Here to Heart Episode 1 Recap
> Here to Heart Recap
Amidst the bustling streets of a foreign city, Wen Nuan, a capable and elegant young woman, makes her way to her office building. She is there to bid farewell to her colleagues at the R&D center in Hamburg, Germany. Her colleagues express their sadness at her departure, noting how much they will miss her. They present her with a personalized gift and flowers as a token of remembrance, praising her contributions and her excellent Chinese cooking.
Wen Nuan thanks them, acknowledging the honor of being part of the team and her achievements, and promises to stay in touch before joining them for a farewell party. Meanwhile, at Shallow Cosmos's British division, Zhan Nanxian, the company's renowned founder, strides into a meeting. He observes his assistant, Yang Ying, lacking a seat and instructs an employee to accommodate her. Zhan Nanxian then announces Yang Ying's promotion to the new executive president of the British division.
An employee named Gu openly protests, deeming the promotion unfair. Zhan Nanxian sharply retorts that it is unfair to the company's staff to keep an "useless" person like Gu employed, further exposing Gu's secret collaboration with Shallow Cosmos's rival, Daizhong. When Gu demands evidence, Zhan Nanxian reveals that a lawsuit for commercial bribery has already been filed against him. Yang Ying promptly hands Gu the legal documents. Gu is forced to leave, and Zhan Nanxian proceeds with the meeting.
In a picturesque park, Wen Nuan and Zhu Linlu are feeding pigeons. Zhu Linlu, the general manager of Daizhong, teases Wen Nuan about his uncanny ability to know her whereabouts. He reminds her that he was the one who brought her to Britain seven years ago after her heartbreak and is now bringing her back, feeling a sense of completion.
He suggests she consider working for Daizhong, highlighting her talent and experience, even jokingly offering to resign himself and find her a suitable company. Wen Nuan declines the offer to join Daizhong, explaining that after seven years away, her goal is to become braver, work harder, rediscover her true self, and work at Shallow Cosmos. Zhu Linlu expresses concern about her adapting to life back home, but Wen Nuan remains determined.
Three months later in Shanghai, Shallow Cosmos begins its search for a new president assistant, as Yang Ying has transitioned to her new role in the UK. Three candidates are shortlisted: Du Xintong, a savvy senior manager with four years of experience; Zhang Duanyan, a discreet and steady worker; and Wen Nuan, a recent Cambridge University graduate who has only been with Shallow Cosmos for three months but is considered a strong contender due to her high professional competence.
During her interview with Director Chi Bika, Wen Nuan is surprised by the opportunity. She admits that while she feels capable, she is unsure of her suitability because her boyfriend, Zhu Linlu, is the general manager of rival company Daizhong. Chi Bika acknowledges this revelation and informs Wen Nuan that the results will be announced the following day. Alone at home, Wen Nuan questions her spontaneous disclosure about Zhu Linlu.
She receives a call from Auntie Li, to whom she recounts the interview. Auntie Li encourages her, urging her to be brave and follow her heart. Later, Wen Rou, Wen Nuan's sister, visits. Wen Rou expresses relief that Wen Nuan is back and regret for not being a perfect elder sister, but Wen Nuan assures her she is accustomed to being independent. Wen Nuan gives Wen Rou a new watch.
While putting it on her sister's wrist, Wen Nuan notices a prominent scar. Wen Rou downplays it as an old injury from a drunken accident during a past heartbreak, insisting it happened while Wen Nuan was abroad and was insignificant. However, Wen Nuan experiences a fleeting, troubling flashback of Wen Rou injured with a knife nearby, making her question if she was truly in England at the time.
Wen Rou firmly reiterates that Wen Nuan was abroad, suggesting she confirm with Zhu Linlu if she doubts it, but her gaze shifts uncomfortably. Wen Rou then quickly leaves to check on her cooking, leaving Wen Nuan with fragmented memories and a sense of unease. That night, Zhan Nanxian wakes from a disturbing nightmare, reliving a moment where Wen Nuan angrily rejected him, causing him to wake up sweating and agitated, calling out "Nanxian!" in distress.
Looking at a picture, he wonders if his "little tortoise" will call him. By morning, he stares into a mirror, resolving to win Wen Nuan back. The next day, Du Xintong’s colleagues confidently predict her victory as president assistant. However, the company's internal announcement shocks everyone: Wen Nuan is the new president assistant. Chi Bika calls Wen Nuan to confirm her appointment to the 66th floor, where Ding Xiaodai will facilitate the handover.
Wen Nuan silently encourages herself, recalling her Auntie Li's advice to trust her path. Meanwhile, Zhan Nanxian and Gao Fang are on their way to meet clients. Gao Fang teases Zhan Nanxian about his relentless work ethic and brings up media rumors about his long-standing relationship with actress Bo Yixin. Zhan Nanxian dismisses the gossip. Gao Fang then reveals the company's buzz about Wen Nuan's unexpected promotion and mentions Chi Bika's report that Wen Nuan is Zhu Linlu's girlfriend.
Zhan Nanxian offers a cryptic response, saying "time will tell everything," and dismisses Wen Nuan as "just an assistant." In another development, Zhu Linlu convenes an early board meeting at Daizhong to discuss the acquisition of Alpha, a project he believes is crucial for the company's growth and to address the R&D department's over-reliance on external supply.
He expresses frustration with the finance department's sluggishness, which he attributes to his uncle's control over the capital chain, leaving him as a general manager "but an empty shell." He declares his intention to personally handle the financing for the Alpha project. Later, Zhu Linlu meets with his friend Pan Weining, general manager of Yizhong Group, to ask for a loan for the Alpha acquisition.
After some back and forth, Zhu Linlu offers Yizhong Group last year's profits for Pan Weining’s support, which Pan Weining accepts. Pan Weining then casually mentions that Wen Nuan has become Zhan Nanxian's assistant, a piece of news that genuinely surprises Zhu Linlu, who was clearly unaware. That evening, Zhan Nanxian and Gao Fang return to Shallow Cosmos. Wen Nuan, still in the office, formally introduces herself to them.
Their eyes meet, stirring up many sweet memories from the past, revealing that Wen Nuan's heartbreak seven years ago was linked to Zhan Nanxian. Despite their profound reunion, both pretend not to know each other. Wen Nuan is filled with mixed emotions, while Zhan Nanxian turns away somberly, watching the night sky and shedding a tear. Later, Gao Fang, noticing Zhan Nanxian's emotional state, confronts him about hiring Wen Nuan despite her alleged relationship with Zhu Linlu. Zhan Nanxian, agitated, responds with a metaphor about fighting desperately when pushed from a height, indicating his deep emotional turmoil.
