I Am The Years You Are The Stars Episode 12 Recap
> I Am The Years You Are The Stars Recap
The tension between Xiaoyu and Jiang Baiju grew after Qian Cheng photographed Xiaoyu and Lin Nuoyan talking, leaving Jiang Baiju visibly displeased. That day, news arrived that the patient from Bed 13 had passed away. Xiaoyu rushed to the hospital, finding only a set of checkers, a gift from the "chess-playing Auntie" who had signed donor files the previous Wednesday and was said to have no family.
A nurse mentioned her surprise that the granny hadn't lived longer and also joked about the "three young men" from Xiaoyu's company needing an exorcist after their cemetery encounter. Overwhelmed with sorrow, Xiaoyu returned to the villa that night, hoping to confide in Jiang Baiju. Instead, he questioned her relationship with Lin Nuoyan. Jiang Baiju sarcastically suggested they play checkers to pass midnight, implying Xiaoyu wouldn't be charged extra.
Xiaoyu, hurt by his tone, asked if he was her boyfriend, questioning why he probed into her day as if he were, while refusing to define their relationship. He retorted, accusing her of sharing her professional hardships, exorcising spirits, and planting flowers with Professor Lin, treating him like a boyfriend, yet expecting him, Jiang Baiju, to be her actual boyfriend.
Xiaoyu vehemently denied any improper relationship with Lin Nuoyan, reiterating that she only wanted to be with Jiang Baiju, acting honorably and never two-timing. As she attempted to leave at eleven o'clock, he stopped her, but she misunderstood, concluding she was merely a "tool to accompany him through midnight." Jiang Baiju, in turn, challenged her, asking if he was simply "a puppet for love" to her.
Their argument escalated, with Xiaoyu accusing him of leading her on and playing hard to get, despite her sincere desire for a simple relationship. Jiang Baiju declared his love for her, denying he was manipulating her. He then asserted that Xiaoyu’s affections were insincere, driven by pity for his unique life rather than genuine love, and that she chose him knowing he wouldn't engage with or fall for anyone else.
Xiaoyu conceded that those reasons were partially true but insisted her feelings for him were real. Jiang Baiju reiterated his belief that love should be a unique, destined bond, not a casual experiment. Xiaoyu countered that he didn't understand her, just as she didn't fully understand him, questioning if he loved her out of genuine affection or necessity.
When he admitted he might have other options, Xiaoyu revealed her own prior uncertainty, stating that she now knew she loved him, but it wasn’t out of necessity. As midnight approached, Jiang Baiju, angered by her words, retreated into his hibernation chamber alone, ignoring her plea not to resort to "tricks." Outside, Qian Cheng and his associate, who had been listening in, discussed their manipulation of Jiang Baiju's insecurities.
Qian Cheng even switched allegiance to Xiaoyu, declaring her "more powerful" when she successfully calmed Jiang Baiju later. Distraught, Xiaoyu sought out Xu Nan at the hospital, pouring out her heart about the argument, describing Jiang Baiju as an "innocent grandpa" whom she had unknowingly hurt. Earlier, as Xu Nan’s care worker, Xiaoyu had listened to Xu Nan's philosophical reflections on life and death, and her casual inquiry about euthanasia, which Xiaoyu had dismissed with reassurances about recovery.
During her visit, she witnessed an argument in the lounge between Xu Nan’s daughter, He Jie, and Bella’s family over a spilled thermos containing medicinal soup. The adults' heated exchange highlighted their patients' serious conditions. After they left, a mature-looking Bella, a child actress, apologized to Xu Nan and introduced herself, forming an unlikely friendship with the elderly woman.
Later, He Jie, accompanied by her husband, brought her daughter to see an abandoned elderly patient, lecturing her daughter on filial piety and the importance of cherishing her own mother, presumably to make her more appreciative of Xu Nan’s care. Mrs. Dao invited Xiaoyu for afternoon tea, comforting her with the idea that genuine love can overcome any obstacle, and that differences in life's philosophy only reveal a lack of true love.
Xiaoyu admitted to feeling an insurmountable "wall" between her and Jiang Baiju, especially given his desire for death and her will to live. Mrs. Dao then revealed Jiang Baiju’s past struggles, explaining that he once contemplated building a steel plant as a means to commit suicide, believing even his self-healing powers couldn't survive the furnace. His past suicide attempts were numerous and varied.
However, Mrs. Dao’s father, an uneducated mountain dweller, had prevented him by tapping into Jiang Baiju's deepest longing: to live like a normal person, capable of crying, laughing, falling in love, getting sick, and going to doctors. Her father had conveyed a "spell" to Jiang Baiju: "As long as you are alive, you still have the chance to become an ordinary man." Mrs. Dao passed this "guardian" role and the powerful "spell" onto Xiaoyu.
Meanwhile, Jiang Baiju suffered chest pains, prompting his associate to deliver an update on the investigation into the mysterious radioactive substance. The substance had been found in samples from the bus case murderer and an epileptic patient at the funeral home, but its nature remained unknown. Qian Tu, in his own investigation, met with Tan Yueran, who disclosed that a doctor named Zhao Shan had provided her with a "special medicine."
Initially hesitant due to the cardiac rejection symptoms, she took one pill, finding it quickly addictive. She regularly visited Zhao Shan at the hospital for refills, where he insisted on detailed full-body examinations, claiming it was for patient responsibility.
Tan Yueran noted that her vivid dreams about donors began about a month after starting the medication, which sparked her interest in the donors, even leading her to see a play called "Amber" about a heart transplant recipient falling in love with her donor's boyfriend. Later, as Jiang Baiju was submerging himself in water, he experienced vivid flashbacks of "Xiuxiu," a girl from his past.
He recalled promising Xiuxiu that he would help her die if he lived, while Xiuxiu pleaded with him not to give up on living well until then, reminding him that her father believed he could become a normal person if he just lived. Xiaoyu’s voice broke through his painful memories, pulling him from the water. Deeply moved by Mrs. Dao’s words and his vulnerable state, Xiaoyu confessed her love for him, acknowledging her youthful misunderstanding of his deeper emotions.
She admitted her love might not be as profound as his but swore it was genuine, apologizing for her past insensitivity and for treating him as a "tool." She promised not to force him into anything, emphasizing his dignity and emotions. She expressed willingness to wait for his love, even for a lifetime, but pleaded for him not to lie to her, confessing she had already fallen deeply in love with him.
Jiang Baiju, visibly moved and no longer angry, admitted he was still "a little" mad but felt he had "forgiven her too early," his lips curling into a smile. He promised to live well for her sake, asking her to strive for a longer life in return. They embraced and shared a heartfelt kiss, sealing their reconciliation. At Qing'ai Group, preparations for the anniversary celebration were underway, following Dao Ruifeng’s instructions.
However, a major issue arose: they lacked a prominent female lead after Xue Wanwan threatened to expose Qin Rong’s data fraud, forcing Dao Ruifeng to send Qin Rong abroad to avoid scandal. This left Qing'ai without a strong female star for the event. Dao Ruifeng, despite his earlier anger and concern for Qin Rong, was soon confronted by Xue Wanwan at the airport, who accused him of seeing off his "love rival."
He tried to placate her, claiming he was sending Qin Rong away for her sake. Back at the office, Lin Nuoyan informed Xiaoyu that he was becoming Qing'ai's new endorser and would be featured in a fashion magazine, making him feel a little nervous. Qian Cheng later revealed to Jiang Baiju that Lin Nuoyan was coming to the company for a fitting, wearing clothes designed by Jiang Baiju.
Jiang Baiju, clearly displeased by the news, was advised by Qian Cheng to lock his door, hinting at the potential for further romantic complications. Dao Ruifeng, after a brief chat with Qian Cheng about the celebrity situation, left to attend to the fitting, hinting to a mysterious "Madam" on a phone call that a surprise was being orchestrated, ensuring Jiang Baiju wouldn't have a chance to "run away" from the impending encounter with Lin Nuoyan. Dao Ruifeng then met Lin Nuoyan and his own assistant, Bai, briefly before excusing himself, leaving Bai to manage the fitting.
