount's ancestral hall. Nan Hua said he had witnessed too many changes throughout history and saw the demolition as part of the "tide of the times," not solely attributable to her grandmother's personal preference, and felt she shouldn't be blamed. He emphasized that people were more important than objects, and having Jin Xia was far more significant to him than fixating on an ancestral hall.
Jin Xia told him how kind he was. Nan Hua mentioned that being in the town had also triggered more memories for him. Jin Xia found the earrings Nan Hua had given her. Nan Hua confirmed they had originally belonged to the Viscount. A brief historical flashback scene showed a Queen/Empress mentioning these earrings were a token given to her by a "young lady" who promised immortal help and guidance to find the immortal (Nan Hua).
Episode 13 Recap
Nan Hua has recovered a significant memory related to the origin of meteor-like gemstone earrings. Thirty years ago, a woman who later became the Empress Dowager came seeking his help, using these earrings as a token. Today, she confessed to Nan Hua that the earrings were not hers.
A young lady had given them to her during a time of difficulty, instructing her that this token would lead her to an immortal who could help her achieve a life of honor and wealth, and guided her to find Nan Hua. The Empress Dowager described the lady as having a high nose bridge, phoenix eyes, a noble demeanor suggesting an official family, and a distinctive hairpin with five or six snow-white cherry blossoms.
She admitted she came initially only because her emperor was in trouble and she sought assistance, not expecting Nan Hua to mistake her for the reincarnation of the viscount he was waiting for. She had feared revealing the truth would cause him to withdraw his help. Nan Hua, learning the truth, told her they need not meet again. The Empress Dowager, however, expressed remorse for her deception and revealed she had been searching for the viscount's whereabouts to make amends.
She gave Nan Hua a silk bag containing a map to the viscount's last known location, urging him not to remain fixated on the idea of reincarnation, as scientifically, reincarnation doesn't exist. Following the map, Nan Hua journeyed to the location, finding the viscount's tomb. It turned out the viscount's hometown was located where Jin Xia's hometown, Globefish Town, now stands, which was also the capital of an ancient country.
Nan Hua learned the viscount was imprisoned and died due to court struggles, framed by his own younger sister. Unable to revive the dead, Nan Hua built an ancestral hall there as a memorial and placed a voice recording bead beneath the viscount's memorial tablet. For centuries, Nan Hua visited regularly to mourn and perform repairs. However, as his spiritual energy dwindled, he began to enter intermittent hibernation. During one such period, the ancestral hall was destroyed.
A young woman picked up the voice recording bead; this person was Jin Xia's grandmother. After this destruction, Nan Hua lost his memories related to these events and forgot them. Later, Jin Xia asked about the voice recording bead, and Nan Hua revealed he personally destroyed its contents, though he did not yet remember why. Recently, a dormant ancient tree began to revive, growing new roots, suggesting Nan Hua's life might be extended.
However, these new roots collected limited spiritual energy, prompting Nan Hua to ask Jin Xia if she was still willing to help recharge him for a lifetime. Jin Xia was happy about the possibility of extending his life but also concerned about her reliability as a source of energy. Nan Hua accompanied Jin Xia to handle her grandmother's old belongings.
Looking through items like childhood drawings and a picture album, Jin Xia recalled fond memories of her grandmother, such as drawing together, planting daylilies that attracted butterflies and bees but were dug up by a neighbor's dog, and sharing a single rare mooncake during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which Jin Xia ate entirely. To comfort her, Nan Hua spoke about the relationship between the moon and Earth, explaining how the moon is slowly drifting away by 3.
8 centimeters per year but remains bound by gravity, like a long-term contract or promise that cannot be broken despite increasing distance over time. He related this to his promise to wait for the viscount. Jin Xia responded by saying that if she were the viscount, she would tell him not to wait, wanting him to live his own life rather than waiting for her for a thousand years.
Both expressed hope for embracing new lives before their pre-booked taxi arrived. Upon returning home, Nan Hua sang while Jin Xia showered, as he often did. Jin Xia, feeling shy, told him he no longer needed to sing specifically during her shower, hinting that their relationship could progress further and that he could do whatever he wanted during that time.
Meanwhile, Ding Yanhai heard Nan Hua singing from Jin Xia's place next door and eagerly tried to visit, but his mother, Ms. Chen, stopped him. Ms. Chen suspected Ding Yanhai had feelings for Jin Xia, which he struggled to explain. That night, Ding Yanhai found Jiang Xiaochuan's access card and looked up her connection to Qingshi Group, discovering she was involved with them.
After spending this time together, Jin Xia felt fortunate to have met the kind Nan Hua and became optimistic about their future. However, that night, Nan Hua experienced a nightmare where a small boy gave him the earrings and a message from a young lady who said she was dying and asked him to save her quickly.
Jin Xia returned to work at Qingshi Group after her leave, apologizing to her supervisor, Xi Manling, for being away during a busy time right before a major show and promising to commit fully and catch up on missed work. Xi Manling asked about the inspiration for Jin Xia's accessory designs. Jin Xia credited her boyfriend, Nan Hua.
Just before announcing the winner of a design competition, Xi Manling accused Jin Xia of plagiarism, presenting her own design draft of the earrings as evidence. Jin Xia was shocked, but assistant Bai Bing confirmed that Xi Manling had shown the design to everyone previously on the day Xi Manling returned from her hometown with wine-brewed rice balls.
Jin Xia then remembered that she had seen Xi Manling's designs that day after getting drunk on the wine-brewed rice balls and experiencing a blackout, unable to recall anything. She later smelled Nan Hua's sachet, which stimulated her memory, causing her to recall the earring design and mistakenly believe it was her own sudden inspiration.
Despite the plagiarism issue, Xi Manling accepted Jin Xia's explanation, stating she had faith in her judgment and did not believe Jin Xia would intentionally plagiarize. She praised Jin Xia's other designs as the best submitted, possessing a unique blend of classical and modern elements, being inspired and not cliché. Xi Manling then announced Jin Xia as the winner, tasking her with designing an independent set of wedding attire to be showcased alongside Xi Manling's new collection.
Other colleagues were displeased, feeling Jin Xia was undeserving given the plagiarism accusation. Jin Xia was both astonished and conflicted by the outcome. She began to suspect that Xi Manling might be the person Nan Hua was waiting for, especially recalling Nan Hua's fainting spell at their studio, which Jin Xia had initially attributed to her own failed recharging but now thought Xi Manling might have caused by giving him energy.
Jin Xia discussed her suspicions with Jiang Xiaochuan, expressing her reluctance to let go of Nan Hua despite the possibility that he was waiting for someone else. Jiang Xiaochuan offered provocative advice on how to pursue the relationship, which Jin Xia rejected. At that moment, Xi Manling called, asking Jin Xia to recruit Nan Hua to model for a design exhibition, citing his temperament as perfect for the theme.
Jin Xia attempted to decline, saying Nan Hua was no longer modeling, but Xi Manling was persistent, assuring Jin Xia the designs were very conservative and wouldn't even show ankles. Unable to find a solid reason to refuse, Jin Xia agreed to pass on the request for Nan Hua to consider it.
Episode 14 Recap
Nan Hua never gave up hope for the viscount's return. He personally wrote a comprehensive "Settlement Plan" designed to create a home-like atmosphere for the viscount upon their return. His long-time friend, understanding Nan Hua had been waiting for over seventy years, urged him to face reality, comparing his stubbornness to the tragic figure Wei Sheng who drowned waiting by a river. Nan Hua, however, believed the viscount would return, having been promised.
Over two thousand years later, Nan Hua finally unearthed the buried "Settlement Plan" from beneath a cherry tree, believing the time had come for its implementation. To secure sufficient funds to repair the Taiping old house and to protect Jin Xia from potential trouble associated with a pair of meteor-like gemstone earrings, Nan Hua decided to sell them. He enlisted his friend Ding Yanhai to find a reliable auction house.
Nan Hua explained that ever since Jin Xia's grandmother passed away, he had been working on a plan – the Settlement Plan – which required a large sum of money, and the income from his design work wasn't enough. He also felt the earrings were bringing bad dreams related to Jin Xia and wanted to get rid of them quickly for peace of mind.
Ding Yanhai promised to help, understanding the urgency and that such valuable antique earrings would require a proper auction house. Meanwhile, Jin Xia was worried about her design drafts potentially causing issues. Her friend Jiang Xiaochuan dismissed her concerns, saying drafts alone wouldn't definitively prove anything or confirm Jin Xia was the person Nan Hua was waiting for. Instead of worrying, Jiang Xiaochuan suggested the best course was to arrange a formal meeting between Nan Hua and Ms. Xi Manling.
If Ms. Xi was indeed the person Nan Hua was waiting for, fate would ensure they recognized each other. Jin Xia admitted they had already met when Nan Hua fainted, but Jiang Xiaochuan insisted that didn't count as a formal meeting. If they met formally and didn't recognize each other, Jin Xia could then choose not to reveal anything about the drafts or the earrings, having done her part.
Jiang Xiaochuan advised Jin Xia to be practical in the modern era. That night, Nan Hua dreamed again of the Republic of China period. In the dream, he was helping a woman who was involved in the revolution and desperately needed funds for supplies for her comrades. He gave her all he had, and she promised to return after the war ended and victory was achieved.
At Xi Manling's company, investors Ms. Lin and Mr. Zhao from the headquarters arrived to announce a complete withdrawal of funding and the cancellation of this year's show. The reason was Xi Manling had offended the Bruno Group, the world's largest luxury goods distributor and a long-term partner of their headquarters.
They stated the company would not risk their relationship with Bruno over her actions and that the decision was final unless she could obtain forgiveness from Mr. Bruno or his wife. Concurrently, Jin Xia called Nan Hua. Her design had been selected for the show, and she asked if he would be the model for her pieces. Nan Hua, delighted that Jin Xia's work was chosen, enthusiastically agreed, despite their previous understanding that he would only model for her once.
He even agreed to model for multiple outfits, as required for a show featuring both her and Xi Manling's designs. Jin Xia felt conflicted, torn between her happiness for her selected design and her fear of Nan Hua potentially recognizing Xi Manling. She also debated whether to confess about unconsciously copying the design.
Nan Hua arrived at Jin Xia's company that afternoon, bringing ginseng chicken soup he had熬了一夜, health-boosting tea bags, and low-fat snacks, showing immense care for Jin Xia who had been working overtime. Her colleagues were envious, perceiving Jin Xia as incredibly lucky with her design chosen for the show and her handsome partner becoming the designated model. As Nan Hua and Jin Xia were talking, someone accidentally stumbled while carrying coffee, nearly spilling it on Jin Xia.
Nan Hua quickly shielded her by leaning in front, allowing her to avoid the spill. Xi Manling witnessed this moment. Later, during a fitting session and discussion, Xi Manling showed Jin Xia more of her design drafts, including various jewelry designs. When Nan Hua saw these designs, he was deeply shocked, triggering intense memories from his past connections. He remembered supporting a woman named Zhou Yinting during the chaotic Republic of China era.
Yinting, who was the viscount reincarnated, seemed to retain memories from a thousand years prior and had recognized him. Nan Hua spent lavishly to support her revolutionary work, even selling the Taiping property. At one point, Yinting hinted she would stay if he asked, but he encouraged her to prioritize her national duty. They eventually lost contact. Nan Hua also recalled receiving a letter from Yinting after they parted.
In the letter, she expressed gratitude for his past support despite her current financial difficulties, sought forgiveness for her past wilfulness, and hoped for a reunion in the house beneath the cherry tree when the war ended. Back in the present, Nan Hua, remembering the Taiping property was sold to help Yinting and seeing the striking resemblance of Xi Manling's jewelry designs to the ones he associated with Yinting, asked Xi Manling if she knew anyone named Zhou Yinting.
Xi Manling had no recollection of the name. Faced with the mounting evidence, Jin Xia confessed that she had unconsciously copied Xi Manling's earring design while she was drunk, intending to tell him later. Nan Hua was visibly shaken by the confession and the wave of memories connecting the past and present. He abruptly excused himself, citing sudden discomfort, and left to return to the Taiping old house.
Jin Xia was distraught, staying late at the office under the guise of working overtime. She reminisced about her time with Nan Hua. Later that night, she ate the food he had brought her, finding the chicken soup delicious, but feeling profound sadness at the prospect of losing him.
However, she rallied her spirits, telling herself not to give up easily, that even if Ms. Xi was the one Nan Hua was waiting for, they weren't together yet, and she still had the right to fight for her happiness. Just as she resolved to try and give her all, Nan Hua called her, and her newfound courage immediately faltered.
Episode 15 Recap
Jin Xia worked late into the night at the office, purposefully avoiding Nan Hua. He eventually called, urgently seeking her answer. Jin Xia told him she felt he had found the person he had been waiting for, making others naturally less important. She stated she wouldn't force him to stay, that their past promises no longer counted, and there were no longer any ties between them.
After hanging up, Jin Xia immediately regretted speaking so harshly, and tears streamed down her face. Meanwhile, Xi Manling faced difficulties due to her involvement in Mr. Bruno's marriage. She recalled Nan Hua's unusual behavior from the previous day and reviewed surveillance footage, which confirmed he was far from ordinary. Intrigued and suspecting a deeper connection, she sought out Jin Xia under the pretense of discussing her design work and the strange coffee incident.
Feeling that Xi Manling, as a potential candidate for the person Nan Hua waited for, was entitled to know, Jin Xia revealed that Nan Hua was a very special person who had been waiting in the ancient house for over two thousand years for someone, although he himself had lost the memory of who. She also mentioned that Nan Hua's strange reaction to her jewelry designs seemed connected to the person he was waiting for.
Following this conversation, Xi Manling went directly to the ancient house and met with Nan Hua and Ding Yanhai, recognizing him. She explained that she had often dreamed of the house, with the dreams becoming increasingly vivid, and after seeing him at the company the day before, she felt compelled to follow her memory to find him, astonished that it was truly him.
Ding Yanhai was surprised by this revelation, while Nan Hua appeared emotionally complex and not entirely prepared for the encounter. Xi Manling then spoke with Nan Hua privately, making it clear she would not interfere in his feelings for Jin Xia.
She urged him to let go of his past obsession and not to disappoint the girl who truly cared for him, specifically mentioning how distressed Jin Xia was after their call, crying all night, looking haggard, and needing his care, especially after recently losing her grandmother. Xi Manling added that if she herself were the person he had waited for, she would tell him to stop waiting and live for himself.
Bolstered by Xi Manling's heartfelt advice and confirmation of Jin Xia's feelings, Nan Hua decided to go to Jin Xia. Although Jin Xia tried to avoid him, insisting she needed to work late, Nan Hua used his abilities to possess her body and drove them to the beach. He told her he was "kidnapping" her since she wouldn't come willingly, assuring her that everyone else had left the office and only she could see him in this state.
At the beach under the moonlight, Nan Hua confessed his feelings to Jin Xia. He admitted that he had long known that the viscount could not return from the dead and that anyone claiming otherwise was a fake, yet he had held onto that obsession for millennia. He felt fortunate to have met Jin Xia during this time, a person who made him promise to care for her for a lifetime.
He recalled her earlier words about telling him to stop waiting if she were the viscount, so he could live for himself, and found them uniquely gentle and moving. He realized his past bonds might have been rooted in his utility value to others.
He declared he would continue to honor his centuries-old vow to wait for the viscount, explaining that this promise did not conflict with his new commitment to care for her; in fact, fulfilling his promise to "her" was now the only thing that mattered. He vowed to stay by her side, supporting her work, sharing experiences, facing challenges together, and always looking after her.
After playfully fumbling over the word for "dating," attempting to ask her to formally be in a relationship, they sealed their connection with a kiss under the moon. On the way home, Jin Xia remained immersed in happiness, finding it hard to believe that her feelings had shifted from pain and despair the day before to finding new hope.
Nan Hua told her he had sold the viscount's earrings, explaining the money could be used to renovate the Taiping ancient house and pay off her mortgage. Jin Xia was touched to learn he had sold the precious earrings for her sake and astonished that they were valued at ten million yuan.
She expressed worry that Xi Manling might complicate things, perhaps due to the potential connection or the money, but Nan Hua reassured her, revealing that it was Xi Manling herself who had encouraged him to bravely pursue his feelings for Jin Xia. At the same time, Xi Manling returned to the home of her former adoptive parents. Her adoptive mother, who was drinking in the living room, confronted her.
She accused Xi Manling and presented her with two choices: either leave Mr. Bruno immediately, in which case the adoptive mother would forgive her past actions, or the adoptive mother would expose the scandal of her adopted daughter seducing her adoptive father to the media, ensuring Xi Manling could no longer work in the fashion industry. Xi Manling, aware of her adoptive mother's severe and ruthless nature, requested three more days to provide a satisfactory answer.
Ms. Chen, Ding Yanhai's mother, arrived unexpectedly at Jin Xia's house, visibly angry. She expressed her concern that Ding Yanhai had been frequently visiting the ancient house and suspected he was romantically interested in Jin Xia, even skipping work for her, which had resulted in official criticism. She stated that Jin Xia already had a boyfriend and insisted Jin Xia should clarify the situation with Ding Yanhai immediately, make him give up his notions, and cut ties with him completely.
Jin Xia knew that Ding Yanhai was actually coming to see Nan Hua, but struggled to explain this, especially since Ms. Chen seemed unaware that Nan Hua lived there.
Nan Hua quickly intervened and fabricated an excuse, claiming he needed Ding Yanhai's help with local matters related to his design and renovation work on the ancient house, such as finding contractors and materials, and would pay him twenty thousand yuan a month for his assistance as Ding Yanhai was a local expert. Upon hearing the substantial amount, Ms. Chen's attitude dramatically shifted from anger to delight.
Not only did she approve of Ding Yanhai visiting the ancient house and helping Nan Hua, but she also told her son to work diligently and help contribute to household expenses with his new income. After Ms. Chen left, Ding Yanhai looked troubled, wondering how he would magically produce twenty thousand yuan each month to give to his mother. Nan Hua reassured him not to worry, explaining that the salary was genuine.
He revealed that he was truly grateful for Ding Yanhai's help in selling the viscount's earrings and decided to give Ding Yanhai ten percent of the ten million yuan received, which amounted to one million yuan, as a gesture of thanks and a commission. Overjoyed by the unexpected windfall, Ding Yanhai enthusiastically embraced Nan Hua and affectionately called him "brother," declaring he would listen to anything Nan Hua said from now on.
Standing nearby, Jin Xia watched, inexplicably feeling a pang of regret at the thought of the million yuan being given away. Nan Hua commented that helping Ding Yanhai was only right, as he was a descendant of Taiping.
Episode 16 Recap
Nan Hua had prepared and decorated a bedroom for Jin Xia as a gift for their first day as a couple. The room was filled with her photos and old belongings, symbolizing the years he hadn't spent with her and holding precious memories. Deeply moved, Jin Xia asked Nan Hua if he had any wish or plan he wanted to accomplish. Nan Hua mentioned a "Settlement Plan" he had a long time ago but had since given up hope on.
When she asked if she could help, he told her she could help significantly if she was willing. However, noting the late hour and their need to work the next day, he suggested they return to "her" room to discuss it further, offering to quickly prepare her bed there as making his own bed was more troublesome at that hour. Jin Xia affectionately called him a "foolish fellow." The following morning, Jin Xia left for work.
Nan Hua watched her go, observing that his "spiritual energy" felt exceptionally abundant recently. While initially wondering if it "wasn't" related to Jin Xia, he then commented on the ancient tree in their yard, which had grown much faster than he expected since rooting. Speculating its rapid growth "was" due to their relationship, he explained that his spiritual energy naturally surges with intimacy and emotional connection, and perhaps being officially together was influencing the tree via their intrinsic link.
They agreed to try the "charging" process again that evening. After Jin Xia left, Ding Yanhai arrived, having seen Nan Hua and Jin Xia's affectionate parting. He remarked that Nan Hua seemed more human than before, attributing the change to both himself and Jin Xia. Nan Hua confessed to feeling a unique, strong sensation for Jin Xia, unlike anything he had experienced in thousands of years, especially compared to the many who sought him out for power or wealth.
He shared that he had recalled about 80-90% of his past memories but still couldn't remember what happened before the "viscount" left; he only remembered constantly waiting without knowing why. Ding Yanhai gave a lighthearted warning about Nan Hua potentially overindulging and causing his spiritual energy to become excessive again. Nan Hua then mentioned he had an appointment that morning with Mr. Li. Mr. Li arrived shortly after.
Ding Yanhai, seeing Mr. Li, suddenly recalled him as the driver who had taken Xiaochuan home that night, increasing his suspicion about Xiaochuan. Mr. Li admired the blooming cherry tree, noting the surprising vitality of plants. Nan Hua presented his initial architectural design concept. Mr. Li was extremely satisfied, feeling the design aligned perfectly with the desired aesthetic for the town.
To Nan Hua's surprise, Mr. Li approved the design proposal on the spot and offered a 200,000 deposit, explaining it was compensation since Nan Hua's name wouldn't be formally attached to the project. He said he would discuss it internally, but it was essentially approved. After Mr. Li left, Nan Hua noticed a white cherry blossom petal near the entrance and wondered if it had fallen from Mr. Li.
Meanwhile, Jin Xia visited her teacher, Xi Manling, at the company to express her gratitude for helping her relationship with Nan Hua. Xi Manling was happy for them and asked if Jin Xia had encountered anything strange or met any unusual people since she started dating Nan Hua. When Jin Xia looked confused, Xi Manling revealed that she had frequent, vivid dreams of being hunted and killed by ancient people in different ways across multiple lifetimes.
She believed these dreams were memories of her past lives. Xi Manling explained that because modern humans' ancestors had been driven by greed and nearly wiped out ancient people, the ancient people had established a strict rule forbidding any contact with ordinary humans to prevent history from repeating itself.
If an ancient person formed a connection or fell in love with an ordinary person, the ordinary person would be killed by other ancient people, and the ancient person would have their memories related to ordinary people erased, lose most of their powers, and be forced into a long period of hibernation, their body becoming weak and transparent. She suggested this rule explained Nan Hua's memory loss, power loss, transparency, and long sleep.
Jin Xia mentioned that Nan Hua had told her about ancient wars but not about this rule or the killing of ordinary people, adding that he had forgotten most things and suspected he was the last ancient person. Xi Manling advised Jin Xia to tell Nan Hua about this, hoping it might help him remember.
However, Jin Xia hesitated, unwilling to worry Nan Hua about potential future threats when they had just begun their relationship peacefully and he finally had some ease. Xi Manling emphasized the seriousness of the matter and that Jin Xia's safety was paramount. Jin Xia agreed to think about how to tell him and promised she wouldn't hide anything from him if something actually happened.
Xi Manling also mentioned she herself had suffered misfortune in a previous life because of this rule. Despite her caution, Jin Xia experienced a near-fatal accident on her first day back at work when a mannequin stand fell over and narrowly missed hitting her. Colleagues rushed to help, noting her usual quick reflexes from previous incidents.
Nan Hua arrived within ten minutes after Xi Manling called him, admitting he used a "special method" (his powers) due to his urgency and apologizing for using them publicly without her consent. Xi Manling stated to Nan Hua that someone had intentionally tried to harm Jin Xia, referencing her earlier phone call. Xi Manling then recounted the history and the ancient rule again to both Jin Xia and Nan Hua.
While Jin Xia still harbored some doubts about the validity of past-life dreams, Nan Hua found Xi Manling's explanation credible. He revealed that his body had indeed become transparent before due to spiritual energy depletion when he was too far from home, though he hadn't told Jin Xia to avoid worrying her. Jin Xia wasn't upset but admitted she was starting to feel concerned.
Nan Hua stated he still couldn't remember anything about the "viscount" or how he died in his first lifetime, but he did recall a friend losing their life later because of him. He acknowledged his memory was incomplete but agreed that Xi Manling had no reason to lie.
On the way home, Jin Xia asked Nan Hua to promise that he would always be completely honest with her about everything that happened or anything he remembered, stating that honesty was most important between partners and that they should face things together. Nan Hua agreed, calling her "girlfriend." Suddenly, the car's brakes failed. As they hurtled towards an oncoming truck, Nan Hua intervened using his powers, stopping the car just in time but injuring himself in the process.
After the immediate danger passed, he discovered that the brake line had been deliberately cut. Back home, Jin Xia carefully tended to Nan Hua's injury. To ensure her safety, Nan Hua decided he would become her 24-hour bodyguard. This would also allow him to go out and investigate the day's suspicious events while she was at work. He suggested staying in her room that night. Jin Xia reacted with surprise and teasing about the sleeping arrangements.
Nan Hua explained that he had excessive spiritual energy "at home" and needed to "consume" it, suggesting going out would be a good way to do so, as well as testing if she could "charge" him outside their home environment. Jin Xia agreed to try the arrangement for one day, and Nan Hua reiterated that he needed to investigate the many questionable details surrounding the accidents. Separately, Xi Manling had a final meal with her mother.
She announced her decision to end her relationship with David and disappear from their lives permanently. Her mother expressed skepticism but agreed to tell the fund company not to trouble Xi Manling if she genuinely kept her promise, warning Xi Manling against challenging her. Xi Manling noticed her mother coughing and urged her to take medicine instead of drinking, highlighting the importance of her health.
Episode 17 Recap
Reporting to Jiang Xiaochuan on the pink cherry tree in Wangqi Town, Nan Hua notes it is normal and its vitality is increasing, indicating the "Golden House Hiding Husband" plan is nearing completion. He mentions Xi Manling seems to be plotting in secret but suggests allowing it for now, as her actions might help address previous oversights. Before work, Jin Xia mentions her borrowed modern clothing feels conspicuous and admits she doesn't know how to tie a necktie.
Nan Hua ties it for her, jokingly about her finding something she doesn't know, but she comments he looks "too handsome," which might make "him" more conspicuous. After arriving at the company, Nan Hua instructs Jin Xia to check the surveillance footage in the underground parking lot regarding her car's brake issue from the previous day and to meet him for recharging during lunchtime. Inside, Jin Xia is called to Ms. Xi Manling's office.
Colleagues gossip about Jin Xia getting special treatment for the upcoming show. Xi Manling offers Jin Xia juice, claiming it's too early for coffee. Jin Xia mentions Nan Hua is checking the parking lot surveillance due to yesterday's brake problem. While discussing Jin Xia's wedding dress design for the show, Xi Manling serves the drugged juice, and Jin Xia quickly becomes unconscious.
Meanwhile, Nan Hua checks the underground parking surveillance and finds that only one hour of footage has been deleted, concluding this is when the car was tampered with. Xi Manling calls Nan Hua, falsely reporting that Jin Xia suddenly changed, became unresponsive, and jumped out of the window. Panicked, Nan Hua is then interrupted by cryptic text messages. The messages instruct him to go to Room 57 of the Dihao Hotel within 15 minutes, alone, to save Jin Xia.
Rushing there, he finds only Mrs. Bruno in the room. Further messages command him to possess the foreign woman, locate a medicine box, and consume all the Amoxicillin capsules inside, stating this is to feign an allergy death and that this person is from his clan and will kill Jin Xia if not eliminated. Given a 5-minute countdown, Nan Hua finds the pills and takes them while possessing Mrs. Bruno.
Upon completing the task, he receives another message telling him to return to the office, where Jin Xia will be returned to him. Immediately after Nan Hua leaves, Xi Manling calls Mrs. Bruno. On the phone, Xi Manling boasts that she will never leave David (Bruno), enraging Mrs. Bruno, who collapses in distress. Hotel staff find her and are told not to enter without orders.
Xi Manling moves the unconscious Jin Xia from behind a wedding dress onto a sofa before Nan Hua's return, preparing her lie. Nan Hua returns to the office to find Jin Xia unconscious on the sofa. Xi Manling claims she found Jin Xia like that after looking for her downstairs again. Nan Hua asks to take Jin Xia home for sick leave, which Xi Manling grants. At home, Jin Xia wakes up and is surprised to be there.
Nan Hua explains she was drugged. Jin Xia remembers drinking orange juice in Xi Manling's office. Nan Hua confirms Xi Manling gave it to her, suspecting she was used by Xi Manling. He reveals he saw Mrs. Bruno's fear while possessing her and confirms Mrs. Bruno feared her foster daughter, Xi Manling, who had interfered in her family. Jin Xia is shocked that her teacher could be like that.
They see a news report stating Mrs. Bruno, the wife of the famous fashion designer Bruno, died in an accident. Despite this news, Nan Hua tells Jin Xia to rest. Later, Nan Hua goes to confront Xi Manling at her home. Xi Manling offers him tea. Nan Hua tells her he knows she planned everything, mentioning the previous incident where he, while possessing Jin Xia, dodged the coffee and his form disappeared/reappeared, which alerted Xi Manling.
He also reveals she had questioned Ding Yanhai extensively about him. Xi Manling admits asking Ding Yanhai but claims it was out of curiosity due to their "special historical origin," initially believing he wasn't a fraud like others until "this show." Nan Hua states she used him to eliminate Mrs. Bruno. Xi Manling denies it, but Nan Hua points out the circumstantial evidence, including the tight 15-minute window given to him, which left no time for careful thought.
He also suggests she's already prepared to immigrate, making herself untouchable. Xi Manling admits she knew he might figure it out but didn't expect it so quickly. She asks what he will do, even suggesting he could manipulate her into confessing to the police. Nan Hua responds cryptically, expressing regret he didn't meet her sooner, implying limitations placed on him by "that woman." Xi Manling reacts with anger, which leads to a physical confrontation where she throws coffee at him.
Jin Xia wakes again, finding Ding Yanhai by her bedside. He tells her Nan Hua asked him to stay and look after her. Suddenly, they hear Jiang Xiaochuan's voice and see her assisting a weak Nan Hua into the house, explaining he was hit by coffee again. Jin Xia becomes anxious, fearing she might not be able to recharge him. She kisses him, and he recovers, much to their relief.
Jin Xia expresses disappointment in Xi Manling and anger about the coffee incident. Nan Hua clarifies he dodged Xi Manling's attack, but the coffee splash came from an accidental collision with Jiang Xiaochuan, who was carrying coffee while going to a friend's birthday party nearby. He is glad Jin Xia can still recharge him. Ding Yanhai mentions he saw Mrs. Bruno's death certificate, which stated the cause was suffocation by vomit after drinking.
This confirmed that Mrs. Bruno's death was an accident, not caused by Nan Hua's actions while possessed (feigning an allergy death by taking Amoxicillin) or an acute liver failure from aspirin and alcohol as initially suspected based on the scene. Given the lack of evidence, Xi Manling evaded consequence for her scheme. Jiang Xiaochuan needs to leave to celebrate her friend's birthday. Ding Yanhai offers to escort her to her ride-sharing car.
On the way, Ding Yanhai questions if the previous driver who picked her up was Mr. Li, the CEO of Qingshi Group. He notes Qingshi Group owns Chuchen's Livestreaming Studio, where Jiang Xiaochuan works. He suspects she is dating Mr. Li and using his connections to help Nan Hua find design work to alleviate Jin Xia's financial strain.
Jiang Xiaochuan plays along, admitting to the relationship and asking Ding Yanhai to keep it a secret, claiming she hasn't told Jin Xia yet. Ding Yanhai agrees but looks suspicious after she leaves, questioning if she was telling the truth. In private, Jiang Xiaochuan reflects. She confirms that her earlier "accidental" collision with Nan Hua and the coffee splash was deliberate.
By causing Nan Hua to need recharging and having Jin Xia successfully provide it, she has eliminated their prior doubts about their ability to transfer spiritual energy. This confirms the "Golden House Hiding Husband" plan is now back on track. She then instructs someone to book a flight ticket to Taiwan, stating it is time for Zhou Yinting to make her appearance.
Episode 18 Recap
In the early morning, Ms. Xi abruptly announced to her staff that they were leaving for Paris the next day. She explained that her foster mother had passed away, and she needed to take the body back to France, and she wouldn't be returning. She instructed everyone to pack their belongings immediately and told Bai Bing to discard a wedding dress, stating she no longer wanted it, despite Bai Bing remarking it was Ms. Xi's most satisfying work.
Learning that Nan Hua had revealed the truth, Jin Xia confronted Ms. Xi. Ms. Xi urged Jin Xia to pack and join her in Paris, suggesting Jin Xia's continued employment was due to Nan Hua. Ms. Xi called Nan Hua a "big treasure" who could potentially lead them to great success, even kingship or queenship in ancient times.
She argued that Mrs. Bruno's death benefited them, particularly Jin Xia, who, as chief apprentice, would become a rising star if the upcoming fashion show succeeded. Jin Xia firmly rejected this, stating that having Nan Hua, her own "big treasure," meant she was more likely to succeed on her own terms and would not go to Paris. She bid Ms. Xi goodbye.
Following her resignation, Jin Xia worried about her future, transitioning from a career-focused professional woman determined to own her home to an unemployed young woman facing mortgage and renovation costs. She knew Ms. Xi was shrewd and potentially harmful but was still concerned about the missed show opportunity and unpaid salary. Nan Hua reassured her, offering to support her financially.
Jin Xia initially insisted on financial independence but was moved when Nan Hua proposed a new life plan where she would be the "master of the family" (explaining the ancient meaning of head of household), pursuing her dreams, while he would earn money and handle household tasks. Later, on the way to the airport, Ms. Xi called Jin Xia to confirm her decision. Jin Xia, looking at Nan Hua, confirmed she was absolutely sure about resigning.
Ms. Xi admitted she envied Jin Xia for meeting someone like Nan Hua, contrasting it with her own life where she had to fight for everything using special means due to her background, stating that effort alone wasn't enough for someone from her circumstances. She asked to speak to Nan Hua. Ms. Xi apologized to Nan Hua, confessing she had selfishly used him but felt she had no choice in the cruel reality of the world.
Nan Hua refused her apology, saying he had witnessed human greed and narrowness but also kindness and selflessness, maintaining that how one chooses to live is a personal decision and anything else is just an excuse. Before hanging up, Ms. Xi confessed she wasn't the person he had been waiting for. She revealed the designs for the earrings and other accessories weren't her original work but were inspired by old photos from the Republic of China era.
She had worked for the woman in the photos, named Zhou Yinting, and saw her personal albums and collections, learning about Nan Hua from her diary. She suggested Zhou Yinting might be the one he was waiting for. Nan Hua acknowledged the name Zhou Yinting. He recounted a past encounter with her during the Republic of China period. She had sent a young boy with an earring as a token, asking for help when she was imprisoned.
By the time he arrived at the prison, it was empty, and all the prisoners had been urgently executed. He believed Zhou Yinting had died and later forgot about her after losing his memory. However, since Ms. Xi recently worked for her, Nan Hua realized Zhou Yinting might have survived. Jin Xia offered to help him search for her online, but Nan Hua declined, saying he wouldn't have even thought of it if Ms. Xi hadn't brought it up.
He expressed that with Jin Xia now in his life, these past matters were no longer important. He preferred to focus on preparing for their upcoming date rather than wasting time on insignificant people or events. The next morning, Jin Xia returned to the studio to pack her belongings. She found the studio in disarray and learned from Bai Bing that Ms. Xi had been anonymously exposed for plagiarism and her involvement with Mrs. Bruno's family.
The resulting scandal forced the cancellation of the fashion show, and the group had ordered the studio to be dissolved, requiring everyone to vacate the premises within the day. Jin Xia acknowledged that Ms. Xi had brought this upon herself but felt sympathy for her colleagues who were also losing their jobs. Despite the setback, she found solace in having Nan Hua. Excited about the date, Jin Xia began preparing by trying on various dresses and imagining romantic scenarios.
However, on the eve of the date, she suddenly developed acute internal hemorrhoids. Seeking medical help at a clinic, she was diagnosed with the condition. Despite the doctor's warning about the risk of rupture and recommendation for immediate surgery, Jin Xia insisted on being prescribed the strongest painkillers instead, stating she had a crucial plan for the next day.
That evening, Nan Hua prepared a candlelight dinner, revealing he had already withdrawn a significant amount of money from the bank (the 200k that was the building design deposit) that was meant for their date. Seeing his enthusiasm, Jin Xia struggled to find excuses to cancel, her attempts to claim sudden overtime (despite having just resigned) or period pain (despite having said her period just ended) failing as Nan Hua remembered her earlier comments.
Finally, she tentatively suggested they should choose an auspicious day for their first date. Nan Hua then revealed that the next day was not only a significant auspicious festival in his homeland but also his birthday. He asked her to dress up for the occasion. Jin Xia, despite her pain, resolved to make the day unforgettable. On the morning of the date, Jin Xia felt even worse, doubting the effectiveness of the painkillers.
She focused on applying makeup to create a natural, radiant look to appear cheerful for Nan Hua. She found that the tight dresses she had considered were impossible to wear with her condition, opting instead for a more comfortable, conservative dress, grateful for her old boxer shorts which now felt 'saving her life'. Nan Hua was ready and eager to leave. As they began walking hand-in-hand, Nan Hua's pace was too fast, causing Jin Xia intense discomfort.
She politely asked him to slow down, attributing his speed to his long legs. Nan Hua immediately apologized for being thoughtless and agreed to walk in smaller steps, confirming their first date was officially beginning.
Episode 19 Recap
After receiving strict warnings from her doctor to avoid spicy and cold food and strenuous exercise, Jin Xia found herself on a date planned by Nan Hua that included spicy hot pot and horseback riding. The meal was excruciatingly spicy for her, but she endured it, determined to see the date through. She managed to convince Nan Hua to switch from horseback riding to cycling, which she hoped would be safer for her condition.
However, even the bumpy bike ride proved too much. The date left her in considerable pain, and she sighed frequently. Nan Hua noticed Jin Xia's discomfort and mistook her sighs for dissatisfaction with the date itself, which left him feeling disheartened. Seeing his disappointment, Jin Xia felt a pang of guilt and considered telling him the truth about her physical condition. Just then, a young boy ran by and jumped on a seesaw.
Jin Xia couldn't react fast enough, and the seesaw's sudden movement caused impact that led to her internal hemorrhoids rupturing, resulting in her hospitalization. This unexpected and painful incident became a memorable shared experience for them. Lying in the hospital bed, Jin Xia was frustrated by the pain and muttered about wanting to leave Nan Hua. Nan Hua, standing behind a curtain, overheard her words. He silently wished for her speedy recovery and hoped she wouldn't leave him.
Around that time, Jin Xia received a call from a real estate agent who informed her that someone was offering a high price for the old house. Jin Xia immediately refused the offer without hesitation, which brought relief and joy to Nan Hua. After her surgery, Jin Xia was recovering well and was nearing discharge. Her colleagues from the disbanded studio came to visit her at the hospital.
As they were about to go their separate ways, unsure when they might see each other again, Bai Bing suggested taking a group photo as a final memory. Jin Xia, wanting to avoid her hospitalization for ruptured hemorrhoids being their last memory together, quickly proposed a group trip instead. She suggested Wangqi Town, where she lived, offering to cover accommodation and meals. Everyone enthusiastically agreed.
When Nan Hua picked Jin Xia up from the hospital, Lin Jiarui, the previous owner of the old house, arrived at the house. He revealed he was the son of Zhou Yinting and had sold the house without his mother's knowledge. His mother was now insisting he buy it back because it held significant meaning for her.
Lin Jiarui explained that his mother's first love was a man also named Nan Hua, who had gifted her the house and was the source of its deep significance for her. The current Nan Hua clarified that he was a descendant of that historical Nan Hua, explaining his grandfather was also named Nan Hua.
Nan Hua gently declined Lin Jiarui's request, stating the house was now very important to him, and asked Lin Jiarui to convey his message to his mother, adding that he believed Zhou Yinting would understand if she knew it was "him", Nan Hua, who said it. After Lin Jiarui left, Jin Xia looked up Zhou Yinting's information and saw a photo of her when she was young, feeling a subtle sense of unease.
Later, she confided in Jiang Xiaochuan about the slow progress in her relationship with Nan Hua, mentioning their lack of intimacy beyond holding hands and hugging. Following Jiang Xiaochuan's suggestion, Jin Xia decided to take the initiative. She went to Nan Hua's room late at night, dressed suggestively. However, Nan Hua, adhering to his traditional principles rooted in his ancient origins, once again refused to be intimate, expressing his desire to wait until they were married.
He spoke of how he would have courted her a thousand years ago, emphasizing the respect and ceremony he would want for their union, culminating in formal marriage before intimacy. He apologized for potentially making her feel like a "bully" with her proposition but reiterated his principle and his deep love for her, stating he wanted to respect her and their relationship.
Jin Xia understood his sincerity and reassured him that his cherish for her made her happy, but added they should also let things happen naturally as they lived in the modern era. When Jin Xia asked if she could sleep in his room, he declined, saying the current atmosphere made it too difficult for him as he wasn't a saint and suggested they still sleep separately. Later, Nan Hua went to see Ding Yanhai to get some books on management.
He revealed he decided he wanted to open a design studio for Jin Xia so she could focus solely on design while he handled the business and management aspects. Ding Yanhai expressed admiration for how much Nan Hua cared for Jin Xia and offered to stay and study the books with him so he could help Nan Hua in the future. The next morning, Bai Bing and other colleagues arrived for the group trip in Wangqi Town.
While arranging rooms, everyone suggested Jin Xia and Nan Hua share a room since they were a couple. However, Nan Hua announced he planned to sleep on the floor in the living room, confusing everyone. Bai Bing suspected the couple had argued, prompting Jin Xia to awkwardly explain that Nan Hua was just very traditional in his views.
To alleviate the awkwardness and misunderstanding among their friends, Jin Xia quietly urged Nan Hua to act more affectionate in front of them, which Nan Hua visibly struggled with. During a game of "Taking off Hats" at the beach party, the couple who lost had to do a dare. When it was Jin Xia and Nan Hua's turn, they chose dare. Their friends then playfully dared them to kiss on the lips.
To everyone's disappointment, Nan Hua only kissed Jin Xia on the forehead, leaving her feeling glum and creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Seeing Jin Xia walk away upset, Nan Hua quickly followed her to apologize for the incident. Jin Xia explained that while she understood his traditional ways and cherished his respect, their friends didn't understand and misinterpreted the situation. She wished they could behave more like a modern couple and show affection publicly.
Nan Hua apologized again, stating he only wanted to respect her, and he didn't want their first kiss after becoming a couple to be "hasty." Jin Xia asked if a formal kiss should be "ceremonious," and he agreed. When she asked if "now" was a good time, he clarified he didn't mean right there on the beach, which was too "hasty." He then told her he had a surprise for her and led her away, hand in hand, much to the relief of their friends watching from a distance.
Episode 20 Recap
While traveling for a farewell trip, Nan Hua's conservative behavior led Jin Xia's colleagues to misunderstand their relationship, causing Jin Xia embarrassment. Nan Hua, realizing his impact, apologized to Jin Xia and formally proposed. He surprised her with a beautifully prepared studio for her design work, deeply moving Jin Xia, who accepted his proposal. As they shared a heartfelt kiss, Nan Hua became so overcome with emotion and nervousness that he fainted.
While Jin Xia found the situation both amusing and touching, recognizing the depth of his feelings, Nan Hua's emotional state triggered a city-wide power outage and transportation disruption. Upon waking, Nan Hua felt embarrassed by his reaction and went alone to the beach, feeling ashamed to face Jin Xia. Jin Xia followed and found him there. She reassured him not to dwell on the incident, telling him she was happy he treasured their first kiss so much.
She added that besides her late grandmother, he was the kindest person to her, and she loved his gentle and innocent nature. He promised to do better next time and asked for another chance. Their moment was interrupted by Ding Yanhai, who arrived to inform Nan Hua that the buyer of his earrings wanted to meet him. Returning home, they discovered the buyer was Lin Jiarui.
Lin Jiarui explained he had purchased the earrings, which were his mother's when she was young, and believed they connected Nan Hua to her past, possibly through his grandfather. Correcting him that the earrings were his grandfather's, Nan Hua politely declined Lin Jiarui's offer to buy the house. Lin Jiarui then urgently requested Nan Hua fly to Taiwan to see his mother, Zhou Yinting, who was critically ill and wished to see him one last time.
Despite Lin Jiarui's desperate plea, explaining his mother's frail, bedridden condition, Nan Hua refused, stating he had decided not to see her as he wanted no further entanglement with people or events from the past. That evening, Nan Hua cooked a delicious dinner for everyone, but Jin Xia seemed preoccupied. To lighten the mood, the colleagues suggested watching a horror movie. Nan Hua, noticing Jin Xia seemed apprehensive, offered to protect her.
However, he reacted more strongly to the film than anyone else, visibly trembling and claiming he was cold, even long after the movie ended. To ease his fear, Jin Xia joined him in his bed, reassuring him it was acceptable as long as they did not cross a boundary, as they were now betrothed. Nan Hua confided in her, sharing memories from the Republican era.
He revealed that Zhou Yinting had indeed confessed her feelings for him back then and wished to marry him and live together in the old house, but he had refused her. He explained his realization that his love for Jin Xia was independent of whether she was someone he was supposedly waiting for; he loved her simply because she was Jin Xia. He stated that she was the only person in the world who made his heart race.
Hearing this, Jin Xia felt a great weight lifted. She encouraged him to reconsider meeting Zhou Yinting for a final farewell, especially since she was an elderly and critically ill person who longed to see a past acquaintance, and Jin Xia believed Nan Hua should not have regrets.
Nan Hua agreed, saying he would do so if it made Jin Xia feel more secure, acknowledging the difficulty of a quick trip to Taiwan but agreeing to plan for a swift return. The next morning, Jin Xia’s colleagues said their goodbyes, as some were moving away for work, including Bai Bing who was going to Milan. Colleagues apologized for past gossip and jealousy, which made Jin Xia realize her previous unpopularity.
They explained it was due to jealousy of her talent, handsome boyfriend, and potential success. Jin Xia revealed she would not be taking the job interview, as she planned to start her own design business with Nan Hua. The farewells were tinged with sadness, prompting Jin Xia to reflect on the nature of partings, especially given Nan Hua's long life, and she wondered if their relationship would end when she grew old.
Encouraged by Jin Xia, Nan Hua traveled to Taiwan. Lin Jiarui escorted Nan Hua into his mother's room while Jin Xia waited outside, noticing the decor resembled Nan Hua's design drafts, suggesting Zhou Yinting's fondness for him. Zhou Yinting acknowledged Nan Hua as the descendant of Mr. Nan Hua and expressed regret for not being able to compensate him, stating this was the third and last time they would meet.
After the meeting, Nan Hua emerged, stating that Zhou Yinting was a fraud. He clarified that he had appeared happy earlier because he realized everyone else who came seeking him was trying to trick him, confirming that Jin Xia was truly the one he had been waiting for and the only person he would never let deceive him again. Nan Hua then asked Jin Xia if they would be together forever.
Jin Xia hesitated, admitting she couldn't promise eternity because she would eventually grow old, wrinkled, and frail like Zhou Yinting and others he had known, unsure how she would face him then. Nan Hua promised it didn't matter what she became and he would always love her. He vowed to find a way for her to achieve eternal life, even if it meant sacrificing his own life for her.
As he spoke these words, a surge of ancient memories overwhelmed him – flashes of wishing on stars, tending a tree, and voices saying "Chuchen, thank you," "You can see it," and "I'll give my life to you." Overwhelmed, Nan Hua collapsed. As Jin Xia frantically asked what was wrong, he regained consciousness, declaring, "I am not Nan Hua. I'm the viscount, Li Chuchen."
A deeper understanding of this revelation was provided: Hundreds of thousands of years ago, highly advanced ancient humans who could absorb spiritual energy and wield extraordinary abilities escaped a catastrophic disaster by entering hibernation underground. After the world healed and new humans (modern humans' ancestors) emerged, the ancient ones awoke and shared their advanced knowledge, becoming revered as deities.
However, the new humans eventually turned on them, fearing and coveting their power, launching wars that hunted the scattered ancient ones to near extinction. One such ancient man, the viscount Li Chuchen, was mortally wounded in battle, lamenting in the arms of his friend Nan Hua that he would not live to see slaves freed, women emancipated, or ancient people accepted without being seen as monsters.
The real Nan Hua, in a profound act of sacrifice, transferred his own spiritual energy into Li Chuchen to save his life, granting him eternal existence while the true Nan Hua vanished from the world forever. The person Jin Xia knew as Nan Hua was, in fact, the ancient viscount, Li Chuchen, living on due to his friend's sacrifice.
Episode 21 Recap
A long time ago, in a mysterious ancient eastern kingdom, a prince was born. His mother was a lowly slave and unfit to raise him, so the little prince was sent to the queen's palace. He grew up with the queen's eldest daughter, the princess, and they shared a harmonious relationship. As the queen never had a son, the prince, being the king's eldest, was made the viscount.
This viscount, born of a concubine, was benevolent and peace-loving, even sympathizing with slaves, leading to criticism that he was too kind and ineffective. Before going on an expedition, the princess introduced him to a very special woman, High Immortal Nan Hua. The powerful Nan Hua was not a deity but a mysterious ancient human.
Under her guidance, the viscount analyzed society's problems and implemented policies like abolishing slavery and establishing an examination system open to all, regardless of background or gender. He also rejected superstitions and promoted science. However, his good intentions were misunderstood and twisted, leading him to be seen as an enemy by the royal family, nobles, and even the slaves and women he sought to help. Despite setbacks, he refused to give up, trying repeatedly and moving Nan Hua.
Soon after, his birth mother was made a scapegoat, accused of bringing misfortune to the country, and was exiled. Pained and disappointed, the viscount was guided by Nan Hua to understand that some changes take generations and his vision might require hundreds of generations to realize. The viscount wanted to escape the deceitful palace, renounce his title, and live in seclusion with Nan Hua. But before leaving, he was caught in a planned royal coup, leaving his life in danger.
As he lay dying, he regretted not being able to witness the equal world he envisioned a thousand years later. To prevent him from dying with this regret, Nan Hua sacrificed herself, transferring her nearly eternal life to him, and vanished. After waking, the viscount was devastated, his memory becoming chaotic. He mistook himself for Nan Hua, imagining a promise to wait for the viscount's return, and remained in the house for over a thousand years.
Now, Li Chuchen has finally remembered who he is. Jin Xia checks on him, asking if he is okay and offering food or drink. He declines, wanting to go for a walk alone. Jin Xia agrees but is worried, silently following him. Ding Yanhai is also concerned about Nan Hua and follows Jin Xia. Ding’s sister, Jiang Xiaochuan, is also present and follows Nan Hua, sensing his sadness and believing they have a telepathic connection.
Ding teases her for stalking, while she retorts about his strange clothes and sneaking around. They admit they followed him out of worry. Jiang Xiaochuan calls Jin Xia, revealing she is pregnant and asking if she can come over. Jin Xia is shocked and tells her to come immediately. Jiang arrives and tells Jin Xia the child is hers and the father plans to send them abroad.
Jin Xia asks why she won't have the baby domestically so Jin Xia can care for her. Jiang explains it will be an illegitimate child. Ding Yanhai is with them. Jin Xia asks if the father is Li Yingjun, the Mr. Li who hired Nan Hua for a design project. Jiang confirms it. Overhearing, Nan Hua (Li Chuchen) asks when this happened, why she didn't tell him, and about the illegitimate child.
Jiang explains Li Yingjun is the only son and heir of Qingshi Group, while she is just a KOL, believing his family would never accept her. Jin Xia is upset she hid such a big thing. Jiang admits she was conflicted about the relationship.
Jin Xia insists Jiang is the best woman and worthy of anyone, reminding her of how Jiang encouraged her when she was insecure and urged her not to become a coward, asking where her confident self has gone. Jin Xia stresses that status is not important in this era and that if they love each other, they should disregard societal barriers.
She promises to support Jiang completely if they love each other, or help her deal with the child if they don't, assuring her they can face anything together. Jiang apologizes, saying she isn't as brave as Jin Xia thinks and has things she fears facing. Nan Hua (Li Chuchen) says he is tired and retreats to his room. Jiang wonders what is wrong. Ding says he is preoccupied. Ding encourages Jiang not to worry about others. Jin Xia comforts Jiang.
Ding brings Jiang fruit tea, good for pregnant women, and acts overly attentive, checking information about pregnancy and offering a leg massage to help with potential swelling. Jiang teases him about being different, and Ding says he only acts this way for her. Ding asks if she decided about going abroad. Jiang says she would miss Jin Xia, her best friend like a sister and her only relative besides Nan Hua, after knowing each other for ten years.
Jiang mentions Nan Hua will look after Jin Xia for her, but Jin Xia insists Nan Hua cannot replace her. Jin Xia wants to ensure Mr. Li treats Jiang well. Jiang assures her he is very good and responsible. Jin Xia trusts her and vows to be Jiang and the baby's strongest support, just as Jiang supported Jin Xia previously, helping her find the house, meet Nan Hua, and be with him. Jiang calls it destiny.
Jiang later confides in Jin Xia that Nan Hua wasn't waiting for her but for himself, describing his thousand-year wait as self-deception and a foolish act based on an imagined promise to the viscount. Jin Xia notices Jiang has fallen asleep, and Ding comments that pregnant women get tired easily. Li Chuchen is restless that night. He tells Jin Xia he is thinking about how his restored ancient memories connect many things, except for the ancient cherry tree.
He remembers it was originally a pair, one pink and one white, but only the pink remained after he received the real Nan Hua's life. Jin Xia suggests the white tree disappeared when the real Nan Hua sacrificed herself. Li Chuchen asks Jin Xia why she isn't asleep. She says they haven't had time alone since he woke up and she missed him. He apologizes for neglecting her. She says it's okay because he had a lot on his mind.
She asks if she should continue calling him Nan Hua or use Li Chuchen. He says names are just labels, and he has used Nan Hua for so long, calling it a memorial to the real Nan Hua, and doesn't mind which name she uses. Jin Xia worries about how he feels, knowing someone sacrificed for him, saying it must be worse than death for him, especially realizing his millennia-long wait was an illusion.
Li Chuchen expresses a desire to return to Globefish Town, the site of his ancient kingdom's capital, where he met the High Immortal Nan Hua, to revisit it and say goodbye to the real Nan Hua. Jin Xia promises to go with him wherever he goes. The next morning, the lamp is broken again, which Li Chuchen finds interesting. Ding Yanhai's mother tells him to go to work early. He replies he has to go early so he isn't late.
Ding meets Li Chuchen and Jin Xia outside, saying he needs to tell Li Chuchen something important about Jiang, having developed his own suspicions about her condition. Jiang Xiaochuan appears, ready to go, stating she will accompany them to relax. Ding offers to go along, intending to prevent Jiang from potentially harming Nan Hua, as revealed in the plot summary. Jiang claims she is on holiday, which Ding confirms. They all agree to go to Globefish Town together.
Ding asks Li Chuchen what he was going to say earlier. Jiang interrupts, saying he was just telling him to eat breakfast. Ding finds this answer strange. They depart. On the way, Jiang feels carsick. Ding expresses concern about her health and suitability for a long trip. Jiang tells him not to overreact. Ding insists that as a pregnant woman, she needs care. He asks Nan Hua (Li Chuchen) to check her pulse, knowing he can.
Jiang refuses, claiming she is fine and has already seen a doctor, and doesn't want Nan Hua's subsequent nagging. Ding persists, but Jiang maintains there is nothing wrong. She steps out to call Yingjun, mentioning the importance of the "charging thing" succeeding for the "Golden House Hidden Love Project" so she won't need her current body, which reveals she has a hidden agenda tied to these plans.
Later, at the house in Globefish Town (Jin Xia's hometown), Li Chuchen cooks a meal which everyone enjoys. Jiang says Li Chuchen's cooking is amazing and tells Ding to clean up as he ate the most. Ding argues Jin Xia ate a lot too. Jin Xia offers to clean, and Ding joins her. Lin Jiarui calls Jin Xia, asking about the previous owner of the house and mentioning Zhou Yinting's wish for Jin Xia to inherit her estate.
Li Chuchen explains that Zhou Yinting, knowing she is old and dying, apologized for past wrongs and wants to leave all her assets to him. Li Chuchen feels he cannot accept, believing the assets are rightfully hers and he lacks the standing to inherit them. Zhou Yinting claimed Li Chuchen is the child of her illegitimate son and intended to formally recognize him as family. Jiang is surprised to learn Zhou had an illegitimate son.
Li Chuchen confirms Zhou wants him to inherit her listed company but he is undecided. Jiang asks why not, arguing it's his rightful inheritance, not a gift. She also points out Zhou's company, dealing in jewelry and fashion, could provide valuable contacts for Jin Xia's studio. Jin Xia urges Li Chuchen to prioritize his own feelings, not hers. Ding believes Li Chuchen's desires align with Jin Xia's well-being. Jiang encourages him to take the substantial wealth.
Jin Xia tells Jiang to let him decide. Li Chuchen agrees to think it over. They decide to rest early as they plan to visit the ancestral hall site tomorrow. Late at night, Li Chuchen contemplates taking over Zhou Yinting's company. He acknowledges it could benefit Jin Xia's studio by providing necessary connections and resources, but it would require significant time to learn the business and might mean leaving Wangqi Town for business trips.
He questions if he can handle it and how to truly make Jin Xia happy. He reflects on their first meeting. Jin Xia joins him and tells him to do whatever he desires and that she will support him, just as he has always supported her decisions. Li Chuchen decides to confess something; their first meeting wasn't the day she moved in. Their true first encounter was six months earlier.
He recalls Jin Xia visiting the house with a real estate agent. Li Chuchen, as the 'ghost' perceived by others, observed her, wondering how long she would stay before being scared off. Jin Xia noticed the loose door and asked if the house was haunted. Li Chuchen, unable to use his spiritual energy at that moment, mentally dismissed the idea as impossible. Jin Xia joked that if there was a ghost, she'd want to befriend it, liking spooky things.
Li Chuchen internally responded he didn't need friends, puzzled by his inability to use his spiritual energy, wondering if it was depleted. Jin Xia saw him and he was surprised she could. Jin Xia noticed the withered cherry tree, and the agent explained its age and lack of care, suggesting it would blossom if someone bought and tended to the house.
The agent mentioned the previous owner moved to Taiwan Province and the house had been empty since the Republic of China era. Jin Xia found it looked new, suggesting it might have been renovated for sale. She explained she worked in the city but preferred to buy a house in the town for a sense of belonging, finding cities lacked it.
The agent mentioned the town's legend about the Wife-awaiting Stone, where a general waited thousands of years for his wife's return and turned to stone, believed to regain human form if his wife reincarnated. Tourists visited to touch the stone, hoping to find their own destiny. Jin Xia found the story sad, reflecting on the loneliness of waiting millennia for someone who might never return. At this point, Li Chuchen could use his spiritual energy again.
Jin Xia liked the house but found it too far. She could only afford a small one-bedroom in the city but wanted space for her grandmother. Renting felt like wasted money; she preferred paying a mortgage to have a place in old age. Unable to decide, she suggested flipping a coin. The agent teased her for being casual. Jin Xia replied that they say when you toss a coin, you already know your true preference, and she understood.
Li Chuchen internally wondered if she would buy it, and from that moment, he found himself hoping she would return. Back in the present, Li Chuchen tells Jin Xia she was there that day. He explains he didn't understand it then, but he does now. He wasn't drawn to her because he thought she was the person he was waiting for.
He thinks from the very first time he saw her, he understood what it meant to fall in love for the first time. Li Chuchen tells Jin Xia he loves her, and she says she loves him too. They embrace and kiss under the moonlight.
Episode 22 Recap
Lin Jiarui couldn't understand why his mother left her entire inheritance to Nan Hua, an illegitimate grandson whose origins were unknown to him. Reviewing surveillance footage, he discovered Jiang Xiaochuan had visited his mother, and their conversation revealed Nan Hua's true identity. Knowing that Nan Hua's life was linked to the cherry tree, thriving when it blossomed and weakening as its leaves withered, Lin Jiarui conceived a daring idea to eliminate him.
His motive was tied to his mother's inheritance and her blaming him for his failure to regain ownership of the house; he secretly hoped his mother would live longer than Nan Hua, a wish reinforced by his concern about his mother's declining health and his refusal to stop her medical treatment, as discussed with her doctor.
Nan Hua brought the group to a seaside resort, explaining it was the location of the viscount's ancestral hall, which had transformed over two thousand years. Despite the drastic changes, he could still feel a familiar presence and asked everyone to close their eyes and feel it with him. He mentioned his name "Nan Hua," which he was still unaccustomed to being called after his long absence.
He reflected on how the world had changed since his departure, with women free to pursue their dreams and men choosing diverse paths without ridicule. He felt that professions were now respected, and everyone had dignity. For himself, the most significant change was finally meeting the person most precious to him. He expressed gratitude for the gift of immortality, which allowed him this chance encounter. Taking this moment, Nan Hua proposed to Jin Xia.
He clarified that his previous marriage proposal was an ancient tradition, and this was a modern one, asking if she would marry him. Jin Xia happily accepted. He then knelt and presented her with a unique ring he had crafted just days before from the new roots of the ancient cherry tree, symbolizing his new self reborn for her.
He mentioned his return to Globefish Town wasn't just to say goodbye to the real Nan Hua, but to ask her soul in heaven to witness their commitment. After the proposal, the group relaxed, and Jiang Xiaochuan offered to buy hot dogs. Forgetting the requested flavors, she called out to Jin Xia for help. At the hot dog stand, Jin Xia encountered her ex-boyfriend.
Remembering his past actions and words, including how his previous hurtful behavior had spurred her decision to buy a house, she showed no patience towards him. The ex-boyfriend seemed genuinely confused, claiming no memory of a blind date they'd had, which puzzled Jin Xia as she had previously dismissed it as a dream but now wondered if her mother had been telling the truth. He grabbed her arm, wanting an explanation.
Seeing Jin Xia being accosted, Nan Hua immediately possessed the ex-boyfriend. Publicly, the ex-boyfriend dropped to his knees, loudly confessing a string of misdeeds, including living off Jin Xia while being unkind, stealing her credit card, cheating on her, and even sneaking into the women's bathroom as a child. This spectacle humiliated the ex-boyfriend and provided Jin Xia with significant satisfaction.
However, the ex-boyfriend's panicked reaction and cries of being possessed "again" suggested this wasn't his first time experiencing such a phenomenon, alerting Ding Yanhai. That evening, Jin Xia and Nan Hua walked together, and Jin Xia expressed her fear that their relationship felt like a wonderful dream that might suddenly end, causing Nan Hua to disappear. Nan Hua reassured her that it was real and he wouldn't vanish. Meanwhile, Ding Yanhai sought out Jiang Xiaochuan, sensing she wasn't asleep.
He confronted her, revealing his deductions that she was an ancient human. He showed her an old photo from decades prior (the 1980s being mentioned in conversation) and explained that like Nan Hua, she didn't age, requiring plastic surgery to conceal her immortality in the modern world. He recounted his suspicion starting when he saw her get into a luxurious car driven by the CEO of Qingshi Group, Mr. Li, and her casual admission of dating him.
Ding Yanhai hypothesized that as an ancient human, she needed spiritual energy and had sneaked into the ancient mansion to absorb energy from the cherry tree, and her subsequent weakness and claim of pregnancy were a cover-up. He questioned her motives for being near Nan Hua and Jin Xia and why she hadn't revealed herself to Nan Hua, suggesting she might be the true High Immortal Nan Hua. Faced with Ding Yanhai's detailed claims, Jiang Xiaochuan briefly considered killing him.
However, seeing his unwavering commitment to protecting Nan Hua, she calmed down. She admitted that part of his analysis was correct but offered the other half of the truth, warning him she would kill him if he revealed anything to Nan Hua or Jin Xia, though she would spare his life due to his family's historical kindness to Nan Hua's ancestor and his potential future value.
She corrected his theory, stating she had entered the ancient house not to absorb energy but to recharge an "utensil" essential for Nan Hua, and this effort had caused her to collapse from exhaustion. She confessed that she, not Jin Xia, had always been the one providing spiritual energy to Nan Hua.
Jiang Xiaochuan further clarified that since Nan Hua was not the true Nan Hua, there was no preordained thousand-year promise or destined person; his belief in such a thing was a delusion. She explained that she orchestrated everything, spending years and vast resources to find Jin Xia in the world and deliberately becoming her friend to engineer their meeting and make them believe they were destined.
When Ding Yanhai pressed her on why she didn't reveal her true identity to Nan Hua and why she found someone else to be with him, she stated she couldn't, implying Nan Hua only knew a partial truth, and the full reality was far more cruel than a killing blow. As Ding Yanhai was still questioning Jiang Xiaochuan, bad news arrived from the ancient mansion.
Jin Xia called, reporting Nan Hua had fainted again and she couldn't channel energy to him. Immediately after, Jin Xia's mother called, relaying that the yard was on fire and the tree had burned down. They rushed back to find the tree severely damaged, almost completely burned. Nan Hua, weak and sensing his spiritual energy rapidly draining, confirmed the tree was burnt. Jiang Xiaochuan desperately tried to revive the tree but failed, collapsing in despair and tears.
Due to the tree's destruction, Nan Hua's body began to rapidly deteriorate, his spiritual energy draining, leaving him with only about a week of life. Ding Yanhai's police contacts investigated via surveillance footage and found the culprits were the same men who had previously blackmailed Jin Xia. Enraged, Jin Xia confronted them. They initially downplayed their actions, claiming it was just an accident or a cigarette butt that burned "a tree."
Jin Xia, with Jiang Xiaochuan's assistance, furiously attacked them, shouting that it wasn't just a tree but a life. Under pressure, the men confessed they were instructed by an old man with a strong Taiwanese accent. Ding Yanhai confirmed their confession and that Lin Jiarui had admitted on the phone to instigating the fire, identifying himself as the old man. Ding Yanhai reported that Lin Jiarui was in Taiwan, making an arrest difficult.
Lin Jiarui had claimed he was angered by Jin Xia's refusal to sell the house back and had been blamed by his mother, burning the tree to vent his frustration. He had apologized and offered compensation.
Ding Yanhai explained that legally, their case against Lin Jiarui would likely only result in a civil lawsuit, not criminal charges, especially given the difficulty of explaining the supernatural link between Nan Hua, the tree, and ancient beings to the authorities who wouldn't believe it. Jin Xia was furious, seeing it as murder motivated by the inheritance rather than simple arson for spite, but understood the legal limitations. Overwhelmed, she expressed a desire to walk alone, despite Ding Yanhai offering to accompany her.
Episode 23 Recap
Jin Xia wept by the sea, consumed by grief. Nan Hua approached her, offering comfort and a jacket against the cold wind. He gently held her, telling her that separation in life and death is a natural part of existence, and while he couldn't expect her to be as accustomed to it as he was due to his long life, the greater regret was not having a proper goodbye. He urged her to spend their remaining days together happily.
Hearing this, Jin Xia decided they should hold their wedding sooner. She proposed moving it up to the following week. Nan Hua initially hesitated, feeling his impending disappearance would only burden her, but Jin Xia insisted it wouldn't, even lightheartedly mentioning modern views on remarriage and her need for him. Jin Xia shared their plan with Ding Yanhai and Jiang Xiaochuan, asking for their help with the preparations.
Ding Yanhai anxiously asked Xiaochuan if there was any way to save Nan Hua. Xiaochuan explained that natural energy sources like thunder, wind, water, or solar power were insufficient to sustain the life force of ancient people. She added that ancient technology surpassed modern capabilities by millions of years, making contemporary methods for recharging them impossible. Despite this grim reality, everyone readily agreed to help with the wedding preparations.
Jin Xia announced she would begin working on the wedding attire immediately and would need help acquiring materials, planning to start construction the next day. Ding Yanhai and Xiaochuan agreed to assist with procuring materials and planning the venue, emphasizing the urgency given the limited time. That night, while Nan Hua rested, Jin Xia, inspired by the scent of a sachet Nan Hua had given her, began designing the wedding attire.
Xiaochuan saw the design and found it incredibly familiar, remarking on its strong resemblance to the past attire of the ancient figure known as High Immortal Nan Hua. She was stunned, tears welling up as she realized that Jin Xia, the person she had been searching for for so long, was indeed the one Li Chuchen (Nan Hua's ancient identity) had waited a thousand years for.
To complete the wedding attire within the week, Jin Xia enlisted the help of her former colleagues. They enthusiastically volunteered their time as a wedding gift, refusing payment. Nan Hua, despite his weakening condition (which caused him to feel cold even in summer and need warm clothing), insisted on accompanying Jin Xia to the studio every day. When others inquired about his attire, Jin Xia claimed he had a cold.
While at the studio, Nan Hua would often fall asleep and experience worsening memory loss upon waking. Jin Xia would watch him, sometimes weeping, expressing her deep reliance and love for him. She vowed to live her life fully, hoping he would return to her one day, promising to wait for him no matter how long it took.
Meanwhile, Xiaochuan worked tirelessly, channeling energy into the Chinese bush cherry tree, described as a vessel ancient people used to collect spiritual energy, in an effort to sustain Nan Hua's spiritual energy. This exertion left her visibly weak and also caused her memory to falter, similar to Nan Hua's condition. Ding Yanhai urged her to rest, but Xiaochuan persisted, feeling her efforts were a necessary compensation for past events and a deserved consequence.
She felt compelled to help "Chuchen" (Nan Hua), who had endured similar struggles for thousands of years without anyone caring, and needed him to last until his wedding day. A radio announcement reported that Wangqi Town would experience the third meteor shower of the year that night. Jin Xia recalled Nan Hua's story about wishing upon shooting stars near a cherry tree, realizing this event likely signified his imminent departure.
Nan Hua had now fallen into a deep coma, too weak to last until their originally planned wedding day. Jin Xia decided they had to hold the wedding the very next day. Ding Yanhai rushed to prepare the wedding venue, while Xiaochuan continued her strenuous effort to recharge the cherry tree. The next day, Jin Xia, wearing the stunning wedding attire she had created, stood before Nan Hua.
A final surge of memories returned to Nan Hua, allowing him to fully recognize Jin Xia's ancient connection and Jiang Xiaochuan as his sister, Li Xiuning. Shocked and caught off guard by this recognition, Xiaochuan froze momentarily, then vanished, her bouquet falling to the ground. Ding Yanhai officiated the ceremony. As the couple exchanged rings, Nan Hua, in his final moments, expressed his profound gratitude to Jin Xia for showing him true love and happiness.
He spoke of being used and deceived for millennia, and how she was the first person to genuinely need him, not for his power or wealth, but simply for his presence and care. He comforted Jin Xia, telling her their connection was like the Earth and the moon, bound together regardless of distance, urging her to promise to be happy. With his last breath, Nan Hua dissolved into light, and his ring fell to the ground.
Jin Xia cried out his name in anguish. Simultaneously, elsewhere, Xiaochuan, having expended all her spiritual energy recharging the tree specifically until the wedding was completed, saw her black hair turn white as her power fully depleted.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Thousands of years ago, in a mysterious Eastern state, Princess Li Xiuning was born, talented in both literature and martial arts, serving as both the noble eldest princess and a brave general. She grew up alongside her brother, Prince Li Chuchen, their bond deep. She naively believed they would always stay together, studying and practicing martial arts for life. One day, near a cliff, Li Xiuning unexpectedly saved a special woman, High Immortal Nan Hua.
Recognizing her extraordinary abilities, she introduced Nan Hua to Prince Li Chuchen, hoping she could help her brother achieve his ideal of governing the world. Afterward, Li Xiuning donned her armor and departed for battle. However, she never anticipated that while she was bravely fighting enemies on the battlefield, her brother and Nan Hua had decided to retire together.
It had never occurred to her that the brother who doted on and loved her would one day abandon her for another. For this, Li Xiuning, due to love turning into hate, secretly launched a coup, imprisoning Prince Li Chuchen and placing him in imminent danger. This prompted High Immortal Nan Hua to risk her life to save him.
Li Xiuning planned to kill Nan Hua while she was greatly weakened, but unexpectedly, the High Immortal, still possessing some strength, did not seek revenge. Instead, she divided her eternal life in two, granting one half to Li Chuchen and the other to Li Xiuning. Nan Hua declared that for the visionary Li Chuchen, eternal life was a gift, but for the paranoid and gloomy Li Xiuning, it was a punishment.
With these words, High Immortal Nan Hua vanished from the world forever. Unable to accept his close friend's departure, Li Chuchen mistook himself for Nan Hua, stubbornly remaining in the ancient house, waiting in vain for someone who would never return. Li Xiuning, not knowing how to face her brother, chose to turn and leave. This departure lasted a thousand years.
During this time, Li Xiuning wandered, experiencing many ups and downs, finally seeing through worldly affairs, which held no further meaning for her. Wishing to find liberation through death, she secretly made a final visit to her brother before she died. To her surprise, after a millennium, Li Chuchen was still in the ancient house, waiting for someone who would never come back. In that moment, Li Xiuning found the final meaning of her life: atonement to her brother.
Thus, she transformed into Jiang Xiaochuan and initiated a plan called "Golden House Hidden Husband". Executing this plan exhausted Jiang Xiaochuan's spiritual energy, causing her to become old and feeble with white hair. Li Yingjun, the current president of Qingshi Group, was pained seeing her state. Jiang Xiaochuan encouraged Li Yingjun to open his heart as there were many worthy people. Jin Xia was invited to see Jiang Xiaochuan and was shocked by her appearance.
The steward revealed the truth: "Grandma," as the steward's family had called her for generations, was actually Princess Li Xiuning, the true chairwoman of Qingshi Group. The Golden House Hidden Husband plan was devised to potentially heal Li Chuchen's heart sickness by introducing someone who resembled High Immortal Nan Hua, which was Jin Xia. Their meeting and relationship were an arrangement.
Jiang Xiaochuan, nearing her end, apologized to Jin Xia for the deception, stating that despite the lies, their friendship was true and Jin Xia was her only and best friend. Jin Xia was distraught, refusing to let her go, but Jiang Xiaochuan explained that like Li Chuchen, her eternal life had reached its end.
After Jiang Xiaochuan passed away, Jin Xia, overwhelmed by the loss of both her lover and best friend, in despair personally buried the ring Nan Hua had made for her. Five years later, Ding Yanhai served as President Li Yingjun's secretary. At a bid opening, Ding Yanhai forgot the bid documents, but Li Yingjun arrived just in time to deliver them, having seen them by his bed the night before when carrying him into the room.
On the death anniversary of Nan Hua and Jiang Xiaochuan, Li Yingjun accompanied Ding Yanhai back to the ancient house to pay respects. They spoke as if to the deceased, sharing updates about their lives, including obtaining a large development project and the success of the Wangqi Town tourism development, and expressing hope for a future return. Meanwhile, Jin Xia gave a presentation about the culture of ancient people.
When a student asked if ancient people still existed, Jin Xia initially gave a negative answer. At that moment, Nan Hua suddenly appeared before everyone, confirming their existence. He explained that the ring he had made, buried by Jin Xia, had sprouted and grown into a new seedling. The roots of the new tree and the old tree intertwined, becoming a new vessel that began supplying him with spiritual energy again.
However, the energy collected was initially only enough for one day's return, with future visits requiring years for the tree to grow and accumulate more energy, with the time expected to shorten gradually. Putting aside her sadness, Jin Xia immediately began a romantic date with Nan Hua to make the most of their one day, which culminated in them spending the night together.
Waking the next morning, Jin Xia feared Nan Hua had disappeared, but found him still there, tidying up the room. Nan Hua revealed that their union the previous night had unexpectedly resulted in a sudden abundance of spiritual energy. He explained that absorbing spiritual energy was a natural process, and when first getting along with Jin Xia, he clearly felt energy entering him whenever her actions caused his mood to change, even when Xiuning was not present.
From a theoretical perspective, Jin Xia could indeed be Nan Hua's charging source, allowing him to live alongside her by obtaining "love energy." Ding Yanhai arrived quickly upon hearing the news, overjoyed to see Nan Hua returned. Nan Hua agreed to return to work at Qingshi Group, starting from the basic level, thus beginning a happy and beautiful life with Jin Xia.
