Granting You a Dreamlike Life Episode 8 Recap
> Granting You a Dreamlike Life Recap
Xu Xingcheng, closely monitored by two bodyguards dispatched by his father, Xu Ruian, called Hong Lan to devise a plan. He was annoyed by the constant surveillance, asking his bodyguards if they intended to act as a "light bulb" on his date. Xu Ruian intercepted the call, but Hong Lan cleverly confirmed Xu Xingcheng had invited her out for a chat, even offering tea from her father, Hong Zhenbao, as a gift to Xu Ruian, successfully convincing him.
Hong Lan, though initially annoyed by the early call, saw an opportunity for herself. When she prepared to leave, her father, Hong Zhenbao, insisted she take a bodyguard named Nana, which irked Hong Lan. Xu Xingcheng and Hong Lan met, secretly, at a cinema. Hong Lan complained about the movie, but Xu Xingcheng explained it was a cover to "get rid of your bodyguards" so they could talk freely.
He brought up her upcoming masquerade party, suggesting they maintain the facade of dating to ease their families' surveillance. He also requested permission to bring his own dance partner, which Hong Lan readily granted, stating they wouldn't interfere with each other at the event. To escape their watchful bodyguards, Xu Xingcheng led Hong Lan out through the cinema's back door.
After successfully evading their pursuers, Hong Lan gave Xu Xingcheng a mask, explaining it was required for entry to the ball. They then went their separate ways. Later, Xu Xingcheng gifted Tianying a pair of high heels, urging her to quickly adapt to them as she would be dancing.
He invited her to the masquerade ball as his partner, describing it as an exciting European tradition where guests wear masks, making it "fresh and exciting" to potentially dance with a stranger. Tianying was concerned about how she would find him, so Xu Xingcheng showed her his mask and instructed her to recognize him by it.
Despite Tianying's embarrassment about her previous dance attempts, Xu Xingcheng patiently began teaching her, guiding her hand and foot placement, reassuring her they would "take your time." Meanwhile, Luo Fusheng rode alone to the riverside, taking a poster of Tianying, folding it into a paper boat, and letting it drift down the water.
As he watched it float away, he became lost in memories of his time with Tianying, finally acknowledging that, deep within, he had fallen in love with her. When the masquerade ball began, Xu Xingcheng, wearing a white mask, waited anxiously for Tianying at the entrance. However, Tianying was detained by Tianci, who took her to the hospital to visit Jiu Suihong, who was recovering well.
Tianying eventually created an excuse, feigning a craving for fried buns, to leave the hospital and rush to the ball. At the ball entrance, Luo Fusheng, wearing a golden mask, spotted Xu Xingcheng. He approached, but Xu Xingcheng, still upset from a previous misunderstanding, accused Luo Fusheng of betraying him to his father. Luo Fusheng vehemently denied it, explaining that Xu Ruian's extensive network of plainclothes officers made it easy to find his son without any inside help.
He apologized for the misunderstanding and promised to protect Xu Xingcheng for the night, ensuring no one, including his father, would disturb his enjoyment. Xu Xingcheng, who was waiting for a "friend," reluctantly went inside after Hong Lan assured him her servants would watch for his guest. Inside, Hong Lan continued her scheme to embarrass Xu Xingcheng. She plied him with drinks, ostensibly as a way to "ease with you" after a past mistake.
She then sent a group of women, including Mengmeng and Mr. Qiu, to surround him and force him to drink more, trapping him when he tried to leave to wait for his friend. Luo Fusheng attempted to intervene when he saw Xu Xingcheng being overwhelmed, but Hong Lan pulled him away, insisting he stay by her side. She then deliberately led Luo Fusheng to her father, Hong Zhenbao, pointing out Xu Xingcheng surrounded by women, which visibly displeased Hong Zhenbao.
Xu Xingcheng, by now heavily intoxicated, was guided to the restroom by Luo Fusheng to recover. The women, however, were relentless, waiting outside the restroom for him. Desperate, Xu Xingcheng begged Luo Fusheng to impersonate him and drink on his behalf, appealing to Luo Fusheng's earlier promise of protection. Luo Fusheng, seeing no other choice, reluctantly agreed. He swapped clothes and masks with Xu Xingcheng and walked out, immediately surrounded by the eager women.
At that moment, Tianying arrived, wearing her mask. Recognizing the white mask and clothes she believed belonged to Xu Xingcheng, she approached Luo Fusheng. Luo Fusheng, recognizing the beautiful Tianying, did not correct her mistake and instead left the women to dance with her. Tianying asked why he hadn't spoken to her earlier and if he was angry about her being late, having just visited her father. She complimented his appearance, asking, "Xu Xingcheng, do I look good today?"
Luo Fusheng remained silent, continuing to dance with her. As they danced, an assassin suddenly appeared. Tianying cried out in alarm, but Luo Fusheng swiftly pushed her out of the way, taking the bullet himself. He collapsed, and Tianying, horrified, finally realized it was Luo Fusheng, not Xu Xingcheng, who had been dancing with her and had just saved her life.
A now-sober Xu Xingcheng and Hong Lan rushed over as others called for help, frantically getting the injured Luo Fusheng to the hospital. In the hospital, Luo Fusheng, though severely wounded, insisted that Xu Xingcheng perform the surgery, stating he only trusted him. Xu Xingcheng initially hesitated due to protocol but then asserted his position as an intern doctor and took full responsibility for the operation.
On the operating table, Luo Fusheng, fearing he might not survive, expressed his realization that both he and Xu Xingcheng loved Tianying. He made a solemn pact with Xu Xingcheng: if he lived, they would compete fairly for Tianying's heart. Xu Xingcheng agreed, urging Luo Fusheng to fight for his life, joking that he might try to "stitch your mouth shut first" during surgery. They solidified their agreement with a handshake.
Outside the operating room, Hong Lan, in a fit of rage, slapped Tianying, blaming her for Luo Fusheng's critical condition. Just then, a doctor announced that Luo Fusheng was experiencing a severe hemorrhage and the blood bank was dangerously low. He urgently needed a suitable blood donor, warning of potential "life danger" for the donor. Tianying immediately volunteered, affirming her willingness to donate "as long as the blood type is OK."
Xu Xingcheng voiced his concern, reminding her of the risks, "Do you know how dangerous this blood donation is? I might save Luo Fusheng, but I will lose you." But Tianying, steadfast, said, "Xu Xingcheng, I can. I believe you." As Tianying donated blood, she spoke to the unconscious Luo Fusheng, stating she was donating only because their blood types matched and she couldn't stand by.
She questioned why he was the one dancing with her and why he took the bullet, urging him to recover because she didn't want to "owe you another life." She then fainted from weakness. After the successful surgery, Xu Xingcheng tenderly held the unconscious Tianying's hand, expressing his distress and relief. He thanked God that both Tianying and Luo Fusheng had survived, reflecting on the torment of feeling like he might lose "my best brother, And my favorite girl."
When Tianying awoke, she asked about Luo Fusheng, relieved to hear he was stable. She commended Xu Xingcheng's "medical skill" in saving him. Xu Xingcheng apologized for worrying her, and Tianying, with a relieved smile, assured him she was fine.
